Faerûn (/feɪˈruːn/ fay-ROON)
Etymology
The word "Faerûn" is a modified version of "Faerie", the name of the homeland of ancient elves. The term was coined by Durothil, prince of Tintageer, Faerie.
Geography
The continent included terrain that was as varied as any other. Besides the exterior coastline to the west and south, the most dominant feature on the continent was the Sea of Fallen Stars. This was an irregular inland sea that kept the interior lands fertile, connected the west and east regions of Faerûn and served as a major trade route for many of the bordering nations.
Next in significance was the Shaar, a broad region of grasslands in the south that, together with the Lake of Steam, separated the area around the inland sea from the coastal nations at the southern edge of the continent. To the east, Faerûn was bordered by a vast region of steppes from Kara-Tur, and in the north were massive glaciers (Pelvuria and Reghed) and tundra. South of the continent, separated by the Great Sea, was the sub-tropical land of Zakhara.
The continent included the following geographic and political regions:
West
This region included the nations south of Waterdeep and north of the Shining Sea that bordered along the Sea of Swords. It encompassed both the majority of the Sword Coast and the Lands of Intrigue, as well as:
- Evermeet: The island homeland for most of the elves of Faerûn following the great retreat.
- Lantan: This technologically advanced island-nation was home to human and gnomish worshipers of Gond.
- Lands of Intrigue:
- Amn: A huge, relatively new human nation of great wealth and prosperity.
- Calimshan: This kingdom of extreme wealth, founded by genies, extolled mercantilism.
- Tethyr: This arid land was home to a nation racked with war and intrigue as well as a forest with a heavy elven population.
- Moonshae Isles: A series of rugged and harsh islands located off the western coast of Faerûn.
- The Nelanther Isles: An island of predominantly non-human pirates that raided the Sword Coast.
- Nimbral: The mysterious, picturesque island nation of famed wizards and mounted aerial knights.
- The Sword Coast: A rich coastline of trade, piracy, and adventure between Waterdeep and Baldur's Gate.
- Baldur's Gate: This metropolis was the hub between a number of trading routes named after the famous explorer Balduran.
- The Western Heartlands: This vast land of independent cities and farmlands spanned the area between the western coast and the nation of Cormyr.
It also included the multitude of islands that lay to the west in the vast ocean called the Trackless Sea.
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