Elk Trench

Koot Nai Valley

Elk Trench, known as Koot Nai Valley to the native Dwarf, is a deep triple valley in the Katiland Range of the Cutting Mountains, on the major continent of Ethae. They valley splits north, east, and southwest from its center, and is surrounded by the three mountains known as the Elk Sisters (Katiland Peak,Mount Pyere,Mount Glincore). The remote valley is overgrown and lush, with many streams running through it during the spring and summer months of snow melt. The terrain is difficult with little in the way of any flat land. Ridges and ravines are plentiful, leaving travel in the valley as dangerous as its aerial guardians.

As the name implies elk are numerous in the valley, as are ibex, and deer. The valley is free from any carnivore that might hunt these herds thanks to the Griffin prides that nest in the valley. They great beast are known to aggressively exterminate any threat to their sanctuary and its food supply. This includes Human, dwarf, and any other creature that comes into their domain.

During the Kephic Age, Koot Nai Valley was a major location of the Kephic Empire in the production of coal. The land is littered with stones carved by dwarves, and the occasional ruins. There are also many caves in the miles of valley here, leading into the mines and the Kephic domain beyond. Elk Trench is, perhaps, one of the few regions in the Cutting Mountains that one can find an entrance to the vast network under the mountains known as Waterdeep, that does not have a dwarven fortress built around it. Those that seek to enter the Night Below without the dwarf's approval often find their way to this valley looking for these ancient mineshafts.

Kephic legends claim Elk Trench was a flooded fiord in the most ancient past/ Prior to this glaciers covered the region. Stonefoot Carvings also claims the valley's and surrounding mountains were the realm of the mysterious Dragon known as Gissru the Shadow. It states that Gissru's lair looked over an ancient great lake somewhere in the valley. Many would be adventurers brave the long journey to Elk Trench to seek this lair. More than once, it has been 'offically' found, only to discover what is really found is another ancient dwarven mine or natural tunnel burrowed out by the glaciers and their melt.