The Quail Valley

Overview:
The Quail Valley is a rustic area far from the reaches of the "civilized" lands of the west and nestled neatly in the middle of the Gaskar Mountain Range. Officially part of the "Free Range" no nation currently lays claim to the fertile land found within the valley, and instead it is governed by a regional lord (in this case, Lord Kyle). The Quail Valley is bordered on the north by the Frozen Wastes and home of the frost giant nation, and to the south, east, and west by extensive tracts of the Gaskar Mountain Range. The Quail Valley sees little traffic outside the occasional merchant caravan traveling between cities that lie far to the south and the border colonies of the north, supply barges which travel the River Wren and Quail carrying supplies of ore from Twain, and the occasional adventurer looking for excitement and treasure.

Villages and Towns:

• Pembrose: Run by Lord Kyle, this is the largest of the three villages in the valley. its marketplace is also the valley's economic center.
• Bostwick: A village at the valley's north end, Bostwick is home to Jeffar, priestess of the Churck of the Ever Shining Sun, and the powerful Mayor Wycheck.
  
• Twain: A village at the valley's east end near the Thorfax mines. Although the smallest of the three villages, it is home to Crus, a former adventurer of some note.

Rivers:

• Quail River: Fed by tributaries running out of the Gaskar Hills, the Quail flows west to east and provides a means of transportation between Pembrose and Twain. A well-worn road travels along its northern bank.
  
• River Wren: The river flows south to north and is a thoroughfare between Bostick and Pembrose. A fairly sturdy dirt road can be found along its eastern bank.

The Wilderness:

• Farmlands: The land that borders both the Quail River and the River Wren are well irrigated and easily farmed. Most of the farmers live within ten miles of one of the three villages (allowing for easy travel within a day), and are propersous enough that they do sell a portion of their crop to the villages for export. There are; however, several small homesteads dotting the landscape along both rivers who subside on what they grow and enjoy trading room and board for everything from exciting tales from the outside to goods and services.
• The Forrest of Nin: The Forest of Nin is a dense old growth forest that is thick with fallen moss-covered trees and knee-high (to a human at least) underbrush. From spring to fall the high leaf cover shadows the forest floor, providing excellent camouflage for the forest's many denizens. The forest is hilly in places as well, and several caves have been known to dot those areas. Travel is difficult for most people, let alone riding animals, which makes much of the forest unexplored wilderness waiting for exploration.
• Gaskar Hills: The surrounding hills are lightly wooded and gently flowing before climbing steeply into the mountain range. Numerous streams and brooks trickle down out of these hills, feeding both the Wren and Quail rivers. Little undergrowth exists in these areas, and they are regularly forested for building materials in the valley. Aside from providing the valley with much fine ore from the Thorfax Mines, the Gaskar Hills have been known to be less hospitable than the Forest of Nin and as such the locals avoid traveling too far off the beaten path and away from the civilized areas.
  
• Gaskar Mountains: The mountain range surrounding The Quail Valley is nearly impassable to all but the most skilled mountaineer or dwarf. Snowy peaks cap the mountains year-round although the temperate nature of the area allows for regular melting to feed the local rivers and streams.