Ulgarth Ulgarth was a feudal kingdom located in southeast Faerûn , east of Durpar and the Golden Water . Environment & Geography . Ulgarth occupied an area along the eastern shore of the Golden Water and north of the Great Sea , just before the barbarian - inhabited plains of the Utter East began . It was bordered by the Dustwall Mountains in the north , the Silaviul Mountains in the south , and the A - Ling Shan range in the east . Although a part of the Golden Water region , it was not part of the Shining Lands of Durpar and Var the Golden which lay to the west . It was a geographically bounded and isolated land . Ulgarth derived a great deal of its prosperity from the bay of the Golden Water . The small range of the Galuil Mountains stood in the northern part of the realm , beside the Golden Water . By 1367 DR , many Ulgarthan citizens had settled in the hills and lower slopes of the mountains . They worked in the gold and iron mines , and cultivated fruit and lumber that grew better at the cooler heights of the mountains . Many mingari farms lay in the fertile lands in the eastern part of the country , particularly around Kaspar . Several roads and trails linked the cities of Ulgarth , including Barbarians ' Road from Dralpur to Kellesar , and Noble ' s Road that linked Dralpur and Orvyltar . Climate . Ulgarth had a hot climate , but its closeness to the Golden Water and the Great Sea mitigated the temperature and made it habitable , even inland . Daytime temperatures were 80 – 100 °F ( 26 – 38 °C ) but night in the winter rainy season saw the temperature decrease to less than 60 °F ( 15 °C ) . Conditions were generally humid and the land saw almost daily rainfall . As result , the fields were rich and highly fertile and crops were abundant . History . Prehistory . Founded during the height of the Imaskar Empire ( −7975 DR to −6788 DR ) , the realm of Ulgarth was annexed and then settled by the Imaskari . At the time , the lands around the Golden Water were fertile and home to nomadic human tribes like the ancient Durpari , and the Imaskari subjugated these peoples . Around roughly −2700 DR , the peoples of these lands constructed the Gate of Iron as a barrier against the approaching Imaskari forces . They worked to the instructions of master dwarven architects and collected all the precious iron in the iron - poor land to forge the gates . One mage even gave their life to cast the spell that protected them from magical assault . In −2488 DR , the empire of Imaskar collapsed , and without leadership all the subject - states of the Golden Water failed and descended into barbarism , with the Durpari reverting to a nomadic lifestyle . Like the other failed states of the empire , Ulgarth fell and suffered through centuries of dark barbarism . Several times , war - chiefs rose to power , uniting the country but only fighting numerous skirmishes and petty wars with rival barbarian tribes of the Shining South , particularly in the lands of Durpar and Var the Golden . In these dark ages , there was no commercial or technological development of note . The Gate of Iron was opened and closed for the last time sometime around −1700 DR . Around that time , the famous Ulgarian prince Surtava abandoned his crown , his power , and his wealth to become a beggar and leave his kingdom to seek enlightenment and wisdom . After many years , he achieved his quest , ascending to become the Padhra and founding the Padhran religion . Early history . From the Year of Bitter Fruit , −83 DR , Ulgarthan barbarians started raiding the cities of the Durpari , who had civilized much earlier than the Ulgarthans . These raids would continue for the next thousand years . The Mulan people , former slaves whose uprising had brought down Imaskar , had since founded their own empire , Mulhorand . For millennia , Mulhorand had launched genocidal wars against the southern tribes . In the Year of the Fanged Gauntlet , 202 DR , Mulhorandi forces came for the Ulgarthans , and nearly wiped out the barbarian tribes . All this fighting had cut the Ulgarthan population to a fraction of its former size , and at last they wearied of warfare , though skirmishes and raids into Durpar continued . However , in the Year of the Dagger , 348 DR , a band of outlaws fleeing from Mulhorandi justice sought refuge in Ulgarth , finding it depopulated yet still fertile . They settled the area and began to grow crops and raise families . This new Ulgarthan society steadily grew stronger . However , it focused on agriculture , not warfare , nor trade and philosophy like Durpar . The Ulgarthans developed a highly structured caste system that , over time , evolved into a feudal monarchy . Nevertheless , raids and skirmishes with Durpar continued until the two nations at last reached parity in power . Abandoning dreams of conquering each other , Ulgarth and Durpar negotiated an armed truce in the Year of the Heavenly Rock , 1002 DR . Remaining suspicious after a millennium of conflict , each nation built a well - defended border . Eventually , the two nations learned to understand one another and warily began to pursue more peaceful relations by the 14th century DR . Trade between Ulgarth and the prosperous merchants of Durpar began , proving vital to both realms . King Drasna Bluemantle and his predecessor both pursued policies of non - aggression with Durpar . Undated . At some point , King Caladorn the Wise decreed that priests should not be allowed to judge a person ' s worldly behavior and thus they could not serve as justices . One of the most dangerous and notorious bandits in Ulgarth was Maelin Rascalin until he was captured with great effort . Convicted , Maelin elected to serve his sentence in the army , where he remained after he ' d done his time . Quickly promoted , Maelin became commander of the entire east defense force . Repeatedly , he repelled invading barbarian hordes from the east , including resisting an attack over a thousand barbarians . As one of Ulgarth ' s greatest generals , he was ennobled by the king and awarded the barony of Suormpar . Modern history . By 1367 DR , warnings circulated that the gray orc s of the Dustwall Mountains were gathering in preparation for a major assault or raids into Ulgarth . A horde of thousands of orcs was expected . The worried barons of Kaspar and Suormpar , and the leaders of Flyndagol in Durpar , began recruiting solders , even mercenaries , to bolster their defenses . The Ulgarthan and dwarf miners pursuing veins of gold in the Galuil Mountains were projected to encounter the duergar following the same veins around 1361 DR , which would almost certainly lead to conflict . Government . The realm of Ulgarth was a traditional feudal monarchy , ruled by a king or queen from the capital city of Orvyltar . Around 1367 DR , King Drasna Bluemantle , known as " the Fortunate " , held power . Below the king , the governance of Ulgarth was highly localized . The kingdom comprised six baronies , whose leaders all reported directly to the king in Orvyltar . The barons had almost complete autonomy over their realms in the areas of war and justice . Around 1367 DR , five of baronies and their barons were : King Drasna was dedicated to being a good ruler and a firm believer in no one being denied the king ' s justice . He would give his merciful judgment to any who asked . He toured the realm regularly , visiting each city once a year at least . He also officiated at grand ceremonies where he knighted the worthy . Drasna was highly popular with his subjects , who as a result believed completely in the kingdom ' s feudal system . Relations . Although Ulgarth was geographically a part of the Golden Water lands , it stood very much apart in terms of society , culture , and politics enough that it was a wholly separate realm . Constrained by the Golden Water in the west , by the Great Sea in the south , by the Dustwall Mountains in the north , and by the great plains of the Utter East in the east , it was in many ways also an isolated realm . Although a peaceful and stable kingdom in the 1300s DR , it was highly nationalistic and even paranoid about its neighbors , standing ready to defend itself against all threads . The closest and yet bitterest relationship Ulgarth had was with Durpar across the Golden Water . Centuries of raids and skirmishes between the two came to an end as a balance of power was achieved , dreams of conquest were abandoned , and an armed truce was signed in 1002 DR . However , neither side could forget their history of conflict , and so they remained wary and guarded . By the mid – 14th century DR , however , they ' d learned to understand each other and saw greater benefits in trade than in battle . Leaders in both realms worked to maintain friendly relations ; both King Drasna and his father had policies of non - aggression toward the Durpari . The Durpari meanwhile saw Ulgarth as a long - term threat also a potential partner in trade , but apparently made frequent attempts to control its economy . Along with Var the Golden , both nations maintained a clearly defined , heavily fortified , and well - defended border against each other , lying along the River Xon and Xontuil Bay . To the east , Ulgarth was threatened by the Horde barbarians , who often raided its cities . Furthermore , in the north , the gray orc s of the Dustwall Mountains also frequently raided the kingdom . However , the true foe of the whole Shining Lands was Dambrath . Crinti pirates often raided Ulgarth ' s shores , as they did the other nations around the Golden Water . Around 1359 DR , Ambuchar Devayam , the dark tyrant of Solon , a city in the Raurin desert north of the realm , cut all communications between Ulgarth and the Hordelands to the north . To the peoples of the Hordelands , the lands beyond the Gate of Iron — Ulgarth , Durpar , and points further south — were strange and incredible places . They told of mages without bodies and gods that lived like mortals , of islands that rose and fell beneath the waves and valleys filled with gem s . Around 1479 DR , most folk of northern Faerûn thought Ulgarth , Durpar , and Estagund were all a part of the Beastlands of Veldorn . Trade . As Ulgarth was surrounded on almost all sides by either empty land or water , most of its trade came from its only neighbor and former enemy , Durpar , which was fortunately one of the great mercantile empire of Faerûn . Despite their long history of conflict , Durpar saw Ulgarth as a potential trading partner . Ulgarth was also the only source of the rare and valued spice mingari , which helped good relations along . Through Durpar , Ulgarth also traded with the other nations of the Shining Lands ; this was the source of almost all of the kingdom ' s commerce , trade , and prosperity , and was vital to both realms . Ulgarth produced most of the items that Durpar traded to its more distant trading partners around the world , particularly mingari and foodstuffs from its crops , which were exported across southern Faerûn . In turn , Ulgarth imported more exotic items , both those produced in Durpar and those found by the Durpari further abroad . Durpar ' s wily merchants tended to get the best in any deal Ulgarth made with them , but the closeness of the two realms slashed overheads and travel costs , so Ulgarthan merchants tended to get the best prices the Durpari had to offer . By the mid – 14th century DR , the Ulgarthans had staved off Durpar ' s repeated efforts to gain control over Ulgarth ' s economy . Ulgarth ' s primary export was mingari , a strong cinnamon - like spice . It was the only place in the world that produced it and it used that monopoly to its advantage . Mingari was farmed in eastern Ulgarth , particularly around Kaspar and east of Kelazzan . It was traded through Orvyltar to Durpar , where the Karikal chaka in Morvar had a primary interest in the mingari trade . Mingari was in great demand in Durpar and by 1367 DR it had begun to be introduced to the rest of Faerûn . The Durpari shipped the mingari across the Shining South . Coffee sold in Halruaa around 1367 DR was said to come from Ulgarth . It was also said Ulgarth was where the only true coffee was grown . However , the Shining Lands of Durpar , Estagund , and Var the Golden also claimed this honor . In return , through the far - reaching Durpari traders , Ulgarth received a variety of goods from Durpar and from around the known world . These ranged from Durpar ' s own foodstuffs , spices , and textiles , to the excellent Dambraii horse s of Dambrath , to luxuries like fine silks from Calimshan and even produce imported from distant Maztica . Ulgarth minted its own currency , the lieko , a gold coin very much like the standard gold piece . These bore images of King Caladorn the Wise ( the front ) and a mounted knight ( the back ) . However , thanks to heavy trade with Durpar , Ulgarthans also accepted as a basic currency the vellim , the silver trade bars of Durpar that were widely used across the Shining South . Defense . Each of the six baronies supplied troops to Ulgarth ' s army for the defense of their own lands . Each baron was responsible for the recruitment and support of these troops , which they paid for . Barons had the choice of either appointing a field officer to command their contingents , or of serving as commanders themselves . Around 1367 DR , only one baron led their own forces , Montar of Kaspar . The king also maintained his own army . The general of the nation ' s combined military around 1367 DR was Sinveri Trollkin , a renegade half - drow from Dambrath , but she ably led the armies of the country . Together , these seven fighting forces were considered enough to defend against any invasion from the barbarian lands to the east , Dambrath , or one of the nations of the Shining Lands . Notably , the Ulgarthan military also employed " prison squads " . Criminals convicted of lesser crimes had the option of serving out their sentence in the army . The prison squads typically patrolled the eastern border , guarding against barbarians . The desertion rate was usually over 10 % . The kingdom ' s naval shipyards , called Panglassest , were based in the city of Kelazzan . The city was well - defended by sea , with up to twenty warships ready to set sail when the need arose . The border between Ulgarth and Durpar , and with Var the Golden , was still heavily fortified and defended by the nations on both sides , despite nearly four hundred years of peace between them . The harbor of Orvyltar was defended by three huge ballistae purchased from Durpar and enchanted by a mage from Halruaa . Law & Order . As per the feudal system , law and order in Ulgarth were the domain of the king and his barons . A baron , or a " baron ' s justice " representing them , were responsible for the majority of law enforcement , routine trials , and punishment of convicted criminals within their baronies . In their barony , a baron ' s word was law . However , anyone , freeman or serf , could appeal to a " king ' s justice " . A king ' s justice was a representative of the king in legal matters , described as an officer of the king ' s peace . In addition to handling appeals , they dealt with crimes against the kingdom , including espionage and treason , as well as cases in which nobles had been accused of a crime . A king ' s justice was responsible for holding trials and delivering sentences in such cases . King ' s justices travelled the realm constantly ; most towns could expect to have a king ' s justice visit once a month on a regular basis , and even small hamlets would be visited at least once each year . Appointed justices , whether a baron ' s justice or a king ' s justice , were typically retired military officers , considered to be experienced in life and the world , or scholars who ' d studied the law closely . However , priests could never serve as justices , owing to King Caladorn ' s law and the separation of church and state , and they had no active or direct role in making or enforcing laws . Nevertheless , appointed justices were able to hire priests and mages to use magic such as a truth spell , to aid in an investigation or trial . Expenses came from the king ' s treasury . Finally , anyone who claimed to have been a victim of circumstance could seek an audience with the king to have their case heard . King Drasna believed the justice of the king should be denied to none , and tempered his judgments with great mercy . As result , justice in Ulgarth was normally swift yet fair , and Ulgarthans of all classes were satisfied with the results ; King Drasna had no plans to change it . However , justice in Ulgarth was also harsh and strict . Citizens convicted of capital crimes like murder or treason were sentenced to a quick execution . Lesser crimes like theft carried severe punishments , but the convict could choose their sentence . Instead of serving time in prison , a convict could choose to be reduced to the status of a serf and serve the baron , usually by working in their fields , or to serve in the army and defend the realm . Few chose prison , so the kingdom ' s prisoner population was very small . However , the desertion rate was high , usually over 10 % . Notably , whether in prison , in the fields , or in the army , once they ' d done their time , an ex - convict was free to resume their previous status in Ulgarthan society . Their record was clean and they suffered almost no stigma , especially if they ' d served their sentence in the army . In fact , prisoners who displayed valor in battle could earn ranks and titles , and several convicted thieves were even ennobled . For example , the notorious bandit Maelin Rascalin elected to serve his sentence in the army , eventually rising to become one of Ulgarth ' s greatest generals . After defending the realm from a barbarian horde , he was made baron of Suormpar . Such stories persuaded convicts to choose dangerous army service over safe prison time . Religion . Ulgarth was a feudal monarchy with many knights , so the most commonly worshiped deity of Ulgarth was Torm the True , patron of knights and duty . All Ulgarthan knights paid homage to the Loyal Fury . The largest temple in Ulgarth was the temple of Torm located in the capital Orvyltar , where the king himself prayed . Other popular deities were Tymora , the Lady Luck , seen as patron of the adventurous ; and Lathander the Morninglord , god of the dawn and renewal . Most of the large cities held temples to these deities . The clergies of Lathander and Tymora had excellent relations with the clergy of Torm , and with each other . Some important Ulgarthans worshiped Tyr the Just , seen as a god of war and justice . Ulgarth also tolerated many other non - evil god s . However , religion did not dominate the society and culture of Ulgarth as it did across the Golden Water . Ulgarthans believed firmly in the separation of church and state , of the spiritual and the secular . As decreed by King Caladorn the Wise , priests could not judge a person ' s worldly behavior , and they took no active part in making and enforcing laws , only aiding the king ' s and barons ' justices just as mages did . People . The population of Ulgarth was primarily human . Although all the goodly races were welcomed , few others fit in well the feudal society , which halfling s found restrictive , and dwarves , elves , and gnome s found uncomfortable . Elves and gnomes drew some stares from passers - by , particularly in the smaller communities . Nevertheless , a population of dwarves mined and prospected in the Galuil Mountains , but they rarely lingered long in Ulgarth . Gray dwarves dwelled deep below the heart of this range , and were likely to come into conflict with the surface dwarves when they met . Goblinoid s , on the other hand , were unwelcome and orc s were usually killed on sight . This was especially the case when rumors spread of an orc horde preparing to sweep down from the Dustwall Mountains . Society . Formerly having a highly structured caste system , Ulgarthan society relaxed into a meritocratic feudal system comprising nobles , freemen , and serfs . Although a person was born to their social class , anyone could rise above their station through their deeds . Promotions for valor on the battlefield were enough to make a serf into a free man , and ultimately make a convict into a noble . A person ' s success or failure was thought an accurate representation of their ability . Ulgarthan peasants were treated better than in most feudal societies . The nobility all agreed that every citizen of their country was important to its safety . Thus , the peasantry believed life in Ulgarth to be the best life there could be . Culture . Attitudes . As a whole , Ulgarthans fervently believed their way of life was best and were fiercely nationalistic . They were also intensely paranoid about the neighboring realms . Ulgarthan knights were honor - bound to show chivalry and concern for women . Very few women of the kingdom and fewer half - elves became knights , yet two of the realm ' s finest knights were half - elf women : the adventurer Landswith Meilin and Sinveri Trollkin , general of the army . Martial training . For the sake of the country ' s defense , no one was restricted from carrying a weapon , even the peasants . Nobles trained themselves in swordplay and organized regular drills and military training for their serfs , which both kept them busy and uncomplaining and kept a well - trained militia on hand . No noble neglected this training , whatever their views on the lower classes , simply because so many of their peers did the same . Thus , those with skill at arms and instruction were always in high demand . Retired adventurers were especially sought after to serve as weapon - masters and train younger generations . However , the hot and humid climate in Ulgarth could make wearing heavy armor uncomfortable to the point of being fatal . No knights wore metal armor . Even leather armor was uncommon among the knights of the realm , owing to the uncomfortable heat wearing it produced . Most went entirely unarmored . Only one , Landswith Meilin , was renowned for wearing full plate mail . Fashion . Those with money spent it . The rich nobles were surrounded by luxury , and even the most exotic goods were taken for granted , all thanks to the far - reaching Durpari traders . Wealthy noblewomen were expected to wear the finest apparel and spent grand amounts on clothes simply in competition against one another . Meanwhile , the excellent Dambraii horse s of Dambrath were much sought - after by every knight who wished to be renowned . Women also almost universally streaked their natural dark hair with a chalky white cosmetic substance called fiertallin , harvested locally from the river Xon . All men shaved regularly , if they could ; nobles were always smooth - chinned , with neither bear nor mustache . To have any kind of facial hair was considered by all to be a mark of a peasant , of being someone who couldn ' t afford shaving equipment . Having a beard in the heat and humidity of Ulgarth could also be quite uncomfortable , making this a somewhat practical habit . These customs and hair fashions made hairdressing the most well - paid job a peasant could do . A master hairdresser was highly prized to Ulgarth ' s society . Adventurers . The Ulgarthan feudal system and national pride made foreign professional adventurers unwelcome : they were considered to be nothing more than common peasants or scurrilous rogues . Only a native Ulgarthan or a foreigner who defended the kingdom against its enemies would be treated as an equal . King Drasna himself had an early adventuring career , and one of the most notable was Landswith Meilin . Paladin s and priests of goodly gods , especially Torm , were always popular and made welcome . Mages were somewhat feared , and known thieves were shunned . Languages . The language of Ulgarth was the Ulgarthic dialect of Devic . This was a Durpari tongue from Imaskari languages family , and was also spoken in the city of Solon . However , the chief language spoken by the majority of the Ulgarthan population was Common , the trade tongue of Faerûn . There were two common demonym and adjectival forms for the realm — people and things from Ulgarth could be called " Ulgarthan " or " Ulgarthian " .