Gatelands

**The Gatelands,** also known as southwestern Ravenland, are the first and current regions in which the Forbidden Lands West Marches game is set. An annotated map is also available.

## History

Much of what once was, and records of what happened in the past have been obscured and/or lost due to neglect, war, and the utter isolation that the Blood Mist imposed across the land. There are many claims and counter-claims bandied about, with little evidence to back them up. However, there are a few common points agreed upon by most kin.

**Ancient history**

* A very long time ago, human kin came to the land as invaders and refugees. The land had been shared by kin of many kinds prior to their arrival.
* The gods split the land by invoking the Shift, granting the south to the new arrived human kin (which they named Alderland), while the north was granted to all other kin (which became known as Ravenland).
* Humans began fighting amongst themselves over their gods, and some human followers of Raven fled north seeking refuge; they were granted leave to stay, and became known as Ailanders.

 **Older History**

* Later on, the humans of the south came north with great armies and fought against alliances of the other kin. Much of the how and why of these conflicts have been forgotten, and stories from these times differ widely. Still, the immense devastation wrought by these battles is still readily apparent on the land, its creatures, and its inhabitants. Humans know these conflicts as the Alder Wars.
* The second wave of humans brought the teaching of Rust and Heme to the North, and they became known as Alderlanders.
* Among the Alderlanders, there arose a powerful sorcerer known as Zygofer, who fought against all sides. In the city of Alderstone he wrought mighty and terrible spells that split the walls between worlds asunder, and allowed demons to freely enter the land, bringing much havoc and sorrow.

**Recent History**

* At some point after the last battles of the great wars, the Blood Mist first arose and isolated nearly all kin and kind from one another. Only two groups found that they could brave the mists: the Rust Brothers and the Wolfkin.
* The mists remained a severe threat for some ten generations of human kin. Isolated and alone, most spent the time just struggling to survive.

**Current History**

* Four years ago, the Blood Mists retreated from the Gatelands for unknown reasons.
* Current goings on, such as the progress though the campaign session blocks, are being recorded under Rumors and Legends, Session Summaries & World Events

## Geographical Locations

* **Begrand Valley** (Hexes <013.023> to <017.024>) The valley east of the plains between the Shift to the south and the Merroman mountains to the north. Part of the Begrand Basin.
* **Begrand Basin** (See description) The upper drainage area of the Begrand River, including it's starting valley and the lands to the west drained by the river and it's tributaries, up until where it turns north to pass through Alderstone.
* **Blaudwater Lake** (Hexes <012.019> to <015.018>) A body of water in the northern Gatelands.
* **Groveland Woods** A large forest that fills the northeastern region of the Gatelands and beyond. There is at least one druidic village within.
* **Harga Plains** (See description) The plains that run through much of the Gatelands, bracketed by the ruins of Alderstone & Shadowgate Pass to the west, Blaudwater Lake to the north, forests and the Merroman Nountains to the east, and the Begrand Basin to the south.
* **Merroman Mountains** (See description) This range of peaks, named after the Merromanian dwarf clan, fills the southeast corner of the Gatelands; from east of the Harga, south of the Groveland and north & east of the Begrand Valley. Orcs call this area the Dwarflands.
* **Shadowgate Pass** (Hex <004.0021>) The western pass to the Ashen Vale closed due to demon infestations and worse.
* **The Shift** (Hexes <004.025> to <019.025>) The vast mountain range said to be raised by the gods that divides Ravenland from Alderland to the south.

## Notable Locations

* **Abiggaboi** (Hex <012.025>) An ancient & abandoned dwarvish hold, currently held by a demon of flowers.
* **Alderstone** (Hexes <007.019>, <007.020>, <008.020>, <009.019>) An ancient ruined city, known to be demon infested and considered extremely dangerous. Currently unexplored.
* **Cairnwell** (Hex <018.022>) A druid hamlet deep in the Groveland, warded with very strong protections.
* **Cask** (Hex <016.018>) A friendly village in the north, known for their hospitality & craft in brewing. They worship Rust.
* **City of Glass** (Hex <010.025>) A mysterious citadel that may hold the secret to banish the Blood Mist forever.
* **Cragfall** (Hex <015.022>) A village & adjoining quarry that appear to be abandoned and ruined. Currently unexplored.
* **Cragfall Cave** (Hex <013.022>) An adventuring locale known to house silver, and a death knight. Rendered inaccessible in a series of earthquakes during Block 3.
* **Deerscar Hamlet** (Hex <020.014>) A small community founded by survivors from Feywater. Said to have a good inn. Currently unexplored.
* **Duskfall** (Hex <020.016>) A large community on the northern edge of the Gatelands, by Clay's Eye Lake. Unexplored
* **Dryvault** (Hex <012.024>) The starting place for the Forbidden Lands West Marches adventure and the initial gathering place for the Dryvault Fellowship and others.
* **Deadhook Fortress** (Hex <011.021>) A fortress held by the Iron Guard, the militant faction of the Rust Brothers.
* **The Dread Keep** (Hex <017.023>) An abandoned orcish fortress, known to be cursed and holding a demon shrine. Partially explored.
* **Faywater** (Hex <012.020>) An abandoned village, currently held by a water demon named IS-MOG. Unexplored.
* **Gardentop** (Hex <008.024> A stronghold recently built out of the old Rust Brother Lodge captured during Block 3.
* **The Iron Lock** (Hex <006.025>) A large fortress with no gate that blockades the only known passage through the Shift.
* **Northmore** A community just outside of Alderstone, recently abandoned.
* **Orthos family crypt** (Hex <014.018>) The burial site of an adventuring magical minstrel, also where an artifact that Myrkul greatly desires is said to be. Currently unexplored.
* **Sky Summit** (Hex <021.022>) A holy ceremonial site for followers of Raven & Huntress, used for festivals.
* **Wailer's Hold** (Hex <024.016>) An ancient dwarvish hold apparently taken by demons, that the dwarves prepare to restore. Unexplored.
* **Wolfstone Redoubt** (Hex <020.022>) A dwarven community that needs heroes for a scouting mission. Unexplored.

## Adventuring Hooks, Locales & Landmarks

* **The Abandoned Cabin** (Hex <010.024>) An innocuous looking site that appears ideal for camping, but harpies lurk near to ambush the unwary.
* **Bridge of Esroh’s Heroism** (Hex <013.023> to <014.024>) A stone-sung bridge built over the river by Rosalia in session 4x3. Named after Esroh’s heroic slaying of a Gryphon to save his horse Roach in the same session.
* Brother Wulfmaer Currently heading to Sky Summit, and willing to pay a bounty on slaying the Sybillant Hydra. Bring fresh meat.
* **Dwarven Road Remnants** (Hex <0.13.024> to <012.025>) The road connects Abiggaboi to an unknown site
* **Dwarven Stellarium** (Hex <018.025>) An abandoned dwarven forge, now the lair of an Ice Dragon.
* **Flow's Crossing** (Between Hexes <011.024> & <012.024>) A river crossing initially created by Session 1x5 & upgraded into a reinforced stone bridge by Session 1x4; it supports the road between Dryvault & Gardentop.
* **Haunted Tower** (Hex <016.019>) The scant remnants of an ancient ruined edifice, currently inhabited by ghosts.
* **The Lair of the Wendigo** (Hex <014.025>) A series of caves high in the northern slopes of the Shift, recently used by a Wendigo as it's lair. Partially explored.
* **The Rust Brother’s Bridges** (Hex <010.022> & <011.022>) A series of sturdy wood and rope constructions that appear recently erected, that lead north into the mountains and most likely Deadhook Fortress.
* **Shrine of Clay** (Hex <014.023>) A buried shrine that might connect to Cragfall Cave.
* **Shrine of the Elf Queen** ( Hex <016.021>) Once thought to be an ancient, ruined shrine to Raven, the truth is much more complex.
* **Statue of “The Traitor”** (Hex <012.023>) An infamous Ailander who led his own people into the slavery of the Rust Brothers. The statue was broken up during Session 1x6 for stone.
* **Sword of the Orc King** (Unknown) A legendary blade from the time before the rising of the Shift.
* **Tomb of the Druid** (Unknown) A legendary site from before the Alder Wars.
* **Weatherstone** (Hex <019.024>) The lost horde of King Algarod's war gear, possibly guarded by his rage filled ghost.