Geographic Regions

The Duchy is broadly divided into six regions - the Western Reach, the Coastal Lowlands, the Vale of Meldegwyn, the Iron Highlands, the Spine of the World, and the Thunder Plains.

In addition, there are the disputed lands of the Bloody Plains, the wild Direwood, and the Peaks of Chaos, which are all outside of the influence of the Duchy - but often of interest to the military forces.

• Ducal Lands
  • Western Reach
  • Coastal Lowlands
  • Vale of Meldegwyn
  • Spine of the World
  • Iron Highlands
  • Thunder Plains
• Wildlands
  • Bloody Plains
  • Direwood
  • Peaks of Chaos

Ducal Lands

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Western Reach

The Western Reach reaches from the western border of the Duchy up to the western edge of the Spine of the World. This area is home to some humans and most of the Duchy's elven population, who reside in the Forest of Mists.

Coastal Lowlands

South of the cliffs that line the southern edge of the Vale, and stretching off to the east until the mouth of the Tramnicht River are the Coastal Lowlands, a sparsely populated area with little more than a smattering of fishing villages populated by those brave enough to risk the stormy water s of the Unfalwellen Ocean. In the western Coastal Lowlands can be found the quiet villages of the small Halfling population.

Vale of Meldegwyn

The broad expanse of Vale rests nestled between the two branches of the Spine of the World, protected in the south by the cliffs of Silberfalle and capped in the north by the Iron Highlands. The bulk of the Duchy's human population resides in the cool, yet fertile valley.

Spine of the World

The massive and imposing Spine of the World splits in the northern part of the Duchy, slowly reducing in height as it approaches the ocean. In between it's protective, ice covered peaks can be found the Vale of Meldegqyn.

Only three passes exist in the eastern Spine, which has been both a blessing and a curse, allowing for a defensible position when the Unmen hordes threatened, but making difficult the movement of armies without the spies of the Unmen seeing them, and leaving the settlements in the Thunder Plains at risk.

Few peoples live in the Spine beyond a smattering of hunters, and some mountain barbarians that still cling to the ways of their ancestors, shunning the "weak dirt-grubbers" down below.

Iron Highlands

To the north of the Vale is the mineral-rich Iron Highlands, home to the bustling cities of the Dwarves, and source of the massive caravans and barges that descend towards the shipping routes of the southern Vale.

Thunder Plains

On the eastern side of the Spine of the World can be found the Thunder Plains, known for the crackling storms that boil forth across them, whipped up from the ocean to the south. These storms, while fierce, also provide the rains that make the Thunder Plains so fertile and tempting to the denizens of the Vale. The generally accepted eastern edge of the Thunder Plains is the Tramnicht River, beyond which they are known as the Bloody Plains. To the northeast of the Thunder Plains is the Direwood.

Wildlands

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Bloody Plains

South of the Direwood, and east of the frontier lands of the Thunder Plains lie the Bloody Plains, home to many a historic battle and many tens of thousands of unmen that are slowly moving their tribes to the west. Here can be found several of the outposts of the Ducal Army, and the remains of more.

Direwood

The dark, twisted forms of the trees of the Direwood are enough to give many pause, and with good reason. Many foul beasts dwell within it's thick canopy, and woe upon the explorer who ventures forth into it.

Despite the danger, many do decide to risk it, in search of many legendary ruined cities from the Second Age, including the fabled Elven city of Yironlea.

Peaks of Chaos

Looming over the lands to the west of them like a stone tidal wave of evil are the Peaks of Chaos. Befouled and forsaken, they are home to hordes of unmen, and those that follow the dark gods. Rarely does the civilized eye of Duchy folk even fall upon them, much less venture forth into them. Armies have attempted to penetrate them in the past, only to be torn asunder by massive, shadowy beasts from the sky, on the ground, and erupting from below.