Axe Hall

[mfbrandi]

4 hours ago, Joerg said:

Thinking of the stuff emerging from underwater Black Smokers and how that supports ecosystems of its own.

The spire as some kind of chimney?

And the biota around hydrothermal vents would often — in Glorantha — be coded Darkness/Cold, but sun spider, bombardier beetle, and the scarab rolling the ball of shit which is the sun had already made us doubt the distance between Sky and the Dark underground.

[Joerg]

21 minutes ago, mfbrandi said:

The spire as some kind of chimney?

And the biota around hydrothermal vents would often — in Glorantha — be coded Darkness/Cold, but sun spider, bombardier beetle, and the scarab rolling the ball of shit which is the sun had already made us doubt the distance between Sky and the Dark underground.

Lots of pipes, activity like in a coffee machine with steam bubbles pushing liquids up in some of these, and drainage pipes downward.

Argan Argar is the son of Xentha, the Night goddess (a sky entity), and the Obsidian Palace used to be a stairway into her realm until Yelm smashed the top bit at the Dawn.

[mfbrandi]

22 minutes ago, Joerg said:

Argan Argar is the son of Xentha, the Night goddess (a sky entity), and the Obsidian Palace used to be a stairway into her realm

Yeah, after posting, I thought, “Less silicon, more exotic carbon space elevator.”

AA is tricky bugger. I think of him as twiceborn, once in the early universe/underworld (3 curious spirits) and again as a power of the surface — he “acquires” Xentha () as a mother in the same sense that ZZ acquires Fire … perhaps. Fire/Sky and Darkness are intimates from way back — like Jekyll and Hyde — don’t believe the official story that the Earth is mother to Sky and that Xentha is a foreign invader of Sky.

(One version of creation has it that the sun precedes the emergence of the earth(’s erection) from the waters, but that it can only shine after air has separated earth from sky. This is the air helping out — Entekos? — but that doesn’t suit the Umath/Orlanth Oedipal self-image: “The Earth must be my mother, because I want to ‘marry’ him her. I couldn’t possibly have burst through a hole in the Sky.”)

[jajagappa]

8 hours ago, Joerg said:

The origin of the tar still is a bit of a puzzle to me. It is not a substance I would associate with obsidian, or with a glass tower being shattered.

The dissolved body of the OOO?

[Joerg]

Just now, jajagappa said:

The dissolved body of the OOO?

Congealed Shadow, from the Dehori shape-shifting of the Nightcult shapes? Perhaps trapped inside some stuff from the Calada&Aurelion cult, and/or the Gemborg Mostali? Might be an alternative to the Iron Sword left piercing the Only Old One that the Shadow Plateau trolls would shower with Cure Iron Burn magic between the annual visits of Belintar who would shove the sword back.

I don't think that the destruction of the Obsidian Palace included the demise of the Only Old One.

[Erol of Backford]

7 hours ago, jajagappa said:

The dissolved body of the OOO?

I think this is right, his body made the organics that somehow changed to Gloranthian tar...

The connection to the Underworld, steam, vents, piping made by dwarves or natural, the brine being pumped or forced by gases/steam something like geothermal geysers at say Yellowstone fit nicely.

7 hours ago, Joerg said:

Congealed Shadow

Sounds fitting quite trollish as well.

From the the Satar Companion p.38 and related to the discussion, its the Earth Temple building: 

The Copper House is magically guarded by the great copper serpents that coil around it and by the copper sows atop its thatched roof. Axe-wielding initiates of the dread goddess Babeester Gor and four bound nakasas physically defend the building and prevent intruders from entering.

Non-canon likely but this could be part Bab Temple and part brewery or have some out buildings similar, pipes and vents, steam green patina sides and roof with pigs and nakasas to boot?

[AlexS]

23 hours ago, Joerg said:

The most famous tar pit in our world would probably be the La Brea tarpits in LA, which gives a quite high probability that something like that is what Greg envisioned when he put it there.

Thanks @Joerg, the La Brea tarpits connection does make sense. I was actually thinking of the Alberta Tar Sands, but Wikipedia has since educated me that ‘Tar Sands’ is a misnomer for ‘Oil Sands’, which are pure bitumen without the admixture of non-fossilised resin etc.

So maybe the tar in the Tar Pit resulted from the fusion of Ezkankekko’s body (or his blood, if his actual death was elsewhere) with the Fireblood that Lodril had left in the fabric of his palace? Essence of the Dark Master and essence of the Enslaved Fire, forced into unity at the end by the terrible magical energies released by Belintar’s assault?

[Erol of Backford]

On 9/25/2023 at 4:00 AM, Joerg said:

The most famous tar pit in our world would probably be the La Brea tarpits in LA

14 hours ago, AlexS said:

Wikipedia has since educated me that ‘Tar Sands’ is a misnomer for ‘Oil Sands’, which are pure bitumen without the admixture of non-fossilised resin etc.

So there are pits with the organics from the OOO's decomposing body along with the sands from the pulverized palace of black glass. Both work for me. 

What is interesting to note that when you pan to the north and slightly west of the La Brea Tarpits in LA, you'll see a very nice Orlanth Rune in the park... maybe, just maybe I am looking at this Glorantha stuff a little too much. In fact last weekend was an arts fair and I walked up and asked one of the artists why he had a dragonewt rune on his painting... actually I didn't but asked what it represented and was of course disappointed it wasn't related to dragonewts.

 

Edited September 26, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[soltakss]

On 9/25/2023 at 1:28 PM, jajagappa said:

On 9/25/2023 at 5:07 AM, Joerg said:

The origin of the tar still is a bit of a puzzle to me. It is not a substance I would associate with obsidian, or with a glass tower being shattered.

The dissolved body of the OOO?

It's the Only Old One's brains that dissolved a hole in the Shadow Plateau

[Joerg]

11 hours ago, soltakss said:

It's the Only Old One's brains that dissolved a hole in the Shadow Plateau

The hole pre-existed, the former Stairway to Heaven (and Hell) which now is plugged by the Tar.

That's an awful lot of brain, even if the OOO blew himself up to the size of the giant skull in Dagori Inkarth (which weirdly doesn't seem to be made of lead).

[Erol of Backford]

On 9/27/2023 at 2:31 PM, soltakss said:

It's the Only Old One's brains that dissolved a hole in the Shadow Plateau

Or it just seeped down an existing hole? The stairwell to hell... was and still is there and its not blocked just hidden somehow?

13 hours ago, Joerg said:

The hole pre-existed, the former Stairway to Heaven (and Hell) which now is plugged by the Tar.

Maybe sometimes hellspawn finds its way to the top of the Shadow Plateau via the stairwell and that is what pilgrims are charged with taking care of?

Who knows maybe if certain HQ rituals are conducted the stairs do go up or down... similar to Sun County p.126

The Stairway leads up to the heavens and down to the underworld... easy peasy Hero Quest entrance?

(Its funny to note that at that time there were no HQ rules...)

Better yet maybe Mr. Bunan Flea will be hanging around to great the PC's? Its like getting a little gold star in kindergarten.

I really love how you guys unintentionally link all the old good stuff magically.

[soltakss]

On 9/27/2023 at 8:31 PM, soltakss said:

It's the Only Old One's brains that dissolved a hole in the Shadow Plateau

Sorry, I misremembered, I think it was the Great Serpent's brains, the one whose body makes up the lead hills.

[Erol of Backford]

2 hours ago, soltakss said:

Great Serpent's brains

Brains, innards, goo, acid, tar, bubblin crude, it's all good!

[Erol of Backford]

On 9/26/2023 at 3:35 AM, AlexS said:

So maybe the tar in the Tar Pit resulted from the fusion of Ezkankekko’s body (or his blood, if his actual death was elsewhere) with the Fireblood that Lodril had left in the fabric of his palace?

On 9/28/2023 at 1:50 AM, Joerg said:

The hole pre-existed, the former Stairway to Heaven (and Hell) which now is plugged by the Tar.

On 9/27/2023 at 2:31 PM, soltakss said:

It's the Only Old One's brains that dissolved a hole in the Shadow Plateau

So I recall a book, maybe it was in Sanctuary, where there was a pit in the tavern and things crawled out of it the people fought as part of the entertainment?

I saw this pub plan drawing and it made me recall the story and or scenario.

Maybe the Axe Hall Tavern serving Blood Beer has this hole to Hell and things come up out of it as part of the fun?

 

 

[Erol of Backford]

I just noted Xem's Tower near Axe Hall on one of the maps...

Xem: An Uz who helped Jonat. Found by Jonat in Seshnela. Comment: Presumably he came from Guhan or perhaps Halikiv. He came with Jonat to Fronela and founded Xemstown.

Anyone know who or what Xem's Tower is, possibly just a natural stone monolith or more interestingly an EWF's tower?

From GtG: In 1625, Xemstown is lifted from the Ban, revealing powerful troll gangs, including the Night Guard and the Shadows of Death. (They sound fun!)

[Erol of Backford]

AndreJarosch posted this in another thread May 15, 2021:

A long time ago a group of players went from Sartar to Esrolia and i invented a route that included a path through the Shadow Plateau. The characters followed a stream that vanished in the north eastern part in a big crack in the Shadow Plateau, and that stream flowed following tunnels through the Shadow Plateau and finally came out on the fast western end of the Shadow Plateau. The characters were on board of a very small boat, and their ride was inspired by "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom". I haven't looked up if this route would be of use for you, but it was very good MGF anyway. 

Made me wonder if the stream/river whatever may move its location or even disappear at some time(s) to reaper later or in a different location? Is the Shadow Plateau a magic place?

Edited November 11, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[g33k]

5 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

... 

Made me wonder if the stream/river whatever may move its location or even disappear at some time(s) to reaper later or in a different location? Is the SHadow Plateau a magic place?

It's the ultimate YGWV, as non-canon.
Whatever seems best to you!

[Erol of Backford]

6 hours ago, g33k said:

It's the ultimate YGWV, as non-canon.

There are waters that flow through the Shadow Plateau and so it could be that they are similar to those like the Red Stone Caverns, Rainbow Mounds, Snake Pipe Hollow, etc. or even a section that is the Styx or a tributary would it be non canon if its never been defined?

The Dyskund Cavers also come to mind but with more water...

I suppose the best part of Glorantha is your imagination or that of the players?

Edited November 11, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[g33k]

3 hours ago, Erol of Backford said:

... would it be non canon if its never been defined?

Pretty much, yeah.  If it hasn't been published in one of the canon-defining publications by Chaosium, then it's "non canon."  It's not as if something "non-canon" is somehow "anti-canon," automatically damaging or contradictory to "canon."

There is nothing (at all!) wrong about something not being "canonical;" *MOST* of Glorantha-as-played is "non-canon."  I once asked someone from Chaosium how much the Chaosium "in-house games" adhered to "canon."  The reply was (paraphrasing from memory):  it depends on the GM, but ranges from roughly 25% "canonical" to 50% "canonical" games at their tables.  I expect only the most OCD types can match (and seldom if ever exceed) Chaosium's own "%canon" campaigns!

[Erol of Backford]

On 9/20/2023 at 1:23 AM, Malin said:

sooner or later our campaign will end up there...

Please add any interesting events that occur in the campaign...

 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[Malin]

17 minutes ago, Erol of Backford said:

Please add any interesting events that occur in the campaign...

Currently, we're on the Plateau of Statues, so it's gonna be a while...

[Erol of Backford]

On 10/18/2023 at 9:25 PM, Erol of Backford said:

Anyone know who or what Xem's Tower is, possibly just a natural stone monolith or more interestingly an EWF's tower?

I am thinking to use something like Miskander's tower here but likely more grandiose or is it more natural with a structure on top? What is Xem's Tower in 1600.

Besides the tower from the old D&D module Village of Hommlet does anyone have a suggestion. I was thinking its an Axe Hall outpost of sorts but am scratching my head not wanting it to be just ruins atop a hill or some extinct volcanic neck... but that might make sense as it could be where Lodri tried to escape and was recaptured leaving his imprisonment below working as a blacksmith for the OOO... though I don't know this history well.

 

    

Also anyone care to add thoughts as to random encounters unique to the Shadow Plateau not Trolish or Axe Maiden in composition?

• Trolls - ok
• Trollkin - ok
• Axe Maidens - ok
• Trade caravans both Argan Argar and Issaries, no Lunars allowed as of yet (for me its 1600 and they'd be eaten by trolls or killed or enslaved by Axe Maidens (YGWV).
• Brewers gathering for the Axe Hall semi annual Beer Fest.
• Pilgrims - no idea what this would be besides Axe Maidens - anyone suggest what missile weapons Axe Maidens would normally use before closing from long range? (not axes from long range for me anyway)
• Flying insects with or without pigmy's and trolls. (do Axe Maidens like giant bee honey)
• Spirits as it is called the Haunted Lands but what type of spirits an guessing numerous types across time since the Dawn?
• Would there be random chaos up there or down inside the depths of the Plateau?
• Would Ernalda worshippers go to the Axe Hall go to petition for protection, vengeance or simply to request additional temple guards, an increase in "manpower" hehehe.
• Possibly any of the Ernada protectors would be sent to Axe Hall to conduct cult duties, escort services or something I have no idea...
• Does Axe Hall hold tournaments to pit warriors against Axe Maidens where if the opponent loses they become the Maiden's salve for a year and if they win they take some ability, skill or training from the Maiden?
• Dragonwets - why would they be up there, of course there is no telling what they are looking for, maybe beer!?
• Female Tusk Riders, could they be strange Axe Maidens, they are strange anyway so maybe.
• Centaurs - female Axe Maiden Centaurs with Great Axes?
• Female Minotaurs, why not and they like axes right?

Any comments are appreciated.

 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Erol of Backford

[Erol of Backford]

37 minutes ago, Malin said:

Plateau of Statues

Not for this thread but couldn't resist...

That was always end game for us as it was a very bad place... you should post a write up when you are done. Always like to see what people come up with for that. Sandy Petersen's Campaign log documented by Jeff Okamoto always sticks in my mind which was linked a while back in another thread:

http://www.seiyuu.com/okamoto/writing/campaign_log_2_0.pdf

[Malin]

1 minute ago, Erol of Backford said:

Not for this thread but couldn't resist...

I've read that for inspo, and if the Sun County thing we're putting together now, we might make an official journey across the wastes and have fun at the plateau because I have too much stuff to just put in a bin somewhere! Gonna write down some Axe Hall stuff right now to get back on track, I must have some ideas somewhere.

[Malin]

Axe Hall is a terrible place, anybody going there would do so with a good reason. Some random encounter ideas (not sure if they’ve been mentioned before).

Ernalda or other earth cultists going there on a pilgrimage, either as thanks for a great service performed (which might not be popular as they are putting themselves in danger again, maybe the players have to divert to keep these hapless women alive and get there), or to petition for some grander service than normal. Maybe political shenanigans, a raid needing much manpower, or even a minor war. Anything big enough that it might be best to go all the way to the top.

A rogue Eurmali trickster on a semi-heroquest to get epically laid and his group of friends who have all bet on whether he’ll manage or not, and how many (and which) limbs he might lose in the process.

A very ambitious brewer and his/her hired team of scoundrels trying to get a sample of blood beer to figure out the recipe.

A procession carrying the body and axe of a fallen famous Axe Maiden towards Axe Hall as a final pilgrimage. Possibly stalked by vengeful spirits or enemies, or thieves after the magical axe.

A lone axe embedded in an obsidian cliff, waiting for someone to pick it up. There’s a spirit there, with one last man to kill before she can rest, and anybody who grabs it might be tugged along for the ride.

A hollow filled with spirits of sadness and loss, who engage in spirit combat with anyone who walks through it. If they manage to possess people, all they do is be depressed for a few days or so before drifting on because nothing really matters.

A group on a chaos heroquest to kick Babs ass gone wrong, who escaped out into reality at possibly the worst place for it to happen and is trying to get off the plateau before anybody realizes what they are.

A prospector trying to chart the plateau with his/her band of hired help, but are they just a Lhankor Mhy risking their ass for their special interest in obsidian rock formations, or is there something more sinister going on?

A shaman/apprentice shaman who is there to hunt down a very specific spirit.

A group of people lying in wait to try to ambush the Axe Maiden who killed their father/brother because they know she’ll be traveling this way on her pilgrimage.

(And now I need to cook!)

Edited November 11, 2023 by Malin