The Shining South

in World

The Shining South was a loosely defined "region" of the continent of Faerûn. It incorporated some of the lands from both South Faerûn and Southeast Faerûn. It was usually referred to as a land of magic and wonders, a place of myths and impossible tales. After the Spellplague, and for most of the 15th century DR until the Second Sundering, the region was called the "Scarred South", because of the ravages the Spellplague caused in that region.

Dambrath

Dambrath was a nation on the southern coast of Faerûn. It was notable because it was ruled by a race of human, drow and elves known as the Crinti, who made up the upper class. Dambrath was predominantly an isolationist nation, though they did allow some trade with outsiders.

Durpar

Durpar was a merchant kingdom of the Shining Lands that rested to the southeast of Veldorn, separated from Estagund by the Curna Mountains. The capital port-city of Vaelan was located near the western shores of the Golden Water. Verdant farms surrounded the Golden Water and the shoreline was given to the mansions of the luxury-loving ruling merchant elite of the kingdom. Inns in Durpar were worth visiting as there were nightly entertainments in every house. All foreigners were welcome, so long as they had wealth and knew how to conduct themselves.

Estagund

Estagund was, alongside Durpar and Var the Golden, a part of the Shining Lands. As with all the Shining Lands, it was largely centered around trading. Unlike Durpar, Estagund was a hereditary monarchy. Late in its history Estagund invaded Dambrath. Not only did they fail to conquer their neighbor, but the vengeful crinti attacked Estagund in retaliation, slaying most of the working age men throughout the country. Famine soon struck all of Estagund. Durpar jumped on the opportunity to pacify their violent neighbors and sent an emissary to negotiate terms with the king and nobles of Estagund. After days of negotiating, Durpar purchased the country of Estagund for twenty-four gems. In return, they offered their full protection and taught them the way of Durpari life. A century later, Estagund was fully enveloped into the Shining Lands.

Halruaa

Halruaa was a land of magic. The fabled, quiet and wealthy magocracy was justly depicted as full of wonder. Created by archwizards foreseeing the fall of Netheril, Halruaa combined the peace and harmony of Cormyr with the magic powers of Thay. Nearly all arcane-casting Halruaans were wizards, with half of the total populace having some sort of magical powers. With such ever-present power, it was likely their strict laws or perhaps their inherent nature prevented their entire nation from being reduced to dust and ash years ago.

Luiren

Lurien was known as the small kingdom of the halflings since its population was almost completely comprised of the hin. It was one of the two large hin kingdoms in Faerûn, the other being the land of Delmyr. The capital city of Luiren was the coastal city of Beluir, in the longitudinal center of the realm. The nation was flooded with many regions being destroyed and was darkly referred to as the Gulf of Luiren during the century that followed the Spellplague.

Var

Var, more commonly known as Var the Golden, was one of the three Shining Lands surrounding the Golden Water in southeast Faerûn. Its name came from huge quantities of wheat fields found throughout the land.