Graefmotte

Graefmotte
Culture Level	xxx
Ecology	xxx
Climate & Terrain	Forest, hill mountains
Year Formed	xxx
Population	430 living souls in the Village of Graefmotte.
Races (%)	Humans, halflings, half-elves, Shadar-Kai
Languages	Common
Religions	Erathis, (formerly) the Raven Queen
Government	Despotism
Ruler(s)	Lord Durven Graef
Darklord(s)	Lord Durven Graef
Nationality
Analog	xxx
Related Categories
Locations in Graefmotte
Transportation in Graefmotte
Inhabitants of Graefmotte
Former Inhabitants of Graefmotte
Flora of Graefmotte
Fauna of Graefmotte
Native Monsters of Graefmotte

Graefmotte is one of the Shadowfell domains detailed in the 4th Edition era of online Dragon Magazine (#375). As such, it is a domain existing with the Shadowfell and not directly connected to the canon of the Demiplane of Dread as it existed in 2nd Edition and 3rd Edition.

Introduction

The formation of Graefmotte occurred in the context of the demon invasion that felled Nerath in the Points of Light implied setting for 4th Edition. Lord Durven Graef, the future darklord of Graefmotte the domain, was a noble lord of a stretch of Nerath's frontier. Graefmotte's cowardice made him disloyal to the crown, forbidding his son, Geoffrey Graef, to leave for war against the gnolls. Repeated arguments eventually escalated to physical fisticuffs, ending with the felling of Geoffrey. Driven mad by the experience, Darven's neglect let gnoll invaders break in and overwhelm the Village of Graefmotte. When Darven gathered his forces, the gnolls were driven away, but he was mortally wounded. the Mists came in and took Darven Graef and his people to the Shadowfell.

Graefmotte exists as an echo of the decimated and empty ruins of its equivalent in the material plane. Unlike the original Graefmotte, the Shadowfell Domain has several generations living within its bleak confines.

Biology

Resources are short in Graefmotte, domesticated animals nonexistent, and even wildlife few and far between, having been nearly driven to extinction by starving townspeople. In addition to undead, gnolls and other savage humanoids stalk the dark recesses looking for prey, as do degenerate humans who have turned to cannibalism.

Geography

Two great peaks, collectively known as the Gloomcrag Mountains, reach so high that the sun shines fully upon the valley between the peaks during the midday only. This valley is filled with the bleak pine trees of the Ill Wood. A hill rises at the center of the Ill Wood, to which the Village of Graefmotte stretches vertically up with a single unnamed road slowly spiraling circularly upward to connect the "tiers" of the town. This land is so remote it is only the rare traveler that comes into town.

Population Distribution

430 living souls in the Village of Graefmotte (does not include undead, many whom dwell in the lower tiers of the village, emerging only at night

Towns

Village of Graefmotte

Authority

Lord Durven Graef is the leader of Graefmotte. Being a dictator in practice, he rules harshly with no tolerance for disobedience or disagreement.

Language & Culture

Common

Adventure Hooks

See Dragon Magazine #375 p. 75-76

The Hub

The group of fans known as the Fraternity of Shadows (Real World) have made this domain part of the Hub.