Chondath

Chondath was a country located in the Vilhon Reach. It had a long history. It was located on what once was the psiocracy of Jhaamdath on the shore of the Sea of Fallen Stars. Chondath was later a confederation of city-states under the capital of Arrabar, but used to be a powerful nation in times long past.

All of Chondath was ruled by Eles Wianar, the Lord of Arrabar. He resided in the Generon, a large palace located in the capital.

In 1386 DR, as part of the Spellplague, most of Chondath was exchanged with parts of the Abeiran land of Shyr. What remained of Chondath on Toril was utterly destroyed by the subsequent catastrophes of the Wailing Years.

Society
Chondathans were primarily traders, often dealing with far-off lands. They were also a somewhat warlike people and distrusted wizards and magic altogether.

Religion
Waukeen, the goddess of trade, was heavily worshiped here. Other important gods were Helm, god of guardians; Lliira, goddess of joy; Malar, god of the hunt; Talos, god of storms; and Tempus, god of war.

Culture
Traditional Chondathan chairs were constructed to have very distinct high backs.

Major Geographical Features

 * Chondalwood: A large forest south of Chondath that was inhabited by elves, satyrs, and centaurs.

History
Chondath was a country with a fabled past, once the site of a mighty empire ruling over much of the Vilhon Reach, Sembia, and arguably Westgate all under the control of the Chondathan Illistine family. It was formed from a confederation of city-states in the during a brutal war with the elves of nearby Chondalwood.

Continuing the war with elves, Chondath under the ruler Laviar Illistine sent a force of 10,000 soldiers into the Chondalwood. They are massacred, with scarce 200 soldiers returning alive.

Sometime before the the cities of Chondathan and Chauncelgaunt were founded by Chondathan colonists in Sembia. Over time these colonies became known as Saerloon and Selgaunt, respectively.

In the the Chondathan city of Mussum was hit by a mysterious plague, which killed more than three quarters of the population in less than a day, and the city was abandoned.

Soon after, Hlondeth regained its independence from Chondath.

Civil war broke out in Chondath in the and, following two years of bitter Rotting War, the city-states of Chondathan, Chancelgaunt,  and Sespech were granted independence. Following foul plagues imbued the magic of the lower planes sweeping across the empire, unleashed by the war, the Chondathan empire broke apart.

Circa 1017 DR, exodus of several grand mercenary companies from the Vilhon Reach elected to leave Chondath, being fed up by conflicts, wars, and bloodshed. The mercenaries though Chondath to be honor-less and along with their families, traveling hospitals, mobile sanctuaries, and courts, slowly traveled the continent until they reached the unclaimed lands on the north-western shores of the Akanamere. With time the yellow rolling hills and valleys of scattered ruins were turned into militaristic yet bloodless Blade Kingdoms.

Chondath regained some measure of its former power in the, in part by lending mercenaries to the power struggles in Chessenta

Chondath was utterly devastated by the Spellplague in the, with many of its cities, including its capital Arrabar destroyed. Other portions of the country were transported to Abeir and replaced by the genasi who formed the kingdom Akanûl.

Cities

 * Arrabar: The capital of Chondath was an ancient city with a large portion of Chondath's army.
 * Hlath: A busy port city that exported much of the region's lumber.
 * Iljak: Another port city in Chondath.
 * Shamph: This thriving city benefited greatly from the war between Hlath and Iljak.
 * Mussum: This plague-ridden ruin was known for the House of Holy Suffering temple which lay near or in it.

Appearances

 * Novels
 * The Council of Blades &bull; The Sapphire Crescent &bull; The Ruby Guardian

Connections
Chondath