Oakenvale

Oakenvale is located in Toril, off the coast of the continent of Faerûn, at the far eastern tip of Finback Isle on the Sea of Swords. Tucked within a horseshoe-shaped mountain range, it is shielded from harsher weather and subject to gentler climates than other portions of the island.





Internal Geography
Near the southernmost coast of Finback Isle, the savannah stretches from the end of the Ghezmar Crags, a rough mountain range fabled for being infested with undead, and is bordered to the North by the Tes-Amen-Anai Desert. The sloping, hilly Lymar Grasslands stretch between the desert and the Stockchill Heights (south part of the mountain range) and the Ashtaali Peaks (north part of the mountain range). Cradled in the southern portion of the C-shaped mountain range, the boggy, unnamed swamplands stretch, constantly wetted by rain runoff from the mountains. The deep woodlands, and woodlands (both a part of the Finback Forest), sit south of the Ashtaali Lake (known colloquially as simply ‘the lake’ in Oakenvale). East of the lake lies Oakenvale Town itself (red dot), home to our adventurers. South and slightly west of the Stockchill Heights, positioned on the coast a two days’ walk from Oakenvale proper, lies Hexaport (fuschia dot), a massive port city. A winding path connects it to Oakenvale and several smaller coastal towns; this path creates a longer journey for a safer path, as well as serving as a trade route.

External Relations
Oakenvale, as well as the rest of Finback Isle, is a melting pot of culture. Positioned east of The Rift, it is home to many foreign races. Hexaport is a part of a trade triangle between Neverwinter and Waterdeep, and trade makes the city both wealthy and corrupt. However, Oakenvale itself has a good relationship with its neighbors, though the smaller surrounding towns-- having sustained some damage from the devil invasion-- seem averse to interacting with them now. Ruathym, to the west, is another essential trade partner for minerals and gems, being rocky, mountainous terrain mainly inhabited by dwarves and humans. The Korinn Archipelago, to the south, harbors mostly unwelcoming inhabitants. Pandira, the northernmost island, has a thriving pirate trade and black market. The isles themselves are surrounded by dangerous reefs and tricky, difficult-to-navigate waters suited only to the most talented of sailors. Hexaport’s navy often has to deal with the pirates who sail from these islands. Gundarlun, to the north, boasts fish, farm, and stone trade from a Norse-like society within the port city Gundbarg.

The Rift
To the southwest of Finback Isle is a cluster of islands inhabited almost solely by guards and magic users. The isles are not named, and its inhabitants are referred to as Riftkeepers. The Rift was created via the use of powerful magics in an effort to bring the worlds of the Material Plane together. It appears as a shimmering, iridescent arcane gate, through which travellers from Eberron, Exandria, Greyhawk, and more can come and go. It is carefully guarded by the Riftkeepers. Long, magical bridges connect the islands, and on the easternmost lies a busy port city called Rifthold. From Rifthold, travellers can pay passage on ships dedicated to delivering goods and people to the major port cities on their routes: Hexaport (Finback Isle), Neverwinter (mainland), Gundbarg (Gundarlun), Waterdeep (mainland), and Westhaven (Pandira Isle), to name a few.