This long line of sheer cliffs, ranging from 50 to over 200 feet in height, forms Thays western border and first line of defense. A natural fortress protecting Thays fertile highlands, the First Escarpment provides the land with greater security than the largest army.
This is not to say that the Thayans skimp when it comes to their military defenses. The high cliffs are honeycombed with tunnels, barracks, and fortresses carved from the living rock. Here, garrisons of gnolls and other troops keep watch at all likely invasion points. Small citadels, also manned by gnolls or elite h uman troops, are liberally sprinkled along the edge of the Escarpment as well. These fortresses serve the double purpose of strengthening Thays defenses and keeping an eye out for escaped slaves or refugees.
There are only a handful of major routes up the Escarpment and onto the Plateau of Thay beyond. These routes are detailed below and are all well guarded by the Thayan military.