Loegyr Campaign (Stoneheart Valley & Beyond) (Inactive)

Game Master CrusaderWolf

Current Year:
3517IR (Imperial Record)
10,001EC (Erylle Cycle)
1022HC (Huun Chronicle)
1777RC (Regis Castorhagi)

Concerned by the recent evils that befallen the inhabitants of the Lyre Valley, and which often seem connected somehow to the Valley of the Shrines, the major factions of Bard's Gate have asked that the Church of Muir to put together an expedition to investigate the region. The explorers are to catalogue the danger, whatever it may be, as thoroughly as possible.

Chosen because her clergy are forthright, honest, and righteous (but also because their political power has been on the wane for decades) the Church of Muir has asked you to not only report your discoveries to the city, but to end the threat if at all possible.

Bard's Gate:

This trade city is the only major settlement in the region, a city-state independent of the petty kingdoms to the south and east. Situated at a strategic crossroads, most of the north-south trade of the Arkados region passes through the city's gates; it's status as the last major city before the 800-mile trek past the ruins of Tser only further cements the city's importance.

See the Campaign Maps for the Bard's Gate statblock.

Stoneheart/Lyre Valley:

Bounded on the north and west by the towering Stoneheart Mountains, this sweeping valley was only lightly inhabited even before the Huun swept through two years, raiding all across the valley and laying siege to Bard's Gate until they were chased off by the mustered armies of several neighboring nations.

Hilly and often lightly forested, the valley has often supported small villages of ranchers and (less often) farmers, and some efforts have been made to resettle the areas beyond the sight of the walls of Bard's Gate. Unfortunately, the recent unrest in the area has allowed the local tribes of gnolls, orcs, and goblins to flourish, and these raiders do battle with settlers and one another for territory and resources. Occasionally wyverns and manticores can be spotted, coming down from their lairs in the Stoneheart Mountains to hunt. For the most part the Griffon Knights of Bard's Gate keep these predators away from the city and the main roads, but little further.

Four years ago, the Oresong mines northwest of Bard's Gate were captured by the black dragon Calthraxus, who dwells there still atop his heaps of stolen gemstones and silver. Bard's Gate lacks a strong standing army, and what forces it has were occupied by the Huun invasion a year later, so they have yet to make any serious effort to dislodge the dragon.

Valley of the Shrines:

Temples to Muir (LG goddess of justice, martial skill, and femininity) and Thyrr (LG god of nobility, just rulership, and good governance) were founded in this valley centuries ago; a small village surrounded two small temples to the allied deities, and extensive catacombs were dug into a nearby hill to house the mortal remains of the churches' heroes. Their power has been waning for a long time, and about a century ago the location was abandoned entirely with the remaining clergy relocating to Bard's Gate and the surrounding villages.

A little over forty years ago Abythir, the aging high priest of Muir and a famous crusader in his youth, announced abruptly that he had received a great vision and needed to go to the catacombs in the Valley of the Shrines on a mission that would restore the prestige and glory of Muir and Thyrr alike. He set out alone, and was never seen again. His evident failure was a definitive sign of the churches' decline and they have limped along as a pale echoes of their former strength.

The Regions Beyond:

Bard's Gate rests along the river in the southeastern end of the Stoneheart Valley, most of which has been abandoned by humans and dwarves and is now a contested frontier region, especially the northern half of the valley.

To the east is the last elven nation of note for hundreds of miles, the so-called Forest Kingdom of Paerûbil, and still further east the mighty Sinnar Ocean. To the west is the closest trade & military ally of Bard's Gate, the Duchy of Waymarch. Their footmen and cavalry make up the bulk of the Stoneheart Valley's military forces, hired by Bard's Gate coin to patrol the region.

South and east are the squabbling, petty kingdoms collectively called the Borderlands. This region is also home to the Forest of Graves, a place of darkness and fear where the armies of Orcus ambushed and slaughtered the legendary Army of Light. The cult of Orcus lurks here still in their notorious fortress-dungeon of Rappan Athuk.

To the north is a relatively narrow strip of land that runs between the Stoneheart Mountains and the Sinnar Ocean, and was once the furthest extent of the now-fallen Hyperborean Empire. The area supports numerous small villages but no large towns or cities and lacks any centralized government. The Desolation of Tser, where the Army of Light laid siege to the Temple-City of Orcus and the land is still marked by the magic unleashed there, lies along this route.