The settlement of Sanctuary is situated within a valley known as the Cradle, bordered by mountain ranges on the west and east, with sprawling desolate wasteland to the north and dense forest to the south.

This mountainous area sits betwixt warring nations and is a neutral zone of sorts, as the harsh landscape is formidable and not easily claimed. The Cradle, for the time being, remains undiscovered save by its small population of exiles and outcasts.

This fledgling society lacks any true leader or ruling council. Truth be told, most of the settlers have little desire to share their dark pasts with others, and keep to themselves for the most part. When a crime of particular infamy is committed, however, the individual is banished to the wastelands - a sentence far worse than death. Particular roles, such as scouts and guards, are filled on a volunteer basis, whilst less scrupulous types are known to sell their services in times of dire need.

Sanctuary was founded only recently, on the sprawling ruins of an ancient civilization. The origins of the ruins remain unknown; the many runes and hieroglyphics which adorn them, yet to be deciphered. Whilst some of the crumbling buildings have been restored to a degree, the majority of Sanctuary's citizens have chosen to erect their own dwellings to the south of the ruins on the western side of the River Shein, which cleaves the valley in two. At the centre of the village is a bonfire, which serves as a meeting place, the southern fringe of the village is a marketplace, where merchants attempt to scrape a living from their meager wares - as often by batering as by monetary exchange. Supply expeditions are lengthy and dangerous at the best of times, but sometimes necessary due to the hostile and isolated environment.

On the eastern side of the river, opposite the ruins is an unkempt graveyard, whilst the southern portion is desolate scrubland, sometimes used for sparring and training. The River Shein itself is birthed from an underground cavern in the northern foothills, the source of which forms a crystal clear pool.

The mountainous walls of the valley are riddled with caves which appear to form a network of labyrinthine passages throughout, though the length and depth of these tunnels has not yet been established. Many of the tunnels have collapsed, and the dark, oft times airless passages are not for the faint of heart.

Several known breeds of hostile creatures live within the mountains and its black bloodless veins, from what scant reports have come back. Chief amongst these are Maulers � quadrupeds which appear as a cross between hyenas and sabretooth tigers, possessing vicious fangs and powerful forequarters. For the most part, their territory is confined to the mountain ranges, however a few have been seen prowling amongst the scrublands.

Amongst the Cradle�s insect population are Seethers, which seem to be little more than overgrown crimson wasps with an elongated, lancelike stinger. Their true weapon however is the sound that their serrated wings can produce, akin to the piercing whine of a chainsaw, which is used to disorientate and paralyze its prey.

The northern wastes, with its shifting sands and jagged rocks, lack any typical land-dwelling beasts, rather its skies are scoured by ferocious flying reptiles, known as Chasers. With sleek, streamlined forms and several pairs of stabalizing wings, their terrifying agility and ferociousness is only counterbalanced by their poor eyesight.

Besides the ever-present threat of discovery and invasion by neighbouring nations, and the danger posed by the aggressive creatures which reside nearby, the greatest source of trepidation comes from within the Cradle itself. Some swear that they have heard or witnessed things which defy logical explanation - sudden gusts of bone-chilling wind, the laughter of children, even spectres. They say the ruins are haunted, and that its former residents mean to do away with the interlopers. Others scoff at such claims, believing them to be little more than rumours, kindled and spread by the weak-minded. Whichever should prove to be the case, many now wonder whether the Cradle truly is the �sanctuary� it was intended to be.