Thar

Thar, also known as the Great Gray Land, was a rocky, broken moor stretching for hundreds of miles with a harsh climate north of the Moonsea. It was inhabited by wild tribes of humanoids such as orcs who were constantly at war with one another.

Raids
The many humanoid tribes of Thar carried out attacks on caravans heading to or from Glister, the camps in the Galenas foothills, or villages in the Stojanow Vale. In an attempt to keep them in check and bring stability to the area, lords and merchants were known to enter into agreements with the tribes to encourage them not to attack, but these agreements broke down easily. Scouts, hired adventuring companies, and the barbarians of the Ride also ventured into Thar to hunt these tribes and destroy any creatures they encountered.

Organizations
There were several tribes in Thar, including the Burning Daggers, fanatical orc worshipers of Kossuth; the Skullsmashers, a fierce tribe of ogres; and the Red Claws, a goblinoid horde.

Inhabitants
The lich Aesperus controlled the undead of eastern Thar.

History
From to, the region that would eventually be known as Thar was part of the minotaur kingdom of Grong-Haap, ruled by Haask, Voice of Hargut, during which time the region enjoyed a comparatively high level of civilization.

In, Vorbyx founded the humanoid kingdom of Thar.

In 400 DR, humanoid forces from Thar attacked and destroyed Northkeep, sinking it below the waves of the Moonsea.

In 1288 DR, a kingdom in Thar of the same name was established by humans, when Beldoran slew Maulog the last Tharkul of the humanoid kingdom of Thar.

In 1303 DR, the human kingdom of Thar came to an end, triggered by ogres overrunning the city of Phlan.

Places of Interest

 * Fangjaws Hold: The lair of the Skullsmashers tribe of ogres, located in the hills in central Thar.
 * Hulburg: A small city on the southeastern edge of Thar.
 * Melvaunt: This city lay near the mouth of the Tormel River, which flowed from a lake in central Thar.
 * Rosestone Abbey: A ruined abbey near Hulburg dedicated to the worship of Amaunator.
 * Xûl Jarak: An ancient orc citadel containing a passage to the Underdark.

Climate
Thar was bleak and windy, and was highly unsuitable for growing crops.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Ring of Winter
 * The Ring of Winter