"The Red Hand of Doom" Gazeteer
Player Map
Setting: Elsir Vale, a thinly populated human and demi-human frontier region, comprised of a vale (250 miles east-west, 70 miles north-south) bounded by mountains, forests, and the Elsir River. Your party has just crossed the vale, passing through Dennovar at the east, moving along the Dawn Way and past the city of Brindol and the towns of Talar, Nimon Gap, and Terrelton. You are nearing the town of Drellin's Ferry when the campaign starts. See larger map of Elsir Vale for locations of these and other features.
Time of Year & Climate: The adventure begins in early Flamerule (July), during an unusually warm and dry summer. It is generally hot during the day and warm at night.
Movement: Default overland movement rate is 24 miles per day by foot, or 32 miles per day on horseback. This can be cut if you wander off trails and roads.
Natural Features
Elsir River - a broad, slow-moving river fed by a number of tributaries. It is generally 200-400 yards wide. A bridge crosses it at Brindol, and ferries operate at Drellin's Ferry and Talar.
Rhestwash River - Joins lake Rhestin with the Elsir River.
Lake Rhestin - a shallow, marshy lake almost 100 miles long north to south. Its shores are dotted with the ruins of abandoned villages and manors.
The Witchwood - a lush, wet woodland interspersed with swampy stretches. Said to be haunted by restless spirits of ancient druids.
Wyvernwatch Mountains - A forbidding range of high, steep mountains that separates Elsir Vale from more civilized lands to the south.
Giantshield Mountains - a low range of arid, well-weathered peaks with a number of mining and farming settlements in its foothills.
Wyrmsmoke Mountains - A rugged range of hills and low mountains featuring several active volcanoes. Plumes of ash and smoke can be seen arising from the region's interior. Home to a number of goblin, hobgoblin and bugbear tribes.
The Thornwaste - a vast barren land featuring mazes of broken hills, briar-choked ravines, and dry, dusty scrubland giving way to true desert terrain deeper in. Home to savage man-eating lions, sphinxes and other hungry monsters.
Towns & Cities
Drellin's Ferry - This small town is the western gateway to Elsir Vale. See link for map and more details.
Terrelton - A small town that gets by on livestock and leather trades; boasts foul-smelling tanneries.
Nimon Gap - This tiny hamlet is home to those who tend orchards and flocks of sheep and goats.
Talar - A small town west of Brindol.
Brindol - The second largest settlement in the vale, a prosperous farming community and caravan stopover for trade along the Dawn Way. It is the home of Lord Kerden Jarmaath, and his small keep and the city's walls are the only fortifications of note this side of Dennovar. As you passed through, you recall seeing many well-armed guards, the so-called Lions of Brindol; a great Cathedral to Pelor; and a very busy paved open-air market square.
Dennovar - The largest city of and the eastern gateway to Elsir Vale.
Vraath Keep - A ruined keep said to stand in the bit of the Witchwood that lies west of the Elsir River. Supposedly the stout folk who once lived there were driven off by marauding forest giants long ago.
Roads and Trails
The Dawn Way - the vital trade road of Elsir Vale, a sturdy road made of flagstones built by an ancient dwarf kingdom over a thousand years ago.