River Chionthar
The River Chionthar is a large river located in the Western Heartlands of Northwest Faerun and a major trading route between Baldur's Gate and the river's various upstream settlements, such as the city-states of what was once Elturgard.
Natural Resources
While the River Chionthar is used by mnay communities for fishing, it's primary use is for trade.
History
For centuries, control over the River Chionthar's mouth has been contested between Baldur's Gate, which is based at the mouth of the river and controls access to the wider Sea of Swords, and Elturel, which is the first major settlement on the river past Baldur's Gate and has often acted as a protector of the Western Heartlands.
By the 15th century CR, this rivalry had not faded, though Baldur's Gate was slowly growing more economically influential than Elturel due to its association with the Lords' Alliance and the advent of oceanic sailing. Numerous minor conflicts emerged over the decades to allow Elturel, and then the nation of Elturgard, more favorable access to the Sea of Swords.
From 1497-1498, Elturel was presumed destroyed when it was teleported to Avernus during the Damnation of Elturel. Elturel's disappearance resulted in a massive lake forming adjacent to the river where Elturel once stood, and threw the entire nation of Elturgard into turmoil, ultimately resulting in the nation's dissolution, even after Elturel returned. Baldur's Gate, however, was unable to effectively seize upon this chaos, as it too dealt with political instability when three of its four dukes were killed or presumed dead as a result of Elturel's damnation, causing a succession crisis in the Flaming Fist, Baldur's Gate's mercenary and de facto guard force.
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