Anauroch

A vast desert located in a region where a desert shouldn't naturally exist. The area lies lower than the surrounding landscape and is covered by nearly constant sandstorms. The terrain is very flat and offers little shelter. Powerful winds decisively affect the desert's conditions, and temperatures can swing from extreme cold to scorching heat even within the same day.

Only one arduous road runs through the desert, the Black Road, along which heavily armed merchant caravans travel toward Waterdeep. Travelers who stray from the road are rarely heard from again.

The ancient empire of Netheril once stood in what is now the desert.