he twin cities of Thalos are well known to adventurers and explorers of the Surface, situated far to the east of Nevrast by the Great Eastern Desert. New Thalos on the Ishtar River is heavily populated by humans, ruled by a benevolent sultan, and protected by many guards, and is one of the more notable trading cities of the Surface—not as rich or powerful as Nevrast, to be sure, but perhaps on a par with Raven's Bluff or Katsukyo in wealth and influence. The sultan and his guards strive to keep the city's merchants and their caravans and boats safe, and thus the city's economy vibrant. Merchants of New Thalos are known to trade by both land and water with Nevrast and Katsukyo alike, and occasionally with other eastern realms such as the Empire.