Bloodstone Lands The Bloodstone Lands were a part of the Cold Lands and referred to a cold region in northeast Faerûn , found nestled between the Great Glacier to the north , the nation of Impiltur to the south , and Thar , the Moonsea and Mulmaster to the west . It was roughly triangular in shape and primarily encompassed Damara and Vaasa . It had an area of around 150 , 000 square miles ( 388 , 500 km ) . Its northern boundary was formed by the edge of the Great Glacier , and to the west , the Galena Mountains and Earthspur Mountains acted as a natural border to Thar and Cormanthor . Impiltur was to the south , and Narfell , the Great Dale and Thesk to the east . The Bloodstone Lands received their name from bloodstone , a precious gem mined throughout the region . The nation of Damara used this commodity to establish themselves as a major power in Faerûn . History . The early recorded history of the " Bloodstone Lands " begins with the prosperous rise of Damara as a nation in 1064 DR under the long unbroken line of Feldrin Bloodfeathers , the first King of Damara and founder of its capital Heliogabalus . Their prosperity depended entirely on their export of the valuable gem Bloodstone , a chalcedony found throughout the realms and particularly in the Barony of Bloodstone in Bloodstone Pass . The merchants of Damara took these precious gems to their neighbours , particularly westward to the Moonsea , where they found customers in Thesk , Sembia , Impiltur and other nations along the Sea of Fallen Stars . The people of the " Bloodstone Lands " enjoyed a time of peace , protected by their harsh natural environment , and the baronies grew ever richer . The Rise of the Witch - King . The prosperity of the " Bloodstone Lands " was forever changed in one night when Zhengyi , the Witch - King , erected Castle Perilous in the nation of Vaasa in 1347 DR . The lich quickly took control of Vaasa and gathered to himself an army of goblin s , giant s and orc s , as well as formidable allies in the cult of Orcus , and the guild of the Grandfather of Assassins . Occupied with troubles of their own , including an awakened evil in the Bloodstone Mines and an early winter which destroyed crops , caused starvation , and brought packs of dire wolves marauding across the countryside , Damara were unaware of Zhengyi ' s quick ascension to power . The very next year , the Witch - King ' s armies took Bloodstone Pass , cutting off Damara from its main supply of Bloodstone . They proceeded into Damara with incredible speed , but the people of Damara and Vaasa fought bravely , unassisted by their neighbours , who dealing with internal affairs of their own , offered little in the form of substantial aid . For ten years , the war raged , until it came to a head on the Ford of Goliad , where neither army could gain the advantage . Fooled by a traitorous lieutenant Felix , who tricked then King Virdin that his magical wand would enable safe passage across the river to gain the advantage on the Witch - King ' s armies , the Damarans marched into the waiting trap of Zhengyi and were swiftly defeated . Virdin himself was assassinated as he watched his army and nation fall , and it is widely believed that it was Felix who clutched the dagger .