Uncertain Woods

[Erol of Backford]

Wear-bears, gorillas, trees, maybe Velhara, is there any potential for elves or elven ruins, form 100's of years ago in the Uncertain Woods?

Is it like any other magical Glorantha woods? Are there giant spiders, big cats a few giants coming down from Stormwalk or are there none down here? Bandits of course and at the northern end some scorpionmen likely?

What else is in there, possibly a small trapper's fort and stout hunting steads/cabins?

Also for trade running between any of the larger Heortland cities to Refuge and Marcher Fort, some timber and foodstuff would go to Refuge and horses and metals to the fort but what are other obvious trade items coming and goin around/through the southern tip of the Heortland Plateau?

 

[Darius West]

Well, scorpionmen obviously.  They aren't called the Jab Hills for nothing.

You might also find some grazing Sky Bulls come down to water themselves.

You might well find parties of Stormbulls out of Barbarian Town headed for the Stone Woods to fight chaos.

Back in the day, Refuge was actually a Gloranthan version of Sanctuary from the Thieves World Anthology.  As the Thieves World supplement has some good maps, it might be worth consideration and tinkering to make it a better fit with contemporary Glorantha.

If there are elves about, you might consider a few trolls who want to eat them too, but not so many.

[Ludo Bagman]

Last year Jeff Richard posted some notes about Heortland on facebook, see https://wellofdaliath.chaosium.com/tag/heortland/

About encounters: There may be chaotic beings escaping from Larnste’s Footprint, or some hidden abomination from God Forgot or the Machine Ruins. Mecha in Glorantha.

[jajagappa]

15 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

Wear-bears, gorillas, trees, maybe Velhara, is there any potential for elves or elven ruins, form 100's of years ago in the Uncertain Woods?

Bear in mind that the woods once covered almost all of the Heortland Plateau (once called the Savage Woods), but humans have increasingly cut down the forests for timber and fuel, so this is a remnant of a much larger forest.  

While there are no explicit references to elves regarding the forest, there will be dryads tending their various groves.  Given the wet climate, any "ruins" should have been reclaimed by the forest by this point.

15 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

Is it like any other magical Glorantha woods? Are there giant spiders, big cats a few giants coming down from Stormwalk or are there none down here?

Most giant spiders will be up in the Troll Woods - same for giant insects.  And the Footprint is something of a barrier between the two.  Not out of the question, but would not make significant.  

Yes, large cats - wild alynx primarily, but maybe something larger.  

There are titanotheres in Heortland - more in the open land to the north, but could well break trails through the forest.  Similarly the sky bulls prefer the open lands rather than the woods to avoid predators.  

There are giant ground sloths.  

Wild Praxian beasts such as woodland bison can be found.  Deer, bear, wolves.  Into the Storm Mountains you'll find cliff toads.

 

[jajagappa]

16 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

Also for trade running between any of the larger Heortland cities to Refuge and Marcher Fort, some timber and foodstuff would go to Refuge and horses and metals to the fort but what are other obvious trade items coming and goin around/through the southern tip of the Heortland Plateau?

The Bandori valley is a place/route for trade between Heortland and Prax.  Expect herd beasts to be traded by the Praxians (for meat, leather, etc.) in exchange for more exotic items (e.g. metal).

[mfbrandi]

3 hours ago, jajagappa said:

There are giant ground sloths … woodland bison … Deer, bear, wolves.

Wild pigs/boar — dangerous only if cornered?

[jajagappa]

2 hours ago, mfbrandi said:

Wild pigs/boar — dangerous only if cornered?

Yes, those too.  

[Erol of Backford]

9 hours ago, jajagappa said:

there will be dryads tending their various groves.  Given the wet climate, any "ruins" should have been reclaimed by the forest by this point.

As it would, all things Glorantha fit perfectly. Overgrown elven ruins inhabited by illuminated sentient gorillas... random images help me visualize as always. Thanks a bunch!

Beasts, food, timber, metals... all good for trade, maybe some hazia thrown in to boot?

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by Erol of Backford

[jajagappa]

2 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

maybe some hazia thrown in to boot?

Let the hazia come in from Pavis via Prax. 😎

If you've got the Heortling Mythology book, though, look over the story of the Five Majestic Beasts.  I think it fits well in the Uncertain Woods.

[Erol of Backford]

Made me think there are some unscrupulous baboons dealing hazia to March Fort via Monkey ruins from Sun County. Why go through Pavis isn't way out of the way? There must be some smugglers running from the river delta to Casino Town and Refuge? This could easily go all the way up to the highest level officials. They want their cut...

Spoiler

Maybe some of the Duke's mercenaries are involved as well and it all ties to Rabbit Hat?

 

[jajagappa]

Just now, Erol of Backford said:

Why go through Pavis isn't way out of the way?

Right climate for growing it in the Zola Fel valley (and by Pavis I was largely referring to the Zola Fel valley including Sun County).  So, yes, ship it via Monkey Ruins.  

Bear in mind that Corflu isn't resurrected as a "port" until the Lunars arrive in 1610.  There's nothing at the delta to speak of besides stray fishermen.

And no Duke/mercenaries until 1615/1616.  But again it depends on timeframe for your campaign.

 

[Erol of Backford]

4 minutes ago, jajagappa said:

There's nothing at the delta to speak of besides stray fishermen.

And giant lice and mosquitoes!

[Erol of Backford]

27 minutes ago, jajagappa said:

And no Duke/mercenaries until 1615/1616.  But again it depends on timeframe for your campaign.

Right, the Duke is later per the official timeline, could adjust a little but I like even better that the PC's could end up meeting the famous Agimori, Ankubi and help him break up a hazia ring, could even link to Sog Ruins and him saving some children assuming that date is sort of open? Then they would know Ankubi before RQA3. The plot ties are great. 

As I recall, Sog ruins isn't developed and so its intruding to use. As for Monkey Ruins I'll review and see what's posted, I recall some plot links there but not sure where... 

The smugglers are actually under the direction of a Krjalk elf? Any chance for them to be in the Uncertain Woods directing the whole hazia ring... maybe just maybe they are working under Gagix but are in disguise?

Spoiler

 This guy is likely a bit too tough for mid-range PC's but you never know with a special or critical hit?

 

Edited November 7, 2022 by Erol of Backford

[jajagappa]

6 minutes ago, Erol of Backford said:

working under Gagix but are in disguise?

All depends on timeframe and your campaign.  Personally I think Gagix emerges with Belintar's demise in 1616.  The "explosion" of magic outwards that is not contained by Belintar returning unleashes Gagix, Broyan, and more.

If I was playing pre-1615, I'd focus on Lunar merchants actively seeking trade through Heortland, even to Refuge.  They aren't "villains" per se, but their desires likely run contrary to the needs/wishes of locals.  

Krjalki elves feels more Dorastor than elsewhere, but anger towards humans could warp some towards a "darker" path.

My preference for the Uncertain Woods is more of a "Where the Wild Things Are" vibe.  It's old, it's mysterious, and there are secretive beings within (the Lady of the Wild, maybe Yinkin, the Majestic Beasts, etc.).

[Erol of Backford]

5 minutes ago, jajagappa said:

My preference for the Uncertain Woods is more of a "Where the Wild Things Are" vibe.  It's old, it's mysterious, and there are secretive beings within (the Lady of the Wild, maybe Yinkin, the Majestic Beasts, etc.).

I can work it like that, nuances are important. Will need to think on it a bit...

[Erol of Backford]

17 hours ago, Darius West said:

Refuge was actually a Gloranthan version of Sanctuary from the Thieves World Anthology

In the Backford thread we discussed it at length.

I have the original boxed set and its in good shape. Some really good times in the mid 80's, I recall the Hell Hounds chasing our characters... can't recall what our PC's had done... fun times!

[Erol of Backford]

15 hours ago, Ludo Bagman said:

Jeff Richard posted some notes about Heortland

Mr. Bagman, late in saying so but I appreciate the link to Mr. Richard's posts and have reviewed extensively!