Fire Downs: This long range of high hills runs along the edge of the
Kalaloch Plateau in the Barony of Endarr. The Fire Downs are good
grazing areas and support huge numbers of cattle. Although hay is
plentiful on the downs, and grass fires are very common during the
late summer and early fall.
Frostpeak Mountains: These are the
tallest mountains in all of Tyrra. They stand about 25000 feet tall in
the center of Volta. The tallest peak, Thyrra Mak Dan, reaches almost
40,000 feet into the sky. The Frostpeak Mountains are as the name
suggests, covered in snow all year ‘round. These mountains are
incredibly dangerous to travel, and hundreds of Voltans die each year
in accidents and avalanches. From the heights of these mountains flows
the Silver River, which reflects the wealth of silver to be found
here.
Giantos
Range: These mountains are an offshoot of the Ouachitamougi Mountains.
Soaked by torrential rains each year, the Giantos range forms the
headwaters of the Gran Purna River system. The hills and mountains of
this range peak at 1500 ft. In the center of this range is rumored to
be the home of a powerful wizard who has lived for eons.
Green Mountains: In
south central Niman, the Green Mountains form the last non-eroded
granitic intrusion through the Quentari Highlands. Residents of the
area engage in farming, and these low mountains are covered in a lush
growth of foliage. Hot springs that well up in the valleys make the
climate fairly temperate here all year round.
Greenmarch Mountains: These mountains
overlook Lake Helevorn from a height of six thousand feet, with some
peaks almost doubling that. These mountains are highly farmed and
cultivated, giving them their rich green color in summer. Travel
through these mountains is safe, and there are many trails between
settlements. Humans, elves and dwarves all commonly settle throughout
this area.
Grey
Hills: A most prolific mining resource of northern Avalon is situated
within the Grey Hills. The iron ores mined in these Westmarch mines
are notable for their resistance to rust. Pocked with active iron
mines, and densely populated, these hills are heavily traveled, and
very safe. Inclusions of granite in the surface of the soil give these
hills their characteristic grey color. Most of these hill peak at four
hundred feet or less.
Grond Hills: Marking the boundary of
the Gateway Plains, is a group of hill that surrounds a central
mountain. These hills are home to Takkardia, a dwarven kingdom rich in
mining and smithies. Travelling merchants often frequent this area,
coming to trade with the resident dwarves. These hill peak no higher
than six hundred feet.
Iron Hills:
Landerpast Range:
Lochen Hills:
Loretold Mountains: A
few thousand foot tall mountains are interspersed with high hills and
fog shielded valleys. The Theren King Meldon, who maintained the
legend told of riches to be found in these hills, settled these
mountains. Sapphires and diamonds are mined here by settlements of
humans and elves that claim this territory jointly. Travel can be
dangerous due to continued barbarian raids into the area.
Northern Downs: Located
between the Norther and Winterwyrm rivers stand a group of rolling
high hills which had previously been home to nomadic barbarian tribes.
Presently these hills mark the border between northern Eastwyck, and
the Goblin held lands of the western northern marches. These downs are
easy traveling terrain, and good hunting grounds for small game. There
is a deep gorge cut into the rock in the center of these downs, where
the water runs in white thick rapids.
Ouachitamougi Mountains: Far beyond the
shores of Lake Quentari rise the Ouachitamougi Mountains. They range
in height from several hundred feet to several thousand feet. This
interesting collection of hills and mountains comprises a compound
geographical barrier. Climactic conditions in the area cover it with
lush and temperate rainforest. These lands are home to a small and
peaceful kingdom called Wolvaera. Wolvaera is inhabited mainly by
humans.
Sardon
Hills: These hills separate the northern Green Coast from the Evendarr
Plain. The iron mines of central Evendarr are located here, as well as
several gold mines. Sapphires and onyx are also mined in this
geologically wealthy area. The soil here is rich and arable as well.
Tower Hills: The
initial settlers of Ashbury named these hills for the tall thin spires
of rock that distinguish this area. Stone is quarried here for the
construction of fortresses. These hills are also home to dwarves who
mine it and trade its rarer minerals. The hills themselves peak at no
more than two hundred feet, and seem insignificant next to the
neighboring tall stone spires.
Western Hills: To the north west of
Lake Quentari are found the Western Hills. These hills, named by
itinerant Nimani merchants, are located in an arid pocket of the
Plains of Hadran. Consisting primarily of granite, these hills are not
arable, and support little life.
Windarr Range:
VI: Rivers
Ardynn River: This river courses about the Dale of Ardynn in Ravenholt.
The Tributaries of this river are small streams that flow out of the Tower
Hills. This river has levies, constructed by the Ardynnites, which can
be opened to drain the river into the local fields for irrigation purposes.
Thin and deep, this river is bridged in several places to facilitate travel.
Ash River:
Ashbury River: The Ashbury River forms a physical border between Ashbury
and Volta. The river is wide and is a major method of trade and transport
for items shipped to Lake Ardynn. The riverbeds are rocky, and here are
found convenient smoothed cobbling stones for the repair of roads throughout
the kingdom of Evendarr.
Authomonagga River:
Ausoun River: This river forms the western border of Therendry. The
river is fed from springs that flow out of the Loretold Mountains. Travel
on this river is quite common, but it is neither very deep, nor wide. Disputes
between fishermen and traders are commonplace. Ausouns are a rare type
of bird that nest in the area around this river in the wintertime.
Bened River:
Birtzan River: This river runs between the Ouachitamougi mountains and
Lake Birtzan on the edge of the Nishapur forest. The river’s course is
clear, and it travels down it at an easy pace. The Birtzan is a settled
river, and constantly adapts its flood plain. The Birtzan River joins with
thee Koh-I-Dazan inside the Nishapur Forest to form the Farlirr.
Black River: This river runs across the Green Coast to Darksands Bay,
where it forms the great northern border of Blackstone. The river gets
its name from the black sand at its mouth. Fishermen frequent the area,
as bass and trout are common to these waters.
Blood River: This river is the runoff from Lake Ardynn, and flows to
the sea through the center of Ravenholt. The name of the river comes from
the blood that was spilt into the river during the war with the Northmen,
which stained the river a deep red color, as well as the red clay that
lines its banks. The river is navigable except for a few falls along the
route. The most famous of these are the falls just outside of Garson’s
Bridge.
Clear River: This river is formed from the melt waters of the Frostpeak
mountains. It runs very clear and cold. The Clear River is wide but very
shallow, sounding only about a fathom at its deepest point. Its painfully
cold water makes this river unsuitable for fish but crabs thrive there.
Derby River:
Dragonwash River: This river flows out of the Dragonsteeth mountains
in northern Draelonde, and across the plains to the Dragoncliff Falls overlooking
the Bay of Pecare’. These falls are one of the most spectacular sights
in all of Avalon, at three hundred feet tall. The river has a strong current.
Elorin River: This calm and placid stream flows out of the Dryad Wood.
It is perhaps one hundred feet wide at most points, but scarcely ten feet
deep at any point. It is an excellent route for barge traffic between Evendarr
and the southern duchies, but is too shallow to support large ship traffic.
There are many small sandbars and sediment islands along the course of
the river, which wash out in flood season, but reappear each year in exactly
the same places.
Endyr River: This river is unnavigable upstream of its intersection
with the Velowyn, but downstream, it is the main trading route to Lake
Hollym from Evendarr City. The true source of this river is unknown. Its
apparent origin is a cave on Solstice Mountain in the northern Greenmarch
Mountains. The cave is several hundred feet above the plain, and the watercourses
run down through a series of small falls to reach it.
Fallow River: This river rolls out of the Plains of Hadran to feed into
Lake Quentari. It is so named because its unreliable water supplies often
cause fields nearby it to lie fallow from lack of moisture. Sometimes this
river is full and navigable, and sometimes it runs low, and is choked with
sediment, at other times, it flows in torrents and floods the surrounding
areas.
Forge River:
Fury River:
Gateway River: This powerful river is the largest in Avalon, draining
most of the interior. This river is a highway to the sea, traveled by huge
numbers of people. The river is often up to a mile across, and runs smoothly
and fairly straight to the sea. This river forms the boundaries of several
different countries as it flows from Lake Quentari to the Fellmist Sea.
Gerrnota River:
Gran Purna River: With its headwaters in the Giantos range, this great
river flows through the interior of Avalon, and south to the Straits of
Hrakun. The river has many tributaries that join it all along its route.
It is often clogged with the silts and debris from many lands. The name
of this river means “Great Brown River”.
Green River: Slicing through Nordenn Vale, the Green River bounds Rotaria
from Ashbury. The river is so named for the lush plant growth that abounds
on its banks. Just after it leaves Lake Hollym, the river carries peculiar
phosphorescent algae, which illuminates its channel at night for several
miles down stream.
Icewash River: This river runs cold from the melts of the glaciers in
the Frostpeak Mountains to the shores of Crystal Lake. Bitterly cold, this
river has been known to freeze as early as late fall, and never thaw at
all until late spring. Large rocks left behind by the thawing glaciers
dot the river’s course and make navigation difficult even when the river
is free of ice.
Jauf River:
Koh-I-Dazan: This translates to “River” in the ancient Sarr language.
This river, along with the Birtzan, is a tributary of the Farrlirr. It
is shallow and only fir to be traveled by barges or other shallow draft
boats. The water is murky and filled with silt and sand, providing an ideal
habitat for catfish and perhaps other unknown creatures.
Korok River:
Kragen River: This “river” would be more aptly named an overgrown stream.
The Kragen heads from a pond in the marches to the north of Eastwyck. The
river was named for the moor at its terminus, which it is responsible for
creating. This river is too small for any major navigation, but still supports
small barge traffic along its course.
Krun River:
Lorin River: This river provides most of the water to the Kitherian
Bowl. The Lorin River feeds and drains the Kitherian mires, and also feeds
Lake Helevorn. It is an excellent source of trout and catfish. Its
water is used for irrigation. Lorin was the name of a past king of
this region, and he named the river after himself. There is often a spring
sailing festival on the river in flood season.
Lost River:
Mwoonyrr River: This river’s name is ancient, and believed to originate
from ruins in the area. Its course takes it through the arid Dasht-I-Lut
region of Myrr. The river is easily traveled, and provides food and water
for the entire area.
Otiket River: This river originates in the western slopes of the Greenmarch
Mountains. It is a tributary of the Gateway River. It carries large amounts
of sediment and debris. The fertile benefits of these nutrients can easily
be seen in the fields that border the river’s channel.
Red River: This river is the major trading route to and from Lake Hollym.
Red clay and iron ores from the surrounding soil discolor the water to
a rusty red. This river runs deep, and is often used to bring warships
and large merchant vessels inland. River travelers can also enjoy the beautiful
scenery in and around the Sardon Hills.
Rinmor River: The Quentari elven “River of the Dead” flows through a
valley of the Greenmarch Mountains from Lake Helevorn. People of Kitheria
use this river as a trade route to Niman, Therendry, and other points.
This river is inhabited by a large number of merfolk.
Rintir River: The name of this river means “Remember to watch”, in Quentari
elven. This warning presumably refers to the land on the northern bank
of the river. The river’s course has fallen due to earthquakes and other
natural disasters and become unnavigable in many places over the years.
This river is also inhabited by schools of freshwater sharks.
River Current: This quick, rough river forms the natural border between
Volta and Niman. Though this river’s course can not be sailed, sturdy
barges take advantage of its strong currents to travel down stream. The
river’s current has also been harnessed all along its banks to mill the
wheat grown in the area.
River Colthis:
River Din: Roaring from the Anymdin Mountains, the River Din runs over
a stepped series of waterfalls. This river is very aptly named, as its
roar can be heard for great distances. The waters are turbulent and dangerous
to travel until they reach Dinsdale, but run clear and bright and free
of debris.
River Ecilmi: This river is a great tributary of the Gran Purna. The
Ecilmi drains the northernmost range of the Ouachitamougi Mountains, and
boasts very safe and clear sailing. The people of Wolvaera inhabit the
river’s banks, and carry out their business along it. The Ecilmi itself
is well entrenched in its plain, and meanders casually along.
River Farrlirr: Full of silt and debris, the Farrlirr washes out of
the Nishapur Forest, and down to Lake Quentari. The Farrlirr is a product
of the Birtzan and Koh-I-Dazan rivers where they meet in Nishapur. These
waters continuously wash away the soil of that forest, but still fail to
remove the ancient trees themselves. The river is a known habitat for many
exotic life forms and often attracts curiosity seekers. This river is fairly
safe to travel.
River Ghoti:
River Hadran: This large powerful river meanders across the Plains of
Hadran. The Hadran’s strong current and wide banks make it difficult to
cross, but easy to travel. This river drains to the northwest, where it
empties into the Great Northern Ocean.
River Klew: This river flows from the Arawyn Mountains, and like it’s
headwater, is very warm. Along the banks of the river, moss, algae and
lily pads grow in abundance. The river is a major waterway, and many migratory
birds winter in its warmth. A beautiful feature of this river is Rainbow
Falls, where the water plunges from its headwater at Arawyn Lake. There
is a perpetual rainbow over these falls on any sunny day.
River Norther: This river streams from the runoff of the Northern Downs.
The river’s flow downstream is calm and lazy. This river’s shallow depth
makes crossing easy, but navigation nearly impossible. Downstream, where
the Norther feeds the Winterwyrm, whitewater rapids are common, as the
river drops out of the downs into the lower marches.
River Skorl:
River Teale: Escaping the Icewood Forest, the River Teale flows through
the Shimmerglen Forest into the River Hadran. The name of the river, translated
from the original goblinish, means “wet”. Goblins are the main inhabitants
of the area. This river does freeze over in winter, but is quite safe for
travel when it thaws.
River Thamorz:
Roverling River: This wide river gets its name from the lazy flow of
its water down stream, and the long curving meanders in its course. The
river is a primary trade route between Wolvaera, Ignavis, Dar Khabad, and
Quentari. Silt and floods are common in the spring, often leaving many
of the huge catfish that reside on the bottom of this river stranded on
shore.
Sandy River:
Shiraz River: This clear slow river forms the connection between Lake
Jauf and the Mwoonyrr River. The water’s spring fed origins make this river
very cold, but also clear and filled with food for the fish, which thrive
here. The local Sarr use by-products of this water to strengthen
the hulls of ships constructed here.
Silver River: This broad river flows out of the northern Frostpeaks.
The river takes its name from the silver found in the river bed sediments,
which led to the discovery of silver ore in Cathym. A notable feature of
this river is that it is stocked with salmon which swim upstream during
the spring to spawn. Bears and fishermen come from far and near to enjoy
the huge harvest of fish.
South Taug River:
Stoney River: This river rushes from the heights of the Dragonsteeth
Mountains. The course of this river is steep and filled with large boulders
from the surrounding terrain. This river is not at all navigable. Land
travel in this area is also treacherous and dangerous.
Swift River: This river is known for its great waterfalls and many rapids.
The river is not generally considered navigable to most vessels, due to
its strong current. It feeds into the River Hadran. Once every four years,
the local inhabitants gather during late summer to hold a festival of swimming,
rafting, diving, wrestling and drinking.
Tallig River:
Taug River:
Velowyn River: This river flows from the foothills of the Greenmarch
Mountains to the Endyr River. The Velowyn is a major trade route to and
from Evendarr City. Much construction has occurred to build a canal from
the river to the city. The river is named after an ancient queen who was
the first to conquer and unite the area.
White River: This river is so named because it is its most common surface
color. The river is filled with whitewater rapids and is thus not considered
to be navigable. The White River constitutes the physical border between
Ravenholt and Rotaria, and is heavily guarded.
Winterwyrm River: This largest tributary of the Blood River forms the
boundary between the baronies of Eastwyck and Cumberland. This river is
the main drainage for the center of the Northern Marches. It is also a
major thoroughfare between the Northern Downs and Central Ravenholt.
Woodwash River: Swiftly flowing from the Taursiloriel, this river is
filled with rapids and waterfalls, and is thus considered largely unnavigable.
A road had been constructed next to the river to allow for portage downstream
to avoid these hazards. The river is crossed by the King’s Road at the
Ivey Fjords, where the river is wide and shallow.