Rift Canyon

The Rift Canyon is a deep canyon, over 180 miles long and 30 miles wide at its widest point. In some places, the Rift is over a mile deep (WGR5). The canyon, which was not created by river erosion, is surrounded by a rocky wasteland known as the Rift Barrens, adding to the area's unnatural character. To the southwest of Rift Canyon can be found a solitary volcano known as White Plume Mountain and to the north can be found a forest called the Tangles.

History

The Rift Canyon was formed in the Age Before Ages during the Battle of Pesh, when the armies of Law, led by the Wind Dukes faced the forces of the Queen of Chaos, led by her greatest general, Miska the Wolf-Spider. The rift was caused when the Rod of Law was used by the Wind Duke Qadeej to defeat Miska (DMG1; BoA; Ro7P; DNG#124; DNG#129).

Inhabitants

The Rift Canyon is populated by many of the former inhabitants of the bandit kingdom which once ruled the Rift Canyon and surrounding barrens from the town of Riftcrag. Known as the Men of the Rift, many of these bandits sought refuge in the Rift itself after abandoning the town to Iuz's forces in 583 CY. Made up of chiefly humans, bugbears, gnolls, ogres, and orcs, these forces are supplemented by thousands of refugees from other bandit kingdoms (chiefly men from Reyhu, a bandit kingdom south of the canyon), who also fled here to escape Iuz's forces during the Greyhawk Wars. In 585 CY, these bandits numbered some 6000 humans (2000 original settlers, plus some 4000 refugees). Many of these bandits are worshipers of Erythnul, and are quick to sacrifice any intruders into their realm to their evil god.

The Men of the Rift are led by Durand Grossman, Plar of the Rift, and plan a "dark revenge" against the Old One. The Plar is said to have a pair of trained hippogriffs, a number of hell hounds, and nearly a dozen displacer beasts at his service. In times of dire need, Durand is rumored to be able to call upon a "deep-laired gorgimera" for aid. The presence of such beasts in the Plar's forces may be partially due to the services of Menfri Rauveen, an "ex-Aerdi mage," who has been researching the Rift's secrets for years.

In addition, a powerful undead dragon, a dracolich named Dragotha, makes its home in the Wormcrawl Fissure located near the Rift Canyon.

Ecology

Rainwater drains into this cavernous fissure throughout its expanse, but no known crops are grown here. The canyon is marked by massive sheer faces of rock, scrub-covered screes, and paths on which only the most sure of foot would dare set foot. The Rift is honeycombed with warrens, caves, and caverns. Dark things are said to slither in the canyon's deepest recesses.

The Rift Canyon contains a number of mines that provide silver to the region, mostly near Riftcrag. A jade deposit was also once discovered in the Rift, but has long since been exhausted (WGR5).

The inhabitants of the Rift often venture out of their domain to procure both food and weapons. Iuz's commanders have tried, but are unable to block all of the exists from the Rift Canyon.

Flora and fauna

Lizards, fish, and similar creatures can be found in the caves, springs, and pools of the Rift itself, while hardy goats can be found on the rocky surfaces of the ravine and the Rift Barrens beyond. Birds and small animals (such as hares) are sometimes caught by trappers.

Features and settlements

Many lawless folk inhabit the Rift Canyon. Many menaces, dreadful and deadly monsters, inhabit the west end of the Rift Canyon and seem to issue forth from multiple and various caverns.

The ruins of the ancient Flan city of Veralos (of the pre-migration era) sits on the northern edge of the Rift Canyon, and the giant-occupied city of Kongen- Thulnir sits on the southern edge.

Maps

Bibliography

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• Williams, Skip. The Rod of Seven Parts. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1996.