The Dawnforge Mountains

Named for the legendary mountain at the eastern edge of the World where Moradin is said to have crafted the sun, the Dawnforge Mountains define the eastern boundary of the Nentir Vale. Beyond the mountains, the land grows quickly wilder, for only a few settlements were ever established that far from Nerath’s capital and even fewer have lasted to the present day. The foothills to the east of the mountains are infested with trolls, hill giants, ogres, gnolls, goblins, and orcs, making trade with those remaining towns dangerous and difficult. The trolls and werewolves of Summerdown Valley are also known for terrorizing the mountains, venturing far and wide in search of fresh victims and treasures for their queen. Other monsters common to the region include ankhegs, blood hawks, dire boars, cave bears, hippogriffs, harpies, manticores, owlbears, gray wolves, and wyverns.
A number of marauding gangs of humans, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes scour the peaks as well, in search of folk to rob and terrorize. Several bands of goliaths also range throughout the mountains. Most of the time these goliaths wander above the tree line to keep clear of monsters and travelers. Once a year, though, they engage in a great race across the mountains. A non-goliath that completes the race becomes an honorary member of one of the clans.
These mountains also hide dragons—foremost among them the three-headed monstrosity that calls herself Calastryx. The red dragon is slumbering, still affected by a curse placed on her centuries ago, but fears are growing stronger that her reemergence is near. The Emberdark—a tribe of kobolds that are fanatically subservient to her—can hardly wait till Calastryx wakes up, and they actively work to make that happen.
Apart from the dangers of bandits and monsters, the rough terrain, perilous slopes, and bitter cold of the mountains present equally deadly threats.

-Azarel’s Tower: The abode of a long-dead archmage, which supposedly lies somewhere within the Dawnforge Mountains. It's believed that anyone attempting to access the tower without a wand of Thunder to open the tower’s hidden passages will find a quick end from the magic traps and immortal guardians still defending the place.
-Castle Inverness: A ruined castle in the southern slopes of the Dawnforges. Castle Inverness is one of the three infamous "ghost towers" of the Nentir Vale, but unlike the other two, it is not merely a focus for the activities of undead. Even without the appearance of the Ghost Tower, Castle Inverness has long been shunned by the locals. The legends of its tyrannical rise, and of the supernatural perils that remain after its fall, are still the stuff of bard songs and tavern tales.
-Cazakk’s lair: An ancient dwarf watchpost in the southern Dawnforge Mountains serves as the lair of Cazakk "the Blessed", a red dragon.
-Dungeon of the Fire Opal: The ruins of a monastery stand on the northern slope of one of the Dawnforges. This was the home of the monks of the Enlightened Flame once, but after they were slain by marauding gnolls, the dungeon was left abandoned until recently. A small group of bandits led by Serlek Undertow currently occupy the dungeon's entry chambers now. Those bandits are members of Carthain's gang, a group of bandits that normally operates in Hammerfast.
-Dwarven Steads: There are many minor dwarven towns carved in the mountains of the Dawnforges. At least one of those steads was constructed above a subterranean evil temple that houses a portal to the Far Realm.
-Dwarven Fort Ruins: A ruined fort located at the foothills of the Dawnforge. It's usually a place where mooncalves attack. (MVTttNV, Mooncalves)
-Forgepeak: This massive peak towers over the surrounding mountains. Visible from across the entire vale, Forgepeak has never been scaled. The red dragon Calastryx slumbers within its lair hidden in Forgepeak. Thar, a dragonborn champion of Gruumsh, seeks to awaken and bind the dragon to the service of his god.
-Glimmer Peak: This small settlement is the center for mining in the area south of Hammerfast. Glimmer Peak sits along the shores of Glimmer Lake. Rumors persist that the palace of a fey lord long ago sunk beneath the lake. To this day, fishermen sometimes report vague images of a grand, ruined fortress deep within the water. The stories are true, and the ruins hide kuo-toas, undead eladrin, and fabulous treasures.
-Hammerfast: A dwarven hold cut from the rock of a deep vale in the Dawnforges. Hammerfast is the largest and wealthiest town in the Nentir Vale. The Trade Road runs through the citadel gates and continues eastward beyond the mountains. The dwarves have to share the town with a tribe of orcs, as part of a divine compact forged between the gods Moradin and Gruumsh.
-Hammer’s Deep: One of the main subterranean mining outposts of the dwarves of Hammerfast. Recently, rumors say the outpost has been deserted.
-Highpeak: A small fortress located in a northern mountain is the center of mining operations in the Dawnforge Mountains. The settlement is well stocked with supplies and heavily guarded. A number of mines work veins of gold in the area, although the threat of monsters always looms over the operations. In addition, lone prospectors willing to brave the wilderness scour the land for new finds. The miners eagerly hire adventurers to guard their caravans along the Iron Road or to defend their latest find. The proximity of Stravalla's Tower provides an ever-present threat, and more than one mining expedition has fallen to trolls or werewolves.
-Lake Dunmere: This body of water has a number of small fishing villages along its shores. A large manor house and village once stood beside Lake Dunmere, but both were destroyed by the Clan Bloodspear orcs during their invasion. The ruins of the manor and village still stand, as do the cellars beneath them.
-Rushing River: Few travelers use the major waterway in the region, because many monsters lurk along its banks and the difficult terrain makes patrols impossible. Bandits are the only beings who risk traveling by river, since it allows them to escape with booty while avoiding guard patrols. -Stravalla's Tower and Summerdown Valley: Just south of Mount Starris, a valley cuts a scar-like line through the Dawnforge Mountains. Despite the season, a forest forever thick and lush fills this valley. Travelers smell Summerdown Valley long before they see it, as the blooming flowers cast a perfume on the wind. Despite its appearance, the valley is a place of great danger. A powerful hag, Queen Stravalla of Winter's Mourning, dwells within this place. In her crystal tower, she surveys the verdant garden that is her realm. Trolls, werewolves, and murderous fey heed her beck and call, and within the ever-verdant forest shamble the animated corpses of those who dared enter her realm. Clad in rusted armor and covered with sickly sweet orchids that grow from their decaying flesh, these sentinels make quick work of those who blunder into Summerdown Valley.