Map of Eastern Emerlene

The campaign will begin in the shattered Kingdom of Emerlene—specifically, in the eastern lands surrounding the Cairn Mountains and the dreaded Fellwood. These lands are lightly populated, and have been largely left to their own governance since the fall of King Arthem 78 years ago. 

Here is a quick rundown of the major areas of interest in the region:

• Ashenport - A sleepy fishing town of 1,200 souls. This small seaside community is off the beaten track, and is rarely visited by outsiders. It's folk are insular and have a reputation for being unfriendly to strangers.

• Blackport - (Not mapped; 100 miles west of Fallcrest) This bustling port city (population 47,000) has a thriving sailing and fishing industry, and plays host to merchants and other visitors from many foreign lands. The city is also home to a sizeable population of tieflings, who make their home in a neighborhood called Bloodtown—named for its garishly painted red buildings. The city is currently governed by the Black Council, a plutocratic body of nobles, wealthy merchants, and retired sea captains who do their best to remain neutral in the current conflict between King Tyrun and King Relzan. Blackport also boasts a thriving criminal underworld, and is home to many active organizations that constantly vie for control of Blackport's illegal enterprises.

• Cairn Mountains - These ancient, weather-worn highlands are dotted with countless burial cairns, tomb-caves, and barrow hills. They are home to a few clans of dwarves, several hardy mining communities, and many dangerous humanoids and monsters. In the heart of the Cairns lies a great desolate valley known as The Nakmaar. The Nakmaar is home to orcs, goblinoids, ogres, trolls, and giants.

• Castle Faelyn - Ancestral home to the nobles of House Faelyn, this ancient and crumbling seaside castle watches over Emerlene's remote northeast coast. The current patriarch of the family is Lord Mordun Faelyn, a jovial, immensely fat man with a love for gambling, drinking, and hunting. He is quite the rapscallion, and is rumored to have fathered no less than 15 bastard children, much to the dismay of his wife and three adult trueborn sons. The Faelyns have been allies to House Felengar for many generations, so young King Relzan considers Mordun a close friend and advisor.

• Cheren's Eye - This small fishing town (population 900) is home to many retired sailors and, if rumors are to be believed, many retired pirates. The main draw to the town is The Bloody Drake—a rough and tumble inn and brothel used as a meeting place for scoundrels, pirates, and fortune seekers of the worst character.

• Drakewater - This small fishing village (population 1,200) is known for its skilled bowyers and fletchers. Dree hosts an annual festival on the first day of summer called Arrowmeet. During Arrowmeet, skilled archers from around the realm meet for a week of archery competions, fine food, and strong drink.

• Fallcrest - Fallcrest (population 2,000) stands amid the Moon Hills at the falls of the Nentir River. The surrounding ridges shelter several small valleys where farmers and woodsfolk live; few are more than six or seven miles from the town. The surrounding hills hold several mines and marble quarries that once produced a good deal of stone, but the realm has little demand for ornamental stone these days, and only a few stonecutters still practice their trade. The human noble Faren Markelhay is the Lord Warden (hereditary lord) of the town. He is in charge of the town’s justice, defense, and laws. Although the Markelhays were once strong supporters of House Felengar, a recent dispute over mining rights in the Cairn Mountains has spoiled this relationship. House Markelhay—and by association the town of Fallcrest—now struggles to remain neutral in the current conflict between King Relzan and King Tyrun.

• Greenbridge - (Not mapped, 45 miles west of Winterdale) This small farming community is home to a large number of halflings. Though usually a nomadic race, the halflings of Greenbridge gave up their wandering ways in AR 61, when King Barend offered them land in return for some service to the crown. Greenbridge is now the home of Emerlene's only two non-human noble houses: House Greenfoot, currently headed by Lord Dergo "the Bullroarer" Greenfoot, and House Stoutbelly, currently headed by Lord Yollo Stoutbelly. Both houses are strong supporters of King Relzan.

• Greycastle - (Not mapped, 48 miles west of Fallcrest) Greycastle was built by Narren the Grey, who's life's ambition was to make it the greatest castle ever constructed. Made of dark grey stone, with numerous massive towers and a great hall large enough to hold an army, the castle was a monument to Narren's hubris. But Narren had scarcely finished his work when the Aziiryan Empire began its invasion of Emerlene. Greycastle's thick, high walls were useless against the empire's sorcery and fire-breathing war-dragons. Dragonfire and mighty magic cracked and melted the castle's stone, killing Narren and his sons. Narren's line was obliterated and his kingdom conquered. Since Narren's disaster, the castle has been occupied by a variety of noble houses. Some residents over the ages have met terrible ends, giving the castle the reputation of being cursed. This, combined with the logistical and economic difficulties inherent in keeping such an enormous castle maintained and garrisoned, has made the castle something of a white elephant. Though the castle is currently owned by House Brolland of Blackport, it is currently only occupied by a small garrison of men-at-arms.

• Hammerfall - This fortified dwarven mining city (population 19,000) is built around several very active iron and gemstone mines in the northern foothills of the Cairn Mountains. The city declared its independence from Emerlene shortly after the death of King Arthem 78 years ago, and has remained a stalwart defender of the region over the decades. The town is a hub for trade and craftwork, and has a strong trade alliance with the city of Blackport. Though the dwarven nobles of the Hammerfall Council rule the city, Hammerfall is home to many other races. In fact, humans currently outnumber the dwarven residents.

• Moon Hills - These forested hills shelter the many valleys and dales of the Nentir Valley region—named for the Nentir River that cuts through its heart. Although many miners and woodsfolk call this region home, it is not devoid of brigands, humanoids, and the occasional prowling monster.

• The Fellwood - This expansive tract of woodland dominates much of the land west of the Cairn Mountains. Though villages and logging camps can be found on its fringes, much of the forest's interior is rarely visited. The forest has a rather dark reputation for being both haunted and infested with all sorts of terrible monsters.

• The Grimfort - Located in the northern foothills of the Cairn Mountains, this isolated and imposing fortress is the ancestral home of House Drendon. The Grimfort is ill-omened, for it is said that the Drendons still keep torture chambers in the dungeons below the casle, as well as a special chamber where they hang the flayed skins of their enemies. The current patriarch of the castle is Lord Imrus Drendon, a man of average size and appearance, his only distinguishing feature being his striking pale pink eyes. He receives regular leechings, which he believes to improve his health, prompting some to call him the Leech Lord. Though mild-mannered and courteous, he is cold and capable of great cruelty. He speaks softly, forcing others to listen closely. Though a longtime ally of House Felengar, rumors persist that the ambitious Drendons have aspirations of ruling Emerlene themselves.

• Three Towers - This small coastal fishing village gets its name from the three crumbling black towers of Stormwatch Keep—the ancestral home of the nobles of House Neverfall. The current patriarch of the family is Lord Remeny Neverfall. Though a strong supporter of King Relzan, Lord Remeny—recently made a widower—has shocked the court of Cairnhold by taking a tiefling woman as his favored consort.

• Winterdale - The rutted King's Road leads to the foot of a broad hill that holds the walled village of Winterdale (population 900). The village is nestled in the foothills of the Cairn Mountains. Small thatched homes stand around Winterdale, each fronting a small piece of farmland or pasture. Winterhaven is ruled by Lord Aufrem of House Greyfox. The aging Lord Aufrem is the last of his line, and he seems content to allow his lineage to pass into obscurity after his death.

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