The Valley
Moominvalley is a small, gentle land nestled between the Western Forest, the Lonely Mountains, and the sea. A river runs through its heart, and most of the year the meadows are green and full of flowers. Time moves slowly here. Most troubles can be solved with tea, a conversation, or a short adventure, and the blue Moominhouse always has room for one more guest.
Spring brings the return of Snufkin and the first flowers. Summer is long and bright, filled with swimming, picnics, and unexpected visitors. Autumn is quieter, with golden grass and a touch of melancholy. Winter is almost silent — the Moomins hibernate, the river freezes, and only a few stubborn souls remain awake.
The Moominhouse
At the center of the valley stands the Moominhouse — a tall blue wooden house with a tower and round windows. It is always warm inside. The kitchen smells of pancakes and fresh bread, Moominmamma’s handbag is never far away, and the porch overlooks the river. Anyone who arrives is offered tea and a place at the table. The house belongs not only to the Moomin family, but to everyone who has ever been welcomed through its door.
The River and the Bridge
The river flows from the Western Forest, past the Moominhouse, and out to the sea. A simple wooden bridge crosses it near Snufkin’s tent. In spring and summer the green tent is pitched right beside the bridge, and soft harmonica music can often be heard there in the evenings. The bridge is a favorite meeting place.
The Western Forest
A dense forest of tall pines borders the western edge of the valley. Paths are narrow and mossy. The Snorks’ house stands near the tree line, but few people venture deeper. The forest is quiet, and sometimes strange sounds drift out from among the trunks.
The Snorks’ House
A neat little house closer to the forest than the Moominhouse. Flowers grow in the windows, and the Snork’s half-finished inventions can usually be found on the table. Snorkmaiden spends much of her time here, though she is often at the Moominhouse as well.
The Hemulen’s House
A solid, practical house filled with shelves, glass cases, and carefully labeled collections of plants, insects, stamps, and other specimens. Everything has its place. The air smells of dried herbs and old paper. The Hemulen is usually cataloguing something new or explaining the correct way things ought to be organized.
Stinky’s Den
A small, messy hollow under the rocks at the edge of the meadow. It is full of odd trinkets and shiny objects of questionable origin. Stinky does not stay there long — he prefers to wander around the Moominhouse — but it is the closest thing he has to a home.
The Beach, Pier, and Bathing Hut
Where the river meets the sea lies a sandy beach. A wooden pier stretches into the water, and a small striped bathing hut stands nearby. In summer the Moomins swim and picnic here. In winter the beach is empty and cold; Too-ticky sometimes lives in the bathing hut and watches the sea alone.
The Cave
A cool, damp cave near the foot of the Lonely Mountains. It is not very deep, but the echoes are strange. The Moomins once sheltered here when the comet approached. It remains a place for small discoveries and quiet adventures.
The Lonely Mountains and the Observatory
Grey, windswept mountains rise in the northeast. On the highest peak stands a small observatory with a telescope, once used to watch the great comet. The slopes are quiet and cold. The Groke is sometimes seen wandering here, leaving frozen ground in her wake. From the top one can see the entire valley and the sea beyond.
Hattifatteners’ Island
A small rocky island visible from the beach. Tall, slender white figures stand among the stones, swaying in the wind. The air feels charged, especially before a storm. The Hattifatteners gather here in great numbers. They have no faces and no voices. They simply wander, always toward the horizon. Few visit the island willingly.
The Valley Entrance
The southern path into Moominvalley. It winds between low hills and flowering meadows before opening onto the main valley. From here the blue Moominhouse can already be seen in the distance. Most travelers arrive this way.
Factions and Ways of Life
The Moominhouse
The heart of the valley. Hospitality, shared meals, and the belief that almost anything can be mended over tea. Moomintroll, Moominmamma, Moominpappa, Sniff, and Little My live here, along with whoever happens to be visiting.
The Wanderers
Those who refuse to be tied to one place. Snufkin is the best known. They value freedom, quiet, and owning very little. They come in spring and leave when the first cold wind blows.
The Collectors
The Hemulens. They love order, catalogues, and complete collections. They mean well, but their enthusiasm for rules and specimens can be overwhelming.
The Loners
Stinky schemes and collects shiny things. The Groke wanders the edges of the world, freezing the ground and seeking warmth she can never quite hold. Neither truly belongs anywhere.
The Hattifatteners
Silent, faceless, and driven only by the need to wander. They grow from seeds planted on Midsummer’s Eve and become electric in thunderstorms. They are neither friends nor enemies — simply other.
Atmosphere
Moominvalley is safe, but not empty of wonder or unease. One may meet the Groke on a lonely path, watch the Hattifatteners glow on the horizon, or find something strange in the cave. Yet the most important things remain the same: the river, the bridge, the smell of pancakes, and the knowledge that the blue house will always have a light in the window.