Last one, If you want the appendices and or the 5 pages of introduction and random encounters. Go over to the AAJ page and look up the region.
It's well over and this is just me finishing up my too late obligation for taking on a second region. Great fun and stretching the creative muscles from volume alone.
### 219-171 Plain Orcs
250 orcs in a large encampment. Their chieftainess
Griddlebones is by necessity, very cunning and skilled at fighting. The plain
orcs draw from the Moon Elves and some from the Far Elves. They treat the high
plain as their own, demanding tribute from traders and switch to raiding into
the Upper Peninsula when their neighbours become organised.
Among the orcs are 30 members of the cannibal-rite Landshark
clan (Ogres). Depredations and intra-camp violence let them stay in their
war-form near constantly. They urge Griddlebone to join McCavity 222-172 as to
join their relative with him.
Her loot pile contains 5000gp in trade bars and coinage and
gems worth: 3 x 10gp, 2 x 50gp and 500gp.
### 221-170 Titians Wall
A row of large slabs stands askew in a line going
Polar-East-East. They depict a repeating pattern of four figures; short and
childlike, tall and upright, round and very large and large but stooped. All
have pointed ears. It’s assumed this is titan work for it’s both a megalith but
not fancy like Before architecture. Beyond are stumps of mile markers that if
followed, would reach 224-171.
Though only the most obscure sage or one of the single-digit
Goblin-Friends would recognise it. This is the lifecycle of the Lower Peninsula
Goblins, who built a civilisation sometime between Before and now. They grow
during crucial periods of nutrition. But all goblins live hard lives and finish
in their stunted winter form, the Bugbear, since their settled culture was
destroyed.
Born first as Goblins and remain as such until adulthood,
the crucial missing stage. Then growing to Hobgoblins and full members of their
society. But none will achieve their full size as 4 HD Great Goblins, their
skin returning to green.
### 220-171 Treehugger Hall
In the wilds here stands Treehugger Hall. It is not an inn,
though the ten family members who live here will exasperatedly put up
good-seeming travellers for the night. They are only slightly more cordial to
fellow worshipers of the Moon-Asura. No entry or leaving rooms while the moon
is full. Orcs avoid this place because they have learned the 10 are Werebears
and so fear them. Beorn Mooneye has a chest with a Sword +1 (Flaming) and Elven
Cloak and Boots. From a guest’s donation and years of anti-orc service for the
Cardinal 220-168.
### 223-170 Mid-River
1000 people in 3 markets. This land under the Duchy of the
Moon is quite worried, George C4 marshals what forces he has but is torn
between awaiting the call to march and seizing the opportunity (in his mind) of
single-handedly rallying the forces of the Duchy and deposing the Cardinal as a
more fitting ruler.
Since the forces assembled, a plague of Giant Shrews (25)
has emerged. The locals only solace is the arrival of a strange merchant. He
can for 1 magic item or two potions teach the secret ways across the continent
under the dim noonday sun or give +1 damage to unarmed attacks. Otherwise, his
fee for defeating the giant shrews on a property is one night’s meal and a
place to rest.
### 224-170 Melonland
55 people in 1 market. Here is the groves and black melon
fields of the Traditional Elves. They practise the fey religion with no
addition or change. Lady Electra E4 manages this community of a few mansions
and dispersed tree houses. Adjoining the centre is 200 gnomes, who converted
when the elves first came. The fey emphasis on cultivation alone is wearing
thin with them. Many have been tempted to 219-167, for a more varied economy,
under pain of death for dealing with heretics.
The community contains 4000ep and the Lady has a Potion of
Giants Strength and Staff of Healing.
### 225-170 The Great Grove
170 people in 2 markets. The deep costal groves of the
Traditional Elves. Here is where the Fey religion was developed and the
beautiful yields that even non-Elves grow were cultivated. The Chief Elf, Asparagus
E7 rues that his grandfathers ever let other elves split the sacred authority
by converting others or leaving. One market is his mansion and the hollows supporting
it. The other is the Great Grove, where all those who will attempt the rites
study and make the step.
Recently a sea-trader from beyond named Narrator has come.
He brings valuable obsidian but demands buyers also purchase his shell
carvings. A Buccaneer or Jellicle islander knows the cursed patterns on them. Large
sharks (Great White Sharks 5) have been harrying the fisheries since Narrator
came. Just a few of many drawn by the shells up and down the coast.
Full writeup in Appendix F.
### 221-171 Grass Keep
200 people in 1 market. Here is Duchy of the Moon’s outpost
on the plains. Piangi C4 mostly leaves the running of the keep to his captain
Gilles F5. They force all visitors to camp outside the keep, which is now the
crowded temporary sleeping quarters for the community. Paranoia that visitors
are orcish scout pretending to be normal people grips the community.
Gilles has a Ring of Fire Resistance he was given to best a
solar champion in a tournament years ago.
### 222-171 Mid-Peter
1000 people in 4 markets. This part of the river grows
wealthy from moon melons and traffic. This in turn allows the government of
Minister C3 (name not title) to withstand interesting times through the
depletion of the treasury. Minister has fended off elven relatives and rover
raiders and so fears nothing in a group with other leaders. His troops drill
and march, awaiting any command to save Vims 222-172. If only it would come.
Minister’s prize possession is a Shield +3
### 223-171 Sprout Village
70 people in 1 market. One of the most exposed domains of
the Traditional Elves this community is the first place those who will undergo
the fey rites go for their training and education in specialised cultivation.
Unofficially it is an exchange point for their produce, shows the Moon Duchy
how converts and their descendants benefit from fey magic and proves a final
test for those who might wish to leave the elven homeland before they undergo
the rites. Anything to reduce the chance of an orc. Easy to grow rind armour
(Leather) and roofing tiles are half price here.
Old Barnardo E3 is pale due to his age and has nurtured
generations of them to the rites. His stone mansion amid the hollows contains a
lifetime of adventure and intrigue; Shield + 2, Staff of Snakes and a waxed
paper rind scroll called Dungeon Delving On Short Notice (ventriloquism, read
magic, protection from evil 10’ radius (mu), lightning bolt, dimension door)
The trade and donations chests sit with him as well; 12000sp
and gems worth 10gp, 15gp 2 x 50gp and 100gp.
### 224-171 Ruinland
65 people in 1 market. Here lies ruins attributed by nearly
anyone to Before. Stone slabs teeter in a spiralling sun-facing henge. These
are actually the hearthstones and backs of chimneys from the first and greatest
city of the goblins. Thrown down by mankind before recorded memory. Lady
Carlotta E3 doesn’t care about any history. They are obstructions to the fields
and better used as supports.
The farmers have 3000ep among them and have tributed to
Carlotta scavenged gems worth 10gp, 3 x 50gp, 4 x 100gp and 500gp.
### 225-171 Elfshore
130 people in 4 markets. Everything is calm here. Sun gourds
and prawns dry in the sun for winter and available fresh other times. Lady
Syrie E6 has spent a lifetime building a perfect world and outsiders are
watched for threats. Wherever they go and whatever they do.
### 219-172 The Ruined Tower
30 people in 1 market. The Far Elves here are uneasy. Beyond
being the frontier of the Fey beliefs, here is where the usurper dwelled. His
lonely tower is surrounded by a feral garden. It is evident that the locals
have not properly cleaned their former lord’s home. For 175 Kobolds have
sprouted and maraud at night. 3000cp of alchemical equipment repurposed into
elaborate helmets.
### 220-172 Treeless Plain
30 people in 1 market. Another outpost of the Far Elves. One
to ride out from for adventure. Otherwise, they grow furniture bushes here.
Administered by Lord Coricopat E7, who has also been given authority over the
Ruined Tower 219-172. He is sick of travelling back and forth and wants an Elf
of level two or higher to swear to manage it.
### 221-172 Upland Fields
300 people in 2 markets. Fear is strong here; crops go
unsown or lay in the fields for fear of marauders. The militia patrols waiting
for the command from the Cardinal 221-173 to advance. They relive stress but
boasting about orc heads and robbing any would-be traveller. Captain Chagny F3
does nothing about this. His authority is seconded from his brother Cleric
Chagny, who is assumed to have perished in the failed counterattack on Vims
222-172 months ago.
Chagny hoards his family secrets in the manor, a Bag of
Holding and a Sentient Sword, given by the Moon Asura generations ago to
maintain the new age.
The Sword of New Beginnings INT 10, Ego 11, Communication
Speech, Language Alignment tongue, Common, AL Lawful, Sensory Powers Detect
slopes, Detect traps, Detect magic, Enchantment +1 (+3 vs Regenerating
Creatures), Dmg 1d8 +1
### 222-172 Vims
2000 people in 3 markets. Founded by Vicomte, the castle has
since become Vims and now is anarchy of the worse sort. With the coming of Macavity,
the orcs swept aside the defenders and built a briar encampment on top of the cemetery
hill. His army consists of 200 orcs and an Ogre, Jerrie of the Landshark clan.
The Cardinal has retreated to the Moon Monastery 221-173 and the surviving militia
has mutinied. Setting themselves up in the castle as the Free Vims (50 Bandits).
They cannot advance but the orcs lack the numbers to assault. Their leader
Vicomte the New F3 has acquired the Cardinals ring and sceptre. Everyone else lives
like rats scurrying between buildings.
Macavity has amassed 6000gp and jewellery worth 800gp,
900gp, 2 x 1000gp and 1400gp.
Free Vims have secured for apparent safekeeping; 5000sp and gems worth: 4 x
10gp, 4 x 50gp, 2 x 100gp, 2 x 500p and 3 x 1000gp.
### 223-172 Outer Red
100 people in 1 market. Much of the rolling high fields are
in disarray as refugee lean-tos prompt against any farmhouse and boundary that
will take them as hired hands. The community is deeply frustrated, though these
are their fellow Moon-worshippers fleeing Vims 22-172, they outnumber them 2 to
1 and most of the inhabitants cannot afford to feed more hands. Meg C4 has been
drafting those able to fight into the militia and is exhorting the troops to liberate
Vims with or without the Cardinal 221-173. They will die without support. Meg
has a Mace +1.
The refugees are 200 hardy Halflings (Dwarves) who often
have worked in the area and are stung by how quickly the populace has turned
against them.
### 224-172 Roundtop
50 people in 4 markets. This spread-out collection of
hollows is concerned with a small hoard of Giant Shrews that migrated into the
domain a few months ago. They do not attack people and barely even eat the
ripening super melons, but they do defensively crouch when approached in fields
and in hedges. Giant shrews are dangerous to even an elf and Lord Teazer E6 is
willing to pay 500gp in produce to find out the root cause. With an advance in
the form of a 10gp gem he can’t get rid of.
The total wealth of the community in stored produce, fine
material, personal adornments and loose coins comes to 5000gp. On top of
Teazer’s Sling +1 he uses on magical foes.
The root cause is the Driver Ant infestation to the pole of
the domain in Greendell 223-173 and Border Garden 224-173. It isn’t spreading
to Roundtop because the shrews are eating the ants so voraciously, they have no
need to bother people. Teazer won’t pay therefore until the shrews are gone but
also and won’t pay if the ants come.
### 225-172 The Suncoast
120 people in 4 markets. In a land of sun gourds and prawn
harvests, the arrival of strangers with carts and boats is not unusual. Lady
Demeter E4 ensures no merchant leaves without inspection, All the better to
smuggle elven drugs for whatever she likes. All without paying a copper to
anyone.
### 218-173 Little Sister Joining
130 people in 1 market. This land shows its agricultural
pride strongly. With a riotous bouquet of herbs, gourds and trees. A major
centre of trade, focused of their famous ulfire squash. Lord Carbucketty E6
knows this is due to the attached community of 56 gnomes. Their tax exemptions
irritant some and conjure visions of hidden treasure.
### 219-173 Centre Patch
90 people in 3 markets. Surrounded by other elves, the Far
Elves here pend their times on theoretical practises. Like exploring the
theological limits of the fey religion and the shift in seasons and why is it
some rites go wrong. This has resulted in the crop here being grown for
inedibility. Lord Andre E2 has perfected the toxins within these strains to
uniquely effect those who unbalanced humours. Orcs and svarts. Should his
poisons fail him, Andre has a Wand of Fire Balls.
Anyone who swears to kill 100 orcs or svarts in a ceremony,
can learn how to brew a weapons-coating gourd-venom that deals +1 damage to
orcs and svarts. Those who flee from fights with these foes will be struck by cucurbitacin
poisoning. Doing 1 damage per HD per day of distress for 1d4 days.
Inside his mansion courtyard is the community symbol, a
ceremonial tree decorated with gems worth 10gp, 4x 50gp, 2 x 100gp and 2 x
500gp.
### 220-173 Howling Fields
70 people in 1 market. Amid the musical gourds the Far Elves
walk uneasy. The community is half split between assisting the Cardinal 221-173
with recapturing Vims 222-172 and the other half wish to stay out of it. It
really comes down to whether a person hates orcs more than they shun
non-believers. Etcetera E4 holds firm for now, claiming she would need a
message requesting aid. She fears the dogs more than the orcs. 20 dogs let
loose from the Before (Blinkdogs) roam the land. They do not attack unless threatened
but vanishing dogs can appear anywhere and seek out food to guard. So far the
generational agreement holds but who can say with smart animals.
Either way, Etcetera keeps her Spear +2 with her. They have
7000sp between them.
221-173 Moon Monastery
100 people in 2 markets. Here among the moon wells and night
groves, rests the much-missed Cardinal of the Moon Asura. Prime C8 prays for
deliverance as fate seems to conspire against him. First the orcs attacked Vims
222-172 when he was on pilgrimage to this monastery. When his ring and sceptre were
still in the locked bedroom chest. Now none of his vassals respond. Messengers
report back as shunned or never again. He prays the Moon Elves will see the
reason in his past request for their vassalage as the Moon Asura’s
representative. Which was politics then and survival now.
Skimble C4 and Shanks F6, his Primarchs are sure to keep him
such a state. Silencing or coercing outgoing messengers. Soon they will be able
to convince the Cardinal to become a hermit figurehead and rally the duchy
against the orcs.
Full writeup in Appendix E.
### 222-173 The Stone House
200 people in 1 market. Everything here seems fine; the
population go about there business as normal. No one will mention the conflict
in Vims 222-172. Everyone will conspicuously dance around the idea that any
messenger has arrived, emphatically deny that Moon Duchy rider came a week ago
and show outright terror and deny the idea a Red Rodger man is staying at the keep.
The moon man is buried in one of two conspicuously fresh grave in the cemetery.
The other was Raoul the Cleric.
Jemima F6 wants to complete negotiations and let the
Cardinal perish before she will announce her new allegiance. She kills anyone
who discovers it ahead of schedule.
The keep is quite a historical relic. A modern stone
fortress on top of an earth mound raised by the old village to defend against
pirates. In fact, the location Red the Pirate was defeated and sought terms.
The mound itself is dirt [packed between goblin ruins, the great Seasonal
temple of their second city.
In the excavated room of the summer is Jemima’s magic
treasures. A Potion of Levitation, Rod of Cancellation and Sword +1 (+2 vs
Spell Users).
### 223-173 Greendell
80 people in 1 market. The edge of the elven lands is never
quiet as patrols ensure only the righteous and the produce may pass the
boundaries. But lately Lord Fathingay E2 has ignored all but the most egregious
smuggler. The land has become lumpy and desolate as 75 Driver Ants spread their
nest. Devouring anything when hungry. Farthingay promises all the gold(5000gp)
below to be rid of them.
What he won’t mention is the wealth of his community and
himself.
The original elven family each have a piece of jewellery,
worth; 700gp, 1000gp, 11gp, 1300gp and 1800gp.
Farthingay keeps in his hollow: Leather armour + 1, Shield +
1
On waxed paper gourd rind: Spell scroll (fly, polymorph
others, contact higher plane, levitate, wizard lock)
### 224-173 Border Garden
110 people in 2 markets. A smuggler’s paradise, Lady Rose E5
has established a syndicate with Red Rodger bootleggers Johnny T3 and Jenny T3.
Ensuring a monopoly on elvish magic and produce in return for illicit drugs and
treasure that are made from far-off monsters. 50 Driver Ants have riddled the
land with ridges and tunnels though. The general lack of enforcement means few
inhabitants are motivated to risk it in a militia.
The ants have yet to find gold, but Lady Rose will offer it
as a reward anyway. The populace has 3000sp and 3000ep in their hollows they
could reluctantly offer.
Lady Rose has a Bag of Holding and Potion of Heroism on her
that she will never give up.
### 219-174 The Garden Palace
160 people in 1 market. Here lies the mansion complex and
supporting groves of the High Lord of the Far Elves, Mistoffelees E7, no
longer needing the title Duke without a kingdom to hold him down.
Here he engages in three vital tasks to the exclusion and
sometimes disquiet of his lords. He is determined to erase the orcish mistakes
out on the plains, somehow. He is eager to send fey missionaries beyond the
lower peninsula to expand his authority, though few return. And he is
preoccupied with the underground magic spring to grow the most outrageous
plants. He has even found that with lots of expensive regents, he can grow
potion plants for a net halving of the cost to brew them normally. He has one
now, having gifted the rest.
If a petition doesn’t match one of these objectives, he’ll
order the closest lord to fix it and get back to planning. Leading to many
disputes as lords claim to be the one to fix another lord’s problem.
For personally issues Mistoffelees relies on his Wand
of Fear to frighten foes and if they refuse to surrender, uses his ducal ring
and sceptre to blast them.
In his treasury he can access at short notice; 3000gp, a
Potion of Speed, a Helm of Reading Languages and Magic and two waxed paper rind
spell scrolls.
Reflections in the Garden (speak with animals, commune,
silence 15’ radius, bless, silence 15’ radius)
Miscellaneous Violence and Responses (protection from evil
10’ radius (mu), massmorph, wall of fire, wizard eye, charm person)
### 220-174 Beautiful Grove
30 people in 1 market. This collection of mansions is
centred around a large grove of with deep pink flowers. Which complement the
blue of their melons. Tantomile E3 must strike a careful balance between
maintaining her land and keeping the 100 small Before things (Pixies) in the
grove happy. For they are very helpful in maintaining the land. And could just
as easily reverse it.
### 221-174 Growltiger’s Camp
150 Orcs in a large encampment. Those who failed or never
really belonged to the Far Elves but some from the coastal lands or the Moon
Elves. The chief is Growltiger, an orc of subtle brutality and flamboyant
authority. He is debating going to reinforce Macavity in 222-172 or letting him
overextend and absorbing any survivors. Otherwise, he occupies himself planning
fanciful invasions of the Far Elves.
### 222-174 The Hill Castle
400 people in 2 markets. What was once a wild land of
independent folk has come under the control of a far-ranging band of
adventurers. They have crossed the length of the peninsula, the seas beyond and
reached the plains of the Centaurs. Now they have constructed their keep and
expect to extort the region as power players.
Full writeup in Appendix D.
### 223-174 Rumpus Land
2000 people in 2 markets. Here Duke Firmin, descendent of
Red the Pirate Lord frets incessantly about his isolation and his need to seize
some sort of authority. He doesn’t trust the Elves and cannot go polar without
having to spend time and effort to tame the wild hill. He fears the orcs, but
he also wants capable and powerful heroes to save the Duchy of the Moon in his
name.
500 hardy halfling farmers live here tending to their special
red pig beans. They are of a more robust stock (treat as Dwarves). The beans
apparently taste like pork when cooked and are foul otherwise.
He has amassed various items he dangles as loans for the
desperate: A Sword +1, Spell scroll written in the elvish style on waxed paper
gourd rind (lightning bolt, read languages, hold portal, invisibility, wizard
eye) and (hold portal, ESP, sleep, phantasmal force, lightning bolt)
If asked about his ducal sceptre and ring in combination, he
will have them dismissed and hopefully imprisoned or slain at a later
opportunity to hide the traditional power.
### 224-174 Newmarket
2000 people in 3 markets. The land that benefits from the
Rodger River in the Duchy of the Red Rodger. This is the centre of the old
trade with the Elves and still knows how to cultivate some fey plants. Lady
Giry MU5 maintains a strict separation but is rumoured to be researching how to
grow Kobolds for the duchy’s control.
### 225-174 Polebay
1000 people in 4 markets.
This land is very ill at ease; fishermen dare not get too close to the
Elf coasts and farmers fear the wild rise beyond. Still, yellow knobbly
pumpkins are plentiful.
### 226-174 Last Hold
1000 people in 4 markets. Here is the border of the Lower
Peninsula by politics alone. The lands beyond having defied the Duke for many
years. Lord Gilles F3 has no need for conflict and scrupulously patrols the
boundaries for smugglers and criminals.
