Regarding the importance of the the type of landscape:
In short, it depends. ;P Many readers will identify a Northwestern US landscape as precisely that, which may pull them away from the fantasy setting as it is remarkably different from the old world. Unless you specifically root your setting in local tradition it will seem out of place, and to some that will make a great deal of difference. I think it's a non-trivial decision, but what is more important? Protraying a landscape you are familiar with and therefore can do accurately, or using one you don't know so well but that more people associate with high fantasy?
That said, it will very likely not matter at all for those not familiar with the Pacific Northwest, or even for most of those that are.
no subject
In short, it depends. ;P Many readers will identify a Northwestern US landscape as precisely that, which may pull them away from the fantasy setting as it is remarkably different from the old world. Unless you specifically root your setting in local tradition it will seem out of place, and to some that will make a great deal of difference. I think it's a non-trivial decision, but what is more important? Protraying a landscape you are familiar with and therefore can do accurately, or using one you don't know so well but that more people associate with high fantasy?
That said, it will very likely not matter at all for those not familiar with the Pacific Northwest, or even for most of those that are.