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The Balazarings know their ancient land. The features shown on the maps are the facts they would share with adventurers for some gratuity. Those features are also known to all player characters who begin as natives, and they would probably know any found encounters in their region, too. Remember that these people do not know how to read maps but they do know the information which maps convey to us. Referees should occasionally remind the players of that fact . The following tidbits of information are known about the places on the map by all Balazaring natives. In addition, tribespeople have a more intimate knowledge of the regions within 100 km of their clan meeting place, including the lairs of dangerous creatures, common routes of travel, watering places, salt licks, and odd geographic landmarks. They may be convinced to impart that information as well. This information may also be available from the foreigners who live here now, or from well-informed Lunar sources.
A range of wooded hills which separate Elmwood from Garsting. Hunters loyal to the Kingdom of Imther frequent these regions.
A fort built by Imther many years ago. It is a trading post used by many western Balazaring clans, and is also a fort guarding the shadows of the West River. A permanent ferry, with outbuildings on the south side of the river, exists for a toll of 1 clack per person or dog, or five rabbit furs; and 3 clacks per horse. Wagons are negotiable, 1D3 guilders.
A typical river of the region with spreads of calm water often broken by whitewater rapids. It originates in the Imther Mountains.
This is the stretch of forest between Elf Sea and Dog Hills. It is very rich gathering land, but poorer in herds. Despite its name, elms are only one of the hardwood trees in the forest. The woods here are broken by clearings and are much less dense than elf woods.
One of the raging Elf Sea sources, the Morande River is noted for the monsters which frequent it, especially in Sea season when it floods with melted snow from the mountains. Every four years it is filled with unique Elf Sea salmon seeking the source waters.
This is the normal upper limit to monsters living in the Morande, Dwerrow, Kintals, West, and Brother Rivers. Upstream from that, the rivers are counted as 'tame'.
A large range of rolling, rocky hills in west Balazar, The region is usually claimed by Elkoi, and the clans centered there are usually its allies.
The highest point in the West Plain. From it one can see east or west, since it is the watershed for West Plain.
A shallow place in the Whitefall River which can be crossed by people, animals, or wagons any season except during the Sea season meltoff. A Lunar palisade with permanent garrison guards it, there is a toll.
A shallow part of the river, fordable any time except Sea season, when it is flooded by melting snows.
One of the 'tame rivers'. Belying that name, it rages with whitewater rapids for most of its length, with occasional stretches of calm.
The western region of Balazar, it is a grassy plain, occasionally dotted with trees or broken by rolling hills.
The forests of southern Balazar to the west of the Valley of Hammers, these extend from the Kintals River to the upper slopes of the Rockwood peaks. They are mostly conifers on the upper slopes, but deciduous on the lower regions around the river.
A region of the upper Dwerrow River leading into the Greatway Mountain. It is devoid of vegetation. It is said to be the road made by dwarves long ago to get safely down from Greatway to the lowlands. It is still often used for this, though they also use more secret routes.
A great river deep enough to be occasionally occupied by huge monsters from the Elf Sea, it is rightly known as deadly; most natives recommend avoiding it. It effectively breaks Balazar into two regions. It is one of the rivers used by the Elf Sea salmon every four years.
This is a rope bridge made in the fashion of men for a footbridge. However, it was made by giants, probably during the Gbaji Wars when they were friendly with the dwarves, who were surely the source for the remarkable and mysterious material composing it. Since giants made it for their own footbridge it is huge, and even horses are able to walk across it if they are careful.
An unnatural geographic feature spanning the Dwerrow River between East Plain and West Plain, it is a stone arch 5 meters wide and 50 meters long, curving gracefully over the dangerous waters 10 meters below. It is believed to be of dwarf make. Legend says anyone who tries to own it will be cursed.
A well-known clear place on the Dwerrow River. The water here is wide and calm, and some clans have canoes or rafts hidden around to cross the water. The origin of the place name is unknown.
This short range of hills houses Trilus. It separates Elmwood and Oakwood.
One of the ancient citadels founded by Balazar and occupied by the tribal kings ever since.
One of the ancient citadels made by Balazar and occupied by tribal kings ever since.
One of the ancient citadels founded by Balazar but destroyed by giants and only recently resettled.
The eastern open grasslands of Balazar. Some trees dot it, and some occasional rolling, low hills break its flatness.
The forest between Highbridge and the Elf Sea, located to the center of Balazar and rich in available gathering foods, it is also noted for the many birds which can be caught there.
The southern forest of eastern Balazar, it is mostly conifers. it is usually thought to be the wildest of Balazar's woods, though this is more rumor than fact. It lies mostly between the Billini River and the Rockwood Mountains.
It is one of the tame rivers and also one populated each four years by the Elf Sea salmon,
A shallow fording place on the Bilini River which can always be used in Fire season, and sometimes in the other seasons except Sea season, when it can never be used because of the rushing flooded waters.
This is a narrow and wild river, almost impossible to boat or swim.
The hills marking the easternmost region of Balazar, they were said to house the King of Bears at one time, until Balazar ate his children, aided by Brother Dog.
The woods covering the Bear Hills and regions north of it, they are mostly conifers, except close about the river. Generally considered to be beyond the lands of Balazar.
This is a clear plain between East Plain and Dangerground, and also between Brothers Hills and Bear Hills.
The original home of the three Balazar brothers, and the place where Dykene hid when they feared the dragons would attack.
The forest east of Elf Sea. It is mostly hardwood deciduous trees,
A holy place for the Balazaring tribes, believed to be where Hearthmother learned her Ignite spells, it is a crack in the ground atop a hill where blueflamed fire always hisses forth. It marks the most northern part of Balazar.
The plains to the north of Balazar's East Plain and east of the Elf Sea. Balazaring tribesmen avoid the region, knowing it to be frequented by trolls, elves, and dwarves.
The westernmost peak of the Rockwoods, it is named after a snow dragon which lived there in the first and second ages, and may be there yet.
A mountain which is known to be inhabited by dwarves.
The major dwarf settlement, the beautiful town is carved upon the slope of the mountain outside, and an extensive city honeycombs the interior.
A high pass over the Rockwoods, its name is believed to imply that it is too high for even wyrms to fly through. It is usually open in Earth and Fire seasons, sometimes in Sea and Storm seasons, and never in Dark season.
A peak in the Rockwood Mountains, it is named after an ancient troll hero who used it as his observation post and hideaway.
One of the Three Little Giant Mountains in the Rockwoods.
One of the Three Little Giant Mountains in the Rockwoods.
One of the Three Little Giant Mountains in the Rockwoods.
A cluster of snow-peaked mountains in the Rockwood Mountains, between Dagori Inkarth and Balazar. They were once a trio of giants but were turned to stone long ago (they are better known in Pavic Myth from the southlands) .
One of the tame rivers, but one avoided by most Balazarings since it flows away from their native lands.
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