Tilver's Gap

Tilver's Gap was a major pass through the Thunder Peaks that sat at an intersection of the Dalelands, the Stonelands, and Cormyr. It was home to the city of Tilverton, which was independent until being annexed by Cormyr.

Geography
Tilver's Gap cut a wide east-west passage through the northern Thunder Peaks, providing an ideal route through the mountain range. It met the Dalelands and Cormanthor forest to the east, bordering Mistledale, Sessrendale, and Semberholme. To the north, the Thunder Peaks met the Desertsmouth Mountains, with only the narrow climb of Shadow Gap allowing passage. Eastwards, the plains of the Gap turned to the desolate and inhospitable Stonelands and the foothills of the Storm Horns, while to the south the foothills of the Thunder Peaks were interrupted by the upper Immerflow river as it ran its course into the heart of Cormyr.

Trade
The Moonsea Ride passed straight through Tilver's Gap, and the North Ride intersected it at the city of Tilverton at the western end of the pass. The Gap was critical to trade and travel between Cormyr, the Dalelands, and the Moonsea, and regularly came under threat from foreign agents and barbaric raiders from the Stonelands and beyond. After 1356 DR, Cormyrean soldiers were deployed to patrol these routes, with squads of heavily-equipped mounted warriors supported by War Wizards.

The plains, hills, and forests of the Gap were home to hunters, trappers, prospectors, and loggers, with ranching and horse breeding also popular. The annexation of Tilverton brought a number of Cormyrean frontiersmen and merchants who saw opportunities in the newly-secured lands.

History
The only settlement of note in Tilver's Gap was Tilverton, both of which were named after the archwizard Tilvara who made her home there. In 1356 DR, Cormyr deployed an army of Purple Dragons to the Gap in order to protect Tilverton from oncoming threats in the region, including marauding orcs, the Zhentarim, and the conquests of Lashan Aumersair. In Kythorn of that year an army of thousands of orcs was destroyed while it besieged Tilverton, and the city shortly agreed to become a protectorate of the Dragon Throne. The Purple Dragons then used the Gap as a secure base to operate from, striking forth and fighting the Zhentarim in Daggerdale and adjoining lands.

Tilverton was destroyed during battle with the forces of Thultanthar in 1372 DR, creating the Tilverton Scar. Despite the loss of the city, Cormyr continued to garrison the Gap and use it as a base of operations through the 15 century DR, going on to further settle and fortify the area.