The border between the Domain of Greyhawk and Duchy of Urnst lies in the Cairn Hills, rugged uplands dotted with hundreds of tombs and burial grounds, the remnants of a bygone era. Most crypts were explored long ago, the wealth excavated from them accounting for the first “treasure boom” that thrust a trading post named Greyhawk into urban greatness. The hills are home to thousands of gnomes, halflings, dwarves, and humans, some of the latter group as bandits and troublemakers. The region’s major products are wool and fine gems, especially rubies, emeralds, and diamonds. Greyhawk controls much of this area now; part of the southern hill country once owned by the Duchy of Urnst was ceded to Greyhawk in 584 CY, an illadvised decision in the best light. Treasure hunters continue to explore the hills in search of any number of lost tombs and cairns, particularly the legendary fifth Star Cairn, so named because sages expect its alignment with four known tombs traces a star pattern, and the bizarre Silver Metal Cairn, where metal tools of unknown origin and use are said to have been found.

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