Backlands

The Backlands is a rugged, untamed region within the Western Heartlands, known for its sparse population, wild landscapes, and abundance of dangerous monsters. The term "Backlands" is primarily used by those living along the more developed Sword Coast to describe this remote and perilous expanse.

The central portion of the Backlands consists of Pelleor's Prairie, a vast stretch of open grasslands. While the region has no established borders, it is generally defined as lying east of the Serpent's Tail Stream, the Forest of Wyrms, and the Trielta Hills, extending all the way to the edge of the Anauroch Desert. Its southern boundary is marked by the River Reaching, and its northern limit is typically considered the southernmost reaches of the Greypeak Mountains. The region also encompasses the Greycloak Hills, even though some maps position them at a similar latitude to the Greypeaks.

Lacking any form of centralized government or authority, the Backlands remain a lawless and dangerous frontier. The area’s isolation and harsh conditions deter most settlers, leaving it primarily inhabited by wandering nomads, scattered adventurers, and various monstrous creatures. This wild, ungoverned expanse represents a stark contrast to the bustling trade routes and fortified cities of the neighboring Western Heartlands regions.