Stoneheart Valley

The central valley that runs between the Stoneheart Mountains to the north and the Mons Terminus range to the south is considered the demesne of Bard’s Gate with major settlements at Fairhill, Crimmor, and Byrn that look to the city for protection and trade.
The Tradeway is well maintained and patrolled within the Stoneheart Valley, and a cavalry patrol out of Waymarch or sheriffs out of the city are a commonplace sight. In addition, Bard’s Gate maintains a series of waystations where travelers can rest and recover for a night or two before continuing on with the rigors of their journey. The valley is primarily rugged hill country with the central southern-portion playing host to the northern reaches of the Stoneheart Forest. Despite being somewhat arid in climate due to the proximity of the eastern reaches of Waymarch, the valley is nonetheless well watered because of the many streams of the Stonehearts. To the south of the Tradeway, the Graywash River is fed by countless tributaries tumbling off of the northern slopes of Mons Terminus. The western end of the valley is marked by the city of Fareme, which is considered the border between the territory of Bard’s Gate and the Duchy of Waymarch, and by the Stoneheart River to the east, though the eastern portion of the valley is traditionally referred to as the Lyre Valley instead.
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.

Type

Valley