The Known World

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It is a time of darkness. Though scholars, historians and bards speak of a time in which mighty empires ruled the lands, that was long ago - assuming it ever happened at all.

The Known World doesn't even have the distinction of being so unified. The three lands of the Known World - the Cities of the Sea Kings in the east, the Anvil Vale in the northwest and the Five Rivers Basin between them - are joined by life-giving water: the Great River. Though ships of all sorts sail up and down the placid lengths of the River, the wilds between the civilized lands are home to horrors of all kinds, and do not welcome the tread of men or their allies.

The Cities of the Sea Kings

A small collection of coastal city-states ruled over by the Sea Kings. Legend claims that humans and tieflings came to the Known World from over the eastern seas, and the tradition of the Sea Kings — human lords who rule over their coastal or island cities, and who gather in council once a year — began in those far-off times.

Anvil Vale

A well-defended valley in the Starfrost Mountains, home to small human towns answerable to the dwarven Thane of Hammer Peak. The surrounding Starfrost Mountains are home to various horrors, as well as old abandoned dwarven holds. The entrance to valley is protected by a massive wall, manned by dwarves and humans alike. The Silver River — one of five rivers that merge to form the Great River in Five Rivers Dale — flows through the middle of the valley and out through the River Gate in the wall.

The Five Rivers Basin

The birthplace of the Great River, which flows eastward to the sea. The Five Rivers Basin is the breadbasket of the Known World, and home to many agricultural communities. In its north is the expansive Daggerwood, home to a scattered population of elven folk. The Basin is centered around the massive river delta where five rivers — the White and Silver Rivers out of the Starfrost Mountains, the Green River out of the Daggerwood, the Red River out of the Southron Wastes and the Black River from the Serpent Marshes — converge, giving birth to the Great River, which flows away to the east toward the Cities of the Sea Kings. The rivers themselves provide much of the area’s protection, though all settlements must be vigilant against creatures that may come from badlands looking for easy prey.