Mornset Countryside

The Mornset Countryside is in southern Tal'Dorei, lying west of the Stormcrest Mountains and just south of the Gladepools, as the gateway to the Rifenmist Peninsula.

Description
The Mornset Countryside is a haven for those who have fled the northern governments and societies of Tal'Dorei, whether to avoid punishment for illegal activity or simply because they prefer the freedom, if also the uncertainty, of the frontier. The terrain is primarily grassy plains, with some interspersed woodlands, and the settlements are small.

Notable Locations

 * Byroden: The largest and northernmost community in the Mornset Countryside.
 * Heldenfaire: A small uncharted village.

Society
Mornset society is fiercely independent in outlook. It is primarily populated by humans, with small groups of similarly free-thinking dwarves, halflings seeking the simpler life of the past, and even some elven outcasts from Syngorn. However, those living in the Mornset Countryside cooperate with each other and help each other out in order to maintain the self-sufficiency of their society. Many of the people have also allied with local "lowborn" giantkin for protection against the southern threat of the Iron Authority. Mornset settlers rarely travel further south to the dangerous Rifenmist Jungle other than for occasional peaceful dealings with the Orroyen Tribes.

History
The outsider colonies of the Mornset Countryside were formed by refugees from the rule of Drassig joining with outcasts of Syngornian society.

In 792 or 793 PD, here at the southern edge of the Tal'Dorei Council's influence, the ancient red dragon Thordak began to raid caravans and autonomous villages, which sent requests to Emon for aid and protection against a "nightmare of fire and malice." Sovereign Odellan Tal'Dorei rejected the idea of sending a regiment as too costly without confirmation of the threat. Two years later, when the Council finally received more specific reports of the largest red dragon on record, Thordak had already burned the fields of the Mornset Countryside and enslaved the Outerfolk of the region. Allura Vysoren's adventuring party arrived to find Thordak laying waste to everything around the Gladepools, including Byroden. However, as of 812 PD, Byroden had been fully rebuilt, and when the Crown Keepers visited in 843 PD it was still a heavily guarded town but was vibrant. The Crown Keepers traveled through the Mornset Countryside on their way south to investigate the ruins of the Qoniira Tetrarchy.

Trivia

 * Byroden is listed as the second-largest Mornset community in the Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting, but no larger one is given. The Rifenmist Peninsula was deliberately left vague to give GMs creative license to surprise their players.
 * It is rumored that Raishan's lair was in the Stormpoint Mountains, and as of 812 PD treasure hunters in the eastern Mornset searching for said lair were not uncommon.