D&D Character background

To help you out with some general character and setting background:

Your characters have spent much of their time in the walled town of Fallcrest, located in the center of the Nentir Vale. It is one of the largest towns in the vale and is situated between the Cloak Wood and the Moon Hills along the Nentir River. Fallcrest has a prominent shipping industry and exports timber, leather, fruit and grain. It has connections with the dwarf town of Hammerfast, where it gets iron goods and the small town of Winterhaven. Fallcrest is not well traveled but occasional foreigners can be found trading in the markets. There are several inns and taverns in the town. Fallcrest is very much like a medieval fantasy town, but in disrepair.

Outside the town you will find a variety of ruins of the old Nerath empire destoryed by the Bloodspear orcs nearly a century ago. The countryside is dotted with abandoned forts, manor houses and other forgotten buildings. Terrain is generally clear but there are large areas of hills in the north-central part of the vale. Rivers drain into the southern Witchlight Fens. Dragonborn and Eladrin are not native to the area, but dragonborn are sometimes seen as hired guards of caravans. Eladrin were present long ago but have abandoned their manor houses after the war with the orcs. Human, halflings and dwarves are the most numerous races in the area.

Your characters are seeking news of their old mentor, a man named Douven Staul. He left three months ago after uncovering a map depicting a dragon's tomb in the region around Winterhaven. Douven Staul is an explorer of old ruins have had trained you for a life of adventure. You fear the worst and have set out along the King's Road to Winterhaven to investigate.

For more information on the Nentir Vale and the town of Fallcrest those of you with access to the Dungeon Master's Guide can skim through Chapter 11, Fallcrest.