The Thayan Plateau, also known as the Plateau of Thay, was the region within the nation in the Unapproachable East that encompassed the raised lands above the cliffs known as the First Escarpment, set around the further-elevated mesa known as High Thay.[3] While it was an idyllic homeland for the ruling wizards up until the 14th century DR,[4] war and magical disaster left it a barren dystopia just a few mere decades later.[5][6]
Description[]
The lands atop the plateau were naturally cold and arid. However, thanks to the influence of the Red Wizards, the highlands were transformed into a vast, fertile savannah comprised of rolling grasslands and occasional badlands, dotted with smaller, wind-swept mesas.[2] This landscape was a more suitable landscape for the mages' personal estates and holdings.[4]
In particular, the southern reaches of the plateau held expansive tracts of farmlands, orchards, vineyards and other plantations that were worked by the great number of slaves kept by Thay. Cotton and grain were among the major crops produced, although citrus, olives and grapes were also cultivated within the south.[2]
The sheer cliffs of the First Escarpment created a grand, natural defense that protected Thay from any potential invading armies. These bluffs had a number of caverns and tunnels carved into its rocky facade. Set within this network of passageway were numerous barracks, citadels and fortresses that housed the legions of Thay.[7][3]
The entirety of the Thayan Plateau was protected by a series of arcane wards that protected the land magical divination and scrying spells.[2]
15th Century[]
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Weather[]
Throughout the existence of Thay, the Red Wizards developed great, complex spells that changed the weather atop the nation's grand plateau. The typically cold weather was altered to a more moderate range and rain regularly fell over the previously dry landscape.[2]
Economy[]
The goods produced throughout the southern plateau were shipped across east Faerûn and as far north as the Vast. The grains of Thay provided much of the food consumed in the nations of Chessenta, prior to its destruction, Impiltur, the Vast and Wizards' Reach.[2]
History[]
During the War of the Zulkirs in the late 14th century DR, Szass Tam employed tactics that left much of the Thayan Plateau plagued by drought, famine and disease. Its land and waters were flooded, dessicated and even poisoned,[5] leaving a desolate badlands dotted with few remaining verdant locales that had been protected by magic.[8]
During the Spellplague in 1485 DR, the Plateau of Thay ascended thousands of feet above its previous height. This catastrophic event erupted the volcanoes of Thaymount, which in turn melted the peaks' glaciers. Flaming earth, stone and other debris fell from the mountains and wreaked destruction upon the already ravaged plateau,[8] while volcanic toxic fumes poisoned the ash-filled skies.[6]
Notable Locations[]
Many of Thay's greatest cities and keeps were located atop the Thayan Plateau. It contained much of the nation's central dominant tharchs including Eltabbar, Delhumide, Pyarados and most of Lapendrar.[9] The southern half of the plateau was quartered by the nation's main trade routes: the High Road, which ran north-to-south, and the Eastern Way, which stretched from Nethjet, west of the plateau, east towards the River Thazarlm.[10]
After the Spellplague, the previously vibrant arteries of commerce were largely destroyed and became irrelevant to the Thayans of the 15th century.[6]
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Appendix[]
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References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 148. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 153. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 20. ISBN 978-0786901395.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Richard Lee Byers (March 2008). Undead. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 978-0-7869-4783-6.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 122. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.
- ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 17. ISBN 978-0786901395.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide. Edited by Jennifer Clarke Wilkes, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 181. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.
- ↑ Anthony Pryor (June 1995). “Campaign Guide”. In Michele Carter, Doug Stewart eds. Spellbound (TSR, Inc.), p. 10. ISBN 978-0786901395.
- ↑ Richard Baker, Matt Forbeck, Sean K. Reynolds (May 2003). Unapproachable East. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 149. ISBN 0-7869-2881-6.