Das Tal wirkt ruhig, obwohl die Einwohner dort ein großes Abenteuer planen.

The valley seems quiet although the inhabitants are planning a big adventure there.

Breakdown of Das Tal wirkt ruhig, obwohl die Einwohner dort ein großes Abenteuer planen.

• dort: there
• ruhig: quiet
• groß: big
• planen: to plan

Questions & Answers about Das Tal wirkt ruhig, obwohl die Einwohner dort ein großes Abenteuer planen.

What is the function and meaning of wirkt in this sentence?

Wirkt is the 3rd person singular present form of the verb wirken, which here means “to appear” or “to seem.” So Das Tal wirkt ruhig literally means “The valley appears calm.”

Why is there a comma before obwohl?

In German, a comma is required before any subordinate clause introduced by a subordinating conjunction such as obwohl (“although”). The pattern is:
main clause, subordinate clause.

Why does the verb planen move to the end of the subordinate clause?

Because obwohl is a subordinating conjunction, it pushes the finite verb to the end of its clause. That’s why you get:
…, obwohl die Einwohner dort ein großes Abenteuer planen.

What case is ein großes Abenteuer and how do I recognize it?

Ein großes Abenteuer is in the accusative case, serving as the direct object of planen (“to plan something”). You recognize it because:

• planen is a transitive verb requiring an object.
• The adjective ending -es indicates neuter accusative (see next question).