The Moonshae Isles

The Moonshae Isles were a collection of islands located west of the Sword Coast where the waters of the Sea of Swords gave way to the Trackless Sea. They were sometimes called "the jewels on the hilts of the Sea of Swords". The Moonshaes had strong connections to the Feywild.

By the standards of most realms in Faerûn, even the civilized parts of the Moonshae Isles felt untamed and wild. The land was famed for its dark forests, towering mountains, and ancient standing stones. The seas, straights, and channels separating the major and minor islands were treacherous, and served to keep the islands isolated.[16][17][18] There were said to be dozens if not hundreds of islands in the archipelago, even the smallest of which often boasted one or two small villages.

Along the coasts, long flat beaches were found. Most lacked sand, and instead comprised pebbles and rocks. Tides were significant among the islands. At low tide, the beaches could be exposed as much as a quarter mile (400 meters) from the waterline. At high tide, the water line could rise up to 10 feet. During storms, the beaches were battered by waves. The coastlines of the islands were dotted with bays and coves, where ships could find a safe harbor from the harsh northern seas. The remaining coastlines were jagged rocks cloaked in mist. Tall cliffs of granite towered over the water, some up to 500 feet in height, capped by forests. These cliffs were worn smooth from exposure to the wind, and in the winter were covered with sheer ice.

Further inland, stagnant saltwater marshes were usually found. These gray and desolate marches lacked trees and an odor of sulfur hung constantly in the air. Traveling in these marshes was hazardous, with about 10% of the terrain being quicksand. Some of the fens and swamps in the Moonshaes rivaled those found in the jungles of Chult. These putrid and decaying swamps were filled with stagnant water. The Fens of the Fallon, on the island of Gwynneth, was likely the most dangerous area in all the Moonshaes.

Freshwater streams were common on the islands. Most were shallow, reaching a maximum depth of 3 feet. Most streams were not safe for boats because of rapids. The islands were home to a handful of rivers, which were deeper and calmer, and safe for boats. Ferries and bridges allowed for safe crossing.

Much of the Moonshaes terrain was moorland. This rolling grassland was dotted with lakes, ponds, and swamps, but most of it was well-drained and dry. The terrain was safe and pleasant and was used as pasture for cattle and sheep.

Mountains and highlands made up another sizable portion of the Moonshaes terrain. These rugged and twisted mountains were jagged and cracked from centuries of erosion. The steep mountains reached 8,000 feet in height. From autumn to early spring, heavy snow covered the highlands, only melting away completely by summer.

The climate of the Moonshaes was considered subarctic. The weather was severe and generally unpleasant, with long winters and frequent rainfall. The southeast of the archipelago was more temperate and mild, thanks in part to the northwestern isles taking much of the brunt of the mighty storms that blew in from the Trackless Sea.

During the winter, biting freezing wind roared across the moorlands, as the lack of cover caused the wind to sweep uninterrupted across the exposed terrain. The winter also brought storms to the islands. These storms originated in the Trackless Sea, usually striking the islands from the northwest. Storm season began in late Eleint and ended in Ches. Huge swells reaching 40 feet in height made the sea unnavigable during storm season. However, the oceanic currents created by the meeting of the Sea of Swords and the Trackless Sea served to prevent the temperature from dropping below freezing too often.

Summers tended to be quite cool, wet, and misty. The same oceanic currents that blunted the worst of winter brought a near-constant chance of rain as well as heavy fog that could blanket the whole of the isles in the mornings and evenings.