Rift Canyon

Description

The Rift Canyon is a deep canyon, over 180 miles long and 30 miles wide at its widest point. The canyon, which was not created by river erosion, is surrounded by a rocky wasteland, 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

Several thousand Reyhu bandits (a people from the area south of the canyon) can be found here, having fled from Iuz's invasion forces in 583 CY. Many of these men are worshipers of Erythnul and are quick to sacrifice any intruders into their realm to their evil god.

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 inhabitants 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.

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) sit on the edge of the Rift Canyon, as does the giant-occupied city of Kongen- Thulnir.

Bibliography

• Baur, Wolfgang. "A Gathering of Winds." Dungeon #129. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.

• Cook, David. Book of Artifacts. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1993.

• Cordell, Bruce R. Dragotha's Lair. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, 1999 and 2001. Available online:[1]

• Holian, Gary. "Places of Mystery: Spinecastle and Veralos." Dragon #293. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2002

• Holian, Gary, Erik Mona, Sean K. Reynolds, and Frederick Weining. Living Greyhawk Gazetteer. Renton, WA. Wizards of the Coast, 2000.

• Gygax, Gary. Dungeon Master's Guide. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1979.

• Mona, Erik. "The Whispering Cairn." Dungeon #124. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2005.

• Simpson, Bill. "Lords & Legends: Dragotha." Dragon #134. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1988.

• Vaughan, Greg A. "Kings of the Rift" Dungeon #133. Bellevue, WA: Paizo Publishing, 2006.

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