Embervale Basin

 

Geography

      The Embervale Basin is a diverse region characterized by its unique triangular shape, formed by mountain ranges to the east and west. The basin stretches approximately 500 miles along its coastal southern border, with its northern apex reaching 600-700 miles inland.

• Eastern Border: Karthikan Ridge (a 200-300 mile spur of the Shiltar Range)
• Western Border: Kirthhian Divide (a major continental dividing range)
• Central Feature: Lake Emberholm

 

Rivers

• Silverrun River: Flows from the Kirthhian Divide to Lake Emberholm
• Thornbrook River: Originates in the Karthikan Ridge and feeds into Lake Emberholm
• Honeywash River: Runs south from Lake Emberholm through the swamp to the coast
• Grimflow River: Traverses from the east through the Ash into the swamp

 

Key Features

 

Embershade Marshes

  A vast swamp dominating the southern part of the basin, the Embershade Marshes span approximately 250 miles along the coast and extend 75 miles inland. This treacherous wetland forms a natural barrier between the sea and the inland regions.  

The Ash

  A magically desolated region east of the swamp, The Ash borders the Embershade Marshes just below the southern end of the Karthikan Ridge. Technically a part of The Iron Tusk Confederacy, a portion of the ash does extend into the basin.  

The Greenway

  A strip of relatively mundane patchy forest and grassland area between the Embershade Marshes and the Ash. This more hospitable terrain serves as a buffer zone between the two extreme environments.  

The Long Road

  This major thoroughfare runs through the Greenway, between the swamp and the Ash. It heads south towards the region of Haven and continues northwest through a mountain pass in the Kirthhian Divide, with an offshoot heading north to Pultin.  

Lake Emberholm

  The central lake of the region, fed by the Silverrun and Thornbrook Rivers, and source of the Honeywash River.  

Major Settlements

• Pultin: The largest city, situated on the northwest banks of Lake Emberholm
• Honeywood: A picturesque village on the banks of the Honeywash River, south of Lake Emberholm
• Blackwater Village: A quiet stilt village on the eastern edge of the swamp, along the Long Road
• Rikkets: A rough settlement on the eastern coast of the swamp
• Downwater: A trapper village in the southern central area of the swamp
• Hester: A village of herbalists on the northern edge of the swamp, northeast of Honeywood
• Manlon: A farming community west of the swamp, near the foothills of the Kirthhian Divide
• Braydon: A scholar Haven built around a sunken tower in the western part of the swamp
• Esau: A fishing village where the Honeywash River enters the swamp
• Gantry: A traders' town southwest of the swamp, along the Long Road

 

Notable Characteristics

• The Embershade Marshes form a wide, shallow crescent along the coast, creating a treacherous buffer between the inland regions and the sea
• Diverse ecosystems range from expansive marshland to forests and the desolate magical wasteland of the Ash
• Rich history includes ancient druidic settlements and draconic influence
• Varying degrees of civilization, from the city of Pultin to rough swamp settlements
• Unique flora and fauna, particularly in and around the Embershade Marshes
• Mix of legal and illicit economies, especially in the swamp settlements
• The Long Road serves as a vital artery for trade and travel, connecting the Embervale Basin to the southern region of Haven and northwestern territories beyond the Kirthhian Divide
• The mountain pass through the Kirthhian Divide, while challenging, offers a manageable route for trade and travel to regions beyond
• The region's diverse geography provides a rich tapestry of environments and potential for both mystical and mundane adventures
• The Greenway offers a unique transitional zone between the magical extremes of the swamp and the Ash, hosting its own ecosystem and providing safer passage for travelers