Antonica · EverQuest (original release)
Rivervale
The halflings’ hidden town at the head of a river, between the Misty Thicket and Kithicor: burrows and big inns, docks and farms, a church of mischief, and a welcome for anyone who is not evil.
A town in the vale
Rivervale lies in the centre of Antonica, between the Misty Thicket and Kithicor Forest. It is a quiet town, well hidden in the valley around a small lake that is the head of a river running through the continent. Tunnels bored through rock serve as its entrances, and the river leaves through a narrow gorge no one can pass.
The town has three parts: the town proper, where most people live; the docks; and the farms, where the druids work and the clergy pray. Allakhazam’s record names Tagglefoot’s Farm among them. The halfling guilds cover clerics, druids, paladins, rangers, rogues and warriors, and the artisan stations include a forge, kiln, loom, oven and pottery wheel.
Sources: EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Rivervale · Allakhazam: Rivervale (zone) · Project 1999 Wiki: Rivervale
Bristlebane’s people
The town’s religious house belongs to Bristlebane, the King of Thieves and patron of mischief, and Allakhazam places a Church of Mischief near the Kithicor side. The halflings’ wider story, and their ties to the druids of the vale, is told in Rivervale and the Halflings.
The people are easy to get along with. Most like to talk and will chat with anyone walking by. The exception is anyone evil, or working for evil: do not expect the town guard to welcome you.
Sources: EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Rivervale · Allakhazam: Rivervale (zone)
Burrows and a famous hearth
The EQ Atlas finds the town quaint: holes where halflings live and work, alongside larger buildings that seem made for taller folk, the local bar among them. One of the largest, best-kept inns in Norrath stands in this green glade, with a warm hearth for every passer-by.
Rivervale is also unusually rich in talking NPCs and quests, which the Kithicor guide praises as remarkably well developed.
Sources: EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Rivervale · Allakhazam: Kithicor Forest (zone)
Two doors out
One side opens through a narrow, well-hidden tunnel into Kithicor Forest, which is closer to the usual cross-continent road, sees more city travellers, and is much more dangerous. The other side opens onto the Misty Thicket, where many halflings make their homes; it is a little safer, though the land beyond the wall is best avoided by the young.
Through the Thicket, Clan Runnyeye and the Gorge of King Xorbb lie the alternate road to the plains of Karana and on to Qeynos.
Sources: EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Rivervale · EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Misty Thicket · Allakhazam: Kithicor Forest (zone)
Lore tied to this zone
Sources: EQ Atlas (eqatlas.ca): Rivervale · Allakhazam: Rivervale (zone) · Project 1999 Wiki: Rivervale