The Border Kingdoms occupy an area of lush grasslands between the Lake of Steam and the Shaar. This area is divided politically into many smaller principalities and kingdoms. Because of the instability of the Border Kingdoms, no accurate maps exist and the borders move around as rulers and boundaries change — this is the ideal place for adventurers wanting to start a kingdom of their own. A borderer is the name given to an inhabitant of the Border Kingdoms.[4][3]
Etymology[]
The region's most well known name, the "Border Kingdoms," was coined by sages in Sembia due to them being viewed as an obstacle to Calimshan's expansion and their ability to remain steadfast in the face of constant turmoil.[5]
Geography[]
The Border Kingdoms have a coastline to the west where they meet the Shining Sea. This coastline extends from the mouth of the River Scelptar in the south to the opening of the Lake of Steam in the north, at Theymarsh. The northern edge of the Border Kingdoms is bordered by the Lake of Steam and this natural border continues east for about 700 miles to the town of Alamontyr, the easternmost settlement. The border with the Shaar is not a definite one although it runs roughly southwest from Alamontyr back to the coastal rivermouth of the Scelptar.
Background[]
The warm climate of the Border Kingdoms and the fertility of the low-lying grasslands mean that crops grow easily and food is never short. The winters are very mild compared with areas further north, and this combined with the abundance of food makes adventuring a popular pursuit. The excess food produced is traded with merchants from other places, especially Vilhon Reach, in exchange for trade goods.
Conflict is common in the Border Kingdoms. The Borderers have cause to fight the Calishite armies from the west, the invading nomads of the Shaar from the east and south, and also fighting between themselves over territory.
Regions[]
- Adaerglast
- Bedorn
- The Barony of Blacksaddle
- The Barony of Great Oak
- Burntbridges
- Grand Duchy of Shantal
- Hawkgarth
- High Emmerock
- The Land of Two Princes
- Nether Mukshar
- Middle Mukshar
- High Mukshar
- Ondeeme
- Owlhold
- Realm of the Mount
- Realm of the Ready Sword
- Realm of the Smoking Star
- Shandolphyn's Reach
- Suldamma
- The Swordpoint Streams
- Talduth Vale
- Thuntar
Settlements[]
- Alamontyr
- Arnglar
- Arthyn (Large Town)
- Barrowhill
- Beldargan (Small Town)
- Blackalblade (Small City)
- Blackbarn (Large Town)
- Bloutar (Small Town)
- Dapplegate (Large Town)
- Derlusk
- Dunbridges (Village)
- Emrys (Large Town)
- Felshroun (Large Town)
- Gallard
- Irl
- Luthbaern (Small Town)
- Manywaters (Small Town)
- Myrinjar (Small City)
- Oeble (Large Town)
- Oparl
- Rymdyl (Thorp)
- Selpt (Hamlet)
- Sorndorn (Village)
- Splondar (Village)
- Syrnt (Small Town)
- Taermbold (Thorp)
- Telcharn (Small Town)
- Themasulter (Village)
- Theymarsh (Thorp)
- Thur (Large Town)
- Thort (Hamlet)
- Urspreth (Thorp)
- Waernd (Hamlet)
- Yallasch (Small City)
- Ythtym (Village)
Forests[]
- The Duskwood
- The Jundarwood
- The Neth Stand
- The Qurth Forest
Personalities[]
Appendix[]
Gallery[]
Further Reading[]
- Ed Greenwood (July 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: First Look At The Border Kingdoms”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #109 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6–9.
- Ed Greenwood (August 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Our Tour of the Border Kingdom Continues”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #110 (TSR, Inc.), p. 5–7.
- Ed Greenwood (September 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Black Saddle, Great Oak, and Bedorn, and then a break”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #111 (TSR, Inc.), p. 5–7.
- Ed Greenwood (January 1996). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: The Sage of Shadowdale returns!”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #115 (TSR, Inc.), p. 18–20.
- Ed Greenwood (February 1996). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: The Border Kingdoms: Blackbarn and Bloutar”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #116 (TSR, Inc.), p. 9–11.
External Links[]
- The Border Kingdoms Archive. Forgotten Realms Archives. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2008-04-25.
- Shining South
- The Black Bouquet: The Town of Oeble
- The Drifting Portal'
- More Lake of Steam and Dragon Coast!
- Brief description by Ed Greenwood
References[]
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2006-03-22). The Border Kingdoms: Arthyn. The Border Kingdoms. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-08-18.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (2022-12-18). Names in Border Kingdoms (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-12-18. Retrieved on 2022-12-18.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 151. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (July 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: First Look At The Border Kingdoms”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #109 (TSR, Inc.), p. 6.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood (August 1995). “Elminster's Everwinking Eye: Our Tour of the Border Kingdom Continues”. In Duane Maxwell ed. Polyhedron #110 (TSR, Inc.), p. 5.
- ↑ Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 131. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
Connections[]
Adaerglast • Bedorn • Barony of Blacksaddle • Burntbridges • High Emmerock • Barony of Great Oak • Hawkgarth • Land of Two Princes • Nether Mukshar • Middle Mukshar • High Mukshar • Ondeeme • Owlhold • Realm of the Mount • Realm of the Ready Sword • Shandolphyn's Reach • Grand Duchy of Shantal • Realm of the Smoking Star • Suldamma • Swordpoint Streams • Talduth Vale • Thuntar
Settlements