Perrenland Geography
The Kershanetrek
The Kershane Pass is a deep gorge broken into two valleys, running from west
to east. The western valley is deeper than the eastern valley and climbs sharply
through broken woodlands of pine and fir.
In the western valley the Kershanetrek (highway) roughly follows the course
of the mighty Kershane River as it flows downward in successive falls to Lake
Quag. As a result, mists tend to hug the western valley for much of the day
reducing visibility. The western valley is dominated by the township of Twin
Bridges, a Roodberg stronghold that straddles the Kershane trek and manages
east-west traffic. During winter, a freezing wind blows from the high mountains
and glacial valleys, and funnels into the western pass. The rivers freeze
over and black ice covers everything. These conditions can bring blinding
blizzards that produce deep drifts of snow, quickly closing the western valley
to all but the most desperate travellers. This drops temperatures considerably,
and travellers without adequate clothing can quickly perish.
The western valley reaches it highest passable point at the monastery of
St Cuthbert's. This is called the High Pass and is the only pass known to
most travellers. From the High Pass, the descent is steep but the road is
cunningly cut and very safe.
The eastern valley is by comparison, a gentler place. The valley attracts
warmer air currents from the Vesve forest, and the quasi-magical nature of
that giant wood continues into the hills and mountains of the eastern valley.
This is a rich agricultural region, long settled by the Flan. These Flan carved
out a balanced existence with the natural beauty of the eastern glens and
valleys, and their descendants are members of the Fellkatz sept of the Vosser
clan.
There are also small groups of elves living quietly in the area, many of
whom used to move between the nation of Highfolk and Perrenland as if the
border did not exist. No official census ever included these Olvenfolk in
Perrenland: they were the remnants of the old elven kingdom of Kershane.
For further information, see the
Kershane Pass document.
