Geography
The aftermath of 'The Mountain That Fell,' has had a major impact on the region’s geography. The impact caused many cracks and shifts in the land; forming the numerous swamps and estuaries of the region. Even after over a thousand and a half years, and the best efforts of the Hyperboreans; much of the shoreline is a confusing maze of waterways.
This long barrier island has little of note other than scrub and sand. The unique Pyrocantha bush grows in abundance here. It's berries can be harvested in the fall and used to create a salve that when rubbed on armour gives a +1 bonus to AC. Unfortunately, the salve lasts only a single battle, but additional doses can be applied. Multiple applications of the salve do not have an accumulative effect.
One of the two major rivers of the Greywoods, it flows south connecting with Smoking Bay. And greatly used by the Blackmarsh wardens row canoe down river to Ashdown.
A small rill from the hills east of Inuacus Keep. A settled piece of land with individual farms, a hamlet and small steadings, are supported by this small rill.
The last named water base of the Vasans, their progress north halted at the approach to Jorvik, though Vasan influence is beginning to be noticed in the area.
Named after the marshes in which this wide waterway enters. This water are actually clear and bring refreshing waters from the northern Westwall mountains.
The northern most river named by the Vasans; it much like Bjórr Cove is a show of the influence the Vasan are exerting on the area.
Flowing westwards from the Dragonbone Peaks mountains, this creek is one of the many large flowing stretches of water that flow into Smoking Bay. It's presence is slightly marred by the marshes on the coast, and it's connecting with the Tave River.
The western slopes of these high mountains took the brunt of the debris ejected from the effects of 'The Mountain That Fell.' The debris covers most of the valleys of the western slopes. In the centuries since; an extensive cavern system has formed. It is believed the network extends for miles along the western edge of the mountain range.
The currents of the Grey Sea caused this island to accumulate a large amount of driftwood as well as other objects from the wind and tide. Along the south-east peninsula, the scattered remains of a ship can be found. Beneath a pile of seaweed is a body of a young man dressed in the style of a high noble of the Grand Kingdom. His hand clutches a necklace with the royal seal.
A small rill from Loch Malas, joining with Trent Brook and flowing into Tave Marshes in the east of Smoking Bay.
A waterway that brings fresh water to the village of Greenton on the western shores of Smoking Bay.
A small island used by fishermen who have created a small village on it's banks. They also assist Castle Blackmarsh with any warning needed against raids from the Vhalen or others.
In much disarray as Sandstone Island (see below)
A mighty river, yet small when compare to the Rednut River in which it eventually joins. The second major river of the Greywoods and flows eastwardly.
The brook brings fresh water to Ethanfeld and is very important to the growing town, another waterway created within the Dragonbone Peaks.
In much disarray as Sandstone Island (see below)
A small unknown rill to most, this is one of the last stretches of flowing water when one enters the Western Mountains. Not many wish to enter the cold barren lands, so those that do, give thought to making a stop near this rill.
A very small rill that enters one most regard as a land separating river called the Moselle Straits. The Moselle Marshes makes this place look near submerged in quickmire. The Konril's fresh water is a blessing to those passing through it's hills.
The Lanis River flows north from the Southland; and is three miles wide when it enters Blackmarsh. The current is deep and slow and easily allows ships and barges to travel in both directions. Merchants travel between Castle Blackmarsh, Castle Westguard and further south to the region of the three temples via a connection to the Sarduin River. Sometimes the occasional Renegade Vhalen longship will try their luck raiding farther south.
A very small rill, passing into a small lake, called the Vær Lake, given it's name by the local Vhalen of Castle Taldene.
A fresh water loch, though presumed tainted by some due to the ill-feeling it radiates, this was once the location of great magic and some say that the Alzarém deposits in the area has enchanted the loch, but whether for good or bad, none can say. The Keltic word leag, means ruin due to the ruins of the Magician's Enclave that once was close by.
A small loch within the Tave Marshes, this small dark loch is though to hold a strange and terrible beast, but none dare attempt to prove if such rumours are true. They say also that a ghost galley can be seen now and then sailing the loch and can be noticed as a great distance by it's strange glowing eerie blue white light.
This fresh water loch supports Malas Keep within the Crimson Hills. Many an orc also uses it's water to sustain himself.
A major rill, that flows into the Tave Marshes, it's fresh water soon to be contaminated by the stagnant waters of the marsh.
A broad river in fact, but as so much of the land around it is water-logged and taking the look as if sunken, the locals treated the water passageway as a straits, but it is not an easy passage for anything bigger than a small boat, with thick reeds and mire to slows and most likely ground any of the large vessels without great seamanship and proper navigations.
Another major waterway into the Black Marshes from the southerly Westwall mountains.
From the fringes of the southern White Mountains, this clear cool burn flows into the salt-watered lake of the Black Marshes.
A spur of the White Mountains they connect a hundred miles to the north-west. They are known for the numerous cave-men tribes that inhabit the little explored mountain valleys. Legend states that these mountains were named after the great Greek poet and scholar Pindar.
This river gets it's name from the number of Rednut groves growing along it's banks. The Rednut is considered a tasty delicacy by the inhabitants and animals of Blackmarsh. Every fall, the river surface is covered with floating rednuts as they drop from the trees. This has the unfortunate effect of attracting hippogriffs and griffins who swoop down and scoop them off the water. They are not above trying to take a more meaty bite from an unwary traveller on the river.
One of the two major rivers that joins with the Thanes' River flowing south into the Grey Sea. It provides a barrier to the north for Daretop, though the open plains from Caer Jongalar and Palansk seem to funnel the Rurasin berserker straight to their main gates.
Another of the two major rivers that join with the Thanes' River to flow down to the Inlet of Taldene and the Grey Sea.
The leeward side (facing Sheltered Bay) is a mass of sandstone that was heavily cracked from the crash of 'The Mountain That Fell.' There are numerous ravines, gullies, and chasms throughout the length of the island. This is a favourite haunt for Vhalen Vikings and pirates to hide their treasure. Windward, it gradually fills in with sand until the beach dunes are reached.
A major brook that joins with the Worms River to continue southwards to the Smoking Bay and Muncæster.
A chain of islands absorbs the brunt of any storm sweeping in from the Grey Sea. It is also the only entrance into the Smoking Bay and the rest of Blackmarsh. There is a 1-in-3 chance per day of encountering a ship entering or leaving the Smoking Bay.
'The Mountain That Fell,' created the Smoking Bay and for a century afterwards, pillars of steam rose from the waters and were seen for hundreds of miles away. The pillars of steam have since subsided, but the name remains. The sea bottom is a confusing maze of rubble with many areas unexplored. Many sea creatures have moved in to take advantage of the chaotic terrain to hide.
The secondary passageway through this stretch of islands into or out of Sheltered Bay. Used by those ship setting sail for Gal City, though the wiser ship's captain will take the 'Straits of Sheltered Bay,' as the Vhalen Vikings are constantly looking for any stray merchant ship sailing into their waters.
A small straits between Driftwood Isles and Alhert Island, usually used by small vessels and fast moving ships, the bulky merchantmen ship are fearful of forceful wind occurring as they pass through this straits and they are forced onto land.
The main passageway for ships coming in and out of the region, this broad passageway gives plenty of warning to most shipping, unless thick fog occurs. The Hyperboreans usually have regular patrols near this way to insure not Vhalen or pirate raids occur.
The straits into Taldene Inlet and common passageway for the Vhalen Vikings leaving or returning home, most other shipping avoid this area.
Flowing along the southern coast of the Tave Marshes along to Castle Taldene. This pieces of water is regard by most as harsh and uncaring, but this is mostly because of the Vhalen shipping that use this stretch of water for their own benefit.
The straits that gives passage to Gamla of the Vhalen. It is broad and safe and gives little trouble to seafarers.
A long flowing fresh watered creek from the Dragonbone Peaks, this joins with the Tave River. Taldene Inl