Geography of the North
The North is a wild borderland in the far north of the continent of Erehwon and encompasses a huge territory. This region has only recently been settled by the human and settlements are few and far between. It is a savage, untamed land home to numerous tribes of humanoids and other fearsome creatures. it is an area of vast, largely untapped, natural resources and an ideal place for adventurers to make a name for themselves.
Border Hills
To the south of Stormhaven lie the Border Hills, a range of
rugged rocky uplands that separates the Northlands from the
fertile plains further south. These hills contain a large
settlement of gnomes, called Barak's Skar, and are said to be
rich in mineral resources. But as well as the gnomes tribes of
ogres are said to infest these hills making travel there perilous.
Drakkar Penninsula
To the far north and west across Iceclaw Bay a rugged peninsula
thrusts far out into the sea, the infamous Drakkar Peninsula. The
peninsula is a region of rugged mountains, dark forests and deep
fiords and is the homeland of the Drakkar, fierce barbarians from
whom the peninsula takes its name. The Drakkar are a proud,
warlike people who launch annual raids against the peoples off
the central and southern Eros plundering the coastal settlements
with their longships then as quickly as they came they vanish
once again into the sea.
Fens, the
Nestled between the Kharnik Mountains and the Border Hills is a
vast area of marshland known simply as the Fens. The Fens are a
vast network of bogs, marshes and moors and are said to be
liberally infested with lizardmen, will-o-wisps and trolls. It is
a place best avoided. There are also rumours of ancient ruins in
the heart of the Fens. There are also stories of an ancient tomb
to a long dead wizard being hidden somewhere within the dismal
confines of this huge marsh.
Forest of Valinost
Between the towns of Stormhaven and Irongard lies the mighty
Forest of Valinost, a large primeval forest that is home to a
kingdom of elves. The elves are extremely xenophobic and don't
allow any one to venture into the large territory that they claim
as their own. Travellers have been warned.
Frozen North, the
The largely unexplored lands north of Irongard are known as the
Frozen North. This is a region of deep impenetrable forests
interspersed with vast tracts of open tundra. This region is home
to numerous tribes of gnolls whom sometimes attack Irongard. The
gnolls make exploration, and travel, in the Frozenlands an
extremely perilous at best and it is said if the gnolls don't get
you the weather will because the region is renown for its fierce
blizzards and storms that can last for weeks on end. As well as
the numerous gnolls there are many other hazards in this region
including bands of bug bears, ogres and even frost giants.
There are rumours that beyond the tundra lies a land that crosses the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the gods and that in the heart of this land lies the fabled city of the gods. None have ever ventured in search of this place and returned.
Kendran Vale
Kendran's Vale is one of the main arteries into the interior of
the North. The broad Lusk River meanders its way across the
Valley to enter Iceclaw Bay near the town of Stormhaven. The waterway is navigable
for shipping and it along the edge of this waterway that most
humans settlements in the North are located. The Valley is
Kharnik Mountains
Further east beyond the forest of Valinost lies the mighty
Kharnik Mountains, a truly imposing chain that stretches for
several thousand miles and splits the continent in two. The part
of the Kharnik's that dissects the region we are examining
contains the Kingdom of Iron,
a large dwarven realm. As well as the dwarves there are numerous
humanoids, giants, dragons and other monsters inhabiting the
mountains. As a result this range remains largely unexplored, at
least by human explorers. There are few passes through the
mountains and few, if any, humans have explored the Shadowlands
that lie beyond them.
The
Kingdom of Iron
Deep in the heart of the Kharnik Mountains lies the Kingdom of
Iron, the largest dwarven realm in the north. The total number of
dwarves in the mountains remains unknown it is rumoured that
there are several large cities and numerous smaller settlements
are scattered throughout the mountain range. The dwarves conduct
some trade with the humans of stormhaven and the two races are on
friendly terms. However few humans are allowed into their realm.
Raven Hills
The Raven Hills get their name from the large number of ravens
that live in the live in them. The hills are made from limestone
and contain many caves, caverns and rocky outcrops. As well as
ravens humanoids, especially goblins are known to live in the
hills and make travel here perilous. In recent years gold, silver
and other precious metals have been discovered in the rivers,
streams and gullies of the hills and numerous prospectors are now
flocking to the area.
The Shadowlands
The Shadowlands are all that remain of the elven Empire of Vel'Nethwe,
the greatest of the elven realms. Several centuries ago the
empire fell to a vast horde of humanoids and demons. The elven
survivors of the onslaught fled westward beyond the Kharnik
Mountains and created new kingdoms in the virgin forests of the
West. The Shadowlands are said to be a land of twilight, a land
where the sun never shines, a land of death and despair. The once
fertile plains of Vel'Nethwe are now barren and desolate and the
fabled cities of the elves lie abandoned, or worse inhabited by
undead, demons and humanoids. It is truly a land of dread, a land
firmly in the hands of Orcus.
This page was last updated on
Thursday, 11 October 2001