Rift Canyon

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 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 humans, bugbears, gnolls, ogres, and orcs, these forces are supplemented by several thousand Reyhu bandits (a bandit kingdom south of the canyon), who also fled here to escape Iuz's forces during the greyhawk Wars. These forces are led by Durand Grossman, Plar of the Rift, and plan a "dark revenge" against the Old One. Many of these bandits 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.

The Rift Canyon contains a number of mines that provide silver to the region.

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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• 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]

• Gygax, Gary. The World of Greyhawk. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1980.
• -----. World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1983.

• 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.

• Sargent, Carl. From the Ashes. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1992.

• 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.