Riftcanyon

Riftcanyon cleaves through the wild lands west of the Frightful Forest and north of the Bandit Kingdoms, stretching for nearly 180 miles in length and at points over a mile wide. Its jagged, plunging cliffs descend into shadowed depths that seem to have no bottom—some accounts claim the floor lies over a thousand feet down, though it is rarely seen and almost never reached.

The walls of the canyon are sharp and uneven, formed of fractured stone, broken ridges, and needle-thin spires. Erosion, quakes, and time have shaped them into cruel teeth that rise and fall in chaotic patterns. Great ledges and caverns line the canyon’s interior, many of them inaccessible by normal means. Whispers tell of tunnels and sinkholes that open into even deeper realms—perhaps even into the Underdark, or something worse.

The air around the canyon carries an eerie stillness, broken only by the keening wind that echoes through the chasm like a lament.

Though seemingly barren, the canyon teems with danger. Wild beasts—some natural, others mutated or monstrous—make their lairs in its ledges and caves. Winged predators, such as giant bats, wyverns, or stranger things, circle the air currents. Rumors persist of sentient creatures dwelling in the deeper caverns, some of which are said to be ancient exiles or remnants of fallen civilizations.

More dangerous still are the humanoid tribes and bandit enclaves that haunt the upper reaches. The lawless region around Riftcanyon is a haven for outcasts, fugitives, and rogue warlords who use the terrain to their advantage. Some maintain strongholds in the cliffs, built into the rock or clinging to ancient ruins.

Among the most feared are the "Rift Folk", a mysterious group of canyon dwellers who are said to be both savage and cunning, skilled in navigating the vertical world of the rift. Their origins are unclear—some say they are descendants of ancient miners or prisoners, others believe they are something far older.

Despite its dangers, Riftcanyon is not without allure. Rich veins of rare minerals, magical crystals, and fossilized relics have been discovered in its depths. Some claim entire lost cities lie within hidden caverns—treasure troves waiting to be uncovered.

Arcane energies also seem to concentrate in places along the canyon’s walls, drawing the interest of spellcasters and scholars alike. However, such places often come with a cost—strange side effects, temporal anomalies, or psychic disturbances that drive visitors mad.

The true origin of Riftcanyon is lost to time. Some sages suggest it was formed during a great upheaval in the early ages of the world—a massive earthquake, or a forgotten magical cataclysm. Others claim it is a scar left behind by the fall of a celestial body, or the site of a divine battle between gods long forgotten.

Among local tribes and bandits, legends tell of a time when the land was split open by a vengeful earth spirit, or a powerful archmage who unleashed forbidden sorcery that fractured the crust of the world. These tales often hint at the canyon being a prison—something buried, locked away, or chained far below in its depths.

Whatever the truth, Riftcanyon remains one of Oerth’s great enigmas.

Riftcanyon lies within the lawless and fractured territory known as the Bandit Kingdoms, and control of its edges has long been a point of contention. Bandit lords and petty tyrants have fought over nearby strongholds, hoping to harness the canyon’s resources or use it as a defensible refuge.

During various wars, factions from neighboring lands have considered utilizing the canyon as a natural barrier or potential invasion route, though few have successfully done so. The canyon defies occupation, and any foothold established there tends to be short-lived.

Some believe the true power of Riftcanyon lies not in its geography, but in what slumbers beneath—a power some are desperately trying to awaken, and others are trying just as desperately to forget.