The South of Styria is shrouded in mostly rolling hills carpeted with occasional vineyards, though it is higher and more forested in the west, and slowly receeds into the great plain to the east. The Fischbacheralpen are a chain of mountains reaching about 5000 ft which lie just south of the Murz river and stretch towards Wiener Neustadt and Sopron to the northwest. South and below them lie the rolling hills and valleys of the Styrian hills.
A
deep cave in the Styrian hills which lies a scant 15 miles due east of Rabenstein
(the single known entrance is a thatch- and brush-covered opening overlooking
the western bank of the Raab river). Inside the cavern there are virtual
forests of stalactites and stalagmites, dubbed the Phantasiehälle
(see photo), and an underground lake called the Seeparadies,
in which stalactites stand reflected in the still water.
Local legends suggest that the cave is haunted, and during a cursory exploration in 1204, Gustav and Capra of Rabenstein discovered that a few of the blind fish within the lake harbored Intellego vis. They also discovered the zombie-like body of a Roman soldier who roamed the passages within the Katerloch (whom they reckoned was at least 800 years old). For additional information, refer to the adventure summary Discovery of Katerloch Cavern. Future visitors to the Katerloch from Rabenstein should be wary of this monster's presence. A second, smaller cave called the Grasslhöhle, lies just downriver from the Katerloch. Unlike the Katerloch, it is a dry cave whose walls are much more unstable and hence dangerous. It is not known whether this small cavern connects to the Katerloch.
A smaller cave nearby the Katerloch, also overlooking the Raab river. It is more dangerous because of its unstable walls.
A small set of hot springs near the Hungarian border, which are often sought for their medicinal quality (local legends tell of their ability to soothe pains and cure skin afflictions). Original Roman baths can still be found around the springs, which possess a water temperature of 83 degrees Farenheit. Although they lie only 37 miles east of Graz, attempts to found a village nearby have proven too difficult, particularly due to the close proximity of the infamous Schloss Kapfenstein.
The castle that is home to the infamous Raubritter (the robber knights). Little more than gangsters, these rouge soldiers are known descend upon hapless travelers and relieve them of their valuables. Since the castle lies merely 6 miles east of Bad Gleichenberg, the Raubritter are known to frequent its soothing hot springs, particularly during winter.
An important trading center along the Hungarian border and the only sizable town in the Styrian hills, Feldbach is located about 7 miles north of Bad Gleichenberg on the Raab river. Its triangular market square is unique, with a town wall serving to anchor individual houses (a famous passageway runs through the wall connecting each house, enabling quick and safe movement of the town's defenders).
A large stalactite and stalagmite cave with a small underground lake, located only 12 1/2 miles east of Graz.
A mighty fortress in the Styrian Hills, sitting on top of a basalt cliff that rises abruptly from the village of the same name. The castle is still under constrution, perched atop old Roman ruins, and should be completed about 1220. The architecture is quite dull, but the inner courtyard has an impressive iron grillework, and can harbor a large army. Its lord is Naughty Lady Liesl*, who was too busy to entertain Magi of Rabenstein during their brief stay at the castle in 1206. Her butler Sir Gilgen dutifully rules the fortress in her absence, and along with most of the knights here, believes the mystics of Rabenstein to be the humble servants of the Castellan of Graz.
Riegersburg Castle
The village below dates back to Celtic times, situated partway up the slope to the new castle. Riegersburg lies along the road from Bad Radkersburg to Wien, about 7 miles northeast of the town of Feldbach (placing it about 20 miles east of Graz).
*Historical anecdote - 'Naughty Lady Liesl' is a real person. She was the original lord of the fortress in the early 13th Century, and earned her dubious nickname due to her robust lifestyle. Riegersburg will go on to be one of the mightiest Christian bastions against the Turks in future centuries.
This lake's waters are warm and salty, its shore completely surrounded by a thick belt of reeds. Many varieties of bird live amidst the reeds, including wild duck and geese, gulls, egrets, storks, waterhens, herons, etc. There is no outflow from the lake, though prevailing winds can blow the water like a tide to shift more to one side than the other. Although the lake is over 120 square miles, it is only about 7 feet deep throughout.
Legend has it that once the lake simply disappeared, then reappeared in a few years. In the winter it ices over because it is so shallow. To the east of the waters are many pools, which produces magical images and mirages which have the power of prophecy according to locals.
A village on the western bank of the reed-marshes of the Neusiedler See. Storks roost in nearly every chimney, and wine-making is the way of life here (though opposed to those of the nearby Burgenland, primarliy red wines are produced here). Several of Rabenstein's soldiers have come from this little town, though they have all met with misfortune so far. Due to the presence of Magi of Rabenstein here during the winter of 1201 (see the adventure summary Wings Across the Neusiedler See), villagers of Rust now pass along strange tales of the wizards of Burgrabenstein.
Rust
This village sits on the western shore of the lake, well-known like much of the region for its red wine. South of the town are reed-beds and marshes which denote the boundary of the Empire with Hungary. Yellowish soil permeates the countryside, and Rust lies about 5 miles north along the lake shore. Like much of the lakeside, wide grassy stretches filled with cattle and oxen surround the village.
Mörbisch am See
Sir Meinhart Heinfeld was formerly the Marshall here, a cousin of Castellan Otto of Graz. He quartered an expedition from Rabenstein during their winter here in 1201 (see the adventure summary Wings Across the Neusiedler See) before his unfortunate death at the hands of Magyars several years later (see the adventure summary Fool Me Once, Shame on You). The identity of the new Marshall is unkown. Unknown to the Order, the church at Mörbisch is also the burial site of an apprentice from Valcum Covenant of Hungary that was slain in battle with Magi of Rabenstein.
This page last modified on 2/8/98.
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