Starshard

Starshard (The Divide)

The Starshard is the central section of the pass between Ironwind Pass and The Frostveil Breach, a towering geological feature that marks the highest point of the journey over The Starshard Traverse. This massive mountain, glowing like a star, with sharp spires, is visible from miles away and serves as a navigational landmark for travelers. The path here narrows dangerously as it skirts the Shard’s base, with sheer cliffs and unstable ground making it the most perilous section of the pass. A dwarven legend speaks of a hidden forge within the Starshard, where an ancient smith crafted weapons imbued with starlight, but no one has found evidence of this and lived to tell about it.

Geography and Features:

• Length: About 10 miles, taking 1 day to traverse due to the slow, careful pace required.
• Terrain: The path becomes a narrow ledge, sometimes only 3-5 feet wide, with a 500-foot drop on one side and the Shard’s steep slopes on the other. Loose shale and icy patches make footing treacherous.
• The Shard Itself: The Starshard rises 2,000 feet above the pass, its spires glinting with ice. A narrow trail leads to a cave halfway up the shard, rumored to hold ancient magical secrets.
• Weather: The high altitude brings freezing temperatures and thin air. Blizzards are common, reducing visibility to 10 feet.

Dangers:

• Treacherous Ledges: The narrow path requires a caution to navigate safely, especially in a blizzard. A fall means a 500-foot drop.
• Avalanches and Slides: The Shard’s steep slopes are prone to avalanches and gem/stone slides. Travelers must take care to avoid being buried which could be fatal so far from help.
• Stone Raptors: The Shard is a nesting ground for stone raptors, small draconic creatures that swoop down to steal gear or attack. They use the cliffs for cover while winds often mask the sound of their approach.

Quest Hook:

• The Shards’s Secret: A dwarven legend speaks of a hidden forge within the Starshard, where an ancient smith crafted weapons imbued with starlight. The party discovers a cave entrance on the Shard’s slopes, but it’s guarded by stone raptors. Inside, they find the forge—along with a spectral dwarven smith (a ghost, CR 4) who demands they prove their worth through a test of crafting or combat. Success grants them a magical weapon (like a +1 hammer that glows faintly in the dark), but failure angers the spirit.