Map of Kunark as it appears in the in-game map.
Map of Kunark as it appeared in EQ1.
Together with Faydwer, Kunark is one the largest continents on Norrath. It remained largely untouched from the events of the Age of Cataclysms, however, like all the other continents, it drifted further away from any neighboring landmasses. It is comprised of five mainland zones, Kylong Plains, Fens of Nathsar, Kunzar Jungle, Jarsath Wastes, and Obulus Frontier, with one off-shore zone, Timorous Deep.
Kunark is best known as the birthplace of the Sebilisian Empire, also known as the Empire of Ik or the Iksar Empire. Deep in the jungles of Kunzar, Venril Sathir united the five Iksar tribes, who are the namesakes of the five mainland zones, and over centuries of warfare and conquest was able to have nigh complete control of the continent. The empire was the most dominant force in all of Norrath for ages, until it was finally brought to ruin by the pride of it's rulers and the vengeance of the dragons. Today, the landscape is covered with the ruins of the Sebilisian Empire, many of which have been partially repaired and remain in use as trade cities or fortifications. The iksar are currently attempting to consolidate power once again in Sebilis, the former capital, and birth a new empire. They face many challenges, chief of all being the Sarnak of Bathezid's Watch who are attempting to birth an empire of their own.
Towards the end of the re-conquest of Faydwer, Sarnak pirate ships began raiding the shores of D'Lere and Karan. This brought knowledge to the other races of Norrath that the old sea routes to Kunark had been reopened. Fending off the pirate raids and trailing the ships across the ocean, led to the events of the Rise of Kunark, where adventures set off to resettle Kunark and plunder her riches.