The Valley of Karaccia

[ybn1197]

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 first, the Fallflow River, drops in over the Echo Falls near the town of Brink in the northwest. The Corkorran River meanders in through the hills to the southeast. The town of Nefford is situated at the confluence of the two, and from there they flow southwest to feed Gorgewater Lake. The Corkorran continues south from Gorgewater, passing into the mountains where it continues on underground for some way. Humans account for 60% of the population, halflings 20%, dwarves and elves 8% each, and gnome an appropriately wee 4%. The humans are gathered mainly 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 local 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 hamlets which dot the grasslands between the Fallflow River and the Gorgewater Lake. Dwarves and gnomes live in small clan settlements dug throughout the eastern hills. The elves are scattered about the two forests, though most are in Stonedurn Grove and the town of Gul Nalore to the southwest. The Humans of Karaccia are generally friendly folk, more curious of outsiders than wary. The halflings are similar, if not more amiable, as are the gnomes. The dwarves, while not disagreeable, tend to keep to themselves. You’ll often find dwarves working with the other races – trading, adventuring, etc. – but 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 much extreme weather. Springs are wet and warm, Summers mild and dry, rarely reaching above 90 degrees. Autumn is cool and dry, and Winter, while cold, is pleasant with gentle snowfalls.