Vexan Reach

The Chalice Hills

These hills are home to mostly men, but also a few clans of gnomish folks, who make their villages in the deep hollows away from the prying eyes of men. The hills are named for a magical chalice that was found near the site of Brightwater Wells. When water from the holy spring is drank from the Chalice, it cures any ailment of disease and has even been known to return eyesight to the blind.

Brightwater Wells

This small village is home to sacred spring whose waters are said to cure any ailment or disease. It is tended by the priests and priestesses of Pelor. Pilgrims come from as far as Arrandor, and are expected to leave offerings and coin in return for Pelor’s blessing.

Tower of Twilight

This ancient white tower was built by the Elves in an earlier age when they were masters of this land. They were driven out of their homes by men after losing a series of bitterly contest wars. No one now knows what this tall slender tower was in it’s heyday. Perhaps it was the home of a Elven lord. Perhaps to was an observatory of some sort. Perhaps it was a watch tower. The men of the Reach say this tower, along with it’s twin some seven leagues to the southeast east, has long since been looted. Nothing remains now, except the memory of the elven folk.

The Five Shires

East of the River Realstream is the halfling realm of The Five Shires. The Shire halflings have cordial, if restrained, relations with the men of the Reach, with occasional disputes over who controls the river occasionally bringing out the worst of the halfling folk’s passive aggressive tendencies. There is a toll and customs house opposite the mannish town of Durnford, administered by the krondar of Multhim Greybeard, the sheriff of Northshire, and frequented by patrols of sturdy mounted krndar who regularly rest there ponies here and and linger for a pint or two. Men are not allowed egress to the Shires without the appropriate letters of safe passage, or similar credentials of diplomacy. Similarly the Men of the Reach maintain their own tollhouse, though few halflings ever cross the Realstream.

Lake Rhynn

and the Isle of Rhynn

Lake Rhynn is sacred to the Druids of the Gloomwood Circle, and is a focal point of their ceremonial activities throughout the year. They hold their moots on the island as well as various dark rituals, which are performed in the shadows of an enormous stone circle. The lake is inhabited by a large “water horse,” who may be in league with the Druids. The serpentine monster is feared by all who dare to take boats out on to the lake, for it has been known to capsize hapless fishermen. Hunters and trappers have reported seeing the creature sunning itself on the shores of the lake.

Realm of the Fae

The region of Gloomwood west of the Blackwater is rumored to be a strange realm inhabited by fae creatures and a tribe of wild elves that seek final refuge in the heart of the great forest that used to cover the western reaches of the Borderlands. The elves have clashed with their neighbors across the River Blackwater, the Druids of the Gloomwood Circle. The two peoples have competing visions for the forest. Nought else is known about them.

Wychlight Wood

Wychlight Wood is an ancient and enigmatic forest, whispered about in hushed tones among the men of the Vexan. Shrouded in mist and legend, it stands as a verdant threshold between the known and the unknown, its dense canopy casting deep shadows even at noon. It is said that strange lights —luminescent echoes of a world beyond our own — dance among its ancient trees, leading unwary travelers astray or, on rare occasions, guiding the lost to unexpected safety. These lights, as elusive and unpredictable as the wind, are believed by many to be the playful antics of the fey folk, who are said to dwell within the forest's hidden groves and glades.Rumors abound of hidden portals within the wood, gateways to Elfland, a realm of enchantment and endless twilight. The forest itself is regarded with a mix of fear and fascination, for it is here that the veil between the worlds is thinnest. Few dare to venture into its depths, and those who do often return with tales of eerie beauty and encounters with beings of legend. The Wychwood, a place of ancient magic and timeless mystery, remains mostly avoided by the men of the Vexan Reach, a testament to the enduring power of the old stories and the primal fear of the unknown.

Tower of the Dawn

This ancient white tower was built by the Elves in an earlier age when they were masters of this land. They were driven out of their homes by men after losing a series of bitterly contest wars. No one now knows what this tall slender tower was in it’s heyday. Perhaps it was the home of a Elven lord. Perhaps to was an observatory of some sort. Perhaps it was a watch tower. The men of the Reach say this tower, along with it’s twin some seven leagues to the northwest, has long since been looted. Nothing remains now, except the memory of the elven folk.

Grusk Steading

This is the Grursk family farm where Liam’s parents, Lyanna and Harald, still live. If truth be told, Harald Grursk has never been much of a farmer, so the land is farmed by another tenant. Harald puts food on his table and earns a living by hunting and trapping, fishing in the River Tern, and occasionally hiring out as a teamster or caravan guard, though he’s not doing much of that type of work anymore. Lyanna runs the household, which is a full-time job. Liam is the Grusks’ only child.

The Dragons of Gloomwood

At least one, and possibly more, green dragons make their home in the upper reaches of the Gloomwood. There’s some speculation on whether it's a single dragon, a mated pair, or a flight with wyrmlings. Legend has it that the dragons of Gloomwood trace their lineage back to Andareunarthex, the Cunning, aka Gloomwing. Whether the great forest of the north took it's name from the great dragon of the north or the other way around is a matter of vigorous debate in the taverns of the Reach. One thing everyone can agree on: The green dragons of Gloomwod have been quiet for many years — and it’s best to let sleeping dragons lie...

Ruins of Pelorian Monastery

This monastery was built by Pelorian monks whose saw it as their mission to bring light to the darkness of the Gloomwood. They operated here for several centuries, until they the Circle of Gloomwood, an order of Druids, razed the building to the ground during the Wars of Vexhan. The ruins are now said to be haunted by the ghosts of those monks. What secrets, treasures, and horrors lurks in the ruins none can tell, for the locals believe it to be a lure to the greedy and reckless and give it a wide berth. Harald Grusk and others have seen strange lights flitting about the ruins after dark. He has many times expressed a desire to explore the ruins in the search for lost gold, but his wife, Lyanna, won’t allow it.

Oldfields

Also known as the Lost Fields, this area of rich farmland provided grains and produce for the men of the Reach. However, after the wars with the Circle of the Gloomwood, the Druids banned men from ever settling the lands between the Rivers Nin and Tern “Until the sun shall cease to rise in the east and set in the west.” Since then, the lands have remained largely empty, left to the beasts and the occasional monsterous denizen that preys upon them..

The Circle of Gloomwood

The Druids of the Circle of Gloomwood claim all the lands east of the River Blackwater. This is an ancient Druidic order that seeks to stop the expansion of civilization at all costs. They are hard-core naturalists who will savage any who engage in logging, road-building, farming, or merely settling in the region. The Circle of the Gloomwood have fought wars with the humanoid races of the wood, including goblins, orcs — even elves. But some of their most vicious campaigns have been waged against the men of the Reach. The Druids are uncompromising and merciless and are known to send plagues of insects, blights, and the power of the Elements against those who ignore their ban. Some say the Druids have an alliance — or at least a non-aggression pact — with the dragons of the Gloomwood.

Kilverston

This village was founded by early human settlers, and grew to prominence in the region, but is now only a shadow of its former self after it was much reduced by the wars with the Circle of Gloomwood, an order of Druids who are extremely hostile to the spread of civilization into the north. The Druids have declared that lands north of the River Tern off-limits to human expansion and actually drove out all of the settlers of the rich lands between the Rivers Nin and Tern, many of whom retreated south and west to Kilverston. Life is exceptionally hard in Kilverston. People are deprived of all but the barest necessities, and even the local gentry are impoverished compared to their peers elsewhere. Some say that the place is really run by a band of common bravos.

Durnford Town

Durnford is the largest town in the Vexhan, even if it is small by the standards of most. It is lead by a reeve, the nephew of Lord Rivers, who is seen by most to be incompetent, in part due to his tender age (just 18), but mostly on account of his love of wine, women, and song. The town has all the services and amenities of a small town in the Borderlands. It is protected by a poorly trained militia, who also serve as nightwatchmen. Occasionally, Lord Rivers’ men come drink at the local taverns, The Moonstone and The Gray Wolf.

Tower of the Sorcerer

This tower of dark stone was raised a generation ago by a mysterious mage who soon gained a nasty reputation as a cruel dude. Folk said he was ruthless, said he was crude. It wasn’t until people started disappearing, that the lords of the Reach decided to do something about it. As they marched on the tower however, a crash of thunder and a flash of blinding green light erupted from the tower, and from every window issued a caustic fume that killed everything it came into contact with, including the mighty heroes sent to bring the mage to justice. The noxious fog was borne eastward by the wind, and enshrouded the town of Slete, killing many of it’s inhabitants. The rest fled and have yet to return. It is said a dark winged form can be seen flitting about the tower on moonful nights. People dare not approach it, for the blasted lands around it serve as a grim reminder of the death that came to Slete.

Ruins of Slete

This town was founded by humans after the Elf Wars, and prospered for generations. Then a mage of dubious habits and goals built a strong tower on the nearby Galnarra Crag. The setting sun cast the tower’s long shadow over the town, and strange sounds were borne on a chill west wind, which caused the townfolk to shudder and fear the tower, which they came to call the Tower of the Sorcerer. When townsfolk began to disappear, the mage of the Tower was suspected. A delegation was sent, first with words of diplomacy then again with words laced with threats. The lord of the town gathered a party of adventurers to go evict the mage, but as they approached, a nacreous green light shone forth from the keep, and the tower belched forth a choking green fog which crept over the fields and, borne by the west wind, lowered on the town. When animals started dying, the people quit the town, never to return.