Chessenta
Geographical information
Capital	Cimbar(formerly), post-Spellplague Luthcheq
Societal information
Races	Humans 82% Halflings 6% Half-orcs 4% Lizardfolk 2% Others 1%
Population	3,386,880
Imports	Cheese, glass, horses, magic weapons, mercenaries, perfume, pork, slaves
Exports	Art, cows, gold, grapes, olive oil, quality iron, silver, slaves, statues, weapons, wine
Alignment	LG NG CG LN N CN LE NE CE
Political information
Government	Absolute Monarchy
Ruler	Shala[1]

Chessenta takes its name from the first Grand Viceroy Iphram Chess when the region was a province of Unther ^[2] Prior to the Spellplague, Chessenta was a country of individual city-states that were often at war with one another. The city of Cimbar was the theoretical capital of Chessenta^[3] as it was the definitive capital of Tchazzar's brief Chessentan Empire.^[4]

After Chessenta defeated Threskel in 1479 DR, Threskel became a vassal state.

Contents 1 Culture 2 Diplomatic Relations 3 History 4 Religion 5 Major geographical features 5.1 Lakes 5.2 Mountains 5.3 Other 6 Notable locations 6.1 Cities 7 Navy and seafaring 8 References 9 Further reading

CultureEdit

While they appreciate culture and theatre, the culture of the Chessentans revolves around war and war heroes. Magic is distrusted by most Chessentans but when Tchazzar returned he legalized magic and enacted laws protecting mages.^[5]

Diplomatic RelationsEdit

Post-spellplague, Chessenta has extremely chilly relations with High Imaskar and the two countries often engage in naval raids. Chessenta has friendly relations with Akanûl but is on the verge of war with Tymanther.^[5]

HistoryEdit

Chessenta was founded in -1771 DR as a province of the first Untheric empire. In 929 DR the city states of Chessenta, led by the war hero Tchazzar, drove the armies of Unther to the Riders to the Sky mountains, freeing Chessenta from Untheric rule. In 1080 DR, Tchazzar disappeared while fighting Sahuagin and the people of Chessenta believed he had ascended to godhood. After Tchazzar's disappearance, the kingdom slowly broke apart into squabbling city states. Tchazzar returned in 1373 DR to reestablish his kingdom but disappeared again during the Spellplague in 1385 DR. In the decades after the Spellplague the war hero Ishual Karanok rose to rule Chessenta. In 1479 DR Tchazzar was rescued from the Shadowfell by the Brotherhood of the Griffon and is currently king of Chessenta once again.^[2] The Brotherhood of the Griffon along with Chessentan rebels lead by Shala, and the genasi, defeat Tchazzar and the great bone worm. Shala is reinstated as the war hero.^[1]

ReligionEdit

After the Spellplague, Amaunator gained many followers who saw him as the ancient Untherian god Hokatep returned to Faerûn. As Chessenta is a martial society, Tempus has many followers. Oghma has a large temple in Erebos and, since Kelemvor has almost no presence in the region, the temple of Waukeen has assumed responsibility for tending to the dead.^[2]

In addition to the common Faerunian religions there are several regional cults. The Cult of Tchazzar always had a large membership in Chessenta and with Tchazzar's return the cult has been reinvigorated and is currently building a huge temple in Luthcheq.^[5] The Cult of Entropy worships the primordial Entropy and a cult worships the archfey Sebakar, the Lord of Crocodiles.^[2]

Major geographical featuresEdit

LakesEdit

Bay of Chessenta

With the drop in the water level of the Sea of Fallen Stars this shallow bay has all but dried up.

Adder Swamp

When the Bay of Chessenta dried up the swamp all but disappeared.

MountainsEdit

Riders to the Sky

A range of hills and mountains that is the domain of trolls and duergar.^[4]

OtherEdit

Maw of the God Swallower

This area of plagueland in south-central Chessenta continues to grow, swallowing everything in its path. In its center the primordial Entropy hangs over the landscape.^[2]

Notable locationsEdit

CitiesEdit

Cimbar (formerly)

Now in ruins, this was the largest city and the spiritual capital of Chessenta in the pre-spellplague era.^[4]

Akanax

This large city is in essence a large military camp.^[4]

Luthcheq

The City of Madness is ruled by Tchazzar. It was formerly ruled by the Karanok family, all of whom were members of the Cult of Entropy.^[4] As such, magic was shunned in the city.^[6]

Mordulkin

A city on the eastern side of the Bay of Chessenta. Ruled for a long time by the Jedea family and a haven for wizards.^[7]

Soolabax

A large town near the border with Threskel.^[8]

Navy and seafaringEdit

Chessentan vessels are named after sea creatures or sea-related myths.^[9]

ReferencesEdit

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Richard Lee Byers (June 7th, 2011). The Spectral Blaze. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0786957980.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Brian R. James (May 2010). Backdrop: Chessenta, Dungeon #178, p. 68-77. Wizards of the Coast.
3. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition, p. 182. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition, p. 183. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2} Richard Lee Byers (2010). Whisper of Venom. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0786955619.
6. ↑ Ed Greenwood, Sean K. Reynolds, Skip Williams, Rob Heinsoo (June 2001). Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition, p. 184. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0-7869-1836-5.
7. ↑ Scott Bennie (1990). Old Empires, p. 55. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-8803-8821-8.
8. ↑ Richard Lee Byers (May 2010). The Captive Flame. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 0786953969.
9. ↑ Steven E. Schend (1999). Sea of Fallen Stars, p. 15. TSR, Inc. ISBN 0-7869-1393-2.

Further readingEdit

• Bruce R. Cordell, Ed Greenwood, Chris Sims (August 2008). Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide, p. 100-101. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0-7869-4924-3.

• Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, Robert J. Schwalb (September 2008). Forgotten Realms Player's Guide, p. 86-87. Wizards of the Coast. ISBN 978-0-7869-4929-8.

• Rand Sharpsword (2002-01-16). More Old Empires and Sembia!. Rand's Travelogue. Wizards of the Coast. Retrieved on 2010-10-31.