Hills and Highlands of the Flanaess

Abbor-Alz

The Abbor-Alz is a rugged, arid range located along the western border of Urnst, with its northern sections claimed by the Duchy of Urnst. Here, the hills are gentler, home to dwarves and gnomes who have transitioned from mining to fine craft-working. However, further south, the terrain becomes nearly impassable and is inhabited by fierce Flan dervishes, known for their deep xenophobia and hostility toward the Suel tribes of the Bright Desert.
Famed locations within the Abbor-Alz include:

• The Ghost Tower of Inverness, perched atop a rocky promontory overlooking Woolly Bay.
• The Pits of Azak-Zil ("Pureheart"), cursed mines where a fallen star once struck.
• Numerous ancient tombs, including the Star Cairns and the Crypt of Lyzandred the Mad.

Blemu Hills

Once a thriving home to dwarves and gnomes, the Blemu Hills now form the southern boundary of the Bone March and have fallen to orcs and goblinoids. The humanoids explore the abandoned mines and fortresses left behind, scavenging for lost treasures and artifacts.

Bluff Hills

Descending from the western end of the Griff Mountains, the Bluff Hills serve as a stronghold for the Bandit Kingdoms. Despite rich deposits of gold and copper, mining is nearly impossible due to the presence of ferocious ogres and other monsters. Near the Griff Mountains lies the Shadow Caverns, a lost temple of Hextor, detailed in Five Shall Be One.

Cairn Hills

The Cairn Hills extend from the Midbay to the Abbor-Alz, forming a contested border between Urnst and Greyhawk. While both realms claim portions of the hills, the rugged terrain remains largely independent. The region is dotted with ancient burial cairns, many hiding deadly traps and fabulous treasures. These tombs were instrumental in transforming Greyhawk from a small trading post into a wealthy metropolis.
Inhabitants include:

• Gnomes in the central hills, many aligned with Greyhawk.
• Halflings in the northern flatlands.
• Dwarves in the mountainous eastern sections.
  Notable sites include:
• Maure Castle, an infamous dungeon.
• Tenser’s Castle, located on the shores of Midbay.
• Doomgrinder, a lost magical war machine hidden beneath the hills, which may soon be uncovered.

Drachensgrab Hills

The Drachensgrab Hills dominate the Pomarj Peninsula, rich in gems and precious metals. Once harried by human petty states, these lands now belong to orcs, hobgoblins, ogres, and bugbears, who have allied with the region’s deadly monsters. Legends warn of slumbering entities beneath the hills, vengeful beings who may one day awaken.
Notable locations include:

• Suderham, the hidden city of the Slave Lords .
• The world’s last remaining dragonnels, a species driven to near-extinction elsewhere.
• The Terrorforge, once a sprawling dwarven realm, is ruled by the Red Dragon Cigas with his legion of devoted knights.

Flinty Hills

Straddling the border of Nyrond and the Bone March, the Flinty Hills are home to dwarves, gnomes, and refugees from the overrun Blemu Hills. They provide Nyrond with much of its mineral wealth but remain plagued by humanoid raiders. The eastern Flinty Hills hold an autonomous gnomish realm, ruled by Gnomeking Warren ap’Hiller.

Gull Cliffs

Overlooking the Solnor Ocean, the Gull Cliffs are so named for the thousands of seabirds nesting along their edges. For centuries, the Aerdi extensively mined the cliffs, leaving behind abandoned tunnels and shafts. The trade port of Roland, a key hub for Rauxes, lies along the coast. Reclusive dwarven and gnomish clans still dwell in the inland hills.

Headlands

The Headlands of Onnwal form a natural barrier along the peninsula, home to rugged human clans ("Headlanders") and numerous dwarves and gnomes. Though the region is rich in mineral resources, much of its wealth remains untapped.

Hestmark Highlands

A vast and rugged expanse, the Hestmark Highlands are home to independent-minded humans, gnomes, and dwarves, all of whom fiercely resist Aerdian rule. The land serves as a haven for rebels and dissidents, bolstered by support from Dullstrand and Sunndi, whose forces frequently raid the oppressive South Province.

Hollow Highlands

Named for the centuries of mining that have hollowed their depths, the Hollow Highlands have long since been stripped of their richest minerals. However, the land remains fertile, supporting thriving communities of dwarves, gnomes, and halflings, all fiercely loyal to the crown of Sunndi.

Howling Hills

A land steeped in bloodshed and supernatural dread, the Howling Hills serve as a contested border between the Wolf Nomads and Iuz. The eastern hills are under the control of the Old One, swarming with orcish warbands and monstrous creatures, while the western half remains sacred to the Wolf Nomads, who vigorously defend their ancestral burial grounds.
Key locations include:

• Kendagrund, an orc fortress housing over 5,000 warriors.
• Drenghuz, a ruined stronghold now ruled by a shadow dragon.
• The Groaning Mines, named for the ominous rumblings beneath their depths.
• The Soul Husk Caverns, rumored to hold the secret to Iuz’s demigodhood.

Iron Hills

Renowned for iron, gold, and silver, the Iron Hills are the domain of King Holgi Hirsute, ruler of the dwarven kingdom and a staunch ally of Irongate. The heavily fortified hills produce some of the finest dwarven infantry in the Flanaess.

Kron Hills

A fertile upland region, the Kron Hills are home to the Free Assembly of the Kron Hills, a gnomish state ruled by Urthgan, Eldest of Tulvar. These gnomes were instrumental in defeating the humanoids of the Lortmils and the Temple of Elemental Evil.

• The village of Hommlet lies in the eastern Kron Hills.

Little Hills

Named in contrast to the towering Crystalmists and Jotens, the Little Hills are inhabited by dwarves, halflings, and fierce human hill-folk, who have long served as mercenaries for Keoland.

Lorridges

Split between Veluna, Bissel, and Gran March, the Lorridges are home to dwarves and gnomes who engage in trade with their human neighbors. The Falz River Pass, a major trade route between the Flanaess and the Baklunish west, runs through these hills.

Sepia Uplands

While largely claimed by Perrenland, the northern Sepia Uplands remain untamed, home to feral mountain lions and game animals.

Stark Mounds

Once towering mountains, the Stark Mounds are now rolling hills, home to gnomes and dwarves, claimed by both Geoff and Sterich.

The Tors

Overrun by monsters and humanoid raiders, the Tors serve as a constant source of strife for the Yeomanry.

Tusman Hills

The Tusman Hills mark the ascent into the Yatil Mountains, inhabited by fierce Baklunish warriors who sell their swords as mercenaries to Tusmit and Ket.