Barbarian Altanis: a land of mighty-thewed barbarians, seductive sorceresses, sinister Necromancers, laughing Rogues, foul Serpent-Men, and brutal Orcs. A land of warm winds and sudden storm. A land littered with the ruins of fallen empires and better days. It is a rough, violent land, where the strength of one’s sword or spell counts for more than any laws. It is a land of high adventure.
LINK TO PC Roster 4453 BCCC
PC Start Level is half highest level, rounded down.
LINK TO PC CREATION & RULES
LINK TO ARDEN VUL & GOSTERWICK campaign
Making Magic Items - eg level 1 Scroll 25gp & 1 day, level 2 scroll 250gp & 3 days
Crafting Magic Weapons - eg +1 warhammer 200gp
Crafting Magic Armour - a +1 shield costs 400gp
Downtime revisited (XGTE) inc crafting, carousing, crime, gambling, training tool profs
Downtime - Sacred Rites: (house rule): This grants 1 indefinite Inspiration, once per Downtime.
Notes on Running a Business
Acquiring a typical business costs 5,000gp. Standard daily Maintenance Cost is 2gp. Spending all Work Weeks on running the business is enough for the +30 bonus on the d% roll each month, allowing some time for adventuring etc. Comfortable lifestyle expenses are included.
Mundane Crafting Rates
PB+2: 10gp per work day, 50gp per week
PB+3: ", 50gp per work day for item worth 100gp+, 250gp per week
PB+4: " ", 100gp per work day for item worth 200gp+, 500gp per week
PB+5: " " ", 200gp per work day for item worth 400gp+, 1000gp per week
PB+6: " " " ", 500gp per work day for item worth 1000gp+, 2500gp per week
Current Game Year: 4454 BCCC (AD 202X = BCCC 445X)
SEASONS
1) Dry: M1-M4 Warm-temperate, breezy, dry, sunny.
(2) Wet: M5-M Muggy, rainy & humid, with frequent storms.
(3) Wet
(4) Dry
The Ghinarian Hills lie a little south of the equator. The shortest day is 21/6, about 10 hours 7am-5pm, while the longest day is 21/12, about 14 hours 5am-7pm.
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| Ghinarian Hills 4452 BCCC. 1 hex = 1 mile |
Earth Year - Wilderlands Year
AD 2003-10 = 4433 BCCC
AD 2004 3e D&D Player's Guide to the Wilderlands published.
AD 2005 3e Wilderlands of High Fantasy published.
AD 2006 The Slavemaster's Party
AD 2007 Iris Van Kennis visits the CSIO
AD 2009 Moffet Manglemaimer fights Kaystar Saru for the Ilhiedrin Codex.
AD 2010 Malenn & Deod in CSIO.
AD 2011-12 = 4434-43 BCCC: Varek Tigerclaw smashes the Arang-Tok, is killed by Borritt Crowfinger, Sack of Bisgen & Rise of Neo-Nerath BCCC. 4439 BCCC: Death of Tizun Thane
AD 2013-4 = 44444 BCCC: Jana Vex meets Lance Harcourt, goes to Golarion
AD 2015 = 4445 BCCC: Jana Vex returns, Hakeem begins his adventures
AD 2016 = 4446 BCCC: Closing of the Black Sun Gate, Fall of Yusan, Oriax flees. Birth of Hassan, son of Hakeem. Full moons 4446: 21/10, 18/11, 16/12. 4447: 13/1, 10/2, 8/3, 5/4, 3/5, 1/6.
AD 2017/18 = 4447 BCCC: Destuction of the First King in the Caverns of Thracia. 3/4/47 At Hara Hakeem slays Kainos Warbringer, Shieldbiter slays the Cormarrin Princes. 29/4/4447 Borritt Crowfinger destroyed by Hakeem, Neo-Nerath ended. Kingdom of Altanis-Nerath proclaimed, with Hakeem as Regent. His infant son Hassan will marry Eratha Bronze of Hara, and rule when of age. 10/8/47 Hakeem resigns, Lord Namelin Bronze of Hara becomes King-Regent of Altani-Nerath, appointing Minars Rappak as Vice Regent/Commander of the Altanian Host/Warden of Nerra. Then Hakeem returns to Nerra 15/8/47 and falls out with Bronze, angry at his presumption. 18/8/47 Malenn declared Golden Queen of Ahyf. 20/8/47 Hakeem Godslayer vanishes, apparently having undergone Divine Ascension. 21/8/47 Namelin Bronze declared King of Nerath, the restored kingdom centred on Hara. 12/9/47 coronation of King Bronze.
AD 2018 = 4448 BCCC. End of Wet Season: 1/4/2018 = 1/4/4448. M7/48: Skandiks defeat Overlord's fleet near Sea Rune, Alkazed kills Archpriest Thuruar. M8 Skandik invasion fleet on the Roglaroon near Modron destroyed by hurricane-force storm. Modron claims this is the work of their new Archmage.
AD 2019 = 4449 BCCC.
AD 2018 = 4448 BCCC. End of Wet Season: 1/4/2018 = 1/4/4448. M7/48: Skandiks defeat Overlord's fleet near Sea Rune, Alkazed kills Archpriest Thuruar. M8 Skandik invasion fleet on the Roglaroon near Modron destroyed by hurricane-force storm. Modron claims this is the work of their new Archmage.
AD 2019 = 4449 BCCC.
6/1/49: Beneath Trolltooth Ridge in caves west of Stonehell, Sandro & Danor Gordak flee mountain trolls, leaving Talakan to die, but he turns into a bird and only flies away.
12-19/2/49: Talalakan Tzapachi & co find great wealth in Stonehell.
Shieldbiter is absent for 7 months on the Astral plane after an incident on Golarion with a bag of holding.
AD 2020 = 4450 BCCC Shieldbiter defeats the black dragons of the marshes beyond Bisgen, and adds their territory to Nerath. He is granted Bisgen by King Bronze, but shows little interest in the town.
AD 2021 = 4451 BCCC Shieldbiter establishes relations with the Amiondel Elves in the Claws of Oricha. Travelling north he subdues the red dragon Xathragot, and takes most of her treasure.
13/12/4451 BCCC: Hytirus Vex returns to Selatine with Ralluan mercenaries and conquers the village, exiling his sister Jana Vex, and killing or enslaving her followers.
AD 2022 = 4452 BCCC M1-3: Set on revenge, Jana Vex trains in martial arts with the monks of Sun Soul Spire. M3: The dying Archmage Dyson Logos, knowing he has only a few weeks remaining, retires from Hara to the Earth Womb beneath Dyson's Delve, "to sleep until Nerath has need of him again".
AD 2022 = 4452 BCCC M1-3: Set on revenge, Jana Vex trains in martial arts with the monks of Sun Soul Spire. M3: The dying Archmage Dyson Logos, knowing he has only a few weeks remaining, retires from Hara to the Earth Womb beneath Dyson's Delve, "to sleep until Nerath has need of him again".
Wilderlands 4452 BCCC Session Accounts: Erdea Manor
Session 1 18-19/M4: Bright Star & co investigate rumours of ogres returned to Erdea Manor. Session 2 19/M4 Session 3 19/4 Vera the Ogre killed. Session 4 27/M5 Session 5 Session 6 ...Final Deep Ones defeated.
7/7/52 (8/7/22 IRL): Level 3 - kill 2 wererats, discover catfish illusion, descend & explore level 4, magic mists, open the great doors, slay the One-Horned Ogre. Rest & train. Talaktakan crafts scrolls.
21/7/52 (21-8/7/22 IRL): Erdea Manor level 4 - defeat Ghostwalk Spiders, destroy the spectre of Hevroth Erde.
4/8/52 (4/8/22 IRL): At the Goat's Head Inn, Lazlo the Fighter recruits Maglor & Stod, together the trio save Kim Goodkind from the Black Sun Necromancer Oreioth at Lance Rock.
11/8/52 (11/8/22 IRL): Heroes defeat the powerful Erde Noble Ghouls in the depths of the Erdea Caverns.
25-26/8/52 (25/8/22 IRL): Orc brigands occupying Rivergard Keep are attacked and defeated, survivors surrender to Talaktakan and are taken to Stonehell to serve Yig. Slave girls and an old man are rescued, most are willing to serve the keep's new masters. The Sword Knight Stod becomes Thegn of Rivergard.
 Jana Vex in Altani garb |
"Greetings Lord Lazlo! I am Lady Jana Vex, true ruler of Selatine. We met briefly when I once travelled with Bright Star of the Cat Folk. I have come to seek your aid in freeing my land from my traitorous brother Hytirus. As the purported lord of Selatine, he has bent the knee to the monstrous Three Eyed King of Stonehell, and now exacts a heavy tribute from my poor folk. I beseech thee and Lord Talaktakan to free Selatine from Hytirus. In return, if you wish, I offer you my hand in marriage, as joint lords of Selatine. I have a dream that together we can make Selatine the reborn heart of a shining realm dedicated to the union of our gods,Yig and Mitra. What say thee?"
M1-M9 4454 BCCC
Talaktakan swiftly solves the Vexing issue by killing Jana and using Kionin magic/tech to Raise her in the body of a 16 year old girl (Cleric 1), giving her a Return to Innocence. Lord Hytirus Vex is most grateful. Blesssed be the Mercy of Yig.
Talaktakan with the forces of the Temple of Yig launches a massive combined surprise assault on the Three Eyed King and destroys him. The allied Lord of the Fire Giants is lost in the battle, and his daughter becomes Giant Queen, allied to Talaktakan.
Talaktakan and Laszlo defeat the vampires of Level 9, taking the survivors as vassals, then descend into Level 10, conquering the Temple of the Unraveller. They encounter Jane Poole's mage lover Vex and send him to Faerun, uniting the pair at last.
18/9/4454 BCCC: The End. Talaktakan with the aid of Laszlo destroys the Nixthisis and secures control of Stonehell, establishing the Stonehell Council. Members include the Vrilya, Fire Giants, and the Plated Mage, with the Kobold Merchants having an observer seat.
finis
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| Shieldbiter the Dragonborn |
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| The Ghinarian Coast |
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| Altanis, ca late 4450 BCCC |
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| Ghinarian Hills 15 miles/hex |
Dominion Rules - 'Fields of Blood' Conversion
PC rulers can take 1 standard 'regent action' and 1 standard 'realm action' per month in addition to normal play, plus any number of free actions, examples given are Annex Land (take over an area and build settlements), assign generals, bank income, cast realm spell, creat formation, declare peace, declare war, espionage, forge alliance, muster troops, sacrifice, train troops, buy improvement etc. Actions typically take 1 Season (3 months) to resolve.
Ghinarian Hills Eastern Provinces, Resource Production per Season.
Hex
3229 Clear Meadows - Coastal Village with Fishmarket, 375-100=275 RP
3233 Citadel of Water - Plains Thorpe with Castle (1), 100 RP
3329 Ahyf - Coastal Small Town with Castle, Marketplace, Fishing Fleet, 900-200=700 RP
3330 Ahyf area - Hill Thorpe, 50 RP
3331 Hills, Goblins
3332 Kalmisj - Hill Thorpe, 50 RP
3333 Ghutaris - Hill Thorpe, 50 RP
3429 Ahyf area, Coast Thorpe 75 RP
3430 Hills, Gnolls
3431 Bratanis - Hill Thorpe, 50 RP
3431 Stonehell - Underground Thorpe (Temple of Yig) Level 1 Divine Realm Source, 25 RP
3432 St Ulther's Lighthouse (Amazons) - Coast Thorpe, 75 RP
3433 Lygol - Coast Thorpe, 75 RP
3530 Coast, Ruins of 'Trade'
3531 Verius & Theber - Plains Hamlet, 200-50=200 RP
3532 Selatine - Coastal Thorpe with Fishing Fleet, 75x1.5= 112 RP
3629 Coast
Input 500gp converts to 1 RP
This
campaign is set in the Arcadian expanses of the wild Ghinarian
Hills, in eastern Altanis. Rumours abound of the Lost City of Thracia, roamed
by degenerate savages and savage Beastmen. To the west, beyond the Castellan mountains, the Necromancers of Neo-Nerath
plot in fallen Bisgen.
Pazidan Peninsula: is the chief geographic feature of the northern Wilderlands. Running from the Estuary of the Roglaroon in the north to the fingers of Oricha in the south, the Pazidan Peninsula was once home to the legendary Orichalan Dragon Lords, who were hunted into near extinction by the Altanians after the fall of their Empire of Glorious Doomfire. In many places, such as the Carnelian Plains, the soil of the peninsula is rich and red—like the color of the skin of the hardy nomadic barbarians who wander the region in their animal clans. The peninsula is criss-crossed with many ancient roads, some built long ago by the Empire of Kelnore, which have yet withstood the weathering of the ages.
ALTANIS CLIMATE
Prevailing winds are Westerly, shifting from generally NW (equatorial) in Wet Season M10-M3, to SW in Dry Season M4-M8. Climate west of the Castellan Mountains ranges from subtropical savanna in the south to stretches of tropical rain forest in the Lagoldurna Jungle close to the equator. As air reaches the mountains from the west it rises and cools, with much precipitation, including regular snow at the highest peaks. East of the mountains is cooled by this dry, cool air, creating a generally Mediterranean climate, ranging towards subtropical at the equator around Eyestones Jungle. This rain forest is found along the sea coast, but is generally cooler and drier than rain forest west of the mountains.
Zones rich in Magicum deposits may be significantly cooler, eg the Antil-Actuan area and Onhir-Zothay.
The Ghinarian Hills (Gentle Hills, Wet): This highland stretches from the Cedarwade in the west all the way to the coast and the Cape of No Return in the east. Beautiful and pastoral hills give a breathtaking view of the sea. An ancient mausoleum, dedicated to Belaras, a hero slain in the service of Mitra-Apollo, serves as a testing grounds for paladins and clerics. Hunting parties of transparent-fleshed nocturnal humans ("ghuls"), as well as the most evil and hardened heretics, make such a quest more perilous. Encounters: ghuls, pilgrims, berserkers.
The Vale: Until 44446 BCCC the once-peaceful Vale between the Ghinarian Hills and the River of Visions to the south was home to some of the worst outlaws, criminals and outcasts of the Altanian tribes, who sought refuge here in this buffer
territory between Altanis and the lands of Oricha. With the defeat of Yusan and the Brigand Lords by Hakeem's allied forces in 4446, the land has been recovering.
Castellan Mountains: A gigantic sculpture of a sleeping Stone Giant sprawls along the lower eastern elevations of this mountain chain. Orcs have taken residence in many ruined citadels. Renowned for water falls emptying into wetland valleys. Most have never been explored due to the sheer cliffs. Natural caves abound. The gnomes of Ractuan mine lead and make a meager living, while holding their pass against the undead & orc legions of the Empire of Neo-Nerath to the west. Encounters: orc bands, basilisks, vrock demons, stone giants.
Cedarwade, River (Rough Aquatic): This river travels roughly 60 miles before it fractures into several smaller streams in the Castellan foothills. Silver is often panned here. Encounters: prospectors.
Madcat Mountain (Rugged Mountains): Named for the twin spires that jut out of the peak of this mountain. The summit is approximately 10,000 feet in height. Extensive vaults beneath the mountain are said to hold sleeping metal warriors left over from the Uttermost War.
From 'The Southlands Canpaign' Day 23 (8/7/4434): "The group rest overnight in the Skydome tower. Bulwark is joined by Saryth, recovered from her wound, and by the warlock Megaera, who now sports small horns and a forked tail. The three of them leave to escort the two Gishmesh slaves home and then explore the Warforged crypts said to lie beneath Madcat mountain. The Altanian heroes Rameses and Varek remain, planning to explore the pits beneath the Skydome before taking Lyssana home to her people; however Rameses develops a high fever, the consequence of his wounds suffered against the orcs."
M1 4446 BCCC: Recent rumour has it that the Warforged 'steel men' of Madcat Mountain have been awakened by one of their own, Lord Bulwark, and that he now leads them in battle against the forces of Neo-Nerath.
M12 44446: Report reaches Thusia that the demigod Kainos the Warbringer has cast open Madcat Mountain, defeated the Warforged, and scattered their Altanian allies.
Weather: The Ghinarian Hills are warm, temperate to subtropical, with the eastern coasts cooled by a refreshing sea breeze. M4-M9 are dry and warm-temperate, little rain falls. The 'wet season' usually begins in M10, with warm rains and frequent lightning storms, and lasts through M3. The wet season is mostly hot and humid.
After a half-day's trek the forest parts to reveal great redstone cliffs rising ahead, three hundred feet high. The Thrace River cascades down falls from the top of the cliffs to the forest floor below, where the marble ruins of the lost city spread out around a central canal. A branch of the canal leads north into an expanse of swamp, which extends for miles north.
Once one of the Ghinoran Successor States, Thracia was established ca 150 BCCC, in the aftermath of the fall of the original Orichalan Dragon Empire (ca -2900 to -575 BCCC) and subsequent Rise of Ghinor (-450 to 350 BCCC). Thracia was founded as a major centre of trade between Barbarian Altanis and the Ghinoran heartlands across the southern ocean. The founding of Thracia involved the killing or expulsion of Orichalan-worshipping Lizardman tribes from the coastal marshes and plains along what is now the eastern coast of the Ghinarian Hills.
Thracia flourished for many centuries, at times vassal to but ultimately outliving both the Kingdom of Kelnore (500-1400) and the evil Empire of Glorious Doomfire (1400-2450), until weakened by degeneracy and internal rebellion (ca 3400-3500 BCCC). She is said to have finally fallen to barbarian invasion over 800 years ago (ca 3600 BCCC), a century before the rise of the Empire of Nerath (3700-4197). Nerath eventually defeated the Death-worshipping barbarians and drove them underground, but never conquered the undercity.
Today, Thracia is still inhabited by death-worshipping savages known as the Deathwalkers (thought to be a degenerate mix of Altanian & Ghinoran stock), and by Beastmen said to be remnants of the Gnoll Times that destroyed the Alryran-Nerathi kingdom in 4197 BCCC. The two groups are frequently at war. Thracia is rumoured to have extensive underground dungeons and caverns. Raiding Beastmen and Deathwalkers from Thracia sometimes attack travellers in the surrounding countryside, but rarely venture against fortified settlements, the last big raid having been against Selatine by the Beastmen in M5 4444 BCCC.
"Kogor's the name - just returned from exploring the northeastern ruins of Thracia, where I battled giant rats and a zombie Deathwalker - once a priest I reckon. The Deathwalkers' surface holdings have been overrun by the Beastmen, all is slaughter and death there."
End M2 4447: The Deathwalkers have been wiped out - except one, Vuthrik, who serves Jana Vex of Selatine alongside Epicaste. The Lizardmen have been gathered up by Lord Shieldbiter and taken north to Trade. That leaves only the Beastmen as masters of Thracia.
The ruined Shrine of Saint Ulther the Lighthousekeeper, sacred to both Ghinoran and Nerathi, stands atop a cliff spur eight miles southwest from Selatine, and three miles north
of Oriax's Tower (the Lighthouse), where the cliffs lower to below 50'. A deep and lightless gorge cloaked in brambles runs to the east of the cliffs, and there is rumoured to be an entrance to the deep tunnels there, but the southern approach is easy via either a cave at the base of the cliffs, or a trail up from a spot just east of the cave mouth to the clifftop shrine above, where a spiral stair leads down into the crypts.
St Ulther's own tomb lies on the first level, still sealed after perhaps four centuries (ca 4050 BCCC). Ulther is said to have been a Cleric of the Lord of Light - Pelor, Apollo, and/or Mitra, depending on who you listen to. He lived during the Glory of Nerath. Legend has it that he restored the functioning of the ancient Lighthouse, that is now the Tower of Oriax. It still shines today, and over the centuries since has doubtless saved hundreds of ships from the
deadly reefs offshore.
There are said to be extensive dungeons beneath the Crypts, known as Dyson's Delve after the mad Nerathi Archmage Dyson Logos, supposedly one of the legendary Founders of Nerath (ca 3700 BCCC). Before his madness Dyson aided Magroth, First King of Nerath, to slay the ancient gold dragon Ayunken-vanzen, to found the City of Nera, and to Light the Flame Imperishable on the highest rampart of Nera's royal palace. It is said that Dyson's fire magics were also instrumental in Nerath's early victories over the Deathwalker death-cultists of Thracia, who once ravaged the Ghinarian hills, taking countless sacrifices for their dark god. The Archmage and the Army of Nerath combined with the Ghinarians to drive the Deathwalkers from their surface holdings, down into the darkness beneath the ruined city (3720, est.). In later years Dyson is said to have grown crazed, and to have created the tunnels of the Delve in his quest for a power node that myth calls the Heart of Elemental Chaos (3750, est.). It is unknown if he ever succeeded, or what ultimately became of him.
Rumour M12/4446: The Orichalan Dragon Lords carved out the lower levels of Dyson's Delve. The Black Sun of Neo-Nerath were in Dyson's Delve! - were they seeking the Heart of Elemental Chaos? Dyson still lives - as a Dragon served by troglodytes!
13/2/4447 Dyson Logos has been found in the enchanted Earth-Womb above the Sunless Sea, deep beneath Dyson's Delve, a gargantuan brass dragon with the radiant Heart of Elemental Chaos embedded in his breast. He seems relatively sane, and Anna Bronze of Hara has persuaded him to join her against the Black Sun. Dyson caused great damage to the dungeon as he climbed out of it on his way to Thusia & Hara.
17/5/47 Having united the warring Altani & Nerathi peoples, Dyson Logos returns to his Delve, to sleep again the sleep of centuries...
3) STONEHELL
Origin: Nerathi-Alryan, ca 4140 BCCC
Said to be a prison created by a Vizier in service to King Magrathor V of Nerath 300 years ago (ca 4141 BCCC), used for dark experiments for 30 years, until King Magrathor and the Mad Vizier Lokanthus were overthrown by the young Prince Elidyr, Last King of Nerath, in 4171 BCCC. Following the Vizier's overthrow and subsequent Fall of Nerath to the White Ruin gnoll horde in 4197 BCCC, the prison was abandoned and fell into disuse. Largely forgotten for over 2 centuries, it has recently become active again...
Stonehell Maps
4. Erdea Manor
Origin: Nerathi-Alryan, ca 4000 BCCC?
Rakni the Dwarf 25/5/47: "Came north from Mazorgog with my mates, seeking the ruins of Erdea Manor. And we found it! Bit infested though - just here raising money to pay for more warriors. Say, you fancy some dungeon delving?
This long-lost Nerathi manor is said to lie in eastern Ghinarian hills, and to contain much wealth. It has long been sought by various adventurer groups. Rumour has it that at the height of the Glory of Nerath, the noble knights of the Erde clan warred with a subterranean race known as the Vrilya, driving them back beneath the earth.
Ruler:
Hytirus Vex 13/2/42-4/2/47 and from 13/12/4451.
Selatine Characters
VEX VILLA
1. Lady Jana Vex (f), Cleric of Apollo-Mitra - banished
Captain 'Happy' Iocunnu: This cheerful veteran (4380-) fisherman has a huge white beard. He is often to be found propping up the bar at the Redeye Inn with ale in hand and a bar wench on his lap, telling tall tales of the sea - lost pirate treasures, enchanting mermaids, terrible sea monsters - most of which are true. Father of the barmaid Alauna, and numerous other daughters and sons by several women (not all in Selatine), Happy is currently happily single.
16/1/4446: Happy confessed to Bjornalf his last wife left him 10 years ago and he dreamt of marrying again, possibly acquiring & marrying bar wench Candice Wright from the Redeye Inn. Happy had a keen appreciation of her big jugs... not of beer.
At the docks the last of the fishing boats are secured for the night. Happy escorts Bjornalf up the cliff steps and to his cramped hovel, where he digs up some rusty lockpicks from under a pile of ancient miscellenaea, lobster-shaped tankards and weird statuary from faraway lands.
Happy is Captain of the Vex Gratitude, Selatine's largest vessel, a former pirate ship granted to Bjornalf Brighteyes by Lord Hytirus Vex and reclaimed by the Lord of Selatine on his demise. Crewmen include Tumwul & Gwendar Kakas. Happy mostly uses it for coastal fishing, and occasional trading trips.
Cantrip Charms (Common, require attunement): Mending 1/day. Guidance 1/day.
Serving Wenches
1. Alauna, Iocunnu's Daughter: (4425-). After selling the slave wench Beverly to Kogor of Kolda 2/12/4445, Aldo Redeye was forced to employ actual paid labour in the bar, and hired Alauna, the buxom daughter of fisherman tavern regular 'Happy' Iocunnu - for Alauna it certainly beats a life gutting fish. Noted for her big jugs... of beer, Iocunnu keeps a paternal eye on his cheerful daughter in case flirtation with patrons should develop into something more. Alauna lay low during the Oriax occupation in 4446 BCCC, serving secretly as a sailor aboard her father Happy Iocunnu's ship, the Vex Gratitude, formerly Tsamar's Jewel. She has proven quite adept at seaman stuff.
4/2/47: Following the liberation of Selatine, Alauna returns to work at the renamed Scalpy Inn.
Alauna wears either an Alryan-style corset & dress as seen in the Northlands, or just a loincloth in common with the other barmaids.
2. Cleo Alces (4427-): This busty brunette serving wench is second youngest child of the smith Piergeron. She is said to have healthy appetites. Cleo also serves at Vex Villa on feast nights. She typically wears loincloth & ear rings.
18/2/47: Max the Shephound, Aya's old dog, found by Hakeem, was being cared for by Cleo Alces & Scalpy at the Inn. Max is 6 years old, with good care can expect another 2 years of well-deserved retirement (-49).
Piergeron Alces the Smith
Piergeron (4391-) the Selatine blacksmith is a reliable fellow who has survived much upheaval by keeping his head down and out of politics. Piergeron can make silvered arrows and most common weapons.
Garrison: 12 amazons under Cpt Clenderi & scout Saera.
Horses: 9 - 6 Vale horses, & 3 Elven Steeds of Onhir.
Griffons: 0 - Clenderi's returned to Highhaven mid '47 for her pregnancy.
Oriax the Goat, the Horned Wizard (Wiz 18): Oriax is a powerful Chaotic Archmage, said to be of Satyr ancestry, who dwelt in a functioning light-house tower of the Ancients on the craggy coast some ten miles south-west of Selatine. He took control of the old Lighthouse in 4414 BCCC, displacing its prior wizard occupant. Oriax is said to have a substantial harem, and to drive an enchanted chariot pulled by slaves that travels as fast as any pulled by horse. Oriax's tower is rumoured to be of Markab manufacture, and to hold a magic mirror through which he can travel in glamered form to seize new slaves and other treasures
from across many worlds and times. Those captives who displease him are sent to labour in the opal mines beneath his tower under the whips of cruel Orc overseers, sent north to be sold at the wharf market in Selatine, or gifted to the Altanian brigand-lord Yusan of the Citadel of Water to the south. Still it's rumoured that Yusan would dearly like to seize the sorcerous mirror for himself. In 4445 Lord Oriax has recently took on a talented human apprentice, Joseph (Wiz 9, age 18 1/1/4446). Joseph has 5 slaves (ages 18x3, 23 & 30) taken from his own home world and now used as his ponies and playthings. Joseph killed 4/5/47 in Ahyf, by Drakonok.
Outbuildings inc tavern, curtain wall and tower.
*Amazon guard number 12 (M1+ 4447) with a single stabled griffon belonging to Clenderi.
Rumours:
Oriax it's said had a vast harem, the most beautiful women of many worlds - those he tires of are sold at market or sent to the mines beneath his spire.
Updates
M10 4446: When Oriax's tower fell to the forces of Hakeem, it's rumoured that Oriax & Joseph fled with a few slaves and followers through the Mirror to another world. The rest of the slaves in the Tower were returned to their home planes by the magic of the high priest Thuruar.
M10 4446: following its conquest by the Horde of Hakeem & flight of its master, the Oriax tower is guarded against ingress by a contingent of Queen Artemisia's Highhaven amazons under Captain Clenderi of the Warrior Elite. Lady Meda has set wards around the Mirror of Oriax to prevent its use.
2/9/4447: Clenderi gives birth to a boy child by Sandor Sunneson; he is present at the birth. Child will be nursed M9/47-M2/48 then be given to Sandor at Ahyf, where Sandor plans that he be raised alongside Queen Malenn's son Hassan.
MAGDRA'S HUT
Magdra the Witch lives with her silver fox familiar Lightning in a hut in a secluded dell east of the ruins of Erdea Manor, surrounded by a herb garden. Normally only those she wishes can find the way to her door. Magdra has been blessed by Rhiannon, Queen of Witches, and with the right ingrediants can create many powerful potions including Greater Healing, Invulnerability (with Gorgon's heart) and Vitality.
9/6/48 rescued from an ogre hunter by the adventurers Mordred, Danor & Bright Star.
(3530)
22/7/47: Trade destroyed by Matriarx. Shielditer had recently moved his court to Ahyf.
RULER: Shieldbiter the Gold Dragonborn (PC). Sacked by Yusan 6/6/4446, after Shieldbiter had killed the quisling Lord Tarcon and proclaimed himself ruler. On 25/1/47 Shieldbiter returned to Trade with 'angelic' golden wings, along with Lord Hakeem, the warrior Dagda, and Helga, his new retainer.
Population: 260 Income 7sp/person =182gp/month
Expenditure 100gp/month Hall, 7 guards 70gp/m, 1 serjeant (Steelclaw) 20gp/m. Total 180gp/m.
Net +2gp/month.
TRADE CHARACTER STATS
Since the war with Yusan, Trade had been ruled by Shieldbiter (Torin Delmirev) the Dragonborn (PC), with a Dragon Guard of 8 fellow Dragonborn led by Steelclaw Delmirev, a big burly grizzled fellow who is also something of an intellectual. Steelclaw wields a glaive. Shieldbiter rides a Royal Wyvern, a gift from his father the Chief Delmirev, of the Dragonbear clan.
From 24/1/47 Shieldbiter is accompanied by his Shieldmaiden, a lusty former Airshark Inn pit fighter Helga the Valkyrie. Shieldbiter equips her with Ghinarian bronze plate & shield, instead of her scanty pit fighter's garb.
A handsome young farmer's son pours Helga more ouzo. She knocks it back, smiling happily at him. "My, you're a nice one..."
Helga protects her liege, and always carries a spare shield for munching.
The original Antillian trading post in these parts, founded in the aftermath of the Gnoll Times ca 4250 BCCC. Today most Antillian ships dock at Ahyf, and today the village is something of a backwater. However it retains an excellent deepwater harbour, and there is an active shrine of Shang-Ta tended by anold Antillian priest Justaron Corv (3rd level rituals). The population today is mostly of mixed Antillian-Ghinarian ancestry, with some Altanian and a few Alryan.
Tarcon was Lord of Trade until his death dueling Shieldbiter on 5/6/4446. Reputed to be a good warrior and just leader, he had strained relations with Ahyf, which seeks to dominate this small realm, close allies with Kren's Cairn and friendly with Lord Vilius of Theber, also a distant cousin on his mother's side. Trade maintains the old Antillian customs, women here are little more than chattel slaves who serve at the will of Men. Tarcon was unmarried, but his first concubine was Lord Vilius Theber's wilful third daughter Princess Opa, gifted to him M8 4444 to secure Trade's membership in the nascent Lord's Alliance after being found in bed with the dwarf adventurer Kogor of Kolda. Tarcon had no children, and grew displeased with Opa.
The merchant-pirateTsamar of Ahyf (RIP) was rumoured to be Lord Tarcon's own renegade sister. 30/5/4446: Following the fall of Theber, Trade surrendered to Yusan.
On 5/6/4446 Lord Tarcon was killed in a duel with Shieldbiter the Dragonborn. Shieldbiter claimed rulership of the town. Shieldbiter kept Tarcon's slaves, but having no interest in any human women he dresses his servants in simple cotton shifts.
23/7/4447 Trade destroyed by the dragon Matriarx, a month or so after Shieldbiter had moved his court to Ahyf.
Pop. 480, combatant 120. A fishing village north of Selatine. Ruled by sturdy Lord Kaldrac of Verius, the noble warrior Maldar is his brother. Kaldrac is unmarried but with healthy appetites, and maintains a stable of concubines including Jane, Cheryle, & Francine, all Outworld 'lawspeakers' brought here by Oriax the Goat from a steam room in Boston, Earth. They can often be seen lounging naked and chained to his throne as he receives guests. Lord Hytirus Vex of Selatine had considered marrying his sister Jana to Lord Kaldrac, and thus forging a firm alliance with Verius. These plans came to naught in M10 4444 BCCC when Jana was found being deflowered by a rogue adventurer by name of Lance Harcourt, in the Vex Villa shower chamber.
Lord Kaldrac's sister the fair Helena is married to Lord Usarus of Talholm, and the two lords are closely allied.
M10 4446 - Lord Kaladrac has the three princesses of Theber (below) as concubines.
M12 4446 - Kaldrac has emerged as leader among the Ghinarian Lords. He has made the dwarf hero Kogor the Thegn of Theber, vassal to himself.
(Town) (hex 3329) Conventional; AL N; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 7,800gp; Town Population 2,585 (4448 est.), max 646 combatant; the city can hold ca 6,000 within the walls.
Farmland: 30 miles east-west by 3 miles deep = 90 square miles, population 4,500 farmers.
Total dominion population: 7,000.
Mixed (human 95% [mostly Ghinoran & Antillian, some Skandik, a few Alryan, ca 10% Altanian), gnomes 2%, halflings 1.5%, other 1.5%); Resources: Market Port. Fishing port. Coastal farms.
Military: 40 Town Watch under Sjt Hendryk. 10 Altanian Chosen Sword Brothers, plus 2 Sword Knights Harlgrimm & Gottchi.
In training: 60 Royal Guard under Cmdr Sandor & Cpl deNiro. 20 Battle Brothers & Paladins of Mitra under Malenn. Notionally up to 600 Freedman Levy Militia from surrounding freedman farms.
Total: 130 regular + 600 freedman levy = 730.
NB There is a 30-strong walled dwarven trade & banking enclave about half a mile SW of Ahyf. Magically defended; until 4/9/47 it was said to be impregnable.
Authority Figure: The Golden Queen, Malenn Paladin of Mitra, former wife of Hakeem Godslayer (rules from 18/8/4447)
Royal Court: Guards Commander Prince Sandor Sunneson (PC); Gnubis Greywolf, Malenn's mother in law. Nefeti Greywolf the Wise Woman, sister of Gnubis. Prince Hassan Greywolf, son of Malenn & Hakeem. Altanian Sword Knights Harlgrimm Irontooth & Gottchi the Sly, protectors of Prince Hassan.
Maglor the Elf, Royal Vizier. Father Camus, male Alryan/Nerathi (Clr 5, Cleric of Thoth). Serjeant Hendryk, Elder Dalar's Bastard - Serjeant of the Watch. Dr Beverly McFadden, Steward of the Coin Girls. Lady Barbara D'Ashe, D'Ashe family heiress, courtier, former lover ofRolth the Slaver Lord. Briaron, Royal Steward (& ex-Warlord of Ahyf), male Antillian, & his wife Calpurnia Cor. Exiled M3 4447 by Baroness Sarene & Count Shieldbiter; 22/8/4447 Queen Malenn invites them to return from exile in Hara and restores Briaron's villa & possessions, minus farmlands allocated to the Freedmen. Apoints him as Steward 29/8/47. Prince Sandor's son(?) (2/9/47-) should be here from M3 4448. Mikael Tanis, wealthy cloth merchant .
Others: Magra the old fortune teller. Airshark Innkeeper Hognun, cousin of Briaron, male Antillian. Slinger the Goblin, head of a vicious goblin gang in the Ahyf sewers. 6 5 merchants, former slave lords (3m 2f) including Seroni of Onhir, female Elf, merchant, agent of Vizier Maglor.
Dead: M3 4447 Elder Dalar, male Ghinoran (was leader of the Council of Elders), killed by Shieldbiter. Jayzeel the Singer, former mistress of Elder Dalar RIP 8/47. Vukas the lusty Demonbrood Satyr, lover of Atesia the coin girl RIP 8/47. Rolth, Altanian slaver - executed by Queen Malenn 24/8/47. Radu Underhill, a powerful Ghoul crime boss in the Undercity's Cartways Black Market.
M3 4447: Sarene & Shieldbiter took over Ahyf; killed Elder Dalar & the other Councillors, exiled Briaron and the families of the Councillors, looting their estates.
M8 4447: Sarene & Shieldbiter flee with their followers, replaced by Sandor Sunneson.
13/8/4447: Hakeem & Kogor travel to Ahyf via lizard caves & ruins of Trade. Slave revolt in Ahyf led by Borgus Deacon of Mitra, 6 slaver lords imprisoned inc Seroni & Rolth.
14/8/4447: Hakeem leaves Sandor as Prince of Ahyf. 18/8/47 Sandor stands down, is replaced by Queen Malenn. 20/8/47 Hakeem Godslayer vanishes/ascends.
According to history, the old Nerathi city of Ahyfar was sacked by a splinter of the Ruin Horde during the tail end of the Gnoll Times ca 4198 BCCC, but rebuilt and refortified by Antillian trader-colonists a century later ca 4300 BCCC, as Ahyf. Her population remains smaller than in Imperial times, with stone ruins used as vegetable gardens, and much empty space used to herd sheep, pigs and goats.
Today Ahyf is largely a trading town, the most cosmopolitan locale in these lands, with links north to the Skandik realms and the faraway City-State of the Invincible Overlord (CSIO), south to dragon-haunted Oricha and to Rallu, City State of the Sea Kings. In recent years (4434-4447) many refugees have come to Ahyf from west of the mountains, and (until 4446) from the Vale to the south, along with many slaves. The city has grown and prospered, but since M6/7 4446 the end of Yusan & Oriax's slave trade has hit Ahyf economically.
Famous for her coin girls who ply the docks naked but for coin box. Merchant ships and
pirates, the female pirate warlords Sarene the Altanian (hex 3424) and (until 24/12/4445)Tsamar of Trade being the most famous of them, can come and barter for goods from the Ghinarian Hills and the interior of Barbarian Altanis. Tsamar's deputy Zorgun was a fierce brute who commanded her second ship, the Sea Queen. Her main ship Tsamar's Jewel was captured at Selatine 24/12/4445 and renamed Vex Gratitude.
The gnomes of Ractuan and the Alryan-Nerathi humans of Hara/Mara both ship their goods down the Cedarwade and Farhills rivers on coastal barges to Ahyf every month for the market.
Steward Briaron (4406-) was the chosen Warlord to m3 47, having been appointed by the council of elders led by Dalar. He is a no nonsense leader who maintained order in the town. Briaron was friendly with Lord Vilius of Theber, and supports the Lords' Alliance. Briaron is married since 4435 to Calpurnia Cor of Hara (4416-), the sister of Hara's former ruler, the Lady Earani Cor. Although Calpurnia is herself Nerathi she hates the racists of Neo-Nerath. Briaron also distrusts them. Calpurnia had urged Warlord Briaron to take action against Hara for the indignities suffered by her sister Earani, but the Council of Elders preferred to maintain good trade relations with the Nerathi city. Calpurnia is intelligent and a good housekeeper, she provides solid fare to guests, but has a strong temper. Calpurnia has not borne Briaron any children, and he for a short while also had a concubine, Preola, a former lady of Rallu's Ostis family, captured by Tsamar in 4445. Calpurnia generally ignored her.
From end M8 4447 Briaron has been recalled to Ahyf and had his fortunes restored as the Steward of Ahyf, serving Malenn the Golden Queen.
Rumour ca M12 4445: The old fortune teller Magra prophesied that the slave wench Preola will one day bear Briaron a son - that's why he won't sell her!
End M1 4446 - Preola returned with the other captives.
Rumour M6 4448: The wealthy cloth merchant Mikael Tanis' young bride Meera, a cousin of Father Camus of Thoth and one of the fairest lasses in Ahyf, has been taken from their wedding bed while he lay in drunken stupor. A considerable sum in wedding gifts was also taken. Investigation by Sjt Hendryk of the Town Watch indicates the sewer goblins are likely responsible. No ransom is demanded; interrogation of a captive goblin indicates the lady has been sold on to the Kazadurgar, or Deep Dwarves.
Father Camus is the respected High Priest of the temple of Thoth (Clr-5; 3rd level Cleric spells), and is often called upon to judge the law.
Lady Barbara d'Ashe. The beautiful d'Ashe family heiress and widow to the slaver Elder Kosvin sadly slain by Sarene's men in M3 44447 during the Shieldbiter takeover. Although the d'Ashe villa was looted and occupied, she was able to salvage some of the d'Ashe family fortune, a bag of fine jewelry, and soon sought solace in the arms of Rolth the Slaver. When Rolth's villa was looted in turn during the slave rebellion of M8 44447, Lady Barbara was in her bath when the vengeful mob set upon her. She fled naked into the Ahyf sewers. 18/7/47 Rescued from the Black Market slave block by Maglor the Elf.
Seroni of Onhir is a cold-eyed female Elf trader who plies the ancient roadways of Altanis.
She had dealings with Oriax the Goat, the Horned Wizard, bringing him preserved foodstuffs and manufactured goods from Ahyf and Kren's Cairn, returning north with a harvest of slave girls, wives for the men of Krens' Cairn and others for the slave market at Ahyf. Seroni avoided the southern Ghinarian Hills, infested as they were with Yusan's brigands and evil folk who prefer to take rather than buy. Seroni has a well furnished villa in Ahyf town with human and halfling servants, previously mostly slaves. Seroni had a bitter rivalry with fellow slaver Rolth (executed by Queen Malenn 24/8/47), a mighty-thewed Altanian barbarian who was once her lieutenant and lover, before it's said they had a falling out when she found him in bed with an Airshark serving girl or three.
18/8/47: Seroni aided Maglor destroy the Zehir snake/sex cult The House of Pleasure and Pain, and was recruited to his spy network. She seems to like & admire her fellow Elf.
Gorok Half-Ogre, aided by a bevy of nubile serving girls including 4444 arrival Linda Gordon, a former captive of the mad wizard Oriax. Linda is seeking a way back to her home in Edwardian London, England in the year 1910, where she was housemaid & assistant to the eccentric scientist Professor Hugo Potsmeyer before an accident with the Transdimensional Interface Loop Inductor (TILI). Linda was nearly sold to the sinister Jayzeel in the Undercity Black Market 12/1/47 when Gorok tired of her. After Gorok's demise Hognun made her a Coin Girl, until she bought her way back inside the Inn 17/8/47 with gold from Hakeem.
Another Outworld serving girl is Callie, a blonde waitress and aspiring actress from California in the Earth year 1988. Callie is said to prefer servicing female patrons, such as the notorious Tsamar, but Gorok was training her to broaden her horizons.
Gorok was assisted by his deputy Garnoth (6'4", muscular). He also runs a fighting pit just outside the Inn, where freemen, slaves and fell beasts battle to the death for gold, the acclaim of the assembled citizenry, and the favour of Gorok's serving wenches. The 4446 BCCC pit champion Archermos (stocky, muscular), a grizzled ex-mercenary fought for gold to buy his daughter out of debt slavery to Lord Namelin of Hara. He recently (12/1/46) slew the Amazon pit fighter Atalante of Highhaven, having previously killed three men with barely a scratch.
Gorok also maintained a bevy of 'Coin Girls', cheap docks prostitutes with nose rings, sent out to service the sailors on the merchant (and pirate) ships that throng Ahyf's harbour. Gorok was said to be particularly pleased with high-born Coin Girls; Ralluans such as Colete, Arani & Mala in particular.
Deacon Borgus: Fat, bald pate, grey robes - leader of the six pilgrims of Apollo-Mitra driven from the Shrine-Catacombs of St Ulther the Lighthousekeeper by nasty goblins. Has a Rallu accent. One of his pilgrims, Brother Mikhel, was killed by the Undead in the Crypt of St Ulther on their second visit. Left Selatine 26/11/4445 on the good ship Tsamar's Jewel...
M1 4446: Borgus and his four surviving fellow pilgrims were encountered working as farm slaves on a plantation just west of Ahyf.
M8 13/8/4447: Deacon Borgus was freed by Hakeem, led the slave uprising and captured Seroni. Stated intent to leave Ahyf and never return!
Rumours in Ahyf
The elders and Briaron have difficulties with outlaw raiders from Carchimish and the Vale. They infest the Ghinarian Hills and prey often on local farmers and traders.
Some of the serving girls at the Airshark Inn were brought from other worlds by Oriax the Goat!
Tsamar captured the pleasure yacht of Lady Lucretia of Rallu - she was holding the lady as a slave!
"I spoke with the Coin Girl Atesia. She told me Tsamar sold Lucretia's six friends to the Tarantine slaver Kemal: Colete Niusen, Arani Rebius, Malla Sidenae, Preola Cilerius and Ostis Tilibon. The first three are working the docks as Gorok's Coin Girls too, now, or at the Airshark Inn. Warlord Briaron bought Preola for his harem. and the Temple of Thoth took the last one.
Warlord Sarene has been defeated in a duel near Selatine! They say it was the Barbarian, Hakeem! She is still nursing her wounds, and her injured pride.
Ostis was returned from the Temple of Thoth to Eldam Alamsor at Selatine with Weaponmaster Balthus, 15/1/4446. Garok Halfogre wants 1000gp for his three - each...
End M1 4446 - all Rallu captives freed.
30/1/47: Following the death of Gorok Halfogre, Ahyf's government seized the Airshark Inn. It is now run by Hognun, Warlord Briaron's phlegmatic cousin. He maintains good discipline among the girls with his switch.
Airshark Inn Tavern Wenches
1. Linda Gordon (back from coingirling 18/8/47 after bribing Hognun)
2. Callie
3. Irene
Coin Girls of Ahyf Town M9+ 4447
M3-M8/47: Baroness Sarene owned the coin girls and takes the income from them, much to her amusement and enrichment.
1. Dr Beverly McFadden of USNC, Coin Girl Steward
2. Atesia, nee Eve Connor
Former Coin Girls & Tavern Wenches now Freedman Farm Wives (24 married by Father Camus 5/9/4447)
1. Elizabeth Moondew, former coin girl, half elf noble of Bisgen captured by Sarene
2. Serani Redeye, ex of the Red Tiger Clan, widow of Aldo Redeye
Tarcon of Trade had to give Princess Opa Theber over to Yusan (she eventually ended up back in Theber), but kept a couple of slender 'Oriax girls', Philosopher World (ca 1987) former 'newsreaders'Sue & Carol, who he kept nude. They ended up as smock-clad servants of Shieldbiter/Freya in Trade then Ahyf, until abandoned in the Flight of Shieldbiter. After a hungry few days Hognun took pity on the unfortunate pair and found them work as coin girls, several others having left his service to shack up with freed farm slaves.
18/8/47: Sue was kidnapped overnight, then murdered by the ghoul crime lordRadu Underhill in revenge for Hakeem's raid on the Undercity Black Market. Carol killed too along with 4 other citizens night of 20/8 in Radu's reprisal for Hakeem's attack on the snake cult.
Beverly McFadden, ex slave of Kogor, Steward of Coin Girls: Former ship's doctor on the space cruiser USNC 'Enterprise' in the year 2287 until seized from her cabin by Oriax; oldest & cheapest of the 12 naked slavegirls brought by three Orcs to Selatine, after Hakeem killed their leader. This red-haired slave wench was bought 16/11/4445 by Aldo as another serving girl for the Redeye Inn, mostly to attend to the kitchen, where she has proved an indifferent chef, even burning the porridge - spurring even the normally phlegmatic Aldo to engage in a little light spanking of her posterior.
As of 1/12/4445 Aldo had taken her off kitchen duties and assigned her to entertain high-spending guests, selling her 2/12 to the dwarf adventurer Kogor for 100gp and making a tidy profit on the deal. Kogor branded her with a small K on her thigh and kept her nude, with a collar, ring piercings and silver jewelry in the fashion of Kolda. She'd dance on the tables when inebriated.
M12 4446 Kogor sold Beverly as a Coin Girl in Ahyf when he became Thegn of Theber.
FREEDMAN WIVES
Elizabeth Moondew of Bisgen, wife of Thanus & Freedwoman: Nerathi half elf noble, captured by Sarene in her raid on Bisgen - her latest plaything M2/47, docks coin girl from M4 47. Complained a lot - as a Neo-Nerath noble she tends to attract little sympathy. Disling the prostitute's life, she married a large freedman 5/9/47 - Thanus, "a big shaven headed rough looking fellow".
Serani wife of Katermenes (formerly Serani Redeye), Freedwoman: b.4423, the buxom second wife of Aldo is a raven-haired Altanian, was chief serving girl at the Redeye Inn. Good natured and popular with patrons, she gets a lot of male attention. Originally of the Red Tiger clan in Oricha to the south, she was captured by the Pirates of Koradin in 4442 BCCC, who sold her to Aldo Redeye at the Selatine wharf market. Aldo bought Serani a nice blue silk dress, but she often prepares to go topless in typical Altanian fashion. Lord Reynard later bought the dress for his slave Alicia Scarnetti. Serani seemed to like the Altanian warrior Kradis a lot.
Sold by Orson in Ahyf as a docks coin girl; freed in the slave uprising of Hakeem M8 4447. Married Freedman (ex farm slave) Katermenes 5/9/47, becoming a shepherdess south of Ahyf, north of the old ruins of Cavanaugh's Hall.
More Ahyf NPCs
Afternoon 18/7/47: Maglor successfully rescued Lady Barbara D'Ashe, she asks if he would help her petition Sandor, or whoever the ruler is, to get back the D'Ashe villa Sarene confiscated.
Apparently Babs is the last D'Ashe. She is awfully grateful to Sandor, and asks Maglor to visit once she has the place done up... Maglor gets the impression she knows a lot of people in the upper echelons of Ahyf society, and could be useful for his nascent intelligence network ...if not for other things... she's awfully grateful.
(3229) Clear Meadows
"And this will happen in the Last Days... The Stars Shall Fall From the Sky. The Old Father of the Waters Shall Rise...."
M3/4447: Clear Meadows taken over by Count Shieldbiter.
Dusk, 5/8/4447: Hakeem slays the great dragon Matriarx in the sea off Clear Meadows' harbour.
This large (pop. 600+, mostly Nerathi & Ghinarian, 15% Half-Elf) farming village lies near the coast some 15 miles west of Ahyf, on the road to Cahli and Hara/Mara on the Korm Basin.
Farmland: 10 miles east-west by 3 miles n-s = 30 square miles. Farm population 1500.
Total dominion population 2100.
The village is vassal to Ahyf, which maintains a small garrison here to patrol the road and see that taxes are collected. The Temple of St Irig is the largest power centre here, with three Priests and several attendants.
Notables: Father Synjyn (Clr 5, old, bearded, kindly look), Nerathi head of the Temple of St Irig, a Nerathi warrior-saint of Mitra ca 4200 BCCC.Father Ulfic (bald, sharp), deputy priest of the Temple. Sister Tamara (Clr 2), junior priestess of the Temple. Captain Jeremiah, commander of the 18 10 8 strong Lord's Garrison. The old Wise Woman (name unknown). Benro the Village Madman. Jonathan is a young (14) serving boy at the Temple.
Amari Halfelven (Clr 2, shy, beautiful), novitiate of Mitra, and the only daughter of Fr. Synjyn, was kidnapped by the K'tulu Kult 14-15/1/46. Amari was the girl rescued 19/1/46 from the Temple of K'tulu.
According to local tales Clear Meadows was built on the site of the larger Nerathi town of Verdant Meadows, the original city having been destroyed in the 'Starfall of Demons' 500 years ago (3946 BCCC). It's said a mighty Altanian hero, the Eldritch Sword Knight known to history as Clevenus (his Nerathi name) later forged the Demonslayer sword Kalthalax from star metal taken from one of the Demon Cysts, and used it to hunt down and destroy the remaining demons. When Clevenus died he was buried with his great sword in caves south of the ruined town.
250 years later, the Good and Holy St Irig, 'Last Hero of Nerath', is said to have taken up the Altanian sword Kalthalax the Demon Slayer when he defended the new town of Clear Meadows against the Gnolla Ruin Horde and their demon allies at the end of the Gnoll Times in 4198 BCCC, thus largely saving Ghinaria from the devastation that befell most of the Empire of Nerath. Legend says Irig then returned the Demonslayer to Clevenus' tomb, where it sleeps still. Irig was served by a cadre of Nerathi knights, the last survivor of whom was Sir Galilee, wielder of the Holy Avenger. The venerable Sir Galilee fell ca 4250 BCCC in battle with an unknown cult, and his sword was lost.
Clear Meadows today is notable for its good pasturage, for the extensive caverns said to lie in the limestone hills just south of town, and for its large half-elven population. The lovely elf-blooded women of Clear Meadows are said to be the fairest in all Ghinaria. Recently however (since end of 4445) several disappearances of attractive females (7 as of 15/1, with the associated murders of 2 men and a crone), all free citizens, have troubled the town, and there are rumours of cult activity. The Garrison seem powerless to prevent them, and Father Synjn has been keeping a close watch over his beautiful half-elf daughter, Amari. There have also recently been concerns over the voluptuous Sister Tamara's strange and flirtatious behaviour, unbecoming of a Priestess of Mitra.
The Rampant Lion is the largest and most frequented tavern in Clear Meadows. A nameless, three-man thieves' guild occasionally takes on a street urchin or two. It's led by Staffol, a one-eyed thief of advanced years who wears an eye patch. The Pungent Pearl is a seafood shack on the north edge of town, towards the coast. The southernmost farm - well-fortified Hill Farm - belongs to Barin, a middle-aged cow farmer. He has a professional appreciation for Sister Tamara's large dugs... Barin had a 19 year old redhead daughter Tammy he kept a careful eye on, a wife, and several other children.
Update: Barin's farm was attacked by the Cultists, Tammy taken and most of the family slain. Barin himself was grievously wounded, but tended to by Sister Tamara and survived. Tammy was killed 19/1/46 when star demons ransacked the Temple of K'tulu.
The Elves - Glevina (Wiz 9) & Thadeus
Left to seek their homeworld 19/1/4446.
14/1/4446: Clevenus is actually an Orichalan dragon-blood Warlock - Hakeem, Bjornalf & Malenn met his undead form in his cave-tomb, he gave them Kalthalax and a wand of lightning, telling them that the cultists planned to unleash a new demon horde on the town.
15/1/4446: Amari vanished overnight, suspected taken by cultists. 'K'TULU REX MUNDI' & cult dagger found in Tamara's room, she was arrested as a suspected cultist and put in gaol below the garrison block to be interrogated. Rey, Bjornalf & co led the guards to the caves, where Glevina revealed they were cultists. Ulfic & Jeremiah were killed by Glevina & Rey in the caves.
The Shark Tooth Inn: Clear Meadows' Inn is a large and rowdy establishment, frequented by soldiers of the garrison as well as pilgrims to the Temple and travellers of both low and higher class. The serving wench slaves tend to be blonde and buxom, which is just how the huge Altanian Innkeeper Ghessorm Hammerhand likes it. Rumoured to have orcish blood, Ghessorm has no trouble keeping order with the pair of stone hammers he keeps behind the bar. The Inn has hot and cold running water heated by the kitchen fire and manually pumped through an ancient device. Hot baths (big enough for two) are available. Ghessorm's prices are often high and sometimes erratic. He has been known to seize pretty females in lieu of unpaid boarding debts, the enslavement legally confirmed by Captain Jeremiah & Fr. Ulfic of the Temple.
Ghessorm has six sons by three of his older slaves, who now work in the kitchens while the younger slave wenches such as Pamela Bardew (an Oriax girl from 4444), and Melissa (seized 4445 by Ghessorm for her pilgrim party's unpaid boarding debt, likes Eardvulf) serve out front. His oldest son Karrak is 15, and operates the stables with his second son Marvel, 13.
As of M1 4446 the Lady Anna Bronze of Hara is currently staying at the Inn alone - her carriage was wrecked and drover & bodyguard slain by cultists a few miles west of town.
Lich Clevenus: "I'm sensing something... Demon Eggs, down below. Someone has been gathering them. And they're close to hatching. It's happening again..." he sighs.
Bjornalf: Ah. THAT is what those strange cultists are about.
Hakeem: "It would seem we can help each other..."
Clevenus: "...Probably your K'tulu cultists. The eggs come from the Invisible Moon. Perhaps some of them didn't hatch. Or... this is very strange..."
Bjornalf: It also explains why they gather females of childbearing age.
Clevenus: "...They are bringing them here! From the Past!"
Hakeem: "A fiendish plot. We must stop them."
Bjornalf: Those cultists are way stranger than I thought.
Clevenus nods. "Yes, females can be impregnated, to make more. It was a hard fight the first time. I needed my sword. Went through five Heroes wielding it, too! Some say the Demons are of Markab origin.... I wouldn't be surprised. The ancient enemy..."
(3230) Sceros is a medium-sized Ghinarian village of some 400 (combatant 100), south-west of Ahyf on the trail towards the Temple-Tomb of Belaras high in the hills. Arkonos is hereditary Lord here, a veteran Ghinarian warrior known for his common sense and just rule. Sceros is normally considered vassal to Ahyf Port, but against Ahyf's wishes she maintains cordial relations with Amazon-ruled Thusia.
Lord Arkonos' wife since 4443 is the cheerful Lady Pyra, the daughter of Elder Dalar of Ahyf; they now have an infant daughter, Pilea. The gorgeous Amazon archer Athea serves as Arkonos' scout and weaponmaster. She is rumoured to be Arkonos' daughter by an earlier tryst with the Lady Meda of Thusia.
M2 4446: Arkonos' Tharbrian weaponmaster 'Old Bill' recently recently vanished while exploring the Charmed Caverns on the road to Thusia.
Population 280 (combatant 70)
Thusia stats.
(3131) Thusia is a small, mostly Ghinarian village of some 280 souls, a rest stop on the long pilgrims' trail from Ahyf via Sceros and Thusia to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras. It is notable for being ruled by a goodly Amazon Queen, the noble Lady Meda (Bard 14). Meda is a Sorceress and a follower of Mycr, the Unknown God. Said to hail from an Amazon tribe of the far West in the empire of Viridistan, she has the slight greenish tint indicative of Viridian ancestry. Meda came to Thusia in 4424 BCCC when the village was dying, ravaged by raiders both human and hobgoblin, the previous Ghinarian rulers dead or fled. Meda saved Thusia from the raiders, and established her realm as a place without slavery, one where escaped slaves of all races, both male and female, could find their freedom. This makes her less than popular with the rulers of Ahyf, and with pilgrims whose slaves opt to stay in Thusia as free citizens, but so far her sorcerous powers and her cadre of Amazon warriors have deterred attack.
Today most of the population of Thusia are escaped slaves, their descendants, and those free folk who have voluntarily pledged service to the Lady. Most of the population of Thusia are thus fiercely loyal to their Lady, but the village also attracts renegades and criminals fleeing their just punishment. All are given a chance to begin again here, but any crime is dealt with vigorously, often fatally, and surviving offenders are banished, never to return.
Lady Meda's deputy and Weaponmaster since 4444 BCCC is Damne, a competent though somewhat unimaginative Amazon Paladin from Highhaven, who commands the Lady's small Amazon Guard. Like most Amazons Damne reveres Athena, but Meda has been instructing her in the teachings of Mycr, and the two have been known to debate and argue long into the night. Among Meda's warriors was the scout Tania, a brassy blonde, one of the Amazon Guard, and a skilled scout and archer. She was taken by the vampires of the Charmed Grotto 25/1/4447.
Thusia's population also includes a small population of civilised Ghuls, Meda provides them with body-paint that protects their transparent flesh from the burning rays of the Sun. Thusia's Inn, the Sun & Stars, is run by a very fat Ghul Innkeeper by the name of Davos Brightbones.
In M5 4446 the famous Bard Orph performed at the Sun & Stars. He went off with Lucy Prentice to Ahyf.
Davos has two non-ghul serving wenches: Shaele a slender half-elf, & Buedra, a busty Altanian girl. He is also assisted by his wife, the chief cook, and sundry family members.
21/1/4447 Davos & Buedra rescued from bandits by Ursa the Dwarf & Sandor the Skandik. Ursa seems taken with Buedra's ample fun bags, and the pair have been making lots of whoopee. Are half-dwarfs on the horizon?
From M12 4446 Lady Meda is aided by Amanda, a buxom young novitiate (Clr-1) priestess of Mycr, very dedicated but rather nervous. Amanda was once a follower of Mitra, part of a pilgrimage group to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras who stopped at Thusia. She listened to Lady Meda's sermon on the village green and was instantly converted to Mycretianism. Amanda suffers from back pain. 23/1/47 - rumoured that Priestess Amanda spent the night of the Grand Council with Kogor the Dwarf. 27/1/46: Amanda killed by vampires in the Charmed Grotto.
Mycr, The One God Symbol: None
Typical Worshippers: monks, healers, gardeners
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Mycr (Mi-ker), The Unknown One, is lawful good. Mycr is one of the most mysterious deities known in the Wilderlands. He has no known avatar, but exhibits great powers even over other gods. His followers (known as Mycretians) teach that he is the One True God; the others are false demons or apparitions. His followers have a very strict moral and ethical code by which they must live. His worship is centered on the five Holy Cities of the Desert Lands. Mycretians are pacifists, and will not fight except in defence, and then only with the least force necessary. Mycretians are also excellent herbalists, renowned for their skill with and knowledge of many plants and their mystical qualities. Their skill in this regard is often as much in demand as their spirit gifts of healing.
"Mycr is the One God. The entities you call the gods are either Demons of Chaos, or they are thought-manifestations upon the Crystalline Matrix of the Gaea, the World-Spirit. To the extent they are Good, it is because Mankind is Good, and has infused the Matrix with our own thoughts and belief. In this way Mitra is a Shadow, a Shadow of the Light of Mycr, the True God."
- Lady Meda.
Hakeem Greywolf (PC): mighty-thewed Altanian resident at the Redeye Inn.
10/1/4446: Hakeem completed construction of a small Shrine to Bondor in Selatine, incorporating three Altanian greatswords taken from defeated Hobgoblin knights beneath St Ulther's Shrine.
Malenn of Mitra's Shieldhall, wife of Hakeem Greywolf: This beautiful blonde Paladin
was searching for Deodanth the Skandik, her lost love, and still dreams of liberating her western homeland from the Red Reavers. She was found, nude and bedraggled, on a desert shore of the 'Isle of Dread' - she claims she was shipwrecked while travelling south from the CSIO - and was captured by the pirate queen Tsamar of Ahyf, who sold her to Aldo Redeye as a serving wench. She was seeking to free and reequip herself to continue her quest, also looking out for a promising adventuring party to join - greatly admiring of the mighty barbarian Hakeem (must be the size of his greatsword). Aldo wanted 300gp to sell her. 27/11/4445: At Jana Vex's advice, Lord Vex rewarded Hakeem Greywolf for his heroism against the undead of St Ulther's Crypt by acquiring Malenn from Aldo and gifting her to Hakeem, who promptly secured her freedom. Malenn's paladin skills are swiftly returning.
16/1/4446: Malenn is pregnant! And actually from an Alternate Dimension!
17/1/46: And married - to Hakeem! :)
M10 4446 Malenn gave birth to a baby boy, Hasan Greywolf
2. The Charmed Grotto - 10 miles east of Thusia just south of the the hill road lies a hidden cave, a bandit lair that shows signs of giant spider habitation. M1 4447 Ursa & Sandor rescued Buedra & Davos from the bandits, killing most of them.
Tania nods. "There are lots of stories about those caves - that bugbears live there and creep out at night. That there's a moss emerald in a grotto that has magic powers over plants...and the spiders..." 3. Halls of Tizun Thane - rising within a volcano north of Thusia, it is said that Night Things creep out from the Halls on moonlit nights to slay. Hakeem destroyed 5 of them M10 4446 in a terrible forest battle.
Citadel. Population: ca. 120, including 3 senior priests, 12 temple novitiates, ca. 15 paladins & warrior-priests in training, 30 Temple Guards, 60 servant-slaves. In addition an unknown number of monsters lurk in the Training Warrens.
Ruler: Divine - High Priest Larsonos Clr 8.
Other Characters: Priest Dalcor Clr 5, Priestess Saltyra Clr 5. Ampne, a slave girl Temple Dancer. Alli, slave girl healer/masseuse. Temple Personnel stats
For centuries Paladins and Clerics of Mitra-Apollo have been trained and tested in the extensive warrens beneath the Temple-Tomb. According to legend, Belaras was a great hero-saint of Apollo ca 3500 BCCC, who led the people of Ghinaria in revolt against the death-worshipping priests of Thanatos. They overthrew the corrupt Thanatic cult that dominated the city-state of Thracia, leading to a brief resurgence of Ghinoran civilisation in a time dominated by barbarism and death. Belaras however was mortally wounded in the campaign, a blow from a morgul weapon that refused to heal. When he died his tomb high in the Ghinarian Hills became a place of pilgrimage, and eventually a place of training and testing for future heroes in the service of Mitra-Apollo.
The Temple-Tomb is also said to hold the Chalice of Belaras - enchanted by the Hero's blood, it can banish demons and undead, and heal any ill - any ill save a morgul wound. There are even legends of the Chalice raising fallen heroes from death, to fight again by Mitra's side against the forces of Darkness.
Today the senior priests at the Temple are High Priest Larsonos, his deputy Dalcor, and Saltyra, Keeper of the Chalice. There are also normally several novice Clerics & Paladins of Mitra undergoing training at any one time, plus a retinue of temple guards, lay servants, and slaves. The propensity of some slaves to run off to Thusia has been causing friction between High Priest Larsonos and the Lady Meda of Thusia.
From M2-10 4446 Jana Vex of Selatine served in the Underpit Testing Grounds of the Temple. She was said to be getting very friendly with Oggie, the testing grounds' resident tentacle beast...
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Late M3 4447: Amazons ambushed an army of orcs in the pass west of Highhaven. The orc army was destroyed, but during the fighting a foul undead spirit, the Spectre, appeared and killed Queen Artemisia.
Highhaven Amazon & Griffon stats
Not all inhabitants of the Vale are vicious brigands and outlaws. Among those lawful goodfolk who still resist the evil that has befallen their Arcadian land, the Amazons of Highhaven are perhaps the most notable. Highhaven is a strongly fortified cliff settlement built on the easternmost escarpments of the Castellan Mountains, notable for its Griffon eyries. It is her Griffon-riding Amazon Knights that give the young Amazon Queen Artemesia the strength to resist the warbands of Carchimish and Yusan. They have long fought the many savage Orc clans of the mountains - now they battle Men, too.
Unable to take the Amazon stronghold, the brigands had recently
adopted a strategy of interdiction, burning Highhaven's croplands and forcing the Griffon Knights to range far in search of food - and mates.
Artemisia faces internal dissent in the form of Laurana (b. 4427), daughter of the previous Queen Khelara, who was slain in battle by Warlord Yusan during his first assault on Highaven (4443 BCCC). Laurana believes she should rule in her turn, and has advocated a more aggressive strategy, but the Wise Elders chose
Artemisia and her more defensive policy. Rumour has it that Princess Laurana is herself the Warlord Yusan's daughter, one of twins conceived by Khelara before Yusan's disgrace and exile. That would make Yusan's son Prince Arak Princess Laurana's twin brother... Laurana was gifted Gnomish Boots of Striding & Springing for aiding Ractuan against an undead purple worm. Her griffon Goldmane killed Yusan.
AMAZON RANKS
Amazon Levy are the lowest ranking amazons, mostly young girls, the currently pregnant, and the rare aged or infirm. They fight only if Highhaven itself comes under attack.
Amazon Warriors are the trained and highly skilled amazons, forming the bulk of their adult population.
The Amazon Scouts are drawn from the ranks of Warriors, normally operating alone or in pairs.
Amazon Captains command squadrons of the regular Amazon Warriors, and administer Amazon outposts such as the Lighthouse and the Stone Tooth/Forge of Fury. Some Amazon Captains are drawn from the Warrior Elite (eg Captain Clenderi), others are appointed directly from the ranks of the Warriors.
The Amazon Warrior Elite are high-ranking Amazons who ride the mighty War Griffons, and form the Queen's Personal Guard at Highhaven.
Leading the Warrior Elite are the Griffon Knights, among the mightiest of all Amazons. Princess Laurana was the youngest living Griffon Knight in 44446 BCCC when she slew Yusan at Yusan's Fall south of Krens' Cairn.
Artemisia's trusted weaponmaster and friend was Bricis, a fierce warrior.
Rumours:
Queen Artemisia is troubled by premonitions of her own death. The Spectre of Thanatos haunts her dreams.
12/6/4446: In the Battle of Yusan's Fall Princess Laurana killed Yusan, already badly wounded by Warchief Hakeem of the Greywolf.
M10 4446 Laurana has taken a ceremony of Blood Kinship with her half brother, Chief Hakeem Greywolf.
M11 4446 Artemisia has not returned from a scouting mission... M12 she was rescued by Sandor Ursa & Gracyone from Nerathi captives in the Dyson's Delve.
Local Dungeons:
15 miles SW of Highhaven lies the Stone Tooth, and beneath it the hidden Forge of Fury, a fallen dwarf-hold now held by Orcs of the Arang-Tok. Discovered by Ursa the Dwarf late M2/47.
(2633) On the eastern Castellan slopes SW of Highhaven lies the Stone Tooth, and below it the dwarf hold of Khundrakar, fallen to Orcs a century ago.
(2732) (Town): Conventional; AL CE CN; TL 6; 200 gp limit; Assets 8,075gp; Population 1,820 in 44447>2275 in 4452; Ghinarian and other; many slaves. Can hold 3500 within the walls. Resources: Market.
Farmland: 200 square miles, population ca 10,000.
Total domain population ca 12,275.
Authority Figure: Queen Lyssana Koloth-Myrcellin, widow of King Reynard Myrcellin; joint ruler with her father King Koloth the Old.
Mytsh, male Altanian Wizard.
Important Characters:Marnt, male Altanian (leader of the second largest warband); Jolda, female Altanian (Priestess of Harmakhis).
For almost fifteen years (4432-4446) The Vale between the Ghinarian Hills and the River of Visions (Blest) was home to some of the worst outlaws, criminals and outcasts of the Altanian tribes. Carchimish, until 4432 a thriving Ghinarian town, is the largest community in the region and became home to three of the largest brigand warbands. The wizard Mytsh was the leader of the strongest, and dominated the others by sheer force of will. He had a female apprentice, saturnine Dark Odo, now (4447) the 'Enchantress of Carchimish'. Marnt was the leader of the second and a rival to Mytsh. He supported Jolda, the priestess of Harmakhis, and in return she used her power to shield him from Mytsh’s magic. Marnt had briefly as concubine the Princess Lyssana, daughter of Koloth, last Ghinarian king of Carchimish - after 13 years as a renegade she was finally captured in M12 4445. Old 'King' Koloth escaped, though his tattered band were little more than brigands themselves.
The third of the warband leaders wasHagnol the Ruthless, a powerful killer, once of the Seawolf Clan and brother to their chief, Minars Rapak. The three major gang leaders of Carchimish sold both Ghinarian subjects and their own kind into slavery, although few merchants trusted them enough to venture here without a small army.
12/6/4446: At the disastrous battle of Krens' Cairn; the Brigand Lords of Carchimish are crushed - Mytsh, Marnt & Jolda all slain by Shieldbiter the Dragonborn; Hagnol killed in single combat by Hakeem the Slayer. Dark Odo escaped. She eventually surrendered and was pardoned by Hakeem, who installed his friend Reynard Mercellin as King of Carchimish.
Lord Reynard Myrcellin (PC): The dapper Altanian Rogue joined Lord Vex's warband as a Knight of Selatine. Had a 6-room renovated town house for himself and his slaves in Selatine,with fitted carpet and hot running water, presumably the same sorcery that powers Vex Villa. M10 4446-M4 4447 Rey was King of Carchimish, with Alicia Scarnetti his magist & mistress. After his death against Kainos, Alicia was returned home to Golarion by Thuruar M5 4447.
M7 4447: With Rey dead against Kainos, the former brigand city of Carchimish (one of the few real towns east of the mountains - others are Ahyf & Hara) lacks proper leadership; old King Koloth has resumed power in the vacuum along with the nominal monarch, his daughter
Queen Lyssana, Rey's widow. But Koloth is aged and weak. A strong ruler in Carchimish could stabilise that area for Hakeem, and Carchimish is close to Highhaven, the Amazon citadel under Queen Laurana...
Carchimish NPCS
Location On the Market Square, opposite the Royal Palace
Kym Goodkind (4425-) Gluck Goodkind the Merchant was murdered by the brigand Vorel Gnast 4/6/47 in caves west of Selatine, his daughter Kym was rescued by Drakonok/Mordred/Sandro/Zagaar. After recovering from her grief, the now-penniless Kymwas aided by Nightshadow (PC) from 8/6 to restore her trade business, rather than have to get job serving at the Scalpy Inn & Vex Villa. She wears a brightly coloured loincloth and bracelet. Kym is rumoured to have been a paramour of Lord Reynard Mercellin. She is wildly in love with Nightshadow.
The magic trade: Kym Goodkind acquires Rocksblood from the Kobolds of Stonehell, which she has her friend the alchemist Viola Narangi craft into Arcane Reagants for a suitable fee. These are then sold to Dark Odo the Enchantress, who crafts such magic items as are commissioned or take her fancy. Kym then sells these items, usually at her stall in the Carchimish marketplace, while guarded by one of the Iron Warriors - Fist or Head.
Temple of Meroya, Carchimish
A pretty young alchemist called Viola Narangi sells potions in the Carchimish marketplace. She lives alone, it's thought, in a large, tumbledown villa outside the walls that was once her father Hognar's. Alchemists' villas have a tendency to violent explosion... hence they aren't popular in the city. A cheerful & weatherbeaten halfling veteran gardener/groundskeeper, Randall, comes round a few times a week to keep the gardens in good order. Randall is married with a large brood of offspring. He is rather protective of Viola.
end M7/47: Viola has fallen under the sway of the nascent love cult of Meroya, and allowed them to establish their temple at her villa.
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(2832) Crossroads - an outcrop of hewn stone engraved with incoherent labyrinths left of the main road marks the side trail to Highhaven - and the abandoned Hall of the Unseen Conclave nearby.
(2933) Village of Plato, palisaded & garrisoned, has stables and a large coaching inn, the Siren's Call. Famously ca 14/7/4447 the novice Meroya priestess Delanie of Capricia is said to have serviced junior guardsman pvt Norbert Porkins - and the entire Plato town guard.
(2934) Alkminis is a small unwalled farming village a few hours north of Ogbert's Stead on the southern edge of the Vale (qv). Alkminis has a shrine with literate priest of Apollo-Mitra, and a wise woman with glossy-furred black cat, wearing an agate-jewelled collar. There is a tavern where the tavernkeep, a sturdy middle-aged woman, serves excellent food and locally brewed mead.
(3302) Village of Sane, rich village, central square ruined tower with swinging spiked pendulum guards entrance to dungeons beneath. Village headsman Durgos.
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Authority Figure: King Drudil, male gnome Ftr. Important Characters: Queen Freia, female gnome Ill 4 (wife of Drudil, leader of the village’s illusionists); Naran, male gnome Drd 6 (leader of the region’s druids); Engoril, male human [Orichalan] hermit.
Ractuan is secluded within the Castellan Mountains. Approachable only by a few passes, the town has always been safe from marauding raiders, despite probing from the Arang-Tok orcs (2131) and recent attacks by Neo-Nerath. King Drudil leads the defense of the realm, and with the aid of his wife Freia and the druid Naran they have turned the approaches into a deathtrap for the Orcs & Nerathi. Ractuan is noted for its variety of mines, particularly lead. The smelted ore is shipped over the eastern passes to the village of Hara where it is used to make bronze. Engoril, an ancient hermit lives in an old mausoleum. He “talks” to the bones of the buried human general Themistokles and acts as a sort of oracle. In early 4446 BCCC a Nerathi army advancing from the east was ambushed by the Gnomes and Madcat Mtn Warforged, defeated with great loss.
CLAN GREYWOLF, MIDNIGHT GODDESS HILLS
The Greywolf are a large clan, somewhat smaller than the Sea-Wolf, but still able to muster several hundred warriors.
Old Vorkes - old war-chief - "I have lived too long... Sad I am not to die with Battle-Ax in hand."
Vorkes died 26/5/4446 and was replaced by War Chief Hakeem 'until the rains' (rainy season starts M10).
Kala - Vorkes' widow, Chief of theWise-Woman, grandmother of Laara. Named Hakeem as War Chief.
Kaag Tiger-Killer Warchief of Greywolf - great warrior-hunter, M4 4446 - prospective chief, if the Wise Women would only concur. Mate of Hakeem's mother Gnubis. Warrior of Black Eagle Lodge with ambitions to be Chief. M4 4447 - acknowledged War Chief of Greywolf.
Gail Skara, Kag's concubine - daughter of a now-deceased Nerathi noble Lord Eynjin Skara, taken with six other women on a recent (M8 4445) raid up the Fairhills river which sacked Skara manor. The Druid Ernsorn Blue claimed her for his own. M4 4446 he gifted her to the Greywolf warrior Kaag at the Clan Moot to aid his quest against the Black Sun. Gail is pregnant by Kaag M3 4447, child expected M12 4447.
Gnubis - mother of Hakeem. Still attractive. Mate-Wife of Kaag Tiger-Killer from ca 4446.
Nefeti - ugly, eccentric elder sister of Gnubis. Psychic fortune-teller Wise Woman, uses purple and green magic dusts. Predicts Hakeem will have a son.
Laara Greywolf, Closer of the Black Sun Gate - young but talented Psychic Defender of the Greywolf Clan. She is one of Kala's grand-daughters.
3624 KETCHE, CLAN HOLD OF THE SEA-WOLF: Conventional; TL 0; 100 gp limit; Assets 1,775gp; Population 568 (142 warriors); Isolated (human, 96% Altanian, 23 human slave-concubines of other races); Resources: Fish. Jungle.
Authority Figure: Chief Minars Rapak, male Altanian Berserker, leader of the Seawolf clan. He wields a massive Altanian War Axe. Rumour M5 4446: Minars led the Altanian assault on the ruins of Nerra, and took the head of Prince Thulseus Doomfire of Neo-Nerath.
M8 4447: Minars is named Vice-Regent of Altani-Nerath and Commander of the Altanian Host by the new King-Regent Namelin Bronze of Hara.
Important Characters: Lina Rapak, wife of the Chief. Valyara Rapak, Chief's Daughter & Psychic Defender. Beklomda Mor "the Immense", (honorary) High Chief of all Altani, female Altanian Veteran. She wields a great stone maul. Ernsorn Blue (Drd 6), male Altanian Druid, member of the Eyestone Druids.
Princess Holli Doomfire, daughter of Prince Thulseus, Minars' concubine fr. 18/5/4446.
M1 4447:Chief Minars has made Holli his second wife! She now wears a royal tiara. Some say he has far-reaching plans for her...
Gail Skara, Ernsorn's own Nerathi concubine was given to Kaag Greywolf M4 4446.
Ketche is the fortified Clanhold of the powerful Sea-Wolf clan, and also hoasts the Hall of the
nominal 'High Chief of all Altani', currently Beklomda Mor. Once a small Nerathi city, Ketche still boasts buildings of marble, though most of the land within the walls has been turned to gardens, farmed by the women of the Sea-Wolf and by concubine slaves.
Beyond the gardens, Ketche supports itself primarily through fishing, and hunting the surrounding jungle. The Sea Wolf also engage in occasional coastal raids against the Nerathi of Hara and the local Gnoll clans, their bitter foes.
Previously they also raided the Ghinarian coasts, but in recent years Ketche has seen prosperity trading with the pirates of Sarene’s Den (3424), allied with Ahyf. Minars leads the clan of the Seawolf, and often hires out members of his clan to Sarene to act as marines for her ships. Many more Sea Wolf barbarian groups can be found in the forests and along the shores east of Vigil Sound. Beklomda Mor is the honorary high chief of the barbarians, winning her position in an honour fight after the death of the last chief. After 14 years of leisure, by 4446 she was immensely fat.
M1 4446: Chief Minars Rapak returned early from the hunt to discover both his wife Lina and eldest daughter Valyara (the clan's Psychic Defender) in bed with the clan warrior Eardvulf (PC). Eardvulf left hurriedly.
The Altanians keep a small number of slave concubines of other races (mostly Nerathi) taken on raids, although most captives are sold at market or ransomed. When not servicing the menfolk these are expected to
work in the gardens alongside the women of the clan.
The Spring Clan Moot (M4): the local Altanian clans gather annually (usually north of Nerra, near Sarene's Den) under a truce to trade, boast, feast etc; Beklomda Mor is usually there as High Chief of All Altani, and often some Sword Knights attend too; a new Sword Knight tends to be knighted at the Moot every few years after boasting sufficiently convincingly of his great deeds. It's also a time when the War Chiefs plan joint multi-clan raids against their victims... I mean their enemies... ...the wealthy Nerathi manors around Hara are always a popular target; other years they go on a Gnoll hunt to the ruins of Nerra, or even raid across Vigil Sound against the Ghinarian coast - they have not done the latter for some years though, due to the Altanian Pirate Queen Sarene's alliance with Ahyf Port.
4447 This year's Clan Moot will be held at Nerra, the ancient Nerathi capital. Chief Rapak plans war with the Nerathi of the Black Sun.
HAKEEM'S COUNCIL OF THE WISE FR. M9 44447 BCCC
1.Grey-Wolf, southern Midnight Goddess Hills - full clan - Kaag
2.Feathered Bear, northern Midnight Goddess Hills - full clan
3.Sea-Wolf, southern Eyestones Jungle - full clan - Minars Rapak
NORTH
4.Hoard-Wardens, northern Eyestones Jungle - delegation, foes of Tristor Elves
5.Nippuri (Altanis 3120), Nippuri river - delegation, Ragiun VI, Ta-Nu the Scribe
SOUTH
6.Red Tiger (Oricha 3410) - delegation, Xatchar
WEST
7.Winged Lion (Castellan Mts) (Mountain Lion & Winged Ape Clans merged 4435 BCCC) - delegation, War Chief Lyssana of Winged-Ape, widow ofPrince Rameses Mountain-Lion killed by Kainos 2/47, Bulwark the Warforged, leader of the Madcat Mountain Warforged who fought alongside the Gnomes of Ractuan against Black Sun. Destroyed by Kainos
Tigerclaw (Castellan Mts) EXTINCT 4446- delegation, War Chief Kalgol. Sword Knight Koltan the Lame (killed by Varek 4446), of White Wolf Lodge. The chief Wise Woman, Mama Kala, is very powerful. Tigerclaw wiped out by Varek the Death Knight M10 4446, he was destroyed by Hakeem & Shieldbiter.
Sarene the Pirate and her men, Sarene's Den - delegation. returned from raid on Bisgen ca 8/2/4447
Many rare plants grow here, including blue whinnis, madness causing red lotus and even the dreaded black variety. Encounters:
Altanian tribesmen.
WESTERN ALTANIS
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Black Crow River (Calm Aquatic): Narrow and darkwatered, the river flows through the south-eastern Crimson Serpent Jungle. Fishing boats from the Altanian settlement of Blackcrow are sometimes seen on the river.
Crimson Serpent Jungle (Dense Forest): Extremely dense and difficult to pass through, the main expanse of the Crimson Serpent lies to the south of the settlement of Diancecht. It is known
to harbor a species of intelligent ape, as well as jungle dryads and couatl.
Northwatch, River/River of Visions (Calm Aquatic, Busy): This broad rift river cuts through an ancient glacial fjord. It was a major transportation route for the old Orichalans. After the fall of the Empire of Glorious Doomfire, sea-faring Tharbrian human colonists from the north settled here long ago. Today, the river still carries traffic to and from the Lake of Visions and various small settlements along its banks. Encounters: merchants, fisherfolk, lizardmen.
M1 4447: Recently the local lizardmen have been migrating northwards...
Northwatch Hills:They warn you the hills are dangerous, prowled by fierce monsters - though none ever descend to threaten Imp Brucke, oddly enough... ...the windswept and rugged Northwatch Hills. Here and there strange crystalline formations like twisted spires jut from the mossy ground...Next morning you rise a little stiff from the stony ground and continue your trek north. You reach the crest of the hills that morning, affording you a fantastic view north over the rolling meadowlands of the Vale and south to the distant River of Visions, Capricia just visible. It all looks very peaceful.
Once the border between Arkhosia and the Demonbrood Empire of Bael Turath, many ruined fortifications dot the wild hills. Draconic creatures are common.
Encounters: Drakes, Kobolds, Chimerae, Blue Dragons (esp near coast).
Scalos River (Calm Aquatic): Green with algae and home to schools of large catfish and snakehead, the Scalos flows along the northern edge of the Crimson Serpent Jungle.
Spite, River of (Rough Aquatic): Fast and deadly, the River of Spite is well-named, for most who attempt to cross or travel on it end up regretting their decision.
Visions, Lake of (Calm Aquatic): Located at the southern end of the Castellan Range, the Lake of Visions is a deep, clear mountain lake. It is a great source of fish for the dwarves of Capricia. Due to the strange gases given off by the lake, fishers often report having strange visions, some of which give brief glimpses of the future. The algae that causes this effect is often gathered for
2904 Mazargog Castle (Castle): Conventional; AL
2908 VALLEY OF THE RED APES
This mile-wide forested valley lies in the hills five miles south of the Crimson Cliffs. A rill runs south through the valley into the Dragon Lord Hills & towards Marduck Bay, reaching the sea 45 miles to the south at Koradin.
Explorations in the Valley of the Red Apes has turned up several points of interest so far. The best known is the Ziggurat of Rhissel the Morning Lord (an ancient Dragonborn hero of Arkhosia), set almost exactly in the centre of the valley. But other adventures are to be found between these mountain ranges – the Secret Of Jen’s Hall in the mountains on the northeastern side of the valley, and another as of yet unexplored cave on the face of the cliff in the middle of the valley.
3008 Delmirev Hold The powerful Delmirev dragonborn clan with its wyvern-riding dragonborn knights dwell here in their extensive underground tunnels and vaults. They number several hundred.
3405 DIANCECHT: Conventional; AL LG;
TL 4; 100 gp limit; Assets 18,380 gp; Population 588 (warriors 147) in town, ca 4800 in surrounding countryside, for total realm population approx 5400. Integrated (half-elf 36%, elf 21%, human 18%, dwarf 10%, halfling 7%, other 8%); Resources: Pipeweed, Fish.
Soldiers: 66 - 32 Longbow Archers, 32 Infantry (mostly Glaive), 4 Tarn Knights inc Kambdum; his daughter Crystal also rides a young tarn.
Authority Figure: King Kambdum Domnavrente, male half-elf LG, reveres Athena.
Important Characters:
Mior, male elf CG Clr10, high priest of Cilborith;
Belendiel Mertakis, female Nerathi-Alryan Clr10, high priestess of Athena. Trained at the Temple of the Lady of Wisdom with Thuruar.
Princess Crystal (Lirthache) 'Moonsilver' Domnavrente (elf Wiz6) (3/4 elf - father Kambdum, mother is the elf Priestess Filmathiel, qv Grove of Cilborith)
DIANCECHT STATS
Princess Crystal:
"My brother was a warrior. A Tarn-Rider - the giant eagles? He thought he could fly to the Islands. My father warned him. He didn't listen. He never came home." She looks down into her glass. "Once out of sight of land there is only the endless ocean. Nothing to see, no landmarks, no resting place. The steed's wings tire. Eventually... ...The sea is his grave. If he had found land he would have returned to us. I only wish to ensure you not share his fate. The Foamrunner is a fine ship, the best in my father's fleet."
M6 4447: Princess Crystal seems to very much like the elf Maglor of Anatal (PC)
During the invasion of the Orcs of the Arang Tok 500 years ago (ca 3950 BCCC), Nerathi human refugees were welcomed by the elves of Diancecht. When the alliance of the races defeated the Orcs, many decided to remain and settle there. Since then a mixed community has formed with most all honoring Cilborith, the god of the elves, and Athena-Erathis, the goddess of the humans. Elf-King Kambdum, paladin of Athena, is lord of the small realm and in charge of patrolling the area.
Every spring the hamlet honors their joint heritage by celebrating the Festival of Joining, where a man representing Cilborith, and a women representing Athena are joined in symbolic marriage. Kambdum's daughter Princess Crystal (Lirthache) is a skilled sailor and captains his ship the Foamrunner, a high-prowed elven sailing ship (she is also a competent Tarnrider). Foamrunner normally has a crew of 12 elves and half-elves: 6 sailors (Captain Crystal, First Mate Aenaro, 4 crew) and 6 elven archer-marines (Serjeant Vaelin, Corporal Lurieth, 5 archers)
Authority Figure: Filmathiel,female elf [gray] CG Clr5.
Important Characters: Anewein, female elf [southern] CG Rgr (captain of temple guards). Maegladher, Elf Ranger Scout, and his giant rat Galadan (met Mordred & co on Bratanis-Skygod road 3/3/47 while investigating rumours of events in the North).
The temple is a holy grove devoted to Cilborith the elven
god. The temple is oriented so that the rising sun illuminates the interior of the grove. Filmathiel, sometime consort of King Kambdum & mother of Princess Crystal, is the current priestessof the grove. She is concerned over the arrival of the Amiondel Elves at Ludgates, and is considering calling a council of the local communities to deal with them. She has charged Anewein, leader of her temple guards, to scout out
the Ludgates elves and find out as much information as she can.
4009 Isles of Morose Trees dominate the landscape on these two islands, making a great place for the inhabitants, a colony of some 233 halflings, to raise their crops and sell them to nearby islands. The main crop is pipeweed of a great quality infrequently found in these parts. The Morose halflings are actually quite cheerful. Their chief spokesman is Sam Tarly, a very fat halfling. His Meeting Hall sized for human visitors is a half mile inland of the beach.
3410 Red Tiger Moot (Citadel): Conventional; AL LG; TL 2; 100 gp limit; Assets 550 gp; Population 176 (24 Altanian tribal warriors, 10 elite tribal fighter Chosen Axe, & 10
light cavalry make up the citadel guard; the rest are tribesfolk orartisans, craftsmen or hunters);
Isolated (human 96% [mostly Altanian], half-elf 2%, other 2%);
Authority Figure:
Chief Xatchar, male Altanian LG Ftr7.
Important Characters:
Ceraxa, female Altanian LG (Psychic Defender, protector of the moot);
Hexar, male Altanian NG (chief of the smiths).
The Red Tiger Moot marks the gathering ground for the Red Tiger Tribe of Altanians. It is a simple stone tower that is used as a watch post when the clans of the tribe are gathered for the annual moot. It is also inhabited year round by the Red Tiger’s smith. This is also where those females who desire to be protectors can go for training. The high chief Xatchar and his clan maintain the tower during the
year and they roam the surrounding area keeping trespassers away. Hexar is the leader of the smithy and takes great pride in the quality of iron weapons the Red Tigers possess. Ceraxa is 60 years old and is looking for a successor to take her position as mentor to the Red Tiger’s protectors.
3810 BLACKARROW (Town): Conventional; AL LE;
TL 5; 200 gp limit; Assets 84,250gp; Population 1,348 (Able
bodied 337); isolated (human 96%, other 4%); Resources:
Timber. Authority Figure:
Aryltradamus, male human LE Wiz8.
Important Characters:
Typhoon, male human, NE Bbn10
Birek. human captain of the Mange
Dina, human female, Birek's lieutenant
Sebbrus, male human LE Rog5 (leader of the Blackarrows and keeps order in the town for the Brotherhood).
Blackarrow was built by the Brotherhood of Pirates. Captain Crale, the leader of the Brotherhood, (City State, 4612) has decreed that this was a free port where any ship of the Brotherhood could be repaired. Aryltradamus and Sebbrus have recently been placed in charge of keeping order in the
village after several riots nearly destroyed it. Sebbrus’ cunning and Aryltradamus’ magic have been extremely effective in taming the captains who decide to break the peace. Currently a small cabal had risen aroundCaptain Typhoon to overthrow the two (Typhoon killed in duel with Hakeem the Slayer 4447). Lumberjacks and shipwrights who put their skills to repairing the ships of the Brotherhood inhabit the village. Most have been kidnapped from around the Wilderlands and have lost all hope of escape. Blackarrow occasionally comes into conflict with the small Blackcrow Altanian tribe who dwell in the forest upriver.
3914 Oyster Beds: A gigantic rustproof chain with
links 24 inches across snakes across 640 feet of oyster bed.
3915 Ataman Isle: The harbor is impassable to any
medium size or larger vessel due to the two wrecked
warships now lying on the bottom. Usually a hawk is seen
flying overhead anytime ships approach this island.
3918 KLERKENWELL: Conventional; AL LG;
TL 6; 400 gp limit; Assets 11,550 gp;
Population 496 citadel + 1000 dominion (Able bodied 424); (dwarf 45% [mostly mountain], halfelf 6%, elf 4%, human & other 55%); Resources: Spices.
Authority Figure: Roroen, male dwarf [mountain] LG Ftr8. Important
Characters: Goilin, male dwarf LG Rgr7 (captain of the
Warders); Kigai, female dwarf [mountain] LG Clr5
(Rosmerta).
Many rare and exotic components are needed by the
Ironmasters of the dwarves to complete their greatest of
magical weapons. Klerkenwell was established several
hundred years ago as a base to gather those components
from the surrounding jungle. Rare spices are also harvested
not only for the dwarves but to pay for the shipping the
components back. Roroen has been the leader of the base
for the past fifty years. He is well respected for his leadership
after defeating the Amiondel elves of Ludgates three
times. However he fears their growing strength and has
been cooperating with Filmathiel (3506) in her efforts to
form a council against Ludgates. Goilin is in charge of
safeguarding the dwarven gathering expeditions and knows
the surrounding jungles better than the elves. The magical
assistance of Kigai has proven instrumental in fending
magical assaults from the elves.
3825 The Sunken City: A kraken sleeps comfortably in the main square of a sunken Arkhosian city
now 300 feet below the waves. The city is composed of 200 buildings surrounding a central palace rumoured filled with treasure.
3923 LUDGATES (Small Town): Conventional; AL CE;
TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 36,000 gp;
Population 1,440 town, + 4000 dominion
(Able bodied 360 +1000); isolated (elf 76% [mostly high, some
gray and southern], half-elf 10% human 5% other 8%);
Resources: Horses.
Authority Figure: Pikarterlard, male elf [high] CE Clr5.
Important Characters: Vilmandil, male elf
[high] CE Clr14 (high priest of Natch Ur, leader of the
Amiondel Council); Isudia, female elf [southern] NE Clr2/
Wiz13 (member of the Amiondel council); Isin, male elf
CE Ftr10/Wiz3 (member of the Amiondel council).
The Amiondel were elves who delved too far into uncovering
the secrets of the earth. No longer desiring to work
with the earth, they now desire only to master it. Expelled
over four millennia ago, they wandered the Wilderlands for
many years. They are now followers of the evil god Natch
Ur. The leaders of the Amiondel formed a secret council to
discover further secrets. When they arrive in an area they do
whatever it takes to wrest its secrets and then leave. A
hundred years ago they arrived on the southern shores of
Orchia and establishing the town of Ludgates. They conquered
the village of Cheapside for slaves and now have spies
and agents throughout Orchia. Currently the council has
three members, Vilmandil, Isudia, and Isin. They have
placed Pikarterlard in charge of maintaining the town and
controlling the slaves they have brought in. Currently they
are enraged that the dwarves of Klerkenwell continue to
defy them and are also preparing to deal with the escaped
slaves at Ironshod after the dwarves. Though a key point on
the southern tip of Oricha and a natural way-point for those
sailing through the Orichalan Straits, most sailors avoid the
town and its evil denizens. Swift elvish ships patrol the strait
and raid ships. It is said that the only thing on which the
Overlord and the Green Emperor can agree is that the elves
of Ludgates need to be dealt with.
4232 Baying Island: The name of this island comes from the eerie, haunting howling coming
from this island. A pack of yeth hounds bays at every rising of the moon.
4321 Rose-Barrier Island: The weather-worn wreckage of many sailing ships litters the shores of this island, a testament to the many dangerous coral reefs surrounding it.
4323 Armelion Island: Sparsely populated, providing less and less food for the hungry land sharks
living here, this island is very dangerous for any land bound creature.
4420 Slain Islands: Coming to these islands on the eve of a full moon, visitors can witness the natives performing human sacrifice. While not cannibalistic in nature, the natives here certainly consider taking into custody anyone they believe they can best in combat, using them during the next full moon as victims for the sacrifice. Their religion prevents their leaving the isle for any reason.
4921 Triad Island: Travelers are wise to avoid this island! As the scene of three horrific massacres,
this island is rumored by most old mariners as a hotbed of activity for undead, the haunting grounds for enormous numbers of wights, wraiths, specters, and of course ghosts.
5024 Sharmsmoke Rocks: A large mountain peak
dominates the profile of these rocky shores. It is no wonder
that little grows here, for dispersed within the craggy and
rocky lowlands are numbers of fumaroles, most emitting
noxious and often sickening or deadly gasses. A single trail
leads to the top of the lone peak, attended to by a horrifying
incandescent apparition.
5123 Golden Flower Rock: A well-known stopping
point for many seagoing vessels, many land here to gather
provisions. Anyone experienced and knowledgeable about
the area knows to look for the yellow hue coloring much of
this isle, provided by the multitudes of sunflowers constantly
flowering year round.
ORICHA - Southern Reaches to ISLE OF THE BLEST
(0404 on Silver Skein Isles Map)
Assets 85,750,000 gp; Population 35,000 (Able bodied 8,750);
Mixed (human 95% [mostly Ghinoran, some Elritorn, Amazon, and other mixed], halfling 1%, elf 1%, dwarf 0.5% (see below),
gnome 1%, half-elf 0.5%, half-orc 0.5%, Dragonborn 0.5%);
Resources: Market. Banana plantations. Cotton. Fish, especially crab.
Authority Figure: King Danstone of the Iron Fist, 22nd Sea King of Rallu, male Ghinoran (4406-)
Important Characters: General Trufo the Tall, male Ghinoran
(Commander of the Army); Lord Tgoshe Welstn Tabe, male Ghinoran (cousin, twice removed, of King Danstone, the only other legal contender for the throne); Afcohop, male Ghinoran (leader of the Assassins Guild); Jesen Reckbane, male human (leader of the most infamous Thieves Guild of Rallu); Snjnom Durant, male human (elderly admiral of the fleet, currently bedridden); Moboe, male Ghinoran (High Priest of Enlifos); Fenimone, female Ghinoran (Druidess, keeper of the city parks, follower of Beytnorn); Teporn Algor, male human (high priest of Poseidon); Samada, female Ghinoran (high priestess of Tama Hama); Almec Felstun, male Tharbrian (owner of the ‘Southern Star’ inn, a well known smuggler retreat); Varnko Witherspell, male Dorin or Elritorn(?) Mage (owner of the Arcane Archive shop, ally of the Allamsor noble family).
Located on the warm southern tip of the Isle of the Blest, the modern city of Rallu was founded 1,100 years ago (in 3333 BCCC) by Thellagon the Mariner and a group of travelers from the north who discovered ancient Arkhosian (ca 2450 BCCC) & Kelnoran (ca 900 BCCC) ruins in the area. In the 1,000 plus years since then, Thellagon’s descendents built up Rallu into the center of commerce on the Isle. The men of Rallu – all mighty mariners who claim descent from the ship captains of the Kingdom of Kelnore – have come to be known as the “Sea Kings,” though the captains of Tarantis might claim they are the true holders of such a title.
These Sea Kings, through careful and cautious exploration and trade with the northern powers and other local island populations, were able to bring skilled artisans and craftsmen and many goods to the city. All of this was accomplished without any wars or submission to foreign governments, mainly due to the fact the hereditary rulers of Rallu kept the city’s exact location secret from outsiders. This secrecy lasted until the reign of Forgon the Foolish who came to power in
4217 BCCC and who revealed the location of the city to the outside world. He was assassinated by his advisors three years into his reign for this indiscretion. Over the next 10 years (known as the “Shadow Years”) the fate of the city was at many times very bleak and war with the city state of Tula was an ever present threat. These were the times when Rallu’s treasure vaults were relocated to an unknown hiding place; several wild rumors circulate about their contents and guardians (it is even whispered that King Danstone delights in throwing important prisoners into pits full of gold coins, letting them starve on a small fortune). While not openly or heavily pursued by either side, the threat of war with Tula persists to this day. The cities test each other’s sea power several times a year in small skirmishes.
The main business of Rallu is shipping—whether sea trade, ship building and repairing, or any other craft related to shipping. The market of the city bears goods from all over the world and sees as many visitors as any other of the city states.
The narrow streets and small plazas are always bustling with activity. Whether it is slaves, chariots, an antique crown or a rare folio, there will be someone to buy and sell it, or at least have it stolen if all else fails.
The present Lord of Rallu and 22nd hereditary monarch of the city is King Danstone of the Iron Fist, Sea King of Rallu. He assumed the throne in 4425 BCCC (on his 19th birthday) and has led his people into an age of profitable progression, rivaling that of his forefathers. Thanks to Danstone’s masterful move of doubling the navy, Rallu trades not only far and wide but also openly, even with the city states to the north. Rumors say that Danstone has made a secret arrangement with Atar the Lion, King of the City State of Tarantis, to acquire dwarven slaves as smiths and craftsmen, who are secretly brought in on vessels that put into Rallu supposedly for repairs. This rumor is supported by the fact that Danstone has recently put dwarves to work on the upkeep of the walls and structures of Rallu, which suffer terribly in the tropical weather of the Isle, and are in constant need of repairs.
Law enforcement tends to take most outsiders by surprise.
There is no local constabulary to speak of. Instead, all ‘policing’ is done either by the army (through patrols and riot squads) or the navy. All visitors to the city are given a strict overview of behavior
and laws upon arrival and are expected to adhere to the rules or face the consequences, as would any permanent citizen. Failure to agree to these terms results in ejection from the city for life. Slavery
and execution are common punishments. As everything else, justice is a commodity for sale, whether to ignore, pursue or even kill a chosen person.
The average citizen of Rallu is a human (most likely Ghinoran) sailor or craftsman with a bit of military experience. Thieves, thugs and other scoundrels are also common as Rallu is well known to attract and hide their kind. Rallu’s noble merchants such as Lady Lucretia Alamsor and Eldam Alamsor usually live in fortified houses with 10 to 40 house guards each (MM Guard). The most ancient god of the city is Enlifos the Moon Demon, although Danstone tries to discourage his worship, and the cult is slowly dying out. Other common religions include Beytnorn, whose druidesses live in a walled park, Poseidon, to whom a bull is sacrificed each week, and Tama Hama, Goddess of Lust, whose high priestess lives in a bejeweled palace with (it is said) one hundred eunuch guardians. Hanuman the Accursed also has a temple by the sea, but it is sealed and empty.
HOUSE ALAMSOR OF RALLU - left Selatine 7/2/4446
Eldam Alamsor of Rallu, Captain of the Hale & Hearty.
A big, bearded man of Ghinoran appearance in the bright colours of Rallu comes on deck, and hails you: "Hello there!!"
...Eldam pours wine that sparkles with silver and purple wraiths - mage wine of Tula - and beckons you sit with him at the round table.
..."I am unmarried, as it happens. I had a fiancee once... but the yellow sickness took her. The priests could do nothing."
This merchant prince of Rallu, City State of the Sea Kings, captains a large merchantman - normally plying the trade routes east to the Silver Skein Isles and south to Tula, but recently (M12 4445) he was searching for the pirate Tsamar, who held his cousin the Lady Lucretia. His resources include 44 of an original fifty well-equipped Red Sash Company Marines of Rallu under Master Serjeant Olex (bald, scarred, grim, laconic), and the venerable fireball-wielding Dorin Mage Varnko Witherspell, an ally of House Alamsor.
The Hale & Hearty: Crew 20, 100 tons cargo, AC 15, hp 300/DT 15, typically 75 miles/day (5 hexes) under sail.
Rallu: pg 391 WOHF bk 2.
24/12/4445 BCCC: Eldam captured Tsamar, massacred her crews, rescued his cousin Lady Lucretia (with help from Hakeem & Malenn) and her handmaid Alli. The Dorin Mage Varnko fireballed the Sea Queen, while Tsamar's Jewel was captured. After a night of drinking, Eldam & Lord Hytirus Vex decided to give the ship to Bjornalf 25/12/4445 (it became Vex Gratitude).
25/12/4445: Eldam has decided to stay in Selatine awhile. Jana Vex seems much smitten with him. Eldam told Rey that he maintains a harem in Rallu, like all proper Rallu noblemen, but personally dislikes the slave trade. He mentions the new religion of Mycr, and its opposition to slavery.
Eldam's Red Sash Marines gained much loot from the slaughter of Tsamar's men; Eldam was generous in distribution of the captured booty from the pirate ships, and they were happy to stay in Selatine, carousing with the tavern wenches, spending freely, and drinking much Ghinarian ale and ouzo.
M2 4447: Lady Lucretia Alamsor has been trading for pipeweed with the Halflings of the Isles of Morose in northern Oricha. She likes bananas.
Lady Lucretia's ship the Garland is a large merchantman, she has two big ship's boats. The shipmaster is the elderly Bilge-Splash Becks, first mate Great Gabwell is a huge man who looks like a pig and eats like one too. Lucretia's giggly companion Brionny Fortin comes from a good Rallu family. A would-be mermaid, she spends her off hours gazing dreamily into the depths. Second Mate Meritxell (RIP 15/2/47) was a serious half-elf known for her mastery of rope.
Total Crew is22 21: SM Becks, FM Gabwell, SM Meritxell, 18 common sailors, and ship's cook Hobble - he lost his legs to a shark, but says he can do anything a whole man can. Most of crew typically wear just a loincloth in the hot southern weather, but are able to fight and in case of conflict are issued cotton gambeson (AC 12) and cutlass (d8, slashing). There are also 8 shields (AC+2), 8 boarding pike (2hw, d10, piercing, 10' reach) and 8 heavy crossbows (2d10/1d10, piercing) on board in case of serious conflict.
The Garland can do 90 miles/day (6 hexes) with a good wind and 18 crew (3 shifts of 6).
2/47: Brionny launches into a very detailed account of Ralluan society gossip, who's courting who, who's wearing what, all the ongoing affairs at Court, how Madam Pompitous is carrying on with Lord Mackerel 30 years her junior, how Princess Tiffany's taffeta gown caught on the jagged bas-relief Pelican beak of the Count Emerich's balustrade at Emerich's New Year's Ball, ripping it off completely and causing a huge scene before noble Sir Varis leapt in to wrap one of Emerich's golden curtain-drapes around the nude Royal; how King Danstone had Admiral Melchett executed for the defeat at Ludgates...
"...Lugdates? Oh yes, the Amiodel elves! Evil cultists I hear, they worship some tentacle sea god - they've practically closed the Straits of Oricha now! Oh, if only the Royal Navy would spend as much time in the north, as they do messing around with fighting Tula! More ale?"
M7 4447: News from Rallu is that the Princess Tiffany Danstone is engaged to marry Sir Varis Edaris, greatly furthering his advancement at court. Some say that the Count Emerich, who also had designs upon the Princess, is not happy at this development. Meanwhile the Lady Carlia Edaris, Sir Varis' elder sister, is being courted by a stranger from the north, a Lord Hytirus Vex. Perhaps there shall be a joint wedding?
Ralluan Court
Redeye Inn Serving Girls sold to Orson the Northron by the Orcs of Oriax after M4 4446 BCCC
Vatta, cousin of Aya - taken north to CSIO.
ex Redeye Serving Slaves:
1. Aole, former princess of Neria.
Kept by Orson as a ship's healer/consort.
2. Candice Wright, former heiress of Yggsburgh (now serving wench at Bratanis M2 4447)
NORTHERN ALTANIS
Fogbound Forest (Dense Forest, Wet): Continuously surrounded in natural fog, this woodland is home to brigands and humanoids. Expeditions from Onhir (3313) hunt the large rainbow lizards, whose colorful hide fetches a high price on the market. It is said that a stronghold of the evil god Zehir-Sett is hidden somewhere in the region, and it guards an enormous opal gemstone. Encounters: brigands, clerics of Zehir-Sett, rainbow lizards.
Authority Figure:
Archpriest Thuruar (PC) male Altanian Clr 15.
Important Characters:
Vanir Tholemestes, male Alryan Priest, former high priest, Clr7.
Sora Menekakhos, female Tharbrian Priestess, Clr6.
Orsos Odysseus, male human warrior (commander of the temple guards).
Thumektos, male Altanian warrior-priest (chief vintner) Clr1/veteran.
Temple Personnel stats
The temple of the Lady of Wisdom is dedicated to Athena in her aspect as the goddess of knowledge. For over a thousand years (since ca 3380 BCCC) it has stood as a center for learning. When Zothay fell a century ago, Skandik longships soon attempted to raid but were destroyed in a sudden storm. Two more raids in the next twenty years met a similar fate. An army marching from Zothay was stricken by plague and arrived at the temple with only two out of every ten men able to walk. The temple made peace with Ossary and promised not to foment rebellion if left in peace. Today Vanir is the head priest and, while sympathetic to the ideas and ideals of Kritas and Perena of Zothay, is not willing to join them as it would break the peace treaty. The stone owls in the temple animate if the clerics are attacked. The grapes grown in the area are blessed by the goddess herself: unlike other wines, the ones produced here induce calm introspection instead of rowdy revelry.
Father Thuruar (PC) trained here, as later did Lady Lilith (PC),
Owl of Athena
Senior priests of Athena, known as Matriarchs & Patriarchs (Cleric Level 8+) in good standing can master the Summon Owl of Athena ritual (Level 4 ritual). The rite takes place at night under the full moon. Athena sends a giant owl (as giant eagle, low-light vision) to serve them loyally. A saddle must be provided; a saddled owl can carry one human-sized rider. The giant owl may snatch small humans and similar sized creatures (ca 120 lb & below). If an owl is slain, Athena may permit another to be summoned at the next full moon.
(3611) ZOTHAY (Town): Conventional; AL N/LG; TL 5; 800 gp limit; Assets 55,500gp; Population 4000 (Able bodied 1000); Mixed (human 90% [50% Mixed/Alryan, 20% Gishmesh, 25% Tharbrian, 10% Skandik, 10% Altanian, 5% Ghinoran], half-elf 2%, elf 4%, dwarf 2%, halfling 1%, other 1%)
Resources: Market.
Authority Figure: Governor -Kritas the Red, male Skandik Wizard.
Important Characters: Sjorald Ivarson, male Skandik Warrior (envoy from Ossary, stationed here to ensure that the tribute is met).Perena, female Tharbrian Priestess (Clr 5, Athena); Sanjis Tharsa, female Gishmesh dancing girl, owner of the Three Plates Resthouse; Revin Olthar, male Tharbrian slave trader); Thunis of Thalanzar, male Gishmesh priest of Selanii.
When the Skandiks arrived at Ossary over 1,000 years ago, Zothay was a small fishing village. After the town of Kauran fell, the entire coastline southward felt the repeated raids of the Skandiks. Emboldened by the goddess Athena, Zothay
was the lone village to resist. It built a small alliance along the coast to Horaja and began to successfully resist the Skandiks. An alliance was made with the Overlord of the City State, and the village became a small city as the goods from the Sea of Five Winds flowed up the Old South Road to the City State.
However, 100 years ago, the King of Ossary enlisted the aid of the Redrock Orcs to attack Zothay and its alliance. In the general confusion, the King of Ossary attacked Zothay and sacked the town. He had the citizens tear down the sea-walls, installed a Skandik governor, and forced the town to pay tribute.
The current King of Ossary’s father installed Kritas the Red as governor. While born a Skandik, he now considers Zothay his home. Alkazed, the current king sent Sjorald to ensure Kritas’ loyalty. Perena supports Kritas and the two are working on a plan to free Zothay. Zothay has a sizable Gishmesh enclave; they worship
Selanii, the Paldorian goddess of the sea.
Today, Zothay is a small walled town on the coast of Damkina Bay, a mostly calm haven of the vast Winedark Sea. The lands about are varied: to the north and northeast lie desolate wastelands with a few small rivers winding their ways through deep canyons. Only hardy weeds and stunted trees grow here, although a few Altanian herdsmen also try to make a living. To the southwest, one can find thick, almost junglelike forests where live the elves of Onhir – these master gemcutters are friendly to the inhabitants of the town and are found there in large
numbers, especially higher class areas and the fertile peninsula to the southeast. Further to the west, the rugged peaks of the Ered Perack loom over unknown valleys. Many have been lost looking for abandoned tombs and the like. The virgin priestesses of Hecate live in their domed temple on the lower slopes. Their divinations and omens are sought by the wealthy and the foolish – for these services never come without a price.
M4 4447 BCCC - Perena, Priestess of Athena, assassinated by Dark Brotherhood, head left on steps of Kritas' mansion.
M6 4447 BCCC Kritas recalled and executed by King Alkazed.
M8 4447 Skandik Warfleet arrives at Zothay.
This large and well defended stone country inn with enclosed courtyard & stables sits on the north bank of the Murmuring Stream. The Innkeep, Krol, is rumoured to have Ogre blood. He has numerous inn-guards, servants and slaves to attend to traffic, including the slave girl Mela, a recent (19/4/4446) acquisition from a noble traveller, Agollos, said to have been foully murdered by two savage brigands.
North of the river is the stout dwarf-built two-storey stone inn, the One-Eyed Hound (has bath pool, room plus bath is 1gp). The stout and balding Skandik Innkeeper Bara runs it well. His niece Helga is a barmaid and very popular with the local garrison, but said to be chaste - or at least, hard to catch.
A second dwarf-built inn, the Serpent's Lodge (so named for the Serpentman wizard said to have once lodged there), lies just south of the ford. The Serpent's Lodge is popular with slavers for the extensive slave pits beneath the inn that hold their merchandise, and the square outside the inn often serves as a slave market.
Authority Figure: Cairnol, male Alryan Brd 5.
Important Characters: Travar Angus, male Alryan guard captain.
The tower was built 500 years ago on a hill overlooking Bellystone Ford a half mile to the north-east. Ten years ago the bard Cairnol won permission from the Overlord to establish a bardic college in the unused portions of the tower. While Travar is the military commander, Cairnol is charge of the college and the small hamlet that has grown around the tower.
Important Characters: Lord Macluir, male elf [high] Fighter 15 Eldritch Knight (Captain of the Guards); Kirilis the Swordmaiden, female half-elf Cleric 5 Warpriest (Cilborith). Feani, an elven scout (who lost her maidenhood to the Great Mage Amdor, RIP) and aided Hakeem Thuruar & Rey to defeat the Black Sun.
Rolling, garden-like farmland, lush vineyards, and blossomed orchards soon open up into a wide valley bordered to the SE and SW by the mist-shrouded trees of the Fogbound Forest. White marble walls and towers, nearly obscured by vines and foliage, convey a disorienting feeling of both great age, and impermeable timelessness at the same time. Eerie music floats on the air from unfamiliar and unseen instruments. Here and there, around the valley and seemingly at perfect ease and comfort, rare in this usually savage world, are small groups and individuals clad in pale, flowing garments, tall and graceful, and as ageless as the city beyond.
The elves of Onhir are renowned for their craftsmanship in gems and jewelry. The Fogbound Forest has over a dozen small sites where the elves mine quartz, citrine, amethyst and aquamarine. Numerous ravines cut the forest and in the ravines are exposed rich beds of gem bearing rock. The elven smiths of Anatal and the gem smiths of Onhir often work together. The skills of both allow the enchantment of potent artifacts of power. Cuchulainn has recently inherited his position from his mother, whose departure for the Elphand Lands was an end to a seven hundred years old reign. Macluir leads both fighters and rangers in patrolling the forest. Onhir has enjoyed trade with the region around City State dating back to the time of the Dragon Empire. The Old South Road was built to allow caravans between the two areas to travel quickly to avoid the numerous monsters of the Wilderlands. The treant-guarded shrine of Cilborith in Onhir holds the Galt Pipes, a famed bardic musical instrument.
Macluir interjects: "There was an ambush, some months ago. Nerathi, we think. Feani's mentor Rythalin was killed."
Feani nods, eyes downcast. "We were with the Altanian rebels near Halafic. The Nerathi attacked our camp. I got away..."
(3112) Grove of Serenity (Citadel): Magical; TL 4; 100 gp limit; Population 244 (38 Rgrs, 14 Clr1s, 4 Clr2-4s and 4 Sor1-3s live at the temple; there are many more worshippers, pilgrims and seekers of tranquility of various classes visiting at any one time); Isolated (elf 96% [mostly high, some gray], other 4%). Authority Figure: Deeladiel, female elf [high] Clr5. Important Characters: Zantrin, male elf [high] CG Rgr (ranger captain); Alysanda, female elf [gray] CG Clr3 (keeper of the sacred spring).
The Grove is a holy temple dedicated to the elven god Cilborith. Deeladiel leads the worship, her devotion well respected despite her youth. Zantrin is the captain of rangers protecting the grove and leads patrols along the mountains of Ered Perack. He is fascinated and frightened by a strange prophecy – foretelling that his most beloved ones will be laid low by the evil in the Matmata Caves. Several watchtowers and traps are hidden within the trees, since Zantrin’s obsession with security is ever increasing. Alysanda protects a pure spring in the grove; its water acts as an atonement spell on those genuinely desiring relief from their misdeeds.
(2812) ANATAL (Town): Conventional; TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 37,200gp; Population 1,488 (Able bodied 372); Isolated (elf 93% [high], dwarf 2%, human 3%, other 2%); Resources: Weapons. Authority Figure: Queen Cildarith, female elf [high] Elf Enchanter (sc 13). Important Characters: Aeanor, male elf [high] Mage-Champion (sc9) legendary elven smith; Cerdai, female elf [high] KP War Priest (sc 7) (Cilborith). Princess Valadai, sister of Cildarith. Mithradain, elven knight & Captain of the Guard.
ANATAL STATS
Anatal is an ancient center for elven smithing in the Wilderlands. Its history dates back to the War of the Pious and the Philosophers. It is believed that its foundation was done at the request of the elf-god Cilborith himself. Queen Cildarith is the latest of several generations of elves to continue to maintain Anatal. Located in the town is a temple to Cilborith led by the high priestess Cerdai. She is often called upon to bless the final workings of the smiths. Aeanor is the greatest of the smiths in residence, and his work is renowned throughout the northern Wilderlands. Mithradain is Captain of the Guard, he wears +2 mithril plate armour forged by Aeanor himself.
Rumours: M4 4446 The Queen's flighty sister Princess Valadai is missing, rumoured kidnapped by slavers!
23/5/4446: Valadai was returned to Anatal - proves very grateful to Lord Reynard...
ca end M8 4447 BCCC: Hakeem Greywolf leaves the Sword & Armour of Bondorr with Master Smith Aeanor. Somewhere hidden in the future mists of time, another Hero will rise to don the Armour and wield the Blade.
Resources: Iron.
Authority Figure: King Frandal the Hammer, male dwarf [mountain].
Important Characters: Hanil, female dwarf [mountain] (high priestess of Rosmerta); Rimlin Asthur, male dwarf [mountain] (leader of the guild of ironmasters). Daximus Shadowborne, Dwarf Scout.
Chacban, along with Kolda, is one of the two major forges of dwarves in the lands of Barbarian Altanis. It is known as a center for dwarven mysticism and is home to a temple of the dwarven goddess Rosmerta. Hanil, the current priestess is respected for her wisdom and counsel. Chacban has the high guildhall of the Ironmasters. This is an ancient and secretive order of dwarven smiths whose lore is reputed to have created many of the dwarven artifacts and weapons of legend. Rimlin is the leader of the guild and works with the mine masters to find the highest quality ore. The dwarves of Chacban wear golden jewelry; even their weapons are usually gold plated.
Rumour: M4 4446 The Scout Daximus Shadowborne recently returned to Chacban with a naked elven concubine in tow...
DOMAIN OF
Castellan Mountains
2721 BISITUNI (Town): Conventional; AL N; TL 1; 200 gp limit; Assets 6,325gp; Population 1,012 (Combatant 253); Isolated (Halfling 97% [highland], Dwarf 2%, Human & other 1%); Resources: Market, Potatoes, Tobacco. Pan-Pipes. Broad-brimmed hats & ponchos.
Authority Figure: Bifolls Stalker, male halfling [highland].
Important Characters: Tyla Mistletoe, female halfling [highland] (druidess of the village); Olden Thistle male halfling [highland] (leader of the scouts).
Bisituni is a small community of the southern highland halflings that trade potatoes and llamas for tools and jewelry. Bifolls is the hetman of the village and has proven to be a good leader. Olden Thistle leads the halfling patrols in the region around the village. Bisituni’s halflings were
much more advanced in the past: a complete sewer system, monolithic stone structures and cyclopean walls are all that remain from their ancient city.
2918 KOLDA (Town): Conventional; TL 4; 400gp limit; Cash Assets 18,925gp; Population 1790 - Mountain Dwarf 1,428 (Warriors 357), Human slaves 362 (90% female);
Resources: Weapons. Can forge enchanted weapons & armour of Rare - Superior quality.
Authority Figure: King Dorin Utagon, male dwarf [mountain], hammer +3 dwarf thrower
Important Characters: Hanli Belisinnu, male dwarf [mountain] (Priest of Goibhnie, god of smiths); Ekli Ut Tarrek, male dwarf [mountain] (leader of the Ironmasters); Hatuzon the Heedful, male dwarf [mountain] (Warlock).
Only trusted dwarves and their human slaves are allowed beyond the twin gates of Kolda. The half-underground citadel, along with Chacban, is one of the two forges of dwarves in the lands of Barbarian Altanis. The most prestigious school of the dwarven ironmasters is located here; the quality of weapons famed throughout the Wilderlands. The inhabitants of the town rarely leave their home, relying on their northern brethren to transport them to the markets. They mistrust humans and prefer to wear golden jewelry, even coating their armor and weapons with the same. A small number of clever but (it's said) insane dwarves worship at the Mirror of Yog, an aeons-old metal mirror showing things best left unseen. They gain Warlock powers through this act.
Lair Treasure (1e MM): 26,000gp 1,300 pp, 1 Arcane scroll of 5 spells levels 4 5th 1 6th , 33 gems 21 - 10gp, 11 -100gp, 1 500gp, 13 jewelry - 1000 1000 4000 5000 2000 6000 3000 5000 2000 4000; 3000 800 600. Total cash value 78,330gp.
Oriax now inhabits the Isles of Purple Haunted Putrescence, a faraway dimension. His ability to reach the Wilderlands seems limited.
Slave Girls taken by Joseph from Ahyf to Oriax's realm ca M4 4447
Lucy Prentice: outworld slave, acquired by Lord Reynard from Oriax the Horned Wizard on 29/11/4445. Declared herself free in Thusia M2 4446. Ran off with Orph the Bard, who eventually sold her as a coin girl in Ahyf.
Another notable resident of Thusia was the former Oriax Girl Lucy Prentice - a highly intelligent 'Philosopher' (Scientist) of CHER, Cambridge, Earth 2009. Where most of Rey's acquisitions fell eagerly into his arms, Lucy had proven rather reluctant, eventually giving in... on reaching Thusia 12/2/46, Lucy declared her intention to stay in Thusia as a free woman. She was assisting Lady Meda in her researches, and learning about Mycr."
5/5/46 Word in Thusia has it that Tania the Amazon & Lucy Prentice are now 'close personal friends'... also with Orph!
M6-10 4446: Lucy went off with Orph to Ahyf town. When he tired of her, he sold her as a coin girl to Gorok Halfogre. She now works at the Airshark Inn as a tavern wench.
M4 47 Lucy was bought by Joseph, Oriax's apprentice, and sent to the Isles of Purple-Haunted Putrescence.
Annabel & Ivy Striker, ex of Yggsburgh.
Cirella Annabel & Ivy were among those left by Rey at the Temple-Tomb of Belaras and reportedly then sold on by the temple to Ahyf slavers.
Empire of Nerath (ca 3400?-4197 BCCC): Founded by exiled Alryan nobles from the young City State of the Invincible Overlord. Northern boundary at the River Greyrush & Lake of Temple Deeps, extending south over the Ghinarian hills and northern Oricha/Arkhosia.
Bael Turathi ‘Empire of Glorious Doomfire’ (ca 900?-2450 BCCC) – Turath was originally founded by Ghinoran colonists who interbred with the indigenous Altani, but their growing empire fell under the control of human but dragon-blooded 'dragon lords', who eventually carved out a powerful sorcerous state from the decaying empire of Kelnore. Brought the horned Demonbrood ("Tieflings") as servitors from the Demon Empires of the far south, and this strain over centuries became a dominant aristocracy within the empire. At times included the Roglaras (resettling what are now the CSIO and Modron) and Isles of Pokrantil, but generally northern limits were Battleplain Gwalion in the NW, Plain of Cairns and Sea Rune in the NE. Southern borders were the Ghinarian Hills (Thracia) (at times extending over the Vale to the River of Visions) and the dismal swamps SW of the Castellan Mountains. The empire was destroyed in war with Arkhosia by the backlash from the Rain of Colourless Fire which annihilated Bael Turath, then by the subsequent Altanian slave uprising led by Bondorr the Liberator.
Dragonborn Empire of Arkhosia (ca 1000?-2450 BCCC) – Founded by the Dragonborn, a wingless draconic humanoid race created as slave warriors by the Orichalan Dragon Lords (the First Lords), probably as a vassal state of Kelnore, but survived that empire's fall. From the southern borders of the Doomfire Empire, south across Oricha and Isle of the Blest, with outpost colonies in Ghinor beyond the southern sea. Capital city of Arkhosia in northern Isle of the Blest and other cities along the Straits of Oricha were destroyed by the Turathi Doomfire, eliminating Arkhosia in a single blow.
Empire of Kelnore (ca 400-900 BCCC) – Founded by Northmen who copied and adapted Ghinoran culture. Notable for her great roadways and public works, but weak in sorcery. Extent as described in WoHF, across all Altanis and far to the NE. Destroyed by barbarian invasions and the magics of the Doomfire Empire.
Ghinoran Successor States (-450 to 350 BCCC+) - arose in the aftermath of the destruction of the Orichalan Dragon Lords. Ghninoran city-states spread across Ghinor, Oricha, and the Ghinarian Hills (Thracia), with outposts far to the north and west, eg Damkina.
Empire of the Orichalan Dragon Lords (the First Lords) (ca -2900 to -575 BCCC) – The only major power to survive the War of the Pious and Philosophers which destroyed the power of science across the Wilderlands. The Dragon Lords were humanoid but inhuman entities who bound the power of the mighty Dragon Kings to their will. A few depictions show winged, bipedal, half-draconic creatures. At its height, the empire extended across all Pazidan, the Antillian Peninsula, and beyond, far into Ghinor to the south, and north across the Winedark Sea. Following a disastrous century-long war with the Demon Empires of the far south, Orichala was destroyed by a combined slave uprising of the Altani barbarian tribes under the first Bondorr (now god of swords), the Dragonborn slave warriors, and to the south the proto-Ghinorans under Prince Ghinor.
Altan Federation (To -2900?) - This almost unknown technological and peaceful culture predated the rise of the Dragon Lords in Oricha to the south, and was destroyed by them before and during the War of the Pious and the Philosophers. Originators of the Warforged. There are indications that the Altan in their desperation may have allied with the alien Markab, and that some Dragon Lords too were corrupted by the power of the dark Markab sorcery known as Science. Remnants believed to be from the Federation can be found from the River of Visions in northern Oricha, north across Altanis to the Roglaras.
Favourable wind: 4-6.5 mph, 6-10 hexes/day (150 miles!).
Unfavourable wind: 1-3 mph, 1-5 hexes/day.
No wind: 0 mph, 0 hexes/day
By contrast a flying beast can rarely manage more than 6-8 hexes/day (90-120 miles), flying at up to 15mph for up to 8 hours. A typical 4x6 speed 60' flying carpet can likewise carry passengers at 12 mph for up to 10 hours/day, 120 miles or 8 hexes.
Small Sailing Ship, eg Lord Vex's 'Arcadia'. avg. 60 miles (4 hexes)/day. crew 10.
Fast Large Merchantman, eg Bjornalf's 'Vex Gratitude', Eldam Alamsor's 'Hale & Hearty', Lucretia Alamsor's 'Garland' avg 75 miles (5 hexes)/day. crew 20.
.
____________________________________________
GOLDEN QUEEN'S DOMINION - Queen Malenn of Mitra, wife of Hakeem Godslayer
Ahyf (Small Town, Ghinoran/Antillian, Market IV): Queen Malenn from M8 4447. Was Baroness Sarene, was Warlord Briaron & the Council of Elders. pop. 7,000 (dominion)
PL 4. Resources: Mineral Market (Low) 250 gp/m, Fields (disrupted) 400>200gp/m, Fishmarket (restored) 200>400gp/m, Coin Girls (disrupted) 400>200gp/m. Total: 1050 gp/m > 1450gp/m.
Standing Military: 40 Town Watch (infantry): 40x9=360gp/m. 60 City Guard (infantry) 60x9=540gp/m. 20 Battle Brothers of Mitra (hobilars): 20x18=360gp/m. Total -1260 gp/m.
Clear Meadows (Village, Nerathi/Ghinoran, Market VI): Father Synjyn of the Temple of St Irig of Mitra. pop. 2,100 (dominion)
PL 3.
Trade (Antillian/Ghinoran): fr M6/4446 Count Shieldbiter the Dragonborn for Hakeem; was Tarcon - surrendered to Yusan M5 4446. Destroyed by Matriarx M7/47.
Total population: 9,100; civilised, approximately 910 warriors including freedman levy, mostly low quality.
GHINARIAN LORDS' ALLIANCE - Kaldrac (populations for 4448)
Verius (Ghinoran, Market VI): Kaldrac, leader of the Lords' Alliance. Pop. 480
3630 Talholm - Coastal Thorpe, 75 RP
3730 Krens Cairn - Coastal Hamlet with Hill Fort, 150-50=100 RP
Human Settlement Base Production (Season RP)
Underground, Desert, Mountain 100
Hills, Marsh 200
Coastal 300
Forest, Plains 400
Underground Settlement Base Production by Race (Season RP)
Human, Gnoll, Lizardman 100
Kobold, Goblin 200
Elf, Vrilya 300
Dwarf, Orc, Duergar, Hobgoblin 400
Province Hex Population & Population Centre: Production Modifier
200+ Thorpe x0.25
400+ Hamlet x0.5
800+ Village x1
1,600+ Small Town: x2
3,200+ Large Town: x2.5
6,400+ Small City: x3
12,800+ Large City: x4
25,600+ Metropolis: x5
Province/Hex Population Centre RP Multiplier - Max Units per Province, Settlement Build & Upkeep
Thorpe 0.25 - 5, 750 & 0 RP (initial cost includes clearing wilderness)
Hamlet 0.5 - 8, 500 & 50 RP
Village 1 - 12, 1,000 & 100 RP
Small Town 2 - 16, 5,000 & 200 RP
Large Town 2.5 - 24, 20,000 & 250 RP
Small City 3 - 36, 70,000 & 300 RP
Large City 4 - 50, 400,000 & 400 RP
Metropolis 5 - 100, 500,000 & 500 RP
Input 500gp converts to 1 RP
Extracting 1 RP converts to 250gp
Unit Upkeep per Season (200 men approx) at 250gp per RP.
CR 0 XP 10 Untrained: 10 RP/5,000gp 0.14 gp/man/day eg Commoner. Morale 5
CR 1/8 XP 25 Trained 25 RP/12,500gp 0.34 gp/man/day eg Tribal Warrior, Bandit, Cultist, Guard, Kobold. Morale 6
CR 1/4 XP 50 Regular 50 RP/25,000gp 0.68 gp/man/day eg Goblin. Morale 7.
CR 1/2 XP 100 Experienced 100 RP/50,000gp 1.35gp/man/day eg Scout, Hobgoblin, Orc. Morale 8
CR 1 XP 200 Crack 200 RP/100,000gp 2.7gp/man/day eg Bugbear. Morale 8
CR 2 XP 450 Elite 450 RP/225,000gp 6.12gp/man/day eg Cult Fanatic, Ogre. Morale 9
CR 3 XP 700 Veteran 700 RP/350,000gp 9.45gp/man/day eg Veteran, Knight. Morale 9
CR 4 XP 1100 Hero 1100 RP/650,000gp 14.85gp/man/day eg Ettin. Morale 10
CR 5 XP 1800 Monstrous 1800 RP/900,000gp 24.3gp/man/day eg Hill Giant, Troll. Morale 10
Units in Garrison typically cost half as much to maintain.
To find a varied unit's total maintenance RP, you can add up the creatures' total XPV and divide by 200.
Small Units
1/4 Unit (Platoon): 50 men, 1/4 RP
1/2 Unit (Double Platoon): 100 men, 1/2 RP.
Base Army Value = maintenance RP of all units, added together.
Formations
Units organised into a 4+ unit/800+ man Battalion, Host or Cohort (100 RP) gain +20% to BAV when fighting together
Units organised into an 8+ unit/1600+ man Regiment or Company (200 RP) gain +30% to BAV when fighting together
Units organised into a 16+ unit/3200+ man Brigade, Vasthost or Legion (400 RP) gain +40% to BAV when fighting together
A Named Formation (one that has survived 5 battles fighting together and received a formal Name from their liege) gains a further +10% to BAV when fighting together (so a Named Legion is +50% to BAV).
Unit CR Time & Cost to Recruit/Train
0 1 week 5 RP (RPx0.5)
1/8 2 weeks 12 RP (RPx0.5)
1/4 1 month 50 RP (RPx1)
1/2 2 months 200 RP (RPx2)
1 1 season 600 RP (RPx3)
2 2 seasons 1800 RP (RPx4)
3 3 seasons 3500 RP (RPx5)
4+ 1 year (4 seasons) RPx6
Regent Actions (1 Standard Regent Action per Month)
Annex Land (Standard). Clearing a province and establishing a thorpe costs 750 RP.
Assign Generals (Free) 0 RP
Bank Income (Free, Civilised only) 0 RP
Cast Realm Spell (standard, cost varies)
Create Formation (Free) 100/225/400 RP
Declare Peace (Standard) 0 RP
Declare War (Standard) 0 RP
Espionage, Disrupt Trade (Standard, 1000 RP)
Espionage, Infiltrate Guild (Standard) cost = guild cost
Espionage, Spy (Standard, 500 RP)
Forge Alliance (Standard) 0 to 1000 RP
Muster Troops (Standard) varies
Name Formation Free, 50/100/200 RP
Reform Formation Free, 25 RP per replacement unit
Sacrifice free, 1000 RP per 5% chance of realm blessing
Sever Ties free, 0 RP
Trade Agreement standard, 100 RP per province in target realm.
Train Troops standard, varies
Realm Actions (1 Standard Realm Action per Month)
Bank Surplus free, 0 RP
Buy Improvement standard, varies
Build Permanent Fortification standard, varies
Build Port full season, 500 RPxpopulation centre resource multiplier
Build Road full season, varies
Build Thorpe full season, 750 RP
Garrison Population Centre standard, varies
Improve Guild standard, varies
Improve Road standard, varies
Upgrade Population Centre:
200+ Thorpe>Hamlet 500 RP, 1 Season
400+ Hamlet>Village 1,000 RP, 1 Season
800+ Village>Small Town 5,000 RP, 2 Seasons
1,600+ Small Town>Large Town: 20,000 RP, 3 Seasons
3,200+ Large Town>Small City: 70,000 RP, 4 Seasons
6,400+ Small City>Large City: 400,000 RP, 5 Seasons
12,800+ Large City>Metropolis: 500,000 RP, 6 Seasons
Province Improvements
Arcane Tower, Chapel, Druidic Grove: 1500 RP per level 1-3
Arcane Guild Hall, Temple, Stone Circle: 3000 RP per level 4-6
Arcane University, Cathedral, Sacred Mound 6000 RP per level 7-9
Thief Gang 1000 RP per level 1-3, Mob 2000 RP per level 4-6, Cartel 4000 RP per level 7-9
Mine (hills or mountains) 200 RP, Smelter 400 RP
Logging Camp (forests) 400 RP, Sawmill 800 RP
Crop Rotation (plains) 600 RP, Irrigation 1200 RP
Fishmarket (coastal) 300 RP, Fishing Fleet 600 RP
Signal Tower 50 RP, Upkeep 10 RP
Hospital (200 bed) 500 RP, Upkeep 125 RP
Supply Store 200 x (population RP multiplier) per week of supplies, maximum 13
Marketplace 100 x (population RP multiplier squared), village or larger
Menagerie Monster XPV in RP, upkeep 1/4 base cost
Trade Fair 100 x (population RP multiplier)
Hill Fort 100 RP/unit
Wood Fort 125 RP/unit
Castle 200 RP/unit
Fortress 400 RP/unit
Citadel 800 RP/unit
Garrison Cost Modifier by Creature Size
Small: x0.5
Medium: x1
Large: x2 (includes horse cavalry)
Huge: x4
Gargantuan: x8
Quick Mass Combat (1 minute turns)
Base Army Value = RP of all units. Army Value = BAV modified by any Formation bonuses.
Command Tools Proficiency is INT or CHA bonus, plus any Proficiency Bonus. Such tools include their emblems of command, flags/banners, horns, drums, etc. A Bard using Performance skill DC 15 to inspire the troops may give the commander Advantage on the Command Tools check.
Commanders roll Initiative and attack in Initiative order. A commander may decide not to attack on his turn, eg if holding a defensive position. They may also retreat.
Typical NPC Commanders
Archmage Init +2 Command +9
Bandit Captain Init +3 Command +4
Cult Fanatic Init +2 Command +4
Gladiator Init +2 Command +4
Knight Init +0 Command +4
Mage Init +2 Command +6
Noble Init +1 Command +5
Spy Init +2 Command +5
Bard Init +2 Command +4
Blackguard Init +2 Command +4
Champion Init +2 Command +5
Swashbuckler Init +4 Command +4
Warlord Init +3 Command +8
On each commander's turn:
1. Determine up to 5 rounds of PC personal combat, reducing force BAVs accordingly for any losses. A PC acting s force commnder must take 1 action to give orders or their command skill is set to 0 for their next roll. If a commander is killed, the force's command skill becomes 0 for further rolls.
2. Determine the Army Value ratio between attacker and defender of troops committed, rounding fractions up or down normally.
Terrain Modifier to Defender AV (use highest)
Higher Ground, defensive emplacements, or other terrain advantage +20%
Hill Fort +100%
Wood Fort +200%
Castle +300%
Fortress +400%
Citadel +500%
Terrain Modifier to Attacker AV
Higher Ground, or other terrain advantage +20%
3. Roll on Battle Quick Results Table. a= attacker threatened. d = defender threatened. Number is the % of troops in the battle threatened, from 0 to 100.
4. Commanders then roll opposed Command Tools checks to determine casualties.
Casualties
Threatened side loses by 10+: takes full damage
Threatened side loses: takes half (1/2) damage
Threatened side wins: takes quarter (1/4) damage
Threatened side wins by 10+: takes no damage
Losses are deducted from the threatened side's force BAV before the next commander's turn.
A losing side that takes at least 10% losses in a single turn must make a 2d6 morale check or retreat/flee the field on its next turn. Roll 2d6, the force flees if the roll is exceeded.
Loss Morale Penalty
0-5% No Check
10%-15% 0
20%-30% -1
40%-50% -2
60%-80% -3
A Commander may try to rally fleeing forces as a standard action. The DC depends on how badly the force morale has failed.
Fail by: Command DC
1 15
2 20
3 25
4 30
5+ Cannot be rallied
Chasing Down Fleeing Foes
If the victor has forces as fast as the loser, they may pursue. Roll on the Quick Results table next 1-minute turn, and if 'victorious' he may remove that proportion of the losing forces in full (no Command check needed).
If the victor's pursuing forces are faster, they may roll opposed Survival checks in subsequent turns. Each time the victor succeeds, they may roll on the Results table and inflict casualties again. On a fail the losers have escaped.
Final Battle Results
The losing/retreating side removes all losses. The winning side may choose to take up to half of these losses as wounded captives for ransom, enslavement etc, or may slay them.
50% of the winning side's losses are only wounded, and will recover with a long rest (1 week), or possibly faster with healing magic. The remainder are deceased, but may possibly be raised, reanimated etc.
Army Movement
Base Movement is 6 hexes per week (1/day then rest 1 day) on open terrain.
An entirely mounted army may move +3 hexes/week.
Difficult Terrain reduces movement -3 hexes/week.
A Highway increases movement +3 hexes/week.
A Highway through difficult terrain thus uses standard movement rate.
Armies may not move at all through very difficult terrain without using a highway. In this case movement is -3 hexes per week.
Ships may move much faster, typically 24 hexes per week, though weather can affect this.
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| 1 hex = 15 miles |
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| Western Altanis, 1 hex = 15 miles |
Ghinarian Hills Campaign
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| Altanian Tiger |
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| Ghinarian Warriors |
LOCAL AREAS
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| Altanian Barbarian & Amazon Warrior |
Pazidan Peninsula: is the chief geographic feature of the northern Wilderlands. Running from the Estuary of the Roglaroon in the north to the fingers of Oricha in the south, the Pazidan Peninsula was once home to the legendary Orichalan Dragon Lords, who were hunted into near extinction by the Altanians after the fall of their Empire of Glorious Doomfire. In many places, such as the Carnelian Plains, the soil of the peninsula is rich and red—like the color of the skin of the hardy nomadic barbarians who wander the region in their animal clans. The peninsula is criss-crossed with many ancient roads, some built long ago by the Empire of Kelnore, which have yet withstood the weathering of the ages.
ALTANIS CLIMATE
Prevailing winds are Westerly, shifting from generally NW (equatorial) in Wet Season M10-M3, to SW in Dry Season M4-M8. Climate west of the Castellan Mountains ranges from subtropical savanna in the south to stretches of tropical rain forest in the Lagoldurna Jungle close to the equator. As air reaches the mountains from the west it rises and cools, with much precipitation, including regular snow at the highest peaks. East of the mountains is cooled by this dry, cool air, creating a generally Mediterranean climate, ranging towards subtropical at the equator around Eyestones Jungle. This rain forest is found along the sea coast, but is generally cooler and drier than rain forest west of the mountains.
Zones rich in Magicum deposits may be significantly cooler, eg the Antil-Actuan area and Onhir-Zothay.
The Ghinarian Hills (Gentle Hills, Wet): This highland stretches from the Cedarwade in the west all the way to the coast and the Cape of No Return in the east. Beautiful and pastoral hills give a breathtaking view of the sea. An ancient mausoleum, dedicated to Belaras, a hero slain in the service of Mitra-Apollo, serves as a testing grounds for paladins and clerics. Hunting parties of transparent-fleshed nocturnal humans ("ghuls"), as well as the most evil and hardened heretics, make such a quest more perilous. Encounters: ghuls, pilgrims, berserkers.
The Vale: Until 44446 BCCC the once-peaceful Vale between the Ghinarian Hills and the River of Visions to the south was home to some of the worst outlaws, criminals and outcasts of the Altanian tribes, who sought refuge here in this buffer
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| Altanian Psychic Defender |
Castellan Mountains: A gigantic sculpture of a sleeping Stone Giant sprawls along the lower eastern elevations of this mountain chain. Orcs have taken residence in many ruined citadels. Renowned for water falls emptying into wetland valleys. Most have never been explored due to the sheer cliffs. Natural caves abound. The gnomes of Ractuan mine lead and make a meager living, while holding their pass against the undead & orc legions of the Empire of Neo-Nerath to the west. Encounters: orc bands, basilisks, vrock demons, stone giants.
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| Ghinarian Ghul |
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| Altan Warforged |
From 'The Southlands Canpaign' Day 23 (8/7/4434): "The group rest overnight in the Skydome tower. Bulwark is joined by Saryth, recovered from her wound, and by the warlock Megaera, who now sports small horns and a forked tail. The three of them leave to escort the two Gishmesh slaves home and then explore the Warforged crypts said to lie beneath Madcat mountain. The Altanian heroes Rameses and Varek remain, planning to explore the pits beneath the Skydome before taking Lyssana home to her people; however Rameses develops a high fever, the consequence of his wounds suffered against the orcs."
M1 4446 BCCC: Recent rumour has it that the Warforged 'steel men' of Madcat Mountain have been awakened by one of their own, Lord Bulwark, and that he now leads them in battle against the forces of Neo-Nerath.
M12 44446: Report reaches Thusia that the demigod Kainos the Warbringer has cast open Madcat Mountain, defeated the Warforged, and scattered their Altanian allies.
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| Altanian Fisher Girl |
Weather: The Ghinarian Hills are warm, temperate to subtropical, with the eastern coasts cooled by a refreshing sea breeze. M4-M9 are dry and warm-temperate, little rain falls. The 'wet season' usually begins in M10, with warm rains and frequent lightning storms, and lasts through M3. The wet season is mostly hot and humid.
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| Typical Ghinoran clothing, elder (left) & youthful (right) |
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| Lady's Clothing |
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| Wet Season Clothing |
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| Male Clothing, |
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| 1 mile/hex |
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| 1 mile/hex |
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| 1 mile/hex |
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| 2 miles/hex |
SELATINE AREA LOCAL DUNGEONS
1. CAVERNS OF THRACIA (Hex 3431)
Dungeon Origin: Ghinoran, ca 150 BCCC, on dragon lord -600 or older.
Dungeon Origin: Ghinoran, ca 150 BCCC, on dragon lord -600 or older.
After a half-day's trek the forest parts to reveal great redstone cliffs rising ahead, three hundred feet high. The Thrace River cascades down falls from the top of the cliffs to the forest floor below, where the marble ruins of the lost city spread out around a central canal. A branch of the canal leads north into an expanse of swamp, which extends for miles north.
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| The Ruins of Thracia. A vast cavern complex is said to lie beneath. |
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| Ontussa, the Sphinx of Thracia |
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Ontussa's 'Just Out of Bed' Look |
"Kogor's the name - just returned from exploring the northeastern ruins of Thracia, where I battled giant rats and a zombie Deathwalker - once a priest I reckon. The Deathwalkers' surface holdings have been overrun by the Beastmen, all is slaughter and death there."
End M2 4447: The Deathwalkers have been wiped out - except one, Vuthrik, who serves Jana Vex of Selatine alongside Epicaste. The Lizardmen have been gathered up by Lord Shieldbiter and taken north to Trade. That leaves only the Beastmen as masters of Thracia.
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| Ghinarian Peltast, with shield & javelins. |
2. THE CRYPTS OF ST ULTHER (DYSON'S DELVE) (HEX 3432)
Dungeon Origin: Nerathi-Alryran ca 4050 BCCC (St Ulther), above 3750 BCCC (Dyson)
Dungeon Origin: Nerathi-Alryran ca 4050 BCCC (St Ulther), above 3750 BCCC (Dyson)
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| Dyson's Delve Level 1- the Crypts of St Ulther |
of Oriax's Tower (the Lighthouse), where the cliffs lower to below 50'. A deep and lightless gorge cloaked in brambles runs to the east of the cliffs, and there is rumoured to be an entrance to the deep tunnels there, but the southern approach is easy via either a cave at the base of the cliffs, or a trail up from a spot just east of the cave mouth to the clifftop shrine above, where a spiral stair leads down into the crypts.
St Ulther's own tomb lies on the first level, still sealed after perhaps four centuries (ca 4050 BCCC). Ulther is said to have been a Cleric of the Lord of Light - Pelor, Apollo, and/or Mitra, depending on who you listen to. He lived during the Glory of Nerath. Legend has it that he restored the functioning of the ancient Lighthouse, that is now the Tower of Oriax. It still shines today, and over the centuries since has doubtless saved hundreds of ships from the
There are said to be extensive dungeons beneath the Crypts, known as Dyson's Delve after the mad Nerathi Archmage Dyson Logos, supposedly one of the legendary Founders of Nerath (ca 3700 BCCC). Before his madness Dyson aided Magroth, First King of Nerath, to slay the ancient gold dragon Ayunken-vanzen, to found the City of Nera, and to Light the Flame Imperishable on the highest rampart of Nera's royal palace. It is said that Dyson's fire magics were also instrumental in Nerath's early victories over the Deathwalker death-cultists of Thracia, who once ravaged the Ghinarian hills, taking countless sacrifices for their dark god. The Archmage and the Army of Nerath combined with the Ghinarians to drive the Deathwalkers from their surface holdings, down into the darkness beneath the ruined city (3720, est.). In later years Dyson is said to have grown crazed, and to have created the tunnels of the Delve in his quest for a power node that myth calls the Heart of Elemental Chaos (3750, est.). It is unknown if he ever succeeded, or what ultimately became of him.
Rumour M12/4446: The Orichalan Dragon Lords carved out the lower levels of Dyson's Delve. The Black Sun of Neo-Nerath were in Dyson's Delve! - were they seeking the Heart of Elemental Chaos? Dyson still lives - as a Dragon served by troglodytes!
13/2/4447 Dyson Logos has been found in the enchanted Earth-Womb above the Sunless Sea, deep beneath Dyson's Delve, a gargantuan brass dragon with the radiant Heart of Elemental Chaos embedded in his breast. He seems relatively sane, and Anna Bronze of Hara has persuaded him to join her against the Black Sun. Dyson caused great damage to the dungeon as he climbed out of it on his way to Thusia & Hara.
17/5/47 Having united the warring Altani & Nerathi peoples, Dyson Logos returns to his Delve, to sleep again the sleep of centuries...
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| Stonehell's Ogre Mouth |
Origin: Nerathi-Alryan, ca 4140 BCCC
Said to be a prison created by a Vizier in service to King Magrathor V of Nerath 300 years ago (ca 4141 BCCC), used for dark experiments for 30 years, until King Magrathor and the Mad Vizier Lokanthus were overthrown by the young Prince Elidyr, Last King of Nerath, in 4171 BCCC. Following the Vizier's overthrow and subsequent Fall of Nerath to the White Ruin gnoll horde in 4197 BCCC, the prison was abandoned and fell into disuse. Largely forgotten for over 2 centuries, it has recently become active again...
Stonehell Maps
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| Raeka of Stonehell, Half-Orc Concubine |
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| Saralya uses Vril-Power! |
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| Stonehell Canyon |
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| Stonehell 5B - The Serpentine Temple |
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| Yuan-Ti Broodguard |
4. Erdea Manor
Origin: Nerathi-Alryan, ca 4000 BCCC?
Rakni the Dwarf 25/5/47: "Came north from Mazorgog with my mates, seeking the ruins of Erdea Manor. And we found it! Bit infested though - just here raising money to pay for more warriors. Say, you fancy some dungeon delving?
This long-lost Nerathi manor is said to lie in eastern Ghinarian hills, and to contain much wealth. It has long been sought by various adventurer groups. Rumour has it that at the height of the Glory of Nerath, the noble knights of the Erde clan warred with a subterranean race known as the Vrilya, driving them back beneath the earth.
(3532) SELATINE
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| Hytirus Vex, Lord of Selatine |
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| Jana Vex in Vex Villa showers |
Hytirus Vex 13/2/42-4/2/47 and from 13/12/4451.
Lady Jana Vex (from 4/2/4447-13/12/4451), Clr-1/Mnk-4
Other NPCs
1. Opara Kakas novitiate of Mitra, daughter of Opa, Clr-1
2.Epicaste of Thracia, Vex Weaponmaster
3.Vuthrik of Thracia, the Last Deathwalker, Vex Personal Guard
4. Aya the Slinger, in charge band of slingers
5. Max, Aya's Shephound
6. Calyakka the Cook at Vex Villa
7. Janu, dour Captain of the Lady's Ship Arcadia
8. Happy Iocunnu, Captain of Vex Gratitude
9. 'Scalpy' Jack, Innkeeper of the Scalpy Inn, brother of Opa
10. Opa Kakas, cook at Scalpy Inn, mother of 3 (Opara Tumwul & Gwendar)
11. Alauna Iocunnu's Daughter, wench at Scalpy Inn
12. Cleo Alces, serving wench, daughter of Smith Piergeron
13. Hydra Alces, wife of Jaran Alces & daughter of Opa Kakas
14. Tumwul and Gwendar Kakas, sailors on Vex Gratitude
15. Piergeron Alces the Master Smith
16. Clevana Alces, wife of Piergeron, mother of 5 (Jaran Medus Benla Nomie & Cleo)
17. Jaran & Medus Alces, smiths
18. Benla Alces, tomboy smith
19. Nomie Alces, pearl diver
20. Tyrion, younger brother of Aya the Slinger
15/4/47: Jana Vex appointed Mordred Midwinter (PC) as her Vizier.
Selatine (pop. 348 M8 4447, income 300 gp/month), an ancient fortified cliffside village near the mouth of the River Thrace, with a deep natural harbour. Once larger, Selatine has suffered from attacks in recent years, and many houses have been abandoned. Until 4/2/4447 Selatine was ruled by once- energetic Lord Hytrius Vex since the death of his father and elder brothers in battles with Thracian Beastmen raiders and Yusan's Altanian marauders in 44442.
Other NPCs
1. Opara Kakas novitiate of Mitra, daughter of Opa, Clr-1
2.
3.
4. Aya the Slinger, in charge band of slingers
5. Max, Aya's Shephound
6. Calyakka the Cook at Vex Villa
7. Janu, dour Captain of the Lady's Ship Arcadia
8. Happy Iocunnu, Captain of Vex Gratitude
9. 'Scalpy' Jack, Innkeeper of the Scalpy Inn, brother of Opa
10. Opa Kakas, cook at Scalpy Inn, mother of 3 (Opara Tumwul & Gwendar)
11. Alauna Iocunnu's Daughter, wench at Scalpy Inn
12. Cleo Alces, serving wench, daughter of Smith Piergeron
13. Hydra Alces, wife of Jaran Alces & daughter of Opa Kakas
14. Tumwul and Gwendar Kakas, sailors on Vex Gratitude
15. Piergeron Alces the Master Smith
16. Clevana Alces, wife of Piergeron, mother of 5 (Jaran Medus Benla Nomie & Cleo)
17. Jaran & Medus Alces, smiths
18. Benla Alces, tomboy smith
19. Nomie Alces, pearl diver
20. Tyrion, younger brother of Aya the Slinger
15/4/47: Jana Vex appointed Mordred Midwinter (PC) as her Vizier.
Selatine (pop. 348 M8 4447, income 300 gp/month), an ancient fortified cliffside village near the mouth of the River Thrace, with a deep natural harbour. Once larger, Selatine has suffered from attacks in recent years, and many houses have been abandoned. Until 4/2/4447 Selatine was ruled by once- energetic Lord Hytrius Vex since the death of his father and elder brothers in battles with Thracian Beastmen raiders and Yusan's Altanian marauders in 44442.
Selatine serves as a frequent stopover for
trading vessels plying the eastern shores of Altanis. Eight miles upriver on
the River Thrace lie the ancient ruins of a fallen Ghinoran city, Thracia,
haunted by degenerate savages who occasionally threaten Selatine, but have also
come to trade. Beneath Thracia are said to lie vast catacombs infested
with beastmen. These catacombs frequently
attract bands of adventurers. Few return, but those who do speak of great
wealth and terrible dangers. In M5 4444 the Selatine shrine's golden statue of Apollo was stolen by Beastmen during a raid, but recovered by adventurers (Hakeem, Rey & co) M11 4445. Other nearby dungeons include Dyson's Delve, and the old Nerathi prison of Stonehell.
To the west of Selatine lies the Ghul-haunted Arcadian uplands of the Ghinarian Hills. To the south lies The Vale, a beautiful meadowland until recently infested by powerful outlaw warlords who raided and oppressed mercilessly the remaining Ghinoran villages and Altanian clans.
Selatine is well fortified; a narrow trail leads up the cliffside from the harbour to the main settlement atop the cliffs. Looking around at the fishing crews coming ashore for the night and the fishwives greeting them, you see the locals have a bronzed skin tone, distinct from the red skin of the Altanians who dominate most of these lands. The sun is setting over the high Castellan Mountains to the west as you climb the path up to the clifftop dwellings. Up at the top of the cliff a collection of rather ramshackle dwellings lie within a curtain wall; dominated by three notable ones - a shrine to Mitra-Apollo, a small nobles' villa, and a tavern/inn, from which comes the sound of merriment. The villa walls seems oddly-angled, as if constructed by creatures whose perception extended beyond normal space-time...
Vex Villa: The architecture seems strange, the angles not quite right, as if built by a subtly inhuman hand. Beyond the slightly crooked doorway you see a passage, not of the ivory coloured stone that coats the exterior of the villa, but of a silvery metal... Jana leads Lance down a crumbling flight of stone stairs, clearly very old. Dick's hobbit nose picks up a delicious aroma wafting from the rear of the villa...Lance follows the shapely young priestess down another metal corridor, this one lit by a soft ambient glow, to a chamber of grey tiles, metal and glass, water-nozzles set high above. Dick sneaks into a well-appointed cosy kitchen, hung with dry meats, onions and herbs. A very fat, black-haired woman cook of forty or so with a slight wispy moustache is stirring a great cauldron of stew, while bread bakes in the oven behind her.
To the west of Selatine lies the Ghul-haunted Arcadian uplands of the Ghinarian Hills. To the south lies The Vale, a beautiful meadowland until recently infested by powerful outlaw warlords who raided and oppressed mercilessly the remaining Ghinoran villages and Altanian clans.
Vex Villa: The architecture seems strange, the angles not quite right, as if built by a subtly inhuman hand. Beyond the slightly crooked doorway you see a passage, not of the ivory coloured stone that coats the exterior of the villa, but of a silvery metal... Jana leads Lance down a crumbling flight of stone stairs, clearly very old. Dick's hobbit nose picks up a delicious aroma wafting from the rear of the villa...Lance follows the shapely young priestess down another metal corridor, this one lit by a soft ambient glow, to a chamber of grey tiles, metal and glass, water-nozzles set high above. Dick sneaks into a well-appointed cosy kitchen, hung with dry meats, onions and herbs. A very fat, black-haired woman cook of forty or so with a slight wispy moustache is stirring a great cauldron of stew, while bread bakes in the oven behind her.
Selatine Characters
VEX VILLA
1. Lady Jana Vex (f), Cleric of Apollo-Mitra - banished
2. Weaponmistress Epicaste of Thracia (f), the Golden Falcon
3. Sgt Aya (f), commander of Slingers - married Vuthrik M9/48
4. Sgt Vuthrik the Last Deathwalker (m), commander of Hoplites - marries Aya M9/48
5. Dr Rosa Piercemuller (f), the Sage of Selatine
6. Opara Kakas (f), novitiate of Apollo-Mitra
7. Calyakka the Cook (f)
8. Vizier Mordred Midwinter (m) (PC)
9. Bright Star the catfolk Scout (f) (PC)
10. Sandro the Monk (m) (PC)
11. Danor Gordak the dwarven Forge Priest (m) (PC)
The curvaceous Lady Jana Vex served as Priestess of the local Shrine of Mitra-Apollo. She was exiled for having carnal relations with a wandering adventurer, Lance Harcourt, on 9/10/4444 BCCC, but after many adventures returned home, exactly a year and a day later (10/10/4445) and was grudgingly accepted back, resuming her prior position. After being kidnapped by Oriax she became a temple priest at the Temple of Belaras, then (M10 4446) a wanderer. In M2 4447 she led the ousting of her brother and took rule of Selatine alongside her short term lover Sandor Sunneson (PC).
M2+ 4447: Jana Vex is clearing up Vex Villa and restoring the Shrine of Apollo. She is training Opara Kakas (qv below) as a novitiate of Mitra.
She is served by Epicaste & Vuthrik of Thracia, and (from ca 4/3/47) Aya the Slinger, in charge of training a band of slingers to defend the village.
Calyakka the Cook: b.4402, fat, black-haired woman, wispy moustache. Cook at Vex Villa all through the troubled times.
Opara Kakas: (4426-) Scalpy's blonde niece Opara Kakas, Opa's youngest daughter, is also a devout follower of Apollo-Mitra. Formerly a serving wench at Redeye/Scalpy Inn, she is now (from M2 4447) serving as Lady Jana Vex's acolyte in the rites at the Shrine of Mitra-Apollo. Rumoured to be Jana's sometime lover.
EPICASTE & VUTHRIK OF THRACIA - Jana recruits 19/2/47, slain defending Selatine 13/2/52
The Sage Dr Rosa Piercemuller is an Earthling (Amsterdam, Netherlands) woman and academic, previously until AD 2016 a lecturer in classical history at the University of Amsterdam and niece of the great Professor Piercemuller of Poppleton University, England. She was found bathing in an upland pool 8/4446 by Hotar of Ghutaris - a former Oriax farmgirl, she had fled her Orc guards before Oriax's fall (she claims never to have been captured), and survived in the wild for some weeks. Hotar took her home to Ghutaris to lounge around his throne in fine concubine fashion, naked but for her eyeglasses. However Dr Piercemuller began to display psychic powers similar to those of the Altanian Psychic Defenders. She has began to babble on: "The First King Rises in the Darkness! Great Evil comes again!" While Isis of Ghutaris mocked these visions as the ravings of a madwoman, the superstitious Hotar took them more seriously.
M2 4447 Rosa joined Hakeem in defeating the Immortal King in Thracia, then went with him to Thusia. She subsequently (M4 4447) went to the Tower of Oriax/St Ulther's Lighthouse to continue her studies there. As of M7 4447 she resides at Selatine in Vex Villa, advising Lady Vex on the Nixthisis of Stonehell, with frequent return trips to the Lighthouse.
The blue-toned Avalonian knight Mordred Midwinter (PC) serves as Lady Vex's Vizier since mid 4447. He is often accompanied by the uncouth half-orc Zagaar (PC), by the highly competent Nemuan Rogue/Scout Bright Star of the East (PC), and by the Monk Sandro of Rallu (PC).
___________________
Lord Hytirus Vex: b.4419, exiled 4/2/47, returned 13/12/4451. Lean, battle-scarred warrior. Wears bronze plate with shield and sword. A keen warrior, once regarded as a Hero by his people. Hot-tempered. It's said that the Vex Family have ruled Selatine since Vex the Hero defended the settlement against a Gnoll warband during the tail end of the Gnoll Times, after the Fall of Nerath (ca 4198 BCCC). The Gnolls were eventually scattered and largely driven from the Ghinarian Hills by Vex and other Ghinarian heroes.
Lord Hytirus Vex supported Vilius of Theber's plan to unite the Ghinarian lords against Yusan. Recently he had been accompanied by the Nerathi priestess Chelarre Foxwood, and they were widely rumoured to be lovers. Lord Vex has a small sailing ship, the Arcadia (10 crew, 50 tons cargo) which he uses mostly for short coastal trips north to Verius and Talholm. It is not very fast, typically 45 miles/day (3 hexes) under sail, but unlike most of the local fishing boats it is seaworthy, and can go beyond sight of land. The crew are recruits from the local fishermen; the ship itself is often used to fish for Vex's table. Senior sailor Janu is a dour sort, competent enough for coastal navigation but not for long ocean voyages. Lord Vex relies on Happy Iocunnu for more extended navigation.
Lord Vex did not maintain a harem, but had been known to dally with the prettier Villa serving slaves, notably one by the name of Maria Torelli, an Outworlder purchased from Oriax's orcs in 4445. It was said that Lord Hytirus will soon choose a wife, but since the Oriax occupation Vex has been sunk in stupor, showing interest only in his loyal slave Maria Torelli, who stayed with him when his warriors and servants abandoned him.
Early in M2 4447 Hytirus was overthrown by his younger sister Jana and exiled for a year and a day, along with the devoted Maria. He had not been heard of since, until returning on 13/12/4451 BCCC at the head of a Ralluan mercenary company, to reclaim his birthright.
The curvaceous Lady Jana Vex served as Priestess of the local Shrine of Mitra-Apollo. She was exiled for having carnal relations with a wandering adventurer, Lance Harcourt, on 9/10/4444 BCCC, but after many adventures returned home, exactly a year and a day later (10/10/4445) and was grudgingly accepted back, resuming her prior position. After being kidnapped by Oriax she became a temple priest at the Temple of Belaras, then (M10 4446) a wanderer. In M2 4447 she led the ousting of her brother and took rule of Selatine alongside her short term lover Sandor Sunneson (PC).
M2+ 4447: Jana Vex is clearing up Vex Villa and restoring the Shrine of Apollo. She is training Opara Kakas (qv below) as a novitiate of Mitra.
She is served by Epicaste & Vuthrik of Thracia, and (from ca 4/3/47) Aya the Slinger, in charge of training a band of slingers to defend the village.
Calyakka the Cook: b.4402, fat, black-haired woman, wispy moustache. Cook at Vex Villa all through the troubled times.
Opara Kakas: (4426-) Scalpy's blonde niece Opara Kakas, Opa's youngest daughter, is also a devout follower of Apollo-Mitra. Formerly a serving wench at Redeye/Scalpy Inn, she is now (from M2 4447) serving as Lady Jana Vex's acolyte in the rites at the Shrine of Mitra-Apollo. Rumoured to be Jana's sometime lover.
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| Dr Rosa Piercemuller, Vex concubine |
M2 4447 Rosa joined Hakeem in defeating the Immortal King in Thracia, then went with him to Thusia. She subsequently (M4 4447) went to the Tower of Oriax/St Ulther's Lighthouse to continue her studies there. As of M7 4447 she resides at Selatine in Vex Villa, advising Lady Vex on the Nixthisis of Stonehell, with frequent return trips to the Lighthouse.
The blue-toned Avalonian knight Mordred Midwinter (PC) serves as Lady Vex's Vizier since mid 4447. He is often accompanied by the uncouth half-orc Zagaar (PC), by the highly competent Nemuan Rogue/Scout Bright Star of the East (PC), and by the Monk Sandro of Rallu (PC).
___________________
Lord Hytirus Vex: b.4419, exiled 4/2/47, returned 13/12/4451. Lean, battle-scarred warrior. Wears bronze plate with shield and sword. A keen warrior, once regarded as a Hero by his people. Hot-tempered. It's said that the Vex Family have ruled Selatine since Vex the Hero defended the settlement against a Gnoll warband during the tail end of the Gnoll Times, after the Fall of Nerath (ca 4198 BCCC). The Gnolls were eventually scattered and largely driven from the Ghinarian Hills by Vex and other Ghinarian heroes.
.jpg) |
| Lady Maria Vex-Torelli of Newark, Vex consort. |
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| Opara Kakas. niece of Scalpy, Vex slave |
Lord Vex did not maintain a harem, but had been known to dally with the prettier Villa serving slaves, notably one by the name of Maria Torelli, an Outworlder purchased from Oriax's orcs in 4445. It was said that Lord Hytirus will soon choose a wife, but since the Oriax occupation Vex has been sunk in stupor, showing interest only in his loyal slave Maria Torelli, who stayed with him when his warriors and servants abandoned him.
Early in M2 4447 Hytirus was overthrown by his younger sister Jana and exiled for a year and a day, along with the devoted Maria. He had not been heard of since, until returning on 13/12/4451 BCCC at the head of a Ralluan mercenary company, to reclaim his birthright.
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| Aya, Vex slave. Married to Vuthrik M9 4448-13/12/4451. |
THE REDEYE SCALPY INN AT SELATINE
Caters mostly to local fishermen, merchants and sailors. It has a shared bathroom with hot water.
'Scalpy' Jack the Innkeeper: This old (4382-) farmer was the lone survivor of an expedition into the caverns beneath Thracia many years ago. He returned with the left side of his scalp missing. He can be found propping up the bar at the Redeye Inn, and is the source of many rumours and wild tales about Thracia and beyond. Never married. M12 4445 Bjornalf took a housekeeper, Scalpy Jack's stout sister Opa:
"She can cook and clean, and she's been at a loose end since her husband died, and the kids all growed up."
Scalpy has a cabin on the cliffs overlooking the sea, stuffed with trinkets.
4/2/47: Following the death of Aldo, Selatine's new ruler Lady Jana Vex appointed Scalpy Jack as Innkeeper with orders to restore the Inn to its former state. He sets about finding new staff - his sister Opa as cook, and three barmaids - Alauna Iocunnu's daughter, buxom Cleo Alces daughter of Piergeron the Smith, and Scalpy's blonde niece Opara Kakas,
Opa Kakas (4384-) is a stout, phlegmatic woman in her 60s. Scalpy's sister. Her husband Jaxxon Kakas died in 4440. Opa now serves as cook at the Scalpy Inn. She likes to talk of her days as housekeeper to the great warlock Bjornalf Brighteyes. She was happy to cook Bjornalf good chicken broth. She disapproved of all the harems and concubines these days, and remembered fondly the old days before Oriax the Goat and his slavegirl-gathering magic mirror. Opa has two living daughters (Hydra Alces wife of Jaran, & Opara Kakas), a third having died young, and two sons, Tumwul and Gwendar, who both serve as sailors on the Vex Gratitude under Captain Happy Iocunnu.
Caters mostly to local fishermen, merchants and sailors. It has a shared bathroom with hot water.
'Scalpy' Jack the Innkeeper: This old (4382-) farmer was the lone survivor of an expedition into the caverns beneath Thracia many years ago. He returned with the left side of his scalp missing. He can be found propping up the bar at the Redeye Inn, and is the source of many rumours and wild tales about Thracia and beyond. Never married. M12 4445 Bjornalf took a housekeeper, Scalpy Jack's stout sister Opa:
"She can cook and clean, and she's been at a loose end since her husband died, and the kids all growed up."
Scalpy has a cabin on the cliffs overlooking the sea, stuffed with trinkets.
4/2/47: Following the death of Aldo, Selatine's new ruler Lady Jana Vex appointed Scalpy Jack as Innkeeper with orders to restore the Inn to its former state. He sets about finding new staff - his sister Opa as cook, and three barmaids - Alauna Iocunnu's daughter, buxom Cleo Alces daughter of Piergeron the Smith, and Scalpy's blonde niece Opara Kakas,
Opa Kakas (4384-) is a stout, phlegmatic woman in her 60s. Scalpy's sister. Her husband Jaxxon Kakas died in 4440. Opa now serves as cook at the Scalpy Inn. She likes to talk of her days as housekeeper to the great warlock Bjornalf Brighteyes. She was happy to cook Bjornalf good chicken broth. She disapproved of all the harems and concubines these days, and remembered fondly the old days before Oriax the Goat and his slavegirl-gathering magic mirror. Opa has two living daughters (Hydra Alces wife of Jaran, & Opara Kakas), a third having died young, and two sons, Tumwul and Gwendar, who both serve as sailors on the Vex Gratitude under Captain Happy Iocunnu.
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| Happy Iocunnu |
16/1/4446: Happy confessed to Bjornalf his last wife left him 10 years ago and he dreamt of marrying again, possibly acquiring & marrying bar wench Candice Wright from the Redeye Inn. Happy had a keen appreciation of her big jugs... not of beer.
At the docks the last of the fishing boats are secured for the night. Happy escorts Bjornalf up the cliff steps and to his cramped hovel, where he digs up some rusty lockpicks from under a pile of ancient miscellenaea, lobster-shaped tankards and weird statuary from faraway lands.
Happy is Captain of the Vex Gratitude, Selatine's largest vessel, a former pirate ship granted to Bjornalf Brighteyes by Lord Hytirus Vex and reclaimed by the Lord of Selatine on his demise. Crewmen include Tumwul & Gwendar Kakas. Happy mostly uses it for coastal fishing, and occasional trading trips.
Cantrip Charms (Common, require attunement): Mending 1/day. Guidance 1/day.
Serving Wenches
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| Alauna Iocunnu's daughter, barmaid |
1. Alauna, Iocunnu's Daughter: (4425-). After selling the slave wench Beverly to Kogor of Kolda 2/12/4445, Aldo Redeye was forced to employ actual paid labour in the bar, and hired Alauna, the buxom daughter of fisherman tavern regular 'Happy' Iocunnu - for Alauna it certainly beats a life gutting fish. Noted for her big jugs... of beer, Iocunnu keeps a paternal eye on his cheerful daughter in case flirtation with patrons should develop into something more. Alauna lay low during the Oriax occupation in 4446 BCCC, serving secretly as a sailor aboard her father Happy Iocunnu's ship, the Vex Gratitude, formerly Tsamar's Jewel. She has proven quite adept at seaman stuff.
4/2/47: Following the liberation of Selatine, Alauna returns to work at the renamed Scalpy Inn.
Alauna wears either an Alryan-style corset & dress as seen in the Northlands, or just a loincloth in common with the other barmaids.
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| Cleo Alces, Piergeron's daughter, barmaid |
2. Cleo Alces (4427-): This busty brunette serving wench is second youngest child of the smith Piergeron. She is said to have healthy appetites. Cleo also serves at Vex Villa on feast nights. She typically wears loincloth & ear rings.
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| Woof! Max the Shephound. |
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| Piergeron Alces, Selatine's blacksmith. |
Piergeron Alces the Smith
Piergeron (4391-) the Selatine blacksmith is a reliable fellow who has survived much upheaval by keeping his head down and out of politics. Piergeron can make silvered arrows and most common weapons.
In 4452 BCCC he is largely restired in favour of his son Jaran.
He is married to Clevana (4394-) and has 2 sturdy sons, his eldest Jaran (4417-), & Medus (4420-), who both assist him at the forge, and 3 daughters: Benla (4424-) a tomboy who also helps at the forge, the buxom Cleo (4427-), now a bar wench, and his youngest Nomie (4428-), a pearl diver. The sisters are all close.
Jaran Alces the assistant smith is married to Hydra (nee Kakas, Opa's-Daughter), with two small children of his own and another on the way (M2/47).
Aya the Shepherdess, much taken with Hakeem, and her dog Max. Accompanied Hakeem & Tor, then Hakeem & Rey, to the Caverns of Thracia. A good shot with her sling. Rewarded with 200gp 29/11/4445 for her part in rescuing the Statue of Apollo from the Beastmen, Aya became among the richer sheep-owners in Selatine. Aya's less adventurous friend, cousin & workmate is called Vatta. Her fate is unknown, believed taken north. Aya has a younger brother, Tyrion, known as a sardonic and aloof fellow.
In M9 4448 Aya consented to marry Vuthrik the Last Deathwalker, who had quietly courted her for some time.
Rumours in Selatine
M1 4447: Aya is being trained as a pit-fighting slave at the Airshark Inn, Ahyf.
M2 4447: Aya has been rescued by Hakeem and delivered to Thusia by Shieldbiter.
17/2/4447: Jana Vex has taken her novitiate Opara Kakas as her new lover. There is a statue of Artemis in the shrine now.
2/3/47, Bratanis - Mako points to a dark haired girl eating breakfast with two amazons at an inn table. "She there told me - Aya the Slinger she's called. She's off to Selatine to be the new Weaponmaster or somesuch."
M3 47: The human Deathwalkers of Thracia have been destroyed by the savage Beastmen. Only Vuthrik remains.
13/9/4448: Vuthrik the Last Deathwalker, commander of Lady Vex's Hoplites, is to marry Aya the Shepherdess, commander of Lady Vex's Slingers. The Lady has blessed the marriage.
Kradis (PC): Altanian barbarian, was resident at Redeye Inn ca late 4445. The Innkeeper's wife Serani Redeye showed quite a liking for him.
Deceased Characters
Aldo Redeye: BCCC 4396-4447, Alryan owner of the
Redeye Inn. Originally from the CSIO where his brother runs the Silver Eel, a famous Inn. He settled in Selatine in 4441 and married a local girl, Esvett, but she was carried off in a Beastman raid in 4442. Aldo soon replaced her with a slave girl, Serani, marrying Serani in M6 4445.
M4 4446: Oriax's orcs took over the Redeye Inn & eventually all of Selatine, taking the serving wenches as slaves & eventually selling them alongside other Oriax girls. M10 4446: Like much of Selatine, the Redeye Inn was in a decreipt state after the Orc occupation, with no barmaids and few patrons.
4/2/47: Aldo shot dead by Drakonok for drugging his cake - Macreus probably wanted the dragonborn for sacrifice to Thanatos.
Macreus, de-stasised Curate of Casualty within the Purveyors of Mortality: This death priest of Thanatos from a time long ago (900+ years?) was brought as a prisoner from Thracia to Selatine, 6/12/4445 BCCC and put in the cells below the villa, there interrogated by the Nerathi Priestess Chelarre Foxwood. He was a lean, middle-aged man with a tanned complexion and short dark hair. (Caverns of Thracia pg 28).
M10 4446 after long conversing, Macreus won the confidence of the dejected Lord Vex in the aftermath of the Oriax occupation, and served as his advisor and priest-magist. Killed 4/2 4447 by Jana's allies.
Bjornalf Brighteyes (PC): Skandik Sailor-Warlock, he had a modest but comfortable house behind Vex Villa, tended by his housekeeper Opa, the sister of Scalpy Jack. Housekeeper cost is 75gp/year (3gp hiring & equipping, 6gp/month).
Lord Vex employed Bjornalf as captain of the Arcadia.
25/12/4445: Just before midnight Bjornalf was gifted the handmaid Alli by Lady Lucretia of Rallu in thanks for his part in her rescue from Tsamar - he gave her to Rey. On 17/1/46 Alli gained the power of healing from the Chalice of Belaras. She is currently (end 4446) a serving slave at the Temple of Belaras. 10/1/4446: Bjornalf completed construction of a small shrine in Selatine to the Arch-fey, the Queen of Ocean, who the Ghinorans call Electra.
ca M2 4446 Bjornalf was killed by Shadows in the Worm's Gullet dungeon NW of Thusia.
Alli ended up with the slaves sold by the Temple-Tomb of Belaras to Ahyf.
Osgar (PC): Tharbo-Skand bowman of the Skandik Shore, he served Lord Vex as a scout and archer.
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THE RISE OF NERATH.
Men who here with El'dyr Bled
Men who oft Cormarrin's Led
Welcome to your Gory Bed
Or to Victory!
-Cormarrin family motto
Little is known of the Kingdom of Restored Nerath, west beyond the Castellan Mountains, but it is said to be ruled by Necromancers who are no friends of the Altanian Barbarians. Their emissary in the east was Chelarre Foxwood (RIP m4 4446), a Nerathi aristocrat from Bisgen who was also a priestess of Erathis, the Nerathi goddess of Civilisation, called Athena by the Ghinorans. Chelarre favoured either a low cut white silk dress or merely loincloth and stockings, silver Sun-Wheel pendant, a red cloak clasped at the throat, and light jewelry that accentuates her fair Alryan complexion, carefully maintained through minor sorcery. Some say she was not above using feminine wiles to co-opt the Nerathi and Ghinarian lords to her cause. Chelarre was typically accompanied by an honour guard of four Nerathi soldiers equipped with chainmail, helm, spear, sword and shield, and by her fat old serving-maid, Tayva.
23/11/4445: Hytirus Vex returned to Selatine in Chelarre's company. They were said to be lovers.
M3? 4446: Chelarre abandoned Selatine after the town fell to Oriax.
M4 4446: Chelarre captured by Black Odo in the Lichway, later executed by Rey & Hakeem on Sarene's ship.
From 'Southlands Campaign': Lady Chelarre Foxwood (4409-446) was a female aristocrat, an only child. She was holder of the Foxwood title, and cousin to Lord Halvath Cormarrin (RIP 4434). In 4434 she was rescued from an attack by Shadar’s Brigands on the road by the adventurers Saryth & Megaera. Following the deaths of Lord Halvath & Meg Cormarrin at Varek's hands, Lady Chelarre took the three young Cormarrin children into her care: Prince Halvath (4423-), Princess Fion (4425-4446), and Prince Lucan (4427-).
In 4445-4446 BCCC Chelarre was Emissary of Nerath east of the Castellan Mountains. Halvath is the youngest Prince of Nerath, while Lady Fion has become a promising Grey Mage, and Lucan is a cavalry officer in the Cormarrin tradition. None have forgotten the murder of their mother by the Altanian Varek Tigerclaw, or his slaying of their father the next day.
Princes of Restored Nerath
1. High Prince Halvath Cormarrin, Warlord
2. Prince Boritt Crowfinger, Necromancer-Archmage
3. Princess Fion Cormarrin, War Mage
4. Prince Lucan Cormarrin, Champion
Knights Concordant of Restored Nerath
1. Kaystar Saru
Rumours:
10/3/4446 BCCC: The army of Neo-Nerath reached Hara . They plan to retake Nera, the Imperial City.
The Nerathi were searching for the Lichway of the ancient Sandlanders in the cliffs of the Korm Basin.
M 6 4446: North of Trade Sir Tal Lorvas & his fleet of Lichway skeletons were destroyed by the Altanian fleet under Hakeem.
M10 4446: Varek Tigerclaw's wight has been destroyed by the hero Hakeem, who claimed the Armour of Bondorr. Prince Halvath married Analise Vergath.
8/12/4446 Fion Cormarrin killed the shieldmaiden Svenya & the Mitra Paladin Amir in the dell east of Dyson's Delve, taking the Staff of St Ulther from Amir. She sought the Heart of Elemental Chaos within the Delve.
M12 4446: Princess Fion killed by Sandor Ursa & Gracyone in Dyson's Delve. The priestess Livilla was captured and taken to Thusia.
M4 4447: Black Sun marches on Hara. Hakeem kills Kainos the Warbringer. Shieldbiter kills Halvath & Lucan. Nerathi infantry surrender to Dyson Logos. Cavalry flee. Black Sun Orcs are chased away, many killed.
15/4/47 Crowfinger has sacrificed Analise Vergath to Zehir in a terrible ritual!
Bisgen liberated 28/4/4447, Borritt Crowfinger destroyed.
Known as an honest merchant, the veteran Nerathi trader Gluck Goodkind is most often found in Ahyf, but travels the Ghinarian roadways with his lovely daughter Kym (he's a widower). They travel in a covered goods wagon drawn by a mighty Shagpa, a kind of placid marsupial behemoth that can take a wagon through even worst days of the winter Wet Season.
While he appears mild-mannered, Gluck is far from defenceless.
Gluck & Kym have known Rey for some time. Kym clearly likes Rey a lot, and can hold her own when it comes to flirtation. Gluck is pretty indulgent of his only daughter, allowing her a high degree of independence.
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2. Orph the Bard: This wandering minstrel bard was (M1 4446) playing at the Redeye Inn, before heading up to Thusia, then on to Ahyf with Rey's former slave Lucy Prentice later in the year, where he sold her as a coin girl. His guitar music can get the wenches dancing on the tables in next to no time. Orph likes wine, women, song and (especially) gold.
M8 4447: Teamed up with Prisha Acharya in Carchimish.
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3. Captain Orson 'the Northron': This fabled Skandik sea-captain is a great hairy black-bearded cheerful brute of a man, born 4400 BCCC. His beard is greying. He fights naked but for his loinclout and the deadly enchanted trident he wields, and has never been defeated. For many years now Orson has plyed the waters of the Pazidan Coast from the CSIO south to Oricha, fighting off pirates and returning with wealth to the City State. His current ship (he has lost a few, to storm, gambling, sea monsters et al) is the small merchantman Buxom Wench, replacing Coral Mouth Kate which he lost in an unfortunate gambling match (M5 4445). The ship has a total crew of 14 men including himself.
Orson has an old Sea Mage, Krabbe, whose feet are forbidden to touch dry land, and a healing slave Aole of Neria.
16/11/4445 - bought 11 slave girls at the Selatine market from Orc minions of Oriax.
23/11/4445 - Buxom Wench departed Selatine, northward bound.
M10 4446 - Orson had bought numerous slave girls from Selatine during the Oriax occupation. Orson was particularly taken with Aole of Neria, and kept her as a ship's girl.
WITCH PRIESTESSES OF RHIANNON
encountered by Maglor & Sandor 1/7/47 heading north from Imp Brucke in northern Oricha into the Vale, seeking a lost shrine of their goddess.
Rhiannon is the Tharbrian Goddess of Witches. Her worship is widespread across Pazidan.
DECEASED ADVENTURERS
Kane, the Last Avenger 8/12/46 Kane was killed by Neo-Nerath in the dell east of Dyson's Delve
This mysterious warrior-monk stalked the southern Ghinarian Hills, even into the Vale, and is said to have killed a score of Yusan's raiders. His weather-stained gear bore the eagle sigil of Fallen Nerath and the crested wave sigil of Melora, once the Nerathi Goddess of Ocean, known now by other names - the Ghinorans call her Electra.
Kane was a highly skilled scout, known to act on occasion for Lord Vex of Selatine and the other Ghinarian Lords who still oppose Yusan, bringing word of troop movements and other events, but he seemed to act largely on his own whim.
He is married to Clevana (4394-) and has 2 sturdy sons, his eldest Jaran (4417-), & Medus (4420-), who both assist him at the forge, and 3 daughters: Benla (4424-) a tomboy who also helps at the forge, the buxom Cleo (4427-), now a bar wench, and his youngest Nomie (4428-), a pearl diver. The sisters are all close.
Jaran Alces the assistant smith is married to Hydra (nee Kakas, Opa's-Daughter), with two small children of his own and another on the way (M2/47).
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| Jaran Alces, assistant smith |
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| Benla Alces, apprentice smith |
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| Nomie Alces, a pearl diver |
Aya the Shepherdess, much taken with Hakeem, and her dog Max. Accompanied Hakeem & Tor, then Hakeem & Rey, to the Caverns of Thracia. A good shot with her sling. Rewarded with 200gp 29/11/4445 for her part in rescuing the Statue of Apollo from the Beastmen, Aya became among the richer sheep-owners in Selatine. Aya's less adventurous friend, cousin & workmate is called Vatta. Her fate is unknown, believed taken north. Aya has a younger brother, Tyrion, known as a sardonic and aloof fellow.
In M9 4448 Aya consented to marry Vuthrik the Last Deathwalker, who had quietly courted her for some time.
Rumours in Selatine
M10 4446: Aya, Vatta, and several of the young women of Selatine were sold as slaves during the Oriax occupation to Orson the Northron and other slavers.
M1 4447: Aya is being trained as a pit-fighting slave at the Airshark Inn, Ahyf.
M2 4447: Aya has been rescued by Hakeem and delivered to Thusia by Shieldbiter.
17/2/4447: Jana Vex has taken her novitiate Opara Kakas as her new lover. There is a statue of Artemis in the shrine now.
2/3/47, Bratanis - Mako points to a dark haired girl eating breakfast with two amazons at an inn table. "She there told me - Aya the Slinger she's called. She's off to Selatine to be the new Weaponmaster or somesuch."
M3 47: The human Deathwalkers of Thracia have been destroyed by the savage Beastmen. Only Vuthrik remains.
13/9/4448: Vuthrik the Last Deathwalker, commander of Lady Vex's Hoplites, is to marry Aya the Shepherdess, commander of Lady Vex's Slingers. The Lady has blessed the marriage.
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| Tyrion, a young shepherd of Selatine, Aya' s brother |
Deceased Characters
Redeye Inn. Originally from the CSIO where his brother runs the Silver Eel, a famous Inn. He settled in Selatine in 4441 and married a local girl, Esvett, but she was carried off in a Beastman raid in 4442. Aldo soon replaced her with a slave girl, Serani, marrying Serani in M6 4445.
M4 4446: Oriax's orcs took over the Redeye Inn & eventually all of Selatine, taking the serving wenches as slaves & eventually selling them alongside other Oriax girls. M10 4446: Like much of Selatine, the Redeye Inn was in a decreipt state after the Orc occupation, with no barmaids and few patrons.
4/2/47: Aldo shot dead by Drakonok for drugging his cake - Macreus probably wanted the dragonborn for sacrifice to Thanatos.
M10 4446 after long conversing, Macreus won the confidence of the dejected Lord Vex in the aftermath of the Oriax occupation, and served as his advisor and priest-magist. Killed 4/2 4447 by Jana's allies.
Lord Vex employed Bjornalf as captain of the Arcadia.
25/12/4445: Just before midnight Bjornalf was gifted the handmaid Alli by Lady Lucretia of Rallu in thanks for his part in her rescue from Tsamar - he gave her to Rey. On 17/1/46 Alli gained the power of healing from the Chalice of Belaras. She is currently (end 4446) a serving slave at the Temple of Belaras. 10/1/4446: Bjornalf completed construction of a small shrine in Selatine to the Arch-fey, the Queen of Ocean, who the Ghinorans call Electra.
ca M2 4446 Bjornalf was killed by Shadows in the Worm's Gullet dungeon NW of Thusia.
Alli ended up with the slaves sold by the Temple-Tomb of Belaras to Ahyf.
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NERATH RESTORED
29/4/4447: Borritt Crowfinger destroyed by Hakeem, Neo-Nerath ended.
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| Nerathi Cleric of Erathis |
Little is known of the Kingdom of Restored Nerath, west beyond the Castellan Mountains, but it is said to be ruled by Necromancers who are no friends of the Altanian Barbarians. Their emissary in the east was Chelarre Foxwood (RIP m4 4446), a Nerathi aristocrat from Bisgen who was also a priestess of Erathis, the Nerathi goddess of Civilisation, called Athena by the Ghinorans. Chelarre favoured either a low cut white silk dress or merely loincloth and stockings, silver Sun-Wheel pendant, a red cloak clasped at the throat, and light jewelry that accentuates her fair Alryan complexion, carefully maintained through minor sorcery. Some say she was not above using feminine wiles to co-opt the Nerathi and Ghinarian lords to her cause. Chelarre was typically accompanied by an honour guard of four Nerathi soldiers equipped with chainmail, helm, spear, sword and shield, and by her fat old serving-maid, Tayva.
23/11/4445: Hytirus Vex returned to Selatine in Chelarre's company. They were said to be lovers.
M3? 4446: Chelarre abandoned Selatine after the town fell to Oriax.
M4 4446: Chelarre captured by Black Odo in the Lichway, later executed by Rey & Hakeem on Sarene's ship.
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In 4445-4446 BCCC Chelarre was Emissary of Nerath east of the Castellan Mountains. Halvath is the youngest Prince of Nerath, while Lady Fion has become a promising Grey Mage, and Lucan is a cavalry officer in the Cormarrin tradition. None have forgotten the murder of their mother by the Altanian Varek Tigerclaw, or his slaying of their father the next day.
Knights Concordant of Restored Nerath
1. Kaystar Saru
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10/3/4446 BCCC: The army of Neo-Nerath reached Hara . They plan to retake Nera, the Imperial City.
The Nerathi were searching for the Lichway of the ancient Sandlanders in the cliffs of the Korm Basin.
M 6 4446: North of Trade Sir Tal Lorvas & his fleet of Lichway skeletons were destroyed by the Altanian fleet under Hakeem.
M10 4446: Varek Tigerclaw's wight has been destroyed by the hero Hakeem, who claimed the Armour of Bondorr. Prince Halvath married Analise Vergath.
8/12/4446 Fion Cormarrin killed the shieldmaiden Svenya & the Mitra Paladin Amir in the dell east of Dyson's Delve, taking the Staff of St Ulther from Amir. She sought the Heart of Elemental Chaos within the Delve.
M12 4446: Princess Fion killed by Sandor Ursa & Gracyone in Dyson's Delve. The priestess Livilla was captured and taken to Thusia.
M4 4447: Black Sun marches on Hara. Hakeem kills Kainos the Warbringer. Shieldbiter kills Halvath & Lucan. Nerathi infantry surrender to Dyson Logos. Cavalry flee. Black Sun Orcs are chased away, many killed.
15/4/47 Crowfinger has sacrificed Analise Vergath to Zehir in a terrible ritual!
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| Black Sun Assassin |
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| Neo-Nerath Veteran Cavalry. |
Bisgen liberated 28/4/4447, Borritt Crowfinger destroyed.
BISGEN - Sons of the Sword
Start M5 47, Hakeem has the Temple of Bondorr reconsecrated and recruits an honour guard of Altanian Sword Lodge chosen warriors (20, level 1-4) and Sword Knights (4, level 5-8) to protect it and secure the West - The Sons of the Sword. M8 4447: An additional 10 chosen & 2 knights are with Queen Malenn & Prince Hassan at Ahyf.
The Sword Knights of Bondorr at Bisgen.
1. Valchek of the Feathered-Bear Human Altanian, Bear Totem Barbarian.
2. Arkat Seawolf of Ketche (Sea Wolf)
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| Xa Chun, the Beast of Oricha |
Human Altanian, Wolf Totem Barbarian.
3. Borvast Eagle Eyes (Winged Lion)
Human Altanian, Eagle Totem Barbarian.
4. Xa chun, The Beast of Orichia (Red Tiger) Human Altanian , Tiger Totem Barbarian.
_________________________________________Wandering NPCs
The Goodkinds |
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| Orph the Bard |
M8 4447: Teamed up with Prisha Acharya in Carchimish.
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3. Captain Orson 'the Northron': This fabled Skandik sea-captain is a great hairy black-bearded cheerful brute of a man, born 4400 BCCC. His beard is greying. He fights naked but for his loinclout and the deadly enchanted trident he wields, and has never been defeated. For many years now Orson has plyed the waters of the Pazidan Coast from the CSIO south to Oricha, fighting off pirates and returning with wealth to the City State. His current ship (he has lost a few, to storm, gambling, sea monsters et al) is the small merchantman Buxom Wench, replacing Coral Mouth Kate which he lost in an unfortunate gambling match (M5 4445). The ship has a total crew of 14 men including himself.
Orson has an old Sea Mage, Krabbe, whose feet are forbidden to touch dry land, and a healing slave Aole of Neria.
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| Aole of Neria, serving slave |
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Roth, an Altanian Slaver, with merchandise
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16/11/4445 - bought 11 slave girls at the Selatine market from Orc minions of Oriax.
23/11/4445 - Buxom Wench departed Selatine, northward bound.
M10 4446 - Orson had bought numerous slave girls from Selatine during the Oriax occupation. Orson was particularly taken with Aole of Neria, and kept her as a ship's girl.
encountered by Maglor & Sandor 1/7/47 heading north from Imp Brucke in northern Oricha into the Vale, seeking a lost shrine of their goddess.
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| Light Priestess of Rhiannon |
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| Dark Priestess of Rhiannon |
DECEASED ADVENTURERS
This mysterious warrior-monk stalked the southern Ghinarian Hills, even into the Vale, and is said to have killed a score of Yusan's raiders. His weather-stained gear bore the eagle sigil of Fallen Nerath and the crested wave sigil of Melora, once the Nerathi Goddess of Ocean, known now by other names - the Ghinorans call her Electra.
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| Light Tower of Oriax |
Horses: 9 - 6 Vale horses, & 3 Elven Steeds of Onhir.
Griffons: 0 - Clenderi's returned to Highhaven mid '47 for her pregnancy.
Oriax the Goat, the Horned Wizard (Wiz 18): Oriax is a powerful Chaotic Archmage, said to be of Satyr ancestry, who dwelt in a functioning light-house tower of the Ancients on the craggy coast some ten miles south-west of Selatine. He took control of the old Lighthouse in 4414 BCCC, displacing its prior wizard occupant. Oriax is said to have a substantial harem, and to drive an enchanted chariot pulled by slaves that travels as fast as any pulled by horse. Oriax's tower is rumoured to be of Markab manufacture, and to hold a magic mirror through which he can travel in glamered form to seize new slaves and other treasures
Outbuildings inc tavern, curtain wall and tower.
*Amazon guard number 12 (M1+ 4447) with a single stabled griffon belonging to Clenderi.
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| Clenderi, Leader of Oriax Tower Amazon Guard 10/46 |
Oriax it's said had a vast harem, the most beautiful women of many worlds - those he tires of are sold at market or sent to the mines beneath his spire.
Updates
M10 4446: When Oriax's tower fell to the forces of Hakeem, it's rumoured that Oriax & Joseph fled with a few slaves and followers through the Mirror to another world. The rest of the slaves in the Tower were returned to their home planes by the magic of the high priest Thuruar.
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| Hippolyta, Amazon Barkeep at Oriax Tower Inn |
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| Saera, Amazon leader |
2/9/4447: Clenderi gives birth to a boy child by Sandor Sunneson; he is present at the birth. Child will be nursed M9/47-M2/48 then be given to Sandor at Ahyf, where Sandor plans that he be raised alongside Queen Malenn's son Hassan.
MAGDRA'S HUT
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| Magdra, Witch of Rhiannon |
9/6/48 rescued from an ogre hunter by the adventurers Mordred, Danor & Bright Star.
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| Magdra's Hut |
(3530) Trade, Town of the Dragonborn Lord
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| Lord Shieldbiter - Torin Delmirev (PC) |
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| Lady Freya Torin, consort of Shieldbiter |
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| Steelclaw, Commander of the Dragon Guard. |
22/7/47: Trade destroyed by Matriarx. Shielditer had recently moved his court to Ahyf.
RULER: Shieldbiter the Gold Dragonborn (PC). Sacked by Yusan 6/6/4446, after Shieldbiter had killed the quisling Lord Tarcon and proclaimed himself ruler. On 25/1/47 Shieldbiter returned to Trade with 'angelic' golden wings, along with Lord Hakeem, the warrior Dagda, and Helga, his new retainer.
Net +2gp/month.
TRADE CHARACTER STATS
Helga's Panoply |
From 24/1/47 Shieldbiter is accompanied by his Shieldmaiden, a lusty former Airshark Inn pit fighter Helga the Valkyrie. Shieldbiter equips her with Ghinarian bronze plate & shield, instead of her scanty pit fighter's garb.
A handsome young farmer's son pours Helga more ouzo. She knocks it back, smiling happily at him. "My, you're a nice one..."
Helga protects her liege, and always carries a spare shield for munching.
The original Antillian trading post in these parts, founded in the aftermath of the Gnoll Times ca 4250 BCCC. Today most Antillian ships dock at Ahyf, and today the village is something of a backwater. However it retains an excellent deepwater harbour, and there is an active shrine of Shang-Ta tended by an
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The merchant-pirate
On 5/6/4446 Lord Tarcon was killed in a duel with Shieldbiter the Dragonborn. Shieldbiter claimed rulership of the town. Shieldbiter kept Tarcon's slaves, but having no interest in any human women he dresses his servants in simple cotton shifts.
23/7/4447 Trade destroyed by the dragon Matriarx, a month or so after Shieldbiter had moved his court to Ahyf.
(3530) Reptilion - from founding end M2 to abandoned M8 4447
End M2 4447: Lord Shieldbiter leads his Lizardmen (210 with 140 combatant, 70 infants) from the swamps of Thracia north to Trade, settling them in newly-dug warrens in the hills ca 8 miles to the south of town, the new hold named Reptilion. They are commanded to feed themselves from hunting in the hills to the SW (3430) (not eating the local humans) while the Dragonborn train them into an effective fighting force. Currently there are ca 120 normal lizardmen, 15 veterans, and 5 Shamans.
The dwarf Thegn Kogor at Theber (3531) is concerned to have lizardmen roaming the hills above his town, but has not raised objections - Shieldbiter's wife Freya saved him, Lorius Vex & Jane Poole from the lizardmen in Thracia 18/2/47.
SB's brother Drakonok constructed a great chilled Cake Vault here.
SB's brother Drakonok constructed a great chilled Cake Vault here.
29/2/4447 They say Lord Shieldbiter has his eye on Ahyf town...
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(3531) THEBER
Sacked by Yusan M5 4446.
Ruler: Thegn Kogor of Kolda (qv), appointed by Lord Kaldrac of Verius M12 4446, with Princess Opa Theber his concubine>wife (from 4447).
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| Kogor of Kolda, Thegn of Theber |
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| Princess Opa Theber, concubine of Lords Tarcon & Yusan, wife of Kogor. |
Theber (Hex 3531): pop 450. Combatant 112. Theber is a good-sized Ghinoran village on the Old Road, was ruled by the elderly Lord Vilius of Theber. He had six daughters and no sons, the eldest three daughters were married off - to men of Trade (#3 Princess Opa, gifted as concubine to Lord Tarcon in M8 4444), of Kren's Cairn (Princess #2 Murika, to Weaponmaster Odense), or of Lord Vilius' own warband (Princess #1 Viana, to Weaponmaster Malthis, formerly of Kren's Cairn); the eldest two Viana & Murika now stout matrons with families of their own.
RULER: Kogor of Kolda Hold, Thegn of Theber from M12 4446 BCCC, vassal to Lord Kaldrac of Verius.
Very much the hero of his own story, this veteran dwarven adventurer and sometime mercenary (and smith!) hails from the dwarf hold of Kolda in the Castellan mountains. He is a fierce fighter and enthusiastic wencher, but also surprisingly erudite, and has made a study of the ancient city of Thracia as part of his plan to loot the ruins. He is more the fierce and jovial type of dwarf than his more common reserved kinfolk. Kogor preferred to avoid the village of Theber, due to his seduction of Princess Opa Theber. When the affair was uncovered (M8 4444) Kogor escaped, knocking two men unconscious on the way. Opa was then gifted by Lord Vilius to Lord Tarcon of Trade as concubine.
28/11/4445 BCCC: Kogor returned from exploring the northeastern ruins of Thracia, having battled giant rats and a zombie Deathwalker, with news that the Deathwalkers' surface holdings have been overrun by the Beastmen, all is slaughter and death.
2/12/4445: During a week long drunken bender following the recovery of the Statue of Apollo, Kogor blows half his reward (100gp) on buying the slave wench Beverly McFadden from Aldo Redeye.
"She may not be a great cook, but she has other attractions... I like a more experienced girl. And she can always carry a torch."
M1 4446 BCC: Kogor has bought and was refurbishing a small house in Selatine with the proceeds of his delvings. M7/8 4446 Kogor resumed adventuring.
M12 4446: Kaldrac of Verius appointed Kogor Thegn of Theber, with his ex-lover Opa Theber as concubine. Kogor did the decent thing and sold his slave Beverly as a coin girl in Ahyf. Kogor is said to desire more of the Theber girls. He also has his eye on a new expedition to the caverns of Thracia.
15/09/4447 Kogor marries Opa Theber.
15/09/4447 Kogor marries Opa Theber.
M10 4452: Kogor helps Maglor (PC) of Ahyf forge a fake Kion Pass Key. Kogor now has six half-dwarf children by his wife and concubines, the youngest M10 4452 a daughter by Opa, Kogora.
Vilius Theber (RIP M5/4446)
Vilius Theber (RIP M5/4446)
A man of peace and scholarship by inclination, Vilius revered Mitra-Apollo, and sought to keep his village free of Yusan's domination and the many brigands that infest the Ghinoran Hills. He maintained good relations with neighouring domains such as the rising power of Kren's Cairn to the north-east, with Verius port to the south-east, and with Bratanis on the Old Road, 20 miles to the south-west.
Lord Vilius' senior son-in-law and leader of his warband was Weaponmaster Malthis of Tula (muscular, greying beard, bronzed complexion, bronze plate armour), a thoughtful warrior, formerly one of Krens's men.
Lord Vilius was attempting to forge a Lords' Alliance against the Warlord Yusan. He was supported by Lord Krens of Krens Cairn, Lord Kaldrac of Verius, Lord Usaraus of Talholm, Lord Tarcon of Trade, and Lord Hytirus Vex of Selatine. Lady Aeschela of Bratanis was non-committal, perhaps fearing to renew open war with Yusan, as is Ayhf Town, which despite brigand raids so far prefers to remain neutral - Ayhf does considerable profitable sea trade with Yusan through sea merchants such as the notorious Tsamar, even supplying his men with steel weapons and bronze armour from Hara. In M11 4445 Lord Vilius sent his emissary Lord Reynard Mercellin of Mysk (PC) to Bratanis to seek Aeschela's commitment to the Alliance and perhaps get him away from his three remaining unmarried daughters (Princesses #4 Doria, #5 Cassia & #6 Peony), Vilius being keen to marry off the three princesses with their virtue intact! None of them wish to suffer the fate of their elder sister Opa, who in 4444 dishonoured the House by consorting with the dwarf adventurer Kogor of Kolda, and was consequently punished by being gifted as concubine to Lord Tarcon of Trade.
Princess Doria is particularly intelligent, and has been seeking to learn the ways of Wizardry from Lord Krens of Krens' Cairn - if she also has a romantic intention, Lord Krens appears oblivious. It's said Lord Vilius would like Princess Cassia to marry soon, perhaps to Lord Kaldrac of Verius - she is apparently not particularly keen on the idea.
11-12/1/4446: Princess Cassia slept with Rey in his guest room at Lord Theber's hall - hopefully unobserved by others. It was not her first time.
12/1/46: Vilius discussed with Rey the possibility of Rey wedding Cassia. Rey suggested Peony would be a good match for Kaladrac of Verius. Vilius agreed - neither Kaladrac or Peony being 'too intellectual'.
30/5/4446: Theber is fallen and Vilius dead, slain by Yusan.
30/5/4446: Theber is fallen and Vilius dead, slain by Yusan.
(3531) Verius
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Lord Kaldrac of Verius, with slave Jane of Boston.
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Lord Kaldrac's sister the fair Helena is married to Lord Usarus of Talholm, and the two lords are closely allied.
M10 4446 - Lord Kaladrac has the three princesses of Theber (below) as concubines.
M12 4446 - Kaldrac has emerged as leader among the Ghinarian Lords. He has made the dwarf hero Kogor the Thegn of Theber, vassal to himself.
THE CHILDREN OF KALDRAC
M7 4449 Doria has a daughter, Heleni.
M9 4450 Peony has a son, Maximus.
M8 4452 Peony has a son, Usarus.
As of M5 4453 Cassia is childless.
As of M5 4453 Jane is childless.
M4 4450 Cheryle has a son, Kaladracus.
As of M5 4453 Francine is childless.
Weaponmaster Balthus, ex of Selatine: grizzled greybeard veteran warrior (Ftr-4), b.4390, headed Lord Vex's ten-strong warband. In M6 4444 BCCC Weaponmaster Balthus distinguished himself in the aftermath of the raid when the Beastmen of Thracia stole the Golden Statue of Apollo, personally slaying two Gnolls and rescuing a kidnapped Selatine maiden, Iris, before the monsters could carry her back to their lair. They subsequently married, M3 4446 BCCC Iris bore their first child, the boy Apolyus. Balthus did not have a high opinion of Priestess Chelarre, or of the Neo-Nerathi in general.
Balthus abandoned Lord Vex & Selatine during the 4446 Oriax occupation, disgusted by Vex's inactivity and fearful the Orcs would take his wife. He now (M10 4446) serves Kaldrac of Verius as his Weaponmaster.
Rumour M10 4446: Following the fall of Yusan and liberation of Theber (sacked by Yusan M5 4446), Lord Kaladrac of Verius took over Theber and took the three Princesses of Theber (qv) as concubines, they now serve in his Hall at Verius. The youngest, Peony, is said to be his favourite.
(3730) KRENS' CAIRN
(3431) BRATANIS M6 4447 BCCC
Pop. 460, combatant 115. RULER: Lady Thuvia Bratanis (NPC Noble) assumed rule M8 4446, having been freed from Warlord Yusan's harem by Tug the Giff. She has an infant daughter, Aescha, who was born to Yusan 4444 BCC. In M12 4446 Thuvia acquired a Weaponmaster, the retired Nerathi Gladiator Achermos Trollslayer of Hara (NPC Gladiator). They married in 4449 and she had his child that year.
BRATANIS STATS
"Why I saw Achermos' last battle, where he killed Thorin the Black, one of those Dwarfs... Thorin put up a good fight with his axe and cesti - fair ripped old Achermos up - but the old man did for him in the end. Prize was so big I hear even old tight-fist Lord Bronze had to admit Achermos had bought his daughter's freedom... "
Bratanis (hex 3431) is a stockaded Ghinoran village on the Old Road that leads north to Ahyf and Kren's Cairn, south to the Vale. Bratanis is situated on a low rise overlooking the valley of the Thrace River. An ancient stone bridge crosses the river here. West from Bratanis the old Pilgrims' Trail runs towards the Sky God Idol, and thence on to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras.
Until M2 4446 the settlement was ruled by the Lady Aeschela Bratanis, cousin to the Vexes of Selatine. She was unmarried. Aeschela became Lady of Bratanis following the death of her father Aeschus from wounds sustained in battle with Yusan's raiders; Aeschela's mother Alma Vex (Jana Vex's aunt) died years ago. Aeschela's only surviving sibling, her younger sister Thuvia, had married the son of the Lord of Kalmisj in 4442, but was taken in 4443 by the Warlord Yusan for his harem when he conquered that village. The lean warrior Weaponmaster Ruggio was Aeschela's war-leader (weaponmaster), commanding a half dozen armoured warriors. It's said she rejected his suit to marry her and become lord of Bratanis. At the start of M2 4446 Ruggio overthrew Aeschela on the basis of her consorting with Yusan, and took her as his concubine before Bjornalf Brighteyes persuaded him to marry her, ending the insult to Lord Vex of Selatine implied by his cousin's enslavement. Lady Aeschela ruled Bratanis from her well-appointed long house with dining hall, guest chambers and bathroom. Adjacent is her stable, with half a dozen horses, behind which is an 8' deep stone-faced slave pit with rings.
Iglaruis (NPC Commoner) is her elderly steward/factotum/vizier, in 4444 he was half-choked by the rogue Kal.
Eberus the Wise (NPC Commoner) is the elderly priest of Zeus (1st level rituals inc Augury, can brew healing potions & holy water). Eberus is the last surviving monk of the Academy of Zeus Skyfather, he was only an initiate when it was abandoned many years ago (4404 BCCC). He tends the shrine of Zeus and the associated covered crematorium, looking over Bratanis' village green.
Nearby the small Bratanis Inn is the local drinking den and accommodates travellers who don't stay at the longhouse. The Innkeep is Mako (NPC Scout), an odd-
looking Halfling ex-adventurer originally from exotic Karak far to the east. Mako has been inkeep here since 4434. His motto is "The Humus! Always the Humus!"
Mako's pet wolf Fang keeps order very well. Mako found him as a cub in the Irsimunal forest of the far north, his mother slain by an arrow.
Mako is assisted by the buxom and sweet-natured human serving maid Ellen (NPC Commoner), a local girl from a poor family. In 11/10/4444 she was given a 150gp ruby from Kal, a deceased adventurer, which she later sold to buy supplies for her mother and repair their hovel. Ellen has several brothers, the oldest is Joran (NPC Commoner). Her father is long dead, her mother Alceesa is old and bedridden. Ellen receives much male attention, but has never married. They say she grieves a fallen lover, likely Kal.
Since M10 4446 the Inn's second server is Candice, a redhead.
Mako went to Ahyf and acquired the offworlder slave serving wench Candice, formerly Candice Wright of Yggsburgh, to assist Ellen and warm Mako's bed (despite the risk of suffocation). Candice is an experienced slave wench, having served at Selatine's Redeye Inn.
Peiron is Bratanis' blacksmith. He is a big, black-bearded Ghinoran man.
The Erhurr sheep farm lies a mile north of town near Goblin Gulley, inhabited by old Erhurr, his wife Olivia and brother Rigus. He owns Spot, a large black-furred shep-hound. They keep sheep for the Lady Thuvia.
Local Dungeons
This area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and there are many ruins and dungeons in the hills around Bratanis. Adventurers often use the Bratanis Inn as a base for their expeditions.
2 miles north of Bratanis lies Goblin Gulley, with its ancient Demonbrood slave pits.
4.5 miles south-east of Bratanis, the Ruins of the Gorgon lie on a north-facing wooded hillside, about half a mile south from the meadowlands along the river. The ruins are said to have once been a temple of Midor, the orc god, and are the lair of feral redcap gnomes.
4 miles west of Bratanis in a dry gorge are the Nerath Caves, which bear signs of that fallen empire. Once the lair of terrible Gaunt Hounds, said to have been defeated in 4444 by the heroic Captain Lance Harcourt, the caves are now believed safe, and recent treasure hunters have returned empty-handed.
An old ruin called the Sunless Citadel is said to lie buried in a deep crevasse 3 miles due south of town, across the Thrace river. Goblins live there, and grow apples from a magical tree.
24 miles west along the Pilgrims' Trail is the Tomb of Belaras, Temple-Crypt of this Ghinoran Saint of Apollo-Mitra, which serves as a testing ground for would-be Mitra priests and holy warriors, still tended by a small cadre of priests.
Bratanis Rumours:
M1 4446: Aeschela is secretly paying tribute to Warlord Yusan, who holds her sister Thuvia, in defiance of the Lords' Alliance to oppose him!
M2 4446: Bratanis has been troubled by hobgoblin raiders. The barbarian Eardvulf slew a dozen of them in hill ruins four miles east of Bratanis.
6/2/4446: Ruggio has overthrown Aeschela and made himself Lord of Bratanis! He keeps her naked and chained at his feet! He plans to join the Lords' Alliance.
6/2/4446: Bjornalf the Warlock has persuaded Ruggio to marry Lady Aeschela!
M5/4446: Ruggio murdered Aeschela, betrayed the Lords' Alliance, and joined with Yusan!
12/6/4446: Ruggio not found among the dead after the disastrous Battle of Yusan's Fall, 4.5 hours march south of Krens' Cairn.
1/2/4447: Ruggio found & killed by Hakeem in the Vale, Hakeem rescuing Priestess Octavia from his brigands.
M2 4447: Shelos was kidnapped by cultists from beneath Sky God Idol, but rescued by adventurers and the slave Misha - the Lady gave Misha her freedom.
M2 4447: Two miles north of town, in the woods a mile past Erhurr Farm, lies Goblin Gulley. Archermos slew the Goblins, but beware the ancient abomination that lurks in the depths of the Demonbrood slave pits!
Misha nods: "My slave girl friends will be bridesmaiding - I expect one of them will like you. Berta the Fat or Holma the Plain, maybe."
2/3/47: Shelos & Misha married and went to live in their new hovel. Mordred gave them a wedding gift of 3 25gp gems. Zagaar woke up next morning in the arms of Berta the Fat. They later married.
Kalmisj dungeon notes 15/9/47:
(see 'Princes of the Apocalypse')
Haunted Tomb - looted, a ghost bound in first chamber.
Lance Rock - cleared out, vacant cave system.
Feathergale Spire - a group of Alchemists, "the Conclave", study Elemental Air.
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| M6 4444 BCCC: Balthus rescues Iris. |
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| Francine of Hongkong, concubine. |
Balthus abandoned Lord Vex & Selatine during the 4446 Oriax occupation, disgusted by Vex's inactivity and fearful the Orcs would take his wife. He now (M10 4446) serves Kaldrac of Verius as his Weaponmaster.
Rumour M10 4446: Following the fall of Yusan and liberation of Theber (sacked by Yusan M5 4446), Lord Kaladrac of Verius took over Theber and took the three Princesses of Theber (qv) as concubines, they now serve in his Hall at Verius. The youngest, Peony, is said to be his favourite.
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| Cheryle of Boston, concubine. |
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| Princess Peony of Theber |
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| Princess Doria of Theber |
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| Princess Cassia of Theber |
(3630)
Talholm
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Helena of Verius, wife of Lord Usarus of Talholm
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| Lord Usarus of Talholm |
Pop. 400, combatant 100. A Ghinarian village known for its tall cedar trees, which make excellent ships. Boat-building is the major industry here, Usarus (Ftr-5) is Lord of Talholm. A cautious man and excellent administrator and sailor, he maintains good relations with all his neighbours. Usarus' galley Warsprite is said to be the fastest ship on the Ghinarian coast.
Usarus' demure and virtuous wife Helena is the sister of Lord Kaldrac of Verius. They have one son (4444-), named Hytirus after Usarus' friend the Lord of Selatine. He has no concubines, and is said to have forsaken all women but the fair Helena.
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| Lord Krens |
KRENS' CAIRN (pop. 492, combatant 123): In 4431 BCCC the Laughing Spray out of Tula shipwrecked here.
The survivors under the then-apprentice wizard Krens, now a powerful mage (Wiz 9) built a stone hold for their shelter, a year later making contact with Ahyf town to the west. Two thirds of the crew opted to remain at the Cairn, which has since grown into a thriving keep and small township under Lord Krens' leadership. Over the years several more shipwrecked crews have been rescued, adding to the growing population. Krens' Cairn is still short of women, and is a good destination market for female slaves. Krens himself is unmarried, and has shown little interest in women, despite the best efforts of Lord Vilius Theber's daughter Princess Doria, who with her father's permission has been studying magic with him at the Cairn (4445-). Some say Krens prefers the company of men.
Krens is aided by Weaponmaster Odense Ap Wyn, a rugged and jovial Altanian warrior who command the hold's militia. Odense is married to the stout and similarly jovial Princess Murika, the second daughter of Lord Vilius of Theber; they have three children (f,m,m).
(3431) BRATANIS M6 4447 BCCC
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| Thuvia, the Lady Bratanis |
Pop. 460, combatant 115. RULER: Lady Thuvia Bratanis (NPC Noble) assumed rule M8 4446, having been freed from Warlord Yusan's harem by Tug the Giff. She has an infant daughter, Aescha, who was born to Yusan 4444 BCC. In M12 4446 Thuvia acquired a Weaponmaster, the retired Nerathi Gladiator Achermos Trollslayer of Hara (NPC Gladiator). They married in 4449 and she had his child that year.
BRATANIS STATS
"Why I saw Achermos' last battle, where he killed Thorin the Black, one of those Dwarfs... Thorin put up a good fight with his axe and cesti - fair ripped old Achermos up - but the old man did for him in the end. Prize was so big I hear even old tight-fist Lord Bronze had to admit Achermos had bought his daughter's freedom... "
Bratanis (hex 3431) is a stockaded Ghinoran village on the Old Road that leads north to Ahyf and Kren's Cairn, south to the Vale. Bratanis is situated on a low rise overlooking the valley of the Thrace River. An ancient stone bridge crosses the river here. West from Bratanis the old Pilgrims' Trail runs towards the Sky God Idol, and thence on to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras.
Until M2 4446 the settlement was ruled by the Lady Aeschela Bratanis, cousin to the Vexes of Selatine. She was unmarried. Aeschela became Lady of Bratanis following the death of her father Aeschus from wounds sustained in battle with Yusan's raiders; Aeschela's mother Alma Vex (Jana Vex's aunt) died years ago. Aeschela's only surviving sibling, her younger sister Thuvia, had married the son of the Lord of Kalmisj in 4442, but was taken in 4443 by the Warlord Yusan for his harem when he conquered that village. The lean warrior Weaponmaster Ruggio was Aeschela's war-leader (weaponmaster), commanding a half dozen armoured warriors. It's said she rejected his suit to marry her and become lord of Bratanis. At the start of M2 4446 Ruggio overthrew Aeschela on the basis of her consorting with Yusan, and took her as his concubine before Bjornalf Brighteyes persuaded him to marry her, ending the insult to Lord Vex of Selatine implied by his cousin's enslavement. Lady Aeschela ruled Bratanis from her well-appointed long house with dining hall, guest chambers and bathroom. Adjacent is her stable, with half a dozen horses, behind which is an 8' deep stone-faced slave pit with rings.
Iglaruis (NPC Commoner) is her elderly steward/factotum/vizier, in 4444 he was half-choked by the rogue Kal.
Eberus the Wise (NPC Commoner) is the elderly priest of Zeus (1st level rituals inc Augury, can brew healing potions & holy water). Eberus is the last surviving monk of the Academy of Zeus Skyfather, he was only an initiate when it was abandoned many years ago (4404 BCCC). He tends the shrine of Zeus and the associated covered crematorium, looking over Bratanis' village green.
Nearby the small Bratanis Inn is the local drinking den and accommodates travellers who don't stay at the longhouse. The Innkeep is Mako (NPC Scout), an odd-
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| Ellen, serving girl at the Bratanis Inn |
Mako's pet wolf Fang keeps order very well. Mako found him as a cub in the Irsimunal forest of the far north, his mother slain by an arrow.
Mako is assisted by the buxom and sweet-natured human serving maid Ellen (NPC Commoner), a local girl from a poor family. In 11/10/4444 she was given a 150gp ruby from Kal, a deceased adventurer, which she later sold to buy supplies for her mother and repair their hovel. Ellen has several brothers, the oldest is Joran (NPC Commoner). Her father is long dead, her mother Alceesa is old and bedridden. Ellen receives much male attention, but has never married. They say she grieves a fallen lover, likely Kal.
Since M10 4446 the Inn's second server is Candice, a redhead.
Mako went to Ahyf and acquired the offworlder slave serving wench Candice, formerly Candice Wright of Yggsburgh, to assist Ellen and warm Mako's bed (despite the risk of suffocation). Candice is an experienced slave wench, having served at Selatine's Redeye Inn.
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| Candice, ex Candice Wright of Yggsburgh, slave wench. |
Peiron is Bratanis' blacksmith. He is a big, black-bearded Ghinoran man.
The Erhurr sheep farm lies a mile north of town near Goblin Gulley, inhabited by old Erhurr, his wife Olivia and brother Rigus. He owns Spot, a large black-furred shep-hound. They keep sheep for the Lady Thuvia.
Local Dungeons
This area has been inhabited for thousands of years, and there are many ruins and dungeons in the hills around Bratanis. Adventurers often use the Bratanis Inn as a base for their expeditions.
2 miles north of Bratanis lies Goblin Gulley, with its ancient Demonbrood slave pits.
4.5 miles south-east of Bratanis, the Ruins of the Gorgon lie on a north-facing wooded hillside, about half a mile south from the meadowlands along the river. The ruins are said to have once been a temple of Midor, the orc god, and are the lair of feral redcap gnomes.
4 miles west of Bratanis in a dry gorge are the Nerath Caves, which bear signs of that fallen empire. Once the lair of terrible Gaunt Hounds, said to have been defeated in 4444 by the heroic Captain Lance Harcourt, the caves are now believed safe, and recent treasure hunters have returned empty-handed.
An old ruin called the Sunless Citadel is said to lie buried in a deep crevasse 3 miles due south of town, across the Thrace river. Goblins live there, and grow apples from a magical tree.
24 miles west along the Pilgrims' Trail is the Tomb of Belaras, Temple-Crypt of this Ghinoran Saint of Apollo-Mitra, which serves as a testing ground for would-be Mitra priests and holy warriors, still tended by a small cadre of priests.
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M1 4446: Aeschela is secretly paying tribute to Warlord Yusan, who holds her sister Thuvia, in defiance of the Lords' Alliance to oppose him!
M2 4446: Bratanis has been troubled by hobgoblin raiders. The barbarian Eardvulf slew a dozen of them in hill ruins four miles east of Bratanis.
6/2/4446: Ruggio has overthrown Aeschela and made himself Lord of Bratanis! He keeps her naked and chained at his feet! He plans to join the Lords' Alliance.
6/2/4446: Bjornalf the Warlock has persuaded Ruggio to marry Lady Aeschela!
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| Misha Shelos-wife, Freedwoman |
12/6/4446: Ruggio not found among the dead after the disastrous Battle of Yusan's Fall, 4.5 hours march south of Krens' Cairn.
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| Shelos the Shepherd |
M2 4447: Shelos was kidnapped by cultists from beneath Sky God Idol, but rescued by adventurers and the slave Misha - the Lady gave Misha her freedom.
M2 4447: Two miles north of town, in the woods a mile past Erhurr Farm, lies Goblin Gulley. Archermos slew the Goblins, but beware the ancient abomination that lurks in the depths of the Demonbrood slave pits!
Misha nods: "My slave girl friends will be bridesmaiding - I expect one of them will like you. Berta the Fat or Holma the Plain, maybe."
2/3/47: Shelos & Misha married and went to live in their new hovel. Mordred gave them a wedding gift of 3 25gp gems. Zagaar woke up next morning in the arms of Berta the Fat. They later married.
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| Berta 'the Fat', shepherdess ex-slave of Bratanis |
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| Fr. Eberus the Wise of Bratanis |
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| Ruins of Nerath |
(3331) Sky God Idol
"...The vast weathered form, the wings spread wide, the face long obscured by age and decay..."
Fr. Eberus (4444 BCCC):
"Great days they were, great days! Pilgrims came from many leagues around to pray at the Great Skyfather, then go on to the Vaults of Belaras, where Jana here - and many others - trained as Clerics of Apollo..."
"Just as the priests of Apollo are a strong sword, so the priests of Zeus spoke of wisdom, and learning..."
"But the world turns, and times change. To the south the Lords of the Citadel of Water fell to the Reavers - Yusan!" he spits a curse. "To the east, cannibals and Beastmen emerged from the caves below Thracia, blocking the sea route..."
"I was but a Novitiate when raiders beset the Academy on all sides - Men, Ghuls, Goblins, Ogres, and worse..."
Lance Harcourt: "Ah yes, the great unwashed. Such a pity."
Eberus shudders. "Cultists of some dark force - Anti-Clerics! Their magic was strong. Too many of us fell. No more pilgrims came. When the Patriarch died, the decision was made to abandon the Academy. Some went west, to join the Priests of Mitra at the Vaults of Belaras. Others scattered. I returned home - here, to Bratanis. The village needed a priest..."
Lance: "What lies there now? I mean, apart from goblins and the like. What was left behind?"
Eberus shrugs. "We fired the buildings, so that no force of Evil could use them. Only the warrens below remain, the crypts of the Old Fathers, the well and the butteries..."
"Little was left, that I can recall. Perhaps some stores, the cheapest of the wine, I think..."
Lance: "It is good to know. Who knows, perhaps one day someone will attempt to take it back..."
Eberus nods. "Daily I pray for that day, when the light of the Skyfather shall shine forth once more upon these clouded hills!"
Around 3pm you come out of a gorge and see ahead of you the burnt-out and overgrown ruins of the ancient academy-monastery of Zeus Sky-Father, set into the hillside in the shadow of the great Sky Idol that looms above, hundreds of feet high. Faint tracks lead into the centre of the rubble, but nothing since the the recent rains - what remains is too vague to make out numbers or type.
West from Bratanis, the old Pilgrims' Trail leads 10 miles through the hills to the ancient Sky God Idol atop a hill, said to be a winged depiction of Zeus. Hundreds of feet high, the weathered, winged idol can be seen looming against the skyline from as far away as Bratanis, looking east towards the sea. The ruin of the old monastery-academy of Zeus Skyfather overlooking the Pilgrims' Trail lies at the foot of the Sky God Idol's hill, just to the south of the statue's base. Abandoned since 4404 BCCC, it's said to have recently (4445) become infested with Goblins.
Inside the ruins of the last intact building is a staircase to the dark dungeon below. At the foot of the east cliff is a second entrance where a tunnel leads west into the dungeon. A cave on the western slope provides a third entry-way.
Western approach 4444 BCCC
A trickle of water runs from a dark cave at the base of the slope, beneath the ruins.
You approach the cave... You can make out many stalactites and stalagmites.
The bright light illuminates the cave, it seems about 30' deep, with several exits. Dozens of normal-sized bats hanging from the ceiling rustle in annoyance at the light. There are two rough-cut tunnels out from the cave, to the right and ahead, and the cave itself extends off to the left. So a 4-way intersection.
Eastern approach 4447 BCCC
Fr. Eberus (4444 BCCC):
"Great days they were, great days! Pilgrims came from many leagues around to pray at the Great Skyfather, then go on to the Vaults of Belaras, where Jana here - and many others - trained as Clerics of Apollo..."
"Just as the priests of Apollo are a strong sword, so the priests of Zeus spoke of wisdom, and learning..."
"But the world turns, and times change. To the south the Lords of the Citadel of Water fell to the Reavers - Yusan!" he spits a curse. "To the east, cannibals and Beastmen emerged from the caves below Thracia, blocking the sea route..."
"I was but a Novitiate when raiders beset the Academy on all sides - Men, Ghuls, Goblins, Ogres, and worse..."
Lance Harcourt: "Ah yes, the great unwashed. Such a pity."
Eberus shudders. "Cultists of some dark force - Anti-Clerics! Their magic was strong. Too many of us fell. No more pilgrims came. When the Patriarch died, the decision was made to abandon the Academy. Some went west, to join the Priests of Mitra at the Vaults of Belaras. Others scattered. I returned home - here, to Bratanis. The village needed a priest..."
Lance: "What lies there now? I mean, apart from goblins and the like. What was left behind?"
Eberus shrugs. "We fired the buildings, so that no force of Evil could use them. Only the warrens below remain, the crypts of the Old Fathers, the well and the butteries..."
"Little was left, that I can recall. Perhaps some stores, the cheapest of the wine, I think..."
Lance: "It is good to know. Who knows, perhaps one day someone will attempt to take it back..."
Eberus nods. "Daily I pray for that day, when the light of the Skyfather shall shine forth once more upon these clouded hills!"
Around 3pm you come out of a gorge and see ahead of you the burnt-out and overgrown ruins of the ancient academy-monastery of Zeus Sky-Father, set into the hillside in the shadow of the great Sky Idol that looms above, hundreds of feet high. Faint tracks lead into the centre of the rubble, but nothing since the the recent rains - what remains is too vague to make out numbers or type.
West from Bratanis, the old Pilgrims' Trail leads 10 miles through the hills to the ancient Sky God Idol atop a hill, said to be a winged depiction of Zeus. Hundreds of feet high, the weathered, winged idol can be seen looming against the skyline from as far away as Bratanis, looking east towards the sea. The ruin of the old monastery-academy of Zeus Skyfather overlooking the Pilgrims' Trail lies at the foot of the Sky God Idol's hill, just to the south of the statue's base. Abandoned since 4404 BCCC, it's said to have recently (4445) become infested with Goblins.
Inside the ruins of the last intact building is a staircase to the dark dungeon below. At the foot of the east cliff is a second entrance where a tunnel leads west into the dungeon. A cave on the western slope provides a third entry-way.
Western approach 4444 BCCC
A trickle of water runs from a dark cave at the base of the slope, beneath the ruins.
You approach the cave... You can make out many stalactites and stalagmites.
The bright light illuminates the cave, it seems about 30' deep, with several exits. Dozens of normal-sized bats hanging from the ceiling rustle in annoyance at the light. There are two rough-cut tunnels out from the cave, to the right and ahead, and the cave itself extends off to the left. So a 4-way intersection.
Eastern approach 4447 BCCC
(3332) KALMISJ
Pop. 280 combatant 70. The village of Kalmisj suffered under the occupation of Yusan from 4443, when her lord Oran Kalmisj died in the defence and his wife Lady Thuvia was taken, until liberation in 4446. When Thuvia was freed by Tug the Giff from Yusan's harem and assumed rule (ca 10/4446) she appointed her sister in law, and fellow ex harem girl, Oriana Kalmisj as Thegn. Oriana, a statuesque blonde, is said to struggle with her duties as thegn and is rumoured to be seeking a husband. Oriana has one servant/guard, a grizzled peasant called Aulus.
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| Oriana Kalmisj, Thegn of Kalmisj 10/4446- |
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| Aulus the Peasant |
(see 'Princes of the Apocalypse')
Haunted Tomb - looted, a ghost bound in first chamber.
Lance Rock - cleared out, vacant cave system.
Feathergale Spire - a group of Alchemists, "the Conclave", study Elemental Air.
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| Hotar & Isis Greywolf |
(3333) Ghutaris
Pop. 300 combatant 75. Once a pastoral and idyllic settlement, Ghutaris Village was long under the sway of Brigand Lord Yusan, from his fortress at Yusan's Den to the south. After the defeat of Yusan. the new lord of the Citadel of Water, Tug the Giff, appointed (8/4446) the Greywolf Altanian warrior Hotar (BBn-4) and his equally fierce sister Isis (BBn-3) to rule and defend Ghutaris, with responsibility for securing safe passage through the southern hills as far north as Kalmisj. They have proved enthusiastic hunters of brigands, and have organised the men of Ghutaris into a somewhat ragged warband.
(3329) AHYF, CITY OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN
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| Sjt Hendryk (left); A Golden Queen; Steward Briaron (right) |
Farmland: 30 miles east-west by 3 miles deep = 90 square miles, population 4,500 farmers.
Total dominion population: 7,000.
Mixed (human 95% [mostly Ghinoran & Antillian, some Skandik, a few Alryan, ca 10% Altanian), gnomes 2%, halflings 1.5%, other 1.5%); Resources: Market Port. Fishing port. Coastal farms.
Military: 40 Town Watch under Sjt Hendryk. 10 Altanian Chosen Sword Brothers, plus 2 Sword Knights Harlgrimm & Gottchi.
In training: 60 Royal Guard under Cmdr Sandor & Cpl deNiro. 20 Battle Brothers & Paladins of Mitra under Malenn. Notionally up to 600 Freedman Levy Militia from surrounding freedman farms.
Total: 130 regular + 600 freedman levy = 730.
NB There is a 30-strong walled dwarven trade & banking enclave about half a mile SW of Ahyf. Magically defended; until 4/9/47 it was said to be impregnable.
Authority Figure: The Golden Queen, Malenn Paladin of Mitra, former wife of Hakeem Godslayer (rules from 18/8/4447)
Royal Court: Guards Commander Prince Sandor Sunneson (PC); Gnubis Greywolf, Malenn's mother in law. Nefeti Greywolf the Wise Woman, sister of Gnubis. Prince Hassan Greywolf, son of Malenn & Hakeem. Altanian Sword Knights Harlgrimm Irontooth & Gottchi the Sly, protectors of Prince Hassan.
Maglor the Elf, Royal Vizier. Father Camus, male Alryan/Nerathi (Clr 5, Cleric of Thoth). Serjeant Hendryk, Elder Dalar's Bastard - Serjeant of the Watch. Dr Beverly McFadden, Steward of the Coin Girls. Lady Barbara D'Ashe, D'Ashe family heiress, courtier, former lover of
16/1/4446: Malenn is pregnant! :)
17/1/4446: Malenn is married to Hakeem! :)
Baby (Hassan) by Hakeem mid M10 '46
4/8/4447 Malenn is pregnant again!!
2nd and final child by Hakeem born start of M5 '4448 - named Meda, after Lady Meda of Thusia.
17/1/4446: Malenn is married to Hakeem! :)
Baby (Hassan) by Hakeem mid M10 '46
4/8/4447 Malenn is pregnant again!!
2nd and final child by Hakeem born start of M5 '4448 - named Meda, after Lady Meda of Thusia.
M4 4453 BCCC: Hassan is a sturdy young fellow of six and a half. He is very active, and already chafes at his mother's protective nature. He clearly takes after his father, with a restless, adventurous nature. Queen Malenn worries how she will protect him from assassins - she does not wish to spoil him by overly sheltering him, but fears for him if he is allowed to adventure as he pleases. Still, that is some years away, yet. He plays well with the other boys, and is clearly a natural leader, and quite fearless.
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| Young Malenn |
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Camus, High Priest of Thoth
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M3 4447: Sarene & Shieldbiter took over Ahyf; killed Elder Dalar & the other Councillors, exiled Briaron and the families of the Councillors, looting their estates.
M8 4447: Sarene & Shieldbiter flee with their followers, replaced by Sandor Sunneson.
13/8/4447: Hakeem & Kogor travel to Ahyf via lizard caves & ruins of Trade. Slave revolt in Ahyf led by Borgus Deacon of Mitra, 6 slaver lords imprisoned inc Seroni & Rolth.
14/8/4447: Hakeem leaves Sandor as Prince of Ahyf. 18/8/47 Sandor stands down, is replaced by Queen Malenn. 20/8/47 Hakeem Godslayer vanishes/ascends.
Today Ahyf is largely a trading town, the most cosmopolitan locale in these lands, with links north to the Skandik realms and the faraway City-State of the Invincible Overlord (CSIO), south to dragon-haunted Oricha and to Rallu, City State of the Sea Kings. In recent years (4434-4447) many refugees have come to Ahyf from west of the mountains, and (until 4446) from the Vale to the south, along with many slaves. The city has grown and prospered, but since M6/7 4446 the end of Yusan & Oriax's slave trade has hit Ahyf economically.
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| Serjeant Hendryk of the Town Watch |
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| Ahyf Docks Thug |
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| Calpurnia nee Cor, wife of Steward Briaron. |
pirates, the female pirate warlords Sarene the Altanian (hex 3424) and (until 24/12/4445)
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| Mikael Tanis, merchant clothier |
From end M8 4447 Briaron has been recalled to Ahyf and had his fortunes restored as the Steward of Ahyf, serving Malenn the Golden Queen.
Rumour ca M12 4445: The old fortune teller Magra prophesied that the slave wench Preola will one day bear Briaron a son - that's why he won't sell her!
End M1 4446 - Preola returned with the other captives.
Rumour M6 4448: The wealthy cloth merchant Mikael Tanis' young bride Meera, a cousin of Father Camus of Thoth and one of the fairest lasses in Ahyf, has been taken from their wedding bed while he lay in drunken stupor. A considerable sum in wedding gifts was also taken. Investigation by Sjt Hendryk of the Town Watch indicates the sewer goblins are likely responsible. No ransom is demanded; interrogation of a captive goblin indicates the lady has been sold on to the Kazadurgar, or Deep Dwarves.
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| Kazadurgar & Mrs Meera Tanis, kidnapped & sold to the deep dwarves by sewer goblins. |
Lady Barbara d'Ashe. The beautiful d'Ashe family heiress and widow to the slaver Elder Kosvin sadly slain by Sarene's men in M3 44447 during the Shieldbiter takeover. Although the d'Ashe villa was looted and occupied, she was able to salvage some of the d'Ashe family fortune, a bag of fine jewelry, and soon sought solace in the arms of Rolth the Slaver. When Rolth's villa was looted in turn during the slave rebellion of M8 44447, Lady Barbara was in her bath when the vengeful mob set upon her. She fled naked into the Ahyf sewers. 18/7/47 Rescued from the Black Market slave block by Maglor the Elf.
Seroni of Onhir is a cold-eyed female Elf trader who plies the ancient roadways of Altanis.
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| Seroni of Onhir, Elf Trader, ex Slaver |
18/8/47: Seroni aided Maglor destroy the Zehir snake/sex cult The House of Pleasure and Pain, and was recruited to his spy network. She seems to like & admire her fellow Elf.
SWORD KNIGHTS OF BONDORR AT AHYF GUARDING PRINCE HASSAN & QUEEN MALENN
1. Harlgrimn Ironteeth.
1. Harlgrimn Ironteeth.
Human Altanian (Grey Wolf) Barbarian
2. Gottchi the Sly.
Human Altanian (Sea Wolf) Barbarian
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| Harlgrimm Ironteeth |
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Gottchi the Sly
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The Airshark Inn
The largest inn in Ahyf, frequented by pirates, slavers and adventurers. It was run until 24/1/47 by |
| Linda Gordon, server, ca 4445. |
 |
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| Callie of 'Californaya', server at the Airshark Inn. |
Gorok also maintained a bevy of 'Coin Girls', cheap docks prostitutes with nose rings, sent out to service the sailors on the merchant (and pirate) ships that throng Ahyf's harbour. Gorok was said to be particularly pleased with high-born Coin Girls; Ralluans such as Colete, Arani & Mala in particular.
Deacon Borgus: Fat, bald pate, grey robes - leader of the six pilgrims of Apollo-Mitra driven from the Shrine-Catacombs of St Ulther the Lighthousekeeper by nasty goblins. Has a Rallu accent. One of his pilgrims, Brother Mikhel, was killed by the Undead in the Crypt of St Ulther on their second visit. Left Selatine 26/11/4445 on the good ship Tsamar's Jewel...
M1 4446: Borgus and his four surviving fellow pilgrims were encountered working as farm slaves on a plantation just west of Ahyf.
M8 13/8/4447: Deacon Borgus was freed by Hakeem, led the slave uprising and captured Seroni. Stated intent to leave Ahyf and never return!
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| Ahyf Slaver & Merchandise. |
The elders and Briaron have difficulties with outlaw raiders from Carchimish and the Vale. They infest the Ghinarian Hills and prey often on local farmers and traders.
Some of the serving girls at the Airshark Inn were brought from other worlds by Oriax the Goat!
Tsamar captured the pleasure yacht of Lady Lucretia of Rallu - she was holding the lady as a slave!
"I spoke with the Coin Girl Atesia. She told me Tsamar sold Lucretia's six friends to the Tarantine slaver Kemal: Colete Niusen, Arani Rebius, Malla Sidenae, Preola Cilerius and Ostis Tilibon. The first three are working the docks as Gorok's Coin Girls too, now, or at the Airshark Inn. Warlord Briaron bought Preola for his harem. and the Temple of Thoth took the last one.
Warlord Sarene has been defeated in a duel near Selatine! They say it was the Barbarian, Hakeem! She is still nursing her wounds, and her injured pride.
Ostis was returned from the Temple of Thoth to Eldam Alamsor at Selatine with Weaponmaster Balthus, 15/1/4446. Garok Halfogre wants 1000gp for his three - each...
End M1 4446 - all Rallu captives freed.
30/1/47: Following the death of Gorok Halfogre, Ahyf's government seized the Airshark Inn. It is now run by Hognun, Warlord Briaron's phlegmatic cousin. He maintains good discipline among the girls with his switch.
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| Hognun, Warlord Briaron's cousin |
Airshark Inn Tavern Wenches
1. Linda Gordon (back from coingirling 18/8/47 after bribing Hognun)
2. Callie
3. Irene
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| Irene the Tavern Wench |
Coin Girls of Ahyf Town M9+ 4447
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Atesia (nee Eve) Connor, veteran Coin Girl
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M3-M8/47: Baroness Sarene owned the coin girls and takes the income from them, much to her amusement and enrichment.
1. Dr Beverly McFadden of USNC, Coin Girl Steward
2. Atesia, nee Eve Connor
Former Coin Girls & Tavern Wenches now Freedman Farm Wives (24 married by Father Camus 5/9/4447)
1. Elizabeth Moondew, former coin girl, half elf noble of Bisgen captured by Sarene
2. Serani Redeye, ex of the Red Tiger Clan, widow of Aldo Redeye
Tarcon of Trade had to give Princess Opa Theber over to Yusan (she eventually ended up back in Theber), but kept a couple of slender 'Oriax girls', Philosopher World (ca 1987) former 'newsreaders'
18/8/47: Sue was kidnapped overnight, then murdered by the ghoul crime lord
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| Beverly the Coin Girl, ex slave of Kogor. |
As of 1/12/4445 Aldo had taken her off kitchen duties and assigned her to entertain high-spending guests, selling her 2/12 to the dwarf adventurer Kogor for 100gp and making a tidy profit on the deal. Kogor branded her with a small K on her thigh and kept her nude, with a collar, ring piercings and silver jewelry in the fashion of Kolda. She'd dance on the tables when inebriated.
M12 4446 Kogor sold Beverly as a Coin Girl in Ahyf when he became Thegn of Theber.
FREEDMAN WIVES
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| Elizabeth Moondew of Bisgen, farmwife, ex coin girl |
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| Freedman Katermenes & his wife Serani, former coin girl |
Sold by Orson in Ahyf as a docks coin girl; freed in the slave uprising of Hakeem M8 4447. Married Freedman (ex farm slave) Katermenes 5/9/47, becoming a shepherdess south of Ahyf, north of the old ruins of Cavanaugh's Hall.
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1. Jayzeel the Singer, former mistress of Elder Dalar, Zehir priestess; killed by Hakeem 19/8/47
2. Radu Underhill, rumoured to be a powerful Ghoul crime boss in the Undercity's Cartways Black Market. Lead the Darakhul, intelligent ghoul slavers. Killed by Sandor & co ca 7/9/47
3. Serjeant Hendryk, bastard son of Elder Dalar, head of the 40-strong Town Watch.
4. Slinger the Goblin, said to be head of a vicious goblin gang in the Ahyf sewers. With the end of the legal slave trade they have taken to occasional kidnappings, for ransom or to sell to the Kazardurgar.
5. Vukas the lusty Demonbrood Satyr, lover of Atesia the coin girl, killed by Hakeem 18/8/47
6. Lady Barbara D'Ashe, D'Ashe family heiress and ex lover of Rolth the Slaver Lord. Recruited by Maglor 18/8/47/
6. Lady Barbara D'Ashe, D'Ashe family heiress and ex lover of Rolth the Slaver Lord. Recruited by Maglor 18/8/47/
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| Slinger the Goblin Boss |
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Sandor: He has no issue giving the D'Ashe villa back to the D'Ashe's
If the villa belonged to them and was confiscated, they can have it back. So he will start the paperwork for this knowing he won't be in charge to sign it off ...
Apparently Babs is the last D'Ashe. She is awfully grateful to Sandor, and asks Maglor to visit once she has the place done up... Maglor gets the impression she knows a lot of people in the upper echelons of Ahyf society, and could be useful for his nascent intelligence network ...if not for other things... she's awfully grateful.
Dungeons Near Ahyf
1. The Nerath built Sewers of Ahyf are a famous dungeon complex.
2. The ruins of Cavaunagh's Hall lies on the edge of the hills south of Ahyf.
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| Kazadurgar Necromancer |
The Kazadurgar
The Kazadurgar, Grey Dwarves, or Duergar, are said to be a race of evil dwarf wizards and slavers who lust after human women. Few females are born to the Kazadurgar, and it is said that their tainted blood now can only reproduce through mating with the finest human stock. Even then, such offspring are rare. They frequented the Cartways Black Market beneath Ahyf, buying slaves and illicit substances for their nefarious purposes, including necromancy and ritual sacrifice. They are rumoured to have substantial subterranean holdings beneath the Ghinarian Hills south of Ahyf Port. Kazadurgar explorers have been encountered as far afield as the Forge of Fury, west of Highhaven (4447 BCCC).
Maugraign's Hall
The Kazadurgar are rumoured to have recently (M6 4448) rediscovered the halls of the legendary Dwarf Lord Maugraign, deep beneath the northern edge of the Ghinarian Hills, about 8 miles due south from Ahyf, and at least half a mile below the surface. It is said that Kazadarum the Creator gave Maugraign the power to bind the primordial Fires of Creation and forge many legendary artifacts. The Kazadurgar under their High Priest, Khand, sought to gain this power for their own ends, but were scattered when the ancient guardian collossi sprung to life.
(3229) Clear Meadows
"And this will happen in the Last Days... The Stars Shall Fall From the Sky. The Old Father of the Waters Shall Rise...."
M3/4447: Clear Meadows taken over by Count Shieldbiter.
Dusk, 5/8/4447: Hakeem slays the great dragon Matriarx in the sea off Clear Meadows' harbour.
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| Clear Meadows Aberrant Cultists. |
Farmland: 10 miles east-west by 3 miles n-s = 30 square miles. Farm population 1500.
Total dominion population 2100.
The village is vassal to Ahyf, which maintains a small garrison here to patrol the road and see that taxes are collected. The Temple of St Irig is the largest power centre here, with three Priests and several attendants.
Notables: Father Synjyn (Clr 5, old, bearded, kindly look), Nerathi head of the Temple of St Irig, a Nerathi warrior-saint of Mitra ca 4200 BCCC.
Amari Halfelven (Clr 2, shy, beautiful), novitiate of Mitra, and the only daughter of Fr. Synjyn, was kidnapped by the K'tulu Kult 14-15/1/46. Amari was the girl rescued 19/1/46 from the Temple of K'tulu.
250 years later, the Good and Holy St Irig, 'Last Hero of Nerath', is said to have taken up the Altanian sword Kalthalax the Demon Slayer when he defended the new town of Clear Meadows against the Gnolla Ruin Horde and their demon allies at the end of the Gnoll Times in 4198 BCCC, thus largely saving Ghinaria from the devastation that befell most of the Empire of Nerath. Legend says Irig then returned the Demonslayer to Clevenus' tomb, where it sleeps still. Irig was served by a cadre of Nerathi knights, the last survivor of whom was Sir Galilee, wielder of the Holy Avenger. The venerable Sir Galilee fell ca 4250 BCCC in battle with an unknown cult, and his sword was lost.
Clear Meadows today is notable for its good pasturage, for the extensive caverns said to lie in the limestone hills just south of town, and for its large half-elven population. The lovely elf-blooded women of Clear Meadows are said to be the fairest in all Ghinaria. Recently however (since end of 4445) several disappearances of attractive females (7 as of 15/1, with the associated murders of 2 men and a crone), all free citizens, have troubled the town, and there are rumours of cult activity. The Garrison seem powerless to prevent them, and Father Synjn has been keeping a close watch over his beautiful half-elf daughter, Amari. There have also recently been concerns over the voluptuous Sister Tamara's strange and flirtatious behaviour, unbecoming of a Priestess of Mitra.
The Rampant Lion is the largest and most frequented tavern in Clear Meadows. A nameless, three-man thieves' guild occasionally takes on a street urchin or two. It's led by Staffol, a one-eyed thief of advanced years who wears an eye patch. The Pungent Pearl is a seafood shack on the north edge of town, towards the coast. The southernmost farm - well-fortified Hill Farm - belongs to Barin, a middle-aged cow farmer. He has a professional appreciation for Sister Tamara's large dugs... Barin had a 19 year old redhead daughter Tammy he kept a careful eye on, a wife, and several other children.
Update: Barin's farm was attacked by the Cultists, Tammy taken and most of the family slain. Barin himself was grievously wounded, but tended to by Sister Tamara and survived. Tammy was killed 19/1/46 when star demons ransacked the Temple of K'tulu.
The Elves - Glevina (Wiz 9) & Thadeus
Left to seek their homeworld 19/1/4446.
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| Glevina the Elf Mage |
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| Thadeus the Elf Warrior |
15/1/4446: Amari vanished overnight, suspected taken by cultists. 'K'TULU REX MUNDI' & cult dagger found in Tamara's room, she was arrested as a suspected cultist and put in gaol below the garrison block to be interrogated. Rey, Bjornalf & co led the guards to the caves, where Glevina revealed they were cultists. Ulfic & Jeremiah were killed by Glevina & Rey in the caves.
THE SHARK TOOTH INN, CLEAR MEADOWS
.jpg) |
| The Shark Tooth Inn, Clear Meadows |
 |
| Ghessorm Hammerhand |
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| Melissa, Shark Tooth serving wench |
As of M1 4446 the Lady Anna Bronze of Hara is currently staying at the Inn alone - her carriage was wrecked and drover & bodyguard slain by cultists a few miles west of town.
Lich Clevenus: "I'm sensing something... Demon Eggs, down below. Someone has been gathering them. And they're close to hatching. It's happening again..." he sighs.
Bjornalf: Ah. THAT is what those strange cultists are about.
Clevenus: "...Probably your K'tulu cultists. The eggs come from the Invisible Moon. Perhaps some of them didn't hatch. Or... this is very strange..."
Bjornalf: It also explains why they gather females of childbearing age.
Clevenus: "...They are bringing them here! From the Past!"
Hakeem: "A fiendish plot. We must stop them."
Bjornalf: Those cultists are way stranger than I thought.
Clevenus nods. "Yes, females can be impregnated, to make more. It was a hard fight the first time. I needed my sword. Went through five Heroes wielding it, too! Some say the Demons are of Markab origin.... I wouldn't be surprised. The ancient enemy..."
(3230) Sceros
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| Athea, Amazon Scout |
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| Lord Arkonos of Sceros |
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| Lady Pyra, wife of Arkonos |
M2 4446: Arkonos' Tharbrian weaponmaster 'Old Bill' recently recently vanished while exploring the Charmed Caverns on the road to Thusia.
(3131) Thusia
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| Damne, Amazon Weaponmaster |
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| Lady Meda of Thusia |
Thusia stats.
(3131) Thusia is a small, mostly Ghinarian village of some 280 souls, a rest stop on the long pilgrims' trail from Ahyf via Sceros and Thusia to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras. It is notable for being ruled by a goodly Amazon Queen, the noble Lady Meda (Bard 14). Meda is a Sorceress and a follower of Mycr, the Unknown God. Said to hail from an Amazon tribe of the far West in the empire of Viridistan, she has the slight greenish tint indicative of Viridian ancestry. Meda came to Thusia in 4424 BCCC when the village was dying, ravaged by raiders both human and hobgoblin, the previous Ghinarian rulers dead or fled. Meda saved Thusia from the raiders, and established her realm as a place without slavery, one where escaped slaves of all races, both male and female, could find their freedom. This makes her less than popular with the rulers of Ahyf, and with pilgrims whose slaves opt to stay in Thusia as free citizens, but so far her sorcerous powers and her cadre of Amazon warriors have deterred attack.
In M5 4446 the famous Bard Orph performed at the Sun & Stars. He went off with Lucy Prentice to Ahyf.
Davos has two non-ghul serving wenches: Shaele a slender half-elf, & Buedra, a busty Altanian girl. He is also assisted by his wife, the chief cook, and sundry family members.
21/1/4447 Davos & Buedra rescued from bandits by Ursa the Dwarf & Sandor the Skandik. Ursa seems taken with Buedra's ample fun bags, and the pair have been making lots of whoopee. Are half-dwarfs on the horizon?
From M12 4446 Lady Meda is aided by Amanda, a buxom young novitiate (Clr-1) priestess of Mycr, very dedicated but rather nervous. Amanda was once a follower of Mitra, part of a pilgrimage group to the Temple-Tomb of Belaras who stopped at Thusia. She listened to Lady Meda's sermon on the village green and was instantly converted to Mycretianism. Amanda suffers from back pain. 23/1/47 - rumoured that Priestess Amanda spent the night of the Grand Council with Kogor the Dwarf. 27/1/46: Amanda killed by vampires in the Charmed Grotto.
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| Amanda, Priestess of Mycr at Thusia |
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| Shaele, Serving Wench at the Sun & Stars |
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| Buedra the Serving Wench, Sun & Stars |
Typical Worshippers: monks, healers, gardeners
Favored Weapon: Quarterstaff
Mycr (Mi-ker), The Unknown One, is lawful good. Mycr is one of the most mysterious deities known in the Wilderlands. He has no known avatar, but exhibits great powers even over other gods. His followers (known as Mycretians) teach that he is the One True God; the others are false demons or apparitions. His followers have a very strict moral and ethical code by which they must live. His worship is centered on the five Holy Cities of the Desert Lands. Mycretians are pacifists, and will not fight except in defence, and then only with the least force necessary. Mycretians are also excellent herbalists, renowned for their skill with and knowledge of many plants and their mystical qualities. Their skill in this regard is often as much in demand as their spirit gifts of healing.
"Mycr is the One God. The entities you call the gods are either Demons of Chaos, or they are thought-manifestations upon the Crystalline Matrix of the Gaea, the World-Spirit. To the extent they are Good, it is because Mankind is Good, and has infused the Matrix with our own thoughts and belief. In this way Mitra is a Shadow, a Shadow of the Light of Mycr, the True God."
- Lady Meda.
Hakeem Greywolf (PC): mighty-thewed Altanian resident at the Redeye Inn.
10/1/4446: Hakeem completed construction of a small Shrine to Bondor in Selatine, incorporating three Altanian greatswords taken from defeated Hobgoblin knights beneath St Ulther's Shrine.
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| Malenn in Altanian garb |
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| Thusia Amazon Scouts |
16/1/4446: Malenn is pregnant! And actually from an Alternate Dimension!
17/1/46: And married - to Hakeem! :)
M10 4446 Malenn gave birth to a baby boy, Hasan Greywolf
Local Dungeons
1. 5 miles NW of Thusia lies the dungeon known as the Worm's Gullet, from which Hakeem, Damne & the cleric Thuruar recovered the ruby Heart of Dur (M3 4446 BCCC). As of M5 4446 Meda has crafted it into a powerful magical artifact - a Stone of Controlling Earth Elementals.2. The Charmed Grotto - 10 miles east of Thusia just south of the the hill road lies a hidden cave, a bandit lair that shows signs of giant spider habitation. M1 4447 Ursa & Sandor rescued Buedra & Davos from the bandits, killing most of them.
Tania nods. "There are lots of stories about those caves - that bugbears live there and creep out at night. That there's a moss emerald in a grotto that has magic powers over plants...and the spiders..." 3. Halls of Tizun Thane - rising within a volcano north of Thusia, it is said that Night Things creep out from the Halls on moonlit nights to slay. Hakeem destroyed 5 of them M10 4446 in a terrible forest battle.
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(3132) THE VAULTS OF BELARAS, TEMPLE OF APOLLO-MITRA
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| Priestess Saltyra, Keeper of the Chalice of Belaras. |
Ruler: Divine - High Priest Larsonos Clr 8.
Other Characters: Priest Dalcor Clr 5, Priestess Saltyra Clr 5. Ampne, a slave girl Temple Dancer. Alli, slave girl healer/masseuse. Temple Personnel stats
For centuries Paladins and Clerics of Mitra-Apollo have been trained and tested in the extensive warrens beneath the Temple-Tomb. According to legend, Belaras was a great hero-saint of Apollo ca 3500 BCCC, who led the people of Ghinaria in revolt against the death-worshipping priests of Thanatos. They overthrew the corrupt Thanatic cult that dominated the city-state of Thracia, leading to a brief resurgence of Ghinoran civilisation in a time dominated by barbarism and death. Belaras however was mortally wounded in the campaign, a blow from a morgul weapon that refused to heal. When he died his tomb high in the Ghinarian Hills became a place of pilgrimage, and eventually a place of training and testing for future heroes in the service of Mitra-Apollo.
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| Ampne, Temple Slave of Apollo-Mitra |
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| Oggie, the Testing Grounds' resident Tentacle Beast. |
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| Danger in the Testing Grounds |
Jana Vex: b.4422, sister of Lord Hytirus Vex of Selatine, a nubile Priestess of Apollo-Mitra. Exiled 9/10/4444 for copulating with Captain Lance Harcourt in the Vex Villa shower room (he took her virginity as well as her honour). She returned a year and a day later, 10/10/4445 sans Lance (RIP), but older and wiser. She claimed to have been transported to another world and to have had many adventures there; few believe her. Jana Vex is a Cleric, trained at the Crypt of Belaras, with some spellcasting ability.
Alli of the Healing Touch: a former Handmaid of Lady Lucretia Alamsor of Rallu, gifted to Bjornalf, left by Rey at Belaras' Tomb, kept as Temple serving girl.
Alli of the Healing Touch: a former Handmaid of Lady Lucretia Alamsor of Rallu, gifted to Bjornalf, left by Rey at Belaras' Tomb, kept as Temple serving girl.
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| Alli of the Healing Touch |
(3027) HARA
Symbol: Bronze hand on black or brown field
"The Lord of Bronze a mighty man, to Dyson's Delve descends. To search for ancient Dragon Mage, his scales and bone to mend...
With brazen sword and heart of iron, his name was sung in awe, he joined with fang and wing and steely dragons claw.
His arm is strong his wit is keen, together, valour great. For now we go to Dyson's Delve and there begin our fate...." - From the Ballad of Namelin, by Ursa the Dwarf 4447 BCCC.
Hara (aka Mara): pop. 1880 within the walls.
Farmland: 7.5 mile radius 176 square miles Population 8,840
Total domain population 10,720.
The Alryan-Nerathi town of Hara is known for its bronze works. Hara maintained good relations with Ahyf (despite Lord Briaron's marriage to Earani's younger sister Calpurnia) and with Ractuan, but initially joined with the Necromancers of the Empire of Neo-Nerath, west beyond the Castellan mountains. When Neo-Nerath weakened in 4446 BCCC he switched sides to that of Lord Hakeem, sending Anna to Hakeem with the captive Black Sun Priestess Megaera Lorvas as a gift.
M8 4447: King-Regent Hakeem Godslayer abdicates and names Namelin Bronze the new King Regent of Altani-Nerath. Bronze returns to Hara with the Hoard of Matriarx, 277,000 gp . He subsequently names Minars Rapak as Vice Regent, Commander of the Altanian Host, and Warden of Nerra; gifting him richly from the Hoard of Matriarx. King-Regent Bronze vows to protect the Lady Malenn of Mitra and his future son-in-law Prince Hassan, who will be King of Nerath, as Bronze's daughter Eratha shall rule as Queen.
21/8/47: Following Hakeem's return and their falling out, Namelin calls a Great Council in Castle Hara and is acclaimed King of Nerath.
King Namelin Bronze
The ruler King Namelin Bronze, the Lion of Nerath (4404-), the richest man in Hara, gained wealth as sole owner of all the bronzeworks. He is known for his ruthlessness and greed. In 4442 BCCC he overthrew the young Queen of Hara, the Brigit-Erathis nature priestess Earani Cor (Drd 4, 4414-), with the aid of Rasgar Skarisson, a powerful Skandik mercenary. Namelin initially kept her enslaved to provide him with healing and other services, but her status has grown as she has borne him children (girl Eratha Bronze 4444 then boy Llanus Bronze 4446), and he officially married her M1 4447 BCCC.
Namelin is the eldest of five children by the Lady Llanet Bronze and her first husband Ermaniric of the Keen Knife (4380-4423), three sons and two daughters. Llanet also has a sixth child, Anna (4425-) . The redoubtable Lady Llanet is regarded as the true mastermind of the Bronze family, rivalled only by her youngest daughter Anna.
Princess Anna Bronze (13/1/4425-): this shapely and very bright Nerathi noblewoman is the half sister of King Namelin, the ruler of Hara, being the third daughter and sixth & youngest child of Namelin's mother, the aging Lady Llannet Bronze (4382-), still nominal head of the Bronze clan. Anna was born to Llanet's second husband, Grigorus the Fair (4405-4442), who was killed in battle by Altanian Sea-Wolf raiders when she was 17. On Anna's 21st birthday 13/1/46 she lit a candle at the temple of her patron saint, St Irrig of Mitra, in Clear Meadows. On 14/1/46 she was rescued from aberrant cultists by Eardvulf the Sea-Wolf, then from a drunken Clear Meadows guard by Bjornalf Brighteye at the Sharktooth Inn. She spent the night with Bjornalf.
M8 4447: Anna is devastated by Hakeem Greywolf's abandonment of the Regency, which she sees as a personal betrayal, and strongly supports the new Kingdom of Nerath. ca 17/8/47: Anna is strongly heterosexual - she tends to prefer macho men - and was shocked when Prisha Acharya attempted to seduce her. Prisha's companion Orph the Bard had more luck!
27/8/47: Anna is leading the Haran/Nerath expedition to Dyson's Delve. She appears to have fallen for the elven Ranger, Kosvar (PC) of Ossary.
Prince Camoran Bronze & Lady Lydia Bronze-Skara
Prince Camoran (4408-) is married to Lady Lydia Bronze-Skara (4416-), a daughter of local Nerathi aristocracy the Skara. Prince Camoran prefers the countryside, and spends most of his time on the Bronze estates outside Hara. Camoran is seen as a phlegmatic, reliable and rather unimaginative fellow, but has gained a good reputation as a defensive commander, and has improved the defences of the Estates against raiders. Camoran & Lydia have 6 children, 5 sons & 1 daughter (4434- to 4446-).
Camoran's wife Lydia has no love for the Altanians: in M8 4445 BCCC, while Hara was part of Neo-Nerath, the Skara family estate was sacked and Lydia's baby sister Gail Skara (qv) taken by Seawolf raiders. Lydia & Gail's father LordEynjin Skara was killed, leaving Lydia as head of the Skara family, the Skara estates thus going to her - effectively to her husband Camoran Bronze. Gail was taken with six other women and was claimed by Ernsorn Blue, the Seawolf druid. Gail was later gifted as concubine to the Greywolf war chief Kaag Tiger-Killer, who has rebuffed all offers for her return. King Namelin's view is that rather than seek to have Gail returned, Kaag should be encouraged to marry her - not a view Lady Lydia favours.
Prince Sir Ector Bronze
(4412-) The only one of the three Bronze brothers as yet unmarried, he is an enthusiastic warrior, possibly the best fighter among the Bronzes, who has recently (M8 4447) won renown under General Kogol Vergath in smashing the last remaining surface bastions of the Arang-Tok Orcs, even delving into their night-black pits to slaughter the tribe's infants and females, ensuring the threat can never return. He is not regarded as particularly bright. Rumour has it Ector likes to use restraints on his female 'conquests'. Ector's personal symbol is a white unicorn upon a bronze field.
26/8/47: Prince Ector Bronze is said to enthusiastically be 'courting' (some say 'tupping') the Princess Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin of Carchimish... Could a royal marriage be on the cards?
Dyson Logos, Archmage of Nerath: Once a gargantuan brass dragon, the Alryan Archmage once adventured alongside Kainos Warbringer and with King Magrathor founded the Empire of Nerath over 700 years ago. Famous for taking the Flame Imperishable from the body of the great dragon Ayunken-Vazen, for his victories over the Deathwalkers of Thracia, and for creating Dyson' Delve in search of the Heart of Elemental Chaos, which he at last found within the Earth Womb ca 3820(?) BCCC. After aiding in the victory over Borritt Crowfinger and the Black Sun 29/4/4447, he was murdered by former ally Hakeem Godslayer 23/8/47, but has been returned to life in the Earth Womb beneath Dyson's Delve 28/8/47 by the magic of Prisha Acharya.
Corporal Julius Sand
"Your city is beautiful Corporal." Prisha mentions on the way
The Corporal nods. "Hara has never been taken."
Orph looks around appreciatively. "Good old Hara! Beautiful Nerathi stonework, like a page from the history books..."
Prisha turns to the Corporal again "A city not being taken doesn't mean it will be beautiful. This is the result of the local citizens, its soldiers, and leadership."
She smiles at the man. "This is the result of your loyalty, duty, and love."
The Corporal nods, eyeing Prisha appreciatively. "Milady is wise."
"Thank you for your compliment Corporal... excuse me, I don't recall your name when you introduced yourself to the princess. I'm Prisha Acharya myself, a member of the advisor council of Carchimish and Priestess of Meroya."
"Sand. Corporal Sand."
"Thank you for the compliment, Corporal Sand." She repeats now with a soft smile.
Connor Verkaes is a 12 year old (23/2/4435-) tow-haired page boy at Castle Hara, 4th and youngest son of Sir Brillum Erkaes, a powerful knight who is Steward of Hara and previously a Cor family loyalist, having served Earani Cor's father. Sir Brillum has kept his peace since the Bronze takeover in 4442, but is known to be friends with Briaron of Ahyf and his wife Calpurnia Cor. M8 '47: Princess Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin has worked to befriend Connor. He will soon become a Squire, likely to the Prince Sir Ector Bronze.
The largest Inn at Hara is called the Bronze Bull, it is owned by Lord Namelin Bronze, and run by the doughty Sara Vilos, a stout Nerathi matron, assisted by her daughter Cate.
Rumour M2 4446: Earani Cor is pregnant with Lord Namelin's child! (Child born - girl. Eratha - later pledged to Hakeem's son Hassan).
Rumour M3 4446: An army of Neo-Nerath has come to Hara over the Bisituni Highlands!
26/5/4446: Ernsorn Blue: "But Holli has told us much of the Nerathi plans... and I was able to warn Bulwark the Warforged to set a trap for their army at Ractuan...By all accounts the Warforged and the Gnomes have dealt the Black Sun another heavy defeat."
Rumour 26/8/4447: King Namelin has taken a great liking to Delanie, the well-developed new Priestess of Meroya at Hara. He is rumoured to be courting her!
Council of Hara, From 20/8/4447
EASTERN NERATH
1. Namelin Bronze (Head of Council), Lord of Hara
2. Lady Llanet Bronze (f), Head of Clan Bronze
3. Anna Bronze (f), sister of Namelin, Vizier
4. Tagoler, Ranger Lord of the Rangers of the Wode
5. Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin, Princess, representing Carchimish (f)
6. Prisha Acharya, High Priestess of Meroya (f)
7. Larsonos, High Priest of Apollo-Mitra
WESTERN NERATH
8. Livilla of Renth, High Priestess of Erathis & Mellora (f)
9. Kogol Verganth of the Renth Lands, General of the Armies of West Nerath
10.Danelac of Colisth, Commander of the Knights of Nerath
Conventional; TL 3; 100 gp limit; Assets 1,500 gp; Population 492 (124 combatant; 70
Warriors, 35 Rangers, and 15 Senior Rangers patrol the area; a small village of woodsmen and shepherds at the foot of the castle bluff enjoy their
protection); Mixed (human 90% [mostly Nerathi Alryan], dwarf 6%,
halfling 2%, elf 1%, other 1%).
Authority Figure: Tagoler, male Nerathi-Alryan Ranger Lord.
Important Characters: Anisa, female goodly Nerathi-Alryan druid-priestess of Diana-Mellora, Drd 4. Wife of Tagoler fr. 1/3/47.
Haran Welbeck, Tagoler's deputy leader of the Rangers, is a gruff, reserved older man. Anna Souvari, a female Nerathi-Alryan Ranger, is sometime lady friend of Thuruar, the Arch-priest of Athena at the Temple of the Lady of Wisdom near Zothat, one of Altanis' greatest heroes.
The patron deity of the Wode is Athena-Erathis, goddess of Civilisation and Wisdom, with a secondary role for Diana-Mellora, goddess of the Wilds & Ocean.
Rangers from Hara built The Castle of the Wode 30 years ago - ca 4415-18 BCCC - using it as a base where they can train and rest. Due to their efforts, most of the region within 15-20 miles of the Castle is now largely free of gnolls and other monsters, and civilisation has been returning to these lands, with several Nerathi manors and villages recently re-established. The goodly Tagoler is chief ranger; he was loyal to Earani Cor, and is said to dislike Lord Namelin and pay him only nominal obeisance. He has rangers investigating recent attacks by Seawolf Clan raiders allied with the pirate Sarene on Hara's territory, and is searching for the location of Sarene's hidden base.
Due to the
wanderlust which grips many of the rangers, Tagoler has had
to rely upon woodsmen to maintain his force level. Tagoler has generally maintained good relations with the Greywolf Clan Altanians of the Midnight Goddess Hills, though there have been occasional raids on outlying manors - Tagoler's policy has been to maintain a robust defence, but pay ransom when necessary for the return of captured women.
Rumour: Tagoler has been courting the druid-priestess Anisa. Perhaps they will wed? M5 4446: Tagoler & Anisa are engaged. 25/5: Anna Souvari is disporting herself with Thuruar, high priest of Athena-Erathis.
M3 4447: Tagoler and Anisa have finally wed! 1/3/47.
"We may die, but we will not yield" - Highhaven Motto.
With brazen sword and heart of iron, his name was sung in awe, he joined with fang and wing and steely dragons claw.
His arm is strong his wit is keen, together, valour great. For now we go to Dyson's Delve and there begin our fate...." - From the Ballad of Namelin, by Ursa the Dwarf 4447 BCCC.
Hara (aka Mara): pop. 1880 within the walls.
Farmland: 7.5 mile radius 176 square miles Population 8,840
Total domain population 10,720.
The Alryan-Nerathi town of Hara is known for its bronze works. Hara maintained good relations with Ahyf (despite Lord Briaron's marriage to Earani's younger sister Calpurnia) and with Ractuan, but initially joined with the Necromancers of the Empire of Neo-Nerath, west beyond the Castellan mountains. When Neo-Nerath weakened in 4446 BCCC he switched sides to that of Lord Hakeem, sending Anna to Hakeem with the captive Black Sun Priestess Megaera Lorvas as a gift.
M8 4447: King-Regent Hakeem Godslayer abdicates and names Namelin Bronze the new King Regent of Altani-Nerath. Bronze returns to Hara with the Hoard of Matriarx, 277,000 gp . He subsequently names Minars Rapak as Vice Regent, Commander of the Altanian Host, and Warden of Nerra; gifting him richly from the Hoard of Matriarx. King-Regent Bronze vows to protect the Lady Malenn of Mitra and his future son-in-law Prince Hassan, who will be King of Nerath, as Bronze's daughter Eratha shall rule as Queen.
21/8/47: Following Hakeem's return and their falling out, Namelin calls a Great Council in Castle Hara and is acclaimed King of Nerath.
King Namelin Bronze
The ruler King Namelin Bronze, the Lion of Nerath (4404-), the richest man in Hara, gained wealth as sole owner of all the bronzeworks. He is known for his ruthlessness and greed. In 4442 BCCC he overthrew the young Queen of Hara, the Brigit-Erathis nature priestess Earani Cor (Drd 4, 4414-), with the aid of Rasgar Skarisson, a powerful Skandik mercenary. Namelin initially kept her enslaved to provide him with healing and other services, but her status has grown as she has borne him children (girl Eratha Bronze 4444 then boy Llanus Bronze 4446), and he officially married her M1 4447 BCCC.
Namelin is the eldest of five children by the Lady Llanet Bronze and her first husband Ermaniric of the Keen Knife (4380-4423), three sons and two daughters. Llanet also has a sixth child, Anna (4425-) . The redoubtable Lady Llanet is regarded as the true mastermind of the Bronze family, rivalled only by her youngest daughter Anna.
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| Hara |
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| King Namelin Bronze, Lord of Hara |
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| Earani Cor & her handmaids in 4442 |
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| Lady Llanet Bronze |
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| Rasgar Skarrison of Ossary |
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| Namelin Bronze |
Princess Anna Bronze (13/1/4425-): this shapely and very bright Nerathi noblewoman is the half sister of King Namelin, the ruler of Hara, being the third daughter and sixth & youngest child of Namelin's mother, the aging Lady Llannet Bronze (4382-), still nominal head of the Bronze clan. Anna was born to Llanet's second husband, Grigorus the Fair (4405-4442), who was killed in battle by Altanian Sea-Wolf raiders when she was 17. On Anna's 21st birthday 13/1/46 she lit a candle at the temple of her patron saint, St Irrig of Mitra, in Clear Meadows. On 14/1/46 she was rescued from aberrant cultists by Eardvulf the Sea-Wolf, then from a drunken Clear Meadows guard by Bjornalf Brighteye at the Sharktooth Inn. She spent the night with Bjornalf.
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| Princess Anna Bronze in 4447 |
27/8/47: Anna is leading the Haran/Nerath expedition to Dyson's Delve. She appears to have fallen for the elven Ranger, Kosvar (PC) of Ossary.
Prince Camoran Bronze & Lady Lydia Bronze-Skara
Prince Camoran (4408-) is married to Lady Lydia Bronze-Skara (4416-), a daughter of local Nerathi aristocracy the Skara. Prince Camoran prefers the countryside, and spends most of his time on the Bronze estates outside Hara. Camoran is seen as a phlegmatic, reliable and rather unimaginative fellow, but has gained a good reputation as a defensive commander, and has improved the defences of the Estates against raiders. Camoran & Lydia have 6 children, 5 sons & 1 daughter (4434- to 4446-).
Camoran's wife Lydia has no love for the Altanians: in M8 4445 BCCC, while Hara was part of Neo-Nerath, the Skara family estate was sacked and Lydia's baby sister Gail Skara (qv) taken by Seawolf raiders. Lydia & Gail's father Lord
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| Prince Camoran Bronze |
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| Lady Lydia Bronze-Skara, wife of Camoran |
Prince Sir Ector Bronze
(4412-) The only one of the three Bronze brothers as yet unmarried, he is an enthusiastic warrior, possibly the best fighter among the Bronzes, who has recently (M8 4447) won renown under General Kogol Vergath in smashing the last remaining surface bastions of the Arang-Tok Orcs, even delving into their night-black pits to slaughter the tribe's infants and females, ensuring the threat can never return. He is not regarded as particularly bright. Rumour has it Ector likes to use restraints on his female 'conquests'. Ector's personal symbol is a white unicorn upon a bronze field.
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| Prince Sir Ector Bronze in 4447 |
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| Princess Lyssana Koloth at Hara |
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| Corporal J Sand of the Haran Guard |
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| Dyson Logos, the Archmage of Nerath |
Corporal Julius Sand
"Your city is beautiful Corporal." Prisha mentions on the way
The Corporal nods. "Hara has never been taken."
Orph looks around appreciatively. "Good old Hara! Beautiful Nerathi stonework, like a page from the history books..."
Prisha turns to the Corporal again "A city not being taken doesn't mean it will be beautiful. This is the result of the local citizens, its soldiers, and leadership."
She smiles at the man. "This is the result of your loyalty, duty, and love."
The Corporal nods, eyeing Prisha appreciatively. "Milady is wise."
"Thank you for your compliment Corporal... excuse me, I don't recall your name when you introduced yourself to the princess. I'm Prisha Acharya myself, a member of the advisor council of Carchimish and Priestess of Meroya."
"Sand. Corporal Sand."
"Thank you for the compliment, Corporal Sand." She repeats now with a soft smile.
Connor Verkaes is a 12 year old (23/2/4435-) tow-haired page boy at Castle Hara, 4th and youngest son of Sir Brillum Erkaes, a powerful knight who is Steward of Hara and previously a Cor family loyalist, having served Earani Cor's father. Sir Brillum has kept his peace since the Bronze takeover in 4442, but is known to be friends with Briaron of Ahyf and his wife Calpurnia Cor. M8 '47: Princess Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin has worked to befriend Connor. He will soon become a Squire, likely to the Prince Sir Ector Bronze.
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| Connor Verkaes |
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| Sir Brillum Verkaes, Steward of Castle Hara |
The largest Inn at Hara is called the Bronze Bull, it is owned by Lord Namelin Bronze, and run by the doughty Sara Vilos, a stout Nerathi matron, assisted by her daughter Cate.
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| Cate Vilos, serving wench at the Bronze Bull, and patron |
Rumour M2 4446: Earani Cor is pregnant with Lord Namelin's child! (Child born - girl. Eratha - later pledged to Hakeem's son Hassan).
Rumour M3 4446: An army of Neo-Nerath has come to Hara over the Bisituni Highlands!
26/5/4446: Ernsorn Blue: "But Holli has told us much of the Nerathi plans... and I was able to warn Bulwark the Warforged to set a trap for their army at Ractuan...By all accounts the Warforged and the Gnomes have dealt the Black Sun another heavy defeat."
Rumour 26/8/4447: King Namelin has taken a great liking to Delanie, the well-developed new Priestess of Meroya at Hara. He is rumoured to be courting her!
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| Delanie of Capricia, Temple of Meroya at Hara |
Council of Hara, From 20/8/4447
EASTERN NERATH
1. Namelin Bronze (Head of Council), Lord of Hara
2. Lady Llanet Bronze (f), Head of Clan Bronze
3. Anna Bronze (f), sister of Namelin, Vizier
4. Tagoler, Ranger Lord of the Rangers of the Wode
5. Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin, Princess, representing Carchimish (f)
6. Prisha Acharya, High Priestess of Meroya (f)
7. Larsonos, High Priest of Apollo-Mitra
WESTERN NERATH
8. Livilla of Renth, High Priestess of Erathis & Mellora (f)
9. Kogol Verganth of the Renth Lands, General of the Armies of West Nerath
10.Danelac of Colisth, Commander of the Knights of Nerath
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| Livilla, Nerathi High Priestess of Erathis & Mellora |
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| Nerath General Kogol Vergath, father of Princess |
The Knights of Nerath
Prince Sir Ector Bronze of Hara has recently joined the new fighting order the Knights of Nerath, dedicated to the goddess Erathis-Athena, though Mitra the Lion is also revered by many. Formed in Colisth by Nerath veterans in the aftermath of the Black Sun War with the blessing of Priestess Livilla, their goals are the rebuilding of Nerathi-Alryan civilisation, destroying the last of the Arang-Tok Orcs, and rooting out the corruption of the Black Sun cult and the foul followers of Zehir the Serpent, who is Set. They are headed by their Knight Commander Sir Danelac of Colisth. Knights include Sir Bors and Sir Efrain. The Knights' official doctrine is that the Altanian tribes and the Ghinarians should in time be reincorporated into the Empire as honoured vassals to the King of Nerath.
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| Commander Danelac and the Knights of Nerath, including Sir Bors & Sir Efrain |
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| Knight Commander Danelac |
It starts familiarly enough, with the terrible Battle of Gedden, when the Empire of Nerath's Last Legion fell to the Gnoll horde of the one known as White Ruin.
The song tells of the Altanian auxiliary deserting the field, of the Cormarrin 300 cavalry fighting their way to join their king - but not in time; it alludes to how they will fight out through the beastman host, to find a new life far to the west in Bisgen... Then it reaches the climax.
King Elidyr stands, holding the bloody banner of Nerath, a broken sword in his hand.
The White Ruin, some say a Lord of the Abyss in the form of Beastman, strikes down with its (her?) terrible hooked mace, driving Elidyr to the ground, mortally wounded.
The White Ruin holds high her bloody mace, howling triumph to the heavens... but then the howl turns to a scream of pain!
A simple Nerath footsoldier of Hara, in bronze cap and harness, has struck White Ruin from the rear, dealing her a dolorous wound!
Turning, screaming, she strikes the man upon his sturdy helm, driving him to the bloody field beside the body of his King.
Then her attendants carry wounded White Ruin from the field. She has triumphed, but the wound she has suffered will not heal.
Within a year or so she will be dead, her invincible horde fragmenting.
And the soldier in the bronze cap... he lies beside his dying king.
The sturdy helm has saved him.
Now, with his last breath, valiant Elidyr presses the broken sword hilt into his palm.
Elidyr: "I die... the empire dies today. But, you, sir Bronze. You live."
"You are all that is best in Nerath.You are the Flame Imperishable."
"Live for us... carry our light forward into dark centuries yet to come."
The man in Bronze did live that day.
To return home.
To a city of Nerath that still stood... that still stands today.
And the Fire of Nerath Lives On.
(3127) Castle of the Wode
Symbol: Silver tree on a green field
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| Tagoler, leader of the Rangers of the Wode |
Authority Figure: Tagoler, male Nerathi-Alryan Ranger Lord.
Important Characters: Anisa, female goodly Nerathi-Alryan druid-priestess of Diana-Mellora, Drd 4. Wife of Tagoler fr. 1/3/47.
Haran Welbeck, Tagoler's deputy leader of the Rangers, is a gruff, reserved older man. Anna Souvari, a female Nerathi-Alryan Ranger, is sometime lady friend of Thuruar, the Arch-priest of Athena at the Temple of the Lady of Wisdom near Zothat, one of Altanis' greatest heroes.
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| Anisa the Druidess |
Rangers from Hara built The Castle of the Wode 30 years ago - ca 4415-18 BCCC - using it as a base where they can train and rest. Due to their efforts, most of the region within 15-20 miles of the Castle is now largely free of gnolls and other monsters, and civilisation has been returning to these lands, with several Nerathi manors and villages recently re-established. The goodly Tagoler is chief ranger; he was loyal to Earani Cor, and is said to dislike Lord Namelin and pay him only nominal obeisance. He has rangers investigating recent attacks by Seawolf Clan raiders allied with the pirate Sarene on Hara's territory, and is searching for the location of Sarene's hidden base.
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| Haran Welbeck, Tagoler's Deputy |
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| Anna Souvari, Ranger of the Wode |
Rumour: Tagoler has been courting the druid-priestess Anisa. Perhaps they will wed? M5 4446: Tagoler & Anisa are engaged. 25/5: Anna Souvari is disporting herself with Thuruar, high priest of Athena-Erathis.
M3 4447: Tagoler and Anisa have finally wed! 1/3/47.
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| Kolchak, a Ranger of the Wode |
(3424) SARENE’S DEN (abandoned early 4447)
Sarene, Altanian Pirate Queen.
Conventional; TL 2; Population 258 (70 Pirate Sailors (as Scout), 70 Altanian Warriors, 40 Chosen Axemen, 20 Scouts, and 10 Senior Scouts are the regular inhabitants; plus the slaves and servants); Mixed (human 95% [most Altanian, some mixed/Tharbrian], half-elf 3%, other 2%). Authority Figure: Sarene, female Altanian Pirate Queen. Important Characters: Coran Greywolf, male Altanian, captain of Lolene’s Revenge. Amber (Clr 1), slave priestess of Mitra.
Coran Greywolf
Sarene, a skilled warrior and one of the most feared pirates in the region, is captain of the pirate ship Lady Spite. She has two ships under her, the other commanded by Coran, her weak and unassertive lover. The plunder and riches from her exploits has allowed her to build a mostly underground fortress around a subterranean cavern-harbor on Vigil Sound. She trades regularly with the Seawolf fishermen of Ketche, and often gives them a share of her plunder, while recruiting warriors from there to serve as marines on her ships. She is wanted across the Wilderlands - in Modron, Tarsh, Tarantis, Rallu and Tula. She is nominally part of the Brotherhood of Pirates but ignores them for the most part. The exact location of her castle is a secret and she has killed those who stumbled across it on the landward side and refused to join her crew. Sarene is said to have a rough sense of honour and to respect strength and courage, but she has little mercy for the weak, seeing them fit only to be slaves - a category which certainly includes the Nerathi of Hara, and she has gained considerable loot in bronze and slaves from raiding Hara's outlying territories - much of this loot is typically sold at Ahyf Port, with whom she maintains good relations. Sarene kept Amber (RIP 18/4/4446), a captured Nerathi priestess of Mitra, as slave at the Den, providing her crews with healing and other services. Coran and Amber are said to be lovers, not something Sarene has shown any care about. Sarene allows her crews free access to captured slave women, but she herself prefers the company of men - strong men.
Rumour: Sarene possesses a Fireball scroll, taken from a slain Nerathi wizard!
Rumour M1 4446: Sarene was bested in a duel near Selatine by a mighty-thewed Altanian warrior, Hakeem Greywolf by name.
M11 4446: With Rey's encouragement, Sarene is off to raid Bisgen, a sea voyage that will take months.
THE VALE
The Eastern Vale, at 2 miles/hex
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| The Eastern Vale, at 2 miles/hex |
(3233) The Citadel of Water/Yusan's Den
Pop. ca 90+ in 4447 inc Tug the Giff, 6 Altanian warriors, 18 Valefolk guards, 31 ex harem girls, 30+ misc servants, 2-3 scholar-sages, etc
NPCs: Lord Tug the Giff, Steward Ho-Tep Seawolf (Bbn-5), Choisin, former Lord of Mazargog, Dwarf Sage, Tammy the harem girl, Priestess Octavia of Athena.
Ho-Tep of Seawolf, Steward of the Citadel under Tug fr M7 4447
Just south of the Ghinarian Hills, the ancient and holy fortress known as the Citadel of Water was ruled by the black-hearted warlord Yusan, an exiled Sword Knight of Altanis and leader of the most powerful marauder band in the Vale. Once an honoured leader among the Altanians, Yusan is said to have once been the lover of the Amazon Queen Khelara of Highhaven (ca 4426-7 BCCC). But in 4431 he raped and murdered Olana, the sacred Defender of the Altanian Red Tiger Clan in northern Oricha, when she resisted his advances. Now he and his men take what they like from the villages of the Vale and the Ghinarian hills. In 4432 Yusan took the Citadel of Water by treachery, massacring the last of the Nerathi Monks of Mellora there, and established his power base. He entirely destroyed the village of Veratur in 4434 when its lord defied him.
To the north only Selatine has so far stood firm against Yusan, driving off a major assault in 4442, though at heavy cost. In 4443 Yusan killed Amazon Queen Khelara during his first assault on Highhaven, but was driven off when the Griffon Knight Artemisia rallied the defenders. He then turned north, taking Kalmisj later that same year, killing all the menfolk of House Kalmisj and
Tammy of Hill Farm, servant, former Yusan harem girl
bringing Lady Thuvia Bratanis home in chains to his citadel.
In M4 4446 Yusan finally met his end in the Battle of Yusan's Fall south of Krens' Cairn. The victor, his son Hakeem Greywolf, installed his ally Tug the Giff as Steward of the Citadel and freed Yusan's captives, including Thuvia of Bratanis and Oriana, now Thegn of Kalmisj.
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Ilyra, Blue Mage of the Unseen Conclave
Yusan commanded at least 30 elite Altanian Chosen Axe warriors, 30 Altanian Chosen Archers, and numerous lesser of Illusionist Wizards somewhere in the Vale east of Carchimish. Yusan is said to have amassed considerable wealth in slave girls, gold, and magic items.
Unseen Conclave
warriors, most either Altanian tribesmen exiled for various crimes, or Ghinoran youths taken from their villages as children and raised as sword-fodder. His Warband numbers over two hundred men in all (about 1/2 to 2/3 typically at Yusan's Den), and given time he can usually call upon several lesser brigand lords of Carchimish and the Vale. He is rumoured to have a keen interest in magic, and to have long been searching for the hidden
Arak Son of Yusan
Yusan has an adult son, Prince Arak (4427-), recently come of age, and several younger children by his slave-concubines. Yusan also has a minor Altanian Sorcerer slave, Enos Snake-eyes, known for his Clairvoyant abilities and for his literal snake eyes - perhaps a sign of Orichalan ancestry.
Rumour M2 4446 BCCC: Yusan has captured a Blue Mage of the Conclave, Ilyra. She has revealed its location to him!
Session 76 12/6/4446 - Fall of Yusan - Yusan, Arak, Ilyra, Enos all killed in battle by Hakeem, Thuruar, Shieldbiter & co. Yusan's army is scattered. 7 of another 12 Unseen Conclave mages are also slain by Lady Meda.
M7-10 4446: Following the fall of Yusan, Hakeem appointed Tug the Giff as Master of the Citadel of Water. Tug put most of Yusan's extensive harem to honest work farming and in the kitchens of the Citadel, while permitting those with better prospects like Princess Opa Theber and Lady Thuvia Bratanis to depart.
Octavia Talemus, Nerathi Half Elf Priestess of Athena-Erathis.
Former Yusan Harem Girls work the Citadel fields.
M1 4447: Choisin Mazargog, a Dwarven Sage from Capricia, and Crystal, an Elven Princess of Dianceht, have recently arrived at the Citadel, to study the remaining ancient library records preserved by the Monks of Mellora (and by Enos Snake-Eyes). Princess Crystal is accompanied by her friend Octavia Talemus, a Half-Elf Priestess of Athena, who plans to stay on as Tender of the Records.
8/9/47: Alerted by Druidess Samantha, Tug has won a limited victory over the Skandiks ravaging the Vale coast, ambushing and slaying a goodly number before falling back to the Citadel.
Pop. ca 90+ in 4447 inc Tug the Giff, 6 Altanian warriors, 18 Valefolk guards, 31 ex harem girls, 30+ misc servants, 2-3 scholar-sages, etc
NPCs: Lord Tug the Giff, Steward Ho-Tep Seawolf (Bbn-5), Choisin, former Lord of Mazargog, Dwarf Sage, Tammy the harem girl, Priestess Octavia of Athena.
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| Ho-Tep of Seawolf, Steward of the Citadel under Tug fr M7 4447 |
To the north only Selatine has so far stood firm against Yusan, driving off a major assault in 4442, though at heavy cost. In 4443 Yusan killed Amazon Queen Khelara during his first assault on Highhaven, but was driven off when the Griffon Knight Artemisia rallied the defenders. He then turned north, taking Kalmisj later that same year, killing all the menfolk of House Kalmisj and
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| Tammy of Hill Farm, servant, former Yusan harem girl |
In M4 4446 Yusan finally met his end in the Battle of Yusan's Fall south of Krens' Cairn. The victor, his son Hakeem Greywolf, installed his ally Tug the Giff as Steward of the Citadel and freed Yusan's captives, including Thuvia of Bratanis and Oriana, now Thegn of Kalmisj.
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Unseen Conclave
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Rumour M2 4446 BCCC: Yusan has captured a Blue Mage of the Conclave, Ilyra. She has revealed its location to him!
Session 76 12/6/4446 - Fall of Yusan - Yusan, Arak, Ilyra, Enos all killed in battle by Hakeem, Thuruar, Shieldbiter & co. Yusan's army is scattered. 7 of another 12 Unseen Conclave mages are also slain by Lady Meda.
M7-10 4446: Following the fall of Yusan, Hakeem appointed Tug the Giff as Master of the Citadel of Water. Tug put most of Yusan's extensive harem to honest work farming and in the kitchens of the Citadel, while permitting those with better prospects like Princess Opa Theber and Lady Thuvia Bratanis to depart.
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| Octavia Talemus, Nerathi Half Elf Priestess of Athena-Erathis. |
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| Former Yusan Harem Girls work the Citadel fields. |
8/9/47: Alerted by Druidess Samantha, Tug has won a limited victory over the Skandiks ravaging the Vale coast, ambushing and slaying a goodly number before falling back to the Citadel.
(3433) LYGOL
A fishing port in the eastern Vale, Lygol was raided by Skandiks dawn 29/8/4447. Defenders killed, livestock slaughtered and taken, along with most of the young women. Survivors fled. The village was then burned, except for the Reeves' Hall which was saved by Orph & Nightshadow.
Ruth of Lygol, daughter of Reeve Caranac
Samantha of the Vale, Druidess of Suthak
Ruth was one of the few girls not taken by the Skandiks 29/8/47, hiding when her father Reeve Caranac died protecting her, then rescued by Sandor Sunneon & so. The Reeve's house was almost the only unburned building in Lygol.
Samantha, a healer and druidess of the eastern Vale devoted to Suthak, alerted Tug the Giff to a second Skandik raid 6/9/47, enabling him to strike back and kill a score of the raiders north of Tebes.
A fishing port in the eastern Vale, Lygol was raided by Skandiks dawn 29/8/4447. Defenders killed, livestock slaughtered and taken, along with most of the young women. Survivors fled. The village was then burned, except for the Reeves' Hall which was saved by Orph & Nightshadow.
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| Ruth of Lygol, daughter of Reeve Caranac |
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| Samantha of the Vale, Druidess of Suthak |
Ruth was one of the few girls not taken by the Skandiks 29/8/47, hiding when her father Reeve Caranac died protecting her, then rescued by Sandor Sunneon & so. The Reeve's house was almost the only unburned building in Lygol.
Samantha, a healer and druidess of the eastern Vale devoted to Suthak, alerted Tug the Giff to a second Skandik raid 6/9/47, enabling him to strike back and kill a score of the raiders north of Tebes.
(2733) Amazons of Highhaven
Symbol: Gold griffon on scarlet or brown field
(hex 2733, pop. 363, with ca 90 warriors, 16 adult griffons.)
(hex 2733, pop. 363, with ca 90 warriors, 16 adult griffons.)
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| Laurana, Queen of Highhaven 4447- |
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| Kaijahra of the Warrior Elite. Sister of Queen Artemisia. |
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| Artemisia, Queen of Highhaven 4442-47 |
Highhaven Amazon & Griffon stats
Not all inhabitants of the Vale are vicious brigands and outlaws. Among those lawful goodfolk who still resist the evil that has befallen their Arcadian land, the Amazons of Highhaven are perhaps the most notable. Highhaven is a strongly fortified cliff settlement built on the easternmost escarpments of the Castellan Mountains, notable for its Griffon eyries. It is her Griffon-riding Amazon Knights that give the young Amazon Queen Artemesia the strength to resist the warbands of Carchimish and Yusan. They have long fought the many savage Orc clans of the mountains - now they battle Men, too.
Unable to take the Amazon stronghold, the brigands had recently
adopted a strategy of interdiction, burning Highhaven's croplands and forcing the Griffon Knights to range far in search of food - and mates.
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| Griffon Knight of Highhaven |
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| War Griffon |
Artemisia and her more defensive policy. Rumour has it that Princess Laurana is herself the Warlord Yusan's daughter, one of twins conceived by Khelara before Yusan's disgrace and exile. That would make Yusan's son Prince Arak Princess Laurana's twin brother... Laurana was gifted Gnomish Boots of Striding & Springing for aiding Ractuan against an undead purple worm. Her griffon Goldmane killed Yusan.
AMAZON RANKS
Amazon Levy are the lowest ranking amazons, mostly young girls, the currently pregnant, and the rare aged or infirm. They fight only if Highhaven itself comes under attack.
Amazon Warriors are the trained and highly skilled amazons, forming the bulk of their adult population.
The Amazon Scouts are drawn from the ranks of Warriors, normally operating alone or in pairs.
Amazon Captains command squadrons of the regular Amazon Warriors, and administer Amazon outposts such as the Lighthouse and the Stone Tooth/Forge of Fury. Some Amazon Captains are drawn from the Warrior Elite (eg Captain Clenderi), others are appointed directly from the ranks of the Warriors.
The Amazon Warrior Elite are high-ranking Amazons who ride the mighty War Griffons, and form the Queen's Personal Guard at Highhaven.
Leading the Warrior Elite are the Griffon Knights, among the mightiest of all Amazons. Princess Laurana was the youngest living Griffon Knight in 44446 BCCC when she slew Yusan at Yusan's Fall south of Krens' Cairn.
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| Amazon Warrior Elite |
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| Artemisia in Bondage M12 4446 BCCC |
Rumours:
Queen Artemisia is troubled by premonitions of her own death. The Spectre of Thanatos haunts her dreams.
12/6/4446: In the Battle of Yusan's Fall Princess Laurana killed Yusan, already badly wounded by Warchief Hakeem of the Greywolf.
M10 4446 Laurana has taken a ceremony of Blood Kinship with her half brother, Chief Hakeem Greywolf.
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| The Stone Tooth. A=Mountain Door. |
Local Dungeons:
15 miles SW of Highhaven lies the Stone Tooth, and beneath it the hidden Forge of Fury, a fallen dwarf-hold now held by Orcs of the Arang-Tok. Discovered by Ursa the Dwarf late M2/47.
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| Hippolyta, Amazon Captain at the Forge of Fury |
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| Nemesis the Archer, Champion |
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| Elysia, Warrior |
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| Jenesta, Warrior |
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| Leandra & Averia |
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| Russlana |
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| Saphyra |
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| Shemina, Amazon Priestess of Athena |
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| Suri |
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| Warrior & Griffon Knight Kalindra (Right) |
(2633) On the eastern Castellan slopes SW of Highhaven lies the Stone Tooth, and below it the dwarf hold of Khundrakar, fallen to Orcs a century ago.
DWARVES OF KHUNDRAKAR - from M11 4452 BCCC
Moved from Faerun's Khundrakar to the Wilderlands via a portal beneath the fortress. Pop ca. 535 dwarves in M11 4452. Annual increase ca 1%.
Khundrakar
1. Fraener ap Durgeddin, Lord of Khundrakar Mountain Dwarf male Forge Cleric-7 XP 32,066/34,000 AC 24 (AC 19 plate armour +1, +4 for +2 shield, +1 soul of the forge) HP 66 (12+9/lvl), fire resistance P-PER 12 P-INV 10 P-INS 15. MI: Boots of Striding & Springing spd 30' (a); Durgeddin's own +1 full plate armour (+0/+1 at 5th level), +2 Durgeddin shield, the Hammer of Cirdan Man-friend +3 dwarven thrower (a). MI with his Huscarls: +1 Duergar warhammer, +1 battle axe, +1 hand axe. Henchmen: Vylfa, Vili, Alice (factotum in Ravensburg)
2. Gruffyd, Dwarf male Fighter 6 (Champion) XP 21,077/23,000 AC 21 HP 54 (14+10/level) P-PER 13
3. Vylfa, retainer of Fraener, Mountain Dwarf Wizard-4 (Transmuter) AC 15 XP 2,700 (max)
4. Vili Durgeddin (Vilison) son of Gathira the Golden, Mountain Dwarf male Fighter, retainer of Fraener. Fighter-4 (Champion) XP 2,700 (max) AC 18 (chain & shield) HP 44 P-PER 12 . Engaged to Torvilda Snowbeard 1/10/1360 DR Vylfa: “So a wedding in the Spring would suit you, Chief Gimlin? Then it’s agreed.” (to Snowbeard Hall M10/60) - marries Spring 1361.
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| Vili |
CARCHIMISH
Symbol: Golden hind on green field
Symbol: Golden hind on green field
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| CARCHIMISH |
Farmland: 200 square miles, population ca 10,000.
Total domain population ca 12,275.
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| Lyssana Koloth, Queen of Carchimish, in her bedchamber |
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| King Koloth 'the Old' |
Important Characters:
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| Lyssana in 'shepherdess' dress |
For almost fifteen years (4432-4446) The Vale between the Ghinarian Hills and the River of Visions (Blest) was home to some of the worst outlaws, criminals and outcasts of the Altanian tribes. Carchimish, until 4432 a thriving Ghinarian town, is the largest community in the region and became home to three of the largest brigand warbands. The wizard Mytsh was the leader of the strongest, and dominated the others by sheer force of will. He had a female apprentice, saturnine Dark Odo, now (4447) the 'Enchantress of Carchimish'. Marnt was the leader of the second and a rival to Mytsh. He supported Jolda, the priestess of Harmakhis, and in return she used her power to shield him from Mytsh’s magic. Marnt had briefly as concubine the Princess Lyssana, daughter of Koloth, last Ghinarian king of Carchimish - after 13 years as a renegade she was finally captured in M12 4445. Old 'King' Koloth escaped, though his tattered band were little more than brigands themselves.
The third of the warband leaders was
12/6/4446: At the disastrous battle of Krens' Cairn; the Brigand Lords of Carchimish are crushed - Mytsh, Marnt & Jolda all slain by Shieldbiter the Dragonborn; Hagnol killed in single combat by Hakeem the Slayer. Dark Odo escaped. She eventually surrendered and was pardoned by Hakeem, who installed his friend Reynard Mercellin as King of Carchimish.
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Dark Odo, Enchantress of Carchimish
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| Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin bathing at Isle of Nymphs |
M7 4447: With Rey dead against Kainos, the former brigand city of Carchimish (one of the few real towns east of the mountains - others are Ahyf & Hara) lacks proper leadership; old King Koloth has resumed power in the vacuum along with the nominal monarch, his daughter
Queen Lyssana, Rey's widow. But Koloth is aged and weak. A strong ruler in Carchimish could stabilise that area for Hakeem, and Carchimish is close to Highhaven, the Amazon citadel under Queen Laurana...
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| Shae, handmaid slave to Lyssana Koloth-Mercellin |
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| J |
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Carchimish NPCS
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| Sir Baltek, Commander of the Carchimish Guard |
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| Slave Juko Inaba of Minkai |
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| Sir Oghrim the Dwarf, Weaponmaster/Bodyguard to King Koloth |
The Harper's Cauldron Inn, Carchimish
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| Euma the barmaid |
Owner/manager: Rado d'Sewer, a keen young man
Wife/Barmaid: Euma d'Sewer, a buxom blonde (16/7/47: fled when Rado revealed his secret!. Married later)
Description The inn is a two-storey timber and brick building, with a gray tile roof. Accomodations consist of several large rooms with beds and straw mattresses and several hammocks in the common room.
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| Ironhead, Barbarian Henchman |
The magic trade: Kym Goodkind acquires Rocksblood from the Kobolds of Stonehell, which she has her friend the alchemist Viola Narangi craft into Arcane Reagants for a suitable fee. These are then sold to Dark Odo the Enchantress, who crafts such magic items as are commissioned or take her fancy. Kym then sells these items, usually at her stall in the Carchimish marketplace, while guarded by one of the Iron Warriors - Fist or Head.
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| Kym Goodkind, merchant of Carchimish |
Temple of Meroya, Carchimish
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| Esmalia, Temple of Meroya |
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| Mealia, half elf doxy of Capricia, Meroya Temple |
end M7/47: Viola has fallen under the sway of the nascent love cult of Meroya, and allowed them to establish their temple at her villa.
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| Randall, Viola's Halfling Gardener |
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| Carchimishi Kobold Kart Slave |
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| Svetlana of the Old Stross Bath house |
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(2832) Crossroads - an outcrop of hewn stone engraved with incoherent labyrinths left of the main road marks the side trail to Highhaven - and the abandoned Hall of the Unseen Conclave nearby.
(2933) Village of Plato, palisaded & garrisoned, has stables and a large coaching inn, the Siren's Call. Famously ca 14/7/4447 the novice Meroya priestess Delanie of Capricia is said to have serviced junior guardsman pvt Norbert Porkins - and the entire Plato town guard.
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| Alkminis |
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| L-Cpl Norbert Porkins of Plato |
(3302) Village of Sane, rich village, central square ruined tower with swinging spiked pendulum guards entrance to dungeons beneath. Village headsman Durgos.
_______________________________________________________________________
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| Naran the Druid |
(2429) RACTUAN
(Town): Conventional; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 7,625gp; Population 1,220 (Able bodied 305); Isolated (gnome 96%, other 4%); Resources: Lead.Authority Figure: King Drudil, male gnome Ftr. Important Characters: Queen Freia, female gnome Ill 4 (wife of Drudil, leader of the village’s illusionists); Naran, male gnome Drd 6 (leader of the region’s druids); Engoril, male human [Orichalan] hermit.
Ractuan is secluded within the Castellan Mountains. Approachable only by a few passes, the town has always been safe from marauding raiders, despite probing from the Arang-Tok orcs (2131) and recent attacks by Neo-Nerath. King Drudil leads the defense of the realm, and with the aid of his wife Freia and the druid Naran they have turned the approaches into a deathtrap for the Orcs & Nerathi. Ractuan is noted for its variety of mines, particularly lead. The smelted ore is shipped over the eastern passes to the village of Hara where it is used to make bronze. Engoril, an ancient hermit lives in an old mausoleum. He “talks” to the bones of the buried human general Themistokles and acts as a sort of oracle. In early 4446 BCCC a Nerathi army advancing from the east was ambushed by the Gnomes and Madcat Mtn Warforged, defeated with great loss.
(4134) Isle of Ogigian: A large statue of Neptune pointing north over a bay at the north end of the isle is this island’s only feature. The statue is in relatively good shape, showing minimal signs of wear.
Early M2 4446 BCCC: The escaped outworld slave Druidess Cassandra Starling (Drd 4) and her paramour the young priest of Apollo Polyachus of Selatine (Clr 3) were sent here for their own safety by Bjornalf Brighteyes on his ship Vex Gratitude.
Polyachus: gangly acne’d youth b.4429, Novitiate of Apollo, a Cleric with spellcasting ability. Headed the Shrine of Mitra-Apollo during the exile of Jana Vex M10 4444-M10 4445. 12/1/4446 Polyachus met and totally fell for escaped Oriax slave girl & Outworld Druidess Cassandra Starling, of the Little Aimswick Starlings. And that night he became a man... Even the acne seems to be clearing up, now.
M2 4446: Polyachus & Cassandra sent to Isle of Ogigian by Bjornalf Brighteyes (RIP) on the Vex Gratitude. Daughter Polyacha born 9/10/4446. Family captured by Skandiks 4/8/47, Jarl Raknar took Cassandra as his concubine.
(3426) RUINS OF NERRA
The former capital city of the Empire of Nerath is being restored from M6 4447 as the capital of Altanis-Nerath under King-Regent Hakeem and his consort the Lady Malenn of Mitra, until his son King Hassan Greywolf comes of age and assumes the throne with his betrothed, the future Queen Eratha Bronze of Hara.
M6 4447: Hakeem sends Malenn to Nerra with Hassan and 4 amazon bodyguards of Thusia to oversee the restoration.
In the great council hall of the imperial palace is a huge round marble table - newly cleaned & repaired - that was once the legendary Round Table of the Imperial Knights of Nerath. It can seat 24.
In the great council hall of the imperial palace is a huge round marble table - newly cleaned & repaired - that was once the legendary Round Table of the Imperial Knights of Nerath. It can seat 24.
Hakeem's Council of the Wise - to Meet in Nerra at the Round Table M4 & M9 each year from M9 4447.
Lady Meda of Thusia (Amazon/Viridian)
Lord Krens of Krens' Cairn (Ghinoran-Tullan)
Father Camus of Ahyf, Cleric of Thoth (Nerathi-Alryan)
High Priest Larsonos of the Temple-Tomb of Belaras (Ghinoran)
Lady Llanet Bronze of Hara (Nerathi-Alryan)
Ranger Lord Tagoler of Castle Wode (Nerathi-Alryan)
Ernsorn Blue of Seawolf (Altanian)
Priestess Lilith of Athena (Ghinoran)
General Kogol of the Renth Lands (Nerathi-Alryan)
Aya the Shepherdess of Selatine (Ghinoran)
Total 10: Amazon 1, Ghinoran 4, Nerathi 4, Altanian 1.
The exiled Dragon Samurai (knight) Miya of Far Karak, the elf mage Elfric of Renth, and the Halfling Thief (spy) Berk of Bisituni, are a band of adventurers usually based in Ahyf. They have recently (4445-6) been active north of the Cedarwade river in Hara territory. They have acquired a reputation for ruthlessness.
23/1/47, Clear Meadows: Hakeem makes out Miya the samurai talking: "Berk you know those dwarves were onto something! Erdea was the wealthiest Nerathi manor in all the Ghinarian Hills! Right, Elfric?"
The elf mutters something you don't catch, then: "...In any case, curse or not its sunken condition should have warded it from most looters. There should still be..."
Berk: "Aye, well. Our pals in the west would pay well for Nerathi artifacts - but a Curse is a Curse, right? That'll mean Undead, sure as Shattin."
Miya: "If we don't loot it, the Dwarves will! Or worse, Lorius and his whore lover!"
Berk: "I wouldn't worry about Vex and Poole - last I heard they were headin' off Thracia way..."
JANE POOLE OF EARTH & LORIUS VEX
See stats
Jane Poole of Earth (specifically Bognor Regis) and Lorius Vex (a cousin of Jana & Hytirus of Selatine) are an adventuring couple typically based out of Ahyf Port, but known to adventure across eastern Altanis including the islands. Jane was a promising sports fencer on her homeworld ca 2014, while Lorius is a capable mage who apprenticed under Lord Krens of Krens' Cairn. One day travelling the hills near Selatine he found himself menaced by a wild dog pack, only to be rescued by a strange naked woman who threw rocks at the dogs until they fled. They soon parted ways, but later on Lorius spotted Jane enslaved in the fighting pits of Ahyf, and was able to buy her from Gorok Half-Ogre. They have been together ever since, Jane providing the martial skill and Lorius the wizardry. Jane favours the Amazon fighting style, wearing little and wielding matched swords. Lorius possesses a mysterious amulet that seems somehow linked to the Lost Caverns of Thracia, written on the back in Draconic it says "The First King Will Rise Again". The amulet seems to be exerting a mild compulsion towards Thracia, and Lorius thinks it linked to rumours of lizardmen converging there. He feared an Orichalan Dragon Lord may be awakening in the depths.
Adventurers of the Ghinarian Hills
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| Berk, Halfling Thief of Bisituni |
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| Elfric, Elf Mage of Renth |
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| Miya, Dragon Samurai of Far Karak |
23/1/47, Clear Meadows: Hakeem makes out Miya the samurai talking: "Berk you know those dwarves were onto something! Erdea was the wealthiest Nerathi manor in all the Ghinarian Hills! Right, Elfric?"
The elf mutters something you don't catch, then: "...In any case, curse or not its sunken condition should have warded it from most looters. There should still be..."
Berk: "Aye, well. Our pals in the west would pay well for Nerathi artifacts - but a Curse is a Curse, right? That'll mean Undead, sure as Shattin."
Miya: "If we don't loot it, the Dwarves will! Or worse, Lorius and his whore lover!"
Berk: "I wouldn't worry about Vex and Poole - last I heard they were headin' off Thracia way..."
JANE POOLE OF EARTH & LORIUS VEX
See stats
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| Jane Poole of Earth, and Lorius Vex the Wizard. |
Jane Poole of Earth (specifically Bognor Regis) and Lorius Vex (a cousin of Jana & Hytirus of Selatine) are an adventuring couple typically based out of Ahyf Port, but known to adventure across eastern Altanis including the islands. Jane was a promising sports fencer on her homeworld ca 2014, while Lorius is a capable mage who apprenticed under Lord Krens of Krens' Cairn. One day travelling the hills near Selatine he found himself menaced by a wild dog pack, only to be rescued by a strange naked woman who threw rocks at the dogs until they fled. They soon parted ways, but later on Lorius spotted Jane enslaved in the fighting pits of Ahyf, and was able to buy her from Gorok Half-Ogre. They have been together ever since, Jane providing the martial skill and Lorius the wizardry. Jane favours the Amazon fighting style, wearing little and wielding matched swords. Lorius possesses a mysterious amulet that seems somehow linked to the Lost Caverns of Thracia, written on the back in Draconic it says "The First King Will Rise Again". The amulet seems to be exerting a mild compulsion towards Thracia, and Lorius thinks it linked to rumours of lizardmen converging there. He feared an Orichalan Dragon Lord may be awakening in the depths.
ALTANIANS
CLAN GREYWOLF, MIDNIGHT GODDESS HILLS
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| Kaag Tiger-Killer, Warchief of Greywolf |
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| Kala Greywolf, wife of Vorkes |
Vorkes died 26/5/4446 and was replaced by War Chief Hakeem 'until the rains' (rainy season starts M10).
Kala - Vorkes' widow, Chief of theWise-Woman, grandmother of Laara. Named Hakeem as War Chief.
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| Laara, Psychic Defender |
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| Gail Skara, Kaag's concubine |
Gail Skara, Kag's concubine - daughter of a now-deceased Nerathi noble Lord Eynjin Skara, taken with six other women on a recent (M8 4445) raid up the Fairhills river which sacked Skara manor. The Druid Ernsorn Blue claimed her for his own. M4 4446 he gifted her to the Greywolf warrior Kaag at the Clan Moot to aid his quest against the Black Sun. Gail is pregnant by Kaag M3 4447, child expected M12 4447.
Gnubis - mother of Hakeem. Still attractive. Mate-Wife of Kaag Tiger-Killer from ca 4446.
Nefeti - ugly, eccentric elder sister of Gnubis. Psychic fortune-teller Wise Woman, uses purple and green magic dusts. Predicts Hakeem will have a son.
Laara Greywolf, Closer of the Black Sun Gate - young but talented Psychic Defender of the Greywolf Clan. She is one of Kala's grand-daughters.
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| Gnubis Greywolf, mother of Hakeem & wife of Warchief Kaag Tiger-Killer |
Authority Figure: Chief Minars Rapak, male Altanian Berserker, leader of the Seawolf clan. He wields a massive Altanian War Axe. Rumour M5 4446: Minars led the Altanian assault on the ruins of Nerra, and took the head of Prince Thulseus Doomfire of Neo-Nerath.
M8 4447: Minars is named Vice-Regent of Altani-Nerath and Commander of the Altanian Host by the new King-Regent Namelin Bronze of Hara.
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| Lina Rapak, wife of Minars. |
Princess Holli Doomfire, daughter of Prince Thulseus, Minars' concubine fr. 18/5/4446.
M1 4447:Chief Minars has made Holli his second wife! She now wears a royal tiara. Some say he has far-reaching plans for her...
Gail Skara, Ernsorn's own Nerathi concubine was given to Kaag Greywolf M4 4446.
Ketche is the fortified Clanhold of the powerful Sea-Wolf clan, and also hoasts the Hall of the
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| Holli Doomfire, daughter of Prince Thulseus |
Beyond the gardens, Ketche supports itself primarily through fishing, and hunting the surrounding jungle. The Sea Wolf also engage in occasional coastal raids against the Nerathi of Hara and the local Gnoll clans, their bitter foes.
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| Valyara Rapak, Psychic Defender. |
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| Ernsorn Blue the Druid. |
M1 4446: Chief Minars Rapak returned early from the hunt to discover both his wife Lina and eldest daughter Valyara (the clan's Psychic Defender) in bed with the clan warrior Eardvulf (PC). Eardvulf left hurriedly.
The Altanians keep a small number of slave concubines of other races (mostly Nerathi) taken on raids, although most captives are sold at market or ransomed. When not servicing the menfolk these are expected to
work in the gardens alongside the women of the clan.
4447 This year's Clan Moot will be held at Nerra, the ancient Nerathi capital. Chief Rapak plans war with the Nerathi of the Black Sun.
HAKEEM'S COUNCIL OF THE WISE FR. M9 44447 BCCC
7 Clans that Attend the Clan Moot
CENTRE/EAST1.Grey-Wolf, southern Midnight Goddess Hills - full clan - Kaag
2.Feathered Bear, northern Midnight Goddess Hills - full clan
3.Sea-Wolf, southern Eyestones Jungle - full clan - Minars Rapak
NORTH
4.Hoard-Wardens, northern Eyestones Jungle - delegation, foes of Tristor Elves
5.Nippuri (Altanis 3120), Nippuri river - delegation, Ragiun VI, Ta-Nu the Scribe
SOUTH
6.Red Tiger (Oricha 3410) - delegation, Xatchar
WEST
7.Winged Lion (Castellan Mts) (Mountain Lion & Winged Ape Clans merged 4435 BCCC) - delegation, War Chief Lyssana of Winged-Ape, widow of
Eyestones Jungle
(Dense Forest, Wet): This area is named for the huge dark gem deposits found in rocky outcroppings within this jungle. Prized by mages for crystal balls, it is said that nomadic Altanian tribesmen living in the area often wear gem necklaces enchanted to prevent being seen or heard. This tribe is known locally as the Hoard-Wardens. They wear no armor except shields but fight by ambushes and swift hit and run tactics with blowpipes and darts coated with Sleeping Vine sap.Many rare plants grow here, including blue whinnis, madness causing red lotus and even the dreaded black variety. Encounters:
Altanian tribesmen.
(3120) NIPPURI
3120 Citadel of Earth (Citadel): Conventional; AL LG;
TL 2; 100 gp limit; Assets 500 gp; Population 160 (30 War3s
and 10 War4 archers guard the citadel; the rest are War1-2s
and Com1-3s); Isolated (human 91% [Altanian], dwarf 5%,
other 4%). Authority Figure: Hodens-Atu, male Altanian
LG Ftr4. Important Characters: Sher-Belis, female Altanian
LG Psi4 (ancient Protector, Hodens-Atu’s wife); Beh Hatti,
male Altanian N Ftr6 (captain of the guards).
Hodens-Atu and Sher-Belis are the parents of Ragiun VI
and the two oldest people of Nippuri. Their son made them
chiefs of the citadel. Over the past years they have come to
doubt their son but are not sure what they should do about
it. As they are too old to oversee the daily goings-on, Beh
Hatti is the de facto leader of the primitive citadel. A small
stone edifice in the fort houses the skull of Assuran, a
legendary hero of the Altanians. If the citadel is ever in grave
peril, his spirit rises from the Netherworld to defend it.
3120 NIPPURI (Village): Conventional; AL N; TL 2; 200 gp
limit; Assets 5,900gp; Population 944 (Able bodied 236); Isolated
(human 86% [mostly Altanian], dwarf 10%, other 4%); Resources:
Lead. Authority Figure: Ragiun VI, male Altanian LE Ftr5.
Important Characters: Inlil, female Altanian LN Psi5 (Protector);
Lammash-Anti, male Altanian N Exp4 (master miner); Ta-nu,
male Altanian N Sag10 (Ragiun’s scribe); Olaf the Red, male
Skandik NE Wiz3/Alc3 (healer); Asthar Hep Nippur, male
Altanian N Clr1/Ftr6 (Bondorr, the God of Swords); Silbek,
female Altanian LG Clr3 (Suthak, the Goddess of Fertility).
The Nippuri tribe wandered Barbarian Altanis for many generations
until, several hundred years ago, they came to the aid of
the dwarves of Kolda in a battle against the gnolls. In gratitude the
dwarves gave the Nippuri their protection and taught them the art
of civilization. While the dwarves have again grown reclusive,
their influence is still seen in the buildings and people of this
walled town. Ragiun is a harsh tyrant, completely dedicated to
militaristic pursuits. His most trusted advisors are Ta-nu, a loyal
bureaucrat whose knowledge of heroic songs is unsurpassed, Olaf
the Red, a hedonistic healer who lives in an opulent mansion with
30 Rog2 slave women; naked save for a belt and throwing daggers.
Lammash-Anti, the master of the miners and the temples of
Nippuri. There are two of the latter: Suthak’s splendid shrine
provides all a tender priestess can offer, while Bondorr’s secluded
sanctum stays empty most of the time – all the gold vessels and
bowls sitting there with no guards in sight. Pilgrims visit Bondorr’s
temple regularly; these heavily armed fanatics seek the mysteries
of their patron and don’t like strangers near their plaza.
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| ALTANIS |
WESTERN ALTANIS
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| WESTERN ALTANIS |
_________________________________________________________________________
BEYOND BARBARIAN ALTANIS
North-Eastern Oricha
Ancient home of the Orichan Dragon-Lords, this southern end of the Pazidan and Antillian Peninsulas is known as Oricha.
Black Crow River (Calm Aquatic): Narrow and darkwatered, the river flows through the south-eastern Crimson Serpent Jungle. Fishing boats from the Altanian settlement of Blackcrow are sometimes seen on the river.
Crimson Serpent Jungle (Dense Forest): Extremely dense and difficult to pass through, the main expanse of the Crimson Serpent lies to the south of the settlement of Diancecht. It is known
to harbor a species of intelligent ape, as well as jungle dryads and couatl.
Northwatch, River/River of Visions (Calm Aquatic, Busy): This broad rift river cuts through an ancient glacial fjord. It was a major transportation route for the old Orichalans. After the fall of the Empire of Glorious Doomfire, sea-faring Tharbrian human colonists from the north settled here long ago. Today, the river still carries traffic to and from the Lake of Visions and various small settlements along its banks. Encounters: merchants, fisherfolk, lizardmen.
M1 4447: Recently the local lizardmen have been migrating northwards...
Northwatch Hills:They warn you the hills are dangerous, prowled by fierce monsters - though none ever descend to threaten Imp Brucke, oddly enough... ...the windswept and rugged Northwatch Hills. Here and there strange crystalline formations like twisted spires jut from the mossy ground...Next morning you rise a little stiff from the stony ground and continue your trek north. You reach the crest of the hills that morning, affording you a fantastic view north over the rolling meadowlands of the Vale and south to the distant River of Visions, Capricia just visible. It all looks very peaceful.
Once the border between Arkhosia and the Demonbrood Empire of Bael Turath, many ruined fortifications dot the wild hills. Draconic creatures are common.
Encounters: Drakes, Kobolds, Chimerae, Blue Dragons (esp near coast).
Scalos River (Calm Aquatic): Green with algae and home to schools of large catfish and snakehead, the Scalos flows along the northern edge of the Crimson Serpent Jungle.
Spite, River of (Rough Aquatic): Fast and deadly, the River of Spite is well-named, for most who attempt to cross or travel on it end up regretting their decision.
Visions, Lake of (Calm Aquatic): Located at the southern end of the Castellan Range, the Lake of Visions is a deep, clear mountain lake. It is a great source of fish for the dwarves of Capricia. Due to the strange gases given off by the lake, fishers often report having strange visions, some of which give brief glimpses of the future. The algae that causes this effect is often gathered for
sale to herbalists and witches.
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| Rian of Ogbert's Stead |
2901 Ogbert's Stead
Farmers, shepherds. Population 10 (1 family): Ogbert, his wife, shepherdess daughters inc Rian (busty blonde, blue dress & gold pendant), formerly Esmalia (dark, intelligent but not literate) - now follows Prisha Acharya (PC), shepherd sons inc Yurtus. This farmstead of stout frontier folk in the southern Vale is wealthy with loot from chimerae slain by Sandor & Maglor M7 44447. From Ogbert's stead a faint trail leads south through the woods and up into the Northwatch Hills towards Imp Brucke.
Settled millennia ago by far travelled Tharbrians, Imp Brucke is the centre of strange magickal energies, and is protected by an ancient magical goblin-human Pact that if renewed annually, shields the Humans (1) from Chaos and the Goblins (6) from Law.
From DDII: Imp Brücke refers to both a small collection of buildings (too small to be even called a thorpe) and an ancient stone bridge crossing the Pearl river near its junction with Scale Creek. The bridge has been here for centuries and shows little sign of the ages passing – legend says it was originally constructed by earth elementals under the control of a magus of the three circles. The bridge itself is made of a hard brown stone and arches smoothly over the Pearl river. Along the sides of the bridge are the shapes of many misshapen faces with open mouthes staring at the river.
Residents of Imp Brücke
This small collection of homes and outbuildings is the sum total of the residents of Imp Brücke. A scattering of solitary farms exit to the west and the farmers make trips every few weeks to Imp Brücke for trade and news. There are four buildings of interest to the average traveler here.
The Ancient Cheese – run by dumpy Mother Sidra (4405-) this cheesemaker specializes in exotically herbed cheeses with multicoloured fungal growths. Some are quite ...strange. M7 4447 BCCC: After selling their entire stock to Lord Shieldbiter. the cheesemongers went on vacation pilgrimage to the Temple Tomb of Belaras.
The Iron Hammer – a small inn and the only standing stone building in the area, the Iron Hammer is run by Ol’ Chumpin’ (4412-), a rotund man who inherited the inn from his father and from his grandfather, the adventurer Chumpin Earthsmasher who retired due to an arrow in knee. During the day there are 0-3 travelers and farmers here, but an additional 2-5 arrive in the evening. Over the hearth of the main room is a massive iron warhammer, rusted and pitted with age.
Maltooth’s Smithy – this small smithy makes iron goods for the local farmers. He also has a fine-looking two-handed sword hanging by the entrance that he is inordinately proud of (but would sell for double the normal price). Chumpin thinks Maltooth 'all talk and no apron'. Maltooth (4420-) is married to the buxom & lusty Lena (4427-), daughter of Mother Sidra, since 4448. They have five children, with a sixth on the way (as of M8 4448).
The Burned House - former residence of Evan Elkins & family (RIP) destroyed in arcane conflagration 25/6/47 during ritual with local goblins.
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| 2902 Imp Brucke region |
2902 Imp Brucke
9 miles north of Capricia and beholden to that town lies the small human village of Imp Brucke (7 buildings, pop. 42). The villagers head downriver on market day to trade.Settled millennia ago by far travelled Tharbrians, Imp Brucke is the centre of strange magickal energies, and is protected by an ancient magical goblin-human Pact that if renewed annually, shields the Humans (1) from Chaos and the Goblins (6) from Law.
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| Lena of the Ancient Cheese, Sidra's daughter |
Residents of Imp Brücke
This small collection of homes and outbuildings is the sum total of the residents of Imp Brücke. A scattering of solitary farms exit to the west and the farmers make trips every few weeks to Imp Brücke for trade and news. There are four buildings of interest to the average traveler here.
The Ancient Cheese – run by dumpy Mother Sidra (4405-) this cheesemaker specializes in exotically herbed cheeses with multicoloured fungal growths. Some are quite ...strange. M7 4447 BCCC: After selling their entire stock to Lord Shieldbiter. the cheesemongers went on vacation pilgrimage to the Temple Tomb of Belaras.
The Iron Hammer – a small inn and the only standing stone building in the area, the Iron Hammer is run by Ol’ Chumpin’ (4412-), a rotund man who inherited the inn from his father and from his grandfather, the adventurer Chumpin Earthsmasher who retired due to an arrow in knee. During the day there are 0-3 travelers and farmers here, but an additional 2-5 arrive in the evening. Over the hearth of the main room is a massive iron warhammer, rusted and pitted with age.
Chumpin’s fat wife Agatha Earthsmasher works in the kitchenm while his buxom eldest daughter Cassie Earthsmasher serves as barmaid.
Maltooth’s Smithy – this small smithy makes iron goods for the local farmers. He also has a fine-looking two-handed sword hanging by the entrance that he is inordinately proud of (but would sell for double the normal price). Chumpin thinks Maltooth 'all talk and no apron'. Maltooth (4420-) is married to the buxom & lusty Lena (4427-), daughter of Mother Sidra, since 4448. They have five children, with a sixth on the way (as of M8 4448).
The Burned House - former residence of Evan Elkins & family (RIP) destroyed in arcane conflagration 25/6/47 during ritual with local goblins.
2903 CAPRICIA
(Small Town): Conventional; AL N; TL 7; 800 gp limit; Assets 48,800 gp; Population 1,952 (Able bodied 488); integrated (dwarf 52% [mostly city and hill], human 32%, elf 12%, other 4%); Resources: Fish.
Authority Figure: Lord-Priest Gotarerin of Kazadarum, male dwarf [hill] N Clr8.
Characters:
Ercel, male Tharbrian Com5/Ari1 (leader of the human fishermen) old with white beard.
Meanan, male wood elf NG Ftr4 (captain of the marines) - fancies Princess Crystal, but soothed by Mealia the doxy.
Azu, male dwarf [city] Ftr5 (captain of the guards).
Mealia, half-elfen doxy, lover of Meanan
Anatola, busty peasant wench
Ivy, temple slave of Kazadarum
Gleep, Kazadarum temple mephit mascot
A thousand years ago (ca 3450 BCCC) several dwarven clans came south into the region from Kolda and Chacban (Barbarian Altanis); most of them moved on to settle in Snake Hill. A few others settled among the human Tharbrian fisherman of Capricia.
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| Gotarerin, High Priest of Kazadarum |
Ercel, male Tharbrian Com5/Ari1 (leader of the human fishermen) old with white beard.
Meanan, male wood elf NG Ftr4 (captain of the marines) - fancies Princess Crystal, but soothed by Mealia the doxy.
Azu, male dwarf [city] Ftr5 (captain of the guards).
Mealia, half-elfen doxy, lover of Meanan
Anatola, busty peasant wench
Ivy, temple slave of Kazadarum
Gleep, Kazadarum temple mephit mascot
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| Captain Meanan of Diancecht |
When the orcs invaded the region 500 years ago many of the scattered dwarven settlements fled and moved to the protection of Caprica. The high priest of Kazadarum, Gamli the Bold organized the remaining dwarves, elves, and humans and defeated the invasion. Today Caprica is a thriving mixed community of dwarves and human. The humans, under their chief Ercel, continue to accept the
high priests of Kazadarum as their leader. Gotarerin is the current high priest and he works to maintain the harmony among the races inhabiting Oricha. Azu is the captain of the dwarven guards and organizes the protection of the caravans making their way to and from Capricia. Meanan is from Diancecht, seconded here by King Kambdum and organizes the protection of the ships and barges that transport good from Capricia to Diancecht. He pines for adventure - and for Princess Crystal...
The Loving Arms is a small fairly high class brothel near the Capricia docks; the half elf doxy Mealia could be found there. Mealia is very charming. She now (M7 47) follows Prisha Acharya.
Delanie (20), is a poor but very shapely peasant girl of Capricia, now a follower of Prisha Acharya (PC) who likes to bathe in the Northwatch's cleansing mineral-rich waters (with, unbeknownst to her, a recent watcher, Agni the Dwarf). Her uncle Ogbert has a farmstead in the Vale north beyond the Northwatch Hills, she knows the way, her family have made the trek several times, but she has not visited since her father Anatus died 2 years ago, leaving her the eldest of three daughters (others Briganda, 19, and Cassa, 17, similarly blonde and well developed). Her mother Volata died when she was young; the three girls run their farm together. She is friends with her cousin Rian (qv).
Ivy is a temple slave of Kazadarum, friends with Gleep the temple's mephit Mascot.
The Loving Arms is a small fairly high class brothel near the Capricia docks; the half elf doxy Mealia could be found there. Mealia is very charming. She now (M7 47) follows Prisha Acharya.
Delanie (20), is a poor but very shapely peasant girl of Capricia, now a follower of Prisha Acharya (PC) who likes to bathe in the Northwatch's cleansing mineral-rich waters (with, unbeknownst to her, a recent watcher, Agni the Dwarf). Her uncle Ogbert has a farmstead in the Vale north beyond the Northwatch Hills, she knows the way, her family have made the trek several times, but she has not visited since her father Anatus died 2 years ago, leaving her the eldest of three daughters (others Briganda, 19, and Cassa, 17, similarly blonde and well developed). Her mother Volata died when she was young; the three girls run their farm together. She is friends with her cousin Rian (qv).
Ivy is a temple slave of Kazadarum, friends with Gleep the temple's mephit Mascot.
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| Ivy, a temple slave of Kazadarum, and Gleep the temple mephit. |
2904 Mazargog Castle (Castle): Conventional; AL
LN; TL 6; 100 gp limit; Assets 10,250 gp; Population 328 (40 dwarf fighters Ftr1-3, 30 dwarf crossbowmen War1-3 and 12 dwarf veterans Ftr3-5 make up the castle’s defensive forces; the rest are Exp1-3 builders, craftsmen and merchants or Com1-3 villagers and farmers);
Mixed (dwarf 79% [mountain], other 21%);
Mixed (dwarf 79% [mountain], other 21%);
Authority Figure: Lady Warden Bolina Mazargog,
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| Lady Bolina, daughter of Choisin Mazargog |
female dwarf [mountain] LN Ftr5.
Important Characters:
Mardic Westcup, male halfling NG Exp4 (castellan and keeper of the grounds);
Fuvan, male human Rog4 (serves Aldore of Faking).
Important Characters:
Mardic Westcup, male halfling NG Exp4 (castellan and keeper of the grounds);
Fuvan, male human Rog4 (serves Aldore of Faking).
Mazargog Castle is responsible for guarding and escorting caravans from Capricia and southern Oricha.
Bolina organizes the escorts and patrols the caravan routes. Her father Choisin retired from his duties as Lord Warden in 4432 to pursue knowledge as a Sage.
Mardic Westcup has been here eighty years. He was originally from Maidstone, but never fit in with the halflings of that village. When he took a job aiding the old Lord Warden Choisin Mazargog he found his true calling. He runs a small but busy staff, whose responsibility is to ensure that the travelers and caravans stopping here are provided for. Typically over a fifth of the castle population is comprised of caravans and travelers.
2807/2908 Crimson Cliffs These redstone cliffs plunge down a thousand feet to the steaming jungle floor below. To the south the land slopes down gently towards the coast.
Bolina organizes the escorts and patrols the caravan routes. Her father Choisin retired from his duties as Lord Warden in 4432 to pursue knowledge as a Sage.
Mardic Westcup has been here eighty years. He was originally from Maidstone, but never fit in with the halflings of that village. When he took a job aiding the old Lord Warden Choisin Mazargog he found his true calling. He runs a small but busy staff, whose responsibility is to ensure that the travelers and caravans stopping here are provided for. Typically over a fifth of the castle population is comprised of caravans and travelers.
2807/2908 Crimson Cliffs These redstone cliffs plunge down a thousand feet to the steaming jungle floor below. To the south the land slopes down gently towards the coast.
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| 2908 Valley of the Red Apes |
This mile-wide forested valley lies in the hills five miles south of the Crimson Cliffs. A rill runs south through the valley into the Dragon Lord Hills & towards Marduck Bay, reaching the sea 45 miles to the south at Koradin.
Explorations in the Valley of the Red Apes has turned up several points of interest so far. The best known is the Ziggurat of Rhissel the Morning Lord (an ancient Dragonborn hero of Arkhosia), set almost exactly in the centre of the valley. But other adventures are to be found between these mountain ranges – the Secret Of Jen’s Hall in the mountains on the northeastern side of the valley, and another as of yet unexplored cave on the face of the cliff in the middle of the valley.
3008 Delmirev Hold The powerful Delmirev dragonborn clan with its wyvern-riding dragonborn knights dwell here in their extensive underground tunnels and vaults. They number several hundred.
3405 DIANCECHT: Conventional; AL LG;
TL 4; 100 gp limit; Assets 18,380 gp; Population 588 (warriors 147) in town, ca 4800 in surrounding countryside, for total realm population approx 5400. Integrated (half-elf 36%, elf 21%, human 18%, dwarf 10%, halfling 7%, other 8%); Resources: Pipeweed, Fish.
Soldiers: 66 - 32 Longbow Archers, 32 Infantry (mostly Glaive), 4 Tarn Knights inc Kambdum; his daughter Crystal also rides a young tarn.
Authority Figure: King Kambdum Domnavrente, male half-elf LG, reveres Athena.
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| Kambdum Domnavrente, King of Dianceht |
Mior, male elf CG Clr10, high priest of Cilborith;
Belendiel Mertakis, female Nerathi-Alryan Clr10, high priestess of Athena. Trained at the Temple of the Lady of Wisdom with Thuruar.
Princess Crystal (Lirthache) 'Moonsilver' Domnavrente (elf Wiz6) (3/4 elf - father Kambdum, mother is the elf Priestess Filmathiel, qv Grove of Cilborith)
DIANCECHT STATS
Princess Crystal:
"My brother was a warrior. A Tarn-Rider - the giant eagles? He thought he could fly to the Islands. My father warned him. He didn't listen. He never came home." She looks down into her glass. "Once out of sight of land there is only the endless ocean. Nothing to see, no landmarks, no resting place. The steed's wings tire. Eventually... ...The sea is his grave. If he had found land he would have returned to us. I only wish to ensure you not share his fate. The Foamrunner is a fine ship, the best in my father's fleet."
M6 4447: Princess Crystal seems to very much like the elf Maglor of Anatal (PC)
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| Princess Crystal (Lirthache), daughter of Kambdum |
Every spring the hamlet honors their joint heritage by celebrating the Festival of Joining, where a man representing Cilborith, and a women representing Athena are joined in symbolic marriage. Kambdum's daughter Princess Crystal (Lirthache) is a skilled sailor and captains his ship the Foamrunner, a high-prowed elven sailing ship (she is also a competent Tarnrider). Foamrunner normally has a crew of 12 elves and half-elves: 6 sailors (Captain Crystal, First Mate Aenaro, 4 crew) and 6 elven archer-marines (
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| Foamrunner |
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| Lurieth, Corporal of Archers |
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| Aenaro Halfelven, First Mate on the Foamrunner |
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Tarn Knights
Kambdum and his three Tarn Knights Ashara, Vergessen, & Alladir, ride the giant eagles known as Tarns. They may typically carry a single rider in armour. They may carry a second person for short distances.
1. Ashara Mertakis, human female, niece of High Priestess Belendiel.
2. Vergessen, elf male, son of High Priest Mior
3. Alladir Domnavrente, half-elf male, nephew of Kambdum & cousin to Crystal/Lirthache.
Princess Crystal also rides a Tarn - but only over land!
1. Ashara Mertakis, human female, niece of High Priestess Belendiel.
2. Vergessen, elf male, son of High Priest Mior
3. Alladir Domnavrente, half-elf male, nephew of Kambdum & cousin to Crystal/Lirthache.
Princess Crystal also rides a Tarn - but only over land!
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| Vergessen Son of Mior, Elf Tarn Knight |
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| Alladir, Half-Elf Tarn Knight |
(3506) Grove of the Rising Sun
(Citadel): Magical; AL CG; TL 6; Population 52 (13 temple guards Ranger Scouts are the citadel’s main defenders; the remainder are scholars and scribes or priests Clr 1-3); Isolated (elf 85% [mostly high and southern], half-elf 10%, other 5%);Authority Figure: Filmathiel,female elf [gray] CG Clr5.
Important Characters: Anewein, female elf [southern] CG Rgr (captain of temple guards). Maegladher, Elf Ranger Scout, and his giant rat Galadan (met Mordred & co on Bratanis-Skygod road 3/3/47 while investigating rumours of events in the North).
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| Maegladher, Elf Ranger |
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| Anewein, Ranger Captain |
the Ludgates elves and find out as much information as she can.
4009 Isles of Morose Trees dominate the landscape on these two islands, making a great place for the inhabitants, a colony of some 233 halflings, to raise their crops and sell them to nearby islands. The main crop is pipeweed of a great quality infrequently found in these parts. The Morose halflings are actually quite cheerful. Their chief spokesman is Sam Tarly, a very fat halfling. His Meeting Hall sized for human visitors is a half mile inland of the beach.
3410 Red Tiger Moot (Citadel): Conventional; AL LG; TL 2; 100 gp limit; Assets 550 gp; Population 176 (24 Altanian tribal warriors, 10 elite tribal fighter Chosen Axe, & 10
light cavalry make up the citadel guard; the rest are tribesfolk orartisans, craftsmen or hunters);
Isolated (human 96% [mostly Altanian], half-elf 2%, other 2%);
Authority Figure:
Chief Xatchar, male Altanian LG Ftr7.
Important Characters:
Ceraxa, female Altanian LG (Psychic Defender, protector of the moot);
Hexar, male Altanian NG (chief of the smiths).
The Red Tiger Moot marks the gathering ground for the Red Tiger Tribe of Altanians. It is a simple stone tower that is used as a watch post when the clans of the tribe are gathered for the annual moot. It is also inhabited year round by the Red Tiger’s smith. This is also where those females who desire to be protectors can go for training. The high chief Xatchar and his clan maintain the tower during the
year and they roam the surrounding area keeping trespassers away. Hexar is the leader of the smithy and takes great pride in the quality of iron weapons the Red Tigers possess. Ceraxa is 60 years old and is looking for a successor to take her position as mentor to the Red Tiger’s protectors.
 |
TL 5; 200 gp limit; Assets 84,250gp; Population 1,348 (Able
bodied 337); isolated (human 96%, other 4%); Resources:
Timber. Authority Figure:
Aryltradamus, male human LE Wiz8.
Important Characters:
Birek. human captain of the Mange
Dina, human female, Birek's lieutenant
Sebbrus, male human LE Rog5 (leader of the Blackarrows and keeps order in the town for the Brotherhood).
Blackarrow was built by the Brotherhood of Pirates. Captain Crale, the leader of the Brotherhood, (City State, 4612) has decreed that this was a free port where any ship of the Brotherhood could be repaired. Aryltradamus and Sebbrus have recently been placed in charge of keeping order in the
village after several riots nearly destroyed it. Sebbrus’ cunning and Aryltradamus’ magic have been extremely effective in taming the captains who decide to break the peace. Currently a small cabal had risen around
3914 Oyster Beds: A gigantic rustproof chain with
links 24 inches across snakes across 640 feet of oyster bed.
3915 Ataman Isle: The harbor is impassable to any
medium size or larger vessel due to the two wrecked
warships now lying on the bottom. Usually a hawk is seen
flying overhead anytime ships approach this island.
3918 KLERKENWELL: Conventional; AL LG;
TL 6; 400 gp limit; Assets 11,550 gp;
Population 496 citadel + 1000 dominion (Able bodied 424); (dwarf 45% [mostly mountain], halfelf 6%, elf 4%, human & other 55%); Resources: Spices.
Authority Figure: Roroen, male dwarf [mountain] LG Ftr8. Important
Characters: Goilin, male dwarf LG Rgr7 (captain of the
Warders); Kigai, female dwarf [mountain] LG Clr5
(Rosmerta).
Many rare and exotic components are needed by the
Ironmasters of the dwarves to complete their greatest of
magical weapons. Klerkenwell was established several
hundred years ago as a base to gather those components
from the surrounding jungle. Rare spices are also harvested
not only for the dwarves but to pay for the shipping the
components back. Roroen has been the leader of the base
for the past fifty years. He is well respected for his leadership
after defeating the Amiondel elves of Ludgates three
times. However he fears their growing strength and has
been cooperating with Filmathiel (3506) in her efforts to
form a council against Ludgates. Goilin is in charge of
safeguarding the dwarven gathering expeditions and knows
the surrounding jungles better than the elves. The magical
assistance of Kigai has proven instrumental in fending
magical assaults from the elves.
3825 The Sunken City: A kraken sleeps comfortably in the main square of a sunken Arkhosian city
now 300 feet below the waves. The city is composed of 200 buildings surrounding a central palace rumoured filled with treasure.
3923 LUDGATES (Small Town): Conventional; AL CE;
TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 36,000 gp;
Population 1,440 town, + 4000 dominion
(Able bodied 360 +1000); isolated (elf 76% [mostly high, some
gray and southern], half-elf 10% human 5% other 8%);
Resources: Horses.
Authority Figure: Pikarterlard, male elf [high] CE Clr5.
Important Characters: Vilmandil, male elf
[high] CE Clr14 (high priest of Natch Ur, leader of the
Amiondel Council); Isudia, female elf [southern] NE Clr2/
Wiz13 (member of the Amiondel council); Isin, male elf
CE Ftr10/Wiz3 (member of the Amiondel council).
The Amiondel were elves who delved too far into uncovering
the secrets of the earth. No longer desiring to work
with the earth, they now desire only to master it. Expelled
over four millennia ago, they wandered the Wilderlands for
many years. They are now followers of the evil god Natch
Ur. The leaders of the Amiondel formed a secret council to
discover further secrets. When they arrive in an area they do
whatever it takes to wrest its secrets and then leave. A
hundred years ago they arrived on the southern shores of
Orchia and establishing the town of Ludgates. They conquered
the village of Cheapside for slaves and now have spies
and agents throughout Orchia. Currently the council has
three members, Vilmandil, Isudia, and Isin. They have
placed Pikarterlard in charge of maintaining the town and
controlling the slaves they have brought in. Currently they
are enraged that the dwarves of Klerkenwell continue to
defy them and are also preparing to deal with the escaped
slaves at Ironshod after the dwarves. Though a key point on
the southern tip of Oricha and a natural way-point for those
sailing through the Orichalan Straits, most sailors avoid the
town and its evil denizens. Swift elvish ships patrol the strait
and raid ships. It is said that the only thing on which the
Overlord and the Green Emperor can agree is that the elves
of Ludgates need to be dealt with.
4232 Baying Island: The name of this island comes from the eerie, haunting howling coming
from this island. A pack of yeth hounds bays at every rising of the moon.
4321 Rose-Barrier Island: The weather-worn wreckage of many sailing ships litters the shores of this island, a testament to the many dangerous coral reefs surrounding it.
4323 Armelion Island: Sparsely populated, providing less and less food for the hungry land sharks
living here, this island is very dangerous for any land bound creature.
4420 Slain Islands: Coming to these islands on the eve of a full moon, visitors can witness the natives performing human sacrifice. While not cannibalistic in nature, the natives here certainly consider taking into custody anyone they believe they can best in combat, using them during the next full moon as victims for the sacrifice. Their religion prevents their leaving the isle for any reason.
4921 Triad Island: Travelers are wise to avoid this island! As the scene of three horrific massacres,
this island is rumored by most old mariners as a hotbed of activity for undead, the haunting grounds for enormous numbers of wights, wraiths, specters, and of course ghosts.
5024 Sharmsmoke Rocks: A large mountain peak
dominates the profile of these rocky shores. It is no wonder
that little grows here, for dispersed within the craggy and
rocky lowlands are numbers of fumaroles, most emitting
noxious and often sickening or deadly gasses. A single trail
leads to the top of the lone peak, attended to by a horrifying
incandescent apparition.
5123 Golden Flower Rock: A well-known stopping
point for many seagoing vessels, many land here to gather
provisions. Anyone experienced and knowledgeable about
the area knows to look for the yellow hue coloring much of
this isle, provided by the multitudes of sunflowers constantly
flowering year round.
 |
| Young Shieldbiter Torin is trained by his father Chief Delmirev in the Dragon Lord Hills of ancient Oricha |
 |
A Dragon Lord of Ancient Oricha
|
ORICHA - Southern Reaches to ISLE OF THE BLEST
RALLU
Rallu, City State of the Sea Kings, is a large city at the south-eastern end of the Isle of the Blest. Once a pirate haven, she is known now as a major mercantile and trading hub. |
| Rallu Area |
RALLU, CITY STATE OF THE SEA KINGS
(Large City): Nonstandard; TL 8; 40,000 gp limit;Assets 85,750,000 gp; Population 35,000 (Able bodied 8,750);
Mixed (human 95% [mostly Ghinoran, some Elritorn, Amazon, and other mixed], halfling 1%, elf 1%, dwarf 0.5% (see below),
gnome 1%, half-elf 0.5%, half-orc 0.5%, Dragonborn 0.5%);
Resources: Market. Banana plantations. Cotton. Fish, especially crab.
Authority Figure: King Danstone of the Iron Fist, 22nd Sea King of Rallu, male Ghinoran (4406-)
 |
| Danstone of the Iron Fist, 22nd Sea King of Rallu |
Important Characters: General Trufo the Tall, male Ghinoran
(Commander of the Army); Lord Tgoshe Welstn Tabe, male Ghinoran (cousin, twice removed, of King Danstone, the only other legal contender for the throne); Afcohop, male Ghinoran (leader of the Assassins Guild); Jesen Reckbane, male human (leader of the most infamous Thieves Guild of Rallu); Snjnom Durant, male human (elderly admiral of the fleet, currently bedridden); Moboe, male Ghinoran (High Priest of Enlifos); Fenimone, female Ghinoran (Druidess, keeper of the city parks, follower of Beytnorn); Teporn Algor, male human (high priest of Poseidon); Samada, female Ghinoran (high priestess of Tama Hama); Almec Felstun, male Tharbrian (owner of the ‘Southern Star’ inn, a well known smuggler retreat); Varnko Witherspell, male Dorin or Elritorn(?) Mage (owner of the Arcane Archive shop, ally of the Allamsor noble family).
Located on the warm southern tip of the Isle of the Blest, the modern city of Rallu was founded 1,100 years ago (in 3333 BCCC) by Thellagon the Mariner and a group of travelers from the north who discovered ancient Arkhosian (ca 2450 BCCC) & Kelnoran (ca 900 BCCC) ruins in the area. In the 1,000 plus years since then, Thellagon’s descendents built up Rallu into the center of commerce on the Isle. The men of Rallu – all mighty mariners who claim descent from the ship captains of the Kingdom of Kelnore – have come to be known as the “Sea Kings,” though the captains of Tarantis might claim they are the true holders of such a title.
These Sea Kings, through careful and cautious exploration and trade with the northern powers and other local island populations, were able to bring skilled artisans and craftsmen and many goods to the city. All of this was accomplished without any wars or submission to foreign governments, mainly due to the fact the hereditary rulers of Rallu kept the city’s exact location secret from outsiders. This secrecy lasted until the reign of Forgon the Foolish who came to power in
4217 BCCC and who revealed the location of the city to the outside world. He was assassinated by his advisors three years into his reign for this indiscretion. Over the next 10 years (known as the “Shadow Years”) the fate of the city was at many times very bleak and war with the city state of Tula was an ever present threat. These were the times when Rallu’s treasure vaults were relocated to an unknown hiding place; several wild rumors circulate about their contents and guardians (it is even whispered that King Danstone delights in throwing important prisoners into pits full of gold coins, letting them starve on a small fortune). While not openly or heavily pursued by either side, the threat of war with Tula persists to this day. The cities test each other’s sea power several times a year in small skirmishes.
The main business of Rallu is shipping—whether sea trade, ship building and repairing, or any other craft related to shipping. The market of the city bears goods from all over the world and sees as many visitors as any other of the city states.
The narrow streets and small plazas are always bustling with activity. Whether it is slaves, chariots, an antique crown or a rare folio, there will be someone to buy and sell it, or at least have it stolen if all else fails.
The present Lord of Rallu and 22nd hereditary monarch of the city is King Danstone of the Iron Fist, Sea King of Rallu. He assumed the throne in 4425 BCCC (on his 19th birthday) and has led his people into an age of profitable progression, rivaling that of his forefathers. Thanks to Danstone’s masterful move of doubling the navy, Rallu trades not only far and wide but also openly, even with the city states to the north. Rumors say that Danstone has made a secret arrangement with Atar the Lion, King of the City State of Tarantis, to acquire dwarven slaves as smiths and craftsmen, who are secretly brought in on vessels that put into Rallu supposedly for repairs. This rumor is supported by the fact that Danstone has recently put dwarves to work on the upkeep of the walls and structures of Rallu, which suffer terribly in the tropical weather of the Isle, and are in constant need of repairs.
Law enforcement tends to take most outsiders by surprise.
There is no local constabulary to speak of. Instead, all ‘policing’ is done either by the army (through patrols and riot squads) or the navy. All visitors to the city are given a strict overview of behavior
and laws upon arrival and are expected to adhere to the rules or face the consequences, as would any permanent citizen. Failure to agree to these terms results in ejection from the city for life. Slavery
and execution are common punishments. As everything else, justice is a commodity for sale, whether to ignore, pursue or even kill a chosen person.
The average citizen of Rallu is a human (most likely Ghinoran) sailor or craftsman with a bit of military experience. Thieves, thugs and other scoundrels are also common as Rallu is well known to attract and hide their kind. Rallu’s noble merchants such as Lady Lucretia Alamsor and Eldam Alamsor usually live in fortified houses with 10 to 40 house guards each (MM Guard). The most ancient god of the city is Enlifos the Moon Demon, although Danstone tries to discourage his worship, and the cult is slowly dying out. Other common religions include Beytnorn, whose druidesses live in a walled park, Poseidon, to whom a bull is sacrificed each week, and Tama Hama, Goddess of Lust, whose high priestess lives in a bejeweled palace with (it is said) one hundred eunuch guardians. Hanuman the Accursed also has a temple by the sea, but it is sealed and empty.
HOUSE ALAMSOR OF RALLU - left Selatine 7/2/4446
 |
| Eldam Alamsor of Rallu |
A big, bearded man of Ghinoran appearance in the bright colours of Rallu comes on deck, and hails you: "Hello there!!"
...Eldam pours wine that sparkles with silver and purple wraiths - mage wine of Tula - and beckons you sit with him at the round table.
..."I am unmarried, as it happens. I had a fiancee once... but the yellow sickness took her. The priests could do nothing."
This merchant prince of Rallu, City State of the Sea Kings, captains a large merchantman - normally plying the trade routes east to the Silver Skein Isles and south to Tula, but recently (M12 4445) he was searching for the pirate Tsamar, who held his cousin the Lady Lucretia. His resources include 44 of an original fifty well-equipped Red Sash Company Marines of Rallu under Master Serjeant Olex (bald, scarred, grim, laconic), and the venerable fireball-wielding Dorin Mage Varnko Witherspell, an ally of House Alamsor.
 |
| Lady Lucretia Alamsor, in Ralluan dress. |
Rallu: pg 391 WOHF bk 2.
24/12/4445 BCCC: Eldam captured Tsamar, massacred her crews, rescued his cousin Lady Lucretia (with help from Hakeem & Malenn) and her handmaid Alli. The Dorin Mage Varnko fireballed the Sea Queen, while Tsamar's Jewel was captured. After a night of drinking, Eldam & Lord Hytirus Vex decided to give the ship to Bjornalf 25/12/4445 (it became Vex Gratitude).
25/12/4445: Eldam has decided to stay in Selatine awhile. Jana Vex seems much smitten with him. Eldam told Rey that he maintains a harem in Rallu, like all proper Rallu noblemen, but personally dislikes the slave trade. He mentions the new religion of Mycr, and its opposition to slavery.
 |
| Ralluan Fire Heart Marine |
 |
| Shipmaster 'Bilge-Splash' Becks |
7/2/4446: Following recovery of the captured Ralluan women from Ahyf, Eldam Alamsor & co left Selatine.
 |
| First Mate 'Great' Gabwell |
The Garland (Stats)
Total Crew is
2/47: Brionny launches into a very detailed account of Ralluan society gossip, who's courting who, who's wearing what, all the ongoing affairs at Court, how Madam Pompitous is carrying on with Lord Mackerel 30 years her junior, how Princess Tiffany's taffeta gown caught on the jagged bas-relief Pelican beak of the Count Emerich's balustrade at Emerich's New Year's Ball, ripping it off completely and causing a huge scene before noble Sir Varis leapt in to wrap one of Emerich's golden curtain-drapes around the nude Royal; how King Danstone had Admiral Melchett executed for the defeat at Ludgates...
"...Lugdates? Oh yes, the Amiodel elves! Evil cultists I hear, they worship some tentacle sea god - they've practically closed the Straits of Oricha now! Oh, if only the Royal Navy would spend as much time in the north, as they do messing around with fighting Tula! More ale?"
M7 4447: News from Rallu is that the Princess Tiffany Danstone is engaged to marry Sir Varis Edaris, greatly furthering his advancement at court. Some say that the Count Emerich, who also had designs upon the Princess, is not happy at this development. Meanwhile the Lady Carlia Edaris, Sir Varis' elder sister, is being courted by a stranger from the north, a Lord Hytirus Vex. Perhaps there shall be a joint wedding?
Ralluan Court
 |
| Princess Tiffany Danstone of Rallu |
 |
| Count Emmerich |
 |
| Madam Pompitous Durant |
 |
| Sir Varis Edaris |
 |
| Lady Carlia Edaris |
 |
| Miss Amathea Durant |
Redeye Inn Serving Girls sold to Orson the Northron by the Orcs of Oriax after M4 4446 BCCC
 |
| Vatta, Ghinoran ex-Shepherdess slave |
Vatta, cousin of Aya - taken north to CSIO.
ex Redeye Serving Slaves:
1. Aole, former princess of Neria.
Kept by Orson as a ship's healer/consort.
2. Candice Wright, former heiress of Yggsburgh (now serving wench at Bratanis M2 4447)
NORTHERN ALTANIS
 |
| NORTHERN ALTANIS |
Fogbound Forest (Dense Forest, Wet): Continuously surrounded in natural fog, this woodland is home to brigands and humanoids. Expeditions from Onhir (3313) hunt the large rainbow lizards, whose colorful hide fetches a high price on the market. It is said that a stronghold of the evil god Zehir-Sett is hidden somewhere in the region, and it guards an enormous opal gemstone. Encounters: brigands, clerics of Zehir-Sett, rainbow lizards.
 |
| Owl of Athena |
(3913) Temple of the Lady of Wisdom
(Castle): Magical; TL 4; 100 gp limit; Population 322 (40 Ftr3s, 27 Clr1s, 5 Clr2s, 4 Clr3s and 4 Clr4s administer the rites; several servants work the winery); Isolated (human 99% [mostly Alryan, some Tharbrian and Altanian], other 1%); Resources: Wine.Authority Figure:
Archpriest Thuruar (PC) male Altanian Clr 15.
Important Characters:
Vanir Tholemestes, male Alryan Priest, former high priest, Clr7.
Sora Menekakhos, female Tharbrian Priestess, Clr6.
Orsos Odysseus, male human warrior (commander of the temple guards).
Thumektos, male Altanian warrior-priest (chief vintner) Clr1/veteran.
Temple Personnel stats
 |
| Vanir Tholemestes, Priest of Athena. |
 |
| Priestess Sora Menekakhos in battle garb. |
Father Thuruar (PC) trained here, as later did Lady Lilith (PC),
Owl of Athena
Senior priests of Athena, known as Matriarchs & Patriarchs (Cleric Level 8+) in good standing can master the Summon Owl of Athena ritual (Level 4 ritual). The rite takes place at night under the full moon. Athena sends a giant owl (as giant eagle, low-light vision) to serve them loyally. A saddle must be provided; a saddled owl can carry one human-sized rider. The giant owl may snatch small humans and similar sized creatures (ca 120 lb & below). If an owl is slain, Athena may permit another to be summoned at the next full moon.
 |
| Athena |
(3611) ZOTHAY
(3611) ZOTHAY (Town): Conventional; AL N/LG; TL 5; 800 gp limit; Assets 55,500gp; Population 4000 (Able bodied 1000); Mixed (human 90% [50% Mixed/Alryan, 20% Gishmesh, 25% Tharbrian, 10% Skandik, 10% Altanian, 5% Ghinoran], half-elf 2%, elf 4%, dwarf 2%, halfling 1%, other 1%)
Authority Figure: Governor -
Important Characters: Sjorald Ivarson, male Skandik Warrior (envoy from Ossary, stationed here to ensure that the tribute is met).
When the Skandiks arrived at Ossary over 1,000 years ago, Zothay was a small fishing village. After the town of Kauran fell, the entire coastline southward felt the repeated raids of the Skandiks. Emboldened by the goddess Athena, Zothay
was the lone village to resist. It built a small alliance along the coast to Horaja and began to successfully resist the Skandiks. An alliance was made with the Overlord of the City State, and the village became a small city as the goods from the Sea of Five Winds flowed up the Old South Road to the City State.
However, 100 years ago, the King of Ossary enlisted the aid of the Redrock Orcs to attack Zothay and its alliance. In the general confusion, the King of Ossary attacked Zothay and sacked the town. He had the citizens tear down the sea-walls, installed a Skandik governor, and forced the town to pay tribute.
The current King of Ossary’s father installed Kritas the Red as governor. While born a Skandik, he now considers Zothay his home. Alkazed, the current king sent Sjorald to ensure Kritas’ loyalty. Perena supports Kritas and the two are working on a plan to free Zothay. Zothay has a sizable Gishmesh enclave; they worship
 |
| Kritas the Red |
Today, Zothay is a small walled town on the coast of Damkina Bay, a mostly calm haven of the vast Winedark Sea. The lands about are varied: to the north and northeast lie desolate wastelands with a few small rivers winding their ways through deep canyons. Only hardy weeds and stunted trees grow here, although a few Altanian herdsmen also try to make a living. To the southwest, one can find thick, almost junglelike forests where live the elves of Onhir – these master gemcutters are friendly to the inhabitants of the town and are found there in large
numbers, especially higher class areas and the fertile peninsula to the southeast. Further to the west, the rugged peaks of the Ered Perack loom over unknown valleys. Many have been lost looking for abandoned tombs and the like. The virgin priestesses of Hecate live in their domed temple on the lower slopes. Their divinations and omens are sought by the wealthy and the foolish – for these services never come without a price.
M4 4447 BCCC - Perena, Priestess of Athena, assassinated by Dark Brotherhood, head left on steps of Kritas' mansion.
M6 4447 BCCC Kritas recalled and executed by King Alkazed.
M8 4447 Skandik Warfleet arrives at Zothay.
(3609) Murmuring Mummy Inn
 |
| Mela the slave girl |
 |
| Helga, Skandik tavern maid |
(3308) Bellystone Ford
Bellystone Ford is a ramshackle hamlet on both banks of the ford across the River Mageven. A great tower rises on a hill overlooking the town just to the south-west, serving as a Bardic college and far-flung garrison for the Overlord's soldiery in their red tabards emblazoned with golden pegasus & rider.North of the river is the stout dwarf-built two-storey stone inn, the One-Eyed Hound (has bath pool, room plus bath is 1gp). The stout and balding Skandik Innkeeper Bara runs it well. His niece Helga is a barmaid and very popular with the local garrison, but said to be chaste - or at least, hard to catch.
A second dwarf-built inn, the Serpent's Lodge (so named for the Serpentman wizard said to have once lodged there), lies just south of the ford. The Serpent's Lodge is popular with slavers for the extensive slave pits beneath the inn that hold their merchandise, and the square outside the inn often serves as a slave market.
(3308) South March Tower (Citadel)
Conventional; AL N; TL 3; 100 gp limit; Assets 875 gp; Population 280 (40 men-at-arms, 20 veteran mercenaries and 10 warrior-bards guard the tower; the remainder are servants, teachers or students); Mixed (human 83% [mostly Alryan], half-elf 7%, elf 7%, other 3%).Authority Figure: Cairnol, male Alryan Brd 5.
Important Characters: Travar Angus, male Alryan guard captain.
The tower was built 500 years ago on a hill overlooking Bellystone Ford a half mile to the north-east. Ten years ago the bard Cairnol won permission from the Overlord to establish a bardic college in the unused portions of the tower. While Travar is the military commander, Cairnol is charge of the college and the small hamlet that has grown around the tower.
(3313) ONHIR
(3313) ONHIR (Town): Conventional; TL 5; 800 gp limit; Assets 45,600gp; Population 1,824 (Able bodied 456); Mixed (elf 81% [mostly high, a few gray], half-elf 7%, human 5%, halfling 3%, other 4%); Resources: Gems. Authority Figure: Prince Cuchulainn, male elf [high] Wizard 12 (Prince of Onhir). |
| Kirilis the Swordmaiden |
 |
| Lord Macluir, Captain of the Guard of Onhir |
The elves of Onhir are renowned for their craftsmanship in gems and jewelry. The Fogbound Forest has over a dozen small sites where the elves mine quartz, citrine, amethyst and aquamarine. Numerous ravines cut the forest and in the ravines are exposed rich beds of gem bearing rock. The elven smiths of Anatal and the gem smiths of Onhir often work together. The skills of both allow the enchantment of potent artifacts of power. Cuchulainn has recently inherited his position from his mother, whose departure for the Elphand Lands was an end to a seven hundred years old reign. Macluir leads both fighters and rangers in patrolling the forest. Onhir has enjoyed trade with the region around City State dating back to the time of the Dragon Empire. The Old South Road was built to allow caravans between the two areas to travel quickly to avoid the numerous monsters of the Wilderlands. The treant-guarded shrine of Cilborith in Onhir holds the Galt Pipes, a famed bardic musical instrument.
Macluir interjects: "There was an ambush, some months ago. Nerathi, we think. Feani's mentor Rythalin was killed."
Feani nods, eyes downcast. "We were with the Altanian rebels near Halafic. The Nerathi attacked our camp. I got away..."
(3112) Grove of Serenity (Citadel): Magical; TL 4; 100 gp limit; Population 244 (38 Rgrs, 14 Clr1s, 4 Clr2-4s and 4 Sor1-3s live at the temple; there are many more worshippers, pilgrims and seekers of tranquility of various classes visiting at any one time); Isolated (elf 96% [mostly high, some gray], other 4%). Authority Figure: Deeladiel, female elf [high] Clr5. Important Characters: Zantrin, male elf [high] CG Rgr (ranger captain); Alysanda, female elf [gray] CG Clr3 (keeper of the sacred spring).
The Grove is a holy temple dedicated to the elven god Cilborith. Deeladiel leads the worship, her devotion well respected despite her youth. Zantrin is the captain of rangers protecting the grove and leads patrols along the mountains of Ered Perack. He is fascinated and frightened by a strange prophecy – foretelling that his most beloved ones will be laid low by the evil in the Matmata Caves. Several watchtowers and traps are hidden within the trees, since Zantrin’s obsession with security is ever increasing. Alysanda protects a pure spring in the grove; its water acts as an atonement spell on those genuinely desiring relief from their misdeeds.
(2812) ANATAL
 |
| Anatal |
ANATAL STATS
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| Queen Cildarith |
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| Mithradain, Captain of Anatal |
 |
| Aeanor, Master Smith of Anatal |
Anatal is an ancient center for elven smithing in the Wilderlands. Its history dates back to the War of the Pious and the Philosophers. It is believed that its foundation was done at the request of the elf-god Cilborith himself. Queen Cildarith is the latest of several generations of elves to continue to maintain Anatal. Located in the town is a temple to Cilborith led by the high priestess Cerdai. She is often called upon to bless the final workings of the smiths. Aeanor is the greatest of the smiths in residence, and his work is renowned throughout the northern Wilderlands. Mithradain is Captain of the Guard, he wears +2 mithril plate armour forged by Aeanor himself.
Rumours: M4 4446 The Queen's flighty sister Princess Valadai is missing, rumoured kidnapped by slavers!
23/5/4446: Valadai was returned to Anatal - proves very grateful to Lord Reynard...
ca end M8 4447 BCCC: Hakeem Greywolf leaves the Sword & Armour of Bondorr with Master Smith Aeanor. Somewhere hidden in the future mists of time, another Hero will rise to don the Armour and wield the Blade.
(2610) Hall of the Laer (Citadel)
Magical; TL 4; 40 gp limit; Population 80 (10 guards and 10 Wizards; as well as their servants and families live here); Isolated (human 100% [Karakhan]). Authority Figure: Dasmela Evli, female Karakhan Wiz4. Important Characters: Ayahtani Kutarbani, male Karakhan (exiled nobleman); Panti Chakar, male Karakhan Wiz7 (explorer). An ancient palace with halls of pillars and secret passages is the sanctuary of a Karakhan sect. These pilgrims are refugees from the Kingdom of Karak, where they are hunted for their beliefs. They hold that wizardry is the only way to reach the gods, whereas clerical magic and sorcery is demonic in nature. The palace was once the dwelling of the Crazed Cultists of Gungli Ma (2416), who do not take kindly to strangers living in their home. Panti Chakar has been the head of the defenses, and his alliance with the dwarves of Chacban may prove to be a valuable relationship. |
| Frandal 'the Hammer', King of Chacban |
(2209) CHACBAN
(Town): Conventional; TL 4; 800 gp limit; Assets 43,100gp; Population 2000 - 1,724 dwarf [mountain] (Warriors 431), 276 human slaves (80% female).Resources: Iron.
Authority Figure: King Frandal the Hammer, male dwarf [mountain].
Important Characters: Hanil, female dwarf [mountain] (high priestess of Rosmerta); Rimlin Asthur, male dwarf [mountain] (leader of the guild of ironmasters). Daximus Shadowborne, Dwarf Scout.
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| Daximus Shadowborne |
Rumour: M4 4446 The Scout Daximus Shadowborne recently returned to Chacban with a naked elven concubine in tow...
DOMAIN OF MORTHOR COF KAYSTAR SARU
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| Kaystar Saru, the Black Knight |
(1605) PALEN SPRING (Town): Conventional; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 4,325gp; Population 1,692 (Able bodied 473); Isolated (human 90% [many Antillian and Alryan-Nerathi, some Dorin], orc 5%, goblin 3%, other 2%); Resources: Market. Authority Figure: Morthor Cof, male Nerathi Clr11 (Black Sun). Kaystar Saru, Knight Concordant of Restored Nerath.
Important Characters: Captain Rosgar, male Antillian (leader of the fleet); Kronath, male half-orc (Kaystar’s enforcer).
Important Characters: Captain Rosgar, male Antillian (leader of the fleet); Kronath, male half-orc (Kaystar’s enforcer).
Beside the noisome Palen Spring rises an Obelisk inscribed with the sigil of the Black Sun. Morthor Cof was the evil high priest of the temple, and leader of the town that surrounds it. Filled with outcasts, exiles, and outlaws it has become a den of scum and evil. Morthor permits Rosgar and Kronath to organize the inhabitants into bands to raid on land and sea. Captain Rosgar commands two ships and raids the shipping of the elf kingdom Actun and any others who oppose the Black Sun. It is rumored that the Krakens (City State, 1230) of the Romillion Sea are allies in some of the raids. Kronath has subjugated the Orcs of Little Kor, and forced the goblins of Kukul to pay tribute. The large market is filled with stolen goods and slaves.
Following the closing of the Black Sun Gate, destruction of the Gate Castle, and death of Morthor Cof (all 5/5/4446), the Knight Concordant Kaystar Saru, Commander of the Knights of Saru, has assumed leadership of Palen Spring, aided by a squadron of Nerathi Veterans, Knights, and Assassins.
Rumour
M5 4446: The Warbringer, God's Son of Ares-Bane, has been seen travelling north from Valera to Palen Spring. He is reported much vexed.
(2007) KUKUL (Village): Conventional; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 5,425gp; Population 868 (Able bodied 217); Isolated (goblin 90%, human 4%, half-orc 3%, other 3%); Resources: Market. Authority Figure: Amash V, male Gishmesh LE Wiz5. Important Characters: Norsho, male goblin (old leader of the goblins); Sandera, female goblin Clr3 (Natch Ur).
Following the closing of the Black Sun Gate, destruction of the Gate Castle, and death of Morthor Cof (all 5/5/4446), the Knight Concordant Kaystar Saru, Commander of the Knights of Saru, has assumed leadership of Palen Spring, aided by a squadron of Nerathi Veterans, Knights, and Assassins.
Rumour
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(2007) KUKUL (Village): Conventional; TL 3; 200 gp limit; Assets 5,425gp; Population 868 (Able bodied 217); Isolated (goblin 90%, human 4%, half-orc 3%, other 3%); Resources: Market. Authority Figure: Amash V, male Gishmesh LE Wiz5. Important Characters: Norsho, male goblin (old leader of the goblins); Sandera, female goblin Clr3 (Natch Ur).
Amash V, a deposed tyrant from a minor town in Tarantis, rules the goblins with an iron fist. He was installed by Morthor Cof of Palen Spring (1605) after two rebellions in the same number of years. For the past fifteen years the goblins have sent tribute and fighters to Morthor. The former chief of the goblins, Norsho, remains in hiding protected by those still loyal. After the failure of the second rebellion, he is seeking aid from outside before attempting another.
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| Resisa, Priestess of Shindra |
(2105) STRANTATH (Small Town): Conventional; TL 1; 800 gp limit; Assets 41,200gp; Population 1,648 (Able bodied 412); Isolated (human 98% [mostly Altanian, some Alryan-Nerathi, a few Dorin, Houri and other], other 2%); Resources: Oil.
Authority Figure: Resisa, female Altanian Clr8 (Shindra). Important Characters: Multar Angar, male Altanian (captain of the militia); Maduskhar, male Dorin (leader of the merchants); Grontar the Frutang, male minotaur N (Divine Rank 0, the Horned God).
Authority Figure: Resisa, female Altanian Clr8 (Shindra). Important Characters: Multar Angar, male Altanian (captain of the militia); Maduskhar, male Dorin (leader of the merchants); Grontar the Frutang, male minotaur N (Divine Rank 0, the Horned God).
The stench and fumes of rich oil springs shroud the small town of Strantath. Its barbarian inhabitants toil tirelessly to harvest them, under the direction of Dorin merchants whose ships transport it to the Desert Lands and beyond. Resisa, a priestess of Shindra, Goddess of Dancing Girls, is the most influential power in Strantath, using her charms to influence and control. Her painted palace and the adjoining orange gardens are guarded by several actual Houris. Grontar the Frutang, an exceptionally intelligent minotaur, is worshipped by the inhabitants of the beggars’ quarter, a walled enclave of pariahs.
In 4446 BCCC Strantath pays tribute to Morthor Cof/Palen Spring, with whom Resisa is said to have amicable relations.
(1803) LITTLE KOR (Village): Conventional; TL 2; 200 gp limit; Assets 4,250gp; Population 680 (Able bodied 170); Mixed (orc 79%, half-orc 9%, human 5%, goblin 3% other 4%); Resources: Market.
Authority Figure: Prazat, male orc. Important Characters: Soldad, male orc Clr3 (Black Sun); Taxak, male orc Clr6 (Midor). The orcs of Little Kor began raiding Sunfells (City State, 0934) and other communities around the Prydon Plain. Nineteen years ago, troops under Morthor Cof of Palen Springs defeated the orcs and killed the old chief. Prazat was installed and swore to serve the Black Sun. Soldad, an ambitious orc, went to Palen Spring to became a priest of the Black Sun. Returning, he is now the eyes and ears of Morthor in Little Kor. Taxak leads a rival faction of traditionalists.
Authority Figure: Prazat, male orc. Important Characters: Soldad, male orc Clr3 (Black Sun); Taxak, male orc Clr6 (Midor). The orcs of Little Kor began raiding Sunfells (City State, 0934) and other communities around the Prydon Plain. Nineteen years ago, troops under Morthor Cof of Palen Springs defeated the orcs and killed the old chief. Prazat was installed and swore to serve the Black Sun. Soldad, an ambitious orc, went to Palen Spring to became a priest of the Black Sun. Returning, he is now the eyes and ears of Morthor in Little Kor. Taxak leads a rival faction of traditionalists.
Castellan Mountains
2721 BISITUNI (Town): Conventional; AL N; TL 1; 200 gp limit; Assets 6,325gp; Population 1,012 (Combatant 253); Isolated (Halfling 97% [highland], Dwarf 2%, Human & other 1%); Resources: Market, Potatoes, Tobacco. Pan-Pipes. Broad-brimmed hats & ponchos.
Authority Figure: Bifolls Stalker, male halfling [highland].
Important Characters: Tyla Mistletoe, female halfling [highland] (druidess of the village); Olden Thistle male halfling [highland] (leader of the scouts).
Bisituni is a small community of the southern highland halflings that trade potatoes and llamas for tools and jewelry. Bifolls is the hetman of the village and has proven to be a good leader. Olden Thistle leads the halfling patrols in the region around the village. Bisituni’s halflings were
much more advanced in the past: a complete sewer system, monolithic stone structures and cyclopean walls are all that remain from their ancient city.
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| King Dorin Utagon of Kolda |
Resources: Weapons. Can forge enchanted weapons & armour of Rare - Superior quality.
Authority Figure: King Dorin Utagon, male dwarf [mountain], hammer +3 dwarf thrower
Important Characters: Hanli Belisinnu, male dwarf [mountain] (Priest of Goibhnie, god of smiths); Ekli Ut Tarrek, male dwarf [mountain] (leader of the Ironmasters); Hatuzon the Heedful, male dwarf [mountain] (Warlock).
Only trusted dwarves and their human slaves are allowed beyond the twin gates of Kolda. The half-underground citadel, along with Chacban, is one of the two forges of dwarves in the lands of Barbarian Altanis. The most prestigious school of the dwarven ironmasters is located here; the quality of weapons famed throughout the Wilderlands. The inhabitants of the town rarely leave their home, relying on their northern brethren to transport them to the markets. They mistrust humans and prefer to wear golden jewelry, even coating their armor and weapons with the same. A small number of clever but (it's said) insane dwarves worship at the Mirror of Yog, an aeons-old metal mirror showing things best left unseen. They gain Warlock powers through this act.
Lair Treasure (1e MM): 26,000gp 1,300 pp, 1 Arcane scroll of 5 spells levels 4 5th 1 6th , 33 gems 21 - 10gp, 11 -100gp, 1 500gp, 13 jewelry - 1000 1000 4000 5000 2000 6000 3000 5000 2000 4000; 3000 800 600. Total cash value 78,330gp.
NORTHERN PAZIDAN
OSSARY
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| Alkazed Ulfursson; the Black Dragon, the Eldritch One, the Kinslayer; King of Ossary & Adherent of the Black Sun. |
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| Cirella of Rallu, slave concubine to King Alkazed |
4829 OSSARY Conventional; AL CE; TL 6/7; 15,000 gp limit; Assets 6,000,000 gp; Population 12,800 (Able bodied 3,200); human 99% [mostly Skandik, some Tharbrian, a few Altanian], Resources: Market.
Authority Figure:
King Alkazed Ulfursson, male Skandik CE Ftr20 Eldritch Knight.
Important Characters:
Togard the Stout, male Skandik LG Clr15, somnolent high priest of Wotan (Odin), his followers are angered at him for letting Alkazed go unchecked
Loknar the Unblessed, male Skandik CE Clr11, high priest of Loki and advisor to Alkazed
Megaera Lorvas, Clr 10, Red Priestess of the Black Sun and lover-advisor to Alkazed
Originally named Ossyr Lee, the city was renamed when
it was captured in the early 33rd(?) century by raiding Skandiks.
Ossary is the greatest city of Skandiks in the Wilderlands. It
is the heart of the Kingdom of Ossary and is ruled by the cruel King Alkazed. The city is divided among several dozen clans that compete and fight against each other. This makes the streets that run between clanholds very dangerous to those not traveling in large groups. Ossary is also the central market where merchants and raiders meet to trade plundered goods and slaves. Each of the clans is expected to furnish men and longships to the King. The Overlord of the CSIO and the King of Ossary have a long history of conflicts with a half-dozen major battles in the last thousand years (3400-4400 BCCC).
The Skandik reavers usually win the sea battles; the CSIO Vasthosts do somewhat better on land, but have not attempted a full invasion of Ossaran territory since the disaster at Sea Rune, where Thor himself appeared to smite the Overlord's Vasthost.
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Megaera Lorvas, Red Priestess of the Black Sun
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Megaera Lorvas (4418-)
ca M1-8 4446 BCCC Lord Namelin of Hara was being advised by Megaera Lorvas, a Neo-Nerathi Red Priestess of the Black Sun and younger sister to the infamous Necromancer Tal Lorvas, Knight Concordant of Nerath Restored, who raised Cormarrin's 300 from their graves to take Bisgen in 4434 BCCC.
Namelin betrayed her when he turned on Neo-Nerath, and handed her over to Hakeem at Thusia.
M10 4446 BCCC Archpriest Thuruar of Athena pacted with Charon & banished Megaera to the River Styx. She was confident that she would Return.
Maegaera was just 16 years old in 4434 BCCC when Varek Tigerclaw's Altanian horde overran the human Nerathi militia south of Bisgen, slaughtering her father, her two older brothers, and her other male relatives. When the last line of Cormarrin's Risen Three Hundred finally drove back the Altanian Host from before the gates of Bisgen, the retreating Barbarians burned the defenceless Lorvas farm, raped Megaera, raped and murdered her mother and her two little sisters. Somehow, Megaera survived.
She does not forgive, nor forget. Megaera has sworn to destroy both the entire Altanan race, and evey citizen of Nerath who stands against her - most certainly including every member of the treacherous Bronze family, with a special fate for reserved for their so-called King Namelin, his mother Lady Llanet, and sister 'Princess' Anna.
M10 4446: dispatched to the River Styx by Thuruar - "I will return"...
M6 4447: The returned and empowered Megaera Lorvas has gained a position as Vizier (and possibly lover?) to the Skandik King Alkazed of Ossary, and is said to be instructing him in the teachings of the Black Sun. It's rumoured she had a hand in the upheavals at Zothay. There is said to be some friction between her and Loknar the Unblessed, but Megaera has worked to win over this 'power behind the throne'. M7 4447: Megaera blows her cover to recover the body of Nightshadow at Stone Tooth.
Cirella of Rallu: a nubile former serving wench at Redeye Inn until purchased by Rey 8/12/4445. Once a high-born lady of Rallu's House Whitehawk, after the death of her father Octavius she was sold into slavery by her wicked stepmother and three ugly step-sisters. Dreams of a prince charming who will rescue her. Rey did a passable imitation. The sale of Beverly to Kogor 2/12/4445 left Cirella as the only slave wench at the Inn, leaving her quite literally run off her feet, and she was glad to be acquired by the charming Lord Reynard.
After being abandoned by Rey at the Temple-Tomb of Belaras, Cirella was eventually sold in the slave market at Ahyf and was shipped north by Orson the Northron. Shipped north, at Ossary market she caught the eye of King Alkazed, who took her for his concubine. Her knowledge of the Ghinarian lands is most interesting...
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| Skandik v Altanian |
The Realm of Oriax - Elsewhere
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| Orc Tavern of Oriax |
| Oriax the Goat, the Horned Wizard |
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| Marie, Scribe Slave |
Lucy Prentice: outworld slave, acquired by Lord Reynard from Oriax the Horned Wizard on 29/11/4445. Declared herself free in Thusia M2 4446. Ran off with Orph the Bard, who eventually sold her as a coin girl in Ahyf.
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| Lucy Prentice, tavern wench |
5/5/46 Word in Thusia has it that Tania the Amazon & Lucy Prentice are now 'close personal friends'... also with Orph!
M6-10 4446: Lucy went off with Orph to Ahyf town. When he tired of her, he sold her as a coin girl to Gorok Halfogre. She now works at the Airshark Inn as a tavern wench.
M4 47 Lucy was bought by Joseph, Oriax's apprentice, and sent to the Isles of Purple-Haunted Putrescence.
Annabel & Ivy Striker, ex of Yggsburgh.
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Annabel or Ivy Striker, ex slaves of Lord Reynard
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Cirella Annabel & Ivy were among those left by Rey at the Temple-Tomb of Belaras and reportedly then sold on by the temple to Ahyf slavers.
Ancient Empires of Altanis - Boundaries
Bael Turathi ‘Empire of Glorious Doomfire’ (ca 900?-2450 BCCC) – Turath was originally founded by Ghinoran colonists who interbred with the indigenous Altani, but their growing empire fell under the control of human but dragon-blooded 'dragon lords', who eventually carved out a powerful sorcerous state from the decaying empire of Kelnore. Brought the horned Demonbrood ("Tieflings") as servitors from the Demon Empires of the far south, and this strain over centuries became a dominant aristocracy within the empire. At times included the Roglaras (resettling what are now the CSIO and Modron) and Isles of Pokrantil, but generally northern limits were Battleplain Gwalion in the NW, Plain of Cairns and Sea Rune in the NE. Southern borders were the Ghinarian Hills (Thracia) (at times extending over the Vale to the River of Visions) and the dismal swamps SW of the Castellan Mountains. The empire was destroyed in war with Arkhosia by the backlash from the Rain of Colourless Fire which annihilated Bael Turath, then by the subsequent Altanian slave uprising led by Bondorr the Liberator.
Dragonborn Empire of Arkhosia (ca 1000?-2450 BCCC) – Founded by the Dragonborn, a wingless draconic humanoid race created as slave warriors by the Orichalan Dragon Lords (the First Lords), probably as a vassal state of Kelnore, but survived that empire's fall. From the southern borders of the Doomfire Empire, south across Oricha and Isle of the Blest, with outpost colonies in Ghinor beyond the southern sea. Capital city of Arkhosia in northern Isle of the Blest and other cities along the Straits of Oricha were destroyed by the Turathi Doomfire, eliminating Arkhosia in a single blow.
Empire of Kelnore (ca 400-900 BCCC) – Founded by Northmen who copied and adapted Ghinoran culture. Notable for her great roadways and public works, but weak in sorcery. Extent as described in WoHF, across all Altanis and far to the NE. Destroyed by barbarian invasions and the magics of the Doomfire Empire.
Ghinoran Successor States (-450 to 350 BCCC+) - arose in the aftermath of the destruction of the Orichalan Dragon Lords. Ghninoran city-states spread across Ghinor, Oricha, and the Ghinarian Hills (Thracia), with outposts far to the north and west, eg Damkina.
Empire of the Orichalan Dragon Lords (the First Lords) (ca -2900 to -575 BCCC) – The only major power to survive the War of the Pious and Philosophers which destroyed the power of science across the Wilderlands. The Dragon Lords were humanoid but inhuman entities who bound the power of the mighty Dragon Kings to their will. A few depictions show winged, bipedal, half-draconic creatures. At its height, the empire extended across all Pazidan, the Antillian Peninsula, and beyond, far into Ghinor to the south, and north across the Winedark Sea. Following a disastrous century-long war with the Demon Empires of the far south, Orichala was destroyed by a combined slave uprising of the Altani barbarian tribes under the first Bondorr (now god of swords), the Dragonborn slave warriors, and to the south the proto-Ghinorans under Prince Ghinor.
Altan Federation (To -2900?) - This almost unknown technological and peaceful culture predated the rise of the Dragon Lords in Oricha to the south, and was destroyed by them before and during the War of the Pious and the Philosophers. Originators of the Warforged. There are indications that the Altan in their desperation may have allied with the alien Markab, and that some Dragon Lords too were corrupted by the power of the dark Markab sorcery known as Science. Remnants believed to be from the Federation can be found from the River of Visions in northern Oricha, north across Altanis to the Roglaras.
SAILING SHIPS
SPEED OF SAILING SHIPSFavourable wind: 4-6.5 mph, 6-10 hexes/day (150 miles!).
Unfavourable wind: 1-3 mph, 1-5 hexes/day.
No wind: 0 mph, 0 hexes/day
By contrast a flying beast can rarely manage more than 6-8 hexes/day (90-120 miles), flying at up to 15mph for up to 8 hours. A typical 4x6 speed 60' flying carpet can likewise carry passengers at 12 mph for up to 10 hours/day, 120 miles or 8 hexes.
Small Sailing Ship, eg Lord Vex's 'Arcadia'. avg. 60 miles (4 hexes)/day. crew 10.
Fast Large Merchantman, eg Bjornalf's 'Vex Gratitude', Eldam Alamsor's 'Hale & Hearty', Lucretia Alamsor's 'Garland' avg 75 miles (5 hexes)/day. crew 20.
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| Skandik Longship. These are used for both trading and raiding. avg 60-75 miles (4-5 hexes)/day. crew 16. |
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POLITICAL: Settlements & their Lords. M8 4447 BCCC
In mid 4447 BCCC all these lands owed at least nominal allegiance to King-Regent Hakeem and the restored Empire of Altanis-Nerath. Following Hakeem's resignation as Regent of Altani-Nerath and the collapse of the new empire in M8 4447, they divided into (1) pro Hakeem territories and (2) a new Kingdom of Nerath centred on Hara.GOLDEN QUEEN'S DOMINION - Queen Malenn of Mitra, wife of Hakeem Godslayer
Ahyf (Small Town, Ghinoran/Antillian, Market IV): Queen Malenn from M8 4447. Was Baroness Sarene, was Warlord Briaron &
PL 4. Resources: Mineral Market (Low) 250 gp/m, Fields (disrupted) 400>200gp/m, Fishmarket (restored) 200>400gp/m, Coin Girls (disrupted) 400>200gp/m. Total: 1050 gp/m > 1450gp/m.
Standing Military: 40 Town Watch (infantry): 40x9=360gp/m. 60 City Guard (infantry) 60x9=540gp/m. 20 Battle Brothers of Mitra (hobilars): 20x18=360gp/m. Total -1260 gp/m.
Clear Meadows (Village, Nerathi/Ghinoran, Market VI): Father Synjyn of the Temple of St Irig of Mitra. pop. 2,100 (dominion)
PL 3.
Total population: 9,100; civilised, approximately 910 warriors including freedman levy, mostly low quality.
GHINARIAN LORDS' ALLIANCE - Kaldrac (populations for 4448)
Verius (Ghinoran, Market VI): Kaldrac, leader of the Lords' Alliance. Pop. 480
Selatine (Ghinoran, Market VI): Hytirus Vex from 13/2/52, was Jana Vex. Pop. 348
Talholm (Ghinoran, Market VI): Usarus. Pop 400
Krens' Cairn (Ghinoran): Krens, a Mage of Tula. Pop. 492
Bratanis (Ghinoran, Market VI): fr M10 4446 Archemos the Gladiator, married to Thuvia Bratanis (wasRuggio, succeeded Aeschela - joined Yusan M4 4446). Pop. 460
Kalmisj (Ghinoran): Oriana Kalmisj fr 10/4446 (Thegn to Bratanis), married to Hotar Greywolf. Pop. 280
Theber (Ghinoran, Market VI): fr M12 4446 the dwarf Thegn Kogor of Kolda, for Kaldrac of Verius.Vilius the Old until sacked by Yusan M5 4446. Pop. 450
Sceros (Ghinoran): Lord Arkonos. Formerly vassal to Ahyf. pop. 400
Total population: 3310 in 4448, martial. Approximately 825 warriors, medium to good quality.
EASTERN VALE -Tug the Giff
Citadel of Water, ex Yusan's Den (Fortress,, Altanian) & territories: from M8 4446 Tug the Giff for Hakeem, wasYusan pop. 85
Ghutaris (Ghinoran) Isis Greywolf, thegn to Tug the Giff, married to Azarde. Pop. 300
Lygol pop.460 370 27/8/47 Port village was raided by Skandiks, all who resisted slain; all food supplies taken along with several women.
Talholm (Ghinoran, Market VI): Usarus. Pop 400
Krens' Cairn (Ghinoran): Krens, a Mage of Tula. Pop. 492
Bratanis (Ghinoran, Market VI): fr M10 4446 Archemos the Gladiator, married to Thuvia Bratanis (was
Kalmisj (Ghinoran): Oriana Kalmisj fr 10/4446 (Thegn to Bratanis), married to Hotar Greywolf. Pop. 280
Theber (Ghinoran, Market VI): fr M12 4446 the dwarf Thegn Kogor of Kolda, for Kaldrac of Verius.
Sceros (Ghinoran): Lord Arkonos. Formerly vassal to Ahyf. pop. 400
Total population: 3310 in 4448, martial. Approximately 825 warriors, medium to good quality.
EASTERN VALE -Tug the Giff
Citadel of Water, ex Yusan's Den (Fortress,, Altanian) & territories: from M8 4446 Tug the Giff for Hakeem, was
Ghutaris (Ghinoran) Isis Greywolf, thegn to Tug the Giff, married to Azarde. Pop. 300
Lygol pop.
Domain: 706 square miles, approx 7,000 population, civilised, nominally 700 warriors, mostly low quality.
ALTANIAN TERRITORIES - War Chief Minars Rapak, Regent of Altani-Nerath
Nerra, former Imperial Capital of Nerath, conquered by the Wolf Clans 4446 BCCC: Chief Minars Rapak of Seawolf
Ketche, Clan Hold of the Sea Wolf (Altanian): Chief Minars Rapak, War Leader of the Altanian Horde. Nominal High Chief Beklomda Mor
Nippuri, Town of the Nippuri Altani
War Chief/Regent Minars Rapak, Victor of Nerra & Hammer of the Black Sun, commands the loyalties of the Sea Wolf, Grey Wolf, Feathered Bear, Mountain Lion/Winged Ape, Nippuri and Hoard Wardens Altanian clans, and has friendly relations with the Red Tiger clan to the south in Oricha - a powerful host indeed. Approximately 3300 total in 6 clans, tribal, approx. 1100 warriors, good quality.
Amazons
Highhaven (Amazon, Market VI): Queen Laurana fr M4 47, wasArtemisia - allied with her brother Hakeem, lover of Sandor, pop. 360, 90 warriors
Thusia (Ghinoran/Amazon/Outworld): Lady Meda, Mycretian Amazon/Viridian Sorceress from the Far West - allied with Hakeem. pop. 280 (peaceful, 28 warriors)
The Lighthouse, was Tower of Oriax (Fortress, Orcs & Outworld Slave Girls): fr M7 4446 Highhaven amazon guards under Clenderi, vassal to Hakeem. Was Oriax the Lecherous. pop. 14+>100+ in 4452.
The Stone Tooth/Forge of Fury: Amazon outpost under Hippolyta, pop. 15+ inc. 1 ogre.
Total population ca. 670 with 147 warriors, mostly elite quality.
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KINGDOM OF NERATH (from M8 4447)
Hara/Mara (Town, Alryan-Nerathi, Capital of Nerath, Market V): Namelin Bronze, Lord of Hara (replaced Earani Cor) and King of Nerath. Domain 10,720, civilised. Approximately 1,070 warriors, medium quality.
Castle of the Wode (Fortress, Market VI): Ranger Lord Tagoler. pop. 492, martial. 123 warriors, medium to elite quality.
Temple-Tomb of Belaras (Temple Fortress, Ghinoran): High Priest Larsonos of Apollo-Mitra. pop. 120. 30 warriors, elite quality.
Carchimish (Town, Altanian/Ghinoran, Market V): King Koloth (restored) & his daughter Lyssana Koloth-Myrcellin, widow ofKing Rey. Was Mytsh, Marnt, & Hagnol then M8 4446 King Rey to M4 4447. Domain 11,820, civilised. Approximately 1200 warriors, mostly low quality.
Bisituni, hill land of the Halfling Potato Growers.
WESTERN LANDS: From M8 4447 BCCC the old lands of Neo-Nerath including Renth, ruined Bisgen and Colisth are part of the new Kingdom of Nerath centred on Hara.
Troop Quality & Fighting Power
Poor: 1, eg Vale peasant levy, hd 1+1 or 2 hp 6-9
Medium: 2, eg Nerath levy, hd 2+2 hp 11
Good: 3, eg Altanian tribesmen, hd 3+3 hp 17
Veteran: 4, eg Skandik raiders, hd 4+4 hp 22
Elite: 6, eg Amazon warriors or chosen axemen, hd 4+8 or 5+5 hp 26-28
Eg 3 medium = 2 good = 1 elite.
Province (Hex) Resource Production by Population Level (PL) (1-8)
NB: A province occupying half or less of multiple hexes with total land area less than 1 full hex (eg Ahyf) counts as a standard 1-hex province.
Province's Population Centre : Base Tax Production; Base Ruler Net Income
1.Thorpe (20-79) : 100gp; 10gp
2.Hamlet (80-319) : 250gp; 25gp
3.Village (320-1,249) : 500gp; 50gp Market Class VI (Selatine)
4.Small Town (1,250-4,999) : 1000gp; 100gp Market Class V (Carchimish)
5.Large Town (5,000-9,999) : 2000gp; 200gp Market Class IV (Valon)
6.Small City (10,000-19,999) : 4000gp; 400gp Market Class III (Ossary)
7.Large City (20,000-39,999) : 8000gp; 800gp Market Clas II (Rallu, Warwik)
8.Metropolis (40,000+) : 16000gp; 1600gp. Market Class I (CSIO, Viridistan)
Hexes are 15 miles. Base Tax Production & Ruler Net Income is per Month, in gold pieces. Ruler Net Income is free droit de seigneur for the ruler's personal use inluding gifts and levies, & may be taken in cash, healing potions, gear, common & uncommon magic items, etc.
Markets (ACKS)
Ahyf Port is the only Class IV market in the Ghinarian Hills.
Carchimish and Hara/Mara are Class V.
Villages like Selatine and Bratanis are Class VI at best.
Ossary is a Class III market.
Rallu is a Class II market.
CSIO is a Class I market.
DOMAIN RESOURCES
Nerra, former Imperial Capital of Nerath, conquered by the Wolf Clans 4446 BCCC: Chief Minars Rapak of Seawolf
Ketche, Clan Hold of the Sea Wolf (Altanian): Chief Minars Rapak, War Leader of the Altanian Horde. Nominal High Chief Beklomda Mor
Nippuri, Town of the Nippuri Altani
War Chief/Regent Minars Rapak, Victor of Nerra & Hammer of the Black Sun, commands the loyalties of the Sea Wolf, Grey Wolf, Feathered Bear, Mountain Lion/Winged Ape, Nippuri and Hoard Wardens Altanian clans, and has friendly relations with the Red Tiger clan to the south in Oricha - a powerful host indeed. Approximately 3300 total in 6 clans, tribal, approx. 1100 warriors, good quality.
Amazons
Highhaven (Amazon, Market VI): Queen Laurana fr M4 47, was
Thusia (Ghinoran/Amazon/Outworld): Lady Meda, Mycretian Amazon/Viridian Sorceress from the Far West - allied with Hakeem. pop. 280 (peaceful, 28 warriors)
The Lighthouse, was Tower of Oriax (Fortress, Orcs & Outworld Slave Girls): fr M7 4446 Highhaven amazon guards under Clenderi, vassal to Hakeem. Was Oriax the Lecherous. pop. 14+>100+ in 4452.
The Stone Tooth/Forge of Fury: Amazon outpost under Hippolyta, pop. 15+ inc. 1 ogre.
Total population ca. 670 with 147 warriors, mostly elite quality.
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KINGDOM OF NERATH (from M8 4447)
Hara/Mara (Town, Alryan-Nerathi, Capital of Nerath, Market V): Namelin Bronze, Lord of Hara (replaced Earani Cor) and King of Nerath. Domain 10,720, civilised. Approximately 1,070 warriors, medium quality.
Castle of the Wode (Fortress, Market VI): Ranger Lord Tagoler. pop. 492, martial. 123 warriors, medium to elite quality.
Temple-Tomb of Belaras (Temple Fortress, Ghinoran): High Priest Larsonos of Apollo-Mitra. pop. 120. 30 warriors, elite quality.
Carchimish (Town, Altanian/Ghinoran, Market V): King Koloth (restored) & his daughter Lyssana Koloth-Myrcellin, widow of
Bisituni, hill land of the Halfling Potato Growers.
WESTERN LANDS: From M8 4447 BCCC the old lands of Neo-Nerath including Renth, ruined Bisgen and Colisth are part of the new Kingdom of Nerath centred on Hara.
Troop Quality & Fighting Power
Poor: 1, eg Vale peasant levy, hd 1+1 or 2 hp 6-9
Medium: 2, eg Nerath levy, hd 2+2 hp 11
Good: 3, eg Altanian tribesmen, hd 3+3 hp 17
Veteran: 4, eg Skandik raiders, hd 4+4 hp 22
Elite: 6, eg Amazon warriors or chosen axemen, hd 4+8 or 5+5 hp 26-28
Eg 3 medium = 2 good = 1 elite.
Province (Hex) Resource Production by Population Level (PL) (1-8)
NB: A province occupying half or less of multiple hexes with total land area less than 1 full hex (eg Ahyf) counts as a standard 1-hex province.
Province's Population Centre : Base Tax Production; Base Ruler Net Income
1.Thorpe (20-79) : 100gp; 10gp
2.Hamlet (80-319) : 250gp; 25gp
3.Village (320-1,249) : 500gp; 50gp Market Class VI (Selatine)
4.Small Town (1,250-4,999) : 1000gp; 100gp Market Class V (Carchimish)
5.Large Town (5,000-9,999) : 2000gp; 200gp Market Class IV (Valon)
6.Small City (10,000-19,999) : 4000gp; 400gp Market Class III (Ossary)
7.Large City (20,000-39,999) : 8000gp; 800gp Market Clas II (Rallu, Warwik)
8.Metropolis (40,000+) : 16000gp; 1600gp. Market Class I (CSIO, Viridistan)
Hexes are 15 miles. Base Tax Production & Ruler Net Income is per Month, in gold pieces. Ruler Net Income is free droit de seigneur for the ruler's personal use inluding gifts and levies, & may be taken in cash, healing potions, gear, common & uncommon magic items, etc.
Markets (ACKS)
Ahyf Port is the only Class IV market in the Ghinarian Hills.
Carchimish and Hara/Mara are Class V.
Villages like Selatine and Bratanis are Class VI at best.
Ossary is a Class III market.
Rallu is a Class II market.
CSIO is a Class I market.
DOMAIN RESOURCES
Resources normally take 3 months to begin production.
Resource lnitial Cost Production
Mineral Resources
Mineral - Mine (low) 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires Ore, eg Iron)
Mineral - Mine (high) 3000gp 500gp/month (Requires Silver/Gold/Platinum)
Mineral - Smelter 6000gp 500gp/month (Requires Mine, Low)
Mineral Market (low) 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires trade route to Mine, Low)
Mineral Market (high) 3000gp 500gp/month (Requires trade route to Mine, High)
Vegetable Resources
Vegetable - Logging Camp 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires Forest)
Vegetable - Sawmill 6000gp 500gp/month (Requires Logging Camp or water access)
Vegetable - Fields 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (Requires Plains/Meadows)
Vegetable - Wine 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL (Requires Hills)
Animal Resources
Fishmarket 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (requires sea/lake)
Meat Market 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (eg beef, pork; requires Fields & no coast)
Slave Market 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL (requires trade route)
Port Resources (requires Small Town & Harbour)
Coin Girls 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL
Fighting Pits 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL
UTILITY COSTS
Levy Armoury: 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL
Signal Tower: 3000gp + 250gp/month
Supply Cache: 2gp per person per week of stored supplies
Chapel or Arcane Tower (Clr-1 or Wiz-1): 1500gp - 1 month, requires hamlet
Temple or Arcane Guildhall (Clr-5 or Wiz-4): 9000gp - 4 months, requires small town
Cathedral or Arcane University (Clr-8 or Wiz-9): 30,000gp - 12 months, requires small city
Druidic equivalents are Druidic Grove (max PL 3, Druid-1), Stone Circle (max PL 2, Druid-4), & Sacred Mound (max PL 1, Druid-7).
Spy Gang: 1500 gp, 1 month, level 1 Rogue, requires hamlet
Spy Mob: 9000 gp, 4 months, level 5 Rogue, requires small town
Spy Cartel: 30,000 gp, 12 months, level 8 Rogue, requires small city
Equivalents exist for other classes, eg a Paladin's Shield Hall.
Ruling Court Cost base = Base Tax Production - Ruler net income
Military Cost (includes officers) per man-month
Tribal & Levy Infantry: 6gp/month: 3gp per man at 1 sp/day (food), +3gp to officers.
Infantry, Professional: 9 gp/month: 6gp per man at 2sp/day, +3gp to officers.
Infantry, Elite (eg Longbowmen): 14gp/month: 9gp per man at 3sp/day, +5gp to officers.
Hobilars: 18gp/month: 12gp per man at 4sp/day, +6gp to officers.
Light Cavalry: 27gp/month: 18gp per man at 6sp/day, +9gp to officers
Heavy Cavalry: 36gp/month: 24gp per man at 8sp/day, +12gp to officers
Followers normally come pre-equipped and trained, and can be deployed in 1 month. Other troops may need to be equipped and trained (taking normally 2-3 months) before deployment.
Mercenaries: Trained & equipped mercenary units hired for a specific campaign have negotiated pay. They usually cost at least 3 times as much (plus looting rights) for a 3-month contract, and may cost up to 10 times as much. Elite units may charge +50% or more.
Resource lnitial Cost Production
Mineral Resources
Mineral - Mine (low) 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires Ore, eg Iron)
Mineral - Mine (high) 3000gp 500gp/month (Requires Silver/Gold/Platinum)
Mineral - Smelter 6000gp 500gp/month (Requires Mine, Low)
Mineral Market (low) 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires trade route to Mine, Low)
Mineral Market (high) 3000gp 500gp/month (Requires trade route to Mine, High)
Vegetable Resources
Vegetable - Logging Camp 3000gp 250gp/month (Requires Forest)
Vegetable - Sawmill 6000gp 500gp/month (Requires Logging Camp or water access)
Vegetable - Fields 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (Requires Plains/Meadows)
Vegetable - Wine 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL (Requires Hills)
Animal Resources
Fishmarket 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (requires sea/lake)
Meat Market 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL (eg beef, pork; requires Fields & no coast)
Slave Market 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL (requires trade route)
Port Resources (requires Small Town & Harbour)
Coin Girls 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL
Fighting Pits 1000gpxPL 100gp/monthxPL
UTILITY COSTS
Levy Armoury: 2000gpxPL 200gp/monthxPL
Signal Tower: 3000gp + 250gp/month
Supply Cache: 2gp per person per week of stored supplies
Chapel or Arcane Tower (Clr-1 or Wiz-1): 1500gp - 1 month, requires hamlet
Temple or Arcane Guildhall (Clr-5 or Wiz-4): 9000gp - 4 months, requires small town
Cathedral or Arcane University (Clr-8 or Wiz-9): 30,000gp - 12 months, requires small city
Druidic equivalents are Druidic Grove (max PL 3, Druid-1), Stone Circle (max PL 2, Druid-4), & Sacred Mound (max PL 1, Druid-7).
Spy Gang: 1500 gp, 1 month, level 1 Rogue, requires hamlet
Spy Mob: 9000 gp, 4 months, level 5 Rogue, requires small town
Spy Cartel: 30,000 gp, 12 months, level 8 Rogue, requires small city
Equivalents exist for other classes, eg a Paladin's Shield Hall.
Ruling Court Cost base = Base Tax Production - Ruler net income
Military Cost (includes officers) per man-month
Tribal & Levy Infantry: 6gp/month: 3gp per man at 1 sp/day (food), +3gp to officers.
Infantry, Professional: 9 gp/month: 6gp per man at 2sp/day, +3gp to officers.
Infantry, Elite (eg Longbowmen): 14gp/month: 9gp per man at 3sp/day, +5gp to officers.
Hobilars: 18gp/month: 12gp per man at 4sp/day, +6gp to officers.
Light Cavalry: 27gp/month: 18gp per man at 6sp/day, +9gp to officers
Heavy Cavalry: 36gp/month: 24gp per man at 8sp/day, +12gp to officers
Followers normally come pre-equipped and trained, and can be deployed in 1 month. Other troops may need to be equipped and trained (taking normally 2-3 months) before deployment.
Mercenaries: Trained & equipped mercenary units hired for a specific campaign have negotiated pay. They usually cost at least 3 times as much (plus looting rights) for a 3-month contract, and may cost up to 10 times as much. Elite units may charge +50% or more.
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| Altanis |
Rumour M2 4446 BCCC: Yusan has captured a Blue Mage of the Conclave, Ilyra. She has revealed its location to him!
ReplyDeleteClan Greywolf of the Midnight Goddess Hills
ReplyDeleteOld Vorkes - dying old war-chief.
Kala - Vorkes' wife, chief Wise-Woman.
Kaag Tiger-Killer - great warrior-hunter, prospective chief. Mate of Hakeem's mother Gnubis.
Gnubis - mother of Hakeem. Still attractive. Mate of Kaag.
Nefeti - ugly sister of Gnubis. Psychic fortune-teller, uses magic dusts. Predicts Hakeem will have a son.
Regions of the Wilderlands blog https://feery-s-leap.obsidianportal.com/wikis/regions-of-the-wilderlands
ReplyDelete