Known as "The Gateway to the Unapproachable East," this prosperous port city is the last and smallest of Ravens Bluff's sister cities. Located in the southernmost point of the Vast, just outside the Dragon Reach, it is a crossroads for traders from the Vast, Impiltur, the Old Empires, and the Vilhon Reach; many dwarves also pass through on errands to their scattered kin.

Tsurlagol has long been allied with Procampur in a mutually beneficial association, While just as old as its partner, Tsurlagol's exposed position has resulted in its being burned down repeatedly by pirates, invaders, orcish hordes, and other interlopers. The current city stands on a hill comprised entirely of the foundations of the twenty or so previous cities built on the site. The people here are patient and take the long view: if some attacker burns the city down today, they know they will outlast the invader and rebuild it again tomorrow. Had Myrkyssa Jelan attacked Tsurlagol instead of Ravens Bluff she probably would have met with only a token resistance, but she also would probably have found the city impossible to hold in the long term; the Tsurlagoli would have simply waited until her humanoid alliance fell apart before moving in to reclaim their city.

The highest official here is known as the Ven. He or she is chosen from among the leading nobles and merchant lords by secret ballot. The Ven's actual identity is kept secret for the whole of his or her ten-year term-a curious arrangement, but one that seems to work well for this city. The spokesman for this behind-the-scenes leader is known as the Ven's Voice, chosen from the ruling Council to advise the Ven and deliver his (or her) decrees to the people. The current Voice is one Conoptora Billon (NG hm W13), an adventurous mage who would like to see Tsurlagol escape from the shadow of Procampur and grow to rival Ravens Bluff as an attraction for adventurers, traders, and all who bring wealth in their wake.

Tsurlagol is unusual in one respect: it is an open port, where pirates and smugglers are welcome to come ashore to trade with honest merchants, so long as they behave themselves from the time they sail into harbor. Many of the leading merchants here have put in time in the "Free Trade," as they call it, before settling down to onshore respectability on the profits of their pirate days.

Another odd feature about Tsurlagol is its relative pacity of temples. There are only three, one of which doubles as a Thieves Guild. The first and wealthiest, The Rising Moon, is devoted to the worship of Selûne; its patriarch, High Priest Orlathon Lunemast (LG hm P13) is assisted by nine subpriests. The second, the Battering Wave, worships Umberlee under the guidance of Thogonia Grim (LB hf P12) and six fanatical servitors. The third and final, the Cult of the Shadows, venerates Shar, Mistress of Night; its high priestess (whose identity is hidden) also serves as head of the Tsurlagol Thieves Guild, the Sharwomen. The city once had two such guilds for thieves, segregated by gender, but the males' guild was wiped out years ago; today the female thieves dominate, with the few male thieves occupying lesser positions.

Tsurlagol (TSIR-lah-gol), the gateway to the Unapproachable East, is a large, prosperous city east of Procampur. Here traders from the Vast meet with those from Impiltur and sailors from the Vilhon Reach and the Old Empires. Here also dwarven wanderers bear messages, metals, and swords from their hidden relatives to their destination.

Tsurlagol is as old as Procampur, an allied city with which it is normally connected. However, Tsurlagol has burned to the ground a number of times over its long history and been rebuilt each time by succeeding generations. As a result, most of the city is on a low rise - actually the bones of the previous cities on which this city has been rebuilt.

Tsurlagol's highest office is called the Ven, a position chosen by the leading nobles and merchant lords from among their numbers. The true identity of the Ven is held secret, but for a 10-year rule, the Ven's word is law. Unpopular Ven, however, have met their deaths prematurely.

Less mysterious is the Ven's Voice, the spokesman for the Council and the Ven's leading advisor, in many ways more powerful than the Ven himself. The present Voice is Conoptora Billon (NG hm W 13) a grasping, adventurous Mage who has plans for seeing Tsurlagol achieve the dominant position in its relationship with the other cities of the Vast. Whether this desire is shared by the Ven is unknown.

Tsurlagol has served is a free port for pirates and smugglers for many years, and many natives of the Pirate Isles have houses they use as hiding places throughout the city. The city is also considered a suitable stashing ground for hot merchandise and foul tempered captives. Many of the leading merchants at the city have served time in the Free Trade, as piracy is called. In this respect, Tsurlagol has much in common with the freewheeling cities of the Dragon Coast to the west.

Tsurlagol has three temples. The Rising Moon is the temple of Selûne, and is the wealthiest of the temples. Its patriarch is High Priest Orlathon Lunemast (LG hm P3). He is assisted by nine subpriests of varying levels. The Battering Wave is the temple of Umberlee , which is under the control of Thogonia Grim (LE hf P12) and six fanatical serving priests.

The third temple, the Cult of the Shadow, is a temple to Shar and also the headquarters of the local thieves guild, the Sharwomen. Originally open only to female thieves, the organization is now open to both sexes following the complete destruction of the parallel male-oriented thieves' guild years ago. While the guild is open to both sexes, the bulk of the work goes to the men and the majority of the glory and gold to the original female members.