Mere of Dead Men

The Mere of Dead Men (or Merdelain, meaning "Slow Marching Court" in Elvish) is a swampy marsh on the Autumn Coast in the southeast of the Iluskan Valley.

The name "Mere of Dead Men" refers to the preserved bodies (and occasional undead) from the times of the first men that are found in the peaty bogs.

Geography
The Mere is located along the Autumn Coast in the southeast of the Iluskan Valley, approximately 80 miles east of Oldstone. It stretches from the shore into the rugged foothills of the Mistbreak Mountains, requiring travellers to traverse through the swamp on The High Road.

The stilted settlement of Leilion marks the halfway point through the bog and offers a resting place for those willing to pay the toll.

Description
The Mere of Dead Men is a cold saltwater swamp roughly 50 miles long by 30 miles wide along the shore. It is a desolate place full of monsters and strange beasts. Few members of the civilized races choose to call it home.

The Mere itself is full of trees, vines, quicksand, and hidden islands, and is generally covered in fog, making visibility very poor. The bones of fallen creatures are clearly visible throughout the Mere. The water is deep enough that it can be navigated on a flat-bottomed boat, but the dark water and hidden obstructions make that choice dangerous.

Inside the Mere are the flooded ruins of a long abandoned keep, named Uthtower

History
Although no firm records remain, it is believed that the Mere, before it was a mere, was settled by the first of the Illuskan arrivals. An ancient king built his home here, but when they went to war with the Wood Walkers and Children of the forest, some long forgotten sorcery caused the region to sink.