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Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe

Norway
410 Posts

Posted - 05 Mar 2014 : 19:54:23

Lo! and behold

I've recently become curious about the Backlands as I am preparing a campaign which begins with a character setting out from the Greycloak Hills south toward the Halfway Inn near Evereska.
(See this thread in the Running the Realms forum: http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18895)

I'm probably extra curious about the region because I can find so little information on it! There's only the "Backlands" chapter in Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast and a little info here and there mainly about Evereska. Maybe because there isn't much more to tell about the area - there's the Marsh of Chelimber to the west, the elven refuges, and the Battle of Bones and Hill of Lost Souls to the south (and Anauroch to the east, of course).

Questions:

Is it all just grassland and the occasional copse of trees? Do you know any other sources which detail some part of the Backlands that I'm not aware of (say, in some magazine)?

I read somewhere that the gate leading into the Evereskan mountain passes is called Glen Gate; how close is this to the Halfway Inn? In visible range from that compound?

Which trading costers/merchant groups would be active at the Halfway Inn (if any)? I was thinking of having a Highmoon Trading Coster caravan present, ready to leave for Waterdeep.

..And, what route would a caravan take from Evereska if going to Waterdeep? I found some trade routes in the City of Splendors boxed set, including one between Waterdeep and Lorkh which isn't too distant from the northern Backlands - would there be caravans moving between the Halfway Inn and Lorkh?

(Volo suggests that there are caravans crossing the Backlands, heavily defended/escorted for it is really in the wilds, but I can't find anything on routes, costers etc. Would be grateful for any nuggets).

Mmmm...nuggets

Edit: Forgot to mention I'm running AD&D/2nd edition campaign setting so if you have any Backlands info that belongs to 3rd/4th please tell me if it can be used canonically or not in case you've got some of them nuggets.

Edited by - Caladan Brood on 05 Mar 2014 19:57:12

Gary Dallison
Great Reader

United Kingdom
6353 Posts

Posted - 05 Mar 2014 : 21:04:52

Well I recently finished assembling lore from all sources I could find into a single document for the area and one each for the major settlements.

If you PM me your email address I can send you a zip file of the western heartlands area (it only contains a few musings on the history of the area). As always its not totally complete but then nothing ever is in the realms. And I don't bother with sources so I have no idea where I got the info from.

Here are a number of quotes that may help regarding trade

quote:
Reliable guides to the Backlands are few, especially now that the Zhentarim have begun to run caravans through the area from Yellow Snake Pass to bases along the Delimbiyr.
These caravans have hired away or killed off many of the hunters who formerly roamed the area. Elven guides; once happy to permit small human expeditions into certain areas, have responded by preventing all human entry into Evereska and ceasing all aid, including guide services. The monsters seem as plentiful as ever, and fresh bones of hired guards trying to get caravans safely past the beasts are so numerous as to litter the ground in some places.

So trade caravans are definitely coming from the stonelands to darkhold and through yellow snake pass in the sunset mountains to the major settlements of the western heartlands and north to the Delimbiyr.

Since it is Zhentarim caravans they are likely to carry weapons and exotic goods, particularly if an area is short of something the Zhents are likely to stock it (as they probably caused the shortage).

quote:
Ophidian-driven caravans of pack lizards regularly bring fresh supplies to the City of Spellskins and pick up recovered relics for transport elsewhere.

So we have ophidian caravans travelling between the serpent hills and the forest of wyrms, probably carrying food, and materials for reconstructing the city of spellskins (which was occupied by the coiled cabal in 1354) and any supplies needed to explore the former capital of najara which the coiled cabal are also exploring.

quote:
Halfway Inn functions as a tavern, stables, and storehouse, and as the centre of a caravan camping area and trading compound used by all who want to trade with the elves of Evereska.

quote:
Trade at the Halfway Inn is a two-way process. For their part, the elves of Evereska, preoccupied with defending their vale and the nearby Greycloak Hills against an increasing Zhentarim presence, have begun buying the finest horses they can get.
This sort of trade keeps the Halfway Inn busy. Adventurers use it as a base to explore the lands around (though they�re no longer welcome in the elven-held Greycloak Hills), merchants and mercenaries gather here, and the few elven-led caravans assemble here for trips to Secomber, Waterdeep, Berdusk, Neverwinter, Silverymoon, or Baldur�s Gate (rarely elsewhere).
Humans, elves, half-elves, dwarves, and halflings are all seen here often. The presence of the compound has encouraged halflings to settle in the woods around, and the smell of rumoured gold finds on the Lonely Moor has drawn the dwarves.
The Halfway Inn stands in a small forest, just west of a narrow, heavily guarded cleft that offers the only way into Evereska for those who can�t fly. (Other paths lead out of Evereska to the north and south.)

So at the Halfway Inn we have elven caravans setting off for in the western heartlands and the north. I reckon the elves travel south to the Winding River before travelling either north to the Sword Coast cities or south to Berdusk. Any other way is liable to be attacked by yuan-ti or zhentarim, unless of course the elves have a hidden route through the greypeak mountains.

Human caravans also seem to arrive here. Looks like the elves are interested in horses primarily, they are noted for exquisite paintings but I would imagine other fineries are sold also.

quote:
Both yuan-ti and ophidian settlements exist in caverns in the Serpent Hills nearby, settlements that constantly raid caravan traffic, patrol the grasslands for miles, and seek to expand their influence over ever-wider areas in the Fields below the High Moor.

Looks like the serpentfolk really disrupt trade passing near the Serpent Hills, much like the Zhentarim do for anything near the Sunset Mountains (although bear in mind the Zhentarim have a very strong hold on many settlements in the Western Heartlands).

Berdusk is known for sending out caravans loaded entirely with baled wool during the shearing season, mayhap some of that travels to Evereska (although I cant see it going anywhere else in the backlands).

There are a number of trading costers that operate in the area. I believe they were detailed on an old web article to do with the western heartlands.

Unfortunately unless it is to trade with the elves I cant see anyone going through the backlands; its just too dangerous.

As for what else is in the backlands. Ancient Sarrukh ruins dominate the area, these were probably built upon later by Najara. There are also plenty of ancient ruined Netherese Villas in the backlands, they likely explored the area looking for the ancient sarrukh ruins.

Serpent Kingdoms on Najara has plenty of info. As you have found Volo's Guide is a good source. A few articles on WoTC website had some info on the western heartlands.

Otherwise your info is spread throughout random books that you just have to trawl through.

Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 05 Mar 2014 : 21:20:55

Most of these questions would be better-served asked in Ed's Thread.

However, I can tell you that the campaign map is a LARGE continental map, and is therefor missing tons of minute details, such as small forests, lakes, hills, rivers & streams, along with whatever 'oddball' stuff you, as a DM, wish to place there (like magical chaos or dead zones, Spellplagued regions, tar pits, thermal vents, etc, etc).

So, in other words, the map is only illustrating the basic terrain and MAJOR geographic features. The details are left up to us to fill-in, as needed.

This is the most accurate map of that region, at the very end of 3e. There are at least three locales missing off that map - I need to update it. The Zhentarrim village of Parnast (The Nether Scroll) is missing, and its located right at the end of the Dawn trail, in that vicinity.

EDIT: Parnast isn't all that close - its actually just below the Weathercote Wood, North by NE of Dekanter.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone

Edited by - Markustay on 05 Mar 2014 21:40:00

Hoondatha
Great Reader

USA
2449 Posts

Posted - 05 Mar 2014 : 21:31:10

Also you should check Elminster's Ecologies, Appendix 1, since both the Battle of Bones and Hill of Lost Souls are in the backlands, and the book details a lot about the surrounding lands. The short version is that a lot of it is prairie.

Doggedly converting 3e back to what D&D should be...
Sigh... And now 4e as well.

Ayrik
Great Reader

Canada
7970 Posts

Posted - 05 Mar 2014 : 23:49:59

Cult of the Dragon presents no real information about the region, but has an ongoing story about a blue dracolich who claims part of it within his territory. Some of the story details might add useful background.

[/Ayrik]

Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe

Norway
410 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 07:44:00

Thank you all for the useful replies :) It looks, by the map you posted Markustay, that there is a trade road going from the Halfway Inn north past the Greycloak Hills, across the Lonely Moor toward Lorkh.
As for serpentfolk, I am not sure they exist in "my" Realms ^^ Never "felt" them, really (goes for a lot of creatures, really, but maybe I should just add them, I always end up with the "least" outlandish stuff because I'm so used to low fantasy).
And it certainly looks like I should add some Zhentarim caravans!

I do have almost every Realms 2nd edition product (missing just a few boxed sets that I used to own, got water-damaged and I haven't wanted to pay up the exorbitant prices often asked for these...yet), and I have indeed found small nuggets within such diverse books as "Code of the Harpers" and whatnot, but still...we really need more on the Backlands, don't we?

Which brings me to my next questions:
What would a typical Zhentarim caravan look like? Do they fly the banners of Zhentil Keep openly?
Do they move goods all the way into Waterdeep (if not, the character can always "jump" caravans on his way to the City of Splendors).
Is there info on Zhentarim caravans/trade in the "Ruins of Zhentil Keep" boxed set perhaps?
I also happen to have the "Castles" set, featuring Darkhold, maybe there's something there as well? Would caravans from the Zhentarim come from Darkhold?

Edited by - Caladan Brood on 06 Mar 2014 07:47:43

Gary Dallison
Great Reader

United Kingdom
6353 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 08:32:29

Well as i mentioned before, prior to 3rd edition, the Zhentarim were all set to secretly monopolise trade in the Western Heartlands region. After 3rd edition with the agreement not to expand further west than the thunder peaks i dont know what their plans are but since the Zhentarim essentially becomes an affiliated order of the church of bane it looks like religious conquest is on the agenda past 1371 DR

The Zhentarim had plans already in motion to control an awful lot of settlements in and around the sunset vale and backlands area and were going to attempt to take control of and rebuild dragonspear castle.

This would give them quite a secure trade route from the Moonsea to the Savage Frontier (the only insecure bit being the Stonelands and even then they had purchased the allegiance of a sizable number of humanoid tribes in the stonelands).

However that being said, because they were poised to secretly take over trade in the western heartlands most Zhent caravans in the area would actually be secretly sponsored or backed by Zhentarim agents. They would appear to all outsiders as though they were independent merchants, even the caravan master might not know who he worked for.

The few official Zhent caravans would be travelling via yellow snake pass through the backlands to Llorkh. I imagine they would fly the banners of the Zhentarim, be protected by Zhent troops and supported by Zhent mages all wearing Zhent insignia, just to scare people off and at the same time attract attention to themselves. I doubt these caravans would be carrying anything essential or valuable.

The dangerous caravans would be the single wagon train looking lightly defended and travelling fast. This would probably be protected by high level spellcasters and elite guards (all hidden) and carrying the most expensive cargo.

Finally another tactic i would not put past the Zhentarim is to secretly sell goods to passing caravans in their controlled holdings at ultra low prices. Then further along the trade route (along the Delimbiyr for instance or in the destination town) ambush the caravan and steal the cargo back to sell for a much higher price in the settlement. That way the cargo/caravan is not likely to be targetted by Harpers because it is being carried by a reputable non Zhent caravan.

Gary Dallison
Great Reader

United Kingdom
6353 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 08:41:09

I actually really liked the Serpentfolk in the Backlands.

The war between Najara and Ebenfar is a major reason why the Western Heartlands settlements are so independant and refuse to become part of a nation and be ruled by a far off king or lord (that and the conflict between Cormyr and Shoon).

Plus the ophidians have an excellent reason for being their tied deeply into the history of the realms so i always include something with a good backstory (no 4e stuff for me).

The Backlands i would portray as a dangerous place abundant with random monsters but mostly empty above ground except for recent human ruins. Under the ground and in the hills and the trees are the remains of ancient Sarrukh ruins, built atop them are ruined Netherese villas or Najara ruins.

So that gives you lots of dungeon exploring with deeper sub dungeons filled with ancient magic and nasty monsters.

Plus in the Greypeak Mountains you have the ruins of Ammarindar (although much of their treasure was taken to Hellgate Keep and their ruins are now occupied by tanarrukk).

The forests of the Western Heartlands may also contain elven ruins. Shantel Othreier dominated this area long ago, and major remnants of that realm survived in the Wood of Sharp Teeth and Forest of Wyrms until -10,000 i reckon. Of course the elves may have done an Illefarn and destroyed all remains of their settlements using High Magic rituals, but there could be something left.

Caladan Brood
Senior Scribe

Norway
410 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 08:56:34

And thanks again :) I found some nuggets about Zhentarim trading in the area in Cloak & Dagger, but your suggestions actually sound better to me. I'll have the character team up with a caravan master who does not know he's actually working for the Zhentarim, but add a few NPCs that aren't exactly nice people as well. I was first thinking of having several traders at the Halfway Inn, so that the character can, if he chooses, observe which one would fit him, but that's maybe not necessary if only the Zhentarim truly dare to brave the Backlands. Before this there will be an encounter with an adventuring band, however, who have been chased off by Elves (some of them having been captured) and can explain just how dangerous these lands actually are (I imagined one or two of them longing for the safety of Cormyr or some such).

BlackAce
Senior Scribe

United Kingdom
358 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 09:17:07

FWIW, Lynn Abbey's the Nether Scroll takes place in the region too and deals some of the more unusual inhabitants around Parnast and along the Dawn Pass trail. It's a gem of a novel and worth picking up if you can.

Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire

USA
15724 Posts

Posted - 06 Mar 2014 : 13:14:52

Here is the map from the novel The Nether Scroll.

There was big differences between the 1e/2e maps and the 3rd edition map, so that map is an example of me 'fixing' the new map with some of the older details. Because the map was rotated 9.2� between editions, a lot of the N/S axis got badly mangled, which includes most of the roads (many of which do some weird things now). Thus, 'The Black Road' got shifted further north, and I had to fudge some things things to get it all to work out.

If you check-out the map in Ruins of Zhentil keep, you will not only see a trail going from The Black Road to Llorkh (which I assume is widely known about), but the trade-route also continues south to Yarthrain. Since no maps ever show a trail from the Halfway Inn (which the Trade Route goes right through) to Yarthrain, I must assume its a path rather then a trail, and known only to the Zhents and their agents. I actually have that appearing on the DM version of the map (which shows many other similar trails, that aren't 'commonly known').

However, if the Zhents have such a path - which the trade map implies - then you can bet Harpers and probably local guides/scouts/rangers known about it as well.

"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone

Edited by - Markustay on 06 Mar 2014 13:16:04

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