Vales of Gundabad

The Vales of Gundabad refers to the triangle of land between two rivers. The Langwell rises in the Misty Mountains and tumbles south-east to meet the Greylin, whose source is in the Grey Mountains. Combined, they form Anduin the Great. Where the Misty Mountains and the Grey meet, Mount Gundabad rises. Its grim face stares down the vales from the north.
In the past, the land between the rivers used to be called the Gore of Anduin, although this phrase has fallen out of use since the Northmen left this region.
The Vales can be a cold land. Cruel winds and snows whip off the northern mountains in winter, while spring and summer bring heavy rains from the west, as clouds cross the gap in the mountains above the Long Valley and disgorge an ocean of rain. This water pours down the steep, jagged rocks of the valley in a series of thunderous waterfalls, and thence into a thousand small streams. The vales watered by these streams turn green in the spring with grass and thistles, while the basin near the junction of the rivers is a fertile flood plain.
At times, especially in autumn, thick fogs roll down the hills and the whole Vale vanishes behind a grey cloak. The Goblins go hunting when these fogs descend. The central portion of the Vales of Gundabad is a land of thinly wooded hills that recede endlessly into the grey mists. This is a lonely land, haunted by evil spirits and wild men. Travel through those cold, depressing hills and you might find yourself on the goblin-road that leads to Mount Gundabad.

Wildlife

The mountain valleys are home to goats, pine martens and rabbits as well as many birds. A few wild horses and thin-bellied cattle can still be encountered in the lower vales, although the hunger of the Goblins spares only a few of these animals. The wild horses of the Vales of Gundabad are especially prized, as they descend from the steeds of the Éothéod. Beavers and kingfishers live along the rivers; pike and trout may be found in the waters themselves. An outcrop of wooded hills, called the Black Hills, are the hunting ground of many packs of wild wolves. Somewhere in those hills is the fabled Werewolf Hollow, where the oldest and most powerful Wargs are said to dwell. Ancient songs tell of ruins haunted by beasts that walk on two legs or four, and of red eyes burning in the night.

Location under

The Northern Tundra

Included Locations

• Mount Gundabad