the valley of Karaccia:
a setting for classic LOW-LEVEL adventures
An Overview of the Valley:
The Valley of Karaccia is a pleasant mountain basin, enclosed almost completely by sheer granite walls reaching half a mile into the sky. The basin is surrounded by impassable mountains, the only egress being a passage in the southeast where the basin slopes up to meet hills. Two rivers enter the valley: the Fallflow River drops in over the Echo Falls near the town of Brink in the northwest, and the Corkorran River meanders in through the hills to the southeast. The town of Nefford is situated where the two rivers meet, and from there they flow southwest to Gorgewater Lake. The Corkorran then continues south from Gorgewater Lake, passing into the mountains where it flows on underground for some way. Humans account for 60% of the population of the valley, halflings 20%, and dwarves and elves 10% each. The humans are gathered mostly in the three towns of Brink, Southshore, and Nefford. The towns of Brink and Southshore are both ecclesiarchies – they are run by the head clerics of their churches. Nefford is technically run by a democratically elected town council, but in effect is run by the two powerful merchant families of Barleyfellow and Blackgrove. |
Halflings live in the hamlets which dot the grasslands between the Fallflow River and the Gorgewater Lake. Dwarves generally live in small clan settlements dug throughout the eastern hills, though they do have a town called Grimegarde to facilitate trade between the clans and the other races. The elves are scattered about the two forests, though most are located in the town of Gul Nalore in Stonedurn Grove to the south. The Humans of Karaccia are overall friendly folk, more curious of outsiders than wary. The halflings are similar, if not more amiable. The dwarves, while not disagreeable, tend to keep to themselves. Though you’ll often find dwarves working with the other races – trading, adventuring, etc. – you will rarely find them at festivities and social gatherings. The elves tend to come off as cold and emotionless, but can open up warmly to those who have proven themselves to be good, honest folk in the elves’ eyes. The climate is temperate, and the mountains keep the valley sheltered from most extreme weather. Springs are wet and warm, Summers mild (rarely reaching above 90 degrees) and dry, Autumn is cool and dry, and Winter stays generally dry, though there are gentle snowfalls through most of Coldmonth. Learn More: Further information about the valley, its inhabitants, and points of interest can be found in the modules MECC1 - The Valley of Karaccia, MECC2 - Nefford and Beyond, MECC3 - The Knaves of Nefford, and the upcoming MECC4 - The Realm of Imlar. |