Lake Lhespen is more than a source of water — it is a place of memory. The ruins of ancient settlements line its shores, and the water itself is said to hold echoes of the past. The mineral-rich waters are believed to be connected to the Aboleth Zhakaraad's prison, making the lake a focal point of psychic energy.

The Lhespenbog, a marshy area south of the lake, is a haven for yuan-ti and other creatures that thrive in the shadows.

Foundation: Refugees from Lapaliiya, fleeing a devastating plague, founded Lhesper in the Year of Whispering Stones (-373 DR).

Imperial Conquest: In 297 DR, the army of Qysara Shoon V marched across the Shaar, conquering Lhesper and incorporating it into the Shoon Imperium. The town regained independence in 437 DR and again in 451 DR.

Destruction: In the 7th century DR, a pack of rampaging gnolls destroyed Lhesper, leaving it in ruins.

Yuan-ti Occupation: Around the Year of Wild Magic (1372 DR), yuan-ti from the Coiled Cabal took over the ruins, searching for the Emeralds of Merrshaulk — ancient serpentine artifacts of immense power.

The Coiled Cabal is a yuan-ti cult dedicated to the serpent god Merrshaulk. Their presence in Lhesper is no accident — they believe the Emeralds of Merrshaulk are buried somewhere beneath the ruins. The cult's activities are unwittingly weakening the seals of Zhakaraad's prison, making Lhesper the epicenter of the growing threat.

Shaarmid serves as a waypoint for nomadic tribes and traders crossing the Shaar. It is a place where Shaaran clans gather to trade, share news, and prepare for the long journeys across the plains. The town is also a stop on the Golden Road, which connects it to the wider world.

Every four years, in the month of Eleasis, attendees of the Dance of the Shimmering Blades pass through Shaarmid on their way to the festival site.

Imperial History: Kormul was originally part of the Shoon Imperium. In 436 DR, it revolted along with six other settlements. The Imperium responded with overwhelming force in the Seven Burnings campaign, razing all seven settlements to the ground.

Refounding: Kormul was re-founded sometime in the 9th century DR.

The Struggle of Storms: In 888 DR, the Storm Prophet Tothur killed — and was slain by — over forty high priests of Talos at Kormul, in an effort to challenge the established hierarchy of the Talassan church.

By the late 15th century DR, Kormul had become a den of cults, criminals, and outcasts. Beast cults, beholder cults, yuan-ti cults, and dragon cults all flourished in the city's chaotic streets. Superstitious traders, believing that joining these cults would give them an edge in business, swelled their numbers.

The city was ruled by the Harlord, a puppet ruler installed by local drow and yuan-ti traders. The last noted Harlord was Vespraele Irontusk, a half-orc who ascended to power after her predecessor was killed in 1456 DR.

The city's defenses were unusual — its walls had no gates, and there were at least seven entrances to the Underdark in the cellars of the city's buildings.

The Claunkrar Coster was well known for running successful, well-protected, and vigilant caravans from Tashalar all the way to the Golden Water and back.

In 1372 DR, the Coster was establishing and expanding a secret network of portals called the "Crawling Treasure". This network allowed them to transport individuals and high-value items quickly between important sites across Faerûn — including Sheirtalar, Kormul, and Channathgate.

The fate of the Claunkrar Coster after the Spellplague (1385 DR) is unknown. The disaster created the Underchasm and the Shaar Desolation, potentially wiping out the network entirely.