D&D General What's your favorite starter sandbox region?

[Mercurius]

I don't mean entire world, but a relatively self-contained region that's purpose is to be the starter region for a new campaign. Ideally it would involve numerous adventuring opportunities that wouldn't run out after a few levels, have countless locations to explore, interacting factions, at least a settlement or two, etc. You know, the type of region that you spend the first 5-10 levels in, and then either shift to the Underdark (or equivalent), the larger world, the planes, etc. Nentir Vale is a good example, or the Dale Lands in FR.

What is your favorite and why? Feel free to post maps and links, if it is not well-known product or if you have a wiki of your own.

 

[Enrico Poli1]

The Grand Duchy of Karameikos, Mystara.

 

[Aldarc]

Nentir Vale

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Nentir Vale

This, and Neverwinter Campaign Setting.

I have a map from the web placing the Nentir Vale next to Neverwinter, making it my perfect sandbox.

 

[Snarf Zagyg]

First Place: The City of Greyhawk.

What did you think I was going to say?

Second place is Ratik.

Third place? You're fired.


...coffee is for closers only. And closers play in Greyhawk.

 

[David Howery]

agree with City of Greyhawk. It is surrounded by a lot of interesting stuff. The last time I used it as a campaign setting, I ended up moving a few other WoG modules to be near it...

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

Lendore Isles Series (Secret of Bone Hill, The Assassin's Knot, etc.)

You've got towns and villages, tribes of restless humanoids, thieves guilds, a castle full of low-level NOPE... between Lendore Isles, Village of Hommlet and Keep on the Borderlands, Lendore is by far my favorite low-level sandbox.

 

[Giltonio_Santos]

Haranshire, from Night Below.

 

[the Jester]

The Village of Hommlet (and its surroundings).

Also, the Lendore Isles (see: L1, the Secret of Bone Hill).

 

[R_J_K75]

Shadowdale. From there you can spread out to the various other Dales, the Forest of Cormanthor & Myth Drannor, the Moonsea or even Cormyr. The area has a built in antagonist, the Zhentarim and theres lots of setting information out there for each.

Waterdeep, Undermountain & Skullport is also great too. Again lots of source material available.