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Dark Sun Grand Compendium - Volume 1 - Atlas of Athas
Dark Sun Grand Compendium - Volume 1 - Atlas of Athas
Contents
Overview................................. 2
Terrain...................................... 5
Locations............................... 21
Settlements............................ 74
Beyond the Tyr Region...... 194
Celestial Bodies................... 254
Distances.............................. 257
Index.................................... 260
Credits
v0.5 02/03/2023
Overview
Overview
and soil alike. A storm can darken the sky at high noon,
carrying so much sand that it reduces visibility to a pace.
Breezes on Athas are suffocating and dust-laden, caking
everything they touch with yellow-orange silt, spoiling food,
and filling a man’s eyes with pasty mud. Even still days
are perilous. Columns of superheated air can rush upward
in terrific whirlwinds, carrying dust, plants, and men to
great heights-then suddenly dying away and leaving their
reluctant passengers to fall to a horrible death.
As dangerous as it is, the wind is merely an inconvenience
when compared to the greatest danger of Athas – the lack
of water. In most places, it rains no more than once a
year. In some places it only rains once in ten years, and
the only available water lies in brackish, mineral-crusted
oasis ponds. Aside from a handful of streams that trickle
less than fifty miles before drying up, there is not a single
river on the planet-though I have crossed plenty of ancient
bridges and know that rivers were once common. What
the world was like in those days, I cannot imagine.
I have already noted what the lack of water can mean
to a thirsty man, but the dry climate affects Athas in
other ways. It allows the sun to shine down unreflected on
the barren ground, which is why it grows so hot during
the day.
At night, the low humidity has the opposite effect. The
Athas is a desert-sun-scorched and wind-scoured, days heat escapes into the sky, plunging the temperature
parched and endless. to 40 degrees or less-and in the mountains, even to zero.
From the first moments of dawn until the last twinkling As far as I can tell, all parts of Athas share the
of dusk, the crimson sun shimmers in the olive-tinged sky blazing sun, the dangerous winds, and the lack of water.
like a fiery puddle of blood. It climbs toward its zenith Nothing I have seen in my own explorations or heard
and the temperature rises relentlessly: 100 degrees by from the hundreds of travelers I have interviewed points
midmorning, 110 at noon, 130 sometimes even 150 by to any other conclusion. Athas is an endless wasteland,
late afternoon. spotted by tiny oases of fecundity, inhabited by brutal
A man cannot drink fast enough to replenish the fluids predators. It is, for all intents and purposes, a land of
he loses. As the days drag on, he feels sick and feeble. mortal desolation.
If he does not have enough water, he grows too weak to Though the picture I have painted so far is of a stark
move. His mouth becomes dry and bitter, his lips, tongue, and rugged land, I do not mean to say that Athas is
and throat grow swollen. Before long, his blood is thick dreary or monotonous. To the contrary, it has a majestic
and gummy. His heart must work hard to circulate it. and stark beauty. When first light casts its emerald hues
Finally his system overheats, leaving him dead and alone over the Sea of Silt, or when sunset spreads its bloody
in the sands. stain over the Ringing Mountains, there is a certain feral
The wind does little to help matters. As hot as a beauty that stirs the untamed heart in all of us. It is a
forges breath, it blows up sandstorms that last 50 days call to take up spear and net, to flee the city, to go and
at a stretch, speeding the evaporation of water from skin see what lurks out in the barrenness.
2
Overview
Themes
sky. The wind is like the blast of a furnace, offering no
relief from the oppressive heat. Dust and sand borne on
the breeze coat everything with yellow-orange silt.
The world of the Dark Sun setting is unique in several In this forbidding world, cities and villages exist only in
ways. Athas is not a place of shining knights and robed a few oases or verdant plains. Some places don’t see rain
wizards, of deep forests and divine pantheons. To venture for years at a time, and even in fertile regions, rain is little
over the sands of Athas is to enter a world of savagery more than a humid mist that falls during a few weeks
and splendor that draws on different traditions of fantasy each year before giving way to long months of heat and
and storytelling. Simple survival beneath the deep red sun drought. The world beyond these islands of civilization
is often its own adventure. is a wasteland roamed by nomads, raiders, and hungry
Newcomers to Athas have much to learn about the monsters.
world, its people, and its monsters, but the following eight Athas was not always a desert, and the parched
characteristics encapsulate the most important features of landscape is dotted with the crumbling ruins of a planet
the Dark Sun campaign setting. that once was rich with rivers and seas. Ancient bridges
over dry watercourses and empty stone quays that face
seas of sand tell the tale of a world that is no more.
The World is a Desert
Athas is a hot, arid planet covered with endless seas
of dunes, lifeless salt flats, stony wastes, rocky bad lands,
The World is Savage
thorny scrublands, and worse. From the first moments of Life on Athas is brutal and short. Bloodthirsty raiders,
dawn, the crimson sun beats down from an olive tinged greedy slavers, and hordes of inhuman savages over run
3
Overview
the deserts and wastelands. The cities are little better; each
chokes in the grip of an ageless tyrant. The institution of
The Gods are Silent
slavery is widespread on Athas, and many unfortunates Long ago, when the planet was green, the brutal might
spend their lives in chains, toiling for brutal taskmasters. of the primordials overcame the gods. Today, Athas is a
Every year hundreds of slaves, perhaps thousands, are world without deities. There are no clerics, no paladins,
sent to their deaths in bloody arena spectacles. Charity, and no prophets or religious orders. Old shrines and
compassion, kindness – these qualities exist, but they are crumbling temples lie amid the ancient ruins, testimony
rare and precious. Only a fool hopes for such riches. to a time when the gods spoke to the people of Athas.
Nothing is heard now but the sighing of the desert wind.
In the absence of divine influence, other powers have
Metal is Scarce come to prominence in the world. Psionic power is well
Most arms and armor are made of bone, stone, wood, known and widely practiced on Athas; even unintelligent
and other such materials. Mail or plate armor exists only desert monsters can have deadly psionic abilities. Shamans
in the treasuries of the sorcerer-kings. Steel blades are and druids call upon the primal powers of the world,
almost priceless, weapons that many heroes never see which are often sculpted by the influence of elemental
during their lifetimes. power.
Arcane Magic Defiles the World Fierce Monsters Roam the World
The reckless use of arcane magic during ancient wars The desert planet has its own deadly ecology. Athas
reduced Athas to a wasteland. To cast an arcane spell, has no cattle, swine, or horses; instead, people tend flocks
one must gather power from the living world nearby. of erdlus, ride on kanks or crodlus, and draw wagons with
Plants wither to black ash, crippling pain wracks animals mixes and mekillots. Wild creatures such as lions, bears,
and people, and the soil is sterilized; nothing can grow and wolves are nonexistent. In their place are terrors such
in that spot again. It is possible to cast spells with care, as the id fiend, the baazrag, and the tembo. Perhaps
preserving the world and avoiding any more damage to it, the harsh environment of Athas breeds creatures tough
but defiling offers more power than preserving. As a result, and vicious enough to survive it, or maybe the touch
sorcerers, wizards, and other wielders of arcane magic are of ancient sorcery poisoned the wellsprings of life and
reviled and persecuted across Athas regardless of whether inflicted monster after monster on the dying world. Either
they preserve or defile. Only the most powerful spellcasters way, the deserts are peril ous, and only a fool or a lunatic
can wield arcane might without fear of reprisal. travels them alone.
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Terrain
Sandy Wastes Terrain They form in areas where the winds from different
directions meet, causing the dune's radial arms to twist
Sandy wastes are open deserts consisting of vast back on themselves. Star dunes are called the traveler's
expanses of yellow sand piled into dunes of odd shapes friend, because they change shape slowly and seldom
and sizes. The most common types of dunes have been move far, thus making them excellent landmarks in an
named by travelers for the things they resemble. When otherwise indistinguishable terrain.
a strong, steady wind from one direction heaps the sand Wave dunes are the product of moderate winds which
into “mountains” as high as 750 feet, they are called blow steadily from one direction. They look like an oasis
mekillot dunes. Moderate winds from one direction create pond on a windy day, with sharp, evenly spaced ridges of
sharp, evenly spaced ridges of sand with crests between 50 sand. The crests of these dunes are only between fifty and
and 100 feet high, and these are called wave dunes. The a hundred feet high. They are not difficult to cross, but
mekillot dunes are difficult to cross, but the wave dunes the regularity of their spacing has been known to drive
of mile after mile of regularly spaced dunes have been impatient muls into a killing frenzy.
known to drive some to impatient frenzies. In any dune region, the traveler occasionally hears a
Crescent dunes form where the sand doesn't completely vibrant booming echoing across the sands. This muffled
cover the ground. They result from a steady wind blowing thunder usually continues for five minutes or more, and
more readily over the dune's low tips than its high center. can be so loud that you must shout to make yourself
Travelers can almost always find a way around these heard. Druids and clerics explain this roaring by saying
dunes instead of having to climb over them. The most that it is caused by avalanches of sand tumbling down the
interesting piles of sand are star dunes. These twisted steep slip-faces of the dunes. Personally, I think the elven
masses have tentacle-like ridges extending in all directions. explanation is more likely: the booming is caused by the
5
Terrain
tolling bells of an ancient city that the dunes have buried. can move at only half their normal walking speeds over
Of course, not all sand lies in dunes. Where there is the loose rocks. Mounts can move at their normal walking
no wind, it may form a yellow plain, as level as a salt speeds, but can’t be pushed to faster rates off the paths
flat and seemingly as endless as the Sea of Silt. Similarly, in the stony barrens. Wagons suffer the worst fate, for
it is heaped in great fan-shaped hills at the base of the the loose stones pulverize even the sturdiest wheels in a
Ringing Mountains, where it spills out of the canyons matter of miles.
running out of the high country.
Whether flat plains or piled dunes, traveling through Flora and Fauna
sand is hard work. It requires great stamina, long periods
of rest, and ample supplies of food and water. The wind For every rock in the stony barrens, there are a dozen
can also present another hazard: sandstorms. Sometimes thorns. Cactus grows everywhere and in every conceivable
the wind howls with such ferocity that it drowns out the shape: squat spheres covered by long yellow needles,
sound of a screaming mul and stirs up so much sand that twisted masses of ground-hugging tubes, tall spine-covered
visibility drops to a few precious feet. Travelers must stop barrels rising as high as twenty feet-even in tangled masses
and wait out sandstorms or risk getting lost or separated with tree-like limbs. Many of these cacti are sources of
from their companions. both food and water, provided you are willing to work
your way past their thorns.
If you are not familiar with a particular cactus, however,
Flora and Fauna it is best not to attempt eating it or stealing water from
Plants are few and far between in the sandy wastes, for it. Some cacti have mobile needles that will work their
they must fight a constant losing battle with the wind as way deep into your flesh, not stopping until they reach
it works to bury them beneath a fine layer of sand. Still, your heart or another vital organ. The meat or fluid of
there are occasional clumps of tough grass, wiry stems other cacti is toxic, and there are even a few that shoot
of ocotillo, and scrawny sprays of salt brush. Most of poisoned needles at any animal passing near them.
these plants are harmless, if not nutritious, but be careful The fauna of the stony barrens is varied. Here, you
before allowing your mounts to graze on anything with a will find most of the animals of Athas: wild erdlus,
purple hue – such plants often drive mekillots and inix mekillots, inix, etc. Of course, there is also an abundance
into murderous rages. Kanks don't seem to be affected of predators: braxat, tembo, belgoi, and the like.
by these plants, however, I have no idea what the purple
plants would do to a man who eats them.
As in the stony barrens, you will find most forms of
Rocky Badlands
animals in the sandy wastes. The anakore seems to be Rocky badlands are labyrinths of narrow, twisting
particularly common here. canyons that wind through regions of high ground. Walls
of crumbling rock form cliffs that border the canyons,
while the hilltops consist of knife-sharp ridges that separate
Stony Barrens one canyon from the next. Oases are prevalent in the
Stony barrens are the most common terrain type in badlands, making this terrain type a natural haven for
the Tablelands. These barrens consist of large sheets of hermits, raiding tribes, and creatures of every description.
exposed bedrock, mostly orange-red sandstone. Exposed to Travel through the badlands is easy as far as movement
the wind and sun, the barrens are littered with stones of is concerned. However, travel can only be accomplished
all sizes, from tiny pebbles to massive boulders. A thick along the canyon bottoms, which means travelers must
layer of red dirt covers some areas, and in places drifts follow the winding paths to wherever they lead. Scaling
of orange sand and yellow dust pile at least waist high. the sheer cliffs, especially with cargo, is next to impossible.
Except on roads and well-worn paths, the loose rocks Add to this the fact that every turn can hide a new
make for treacherous footing. Humans and demihumans danger, and the badlands quickly become less appealing
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Terrain
to those who need to cross them. but kanks die within a few days of eating even a mouthful
Rocky badlands often surround mountains, as shown of these twigs. Don't let anything eat the serrated leaves
on the Tyr Region map. Most of these peaks are nothing of the low-lying brush, as the sharp leaves slice up the
more than pinnacles of stone that rise above the nearby intestines of whatever eats them.
hills, but occasionally a true mountain climbs thousands As throughout most of the Tablelands, nearly any kind
of feet above the twisting canyons. The mountains usually of beast can be found in the rocky badlands, but tembo,
provide plenty of places to find food and water, but belgoi, and silk wyrms are especially common.
they also attract creatures powerful enough to claim these
places as their own.
Salt Flats
The salt flats are just what the name implies: immense
Flora and Fauna plains of salt-crusted ground. Salt flats are generally level
The gulches of the rocky badlands are often covered and packed as hard as stone, so traveling over them is
with diminutive trees bearing tiny silver, gold, or purple fast and easy. However, forage for pack animals and prey
leaves. There is also an abundance of low-lying brush with for hunters is all but nonexistent. Those traveling through
serrated, silver-white leaves, as well as spherical gray-yellow a salt-flat are well advised to take along enough food for
bushes with thorny stems standing as tall as a man. The themselves and their beasts.
twigs of the trees make excellent grazing for any reptile,
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Terrain
They should also carry an ample supply of drinking are often attracted to these areas when first learning their
water. Although there are oases in the salt flats, the water black art, practicing new spells, or trying to find a safe
is usually so bitter and salty that it is undrinkable. In refuge.
some cases, water can be found that seems safe to drink, Given the destructive pressure of these two forces, it
but is tainted with a slow-acting poison. is a wonder that there are any scrub plains at all in the
Tablelands. Most of the remaining tracts still exist only
Flora and Fauna because they are watched over by druids. When they realize
that a Defiler has entered their territory, these druids do
There is a shocking lack of plant and animal life found everything in their power to drive him from the area or kill
on salt flats. Here and there a traveler might find a hearty him – usually the latter.
weed or dwarf cactus, but by and large these foul regions The druids treat herders more kindly, simply keeping
are wholly lifeless. a close eye on the herding tribes and their flocks. If the
herders try to take their flocks into a pasture in danger of
Salt Marshes being overgrazed, or if they stay in the same place too long,
Salt marshes and shallow, ephemeral lakes can form in the druids will subtly guide the herders away by summoning
and near salt flats, dust sinks, and sandy wastes. Most a ferocious creature or a plague of insects.
are only a mile or two across, but a few – such as the Travel in the scrub plains is generally quick and easy.
Salt Meres or the Maze of Draj – extend for as much Sometimes travelers inadvertently anger a local druid or
as hundreds of miles. The water, too salty or alkaline to attract the attention of some kind of predator, but usually
sustain life, is undrinkable. Many salt marshes dry out trips through the tracts of brown-green grass are uneventful.
completely in the months of High Sun, and some remain Travelers do have to watch out for gith, however, and other
dry year-round if the following Lowsun comes and goes wild creatures appear more frequently in these relatively
without rain. fertile areas.
A salt marsh contains low grasses, reeds, or brush.
Ankle-deep channels of briny water encrusted with caked
salt wind through the marsh, sometimes opening out
into large, shallow lakes. Here and there, tough stands of
scrub or the occasional tree stand above the grasses. Few
creatures can digest the tough vegetation, but the marshes
buzz with tiny insects that can drive a traveler half mad.
Scrub Plains
Scrub plains are small tracts of dusty land dotted with
clumps of grass, thorny bushes, and occasionally even
spindly trees. These tracts are relatively scarce in the
Tablelands. Because the scrub provides the best forage
available, herders tend to overgraze these plains, stripping
the land of all foliage and reducing it to a sandy waste
or stony barren.
What the herders do not inadvertently destroy, Defilers
often annihilate. Although the scrub plains are not lush
by any standard, they contain more vegetation per acre
than most other Athasian terrain. Because of this, Defilers
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Terrain
9
Terrain
down from the canyons. Foothills resemble the rocky of water. Flash floods occur frequently in these foothill
badlands of the Tablelands, for they are filled with ravines, draining rainfall from the higher elevations in
twisting canyons interspersed with steep ridges of higher violent fashion.
ground. Vegetation and animal life is the same, as are the The ridge tops of the foothills are easy to navigate and
characteristics of the land. There are differences, however. lead toward the spines of the mountains. Of course, not
The ridges between the canyons tend to be higher, and everyone is comfortable walking out in the open along the
their summits are rounded and expansive instead of sharp edge of a precipice that may plunge hundreds or even
and narrow. The closer one gets to the mountain range, thousands of feet into an abyss.
the more dramatic the foothills become. The canyons
plunge deeper, the cliffs grow steeper, and the hills rise
higher.
Canyons
The bottom of the ravines make for the easiest travel, Canyons wind through the foothills and cut deep into
especially along dry creek beds. Boulder fields and steep the heart of the mountains. Their floors have a slight
walls of stone sometimes intrude in these otherwise flat but steady incline that eventually leads to higher ground.
areas, but the paths are usually clear. Travelers should Every 20 to 40 miles, the regularity of the foothills is
take heed if the sky suddenly darkens and a rare rainstorm broken by a major canyon between one and five miles
appears, for the ravines can be washed out by a wall wide. Sand washed down from the mountains fills the
10
Terrain
first few miles of each canyon, sometimes for a distance few hundred feet across. Tangled underbrush and mucky
as great as ten miles. Water gets trapped beneath the ground make traveling through these areas difficult but
sand, providing sustenance to copses of small trees, fields not impossible. In general, mudflats offer little to travelers;
of grass or flowers, and hedges of thorny bushes. These there isn't much standing water, and dangerous predators
sandy plots makes good grazing land, so they tend to hunt creatures that subsist on the greenery.
attract herders.
Deeper in the canyons, the sandy washes give way to
stony barrens littered with boulders of all shapes and Sea of Silt
sizes. There is more vegetation here than in similar terrain To the untrained eye, the silt is an endless plain
types, for the high canyon walls provide shelter from the of desolation, lifeless and deadly. Yet this is only an
sun, and water runs down from the mountains on a illusion, a distortion of the truth. The silt possesses its
fairly regular cycle. The ample vegetation supports a large characteristic formations and moods, just as landforms
population of grazing animals which, in turn, attracts anywhere do. The experienced silt traveler faces an ever-
numerous predators. A common yet dangerous form of changing terrain as diverse as that of the Tablelands or
vegetation found here is the dagger plant. A mild poison the Ringing Mountains.
coats its long, sharp leaves-some that are as sharp as Silt is not found in the boundaries of the Sea alone.
polished obsidian. Many inland dust sinks and silt basins, as well as the
As the canyon floors rise, a steep field of packed great silt estuaries, are found near the borders of the sea
boulders replaces the stony barrens. The only way to or within a few days' march. The dust that fills them
cross the boulder fields is to jump from rock to rock. is carried across the intervening lands in the course of
Travelers quickly learn that these boulders are precariously great storms out on the Sea, and it fills the lower-lying
balanced, and any false step can tip a stone and send a areas. The dust basins surrounding Bodach and the Mud
body tumbling into a mass of sharp-edged rocks. If even Palace were created in this fashion.
one boulder shifts, others above it may be dislodged in Conversely, the Sea of Silt is not composed exclusively
an avalanche of crushing stone. of silt. Rocky islands rise from the dust, dotting the
surface of the sea with firm land. Bare patches of stone
can be found here and there, places where the earth is
Mudflats scoured flat by the endless winds-places where the silt
never accumulates. In other areas, sharp crags pierce the
Little open water remains on the surface of Athas;
blanket of dust like spears buried in sand. Lastly, of
most is buried underground. In a few places, water seeps
course, there are countless mud flats scattered across the
upward, saturating the land to create mudflats. Most
pearly silt.
common near or in dust sinks (especially the shallows of
the Sea of Silt), mudflats hide beneath the churning dust,
revealed only when the winds clear an area and expose The Silt
the soupy mess to the air. Uncovered mudflats usually What is the Sea of Silt? Where did it come from?
dry out in short order, leaving behind hard, cracked clay One need only see the ruins of the ancients that litter its
that might or might not be solid enough to support a shores to realize that Athas was not always the arid waste
traveler's weight. it is today. Some people believe the Sea was once filled
A few mudflats manage to survive, sometimes through with water, so much water that one could stand on the
cultivation and sometimes by happenstance. These areas shore and not see the other side.
are lush with vegetation, including desert grasses, thorny The silt itself is a grayish powder, like very fine and dry
bushes, and small trees. Where mudflats stand in silt dust. It runs through the fingers like water, leaving not
basins, low islands of dense vegetation rise above the a trace on one's hands. The slightest trace of moisture
dust. These mudflats are rarely large; most measure only a causes it to stick and clump; it can cake the eyes, nose,
11
Terrain
12
Terrain
sages can only guess at conditions in the deep silt. bottom irregularity and immersing their heads in the dust.
Presumably it is lightless and airless, and some amount Wading through silt is hard work and typically waders
of silt compression most likely takes place. What creatures move at a third of what they would on land.
make their homes here, or what secrets the deep silt hides, On windy days, the blowing dust makes breathing
no one knows. nearly impossible if one's head is close to the surface of
the silt; beyond that, it is almost impossible to maintain
any bearings. In general, the wind must be light or less
Wind Day Visibility Night Visibility
to allow a wading creature to move. Giants, who are
None By # of moons strong and practiced waders, may wade in moderate wind
conditions.
Light 500 By # of moons
Moderate 100 By # of moons Wading through silt over one's head
Strong 50 50 A traveller has several options. First, have someone
who is taller carry them. A half-giant could carry one
Storm 10 10 human-sized person with no problem and possibly several
Sirocco 10 10 in a basket or similar harness. A full-blooded giant could
carry at least two human-sized characters and even six or
eight with some preparation. One or two half-giants could
be carried instead of human passengers. Friendly giants
Movement in the Silt
might be persuaded to carry passengers for free; however,
The Sea of Silt is one of the most formidable barriers to most giants expect compensation for their effort.
travel on the world of Athas. Aside from the difficulty of Second, find a path formed on a layer of compressed
simple movement across the dust, the weather is extremely silt. Compressible silt only exists in silt of less than 40-50'
hostile. Rare are the days when a traveler can find the feet deep and is never higher than half the depth of the
Sea still enough to attempt a crossing. Also, the Sea is silt – For example, the safe layer of a region of silt 20'
full of dangerous predators that view anything moving as a deep is never closer to the surface than 10' and could
possible meal. Even giants hesitate before wading silt they possibly be within a foot of the bottom. The best way
do not know, and many refuse to try a crossing without to take advantage of this phenomenon is to find a place
a companion. where people have already formed trails and to stay on
There are few good ways to cross silt. The best way them.
is to befriend a powerful wizard and have him or her Only a small amount of the shallow silt enjoys the right
teleport one to a destination. Unfortunately, the few conditions of bottom contour to be compressible, but the
mages capable of this rarely care to be bothered with only way to find out whether a specific location in the silt
such a mundane goal. Other methods of travel include supports a walkable layer is to test it with a man's weight.
wading, flying, magic, and the silt skimmer. Each has its
advantages as well as its disadvantages.
Flying
Flying involves the use of a trained airborne mount,
Wading
a glider, a fly spell, or a magical device such as a fruit
The simplest method, wading, is available to everyone of flying or a carpet of flying. This is considered by
and is cheap. Unfortunately, it is risky in the extreme, many to be the best method of traveling through the
slow, and limited in range. Any character can wade in regions; movement is fast, dangerous silt creatures can be
silt up to three-quarters of his height in depth, chest-high avoided, and silt can be crossed regardless of its depth.
for humans and demihumans. Characters who push this Unfortunately, nothing is ever quite as easy as it looks.
to chin-deep run an excellent chance of stepping into a
13
Terrain
Riding a flying mount that do not actually confer the power of flight. Levitating
creatures have two options: drift at the mercy of the wind
The most common airborne mounts are pterrax, in the air, or walk across the surface of the silt. Using
dragonnels, rocs, and air elementals. Of these, only air levitation to walk across the dust allows the character to
elementals are not instinctively afraid of flying over silt. move as though crossing plains, using normal overland
Flying over silt becomes easier for the avian creature with movement. A powerful wizard may be able to levitate
time. a raft large enough to hold several people and make it
permanent; in this case the platform must be either sailed
The mounts mentioned above are all very strong fliers or poled. Poling a raft only works in silt less than 20'
and can literally fly all day without rest. A lesser elemental deep. Sailing only works when there is wind present, and
can carry a halfling, a standard elemental a human, and a under those conditions the Sea of Silt rapidly becomes
greater elemental several humans or one half-giant. uncrossable by any means. Poled vessels can only cover
Eventually, even the strongest flyer needs a place to rest. one mile every two hours; if supplemented with a sail, the
One of the chief disadvantages in flying a roc on an over- speed doubles.
silt journey lies in the difficulty of feeding and watering
the beast when it finally lands.
Silt Skimmer
Gliders Silt skimmers are among the safest methods for crossing
silt, but they are limited. A large and lightly built wagon,
An excellent short-range solution, but still perilous. the typical silt skimmer has four wheels that are 25' in
Cliff-gliders drop 20' for each 120 yards they travel diameter. These wheels come to a sharp edge and are
forward. Obviously, gliders rarely cross more than two hollow in the center. Skimmer slaves climb the never-
or three miles of silt. Some glider pilots claim they have ending stairs inside the wheel to provide motive power,
encountered bizarre drafts of warm wind that actually and skimmers also use large sails when the wind is
allow them to climb, forfeiting their forward progress to favorable. Silt skimmers can travel six to eight miles a day
regain height. Gliders are rare and are seldom sold by the and can carry a load of two tons. However, they cannot
craftsmen who build them. cross silt deeper than 15'.
A flying spell
Estuaries
Another good short-range option, though flying travellers
are advised to keep an eye out for rocs and cloud rays, Estuaries are long, narrow arms of the Silt Sea that
though. extend inland. Estuaries have all the characteristics of
the sea itself, cutting into the Tablelands and forming
considerable barriers to overland travel. While humans
Magical devices and demihumans have as much trouble traversing these
The best method of flying by far. The most accessible inlets as they do the sea itself, estuaries often serve as
is a fruit of flying. Other magical means of flight include passageways for giants and other creatures that inhabit
winged boots, broom of flying, carpet of flying, cloak of the Silt Sea.
the bat, rug of welcome, and wings of flying. The most
prized of these items have no limitations; they can remain
airborne for days, crossing unbelievable distances.
Silt Shoals
Silt shoals serve as paths through the Sea of Silt-if one is
skilled, knowledgeable, or brave enough to navigate these
Magical or Psionic Movement unseen roads. In most cases, silt shoals are compressed
Other magical means include personal levitation, sand bars or solid rocks lying beneath the surface of the
levitation of a platform or raft, or travel spells and powers
14
Terrain
Rocky Islands
In ancient days, before the Sea of Silt was filled with
dust, these stony outcroppings were great ranges of hills or
highlands. The island of Waverly is an excellent example
of one of these old highlands. Other rocky islands seemed
to have been more recently formed by volcanic activity;
Lake Island is one of these. Rocky islands offer the traveler
one of the few safe havens to be found in the silt.
Some rocky islands are blessed with an abundance of
clear, cold water fed by deep springs within their strong
roots. Others are dry and lifeless. Islands possessing natural
springs are in great Demand – it is almost inconceivable
that one might stumble across one that did not support a
giant clan or some other fierce predator. creatures. Monsters such as gaj, id fiends, crystal spiders,
Little vegetation grows on most rocky islands, even if they thrax, bhaergala, rhaumbusun, and giant lizards or beetles
do have plenty of water. Many are far too mountainous, plague these isolated islands.
with steep slopes of barren stone. Those few areas that are On occasion, powerful flying predators such as rocs,
level rarely possess any topsoil, as most is carried away by wyverns, or cloud rays might be found with a nest or den
the terrible winds that scour the Sea of Silt. Some more on the highest peaks of such an island. None of these
sheltered islands, or those of considerable size, are an creatures are disposed to regard intruders as anything
exception to this general rule and support a remarkable except an easy meal. Some islands of the deep silt are
amount of life. For example, the hills ringing the island inhabited by tribes of silt runners or aarakocra. Again, the
of Waverly protect the region of scrub plain that lies in infrequent intruder is generally considered an easy way to
the isle's center. supplement their normal diets.
Islands that are within wading distance of the mainland
are often chosen as homes by giant clans of all types. Bare Stone
Very rarely, a tribe of gith might claim one as a camp.
Regions of the shallow silt where the dust has been
Most giants like to keep large herds of erdlu and goats,
stripped down to the bedrock by the hellish winds of the
but dislike actively cultivating the ground. An island
Sea, patches of bare stone are rare. They never appear in
occupied by a giant clan will seldom be plagued by many
the deep silt regions, but can occasionally be found near
large predators; the giants protect their herds well.
the shoreline.
Islands that are in the deep silt are far more likely
Patches of bare stone are usually short-lived, lasting
to be found in a wild state. Because the only creatures
only a day or a week before a shift in the wind buries
that can reach such an island are either winged or silt
them again. Because they are covered with silt most of
predators, the islands are rarely populated by intelligent
15
Terrain
the time, the bare stone regions are usually devoid of any of the crags are often weathered to the point of providing
terrestrial vegetation or animals. There is a fair amount a considerable area of relatively level ground on which
of evidence that some bare stone regions are more likely a flier can rest. Of course, some crags are inhabited by
to be uncovered than others (or are more prone to being creatures that hunt through flying, and few of these care
stripped of their protective silt). to have their homes and nests invaded.
On very rare occasions, an area of bare stone will reveal Generally, the crags are without a source of water or
a ruin of the ancients that had been covered by the silt. food. Some possess natural springs high on their flanks
In some cases these structures have not been looted to the that trickle water down their dusty sides, but these are
degree that more accessible locations have been despoiled. often inaccessible to any but the most daring climber. A
A few very lucky travelers have reaped rich rewards from very few large crags are weathered sufficiently to support
the ruins found in the silt-most notably, weapons of steel a few meagre acres of scrub on their crumbling crowns.
and hoards of treasure.
Commonly, the bare stone region will take the form of
a hillock or low rise in the floor of the Silt Sea. Far too
Mudflats
low to remain permanently free of the dust, these small The Sea of Silt is dotted with small areas of teeming life
knolls are more likely to be uncovered, albeit briefly, than known as mud flats. In these small islands of vegetation,
the lower-lying regions of the dust basin. some water seeps up from a forgotten spring or stream
A patch of bare stone in the silt sea is usually safe. beneath the silt and forms a verdant patch in the middle
The creatures of the silt cannot reach too far from their of the choking dust. Most mud flats range from 50 to
protective cover, and the terrestrial predators of the 500 yards in diameter. Some are far larger, stretching for
tablelands do not range out into the silt. The chief dangers miles. It is believed by some that these giant mud flats
come from airborne predators or the sudden return of the are the last dying remnants of the seas or lakes that once
silt as the wind changes. In a few short hours a blanket of occupied the basin now filled by the silt.
dust 10' thick can once again blanket the open ground, Mud flats can only occur in the shallow silt (50' or
burying the unfortunate visitor. less). A steady flow of water into the silt above a spring
causes the silt to collapse into thin, gray mud. The damp
area slowly expands to the largest area its water supply
Stark Crags can keep moist. The fierce heat of the sun bakes the drier
Jutting through a blanket of dust hundreds of feet thick, outlying areas into a crust as hard as stone, but the center
the sheer pinnacles of rock that pierce the silt are one of the flat often remains wet and muddy.
of the most dramatic sights of Athas. No gentle slopes Mud flats are generally morasses of dust and mire,
ring these stone monoliths; there is only a wall of rock ranging from a foot or two to 20' in depth. The mud itself
rising from the gray dust to claw at the sky with broken, varies greatly in its density. In the center of the largest
weathered fingers. mud flats, where small lakes of open water still exist, the
Most crags are found in the deep silt, because a small surrounding mud is so thin and watery that a man sinks
mountain or steep hill in the shallow silt tends to form as swiftly and as surely as if he had set foot in the silt. In
a rocky island instead of a true crag. They may just smaller mud flats, the water is barely sufficient to prevent
manage to pierce the silt, rising a bare 10-20' above the formation of silt, and a man's feet might only sink a
the surrounding dust; or they may soar majestically for few inches. Many flats become dried out by the sun and
hundreds of feet. It seems likely that in many places in form hard, brittle crusts on which a man may walk as
the deep silt, the lesser crags are occasionally revealed or though on hard stone. But if a crust should break, the
buried by the vagaries of the silt. traveler could easily be left floundering in dust and mud
The stark crags of the Sea tend to be rather forbidding waist- or chest-deep.
to the terrestrial traveler. A sheer cliff hundreds of feet The combination of a source of water (however small
high is a daunting barrier. Fortunately, the upper surfaces and polluted) and a lack of silt makes most mud flats
16
Terrain
some of the most heavily vegetative areas left on Athas. liquid rock. Most stretches of magma are thick enough to
Many plants flourish in the wet dust, from tangled patches support the weight of a human sized creature. The rare,
of thorny bramble to low, impenetrable mangrove copses. yellow-hot lava cannot. Travelers walking the Ring of Fire
Life is harsh and savage in the mud flats of the Silt Sea; with powerful magical protection must detour around thin
the scrub plants and wild grasses are often protected lava.
by razor-sharp leaves and spines. Carnivorous plants,
especially dew fronds, often infest mud flats. Temperature
Worse than the dangerous vegetation of a mud flat are
the powerful carnivores that frequently make their homes Surfaces vary from cold crusts that would not even singe
in the mud flats. The dreaded kluzd is perhaps the most exposed flesh to superheated lava that glows bright yellow.
well known of the mud-flat predators, but many other Most magma is in the cool red to hot red range, which
dangerous creatures can be found here. Great flocks of is quite sufficient to burn a human to ashes. The hottest
carnivorous bats often roost in the dense foliage of a mud regions can set a human afire a hundred yards away.
flat, and numerous insectoid monsters such as centipedes,
scorpions, and giant beetles abound in the mud flats. Activity
Dangerous avian hunters such as wyverns often nest in Vast areas simply seethe slowly, forming unbroken plains
the mud. of red-hot stone. Other regions are a stunning display of
If neither the plants nor the animal predators of a natural power and energy, with lava fountains hurling tons
mud flat do not make a meal out of the unwary traveler, of rock hundreds of feet in the air. The most dangerous
the small insect life of a mud flat will. The flats are active regions are the dormant ones; no one wants to be
virtually crawling with biting, blood-sucking flies and surprised by a sudden eruption of a new fountain where
gnats of all descriptions. They swarm around any soft- none was suspected.
skinned creature such as a man in numbers so great Generally, creatures of the Elemental Plane of Fire tend
that the victim is driven mad by the bugs. Ears, eyes, to prefer the hottest, most liquid magma they can find.
and nostrils are constantly attacked. Dozens of gnats are Creatures of the Elemental Plane of Earth and terrestrial
swallowed or inhaled. The only methods of driving off fire creatures such as fire drakes or fire lizards, prefer
the noxious insects are completely covering the body or cooler lava.
burning various woody plants to create a pungent smoke No water or vegetation is ever found on the rock spires
unpleasant to the vicious insects. and barren islands. The heat is too great, and firestorms
All things considered, mud flats are areas best avoided. regularly scour them clean. Despite this destitution, the
The only good thing that can be said about them is that spires can save the life of a flier in need of rest or a
a traveler can usually set foot on one without sinking and traveler fleeing a magma creature.
suffocating in the silt.
Blackwash
Lava Sea A blackwash occurs when silt blown in from the sea
Travelers encountering the Ring are hard-pressed to covers a tar pit with a layer of dust, making it look like
recognize distinctive features. Despite this apparent a natural patch of ground. Many travelers have fallen
uniformity, the lava sea possesses as many moods as through blackwashes, so named for the black tar that
any mundane ocean. Varying densities, temperatures, and splashes up when a victim vanishes into one.
levels of activity each carry particular dangers. Because hot air from the boiling tar must escape,
blackwashes will always have small vents breaking through
Density the layer of silt. The vents look like tiny ant mounds,
This varies from near-solid stone to thin, fast-flowing though the air above them is hazy due to the escaping
heat.
17
Terrain
18
Terrain
the living land to ash. Then, with little power left for their The pits found near Giustenal are much hotter than
vile magic, the land burst with the foul blackness of the those found elsewhere.
smoking tar. This legend may have some validity, for tar
pits found in other places aren't nearly as hot and don't
give off the same greasy smoke.
Dead Forest
Whatever the truth is, all who have visited the area Once verdant jungles like the Forest Ridge, the dead
know that the tar pits are the Giustenal region's most forests were slain by wind and the ashfall of the Valley.
terrible and treacherous menace. But the people of Athas That some still stand is evidence that the Valley was not
are resourceful if nothing else, and the deadly tar has always a wasteland. The forests consist of charred gray
found its uses in everyday life. The stuff is hot enough to trunks and dead trees of all kinds. Every year, a few more
boil the flesh from a human in seconds but can easily be fall to the ravages of the Great Ash Storm. Half the trees
scooped up in containers made of glass or obsidian. Tar of any forest region still stand as bare white skeletons.
is good for waterproofing wineskins and creating torches. The floor of the forests are treacherous, for several
Gathering the material is dangerous for two reasons. inches or feet of acrid ash cover the ground. Soft loam
First, the crust around a tar pit tends to be brittle, and lies beneath the ash. It sometimes hides sharp branches
many curious individuals have fallen through into hot and deadfalls, and it is easy for a traveler to stumble into
goo. The second danger of the tar pits comes from the these.
malicious creatures that can live beneath the gooey surface. The dead forests, despite the name, are the most
Hideous things lurk just below the bubbling blackness populous outer lands. The trees will never regrow, but
and they often try to pull unsuspecting victims to a quick in many places small and sturdy shrubs grow through
and painful doom. The Sky Singers have dubbed these the ash, fed by tiny springs in the deep ravines and dells
horrible beasts pit snatchers. of the ruined woods. This relative abundance of food
19
Terrain
and water makes the dead forests dangerous, for powerful Most creatures find the smoking lands too desolate and
predators can survive here. dangerous to live in. However, these regions of blasted
Most dead forests support mundane life, such as insects earth support scrawny brambles and tough shrubs. Animals
and rodents and grazers. Many small carnivores have such as erdlu, goats, jarbos, and jankx survive here, but
perished because of the competition, leaving wyverns large carnivores are rare; the ruined lands simply cannot
and so-ut as the most commonly encountered predators. support them. Most caves or fissures of the smoking lands
Intelligent creatures usually avoid the dead forests because are vents for such geological activity as geysers or toxic
of the high number of dangerous creatures, but outlanders gas eruptions. The smoking lands offer no shelter for the
and giants mount occasional hunting expeditions into the traveler.
ash-choked woods.
Lava Plains
Smoking Land Black, featureless fields of frozen rock, many lava plains
Regions of cooling lava flows and hot volcanic vents are are only a few dozen years old, formed by nearby volcanic
common in the outer regions of the Valley. The proximity activity. No plants can survive in this waterless desert of
of the Ring of Fire contributes to the already catastrophic solid rock-and without plants, few animals survive.
conditions of the Valley of Dust and Fire, and extreme Unlike the Ring of Fire or other stretches of molten
volcanic activity is common. magma, the lava plains have long since cooled and ceased
The smoking lands take several different forms, most their relentless flow. They cover the ground in a blanket
commonly a stony barren with scattered vents Lava Plains of dense black stone anywhere from 8-30' deep. In a few
and mud pits. The land trembles from time to time, and places a strong natural spring can force its way to the
geysers of hot ash and burning gases are routine. Despite surface, but these are simply buried anew. In other places
the physical danger of the smoking land, tough weeds volcanic vents spew poisonous gas.
and brambles survive in its tormented soil. These scarce The lava plains are difficult to cross on foot. Though
plants in turn support a small animal population among generally flat and level, they are crisscrossed with deep
the mud pits and scalding vents. fissures. The ground itself is hard, sharp, and unforgiving;
Travel in the smoking lands is possible, but hazardous. travelers must proceed with caution or risk shredding their
A wayfarer unaccustomed to the dangers can stumble feet on the jagged stone.
dangerously. For instance: Lava plains are often riddled with subterranean pipes or
tunnels within the rock. These lead back to the volcano
● A mud geyser splatters scalding mud over the whose fury spawned the black plains. It is thought that
characters. these tunnels serve as conduits for fresh lava during
A hidden vent emits scorching fumes. subsequent eruptions.
● Apparently solid ground conceals a pit of boiling Given the near-total lack of food and water, there is
mud. little to recommend a lava plain. However, most flows do
● Noxious mist sweeps over party, causing blindness possess one redeeming quality-they are free of dangerous
and nausea. animals. No carnivore hunts such empty land. However,
● A tremor opens a fissure beneath the characters. be wary of flying creatures. On the flat expanse of lava,
a roc or wyvern is the last thing a traveler wants to see.
20
Locations
TheLocations
Tablelands Dragon Horns
An ominous pair of crags rising above the rocky
badlands south of Tyr, the Dragon Horns serve as the lair
“Beyond Tyr, who knows what we'll meet? Maybe
of a vicious gnoll tribe that calls itself the Dragon Horde.
earthquakes, scouring sand squalls, monstrous
The tribe has no connection with the Dragon, but its
abominations, attacks by violent raiders... sure you're up
appropriation of the terrifying creature's name enhances
for the trip?”
its gruesome reputation. The leader of the Horde is a wily
old war chief named Tuarg Broken-Fang.
- Shahin, dune trader
Tuarg and the gnolls have taken swift advantage
of the confusion following the fall of Tyr's sorcerer-king.
Stretching from the foothills of the Ringing Mountains
Their raids have grown bolder and bolder as the city fails
to the Great Ivory Plain and from the Lost Oasis to
to respond to their forays. Tyr grapples with too much
the Dragon's Bowl, the Tablelands are a vast territory of
internal turmoil to police its outlying plantations and
sand, stone, and scrub plains. The picturesque mesas and
mines. Scenting opportunity, Tuarg has sent runners to
buttes for which the region is named jut from the plains
other gnoll tribes, summoning them to join the Dragon
or rise like broken ramparts from the badlands, painted
Horde. When next the gnolls strike, they mean to scour
in broad striations of orange, yellow, and ocher. These
clean everything outside the city walls.
ancient lands, inhabited by a wide variety of almost all
the speaking peoples of Athas, hold dusty trading posts,
hidden villages, and crumbling ruins. When city-dwelling Great Alluvial Sand Wastes
Athasians think of deserts and desert people, they usually A wide belt of dunes stretches hundreds of miles
picture the Tablelands and its denizens. In fact, some city from Urik all the way south past Altaruk, paralleling the
residents use the term “Tablelands” to describe everything Ringing Mountains. Over the ages, sand washed from
between the Ringing Mountains and the Sea of Silt. the mouths of mountain canyons has accumulated into
Two city-states dominate the Tablelands: Tyr and Urik. a vast desert known as the Great Alluvial Sand Wastes.
Tyr claims the broad central belt, and Urik's influence This region walls off Tyr and the foothills of the Ringing
extends over the northern portion. With the death of Mountains from the rest of the Tablelands (and the Tyr
King Kalak of Tyr, the old rivalry has taken on a new Region in general). Although the terrain is difficult to
complexion. Tyr's revolutionaries dream of spreading their travel, it is not especially harsh, and tiny wells and oases
uprising to new cities, while Hamanu of Urik plots to lie scattered across its golden expanse.
seize Tyr's iron mines and extend his control all the way
to Tyr's walls. However, there is a difference between what
each city claims and what it truly controls. Outside a Slither, the Crawling Citadel
narrow belt of patrols and outposts ringing the two cities, A century ago, a mul defiler named Yarnath used
the only laws a traveler need worry about are the laws a powerful ritual to create a crawling citadel of bone
of the desert: Trust no one, guard your water, and watch in the wastes south of Tyr. However, the ritual took an
where you step. unexpected turn, and Yarnath drained his own life as
The Tablelands around Tyr hide a number of intriguing well as those of the slaves he intended to sacrifice. He
sites, including plantations of Tyr's nobles, client villages, passed into undeath and became a powerful lich.
raider camps, old ruins, and lairs of dangerous monsters. Despite the unforeseen sacrifice, Yarnath's ritual
Trade routes snake eastward from Tyr, leading to the succeeded in animating the fortified palace of Slither
cities of Balic, Gulg, and Urik. Great mekillot-drawn to serve as his roving citadel. Slither is built from the
argosies creak slowly along these well-traveled paths, but gargantuan skeletons of seven mekillot dirks bound
the roads are far from safe. together by beams of fused bone. Turrets and sharp spires
21
Locations
of bone rise crookedly from the dirk-shell structure, which east of Tyr. Its entrance is said to resemble a natural,
slowly crawls across sand wastes, scrub plains, salt flats, wind-carved portico set flush in the shadowed face of
and ridged foothills with equal facility. a canyon wall. Inside, a hidden entrance opens into a
Yarnath leads a band of raiders who primarily target labyrinth of tunnels containing the treasury vault of House
trade caravans on the way to Altaruk or the Silver Spring Madar. Undead (apparently consisting of buried Madar
Oasis. The lich's marauders hide their citadel a quarter- ancestors and servitors), constructs, traps, and wards guard
day's journey from wherever they set their ambushes, so the place. Despite the elaborate traps and real wealth
no one realizes the secret of their mobile encampment. stored here, the tomb could be false – a ploy meant to
The raiders bear snake-skull tattoos, and Yarnath has distract notice from the true and as yet undiscovered vault
established a network of spies and agents from Ledopolus of House Madar.
to Silver Spring.
Lost Oasis
Vault of House Madar Possibly unique on Athas, the so-called Lost Oasis
The merchant dynasty of House Madar fell to the features a natural geyser that periodically shoots scalding
machinations of House Tsalaxa a hundred years ago, water to the surface. Despite its high mineral content, the
but Tsalaxa's victory was incomplete. The last Madars steaming water nourishes a grove of trees, perhaps with the
concealed a goodly part of their wealth in a hidden help of the thri-kreen druid Durwadala, who claims Lost
redoubt before Tsalaxa's assassins slew all who knew the Oasis as her home.
secret of its resting place. Travelers who are allowed by Durwadala to enter
Supposedly, the vault is somewhere in the sandy wastes Lost Oasis never see her, and those she determines to
24
Locations
25
Locations
canyon entrances. Some ruins remain empty to this day, anticipated, more than one outpost should grow into a
while others serve as the strongholds of powerful raider full-fledged fort or even a trade village before too long.
chiefs or the lairs of monster tribes. In the deepest parts of Gith wait in ambush throughout the mountain region,
these ruins, ancient treasures may still be found, including while the forest is the domain of savage halflings. Gith
bits of metal, psionic artifacts, and arcane texts that refuse hate most other humanoid races, attacking travelers on
to succumb to the effects of time. sight with murderous and plunderous intentions.
Ancient mines and other subterranean tunnels spiral Halflings, on the other hand, see travelers as potential
through the mountains and foothills. Low ceilings and meals. They stalk travelers, waiting for opportunities to
narrow walls make walking through the tunnels all but spring ambushes. Halflings always attempt to capture their
impossible for creatures larger than dwarves and halflings. prey alive so that they can present them to their chiefs.
The mines dating back to the Green Age were constructed The most savage tribes eat prisoners while they’re still
by dwarves or the now-extinct gnomes, while older tunnels alive and kicking. More civilized halflings at least kill their
were the work of the ancient halfling nature-masters. These food before consuming it. Even a halfling among a group
latter excavations can be distinguished by the organic of captured travelers is no guarantee of better treatment.
feel of the passages, for they seem to have been shaped Savage halflings assume that their unfortunate brother
through growth rather than fashioned by tools. Smooth was a prisoner that they have freed from bondage. “Freed”
walls of vibrantly colored porous stone mark these halfling halflings are invited to join the tribe that “liberated” them
tunnels, some of which lead to underground cities shaped or presented with gifts and left to decide their own course
from the same growing stone. Some of these tunnels were through the world.
used by the people of the Green Age, serving as psionic
highways that provided quick transport from one side of
the mountains to the other.
Echoless Caverns
Time has made many of these mines and tunnels Decades ago, a human named Mulmehr discovered a
unstable. They can collapse unexpectedly, trapping particularly old series of tunnels through the mountains
explorers or even crushing them beneath tons of falling and claimed them for himself. Mulmehr, a scion of the
rock. Water fills some of the mines. Every so often a pool Shahram noble family in Tyr, spent years and much of
of stagnant water burns like acid or dissolves flesh clear his resources modifying the tunnels to use them in a
to the bone. Explosive gases hang in the air in a few psionic ritual. He completed his preparations, attempted
mines, causing tunnels to burst into flames at the slightest the ritual, and apparently failed. Many of the tunnels
touch of torch light. Even the weakest quakes can cause collapsed, and Mulmehr was never seen in Tyr again.
extensive damage to the ancient systems. Whatever the nature of the ritual, the tunnels have
Intelligent beings can be encountered throughout the since gained a reputation as an evil place that drains
Ringing Mountains, but travelers must be constantly all sound from visitors – as well as their willpower and
ready to fight or flee. Few of the mountain inhabitants volition. No one can say what lies at the heart of the
that travelers meet will be friendly, with the exception Echoless Caverns, where Mulmehr scribed the ritual circle,
of the herders tending their animals in the canyon sand because no one has reached that area and returned to
washes. Most others are hiding or hunting, so they should tell the story.
be avoided.
Travelers may discover trading posts hidden in the Mausoleum of Shiivarm
canyon passes, especially since a few of the merchant
houses have begun to seek routes to the lands beyond the In the middle of a deep cleft in the mountains north
mountains in recent months. Of course, the locations of of Tyr stands the ruin of a white palace surrounded by
outposts are jealously guarded, so travelers not affiliated golden-brown savanna. Its towers are carved with images
with an outpost’s ruling house shouldn’t expect a warm of strange beasts that no longer exist on Athas – great,
welcome. However, if the new trade routes develop as long-nosed creatures with tusks and flaplike ears – and
26
Locations
Mount Narran
The steep slopes of this dark peak are sometimes visible
from the walls of Tyr, especially when witch lights play
within its gaping mouths. Tunnels, tombs, and long-looted
ruins riddle the mountain's lower reaches. On a plateau
near the summit stand the crumbled walls of an ancient
githyanki outpost. Today, the only inhabitants of the ruins,
the tunnels, and the winding stairs beneath are gith that
hunt the Ringing Mountains, ambushing sources of food.
The warrens below Mount Narran contain thousands
more fierce gith. It is said that they revere an old statue
hidden far below the surface, where they carry out savage
rites of blood and sacrifice.
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Locations
28
Locations
a gruesome fate befalls those who come too close. Worse travelers caught in the dunes are likely to be buried so
yet, creatures that sustain physical wounds within a few deep in the sand that their bodies will never be recovered.
miles of the tower fall prey to the transformative plague Above the dunes, the mountains are dry and stony,
that fills the Beastbarrens with loathsome monstrosities. with bare. windswept peaks vanishing upward in the
haze. These slopes are nearly unscalable. They offer few
footholds, and the gusty wind from the west can hurl a
The Windbreak Mountains climber off the mountains and to his death.
The Windbreak Mountains mark the northwestern base A climber who somehow manages to scale the lower
of the Ivory Triangle region. This high mountain range slopes will likely suffer the mysterious ennui which travelers
juts abruptly from the sandy wastes at the edge of the suffer in the Ringing Mountains. The air gets colder, and
Tablelands on its northwestern windward) side. These unless the climber is careful, he or she will just sit down
mountains are called the Windbreak Mountains because and freeze to death.
they protect the Ivory Triangle region from the prevailing Fortunately, there is little need to climb these mountains.
west winds blowing off the Tablelands, out to the Sea of Most caravans travel around them to the south, along
Silt. the Verdant Belt, or on the eastern side through the
Travelers approaching the mountains through the sandy Blackspine Gap. Moreover, the Bremil Pass lies roughly
wastes first see them as a gray-brown haze on the horizon. in the center of the range, and provides access to the rocky
Some claim to be able to see the peaks from as far off badlands along the northern edge of the Crescent Forest.
as Silver Spring. The canyons of the rocky badlands that The canyons of this region run east to west, making this
abut the Windbreak Mountains are neither as long nor a natural alternate route to the city of Nibenay.
as twisted as those found at the edge of the Ringing On the leeward side (away from the wind), the slopes
Mountains. A day's journey through the badlands will are much gentler. Long ridges, like buttresses on ancient
usually bring a traveler to the base of the mountains. temples, provide easy climbing to the higher slopes of the
Unfortunately, travel from this point forward is mountain. The Crescent Forest extends about halfway
virtually impossible. The windward face of the mountains up the slopes on the southern half of the range. Above
forms a nearly unscalable barrier. It looks more like the the treeline the mountains retain much of the barren,
edge of some enormous broken mesa than a mountain windswept conditions seen on the windward side of the
range. Over the centuries, the wind and sand have worn range. Where the Forest covers the slope, the ground is
away at the rock, making it slippery-smooth and relatively covered with a loamy soil held to the mountainside by
free of crevices and protuberances. moss and grass.
The canyon floors on the windward side are littered The northern leg of the mountains does not run directly
with rock and dust worn from the mountain face. Most against the forest. Enough dry, hot wind blows through
of the pieces are pebbles, but some of the fallen boulders the Bremil Pass to create a band of rocky badlands north
are twice the height of a man. Worse, these canyons are of the forest, and even to thin the forest along its border.
often filled with sand which has drifted into the region
over the centuries. It is not uncommon to find sand Flora and Fauna
dunes five times the height of a man piled against the
The Windbreak Mountains appear barren and empty
mountainside. Often this sand has been piled to unstable
to the casual observer, yet even here life clings to the
heights by the wind. These drifts will collapse at the
land. Cacti and desert flowers are scattered throughout the
slightest disturbance. Some travelers in the region describe
foothills. The serrated-leaf bush called silverknife, common
hearing a loud rushing sound, like the wind in your ears.
to badlands all over the Tyr region, can be found in the
If this sound is very loud, flee – you may well be facing
foothills, as can the tall. thorny gray-yellow bushes known
a sand slide.
as wanderer's staff. The mountains themselves are almost
A typical avalanche will not travel far, only perhaps twice
barren. although here and there small flowers and mosses
the height of the dune. They are dangerous, however, and
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cling to life even in this dry, windswept place. travel by foot or kank. While crodlu have the stamina
The very highest slopes, however, are not dry, but rather to climb the steep slopes, they are not as sure-footed as
seem constantly damp. It is the runoff from these slopes kanks, particularly if they are carrying any kind of burden.
that waters the Crescent Forest and the Verdant Belt. Travelers with destinations in the high mountains have
The streams tend to run down only on the leeward side. at times brought crodlu for pack animals, and have then
Wherever these clear and cold mountain streams can be been forced to slaughter and eat them when the going
found, there are mountain trees and shrubs in abundance. got too rough. This is one consideration that may make
The foothills hold a variety of animal life: fire lizards, crodlu preferable to kanks for inexperienced travelers.
rasclinn, tagsters, id fiends, cha'thrang, and packs of Travel in the mountains is extremely slow. There are
zhackals can be found here. There are herds of erdland no clear pathways to reach most high destinations. The
here, but z'tal are the common omnivores at the bottom traveler is relegated to slowly inching across the stone.
of the food chain. The more cunning predators of the Crodlu and kank can also maneuver slowly through this
region can cull out a few of these timid lizards from their region, although there is no way for them to pull a vehicle.
herd without starting a stampede. An unencumbered human can travel but three miles per
In the mountains, on the other hand, animal life is much day in the mountains, and bad weather or an accident
more scarce. There are carnivores, to be sure, although can easily halve that.
they prey on each other as much as on the erdland The availability of water is much more a question of
herds that wander the middle slopes. Id fiends, mountain which side of the range one is on, rather than altitude.
lions, and giant scorpions are the most prevalent of the The windward side is dry, with very little water available
carnivores, but bulettes and even an occasional earth anywhere. A careful search on the leeward side, however,
drake may be encountered here. The highest slopes are may yield one of a number of clear mountain streams.
the province of winged creatures or those with exceptional Food is similarly distributed: plant life is much more
climbing ability: rocs, aarakocra, dragonnels, and giant abundant on the leeward side, while a traveler on the
spiders. windward side may end up in battle with a carnivore to
determine who shall dine on the other.
Travel
Traveling in the foothills can be done by any normal Inhabitants
means. There is a well-marked trail through the Bremil The Windbreak Mountains are not heavily populated.
Pass which is wide enough and level enough to permit Few humans and demi-humans bother trying to survive
a mekillot wagon to pass. The rough surrounding terrain, in the barren mountains when the Verdant Belt is just
however, makes the Bremil Pass an ideal place to ambush below. Nevertheless, there are a few races which make
a caravan. For this reason, few merchant houses use this their homes here.
route. Kanks, crodlu, and foot travel provide the best The aarakocra have extensive nesting areas in the
means of finding a direct route through the canyons of higher regions of the mountains. These creatures nest on
these rocky badlands. inaccessible mountain peaks, keeping them safe from all
Traveling east and west with the direction of the canyons but other winged predators. They have a terrible time with
is airy easy, while traveling north and south requires rots, however, which have come to view aarakocra nests
crossing the walls between canyons. A human traveler in the same way a woodpecker views an ant-riddled tree.
can go perhaps eight miles in a day east-west through The foothills harbor other intelligent creatures. In
these canyons, by the time you account for following the addition to the small slave bands which hide in the many
twisting canyons instead of traveling in a straight line. By caves and canyons here, there are three intelligent races
comparison, a north-south traveler can go perhaps our which inhabit the rocky barren foothills.
miles in that same time. The first are the slig. These hairless humanoids live
In the mountains themselves, the best choices are to in small clans, generally inhabiting a cave or narrow
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tightly root themselves to the bark of a tree. Sometimes have heard that behir have devastating psionic abilities.
they can coil themselves around the base of a tree, Templars assure them that a behir's low intelligence would
completely obscuring the trunk. In addition to being a not allow it to use such abilities very effectively. Some
physical nuisance, these vines can inject their roots into templars have suggested that the sightings may just be the
anything living which touches them. This causes intense result of a druid causing trouble.
pain and, if the contact is prolonged, even death. The
slaves of Gulg spend much of their time keeping the Travel
bloodvines off the agafari trees in the city. The bloodvines Travel through the Crescent Forest is easiest by foot
are so common on agafari trees that some believe they or by crodlu. Mekillots and inix are unable to penetrate
are actually part of the tree, rather than a parasite living the denser portions of the woods, and there are no
on it. A more aggressive carnivorous vine is the strangling roads through the forest (except to the logging camps of
vine, which can be found in the more remote areas of the Nibenay). An unencumbered human can travel eight
Crescent Forest. These plants are found draped between miles in a day through the Crescent Forest. Crodlu can
several trees, usually over a footpath or trail. The vine lays also be ridden through the forest, but not as rapidly as a
motionless until suitable prey passes beneath it. The vine man can travel on foot: a normal human riding a crodlu
then drops to its victim, buries its thorns deep the victim's can travel only four miles a day through the Crescent
neck, and then strangles the victim by yanking them off Forest.
their feet, kicking and screaming. Travelers should also Travelers should have no difficulty finding water in the
beware of the giant sundew, which is a creature with the forest, and even a moderate knowledge of the plants in
appearance of a mound of ropes covered with gray-green the forest or a modicum of hunting skill should assure
tar. This plant can cast its tendrils several feet, burning plenty of food for a small party. Large groups (more than
its victim with an acidic touch. 20 individuals) should bring at least some of their own
The forest is also home to the carnivorous plants food, as such a large group can easily scare off all the
found across the Tablelands. Blossomkiller, dew fronds, game in an area.
poisonweed, and zombie plants can all be found in the
Crescent Forest. While none of these are common, travelers City-states
should be aware of the dangers which they present.
The fauna of the Crescent Forest is as varied as Two of the city-states of Athas depend on the Crescent
the plant life. There are a number of large carnivores, Forest for their survival. The city-state of Gulg actually
including crystal spiders, tembo, zhackal, and even the lies within the forest and depends upon the forest to
occasional gaj. support its hunting and foraging, while much of the
Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the wildlife within economy of Nibenay depends upon the lumber they
the Crescent Forest is the wide variety of birds. There are extract from the northern end of the forest. There is a
hundreds of species, each brightly plumed and with its fair amount of human and demihuman traffic through the
own distinctive call. Some birds in the Crescent Forest, forest from these cities. Gulg's slaves range far into the
like the yellow-plumed rhoss, can be trained to mimic the forest to gather nuts and berries. The judaga head-hunters
speech of humans. The red and green kvale, can actually stalk prey throughout the forest and occasionally return to
recall melodies that it hears. Many of the children's songs Gulg with the head of a Nibenay woodsman. Parties of
of Gulg imitate the call and response of the kvale. half-giants commanded by Nibenay's wife-templars patrol
The lumber camps of Nibenay have recently reported the outer reaches of their city's interests. More than once
sighting a behir in the forest. It will not be the first time tensions have increased to the point of war.
that the woodcutters have had to deal with a predator
whose territory they have encroached upon. Based upon Temple of the Eye
description, it seems that the beast must have made its Beyond the bounds of Nibenay's farthest logging camps
home in the Crescent Forest for centuries. The woodsmen sits a crumbling, vine-choked ruin, a former temple of a
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forgotten dark god. The image of an enormous, hideous of the other spirits in the Forest and can call upon them
eye is carved into the wall above the black stone altar. in time of need. Brazin made up the story to inspire his
Nibenese templars tend the temple day and night, slaying young acolytes, but the tale is gaining credence among
anyone who happens upon the site, but they never enter the entire druidic community. Of the living druids, only
the unexplored catacombs belowground. Well guarded Brazin has added to the grove.
slave laborers spend their days chiseling stone carvings
from the temple's ancient walls, and teams of bearers ferry Brazin: Brazin has lived in the Crescent Forest almost
the carvings back to the Naggaramakam, the dominion of continuously for the last 20 years. He has spent much of
the Shadow King. To what purpose Nibenay puts these his time observing the forest and becoming familiar with
carvings, none can say. it. Brazin believes that the forest, unique as it is within
the Tyr region, is crucial to the life of the entire region.
Druids of the Crescent Forest He has consistently demonstrated his love for the forest.
There are roughly 15 druids guarding various features of Shortly after discovering the oba's grove, Brazin was
the Crescent Forest. but unlike their desert counterparts visited by the forest goddess herself. She chose not to kill
these druids have banded together into a simple hierarchy the druid outright, and in her characteristically cunning
underneath the druid Brazin. While the druids are not manner turned the druid into a puppet of the crown.
formally obligated to obey Brazin, he acts as a coordinator Over a series of several discussions which took place
for their efforts and as a source of information about over the period of a year, the oba convinced the druid that
travelers through the wood. In time of crisis, Brazin their goals were complementary. She convinced Brazin
becomes an active leader. Unless there is an emergency, that Gulg's interests were best served by maintaining the
however, he limits his efforts to pointing out problems and balance within the forest. The city was a community of
to advising his fellow druids on how to solve them. hunters and gatherers. Nibenay's logging, however, was
The heart of druidic power in the Crescent Forest is a a threat to both Gulg's future and to the forest itself.
grove of trees of life nestled deep in the forest. This grove She did not mention that it was Gulg's judaga who had
predates any living druid, but legends tell of a powerful hunted the kirre to extinction within the Crescent Forest.
druid who founded the grove when the Crescent Forest Brazin found himself forming one of the most unlikely
still stretched wide across the Tyr region. In truth the grove alliances on Athas. Lalali-Puy advised Brazin to form
was created by Lalali-Puy, the oba of Gulg, as a reservoir the hierarchy of druids in order to better advance their
of magical power for use by her defilers in an advance on interests, rather than operating independently and less
Nibenay. This grove contains 50 of the precious trees and effectively. She also encouraged him to range more broadly
is tended by an Athasian treant. This treant was created and take a more direct hand in druidic activity across
by the first druid the oba had coerced into tending her the forest. She sealed their arrangement by insisting that
grove. The spirit of the land of the water of the aquifer Brazin add a tree of life to her grove.
which supports the Crescent Forest was bound into a tree The oba believes that she is creating a specialist
of life to create this guardian. The water of the aquifer military unit that will serve her in a final confrontation
has been slowly depleting since then. The treant has with Nibenay and will not compete with her for resources.
been living in this grove for over 1,000 years, and it is Brazin's druids can also serve the sorcerer-queen as an
specifically tasked by the oba with protecting it from any intelligence network, providing information to Brazin on
danger that invades. Some druids believe that it is the Nibenay's activity within the Crescent Forest. The oba
mystical influence of this treant that has maintained the will allow the druids to operate in the forest as long as
spring water which allows the forest to survive. they continue to serve her interests. She keeps a careful
Brazin tells the younger druids that any druid who adds eye to their numbers and their ability to be certain that
a tree to the grove becomes a spirit of the land upon his they do not become unmanageably powerful.
or her death; moreover, that druid gains contact with all Brazin does not suspect the oba's motives beyond what
she has explained to him. However, he cannot bring
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himself to reveal the truth of his pact with the queen Brazin spends much of his time in the shape of
to his fellow druids. To ally with a defiler, let alone the a rhoss, as this shape affords him the mobility of a bird
savage oba of Gulg, would be considered sedition by the but allows him to speak with travelers and fellow druids
druids of the Crescent Forest. without changing shape.
Brazin's guarded land is the aquifer that supports life
within the Crescent Forest. As a result, his span of control Witchgrove
is both broader and more limited than his fellow druids In the deepest part of the Crescent Forest lies a stretch
within the forest. Brazin has, at the encouragement of the of forest that appears to be alive. Strange eyes watch from
oba, become a sort of custodian to the entire forest. He the undergrowth, and the trees seem malignantly aware.
gets along well with the other druids, and he has taken Here in this wood, called the Witchgrove by those who
a very broad view of his responsibility to the guardian encounter it, the Lands Within the Wind lie near to
lands. Thus, while one could argue that the Nibenay Athas. When travelers blunder into the area, strange,
lumber camps are no threat to the aquifer, Brazin is able hateful fey creatures fall upon them and sometimes spirit
to justify his involvement by arguing that the fair use of them away.
the aquifer is being denied by overlogging. As a result, he
makes the loggers (and the consequences of their actions)
his business. Brazin does not realize that much of the The Verdant Belt
difficulty he has had slowing the decline of the aquifer is The Verdant Belt is a fertile zone lying between the
attributable to the fact that its spirit of the land is bound thick Crescent Forest and the barren Great Ivory Plain. It
into the Athasian treant, which he reveres. Someday the is filled with springs, grasslands, and groves of trees. It is
druid may be forced to kill the treant to save the aquifer. the Verdant Belt which holds the farms and homesteads
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of the client villages of Gulg and Nibenay, and which without putting anything back. At times these conflicts
acts as the trade route between these two hostile cities. turn violent, particularly when the herders are not citizens
The Verdant Belt starts at the northern end of the of a city-state, or when herders from one city encounter
Crescent Forest, near the city of Nibenay. It continues farmers from another.
southwestward past the city of Gulg, then turns west, Wild herds also wander the Verdant Belt. These herds
extending in a gentle curve to the south until it almost shy away from the inhabited portions of the Belt, but more
reaches the Estuary of the Forked Tongue. For much of than one farmer has had to drive a herd of kip out of
its length it is surrounded by scrub plains, although it is his field. Jankz communities also build their underground
partially bounded on its northern edge by the Crescent colonies in the drier portions of the belt, generally far
Forest and the foothills of the Windbreak Mountains. from human habitation.
The narrow band of scrub plains represents a reduction Despite the herding and farming, the Verdant Belt is not
in arable land as one travels further away from the water entirely tame. The bogs at the ends of the runoff streams
sources of the Verdant Belt. attract bog waders to the region. Braxat and b'rohg hunt
the wandering herds, making little distinction between the
Flora and Fauna wild herds, the tended herds, and the livestock of farmers.
The Verdant Belt is the most lush area of the Tyr The southernmost portions of the Belt suffer from the
Region outside the Crescent Forest and the forests of depredations of giants from the islands in the Forked
the Ringing Mountains. The ground is covered with tall, Tongue Estuary. Giants wade over to the Belt to hunt
luxuriant grasses, and sections of the region are dotted and attack caravans. Travelers should beware.
with smaller wood and thick copses of trees. Water in this
region comes from springs as well as streams that carry Travel
runoff water through the Crescent Forest and out into The Verdant Belt is one of the most well-traveled
the Tablelands. These streams eventually pool into bogs, portions of the Ivory Triangle region. A major caravan
creating oasislike areas within the Belt. route runs along the length of the Belt from Gulg to the
The vegetation thins somewhat as the Belt leaves the Forked Tongue Estuary, then turns north toward Altaruk.
protection of the Windbreak Mountains. The southern A stretch of this road, beginning just south of the Crescent
half of the Verdant Belt is made up almost entirely of Forest and running all the way to the Forked Tongue
high grassland, well watered by a series of runoff streams Estuary, is paved with ancient stone bricks, providing a
from the Windbreak Mountains. smooth surface for wagons and riders. The stone road,
While the number of animal species living in referred to as the Road of Roshott, actually continues
the Verdant Belt does not approach the variety in the all the way into the Estuary and beneath the silt; but
Crescent Forest, there are still many animals who reside caravans turn off a few miles from the shore to avoid
here. First and most common are the herd animals: erdlu, attracting the attention of the giants on nearby islands.
erdland, and z'tal. Kip are discouraged in the Verdant Even a slow mekillot wagon can travel nearly 18 miles a
Belt because their rooting can destroy whole groves of day along this fine road. No one knows who built this
trees.) Large hives of kank are also raised in the Verdant road – it certainly does not seem like a civic project of
Belt. the oba.
There is considerable conflict between the herders The stone road through the verdant belt is one of
(who must move regularly to avoid overgrazing) and the the most pleasant caravan journeys in the Tablelands. It
farmers (who are bound to the land for their survival). enjoys a number of water sources and many villages. The
The herders feel that the farmers are taking too much road is patrolled by soldiers from the various merchant
from the land and that their claim to ownership interferes houses and less frequently by templar bands from Gulg.
with the herders' natural rights. The farmers, on the other However, the region closest to the Estuary is not well
hand, see the herders as stealing the life from the land protected.
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In addition to the main road, there is a network of less a recognized merchant house, the farmers are likely to
well-protected and less well-constructed trails. Trails run be suspicious. Templars have the right to demand food,
from the road to farms and villages. While not made of water, and lodging from any client village or farm. The
the superior stone of the main caravan road, traveling cost of the goods consumed is just considered a part of
along these trails is much faster than going overland. the host's normal burden of taxes.
There is a solid network of trails running between Gulg
and Nibenay. Inhabitants
The Verdant Belt represents the largest stretch of arable The Verdant Belt is one of the most heavily populated
soil in the Tablelands. This natural wealth, as well as its regions outside the city-states themselves. Hundreds of
central location, makes the area one of the most attractive farms dot the landscape, all providing their crops to
routes for traders. The southern end of the belt also offers their city-states and merchant caravans. Herders move
one of the few verdant regions not under the direct sway thousands of animals across the Belt, taking them to feed
of one of the city-states. This makes Fort Kalvis of the the people of the cities. Templars march the length and
merchant house Tsalaxa the center of trade and security breadth of the Belt, keeping the peace and enforcing the
for the homesteaders who have built their lives here. will of their rulers.
While templar patrols are fairly heavy in the region The Belt is actually divided into three inhabited regions.
between Nibenay and Gulg, protection usually only comes The northern portion (running from Nibenay halfway to
at the request of a client village leader. Templars are often Gulg) consists of client villages of the Shadow King. The
called upon to drive off bandits and elven raiders. The people of these villages are subservient to the templars,
templars are sometimes slow to respond to requests for who (with such a small area to patrol) are a very visible
help, so even the weakest bandits have learned that they force among the Nibenay client villages.
may remain a few weeks with impunity before moving on. This is the most developed of the three regions,
For those who must travel to the uncivilized portions with almost no territory remaining that has not been
of the Belt (or those who wish to avoid the attention of converted into farms or restricted grazeland. Slave escapes
templars and law-abiding citizens), travel overland in the in this region are common, and the templars responsible
Belt is possible, but comparatively slow. There are many for guarding the roads use trained cilops to hunt down
small valleys, groves of trees, streams, and other barriers escaped slaves.
which prevent easy progress, but it is still much quicker The central portion (centered roughly at the city of
to travel through any portion of the Belt than it would be Gulg) represents the portion controlled by the oba Lalali-
to cross the sandy wastes or rocky badlands in the more Puy. This region is much less thoroughly settled and
isolated portions of the Ivory Triangle region. much of it is still untouched wilderness. The hunters of
Throughout the Verdant Belt, water is generally Gulg can often be encountered stalking the grasslands
available. Much of it is run into irrigation channels for here. The area is less heavily patrolled by Gulg's templars,
crops. There is enough water available that a small group in part because the inhabitants are more loyal to the
of travelers oba than the Shadow King's farmers and herders are to
can usually find some water, except in the hottest part him. Templars do patrol the area, however; here they are
of the high sun season when the runoff streams dry up. viewed less as oppressors than as guardians, but they have
During this time travelers are advised to bring their own much the same authority here as Nibenay's wives do in
water or be prepared to buy water at local farms. the most dominated village of his lands.
Food is scarce. Farmers of the region are not tolerant The border between these first two regions is constantly
of travelers who pillage their crops and are likely to meet in dispute. According to Gulg, the border stands at the
a lone traveler with cudgel and spear. Larger groups will Verehan Mud Run. Nibenay, however, claims a zone
be reported to the templars as bandits. Most farmers are 20 miles wide on the southern side of the river. Farmers
willing to sell a small portion of their crops to travelers, in the disputed zone find themselves alternatively beset
but unless the traveler is a templar or a member of
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by templars from Nibenay and templars from Gulg. thri-kreen also wander this area. These hunters are so
Each demands a portion of the farm's output, as the efficient, however, that even at a distance they trouble the
farm is presumed to be part of the domains of both sorcererkings. The oba Lalali-Puy has put up a bounty of
sorcerer-kings. The result is inevitable: the farmer is 100 cp for the heads of thri-kreen raiders. The hunters of
unable to pay one templar or the other. The family is Gulg relish the challenge of tracking the mantis warriors
enslaved for failure to pay taxes and a new subject is and this new policy has led to the deaths of not a few
given responsibility for the farm. This cycle has become citizen thri-kreen whose heads have been turned in for
so common in this border zone that most farmers ransom. The few thri-kreen have protested this policy to
consider being sent here punishment for acts of disloyalty the templars, but to no avail.
to the templars.
The third portion of the Verdant Belt runs from the
edge of Gulg's area of control, down to the Forked Tongue
Battlefields
Estuary. This area is outside the control of the city- The history of the Verdant Belt is not a peaceful one.
states and is inhabited by slave tribes, raiders, nomads, There have been a number of battles between the forces
and small frontier villages. The communities here do not of Gulg and Nibenay. The centuries-old conflict between
benefit from the protection extended to the client villages the hunting culture of Gulg and the expansive lumber
of the city-states and merchant houses. For this reason, industry in Nibenay has set the two cities at odds over
each community must provide for its own security. This the precious resources of the Crescent Forest. Both have
can either take the form of a citizen's militia or a hired had their share of victories, and the rivalry between the
band of mercenaries. two city-states continues to this day. This section lists
Some bandits hire themselves out to villages to provide a few of the major battles that have occurred in recent
protection one week and then loot the village the next. history and shows where they occurred on the map of the
Trustworthy mercenaries are a precious commodity in region.
the southern end of the Verdant Belt. Communities are
willing to pay well for security. Some villages demand that 1. The Battle of Red Moon Hunt – Year Unknown
such mercenaries make a long term investment in the In Nibenay this incident is referred to as the
community by taking a mate in the village. Lumbercamp Massacre. The story may or may not be
Fort Kalvis of House Tsalaxa is the most secure site apocryphal, but the tale is able to inflame the righteous
in the southern end of the Verdant Belt. Surrounding indignation of the citizens in both cities. According to
communities often take refuge in the shelter of the fortress the tale, Gulg was celebrating a traditional rite of the
in times of difficulty. While not humanitarian by any Red Moon Hunt. On these nights, Gulg's prisons are
means, House Tsalaxa recognizes that the key to power emptied into the Crescent Forest. Would-be nobles give
in any relationship is dependency, and they are more than chase to the fugitives, and those returning with the heads
happy to let the villages depend upon them for security. of their quarry are admitted into the ranks of the nobility.
This has already paid off in favorable trade agreements Prisoners who survive the night are considered free.
with the small towns. On such a night, a young hunter tracked his prey into
All three regions of the Belt suffer from the attacks the camp of some Nibenay woodsmen. The young man
of raiders. The fertile lands provide many havens for took the heads of six woodcutters and a fugitive from Gulg.
raiders and ex-slaves. Templars and bounty hunters are One woodsman escaped to alert Nibenay's templars, who
constantly searching for renegades throughout these lands. assembled squads of half-giants and spellcasters and swept
A number of smaller slave tribes also wander this area, deep into the forest. The following morning, only 10 of
but the templar patrols are aggressive enough (and the the 30 hunters returned alive. In the version told in
slave tribes poorly enough led) that most fleeing slaves are Gulg, Gab-al, a young thief who had been released into
recaptured within a matter of weeks. the forest as a fugitive the night before, returned to the
In addition to human raiders, hunting bands of bramble wall of the forest city bearing the heads of two
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of Nibenay's wives on a spear. The oba granted him his to suffer from intermittent attacks by Gulg's hunters. The
freedom and elevated him to the circle of nobility. king sent a force of 1,500 soldiers to secure the site and
In Nibenay, the hero of the story is a young templar protect his servants from further attack. The huge force
named Althera. According to their version, the young which the king had sent raised the oba's curiosity about
woman rallied the fleeing prisoners of Gulg to capture the their activity in the forest. The soldiers of Nibenay woke
oba's hunters. They say that with their help she caught all one morning to find themselves surrounded by 5,000
30. She then turned 20 over to the prisoners to be killed warriors from Gulg.
and told the remaining 10 to return to Gulg and tell the The commander of the oba's army announced that she
oba what they had seen. would extend safe passage to Nibenay's citizens if they
left the site immediately. After several hours a reply of
2. The Clearing War – Year of Dragon's Slumber, acceptance came and the forces of Nibenay prepared to
184th King's Age return to their city. The line of soldiers left the protection
Historically, the armies of the oba fought at tremendous of the encampment and were still passing through the
advantage in the Crescent Forest while the Shadow King's enemy line when the Gulg warriors let loose their spears.
army have demonstrated a mastery of combat in the open Only 150 footmen returned to Nibenay to report the
fields of the Verdant Belt. One battle did, however, result slaughter.
in a devastating victory for Nibenay deep within the The Shadow King himself emerged from his palace
Crescent Forest. to lead an army of 2,000 soldiers and templars into the
A forester from Nibenay had uncovered a buried ruin in woods. By the break of dawn 3,000 of Gulgs hunters lay
the forest and led the Shadow King's templars to the site. dead in the ruins. Nibenay then raised the dead warriors
The templars began an excavation of the site, but began of Gulg and led the undead force against the survivors
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of the oba's army. The hunters fled back to Gulg. The 189th King's Age
devastation wrought by the defiling magic of the Shadow This battle began as a slave uprising in the farming
King destroyed a swath of forest more than a mile across. village of Greshak, on the eastern border of the lands
This clearing remained ashen for centuries and has only claimed by Nibenay. The templars moved in quickly to
in the past few decades begun to take seed. It is not try to douse the fires of rebellion, but before the uprising
known if anything of value was excavated from the ruins, could be suppressed it had spread to a half-dozen villages.
but the site was abandoned by Nibenay's templars several Nearly 200 slaves had to be executed to restore order,
months after the battle. and to this day the region is a hotbed of dissidence inside
Nibenay's borders.
3. Battle of the Stones – Year of the Mountain's
Contemplation, 189th King's Age 5. The Fence War – Year of Priest's Fury, 190th
This battle began with a raid by two dozen giants from King's Age
the Estuary of the Forked Tongue upon some of the This recent regional conflict was entirely within the
villages and herders in the southern portion of the Verdant confines of Gulg, and it reflects a tension between herders
Belt. The people called upon Gulg to defend them, and and farmers in the Verdant Belt that continues to this
the oba, seeing a chance to increase her influence in the day.
south, sent a body of 200 troops including a force of The conflict began when herders striving to move
skilled judaga) to defend the southern farms. These forces their beasts to new grazing lands began pulling up farm
had no experience fighting giants and had been trained fences to allow their herds to move more easily. Farmers,
to combat the armies of Nibenay. enraged at the destruction of their property, began arming
The bestial creatures which had been raiding the themselves and their slaves to defend their fields.
southern farms were made up of unorganized clans from A number of minor conflicts ended in the deaths of size
the islands in the estuary. Equal numbers of powerful hard to imagine. It is said that the Dragon's Bowl could
beast-headed giants and their humanoid cousins crossed herders in some instances, farmers in others. Tensions
the silt to meet the forces of Gulg. The giants did not increased and the local templars were not able to settle
fight using the structured formations of the Nibenay army, the matter. The templars responsible for collecting taxes
but instead literally waded into the Gulg forces (the from the farmers considered the herders to be interfering
tallest of which barely reached their knees) and flailed with the legitimate business of the city-state. Templars
about with their huge clubs, each blow killing two or three assigned to the herders felt the same way about the
Gulg soldiers. The judaga were virtually helpless in the farmers. Before long, templars were embroiled on both
open fields where the army met the giants, their naturally sides of the conflict, and the sound of templar magic was
stealthy attacks and movement being useless in the light added to the clash of bone weapons in the conflict.
of day, and within an hour and a half of the original In one of her few. trips outside her palace, the oba
Gulg force lay on the battlefield. The army retreated Lalali-Puy intervened directly in the Fence War. She
having slain only two of the invading giants. cut off all magic from templars embroiled in either side,
The giants could have continued forward unchecked, as and ordered all concerned to return to their tasks. She
there was no way for organized word to get back to Gulg directed the confiscation of certain farms and herds she
about the rout before the giants themselves would have judged to have been especially culpable in the matter.
arrived. For whatever reason, however, the giants quickly She also enslaved those responsible for the violence. In
tired of raiding and waded back to their islands. While her wisdom, the confiscated farms were then transformed
Gulg's military was not seriously damaged by such a into a herding corridor, allowing the herders to pass
small loss of troops, their prestige in the south was badly through the farming region. The oba ordered that no farm
diminished. be built to block the herder's path, and that the herders
never again move their herds across the farms.
4. The Greshak Uprising – Year of Ral's Reverance, The oba's draconian solution removed the immediate
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need for violence, but satisfied neither side. Both groups the salt flats will blind a traveler in a matter of hours, and
considered themselves to have been wrongfully judged at that those who die here do not decay, but instead shrivel
fault. Tensions remain high in the region, and it may only and mummify, perfectly preserved by the salt.
be a matter of time before violence breaks out again. The region is not totally featureless, however. Ridges
and strangely shaped rock formations dot the landscape.
Some of these take the rough form of huge figures, and
The Great Ivory Plain the nomads of the Plain believe it to be an ancient race
Ancient dwarven sagas tell of the heroes Jo'orsh and of giants magically transformed into salt and stone. In the
Sa'ram traveling past the Great Lake of Salt in the region deepest portion of the Plain, these formations are huge,
of what is today the Great Ivory Plain. While the claim sometimes extending 40 feet into the air and 30 to 50
may seem preposterous, the complete absence of ancient feet on a side. Some contend that these are the buildings
structures across the empty plain may lend some credence of this ancient kingdom, transformed to stone along with
to the story. the people.
The Great Ivory Plain is an enormous salt flat, one of There are also occasional stony regions where rocks
the largest terrain features in the Tyr region. Extending extend up through the sand crust, exposed to the constant
from the dwarven village of North Ledopolus in the south wind of the Plain. These outcroppings often mark water
to the Blackspine Mountains in the north, the Plain sources and can also provide safe havens for travelers,
extends some 110 miles in its longest axis. At its narrowest offering both safety from the salt zombies and shade from
point (from the foothills of the Mekillot Mountains to the the merciless sun. They are not common, however, and
edge of the silt estuaries near the ruined city of Bodach) more than one traveler across the plain has had to spend
it is a mere five miles across. a day exposed.
Travelers who have never seen the Plain may find its The Great Ivory Plain is among the most inhospitable
sheer size hard to imagine. It is said that the Dragon's areas of the Tyr region. There is almost no rainfall.
Bowl could be placed inside the southern lobe of the and what little falls rapidly seeps through the ground or
Plain without touching its edge at any point. A journey evaporates.
from North Ledopolus to Nibenay (which runs the length
of the Plain) is the same distance as a trip from Nibenay Flora and Fauna
to Raam, Urik to Raam, or from Tyr to the oasis of
As might well be understood, this barren landscape
Grak's Pool.
supports little life. The Great Ivory Plain is virtually
The region is characterized by the single unbroken
devoid of plant life, although few in cacti struggle to
plain of salt, sand, and silt which gives the area its name.
survive, clinging to stony outcroppings out of reach of
Approaching the Plain, travelers first notice the blinding
the moisture-leaching salt. Insects of all sizes (from tiny
distant glare of the sun reflecting off the salt flat. They
sand mites to giant ants, hornets, and huge scorpions)
will then notice a sudden depletion in the scrub. Ahead,
can be found in the Plain; many of these burrow deep
the dirt gives way to a featureless white plain virtually
under the salt to find moisture or range out into the more
devoid of plant life. Nowhere in the Tyr region is there
fertile regions. The cilops, the bizarre hunter insect that
a stretch of land as lifeless and harsh as the Great Ivory
is often used by templars to track fugitives, is native to
Plain.
the Great Ivory Plain. Lizards (including id fiends and
Most of the Plain is a hard crust of sand and silt with
basilisks) also survive here, dining on the giant insects or
just enough salt to prevent virtually anything from growing.
on the small snakes found in the rocks. Earth drakes can
It is difficult to dig through this crust, but occasionally
occasionally be mistaken for rock outcroppings in this
tenacious dwarves have managed to drill a deep well, only
area. These patient creatures may wait many days for a
to find the water brackish and undrinkable. No oasis
meal, and they are a particular danger to travelers who
offers water to the thirsty traveler in the Great Ivory Plain
use the rocks as safe havens during the day.
and no date grove offers food. It is said that the glare from
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nomads, who believe that the rhythmic sounds of driving to move certain cargo too swiftly to be caught by desert
a tent spike attracts predators. raiders. See the wind wagon driving proficiency below for
On the other hand, travel across the Great Ivory more information.
Plain is swift. The salt can generally support any type of Getting water in the Great Ivory Plain is virtually
transportation, from foot to mekillot wagon. Moreover, the impossible. There are no open bodies of water within
plains are so smooth that there is little need to detour the Plain, and any surface groundwater is brackish and
around terrain features, nor to slow progress for hills and undrinkable, but pockets of drinkable water can be found
slopes. A human can travel 24 miles in a night while a on rock outcroppings. Nomads carry long hollow poles
mekillot wagon can achieve 3 miles per day. which they use to drive through the salt cake into the
Another advantage to traveling across the Great Ivory water below; the water is then drawn up (as through a
Plain is the wide open space. It is highly unlikely that any straw) and drunk.
travelers will be surprised by marauding predators during Food is less difficult to find if you can hunt, although
the day. Except for the distorting shimmer of the heat in few of the creatures which inhabit the Great Ivory Plain
the air, there is virtually nothing to block the limits of are edible. A lone traveler may be able to make a meal
vision. of cacti and snake, but these meager resources are unable
The most common mode of travel is kank, as the hardy to support a group of any size. Travelers in the Great
beasts can survive for a few days without food or water, Ivory Plain are advised to bring an adequate food supply;
and at the speed they are able to achieve on the salt flats, kank honey is recommended, as it provides not only food
that is usually enough to make the journey. Inix require but water as well.
too much forage to make any but the shortest trips across One hazard that can interfere with travel in the Great
the Plain. Mekillot are slow enough and stubborn enough Ivory Plain is the salt storms which blast across the barren
that they expose travelers to too much danger in crossing ground. These storms carry particles of salt encrusted
the plain. Some caravans drive mekillot wagons across the sand that burn the skin.
plain, but these are generally shorter journeys. One route
for mekillot wagons runs east from Nibenay to Fort Inix; Inhabitants
this exposes the mekillots to only one day's travel across The Great Ivory Plain is among the least populated
the plain, but brings caravans dangerously close to the portions of the Tyr region, much less the Ivory Triangle.
gith horde of the Blackspine Mountains. Few beings are hardy enough or foolish enough to try to
Perhaps the most unusual form of vehicle in the Great survive here for more than a few days. Escaped slaves who
Ivory Plain is the dwarven wind wagon, a small wagon with flee into this barren wasteland either die, are recaptured,
large wheels and a tarpaulin attached to a vertical spar, to or (if they are lucky) make their way to one of the slave
act as a sail. These bizarre vehicles use the power of the tribes which wander the lands on the far side of the Plain.
wind to move them across the broad flat plain, requiring Nevertheless, there are some more or less permanent
neither mekillot nor inix. They move most swiftly with residents of the region. Certain nomadic raiding tribes
the wind, but are able to travel in almost any direction have bases deep within the Great Ivory Plain, supported
(save directly into the wind) by skillful manipulation of by kank hives maintained in the stony barrens of the
the wagon's sail. Given the normal wind speed in the Mekillot Mountains. These tribes use the Great Ivory
Great Ivory Plain, a wind wagon with a tail wind can Plain's impassibility as a cover for their activities, trusting
travel as fast as a man can run. Moreover, the wind the isolation of the region to protect them from reprisals
wagon can run night and day without stopping, although by merchant houses and templars.
the driver must rest. These vehicles are not popular, as There are also intelligent creatures found in the Great
they leave the traveler to the mercy of the wind; one or Ivory Plain who are not a regular part of Athasian
two calm days and the wind wagon may well run out of society. Packs of thri-kreen range across the salt flats
food and water. Nevertheless, a few hardy explorers use in search of prey. Solitary t'chowb can occasionally be
them regularly to shorten journeys across the Plain and
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encountered. These brutal little creatures often retreat badlands. This band covers the entire interior space of
here after having successfully drained the intelligence of the range, with the mountains themselves rising at either
their victims. Travelers may also occasionally also run end. Like other rocky badlands, there are many canyons,
into a solitary tohr-kreen. These thoughtful mantis nobles caverns, and pillars of stone in this region.
can be found ranging far into the uninhabited recesses of Within the rocky badlands are the two mountain
the wastelands. While somewhat reserved, these powerful clusters. The northern cluster, known as the Greater
but gentle creatures seem to have an insatiable thirst for Mekillots, are higher while the southern cluster-the Lesser
knowledge. Mekillots – consists of a number of smaller peaks. The
highest of the Greater Mekillots is perhaps 3,000 feet,
while the lowest of the Lesser Mekillots still stands over
Bodach 1,500 feet. While these mountains are not as tall as
One of the grandest ancient ruins on Athas, Bodach lies others in the region, they are quite long and bulky. Each
amid the maze of salt marshes, dry sinks, and silt basins mountain is actually a ridge some 5 to 7 miles long and
known as the Salt Meres. From miles away, its towers can 1 to 2 miles wide. There are perhaps a dozen major
be seen rising above the reeds. Long ago, Bodach was a mountains in each group, running through some 15 miles
city of great magicians, and mighty arcane secrets still wait of mountain ridges, before descending into rocky badlands
to be discovered in its wreck age. However, few treasure- again. Even the highest of these peaks does not cause the
hunters dare to explore the impressive ruins. A terrible nausea or dizziness one associates with scaling the Forest
fate befell the city in the days of the Cleansing Wars, and Ridge or the Windbreak Mountains.
now it is haunted by thousands of skeletons, zombies, and The gap between the Greater and Lesser Mekillots
worse. The undead emerge each night at sunset in a vast is known as the Gaj, apparently because the gap is
horde to scour the surrounding countryside for living prey. not unlike the space opened in a mekillot line when a
predator lands among them. The area is not, however, well
The Mekillot Mountains known for a large population of the insectoid predators.
Like the remainder of the Great Ivory Plain, this area
The Mekillot Mountains are an old, low-lying range in gets little rainfall. However, without the salt flats to absorb
the center of the Great Ivory Plain. Like the creatures that the water, there are a number of wells and underground
are the mountains' namesake, the Mekillot Mountains springs in this region that make water available to travelers.
are long, wide ridges, looking very much like a line of Also, the darker stones of the rocky badlands diminish
gargantuan mekillots. Some say that the mountain range the heat slightly, so a traveler in these mountains suffers
was once a chain of islands in the center of a water-filled no more from the heat than one does elsewhere on Athas.
lake, but few believe such stories these days.
The mountain range is stratified into three concentric Flora and Fauna
types of terrain. The outer zone is a ring of stony barrens
which represent the outermost foothills of the range. These The Mekillot Mountains are a haven to many creatures
barrens stand on a rise marking the geologic foundation who would find life on the Great Ivory Plain unpleasant.
of the mountain range. The barrens are windswept and There are a number of flowering desert trees, cacti, and
are often innundated with saltstorms from the surrounding even a form of prickly pear. Small desert flowers dot the
salt flats. badlands in the season of sun ascending, and various
Moreover, there are low-lying areas and caves within forms of climbing vines are scattered across the badlands.
the badlands that are lined with salt. A number are the The mekillots are essentially an island of life in the
sites of salt mines, although most of these are abandoned. barren sea of the Great Ivory Plain.
Indeed, it is just such a cavern that now houses the slave The animal life is similarly diverse. Herds of erdland
city of Salt View. and hives of wild kank wander the lower sections of the
Inside the ring of barrens lies a long band of rocky mountains, grazing on the grasses and flowering plants
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found there. Predators of the region include giant lizards, the upper slopes of the Mekillot Mountains.
leopards, tigones, and bulettes, who roam the mountains.
Many of these creatures would be very dangerous in the Inhabitants
nearby Verdant Belt, but the barrier of the Great Ivory There is a surprising population of creatures within the
Plain keeps them in the Mekillot Mountain region. Mekillot Mountains. Each community is relatively isolated,
The Mekillot Mountains are occupied by a number of as the terrain does not lend itself well to established
dwarf banshees. There are reputed to be as many as 40 trading, but in general each group is aware of the nature,
of these fell creatures somewhere in this mountain range. condition, and disposition of its nearest neighbors.
Scholars in Nibenay speculate that there may have been The largest single enclave in the Mekillot Mountains
some major dwarf project in the mountains centuries is the slave village of Salt View. The village is located on
ago, and that the dwarf banshees were devoted to it as the eastern face of the Greater Mekillots, in a salt mine
their focus. No one has ever returned with reports of a near the edge of the rocky badlands. Its inhabitants have
dwarven fortress in the mountains, but if it is infested with established trade with many of the client villages outside
banshees, it isn't likely that they would. the Great Ivory Plain, and they have even made some
overtures to the more friendly groups within the Mekillot
Travel Mountains. Salt View's jongleurs, in addition to providing
The stony barrens and rocky badlands of the Mekillot entertainment for these isolated groups, act as the rumor
Mountains are fairly easy to navigate. Mekillots have and gossip network and as facilitators of trade.
difficulty pulling wagons in some of the badlands, but There are a number of other slave tribes in the region,
any of the usual Athasian beasts of burden may be used although none are as securely established as Salt View:
freely in these areas. Perhaps a half-dozen slave bands roam the Mekillot
The mountains are another story. While these slopes Mountains, generally on the western face. These tribes
are not as steep as those in the Windbreak Mountains, use the cover of the Great Ivory Plain to keep them
they still require nimble climbers. Inix or crodlu may be safe from the templars of Gulg and Nibenay, and to
used freely. except to reach a few extremely precarious cover their movements when they raid villages in the
places. Obviously, mekillots are too large to navigate the Verdant Belt. None of these slave groups are particularly
mountain trails, but a caravan trail does run from South powerful, and there tends to be a constant turnover in
Ledopolus, along the stony barrens on the southern side their composition, size, and leadership.
of the mountains, to regions beyond. The upper slopes of the Lesser Mekillots are inhabited
Finding water in this region requires a good deal of by a diffuse community of cyclopskin. These creatures
attention. A seasoned traveler may be able to find a live a solitary existence herding erdlu for food. There
spring or pool somewhere in the hills, but a careful traveler are about a dozen clans of cyclopskin within the range,
should carry enough water to make their trip. Water on and while they do cooperate on occasion, there is little
the upper slopes is extremely scarce. contact between them (except for their traditional annual
Food, however, is available, if not plentiful. A traveler markets). Even within a clan the cyclopskin spend much
planning an extended stay should plan on hunting for at of their time in solitude, tending their herds.
least some meals, but nearly any area has enough edible The Greater Mekillots, on the other hand, are inhabited
nuts and berries to support a few people for a day or two. by a number of ettin. These evil creatures raid the slave
Travelers should watch out for the prentel plant, whose tribes and nomads of the region, stealing anything they
bright red berries taste sweet but produce illness (and can get their enormous hands on. They view the slave
even death). bands, erdland herds, and travelers equally: as sources of
Temperatures on the upper slopes are a bit cooler than food or fodder.
elsewhere in the region. A traveler needs only 2/3 of the
usual amount of water when spending an entire day on
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to risk getting lost in the labyrinth of box canyons and control of about half of the gith tribes in the Blackspine
ravines. The canyon bottoms are relatively flat (although Mountain region. According to rumor, Blackspear is
often filled with rock dust – occasionally to dangerous a very talented psionicist (as are all gith leaders) who
depths), and there are a number of surface passes through uses his powers not just in combat, but to ensure the
the foothills. loyalty of his followers. The templars of Nibenay and
Traveling up the granite mountains is very difficult. No the merchant houses that serve the client villages have
mount can climb on these granite slopes, and climbers become concerned with the gith attacks, but thus far there
are slowed to an absolute crawl because there are almost is little they can do. Unfortunately, gith raids have now
no footholds. begun in Blackspine Gap, taking a number of merchant
Water and food are easy to find on the western slopes, caravans on the Nibenay-Raam road. Whether these
but become more difficult the higher you go into the attacks are also being made by followers of Blackspear or
mountains. Any expedition onto the actual granite faces whether these gith are raiding closer to Nibenay because
should bring provisions. There is no reliable source of they have been forced out of their usual territory is not
water or food in these high mountain regions. yet clear.
Where the gith prosper, few other intelligent beings
Inhabitants can survive. However, numerous travelers have reported
By far the most important inhabitants of the Blackspine encountering bands of the mysterious kenku – half-human,
Mountains are the many tribes of gith known as the half-bird creatures which attack by stealth. These creatures
Gith Horde. These vicious raiders have long been the are known to conceal themselves in human society, but
bane of the region, with at least 5,000 gith living in the repeated encounters in the wilderness indicates that
scattered tribes throughout the region. Historically these there may be a large enclave of the creatures somewhere in
gith were divided into over a hundred warring tribes of the Blackspine Mountains. The scholars of Nibenay have
25-50 members each, which ensured that they were little analyzed the reports of the survivors, and they surmise that
threat outside the Blackspine Mountains. the kenku are somewhere in the north-western portion of
Recently, things have changed. A powerful new leader the range, but it is impossible to pinpoint their location.
has arisen among the gith and is slowly unifying the gith In addition to the kenku, belgoi have been encountered
tribes into a potent and threatening raiding force. Major in this region. These vicious cannibals have been appearing
gith raids have already begun to fall on client villages in increasing numbers in the Blackspine Gap. Nibenay
in the northern reaches of Nibenay, particularly on the templars destroy them whenever they are encountered, but
eastern side of the Welcome Oasis. Indeed, the fort at the there are still many threatening the caravans of the region.
Welcome Oasis was attacked by a raiding party of nearly As with the gith raids in the Gap, Nibenay scholars
200 gith, and only the combined force of every psionicist speculate that the increased gith activity has forced the
and warrior in the oasis managed to drive them away. belgoi out of the mountains.
This new leader, who is known as Blackspear, has gained
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Tongue
under the influence of Balican merchant houses.
Life along the estuary is more or less free of the
oppression of the sorcerer-kings, but it is hardly easy.
“I've known giants to move the shoal markers, hoping Marauding giants, deadly predators, dust storms, and
that a silt skimmer might strand herself in deep silt. Then desperate bandits make the Forked Tongue as dangerous
they'll kill you and eat you, or they'll charge you half your as any other place on Athas. Savage raiding tribes roam
cargo to pull you out of the silt. Not sure which is worse.” the outskirts of the region and sometimes attack small,
weakly defended villages and outposts. For this reason,
- Nimora Hestian, Balican skimmer captain most Forked Tongue settlements are protected by strong
walls and determined warriors.
Throughout most of the estuary, a belt of shallows
A great arm of the Sea of Silt that nearly slices through lies beneath the silt, hugging the shoreline. Usually, the
the Tyr Region, the Estuary of the Forked Tongue is home shallows are a few hundred yards wide, but in some spots
to dozens of small villages, trading posts, and nomad they extend for miles out from the shore, providing hidden
camps. This inlet reaches well over four hundred miles paths across narrows or to distant islands. These shallows
from the isle of Waverly at its mouth to the trading town are too deep for human-sized travelers to wade, but silt
of Altaruk at the head of its northern arm; the city-state skimmers and giants can manage them easily enough.
of Balic sits near the midpoint of the Forked Tongue. Most skimmer captains take on paying passengers, but
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Giant Holds
Many giants inhabit the isles of the estuary. Some
Siren's Song
are friendly, but most giants regard smaller folk as easy Siren’s Song, an island in the Small Fork, doesn’t
pickings and waylay travelers at every chance. Hill giants, contain a giant clan. In fact, no one knows what lives
stone giants, and beast giants are the most common of on the island, but those who travel nearby often hear
their kind found along the Forked Tongue. The different a haunting song. The song is magical in nature, and
kinds get along well enough if a strong leader is present, those who hear it find themselves compelled to follow it
but they fall to bickering and feuding otherwise. to its source – even though that means drowning in the
Giant holds might be cave complexes, ruined towns, or silt around the island. Legends proclaim that an ancient
clusters of large, crude mud huts, and they are usually sorceress is trapped on the island, and the song is her call
surrounded by thorny brush walls that form palisades. A for help. The less fanciful insist that it’s only the cry of a
typical hold is home to three to twelve giants; monstrous foul creature. Whatever the source of the song, its melody
vassals such as brohgs, half-giants, minotaurs, or ogres; is as lethal as a wixit’s sting.
beasts kept as pets; and a handful of miserable thralls
(usually dwarves, elves, or humans). Chiefs of giant holds Waverly
take titles such as “king” or “lord” and levy tribute from
In the center of the large isle of Waverly is an ancient
nearby tribes or settlements of lesser races.
city of the same name that fell during the wars of the Red
Age. The battles depopulated the city, but its high stone
Dragon's Plate walls and gates remain stout and whole after thousands
This narrow island consists of a single range of high, of years. The central plaza features a grand fountain of
steep mountains. The north face sees a lot of rainfall marble fashioned in the likeness of a creature that has the
by Athasian standards, and thin streams cascade down body of a female human and a snakelike tail; the fountain
the slopes to form mudflats in the dust. Balic maintains still sprays water into the air in a shimmering arc. Old
several small, well-protected forts on the western end of waterways crisscross Waverly, feeding a fertile scrub plain.
the island to guard against the giants of the Dragon's Dozens of sailing ships lie half buried in a harbor at the
Palate, but these outposts are often attacked. A beast shore of the silt; their wooden hulls and decks became
giant known as the Skull Wearer is the most powerful of petrified long ago.
the island's chieftains. He makes his home in an ancient Except for flocks of wild erdlus and hives of
minotaur stronghold known as Marrowgate, which lies in wild kanks, the island appears deserted. But according
the mountains near the center of the island. The Skull to legend, a staggering hoard of silver lies buried in a
Wearer is said to be possessed by the ghosts of the skulls treasure vault somewhere beneath the city.
that hang around his neck, and he wields dangerous
magical powers.
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Dragon's Bowl
A rumpled range of low mountains and highlands in the
stony plains between Raam and Urik conceals a natural
marvel: the Dragon's Bowl, a great cliff-walled crater more
than seventy miles wide. The view from its rim is awe-
inspiring, and nothing else in the Tyr Region matches its
size and scope. The Dragon's Bowl is an obstacle akin
to the Ringing Mountains; sheer cliffs between 1,000
and 2,000 feet in height isolate its floor from the world
outside. Only a handful of precarious trails descend the
cliffs. The site takes its name from legends describing how
the Dragon tore free from the world and left behind the
deep crater to mark its birth.
The Dragon's Bowl has a strange stillness, as if the
Lost Samarthia
world holds its breath, awaiting the creature's return. The Legends speak of a lost city somewhere in the Dragon's
feeling intensifies at the bottom, where one finds a mix Bowl – a fantastic hidden place known as Samarthia.
of rocky debris and hills covering the middle to southern According to varying stories, Samarthia is a buried ancient
reaches. Large herds of game animals and predators thrive citadel filled with the sorcerous science that prevailed in
in the Bowl, untroubled by the pres ence of people. the civilizations of those ancient days, or a city of genie-
kind or rakshasas concealed by mirage. Many treasure-
seekers searching for Lost Samarthia have disappeared in
Lake Pit the area, never to be heard from again.
To the north, the Dragon's Bowl slopes down toward
a verdant belt surrounding a pristine lake. Lake Pit, one
ofthe largest bodies of water in the Tyr Region, teems
The Gauntlets
with fish and wildlife. The lake's isolation contributes to Two rugged mountain ranges form the Gauntlets in the
its unspoiled character, but the area also lies under the east, just beyond Raam. The range to the north – the
protection of a powerful druid, the aged mul Enola. He Left Gauntlet, as one looks eastward from Raam – is
allies with wrathful elementals that tolerate no trespass in considerably older and more weathered than the southerly
these guarded lands. range. Sandstorms have reduced the Left Gauntlet to
rounded domes, split and cracked by great fissures.
Enola, Guardian of the Lake: A vigilant guardian mul Raam mined these peaks for generations, extracting silver
druid named Enola protects Lake Pit. Eighty years old, he and gemstones before the mines played out. Now the
is vigorous and hale. Some who have met him believe he abandoned shafts house tarek tribes that prey on small
was once a gladiator slave, and his scorn for the city-states caravans bound for Draj, along with a slave tribe known
supports this theory Enola is served by powerful elemental as Krikik's Pack.
spirits, and he tries to drive off or kill intruders who come The steep southern mountains of the Right Gauntlet
to plunder or settle the Dragon's Bowl. The druid usually have proved hardier, forming a barrier against the Sea of
spares innocent travelers, but he keeps a close eye on Silt and preventing its encroachment inland. Many old
them, and he asks trespassers to leave only once. gypsum quarries that provided alabaster for the statues and
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Hinterlands
The Empty Plains
When most people in the Tyr Region speak of “the
hinterlands,” they are referring to the Empty Plains, a
hundred-mile-wide shelf of largely uninhabited barrens
and scrubland that runs from the thinning forests and
foothills of the Ringing Mountains' western slopes to
the top of the Jagged Cliffs. The yellow-green scrubland,
broken by the occasional outcropping of weathered rock,
is home to herds of wild erdlus and mekillots, kank
armies, and hungry desert predators. Ruins lie scattered
through the plains, but apparently, the region was lightly
populated even in ancient times; the remnants here are
small in size and few in number.
A few primitive tribes of hunters – mostly elves,
humans, and half-giants – follow the herds, along with
thri-kreen packs and bands of ravenous gnolls. However,
vast stretches of these plains are deserted, and travelers
might go months without meeting anyone.
The Chaksa
This ancient shrine sacred to the kreen of the Tyr
Region lies near the southernmost edge of the Dragon's
Crown. Once, the Chaksa resembled a perfectly sculpted
thri-kreen head, replete with enormous, multifaceted jewels
for eyes.
The Chak'sa is the last remnant of an ancient thri-
kreen nation. Though no thri-kreen knows its true history,
it was built about two thousand years ago by a nation
that included thri-kreen and humans. The Chak'sa honors
both beings who led that nation, a powerful kreen and an
avangion. What happened to end the nation's prominence
is something of a mystery, but it probably came into
conflict with the sorcerer-kings and the Dragon of Tyr.
Thri-kreen who view the Chak'sa feel a fascination for
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Dasaraches
Within the sheltering bowl of the Dragon's Crown is a
rare sight on Athas: a small but lush woodland known as
the Silent Forest. Its dangerous predators and poisonous
plants keep most travelers away. At the center of the wood,
on an island in the middle of a muddy lake, sits a ruined
fortress called Dasaraches. This ancient palace is home to
a menacing cabal of psionicists who call themselves the
Order. Uninvited guests are likely to have their memories
erased and find themselves under a compulsion to return
home by the swiftest route.
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Forest Ridge
the scrub plains of the Western Hinterlands, and the
climate grows progressively hotter and drier until the trees
finally give out.
“Paradise on top of the world, my left foot! Are you
such a fool that you believe every slave rumor you hear? Forest Colossi
If it were true, don't you think we'd all be living there
The Forest Ridge's eastern marches are protected by a
instead of in this dusty pit?”
chain of colossi half buried in the jungle, great statues
that anchor an ancient primal ward against defiling magic.
- Dura Mandic, Tyrian glass crafter
Halfling shamans say that their ancestors created the
ward to safeguard their homeland from the ravages of the
Rumors and reports filter across the Tablelands, whispers
Cleansing Wars, and that to this day the defiler kings of
about a vast and untamed wilderness beyond the Ringing
the lowlands cannot defeat it. If the ward still functions,
Mountains where rain falls every day and trees grow so
it does not appear to prevent typical defiling magic from
tall and thick that the sun struggles to shine through the
working. However, defilers in the Forest Ridge often find
canopy. Most Athasians doubt that such a fantastical
that the jungle turns against them. Savage predators,
place could exist on their dying world, but exist it does.
carnivorous plants, and deadly snares beset those who use
Beneath the mighty peaks of the Ringing Mountains is
defiling magic in the Forest Ridge.
the Forest Ridge, a region unlike any other on Athas. It
is a wild, verdant land of dense jungles choked with vines,
bracken, brambles, and countless species of animals and Crystal Forest
plants. Here one can find a glimpse of the world as it The trees and plants in this section of the Forest Ridge
should have Been. were transmuted to translucent mineral centuries ago as
But for all its abundance, wonder, and plentiful water, a side effect of a battle between an arcane defiler and a
the Forest Ridge is no haven. The dim light shining druid. In the years since, many of the tallest trees have
through the tangled boughs does little to reveal the dangers fallen and shattered, creating a field of razor-sharp crystal
lurking in the shadows, hidden behind beautiful colors. spikes across the few square miles of this lifeless zone.
Competition in the jungle is fierce, and the denizens must Creatures made of conglomerate mineral shards stalk the
adapt or be devoured. Deadly predators both animals and Crystal Forest and some times venture beyond its edge,
plants camouflage themselves in a hundred ways in the searching for prey. At the center of the region stands an
dense canopy and undergrowth. obsidian plateau that hosts a ruined cliff dwelling. Ghost
Like much of the rest of Athas, the Forest Ridge is filled winds and spirits howl about the plateau, and ancient
with ruins. Dizzying mountain roads, mighty colossi, and magic wards yet burn. Those who stand atop the plateau
hidden citadels carved by ancient hands lie unexplored find their flesh slowly hardening to lifeless mineral and
in the jungles, remnants of a long-lost halfling civilization. must flee before the change becomes complete.
The Forest Ridge is more properly described as a great
plateau or highland. Most of the region lies at an elevation
approaching 10,000 feet, and the air is 30 to 40 degrees Temple of the Sky Serpent
cooler than in the lowlands of the Tyr Region. The The top five or six “steps” of a great pyramid rise out
Ringing Mountains intercept the prevailing westerly winds of the jungle here; most of the structure remains buried
and the little moisture they carry. As a traveler climbs beneath the forest floor. The pyramid is usually sealed
from the Tablelands through the passes of the mountain tight, but persistent explorers occasionally bypass its magic
range, walls of clouds bunch up behind the peaks ahead, wards and gain entry. Invariably, they report a maze of
and the rumble of thunder echoes in the distance. Farther stone tunnels that seems to go on forever, opening onto
west, the ridge steadily descends thousands of feet to meet empty chamber after empty chamber. But when the two
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Kol-tukulg
A plume of ash swirls
over Kol-Tukulg, a
dramatic volcano in the
Forest Ridge. At most
times, the mountain is
quiet, but now and then,
the cloud of ash and
smoke pouring from its
apex swells alarmingly.
When this occurs, nearby
halfling tribes mount an
expedition to the summit
and throw several living
sacrifices into the caldera.
They believe that this
method is the only way
to quiet Kol-Tukulg of
the Fiery Tread, a terrible
elemental creature that
lairs in the fiery caverns
of the volcano that
bears its name. Ancient
wards of primal magic
trap the mighty being in
the mountain, but the
defenses have weakened
over the centuries, and the
elemental grows restive.
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Sea of Silt
Attempts to circumnavigate the silt are likewise perilous
– far to the north, a traveler faces impassable fjords and
chains of active volcanoes that bar the way. To the south,
“The slightest breeze stirs up a silvery pall of dust that the traveler ventures into desolate regions of salt flats and
clings to the surface like a fog. It becomes impossible sandy wastes, bereft of life or shelter. In that direction, the
to tell where the silt-laden air ends and the dustbed sea appears to continue for thousands of miles without
begins. When the wind blows more strongly, as it often narrowing or coming to an end. It is a daunting barrier,
does, the Sea of Silt becomes a boiling cloud of dust, to say the least.
the edges tinged with crimson sunlight. On such a day, The Sea of Silt is a curious phenomenon. Once an
a traveler near the sea cannot see more than a few feet ocean, it is now filled with fine gray powder as dry as sun-
in any direction. The dust coats his clothes, his face, the parched bone. No one can explain why the silt persists
inside of his nose, and even his lungs. He cannot see instead of blowing away or slowly compacting into a firm
the ground or the sky, and when he walks, his feet drag gray plain – it's not natural for dust to behave in such
through inches of thick silt. He grows disoriented, and it a manner. Many Athasians assume that some dreadful
becomes an easy matter for him to wander into the sea magic transformed the seas to dust long ago, and they're
and disappear forever.” not far from the mark. The Sea of Silt is a vast elemental
intrusion into Athas, a region in which a great elemental
- The Wanderer's Journal power has subtly altered natural law, balancing air, earth,
and water in a deviant fashion. In the Sea of Silt, dust
The Sea of Silt is a great dust sink that extends for coalesces and refuses to compact under its own weight. It
hundreds, perhaps thousands, of miles eastward from the remains light enough to rise in a wind-whipped haze that
shores of the Tyr Region. Long ago it was a great sea of can cover nearby lands with fine gray grit, yet it trickles
water, vast and deep, but now the shore slopes down to back down in time to rejoin the larger sea. Even if the silt
meet what looks like an endless plain of gray dust. On a blows into dust sinks many miles away, it retains these
calm day, it seems that one could walk out onto the plain strange properties.
as if it were fine sand, but the silt is too light to support Much of the Sea of Silt remains unexplored and
a human's weight and too deep to wade for any distance. unknown due to its sheer inaccessibility. Except for a few
The Sea of Silt is an impossible barrier to travel, passable well-charted shoals, the largest silt skimmer can venture
only along its margins by silt skimmers or waders that only a mile or two from shore. (Anyone who wants to
remain in shallow dust. venture farther out needs a means of flying or levitating.)
In addition to natural hazards, those who brave the sea Worse yet, long voyages up or down the coast offer little
must contend with the monstrous creatures that dwell profit. Most of the reachable islands and mudflats are
in and around the silt. Tentacled silt horrors prowl the largely barren, and as far as anyone knows nothing but
deeps, and giants roam the shallows, walking on secret blasted wasteland, possibly teeming with flesh-eating
roads only they know. Even the islands in the Sea of Silt monsters, awaits the bolder travelers.
offer as much peril as safe haven. Their isolated locations Experienced silt travelers know that the greatest danger
make them ideal hideouts for unscrupulous types who of the sea is not monsters, raiders, or drowning it is the
don't want their activities to be observed, and the austerity insidious “disease” known as the Gray Death. When the
of life on the islands turns many inhabitants to savagery. hot, dry sirocco rises, it kicks up the top layer of fine gray
Like the Ringing Mountains to the west and the powder and holds it aloft in a vast cloud. As creatures
Southern Wastes to the south, the Sea of Silt forms one breathe this airborne dust, the moisture in their lungs and
of the borders of the Tyr Region. For most people, the throat causes the silt to clump; a human can suffocate in
sea effectively marks the end of the world; no traveler a matter of hours. The surest protection against the Gray
has crossed its emptiness and returned to tell the tale. Death is to cover one's mouth and nose with a wet piece
of silk or similar fine cloth.
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Denizens of the Silt Sea hundreds of miles from the Sea by the worst dust storms.
Despite the difficulty of survival in the silt, the basin
The silt has some indigenous plant life outside the mud is not uninhabited. Many creatures have adapted to life
flats. In regions of shallow silt (10' or less) the olom-reed in the dust-flyers, floaters, and burrowers that can move
flourishes. This hardy plant roots in the solid bottom of in or over the silt. For them, the silt is not death; it is
the silt basin and reaches up through the dust blanket to instead their home, their refuge from the predators of the
the sun. Its stem is strong and flexible, with a tassel of soft tablelands, and their hunting ground.
rushes at its top. Travellers welcome sight of the olom-reed The creatures of the silt include countless varieties of
because stands of hundreds of reeds may conceal a small small insects, bats, floaters, razorwings, and the different
spring or mud flat. species of silt horrors. The small insects include dust beetles,
Another plant, driftweed, is more common in the deep mud wasps, tsek-flies, and silt spiders – all fascinating
silt. This rootless network of thin, brittle branches is so creatures and well adapted to their environment, but of
light that it actually floats on the silt; it is one of the little concern to the silt traveler. Floaters and razorwings
few substances able to do so. Driftweed is often carried are far more dangerous, often attacking humans near the
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sea. They are true silt creatures, perfectly adapted to their be a hidden village in the center of the Sea, far beyond
environment. the knowledge of sages.
Many dangerous creatures use the silt as concealment
as they stalk their prey. Some, like the silt horrors, can
sense the vibrations or disturbances of the silt from a
Lake Island
great range. Others rely on psionic detection of their Most islands in the Sea of Silt are little more than
prey. Sighted creatures such as humans or giants are at jumbled boulders that fight a losing battle against
a great disadvantage in fighting off the attacks of the silt the abrasive winds. Larger, more protected islands can
predators-the dust is impervious to any kind of vision, and withstand erosion and might sustain life. Lake Island is
a creature buried even a few inches cannot be detected among the bigger landmasses in the sea. A mountainous
by most humans. spine forms a wall that shields against the storms blowing
Hunting groups of black horrors range far across the out of the deep silt; the largest peak is a dormant volcano.
shallows in their pursuit of prey, and the larger white, gray, A large, clear lake lies within the caldera, and steam curls
and brown horrors are feared by all silt travelers. But in up from its pristine waters, warmed by the volcano's fiery
the deep silt, there are creatures from which even the spirits.
silt-horrors flee. The mighty sink worms and silt drakes Trickling streams from the caldera nourish the thriving
command the respect of the most powerful silt horror. flora that blankets Lake Island's western slopes. In the
And the dreaded silt-vortex fears nothing that lives. lowlands, a traveler can find wild kanks, erdlus, and other
Three different types of giants live in the isles of herd animals. In addition, small settlements cluster around
the shallow silt: desert, plains, and beasthead. In general, oases; Lake Island is home to warring giant clans, thri-
the desert giants prefer rocky isles; the plains giants live kreen, dwarves, and others. Minotaur traders help sustain
on scrub isles. Beasthead giants are found on any kind of the few outposts, and gith raiders emerge from below
island. Usually only one variety of giant lives on a given the mountains to drag prisoners to an unknown fate in
island, although Lake Island and Waverly support several stinking subterranean grottoes.
different giant clans.
Giants have a bad reputation in other parts of the Tyr The Mountains of the Sun
region, but they are really not all bad. Just like humans
and most other races, there are good and evil giants. Rising from the central Sea of Silt a few hundred miles
Many isolated giants delight in company – provided the east of the isle of Waverly, the Mountains of the Sun
visitor does not invade without permission. The exceptions are a mighty range that is slowly dying. The fierce storms
to this are the beasthead giants, who tend to be far crueler of the deep silt have been weathering the mountains for
and less hospitable than their cousins. thousands of years, and with each day a little more of
Human and dwarf villages lie along the shore or on their substance is broken apart by the heat of the sun
isles just offshore. These hardy folk have devised means and the cold of the night, to be carried away by the
of crossing the shallow silt and often operate ferries across endless winds. The scale of this change is beyond human
the silt estuaries or conduct trade up and down the coast. comprehension; only a few inches of dirt and rock might
The mud flats and rocky tors dotting the silt also be lost in the lifetime of a man.
provide homes for one of the greatest dangers of the The Mountains of the Sun are very old and no longer
Sea: airborne predators. A few rare rocs and cloud rays possess the jagged edges and sheer cliffs of younger ranges
have, over the course of generations, overcome their fear such as the Ringing Mountains. The softer rock has all
of flying over the open silt and now range far across the been worn away, and only the rounded domes of granite
dusty plain, seeking prey. A full-grown roc can capture that once composed the mountains' hearts are left today.
creatures as large as a young sink worm and carry them The individual peaks range from 200-3,000' high and
off as a meal. Some travelers have encountered powerful are often separated by broad tracts of deep silt. Each
roc-riders far out in the deep silt. They believe there may mountain is anywhere from one to ten miles across and
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rises one to eight miles from its neighbors. From the slowly out of the silt. Although several dozen smaller
highest peaks in the center of the range, it is barely peaks are counted among the Road of Fire, the bulk
possible to see the ash storm surrounding the Valley of of the archipelago consists of three islands: Dhuurghaz,
Dust and Fire. Avegdaar, and Morghaz – Furyfire, Hellglow, and
There are few sources of water in the mountains and Dawnfire in the common tongue.
fewer foliated regions. Some of the older mountains
support a few acres of sparse scrub along their leeward Dhuurghaz
shores. Most are barren. The largest island in the Road of Fire, Dhuurghaz
The wildlife of the Mountains of the Sun is unusual. is a broad plateau of volcanic rock that is mostly flat
Thousands of years of isolation from the mainland have except for a range of steep, rocky cliffs along the southern
weeded out all but a few tough species. Those peaks shore. The center of the island is a deep pit, from which
that support life are the lairs of powerful avians such as emanates the hellish red glow of magma far below. This
wyverns, dragonnels, or rocs. A few hardy goats and erdlu volcano connects to the elemental plane of fire, and
still survive on some of the larger peaks. The dominant elemental beings emerge from the depths, seeking to burn
predators are a bewildering variety of spiders, including anything they can find. Beasthead giants of the Khal-Ish-
huge, giant, and phase species. Thaas tribe dwell in the southern highlands of Dhuurghaz,
Scattered groups of intelligent beings inhabit the traveling a slow, nomadic circuit up and down the coast.
Mountains of the Sun. A few small clans of aarakocra Few people know of the existence of the volcanic
live in the high peaks, and underground degenerate archipelago. Giants of the northern portions of the Silt
tribes of hej-kin guard most of the hidden water supplies. Sea (Lake Island and farther north) have heard of it, and
Surprisingly, a few small clans of feral dwarves inhabit the people of Ket know of the islands as well. In Draj, the
the mountains as well. The dwarves and the hej-kin are volcanic isles are only a distant rumor. Violent eruptions
the last remnants of large populations that migrated to along the Road of Fire sometimes cause ashfalls in the
this area before the Silt Sea became impassable. A dying city.
breed of less than 100, the dwarves here are cannibals
and wretched savages who constantly war with the spiders Avegdaar
and the hej-kin. Needless to say, the dwarves are not
doing very well. It is a testament to their innate toughness Smaller and more mountainous than Dhuurghaz,
that they are even there at all. Avegdaar is home to nomadic bands of desert giants.
The hej-kin and spiders attack anything foolish enough The clans of Avegdaar raid out of necessity, since their
to cross their paths. The dwarves, regrettably, are not island cannot support even the meager herds raised by
much different. They have never known anything but a the giants of Dhuurghaz. Avegdaar is also home to a
world full of enemies. The dwarves of the Mountains of large population of fire drakes. These creatures attack
the Sun may be ignorant savages, but they possess a lot the raiding clans, but only when their own hunting is
of unusual oral legends concerning the days before the particularly bad – even fire drakes can't stand up to a
Dragon. Unfortunately, they firmly believe the rest of the dozen angry giants.
world to be uninhabitable silt.
Morghaz
Unlike its sister islands, Morghaz has no active volcanoes
The Road of Fire and is surprisingly verdant. Scrub brush covers much of
The place's name is a misnomer, since no actual roads the land, and here and there stand small copses of forest.
span this chain of volcanic islands in the Sea of Silt. A small tribe could live here easily, yet the island is
Some sages believe the Road of Fire to be a mighty arm uninhabited. The Khal-Ish-Thaas tribe and the clans of
of the Ringing Mountains flung out into the sea, but Avegdaar avoid Morghaz, believing it to be haunted, and
others think the volcanic isles are a new range, rising they are correct. A shattered keep on the southeastern
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certain death. For his magic to work, the task must have However, the druids' hospitality comes at a price. The half-
an element of chance and uncertainty. Still, if any group giant is determined to ensure that knowledge of Shault's
has ever profited from Fajjayad's bargain, its tale is not existence and location does not spread, lest unscrupulous
known. types plunder the island. She insists that all visitors be
subject to a ritual that compels them never to speak of the
isle. Mearedes and her apprentices attack all who refuse,
Shault with full intent to kill; she does not revel in violence, but
The Isle of Shault lies east of Lake Island, far out she considers the preservation of Shault more important
in the Sea of Silt. Frequently hidden by blowing dust than any individual life. In addition to her apprentices,
and virtually inaccessible by silt skimmer, Shault holds Mearedes can call on some forty giants of varying kinds
a secret: a thriving lowland forest. Except for a range of at need, all of them fiercely loyal to the druid.
small mountains along the southern edge, the entire island In the heart of Shault's jungle, far from Mearedes and
is thickly forested with bizarre, exotic, and sometimes the homesteads of the giants, an ancient city has been
dangerous trees, the likes of which have been forgotten ravaged by the march of time. The press of the jungle has
by the rest of Athas. Shault's fertility stems partially from torn down chunks of the walls and collapsed buildings as
its geography (the forest is protected on three sides by the greenery grows over the stone.
tall cliffs that block the searing winds from the silt, and Neither Mearedes nor the giants of Shault know who
numerous springs feed up from below the surface) and built the city or why; the murals and carvings that survive
partially from the primal magic of the half-giant druid display script in an unknown language. Since the island
Mearedes, who protects the island. receives few visitors and the druids avoid the ruins, its
If visitors can persuade Mearedes that they mean no vaults and tombs remain undisturbed. Mearedes doesn't
harm, she and her three apprentices tolerate the intruders. mind if adventurers explore the city – assuming that they
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prove cooperative enough for her to tolerate their presence powerful druids in the Tyr region. Born nearly 100 years
at all – but she warns them that dangerous beasts lair ago as a peasant villager in a distant city-state, he left the
within the ruins. civilized world and took up the study of nature. In time he
came to the Silt Archipelago and inherited the guarded
Mearedes: Mearedes is the guardian of the island of lands from the ancient druid who preceded him. For more
Shault. She is a weather beaten human of 60 who enjoys than 70 years he has guarded the fragile Archipelago
the physical condition and health of someone half her against the careless abuses of intelligent creatures and the
age. She understands how precious Shault is, and she has ruin of defilers. The time is coming when the Old One
spent her life nurturing the isle. The island was slowly will lay down his guardianship and select another to carry
dying before she came to it; now it is strong and green on the never-ending fight.
again. Mearedes is a friend to the giants of the island, The Old One knows of the Valley of Dust and Fire,
who are happy to help her in her task. If anyone threatens having traveled there once on his journeys. He counsels
her, dozens of giants leap to her defense. They call her against visiting it, especially the Dragon's sanctum in the
“little grandmother” and treat her like a member of their center of the city. But he may impart his knowledge to
clan. those that help him.
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the beast from its slumber and use its power against their who come within their clutches. They are frequently
enemies. These cults perform strange rites in the name encountered as far as 30 miles away and prefer to hunt
of their god. Sometimes, those especially favored by Ul- in parties of 6 to 12.
Athra's dreaming awareness are rewarded with secrets of The aarakocra of the Isle of Bones prefer to attack
powerful elemental magic or vile rituals that summon and with swooping volleys of javelins, but occasionally try to
bind lesser avatars of the Dust Kraken. capture human or demihuman victims for torture back at
their lair. For this the bird-men drop weighted nets over
The Isle of Ash fleeing prey. Four aarakocra can carry a netted human by
the trailing ropes of the net. The hapless victim endures
This volcanic isle smokes and smolders constantly. vicious abuse before being thrown from the top of the
Although it rarely erupts in lava flows, the volcano crag.
produces enormous amounts of ash, which coat its cinder The isle is also home to many carnivorous bats of
cone several feet deep. The island usually lies beneath the large and giant varieties. The aarakocra are diurnal
a pall of airborne ash, and this may cover surrounding creatures and the bats rarely trouble them.
regions downwind in Moderate or greater wind conditions.
The column of hot ash and smoke rising from the cone
is visible 40-50 miles away, if the wind permits. Ashfall The Black Isle
can occur as far as Draj. There is no water and no life A forbidding place with sheer cliffs of black basalt, the
on the Isle of Ash. Black Isle is known to only a few travelers of the deep
On rare occasions, the volcano produces a superheated silt. It rises almost vertically from the surrounding dust,
mass of volcanic gases, ash, and dust. This creates a lethal ringed by unbroken cliffs 500-1,000' high. The upper
mixture that blankets the island. This kind of eruption is surface of this remote and desolate island is covered by a
preceded by many warning signs for days beforehand, so thick, impenetrable jungle. The forest is not visible from
an alert and fast-moving party can escape the area. the surface of the silt below.
The jungle is filled with deadly plants of all kinds.
Strangling vines, poisonweed, blossomkillers, and dew
Isle of Bones fronds are found here in unnatural numbers. The
A cluster of several closely grouped stark crags rising prevalence of carnivorous plants has kept the animal
from the deep silt, the Isle of Bones is a barren and population down to a few varieties of insects and birds.
forbidding place. Each crag rises 400-800' above the silt The center of the Black Isle holds a deep, still lake of
and is 100-1,000 yards from its nearest neighbor. The silt dark water. Nearly half a mile across, the lake seems to
between the crags is several hundred feet deep. There are be fed by some deep, hidden spring. A few quiet streams
11 crags, and four are large enough to support vegetation wind away through the jungle to trickle over the cliffs. The
on their crowns. water possesses a dark and powerful enchantment: once a
The Isle of Bones gains its name from the broken person has drunk from the lake, any other water becomes
skeletons littering the steep shoulders of the crags. These deadly poison.
are the remains of the prey of the isle's chief predators, a Along the shores of the lake stands a rambling palace of
large tribe of aarakocra. The bird-men are exceptionally pristine bone and ivory. Silent obsidian golems eternally
fierce and strong and range for miles over the silt in guard the palace. This island was once the retreat of
search of food. Many of the skeletons of the Isle of Bones either a powerful wizard or psionicist who died in another
are human or elf. land and never returned to his secret fortress. The Dragon
The aarakocra tribe numbers 80 and inhabits the four has investigated the island at length and discovered the
largest peaks. The natural caves and vegetation of the properties of its lake and jungle. The Dragon lets it
crags make for excellent lairs. An exceptionally savage remain unspoiled as a lure for careless travelers of the
and degenerate tribe, the aarakocra prey on any travelers deep silt.
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Dragon Warriors. Their Iron Citadel perches on a rock beetles and fire scorpions. These creatures behave like
outcropping in the lava sea, reachable only by air. From their Athasian counterparts.
this secure fortress they fly out over the entire valley, and Other eddies similar to the maelstrom exist in different
occasionally through the Great Ash Storm to the Silt Sea areas of the ring. Most are temporary, lasting only a few
beyond. weeks at the longest. Others migrate from area to area,
moving a mile or two a day as they slowly spin. Fliers
should avoid flying over the eddies; the open portals
The Dragon's Causeway to the elemental planes may endanger any traveler who
A series of stepping-stone islands leading from the comes near.
Gate of Doom to the island of Ur Draxa, the Dragon's
Causeway is connected in some mystic way to the Gate
of Doom The islands are nearly uniform in size and Sith
appearance. Each is 100' square, and rises about 40' out This island in the lava sea is the home of the most
of the magma with sheer, vertical sides. The islands are powerful group of outlanders in the Valley. The hunters
placed every mile, and there are 16 of them altogether. and raiders of the Clan of the Fire Scorpion, safe from the
The islands of the causeway are in fact the markers dangerous predators of the outer Valley, use cliff gliders
or supports for the mystical conduit that spans the ring, to cross the mile of lava from their home island to the
connecting the two halves of the Gate of Doom. They mainland.
radiate powerful magic of the alteration and conjuration The island of Sith is unique in that a small natural
schools. Fliers may be tempted to use the islands as spring still exists in a deep cavern. With this precious
resting points in a crossing of the Ring of Fire, but that resource the Fire Scorpions carefully raise feeble crops in
would be dangerous – the islands are guarded, and it is the sheltered ravines of their island. However, the island
perilous to be on one of them when the Gate of Doom cannot support the entire tribe, and the Fire Scorpions
is used. must rely heavily on forays into the outer Valley. The
Each island of the Dragon's Causeway is guarded clan numbers 60 altogether.
by four magma golems. These creatures stand as silent The island itself, about five miles square, has sheer and
statues along the edges of the block and immediately rocky slopes. Canyons wind back into its interior, hiding
attack anyone who scales the island or lands on its upper the small fields and bare scrub of the island. The Fire
surface. The golems are not affected by use of the Gate Scorpions maintain a keen lookout constantly, and pass
of Doom. warnings to hide when a Dragon Warrior patrol appears.
They use cliff gliders only to cross the open magma; once
they reach the outer valley, they hide the gliders and
The Maelstrom proceed on foot.
A vast whirlpool of molten lava, this eddy is more The Fire Scorpions are led by Guerdra, a powerful elven
than two miles wide. At its heart there is a portal to fighter and psionicist. She established the clan over 80
the Elemental Plane of Fire. This portal opens into a years ago and has twice survived its near-extermination. A
vast air pocket within the elemental plane that drains wily leader, she has difficulty controlling her overconfident
magma away from the Ring of Fire. This loss is more clansmen, who have forgotten the power of their enemies.
than balanced by other portals that bring magma into Guerdra is preparing to move the Scorpions to prevent
the lava sea. the raid she knows is coming soon, but the cliff pilots
The maelstrom is a spectacular sight, a playground for of her clan oppose the move, and she has yet to find a
various elementals and creatures of fire. Not all of these suitable lair.
creatures are malign, but friendly fire elementals can be The Fire Scorpions hide from intruders and avoid
just as deadly as hostile ones. Many elementals of this contact until Guerdra is alerted. She then decides
area take the form of elemental monsters, like magma whether to attack, greet, or avoid the strangers. The Fire
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Powerful monsters wander the Valley, including action in this area of the Valley – hot mud geysers and
fire drakes, earth drakes, megapedes, nightmare beasts, so- mineral springs are common, and in some places the
ut, crystal spiders, behir, bulettes, remorhaz, wyverns, and shattered terrain overlies the seething magma below by
a few giants and braxat. In some cases, only one or two only a few dozen yards.
members of a species live in the Valley; it seems plausible The Tortured Hills are razor-sharp ridges and tors of
that the Dragon keeps this region stocked with dangerous barren stone. Deep gulches between the hills are filled
monsters. with boulders, rubble, thorny plants, and tough scrub
Even given the near-total lack of vegetation or water, grasses. Treat this extreme terrain as Mountains for
a few social creatures maintain basic agriculture in some overland movement. Water is relatively easy to find, but
favorable places. Giants, braxat, and outlanders all gather often the springs are contaminated by minerals.
in nomadic tribes that carefully seed as many areas as they The Tortured Hills are almost lush by the standards of
can. It makes no sense to live in one place when, despite the rest of the Valley, despite the extreme ruggedness and
all your efforts, your crops will be destroyed anyway. The impassibility of the terrain. Several clans of outlanders live
fights for scant water and food supplies are terrible. in caverns or sheltered canyons within the Tortured Hills,
but the chief residents are the braxat. A very powerful
Encounters in the Valley chieftain has managed to gather the chaotic creatures
under his rule, extracting promises of cooperation and
The Valley of Dust and Fire is extremely hostile in fealty from each of the small family groups that wander
both climate and inhabitants. Any non- or semi-intelligent the Tortured Hills. As many as a dozen powerful braxat
hunter almost certainly attacks anything remotely may unite for raids in this area.
resembling prey out of sheer hunger. The subjects of the The Tortured Hills are home to tough, agile goats
Dragon King who occasionally journey into the outer skilled in climbing the sheer precipices; bats, carnivorous
valley, such as Dragon Warriors or slave expeditions, are and fruit-eating; spiders, from mundane to giant and
under standing orders to capture any intelligent creature phase varieties; scorpions of all sizes; gaj; silk wyrms; id
they encounter. The few creatures of the valley who live fiends; tembo; spider cacti; centipedes; and earth and fire
outside the Dragon's rule (braxat, giants, pterrans, and drakes. A remote tribe of pterrans also inhabits the hills,
outlanders) are hunted by natural predators as well as soaring over the broken terrain on pterraxes.
expeditions from the Dragon King. They usually regard a
stranger as an enemy or a meal.
The trip across the valley floor is dangerous and Shard Flats
memorable. This area contains lethal monsters such as Scattered along the western periphery of the Valley,
earth and fire drakes, braxat, flailers, cha'thrang, tembos, the Shard Flats are a chain of salt flats. Before the
so-ut, wyverns, beasthead giants, id fiends, kirre, phase destruction of the Valley, the Shard Flats were volcanic
spiders, giant scorpions, death watch beetles, and even mineral lakes; with the desiccation of Athas, the potent
nightmare beasts. mix of contaminants in the water became a hard crust
Raiding parties of outlanders attack visitors for their of mineral salts. Unlike most salt flats, the Shard Flats
food or weapons. Dragon Warriors, always mounted on consist of black, needle-sharp crystals capable of piercing
domesticated rocs, often try to capture or kill the intruders. even a thri-kreen.
Fortunately, the shards are very brittle, and a traveler
The Tortured Hills can carefully kick a path clear by sweeping his feet from
side to side. On the bright side, few animals set foot
A region of rocky badlands so blasted and broken that on the Shard Flats. However, the flats are completely
it stands out even in the Valley, the Tortured Hills stand waterless. The black crystals absorb heat and effectively
in the northeastern corner of the Valley of Dust and Fire. raise the temperature on the flats one category above the
The proximity of the Ring of Fire causes much geological temperature of the surrounding areas, to a maximum of
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Locations
Inferno temperatures. it only works by the will of the Dragon. A matching gate
Though the Shard Flats lack terrestrial predators, they exists on the opposite The Basalt Plain shore of the Ring
are no place to encounter an airborne carnivore such as of Fire. Armies can cross the Ring of Fire with a step if
a roc or wyvern. the Dragon so wills it.
On rare occasions parties of giants or outlanders cross The Gate of Doom is quite capable of discerning
the Shard Flats as a shortcut, but most intelligent beings between friend and foe. To invoke the power of the gate,
prefer to simply walk around. a traveler must either be with the Dragon when it uses
the magical The Dead Forest device or know a magical
command word. Only the Dragon knows the entire set of
The Gate of Doom command words, and the word differs for each individual
Located on the Ring of Fire due west of the City of who uses the Gate of Doom. No matter where the Dragon
Doom, the Gate of Doom is a towering archway of black, is on Athas, it can close or open the Gate by a mere
seamless granite. It stands nearly 130' tall, and is 60' wide. act of will. Usually, the Gate is set to allow servitors of
Its surface is carved with huge mystical runes of terrible Dragon Warrior, vizier, or templar rank to pass, along
power. The archway can be seen from several miles away with anyone accompanying them.
if weather permits. The Gate of Doom is guarded by 13 obsidian golems
The gate is the Dragon's personal monument, warning who are programmed to obey the orders of the gate. They
sign, and means of transport to and from its realm. It normally stand motionless in alcoves in the inner passage
contains a magical gate of enormous size and power of the archway.
that spans the Ring of Fire. This is the only means of
extradimensional travel that can span the lava sea, and
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The Basalt Plain the largest and best known of these. Extending 50 miles
along the shores of the Ring of Fire, the forest occupies a
A lava plain of enormous size, this deserted region range of rolling hills and highlands 20 miles wide. Many
remains volcanically active, and in many places molten of the desiccated trees have been knocked flat by some
lava still flows only a few dozen feet below the surface. ancient cataclysm – entire hillsides are littered with the
The Basalt Plain is completely without water, food, wreckage of the once-beautiful forest.
or shelter. Its location at the southern edge of the Ring The Dead Forest is rich in water and food. Numerous
of Fire prevents travelers from detouring around it, and trickling streams force their way through the dust and
so denizens of the valley cross the Basalt Plain only if ash. Small, hardy shrubs and grasses are growing back
necessary. The lack of cover makes this a bad place to to replace the ancient forest with scrubland. A frail food
be caught by airborne predators or treacherous weather. chain of insects, small grazers, and burrowers supports
An unusual property of the Basalt Plain is its affinity larger carnivores such as wyverns, so-ut, kirre, cha'thrang,
for dust funnels. The winds that circle the Valley of Dust spiders, and scorpions. The wealth of animal life attracts
and Fire tend to swirl and eddy here, and the Great Ash intelligent hunters such as giants, braxat, and expeditions
Storm often descends to blanket the ground. from the City of Doom.
Several large tribes of outlanders live in the Dead
The Dead Forest Forest, claiming territory and viciously defending it. Other
residents include beasthead giants. The Dead Forest has
Although several regions of dead forest terrain exist
few good caves or defensible lairs, and competition for
within the Valley of Dust and Fire, the Dead Forest is
them is exceptionally fierce.
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The Tablelands
find lurking within half a day's travel of the town's gates.
This protection is not free to travelers. All who want
to enter Altaruk must pay a toll of 1 gp per visitor
(including each beast of burden). But for those inside the
City-state of Balic 15-foot-high walls, Altaruk offers stables, room and board,
The City of Sails. The democratic city of Balic rests trade opportunities between merchant houses, and gossip
on the shores of the Silt Sea, making it an essential trade from all corners of the Tablelands. Only the largest and
stop for merchants from all over the world. This city of fiercest raiding tribes would consider attacking Altaruk,
sailors and senators espouses the values of freedom, justice, but rumor has it that giants of the Estuary of the Forked
and collaborative rule…. but First Citizen Andropinis has Tongue are gathering to strike at the town. It's happened
handily won every election for the past two thousand before.
years, laying bare the truth of the city for all to consider. The village is governed by a Balican noble named
More details can be found in the city-states book. Arisphistaneles. In his role as master of the town, he deals
with traders in a stern but fair manner. Arisphistaneles
also has a secret role in Altaruk – he heads a local cell of
City-state of Kalidnay the Veiled Alliance, which maintains contact with cells in
Kalid-Ma, lord of Kalidnay, was once one of the most the neighboring cities. Many an Alliance plot has been
powerful sorcerer-kings in the world. In his hubris, he hatched in the cellars of Altaruk.
sought to take on the power of the Dragon, but instead, Birk Suntouched: This wide-eyed dwarf wanders
he and his city were drawn into the Grey – the shadowy the village and makes his living by begging. He constantly
realm of the dead. None have returned that are grasped mumbles nonsense regarding Kalak's “secret prophecy.”
by the dread realm of the Scarab King. More details can Most locals believe he's a harmless loon, but Birk
be found in the city-states book. Suntouched is actually a member of the Veiled Alliance
who has been tasked by Arisphistaneles to lure out any
City-state of Tyr secret members of the True – a conspiracy of Kalak's
followers – who might be skulking about in Altaruk.
The Free City. The City of Iron. Recently Tyr became
the first city in two thousand years to strike down its
sorcerer-king, the tyrant Kalak. A rebellion comprised Freedom
of nobles, gladiators, and the esoteric Veiled Alliance For decades Tyr's slaves whispered about a hidden
brought freedom to the city, freeing their slaves and village called Freedom that welcomed anyone who escaped
forming a council to guide the path of the city. The from bondage. Unlike many slave tales, this one is true –
newly crowned King Tithian, former high templar, allows Freedom exists, hidden in a remote crater in the foothills
the council a free hand as the city struggles to find its between Tyr and Urik. The village's former slaves raid
place in the modern world. More details can be found in to support themselves; however, with Kalak's fall and the
the city-states book. liberation of Tyr's slaves, the village elders are pursuing a
new path: trade, or at least trade with Tyr.
Altaruk From their hidden refuge, the ex-slaves have sent
trade delegations to Tyr, presenting themselves as House
The Balican merchant dynasties of Wavir, Rees, and Lirr, a new minor merchant house. The delegations are
Tomblador sponsor this fortified town of about two led by Bartras, a male human who once worked as a slave
thousand souls astride the trade route that connects Balic for House Vordon. Bartras rose as high in the house as
with Tyr. Desperate raiders wait in ambush in the stony a slave could before he fled with a purse of stolen gold,
barrens and rocky badlands that surround the village, but and he fears he would be recognized in Tyr. Therefore,
Altaruk's well-paid mercenaries drive off any bandits they Bartras travels in disguise, wearing the long black robes
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Settlements
and hood of a desert ascetic. He usually lets his assistant most important trading commodity.
Fathalia speak for the so-called House Lirr. Recently, Urik sought to take advantage of the chaos
In addition to raiders trying to turn over a new leaf, following Kalak's death and seize the mines, but Urik's
Freedom is home to ex-slaves who hold grudges against armies were repelled by the gladiator hero, Rikus, and
their former masters. A group calling itself the Winds of his warriors. Although closed for a brief time, the mines
Vengeance secretly hires bounty hunters and assassins have reopened and are functioning normally again. The
to eliminate the slavers. Unfortunately for travelers in temporary closure of this important Tyrian asset nearly
the region, the hired killers (who travel in small groups bankrupted the already-troubled city.
disguised as dune traders) do not discriminate when Hej-kin raids have plagued the mines. The subterranean
it comes to lopping off slaver heads. If they can save race dwells throughout the natural catacombs that riddle
themselves a bit of work by killing a stranger who can pass the foothills and nearby mountains. The hej-kin consider
for their intended target, they will. the ground sacred and mount sporadic attack against
those who defile their homelands. Some speculate the
opening of the mine was once a hej-kin cavern home,
The Iron Mines of Tyr although this remains largely unproven.
The iron mines of Tyr are the largest of their type in The mine gouges the foothills of the Ringing Mountains
the Tablelands. The presence of the ore was one of the north and west of Tyr like an open wound. A single narrow
principal reasons Tyr was established only two days' travel mountain road accesses the fortified site. Three guard
from the mine. Death has always been associated with outposts border the road at half-mile intervals from the
the mines. Miners die from unexpected cave-ins and the mines. Each outpost consists of a small pair of buildings:
natural hazards of the mines. Still others die from the One set against the mountainside, the other perilously
“hej-kin's curse”. close to the exposed drop. Bramble weed walls surround
The “curse” takes one to three men a month. A worker each outpost while the trunk of a stout brambletree blocks
who felt fine the day before may suddenly feel weakened. the road at waist height. The trunk lies in an L-shaped
Some days or weeks later, he might suddenly keel over slot fitted into each of the two buildings. A combined
dead, a victim of the alleged curse. Miners believe ancient strength of at least 40 is needed to lift the massive tree
hej-kins cursed the caverns, but the truth lies locked trunk from its resting place. As one approaches the mines,
within the stone itself. each guard post contains twice as many guards as the last.
Unknown to the workers, the ore is of an arsenide type. The smaller, first station maintains 10 guards and two
The narrow eighth-of-an-inch red vein is surrounded by “runners”. All the guards are armed with metal weapons.
strata of poisonous arsenic deposits. The arsenic penetrates Passing the third gate reveals the mining compound. The
through all the workers' cuts caused by working with rock camp occupies a plateau shelf 550 feet wide by 1,000 feet
and stone. Undetectable, arsenic builds up in the body long. The mountainside rises 500 feet above the plateau,
until achieving lethal dosage. A mine worker must make providing a natural barrier against attack. Opposite the
a successful saving throw vs. poison once per month or mountainside loom sharp precipices, dropping thousands
feel the poison's effects. If the saving throw is failed, the of feet to the valley floor below. The mines' gaping mouth
victim loses a hit point per turn until death occurs. A faces the compound 's gates. The entrance rises 30 feet
slow poison spell delays the effect, while neutralize poison high, spans 65 feet at the base, and is cut in the shape of
negates the poison. A select few of the templars have a dark hemisphere against the vertical rock face.
guessed the ore's peril, but keep it a secret under penalty To the right of the opening is a series of large cages,
of death. Hiring priests to cure the afflicted men would designed to hold erdlu, kank, and heavy crodlu. Erdlu
prove much too costly, and would reveal the problem to occasionally pull small carts, but serve primarily as a food
all. Life is cheap on Athas, iron is not. Regardless of the source. Kanks are teamed in twos and fours to pull ore
danger, the red ore represents Tyr's lifeblood as the city's carts. They are used extensively in the mines, especially
in areas where the tunnel height slopes to under five
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feet. The honey globules produced by the kanks provide after cartload of raw ore from deep within the mountains.
additional foodstuffs for the compound. Heavy crodlu pull It is their job to work the creatures tirelessly and maintain
the large ore carts. a steady flow of raw materials to the smelters. Because of
Beside the animal pens are a series of bunkhouses, the expertise needed for the job a hauler can expect to
originally designed to hold slaves, now modified to house receive up to a silver a week for his work.
paid workers. A row of covered pits, closest to the road on Carriers have the backbreaking task of bringing the
the right, were once used as holding cells for disobedient ore-bearing rocks to the carts of the haulers. They collect
slaves. They now confine the more dangerous criminals loose ore into coarse, woven bags of giants' hair to be
who are sent to the mines as punishment. To the carried or dragged to the ore carts. This job is often
immediate left of the camp's entrance stands the opulent, assigned to criminals serving out sentences in the mines.
two-story residence of the templars who still oversee the The pay for non-criminals is two ceramic bits a day plus
daily operations of the mines. Each templar is assigned room and board.
25 guards, and remains responsible for their actions. The Miners perform the dangerous job of loosening the
guards share compartmentalized sleeping quarters on ore from the reddish rocks. Few of the veins are large or
the ground floor, while the templars reside in the lavish easy to mine. Most appear as eighth-of-an-inch narrow
apartments located on the second story. bands in the rock. Newer excavations are always the
A large building to the left is used for the storage and most dangerous. As the miners delve deeper into the
preparation of food. Positioned between this building and ore vein, the composition of the overhanging rock can
the precipice are a huge fire pit and cooking kilns. Cooks change. Problems occur when the rock above the ore is
prepare meals for the entire camp, templars and workers softer than the surrounding stone. This formation will not
alike. The ore house stands closer to the center of the support its own weight, and frequently collapses, causing
compound. This massive, thick walled, square building cave-ins. Miners receive extra compensation for working
stores smelted bars of iron until they are transported to in the newer digs. Tyrian miners prefer picks, hammers, or
the city. It is constantly guarded on all sides, especially large two-person gouges for their work. Miners who work
the roof. The smelter stands to its left, towards the mines. the new digs receive up to five ceramic bits a day, while
Fires burn in the smelter day and night, separating the other miners receive one to three bits per day.
iron ore from the red rock. Spent tailings (useless rock) When sufficient ore has been smelted, the mining
are then discarded down the mountainside, creating an templars send word to Tyr, and a heavily armed Royal
immense rubble field that sprawls 1,000 feet down the Caravan travels to the mines to retrieve the ingots. No one
steep slope. Deep rutted paths connect the ore smelter to has ever successfully raided a Royal Caravan transporting
the mines' entrance. Carts holding raw ore rest in these iron. Fear of Kalak's retribution helped prevent raids in
ruts as they await the smelter. There are two sizes of carts: the past. At the present time, under the reign of Tithian,
The large carts carry a half ton of ore and the small carts the caravan's guard will be even more formidable due to
hold 500 pounds of rock. the Tyrian king's lack of spellcasting abilities.
The templars who run the mine hire four types of
workers: guards, haulers, carriers, and miners. The guards' Grak’s Pool
duties are straightforward – they keep tempers from flaring
between workers, monitor all who come and go in the Midway between Altaruk and Ledopolus stands a
complex, and protect the templars. Their chief duty, mud-brick fortress built over a natural spring. Because
however, is safeguarding the mines and the ore. There are surface water is rare anywhere on Athas, Grak’s Pool is a
never fewer than 200 guards at the mines at any time. welcome stop for travelers. Grak, a half-elf warrior of some
This is a well paying but difficult job, as no amount of renown, commands a band of mercenaries based here. He
bribery can secure a position as guard; they are strictly allows visitors to set up camp around the outskirts of his
hand-picked by Borger, Minister of Mines. fortress, but his water is not free. He charges travelers 5
Haulers work with the various beasts, bringing cartload cp per drink and 20 cp per bath.
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Below the fortress and the spring, a foundation of older state of Balic and administered by House Tomblador. In
ruins extends beneath the stony barrens of the surrounding addition to Tomblador’s outpost in Walis, two templars
landscape. Grak and his mercenaries have explored only a of the sorcerer-king Andropinis and a small detachment
portion of these tangled, echo ing tunnels. Spine-chilling of legionaries keep an eye on the village. The Balican
roars sometimes echo up from the deep passages below templars allow Tomblador agents to do as they wish.
Grak’s Pool. Their awful resonance has been sufficient The gold mine lies at the canyon’s throat. Each day
to keep the mercenaries from venturing too far beneath a working party of village slaves is let down from the
the fortress. crankhouse and escorted to the mine under the sharp eyes
of overseers. The miners produce only a pittance of gold,
Seer Nafoun: Mafoun is a badly scarred dray who but it’s enough to sustain the operation.
camps perpetually outside the fortress of Grak’s Pool. He Suspicion greets the few visitors who come to Walis.
offers prophecies and readings for the cost of a drink in Those whose stories check out can stay in the Yellow
the fortress. Mafoun belongs to a secret cult called the House, a hostelry and stable maintained at the spire’s
Children of the Dragon. The Children believe that the foot.
Dragon of Tyr will redeem Athas if it receives enough
sacrifices. The world’s failure is that, so far, too few lives
have been given to the Dragon for it to achieve its
Kra-Hnur
ultimate end. Home to an aggressive tribe of half-giant raiders, the
hold of Kra-Hnur lies in a hanging valley about halfway
between Tyr and Walis. Crude stone fortifications
Kled barricade the path leading up from the valley to the
The dwarven settlement of KIed controls an obsidian stronghold. The half-giants keep large flocks of goats and
mine in the foothills of the Ringing Mountains. The erdlus in the high pastures behind their walls, along with
village is built on the location of a Green Age dwarven several hundred thralls of other races – captives taken in
citadel called Kemolak. The dwarves of Kled believe raids on the lowlands.
they are descended directly from the kings of Kemolak, The leader of the tribe, a huge, one-eyed half giant war
although they keep this claim from outside ears lest they chief known as the Great Kra, is far more clever than his
anger a sorcerer-king in their presumption. From time to brutish appearance would suggest. The Great Kra spent
time, miners unearth portions of the ruins of the “city his youth serving in the royal guard of King Kalak of Tyr,
of dwarf kings.” Most of the finds are enigmatic wall and when he returned home, he seized control of his tribe.
remnants or bits of flagged flooring heavily inscribed with He despises humans, elves, and other “weaklings,” and he
angular runes. However, every so often the workers recover personally leads his warriors on raids. The Kra-Hnurdha
a crumbling relic of ancient Kemolak. tribe primarily strikes at caravans on the Trade Road and
Of late, Kled has been troubled by a series of raids isolated villages and outposts in the Tablelands. However,
targeting trade caravans bound for Tyr. A number of with the recent chaos in Tyr, the Great Kra has turned
dwarves have been killed by mysterious attackers. his eye on the client villages clustering within the city’s
verdant belt.
Walis
Site of the only gold mine known to exist on Athas, Gunginwald
Walis is a tiny village atop a high spire of rock within In the middle of the Ringing Mountains, in that stony,
a canyon in the foothills of the Ringing Mountains. rugged district just north of Tyr, lies a shrine of the earth
A massive cargo bucket let up and down by slaves in elementals. Those who travel over the mountains have
a crankhouse tower controls access to the community. often found it a safe refuge from the beasts that lurk in
Walls is a client village under the control of the city- those craggy peaks, and the guardian who lives at the
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Settlements
shrine seems content to provide defense for all those in by the menhirs. The ground is soft and extremely fertile,
need. and always covered with the greenest grass most travelers
The guardian's name is Horth Araxis, an earth cleric have ever seen.
whose wandering days have come to an end. He can still
scale mountains, but long journeys tire him, and have 3. The Waterfall: A constant stream of fresh, pure
for years. A fit man, his years are betrayed by the dirty water slides down from the cliff face and over the edge.
wrinkles of his face and the graying of his beard. His eyes Canteens and water skins may be filled here, but larger
are black and beady, and his skin is the color of desert containers cannot fit through the slim, recessed entrance.
sand. A brown robe covers the tough mekillot armor that
has served him well over the years. His weapon is a large 4. Horth's Cave: This cave is Horth's home. There is
maul topped by a hammer like stone of obsidian. little here except a bed of soft clay, some pottery, and a
The shrine sits just off a little side trail in the mountains few trinkets of gold, silver, and gemstones lying about. The
north of Tyr. Beasts of burden and large beings may not precious metals are worth anywhere from 1-100 sp, and
fit through the entrance. Horth might trade these to a party for something he finds
useful or entertaining.
1. Menhirs: Four great menhirs border the circular
niche in the walls of the cliff. They are unornamented, Horth Araxis: The earth shrine was prepared by
but characters should get the feeling that they are being another long before Horth was born. Nevertheless, he has
watched. If Horth is attacked, the menhirs will turn into found his home here. Horth listens for cries for help, and
four giant, stone golems. investigates them immediately. Unless those in trouble
are blatantly evil or are defilers, he dashes to the rescue.
2. The Shrine: The shrine itself is the area bordered Afterwards, he'll heal their wounds and invite the travelers
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Settlements
to his cave for food and water, and to tell them long, When travelers approach to within bowshot of the walls,
exciting stories about the wonderful powers of earth. elf guards call out the rules of the compound: “Two
If he is attacked, Horth can activate four menhir/golems silver pieces each to water here and rest in relative safety.
that were presented to him by an old preserver-friend, Pay or turn back.” Then an elf appears from a hidden
these he will use in a fight to the death. entrance to collect the fees. The gates will not open until
payment is received, and most violence is returned in
kind by the bow-wielding guards upon the walls.
Silver Spring Oasis Inside, the small pond is full of brown, bad-tasting
A fortified caravanserai stands at the oasis along the water. Around it wait the elven tents, full of goods to
trade route between Tyr and Urik. This roadside inn is a trade and deals to be struck. If a traveler is careful and
preferred stop for many house merchants and dune traders. keeps his wits about him, he might even come away with a
Its faded, worn walls have greeted travelers for more than worthwhile item and most of his money. The descriptions
a century with flickering lanterns lit just after nightfall, below are keyed to the accompanying map of the oasis.
snippets of exotic song, and the clamor of excited trade.
Silver Spring Oasis is a great walled square, with the 1. Warrior Tents: The fighters and multiclassed warriors
central courtyard open to the elements. The inner wall of charged with defending the compound live in these long
the courtyard is riddled with doors that lead to sleeping tents. The warriors follow strict schedules so that there are
chambers, a common room, food stores, stables, and vaults always guards atop the walls. If trouble occurs, all of the
where dune traders can safeguard their merchandise. The warriors can be assembled within minutes. All warriors
courtyard also contains the eponymous “Silver Spring,” a carry longbows, a quiver of arrows, and a long sword made
central well that yields cloudy, foul-tasting water. (Whoever of bone or stone.
named the well apparently did so a long time ago, when
the water was fresh, or the name might be a joke.) Still, 2. Defilers' Tent: Toramund provides this tent for
the water is safe for people and mounts to drink, and the use of whatever defiler he recruits. It also serves as
when properly filtered, it becomes suitable for the famous the living quarters for the three low-level elf defilers that
“silver baths” that only the wealthiest traders can afford. were born into the tribe. These elves dislike the idea that
Carts and stalls of minor merchants fill the courtyard Toramund seeks wizard talent from outsiders, but they
around the well. also know that they do not possess the power their chief
The proprietors are a tribe of elves called the Silver requires. They continue to hope that the next mage to
Hands. Unlike others of their kind, the elves are not come to the Silver Hands will agree to tutor them in the
nomadic herders or raiders; they have run Silver Spring higher arcane arts. Until then, they continue the long
Oasis for several generations. The current leader of the process of self-study. They are constantly on the lookout
tribe and head of the caravanserai is Chief Toramund, for travelers who might be wizards, for they are eager to
who greets all newcomers, settles all conflicts, and oversees increase their store of spells, arcane texts, and magical
orderly trade. Those who violate the inn's primary rule (do items through whatever means are necessary.
not steal from another visitor) are ejected through the gate
without their trade items, belongings, or clothing. 3. Chief's Palace and Common Living Tent: This
huge tent serves as Toramund's personal living area and
Silver Spring Oasis court, and as the common living area for the rest of the
A lush field of tart-smelling ash-brush fills the area tribe. Toramund and his personal guards live here in a
around the oasis. The brush is dun-colored and thorny, portion of the tent blocked off by flowing curtains. The
and burnt-orange rocks jut from the scrub plains. The larger common area houses the tribe's children and those
elven compound – a looming fortress of stone blocks elves who have no other place to sleep. Sometimes the
rising above the barrens – can be seen from the road. common area is cleared so that Toramund can hold
court or entertain important visitors. Toramund's private
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collection of silver and treasures is stored here, under the to the entertainers found among the Sky Singers, for
watchful eye of his daughter Torami. example, but a few come quite close. Friendly customers
who can afford to pay may avail themselves of elven
4. Oasis Market: The tents of the oasis market are company during their stay in the compound.
filled with cheap, gaudy goods that carry hefty price tags.
All items have been “improved” with decorative elements 8. Provisions: Traveling supplies may be purchased
to justify prices three times more expensive than those from the elves in this tent. The items are costly, but
offered elsewhere – improvements include a few extra all are of good quality. They stock no magical items. If
stitches here, a few more beads there, etc. Common goods visitors anger or insult the Silver Hands, the provisions
of all descriptions can usually be found here, as can a few they purchase might be laced with some type of poison.
“exotic” items that are often only slightly altered common Occasionally, the elves will poison a particularly wealthy
goods. For example, a battered bone sword might be visitor with a deadly but slow-acting brew. Then they will
engraved with a few meaningless runes and hawked as the follow after in order to loot the visitor's dead body once
legendary weapon of Colwyn of Bodach. The elves also it falls to the ground.
sell spell components, and every so often a real treasure
shows up in the market. But in order for a genuine 9. Warrior Leaders: Basettu, the protector of the wall,
treasure to escape Toramund's private collection, it must and his warrior lieutenants share this tent. Their personal
be so obscure or disguised as to appear to have little or belongings are stored here, and this is where they come
no true worth. to sleep and relax. The accommodations are less spartan
than the warriors' tents, but not nearly as opulent as the
5. Travelers' Camp: The Silver Hands provide space chief's living area. Four leaders live here, in addition to
within their compound for travelers to make camp. This Basettu.
area is treated as an outdoor inn. For an additional silver
piece (or something of equivalent value), the elves provide 10. Living Tents: These tents serve as living areas for
a sleeping mat, a small camp site, and a fire pit. Those other members of the tribe who do not live in the warrior
travelers who take advantage of the elves' hospitality tents or in the common tent. These are elves who desire a
are bothered by peddlers and wandering entertainers bit more privacy and have been granted it by Toramund.
throughout their stay. They must also beware of elf thieves Traders, successful thieves, and a few of the more popular
who regularly prey upon the campers. The thieves do entertainers live here.
not steal so much from a single person as to be readily
noticed, but they often take possession of a valuable item 11. Animal Pen: The elves maintain this facility to
or two. keep and tend animals brought in by visitors. The small
number of kanks that the tribe keeps are also corralled
6. Camp Supplies: This tent holds all the supplies for here. The two silver piece fee must be paid for all animals
the travelers' camp. Visitors pay their silver here to receive brought to the compound that wish to partake of the
sleeping mats and kindling from the elves on duty. The water of the oasis. If an animal's owner decides to spend
tent also has a small cooking fire to prepare meals (which any amount of time in the compound, then the animal
cost twice as much as the fare at city inns), and it stocks must be left in the pen. The fee for using the pen is one
wine and ale for those visitors inclined to drink something silver piece. Mekillots are not permitted in the compound,
other than foul water. but water may be brought to these creatures outside the
walls if the normal fee is paid.
7. Tent of Delights: Elf entertainers sing and dance
for audiences in this tavern/show hall. The drinks are
strong and often as foul-tasting as the water outside, but
the singers and dancers are good. Most cannot compare
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The Free
Slaves everywhere whisper the name of the Free in
reverent tones once lavished upon the sorcerer-kings. Every
day the legend spreads and the tales grow taller with each
retelling. That is the nature of legends.
The truth is that the Free is the same as a hundred
similar raiding tribes operating in the Athasian wilderness.
Yes, they sometimes help slaves escape to freedom, but
only as an afterthought. The city-state spoken of in
legends, where every slave lives free, is nothing more than
a fortified village hidden within a deep crater.
The Free believe that all slaves deserve to live in
freedom. They follow this credo as long as doing so does
not threaten their own freedom. They are a wild bunch,
but they refrain from acts of true evil. From the tales I
have heard, the Free attack only those who keep slaves –
merchant caravans, slaver wagons, client villages, and even
the cultivated fields around the city-states. There has not
been a single story of the Free plundering from another
slave tribe or a village that does not keep slaves.
The tribe contains over 500 members, who live together
in a fortified village far from other settlements. They
believe that the good of the group is paramount over all
other concerns. All members share equally in supplies,
and any slaves freed by their raiding parties are invited to
join, if they so desire.
The tribesfolk see themselves engaged in a war to keep
the freedom they have worked hard to preserve. Anyone
who threatens that freedom is considered an enemy of the
tribe. Slaves, as prisoners of the enemy, are considered
allies to be helped, if such help does not put the tribe
at risk.
Organization
Bartras, an ex-soldier slave, leads the Free. He considers
the post a temporary evil, for no slave should be placed
above another. He promises to abolish his position once
all slaves are free. As leader, Bartras has reluctantly
organized the tribe along military lines, recognizing that
the struggle to remain free is a war between masters and
slaves. Eight generals serve as his council of war. These
men and women have been selected from all classes
and races of slaves to offer advice and to keep Bartras
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informed of events within their spheres of influence. they may be offered a chance to join the Free.
Below the generals, a major presides over the Hidden
Village. In addition to administering to the village's daily Origin
needs of decision making and dispute settling, the major Bartras grew up as a play slave in the house of a Balic
oversees the village's defenses and assigns work details to patrician. The slave child learned much at the side of
maintain and expand the settlement as needed. his master/playmate, participating in almost all of the
Raiding parties are led by captains and consist of as few lessons assigned to the patrician's son. When Bartras
as six members or as many as several hundred, depending was nine years old, it was decided that he would serve as
on the target of the raid. a soldier slave in the patrician's personal army. He was
given over to the patrician's sergeant-at-arms to begin his
Operations and Means of Existence military training. Bartras excelled at armed and unarmed
Everything the Free does revolves around maintaining combat, easily besting larger, stronger foes. He gained
freedom. They engage in raids to procure supplies, free an appreciation for strategy and planning, paying extra
slaves to swell their ranks, and attack client villages to attention to lessons concerning military tactics.
strike back in some way at the masters who once held As Bartras came of age, he took his place among the
them in shackles. These raids are usually aimed at slave- best and highest ranking soldier slaves in his patrician's
keeping facilities: merchant house outposts or caravans, militia. But Bartras was not content. Why should slaves
city-state work detail, or client villages. In addition to have to settle at best for near equality and at worst for
gaining needed supplies, the raiders also seek to free any status as property to be used and abused as an owner
slaves they encounter while on such missions, as long as pleased? There had to be more for Bartras, and for slaves
doing so does not put their own members at risk. throughout Athas. Something was missing, and the hole it
The Hidden Village maintains small herds of carru and left within the young soldier slave burned like his throat
tends an oasis. What it cannot make for itself or acquire did when he was thirsty.
through raids, the village obtains by trading with other Years went by, and Bartras served the patrician's family
communities. It sends out caravans belonging to fictitious well. His undefined desires never interfered with his
merchant houses to engage in trade with legitimate villages duties or his loyalty. They just left him feeling hollow and
and outposts. incomplete.
While planning a raid, the tribe watches for Disaster struck while Bartras was accompanying his
opportunities to free slaves. This may be as simple as one-time playmate into the patrician's fields outside of
sneaking into a work detail and persuading the slaves to Balic's protective walls. The noble's son was making a
revolt, thus providing a diversion under which to launch routine check of his family's holdings, and Bartras and
a raid. However, it may be as difficult as actually setting his soldier slaves were along to protect him. The raiders
an ambush and overpowering guards. If a raid goes as struck without warning, ambushing the small party as
planned, then any slaves attached to the plundered area it traveled the path toward the olive orchards. When
are released. the painfully quick skirmish ended, the soldiers and the
Many circumstances can arise to cut short the slaves' noble's son were dead. Bartras alone survived, though
new-found freedom. The slaves may refuse to cooperate unconsciousness and bloody wounds made the raiders
with the raiders; they may be afraid to leave their familiar believe that he also was dead.
surroundings for the unknown desert. Even if they do Bartras had a choice to make when he regained
follow the Free, weariness, fear, or lack of supplies may consciousness. He could return to Balic and explain to
later turn the slaves against their saviors. The raiders his patrician why he had failed to protect the noble 's
will at the very least provide what food and water they son, or he could walk away into the desert and disappear.
can spare and give the freed slaves directions to a safe Either choice seemed to end in death, as far as the young
location, such as an oasis. If the slaves are cooperative, man could see, but at least in the desert he could die
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free. Bartras struck out into the wastes. Ringing Mountains. I cannot be more specific than that,
In the desert, death did not find the ex-slave. Instead, for I have pledged to keep every tribe I write about as
he wandered alone and soon discovered that the hollow protected as I can.
feeling within him had been filled. It was freedom that he Its hidden location and the surrounding countryside
had craved, and now that he could go where he chose to offer the village much protection, but the village is not
go, do what he wanted to do, he felt almost complete. In without its own defenses. Every member of the tribe, from
the desert, it was more than just his body that Bartras let the young to the old, takes part in exercises designed
wander. He also freed his mind, letting it explore inner to teach the ex-slaves to work together for the common
thoughts that he once shied away from. He realized that defense. Specific locations and fortifications are under the
freedom was a constant battle, waged against the masters command of experienced military personnel, either ex-
of Athas who took pleasure in enslaving the masses. soldiers or gladiators, who direct the non-military-oriented
It took several years, but he eventually gathered enough members of the community in matters of defense.
followers (every one of them is an escaped slave) to start Scouts from the village constantly roam the land for
his own tribe. The Free was born in the heat of the desert, miles around, serving as first-line defenders (with orders
and it quickly blossomed in a shower of raids against to act only against small groups) and to sound the alarm
slaveholders everywhere. should danger approach too closely.
In addition to the crater itself, with its natural wall that
Location and Defenses rises some 30 feet over the crater floor, a sturdy brick wall
The Hidden Village lies at the bottom of a crater within surrounds the village, rising to a height of ten feet and
the foothills above the Great Alluvial Sand Wastes, lost mounted with battlements to protect the defenders. Gates
somewhere between Tyr and Urik in the shadow of the in the wall can be closed and barred. Within the walls,
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the village has been designed to offer fall back positions The only folk the Free refuse to deal with fairly are
and hiding places for the defenders, while frustrating any those who regularly engage in slave trade or who work
attackers with its maze of low walls and ambush vantage directly for the sorcerer-kings. The Free might visit such
points. If attackers do manage to break through the walls, an outpost or merchant camp in the dead of night to
they will have to fight for every foot of ground they gain spirit away slaves, but they will never even pretend to
once inside. conduct business with such groups. Of course, they avoid
The village itself is built upon a raised platform of the city-states as much as possible, with the rare exception
baked mud, making attacks against it very difficult. Not of conducting a raid on the surrounding fields.
only must attackers drop down into the deep crater or
navigate the narrow ramp that is the sole accessway, but Joining the Tribe
once at the bottom they face the raised platform and the As with most slave tribes, only ex-slaves may apply for
village walls. If any attackers get this close to the village, membership with the Free. All races and most classes
they will find themselves facing concentrated attacks from are welcome, as long as the applicant can prove he was
the defenders' higher positions. a slave. Proving servitude can be difficult, especially for
The Hidden Village is a thriving community of ex- those slaves from households that do not use branding.
slaves working together to create a home. The building the When physical proof cannot be offered, the Free look
village is proudest of is the Free Arena. Modelled after to attitude, skills, origin to determine the applicant's
the gladiatorial arenas of the citystates but constructed worthiness. If the slave in question was freed as part
on a much smaller scale, the Free Arena is an open- of a raid by the tribe, he has the best chance of being
air amphitheater in which tribe members can gather accepted. Defilers are the main exception to the Free's
to discuss important topics and reach group decisions. welcoming attitude. No wizard who practices the defiling
While Bartras and his generals are not yet ready to give arts is welcome among the Free.
up their positions as leaders of the community, they have Still, desire to join and status as a slave does not
nonetheless begun to turn some community decisions over guarantee full tribal rights. A period of initiation must
to the Arena. be undertaken, lasting no less than three months and
In the Arena, anyone who wants to voice an opinion no more than a year. During this period, the applicant
can do so without fear of reprisal or retribution. Issues is assigned to a raiding team. He must demonstrate his
can be debated, and everyone participates in the decision- thirst for and love of freedom by helping the tribe wage its
making process. war against owners and by freeing other slaves when the
The village also boasts a respectable barter market opportunity presents itself. If he can perform some special
where members of the community trade their skills and service or heroic feat while undergoing his initiation, he
wares, a large artisan section full of all kinds of craft shops assures his selection as a member of the tribe.
and studios, and a growing residential section where the Any member who acts against the tribe or who fails
children of the Free can grow up to be whatever they to prove himself during initiation is put to death, for the
choose – with or without the permission of the owners or location of the Hidden Village is too important to entrust
the sorcerer-kings. to those cast out from the tribe.
Relations with Others Personalities
The Free trade with almost anyone. The community Bartas: Bartras, a human fighter, served as a play slave
routinely sends caravans to villages and outposts. These to a noble's son and then as a soldier slave in the noble
caravans pretend to be from some far-away or non-existent 's militia before he found his freedom. He has spent his
merchant house. Other than this bit of deception, they time as an ex-slave establishing the tribe called the Free.
trade fairly, making shrewd deals and cutting tough As leader of the Free, Bartras employs his followers as
bargains with the best merchants and traders in Athas. soldiers in a war against slave owners. He sees the struggle
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to remain free and to live in the wilderness away from the ceramic pieces while wandering a village in the guise of
city-states as a war against both nature and the owners. a merchant from some fictitious house on the other side
Each successful raid provides another day of freedom and of the Tyr region.
thus is considered a small victory in his ongoing war.
His ability to lead comes from his military traintraining, 1. Crater Wall Ramp: This narrow ramp made of
charismatic orations, and his hands-on approach to sun-baked mud provides access to the crater in which the
tackling problems. With the help of his wild talent, Free have constructed their village.
Bartras can easily distract caravan guards so that a raid
can go off without a hitch. He loves freedom and wishes 2. The Main Gate: A narrow ramp leads up to the
to see all slaves free. Every group of raiders from his tribe village, which has been built upon a platform of sun-
has standing orders to set slaves free as long as doing so baked mud. The gate opens upon the village proper and
does not endanger the welfare of the tribe. faces the Free Arena.
Drog: Drog, a dwarf who once served as a soldier slave 3. The Free Arena: This amphitheater, modelled after
in Tyr, serves as the major (the governor) of the Hidden the gladiatorial arenas of the city-states, serves as a meeting
Village. He is a strict but fair administrator with a knack hall and gathering center where news can be shared and
for bureaucratic routine. Under his care, the settlement community matters can be debated and decided upon.
has grown from a tiny camp at the bottom of a huge
crater to a thriving village. He is constantly evaluating his 4. The Corridor of Gates: A narrow corridor divided
actions to make sure he is not imitating the methods of by three gates separates the main village from the herd
the masters in the city-states. pen. These gates can be sealed to protect the village from
Drog definitely does not like the position he has been invaders.
placed in, but he understands why he was chosen. He
was one of Bartras's first followers, and hehas an eye for 5. The Herd Pen: Herds of carru and a few flocks of
detail that makes him a natural administrator. However, kitsus are kept in this part of the village. The animals
he believes that the position stinks of owner, or worse, of are permitted to graze in the brush surrounding the oasis
templar, and he longs for the day when Bartras abolishes every day, coming and going by the herd gate.
all positions of command. Of course, total freedom scares
him as well. It frightens his lawful, ordered tendencies with 6. The Herd Gate: A narrow ramp and a sturdy gate
visions of uncontrolled chaos. Sometimes he wonders if provide access from the herd pen to the surrounding
that is what they are striving for. Then he remembers his grazing fields.
time as a slave, and such thoughts flee before his own
desire to remain free. 7. The Oasis: This oasis provides water for the entire
village.
Selanu: Selanu once served as an artist slave in the
templar court of Balic. Her specialty had been bone
carving, but she developed a few additional skills to help
her get around the court unseen. Her fledgling thieving
talents found full expression under the tutelage of another
artist slave who once made a living as a rogue (before his
talents earned him a place as a slave).
After gaining her freedom due to the efforts of the Free,
Selanu asked to join the tribe. She now puts her talents
to work as a raider and as a thief when she is assigned to
a trade caravan. She enjoys stealing additional goods and
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Black Sand Raiders say that the number of raiders never changes, neither
increasing nor decreasing. When a tribe member dies,
All tales told about the Black Sand Raiders are told he is immediately replaced with another escaped slave.
in whispers, as if speaking too loudly about these terrible Despite the claim that there are 100 raiders in the tribe,
marauders will attract their foul attention. They have no report has ever placed more than 30 of them in a
become creatures of legend, much as the Free have. But single raiding party.
unlike the tales of the Free, the legends concerning the The Black Sand Raiders are the epitome of evil for
Black Sand tribe are dark and evil. those living outside the walls of the city-states. These
Most tales center around the tribe’s leader, Zeburon, raiders stop at nothing to take what they want, and they
who wears an iron helm, iron gloves, and a breechcloth seem to revel in death and destruction. Their chaotic
over otherwise bare flesh. The man – if man he is – is evil tendencies are barely contained by Zeburon and his
capable of the same atrocities attributed to the sorcerer- defiler wizard, but they are given plenty of opportunities
kings, though on a smaller scale. His cruelty, ruthlessness, to indulge those tendencies during raiding.
and greed set the agenda for his followers as he leads
them on increasingly violent raids from the Siren’s Song Organization
to the Dragon’s Bowl. In even quieter voices, people speak
of Zeburon’s wizard. This powerful defiler apparently Zeburon rules the Black Sand Raiders, quite literally,
communes with undead creatures, further tainting the with an iron fist. He rules through power and fear,
Black Sand Raiders’ already stained souls. easily putting down any challengers to his rule. For the
Zeburon rides at the head of a tribe 100 strong. Rumors most part, as long as he continues to lead the slaves
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the middle of otherwise barren terrain. The black sand Tablelands. The ruins rest within a pool of black sand,
shimmered evilly in the morning sun, beckoning the one- from which the tribe takes its name. Their camp is said
time slave forward. He accepted the invitation. to be a jumble of tents stretched between the ruins, but
Zeburon found that the black sand surrounded the some of the more privileged raiders make their homes
ruins of an ancient city. Some buildings jutted from the within the shattered and collapsing structures.
sand, exposing partially intact structures of strange design A number of factors work to protect the camp, though
and unfathomable purpose. A pool of water lay hidden few of them have anything to do with the tribe. Most
amid the ruins, and Zeburon drank deeply to quench his travelers have heard tales of the Black Sand Raiders, so
thirst. When he stood up, he noticed a figure watching any who come upon an area of black sand tend to leave
him from the shadowed opening of a crumbled tower. the area immediately. Those who haven't heard of the
The gladiator moved to deal with this intruder as he had raiders still tend to avoid the area, for black sand hints at
dealt with the others he had met in his travels, but he things beyond the natural world.
was stopped in his tracks by arcane words and the tingle The camp maintains a semblance of defenses, most of
of magic. which take the form of patrols. Patrols have two purposes.
Zeburon could do nothing but listen to the figure that The first is to guard the camp's perimeter and provide
stepped out to greet him. “I am Fevil,” the defiler said with ample warning of any threats from outside. The second
an evil grimace. “I have been waiting for you to arrive.” is to guard the camp's interior, for occasionally something
Zeburon listened as the defiler told him of his visions of decidedly unfriendly emerges from the caverns below the
power and conquest. With Zeburon to command their ruins. Often, the defiler can herd these nightmares back
army and Fevil to commune with the ancient undead into the depths. The patrols have been established for
of the ruined city, there was nothing they could not those times when he cannot turn them back, as well as to
accomplish. After a time, Zeburon became intrigued by protect the tribe until he can be located.
the wizard's words. He accepted the proposal. Otherwise, it seems the Black Sand camp does not
To prove his worth, however, Fevil demanded that concern itself with defenses. There are no sturdy walls
Zeburon survive a simple test. The defiler explained to hide behind, no formal militia to turn to. Instead,
that if the gladiator could enter the chambers below the every raider protects himself until Zeburon calls them all
crumbled tower and emerge alive, then he was worthy to together. That is the way in the camp of the Black Sand.
lead the soon-to-be born Black Sand Raiders.
What Zeburon encountered beneath the tower, no one The Ruins
knows. According to the story I was told, he was down Most of the strange, ancient buildings have crumbled
there for a full day and a full night while Fevil waited into piles of rocks or have been totally buried in fine,
above. When he finally emerged from the shadow-filled black sand. Those structures that jut out of the sand and
doorway, Zeburon was wearing the iron helm and gauntlets offer some protection from the elements are used by the
that have become his trademark. ranking members of the tribe. One small building remains
It was only a matter of time before Zeburon attracted almost completely intact, and Zeburon uses this as his
a group of followers. He appealed to the barbaric and personal quarters. The partially crumbled tower that leads
unscrupulous elements, cajoling them with promises of to the caverns below has become the defiler's domain;
unlimited wealth and unending excitement. Thus was the there is no one who cares to challenge him for the space.
tribe of the Black Sand Raiders born. The caverns under the ruins seem to go on forever.
Only a small section of them have been mapped and
Location and Defenses explored by Fevil and Zeburon. Sometimes they send a
The Black Sand Raiders make their camp in the ruins party of raiders into the depths to find ancient treasures
of an ancient city, rumored to be located somewhere or to conduct some foul experiment for the defiler. Other
in the vicinity of Silver Spring in the area called the times, the caverns are used to test new members or to
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serve as punishment for those who have angered Zeburon. their domain makes finding new members rather difficult.
In either case, those who descend into the depths must Zeburon leaves the recruitment of new members to Fevil.
be prepared to deal with the denizens that wander the The defiler has an uncanny knack for knowing when the
dark passages and haunt the strangely-designed chambers. tribe will need new blood, and he magically searches for
suitable prospects. Sometimes the defiler even leads a
Relations with Others raid on slave market caravans for the express purpose of
Zeburon considers everyone who is not a part of his acquiring fresh slaves.
tribe to be an enemy. He conducts his affairs as though When the defiler extends an invitation to a slave, the
he was still fighting in the gladiatorial arenas, following slave must agree to join the tribe on the spot. Even a
the law of kill or be killed. Every other tribe exists for only moment's hesitation brings swift death from the defiler
one purpose – to provide for the needs of Zeburon and or his raiders. There have been rare instances of slaves
the Black Sand Raiders. For this reason, few settlements actually coming to the raiders in order to join them. At
have any formal agreements with the raiders. Instead, most least one small slave tribe merged with the Black Sand
simply hope that the Black Sand tribe never comes to camp in order to survive, but mostly the defiler goes out
call on them. to find his own recruits. Of course, certain prisoners are
The Black Sand tribe's nearest neighbors keep a watchful sometimes brought back to the camp for entertainment
eye for signs of the marauders. Altaruk, for example, has purposes or to give to the undead in the caverns below
not been directly attacked by the raiders, but a few of the ruins. Once in a great while a recruit is found among
their caravans have fallen. Altaruk is a powerful deterrent these wretches.
to the marauders, and Zeburon hates the client village Only slaves may join the Black Sand tribe, and only
with all his dark heart. On more than one occasion, warriors usually survive the rigors of testing. Tests of
Zeburon has had to call off his raiders because of the loyalty, courage, and strength vary, but usually include a
appearance of a heavily armed escort from Altaruk. trip into the caverns beneath the Black Sand ruins. If the
Despite the size of its army and the strength of its walls, potential recruit can make it out of the depths alive, he
Altaruk is regularly destroyed by giants from the Forked is granted full status as a member of the raiding tribe. If
Tongue Estuary. Zeburon watches for these attacks, for he manages to emerge with some bit of treasure from the
while the village is being rebuilt his raiders have free reign past, he may be offered a position of power in the camp's
over the area. hierarchy. If he does not emerge, then the defiler wishes
Silver Springs, on the other hand, cannot hope to hold the denizens of the deep a happy meal and sends in the
back Zeburon's raiders (or at least the elven chief whose next potential member.
tribe settled here believes this to be the case). He opens
his oasis to the raiders whenever they wish to use it, Personalities
suffering under the humiliation and pain they cause in Zeburon: Zeburon became leader of the Black Sand
return for his life. One day Zeburon may kill the elves and Raiders in much the same way as all of its members
loot the storehouse of silver that supposedly lies hidden joined the tribe: he survived the tests of the caverns
here. Until then, he and his followers will continue to use beneath the Black Sand ruins. While he is the leader
it as a resting stop. of the tribe, which he rules through the strength of his
iron-gloved fists, he follows the advice of the defiler, Fevil.
Joining the Tribe The ex-gladiator approaches all situations from the
Zeburon constantly seeks new members for the Black perspective of the arena. Everything is a game, but a
Sand Raiders. The lifestyle they lead and the methods deadly game. The winner of the game lives to fight again,
used for determining the tribe's hierarchy make life while the loser simply dies. He sees all opponents in these
among the lower ranks exceedingly short. However, the terms, believing that if he does not kill them first, they
fact that they instantly attack anyone who wanders into will surely kill him. He rules the raiders in the same way.
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If any of his followers question his orders, he swiftly kills hates everyone and everything. Someday that hatred will
them and asks if anyone else cares to disagree. consume him, but until then he satisfies some of his foul
Zeburon does not talk about his encounters beneath urges through the actions of the Black Sand Raiders.
the ruins, but he proudly wears the trophies he won in
the depths. The iron helm covers his entire head. His eyes Fevil: Fevil has his own agenda, which Zeburon and
sparkle malevolently from within the shadows of the thin, his raiders unwittingly help him to follow. He lets the
menacing slit that cuts across the helm's front. Strange ex-gladiator think he is in command, for the slaves would
designs etched into its sides mark it as something from never agree to follow a wizard. What the defiler needs the
another age. The designs may be magical in nature, but slaves for has yet to be determined, and he refuses to give
so far there have been no special powers attributed to the any hints to those who may one day oppose him.
helm or its matching gloves. The gloves are iron gauntlets The defiler stumbled upon the ruins within the pool
that fit snugly over Zeburon's hands. He wears no other of black sand long before Zeburon arrived. He knew that
armor or clothing, save a breechcloth, sandals, and a short unlimited power awaited him in the caverns beneath the
black cloak. He wields a sword of sharpened bone. ruins, but he was unable to explore very much of the
The ex-gladiator is quite mad, but that does not hamper depths. While his personal power was great, the foul
his ability to lead. Of course, he leads his tribe down his denizens of the deep could overpower him if they attacked
own dark paths of madness. He craves battle and has a in force. So he bided his time, studying the areas that
fierce blood lust that must constantly be sated. He hates were open to him.
all those who are not slaves, for they turned him into There are those who claim that Fevil communes with
what he has become. He hates all slaves, for that was one or more of the creatures living beneath the ruins.
what he learned in the arena. Consequently, Zeburon Some say he gets his powers from a far reaching evil out
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of Athas's past. Others say that his powers come from homage to dark gods that no longer exist on Athas.
the records the ancients left behind. The wizard will not The raaig has allowed the defiler Fevil to form an
comment either way. uneasy alliance with it, thus providing the creature with a
Fevil is a short, plump man with graying hair and an pawn in the living world. It grants the defiler some hints
unkempt beard. He is as cruel and evil as Zeburon, but of the magic of the ancients, but only enough to keep him
much more cunning and calculating. While Zeburon acts interested. Someday Er'Thork hopes to steal the defiler's
on instinct and in response to his own madness, Fevil acts body, though it knows that the evil wizard has plans of
according to a carefully laid out plan. When the details his own.
of that plan are finally revealed, the defiler's true nature Er'Thork can be damaged only by weapons forged from
will also be revealed. However, by that time it may be iron. In addition, the raaig can use death gaze at will
too late. against its opponents to drain their intellect and is able
to control lesser undead.
Lokee: Lokee is a halfling in whom Fevil recruited into
the Black Sand Raiders. He was part of a captured group 1. Fevil's Tower: This partially crumbled tower serves
of slaves bound for the city-state of Nibenay. Because of as the defiler's personal domain. Within the ancient walls
the behavior of halflings in captivity, Lokee was scheduled he works his foul magic. The tower also serves as one of
to be sold directly to the gladiatorial arena where his the entrances into the chambers below.
death could bring a few laughs to the crowds. When
Fevil and his raiders attacked the caravan and freed the 2. Zeburon's Dwelling: This ruined building of
halfling, he eagerly agreed to undergo whatever test the unknown purpose now serves as the personal dwelling
wizard decreed. From what he could see, the Black Sand and headquarters of Zeburon, leader of the Black Sand
Raiders was the kind of tribe he wanted to join. Raiders. Leering creatures out of nightmares decorate the
The halfling refuses to discuss his past, other than outer walls of the structure in bas reliefs and statues.
to say he is no longer welcome in the Forest Ridge.
Some speculate he may have done the unforgivable-eaten 3. Prisoner Tent: Any prisoners taken in a raid are
halfling flesh. kept in this tent until needed. Prisoners include slaves
Now Lokee ranks as one of the most privileged members who may be allowed to join the tribe, nobles taken for
of the tribe. His cruelty, fighting skills, and evil personality ransom, and sacrifices to be used by the defiler to appease
make him the equal of most of the camp's officers. In fact, the undead beneath the ruins.
Lokee has served Zeburon faithfully for more than a year
now. Few of the other officers can make such a claim. 4. Weaponsmith's Tent: While the tribe does not
The halfling warrior especially likes engaging in hunts, make any of its own weapons or armor, they do need to
for they remind him of his youth spent in the western keep what they take in good repair until new items can be
forests. Sometimes Zeburon even lets him keep one of his acquired. The weaponsmith, an ex-slave who learned his
catches so that he may satisfy his craving for intelligent skill in an artisan camp in Raam, is charged with keeping
flesh. the raiders' weapons sharp and strong from raid to raid.
While Lokee follows Zeburon's orders without question,
he much prefers the company of the defiler. He can only 5. Treasure Tent: All treasure taken in raids, from
learn so much about killing and plundering from the ex- money to weapons to textiles, is stored in this tent.
gladiator, while he is sure that the defiler can teach him
how to be truly evil. 6. Cooking Tent: Food for the camp is prepared and
served here over great cooking fires.
Er'Thork: Er'Thork is an ancient undead creature
known as a raaig. This incorporeal spirit haunts the 7. Tent of the Elite: Zeburon's personal guards make
chambers beneath the Black Sand camp, still paying their home in this large, spacious, wellappointed tent.
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3. Ancient Crypts: Like chambers 2 and 5, this 10. Rubble-Strewn Room: Various items can be found
chamber houses a few stone crypts. Unlike the others, in the heaps of rubble scattered about this room, including
these crypts have all been broken into and looted. objects made of metal. Some are broken, some whole. A
few are even thought to be magical.
4. Passage Cavern: This cavern connects to a series of
tunnels that lead to similar chambers beneath the other 11. Rubble-Strewn Room: See 10 above, but note that
ruins. The tunnels also lead to entrances to the surface. a secret door is located in the southern wall.
The iron door that rests partially open is covered with
arcane icons from the ancient world. 12. Treasure Chamber: This large natural chamber
is littered with ancient treasures collected by Er'Thork,
5. Ancient Crypts: This roughly carved chamber has a raaig that lords over these ancient ruins. A forking
a dirt floor. A film of black sand covers the hard-packed passage leads to the ruins and entrances to the surface.
dirt. Stone crypts fill the chamber. Some ancient artifacts
can be found in and around these crypts, but those who 13. Throne Room: Great pillars line the walls of this
seek them must overcome the zombies that guard this throne room, and a great throne rests along the southern
place of the dead. A passage in the northern wall leads wall. Tattered tapestries hang on the walls, but whatever
to the chambers beneath the other ruins and entrances images once adorned them have long-since faded. The
to the surface. throne is the regular haunt of Er'Thork, the raaig that
rules these ancient chambers. A secret door leads to stairs
6. Well Chamber: An ancient well, long-since dried that drop deeper into the bowels of Athas.
out, rests in the northwestern corner of this chamber. The
well leads to unexplored levels farther below the ground.
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Sortar’s Army promises them the wealth of the sorcerer-kings and the
blood of the owners. So far, he has made good on these
One tribe takes this idea of war to a more literal promises. He gained his skills working as a soldier slave
level, actually seeing its purpose as one of waging war in Balic, fighting against raiding giants out of the Forked
against the city-states. This tribe calls itself Sortar’s Army, Tongue Estuary.
and it operates along the caravan trails from out of the As warlord of the tribe, Sortar has a grim determination
mountains around Altaruk. akin to a dwarf's focus. He sees his purpose in life as being
Organized along strict military lines, Sortar’s Army the great enemy of the city-states, and he has instilled
is a ruthless, battle-crazed band of raiders. Fierce and this purpose in his followers. The tribe does not raid to
destructive, Sortar’s warriors sweep across the desert like a survive (though that is how it gains the supplies it needs
wild wind, ripping their intended targets apart with all the to continue its war); it raids to strike back at the masters
rage and ferociousness of a sudden sand storm. For all of who once imprisoned them in the shackles of slavery.
their fierceness and berserk tendencies, this tribe directs Two of Sortar's chief lieutenants are a half-elf called
its anger and aggression at the city-states and the caravans Derrim and a mul called Porgo. Derrim serves as Sortar's
carrying goods between them. They tend to leave other second in command and is never far from the warlord's
villages and small parties of travelers alone, unless these side. Porgo commands the scouting parties that search
groups do something to incur Sortar’s wrath. for caravans or other potential targets. Once a target is
Each member of this tribe bears tattoos that mark him identified, part of the scouting party remains near it to
as part of Sortar’s Army. These tattoos cover the face of track its course, while another part goes to gather the tribe.
each member, cutting dark diagonal slashes from forehead An ex-templar from Nibenay serves as one of Sortar's
to neck. In addition, each member wears a shard of main advisors, even sitting in on councils of war. A
obsidian on his left ear. number of wizards also work with the tribe. All of these
The tribe consists of over 70 members. They travel wizards are preservers; the power they provide often means
the caravan trails atop fast-moving kanks, waiting for city- the difference between victory and defeat for Sortar's
state wagons. When they find a caravan, they attack Army.
quickly and with little regard for their own safety. Stories By its very nature, the tribe is a warlike, barbaric lot.
a bound of Sortar’s Army taking on larger, better armed Battles settle every argument. Surprisingly, though, few
opponents-and winning. of these battles are to the death. Sortar provides enough
To other slaves, much of Sortar's excessive violence can outlets for the shedding of blood with his constant state of
be forgiven, for it is directed at the citystates and others war that the tribe members are content to settle their own
who keep slaves. The tribe is one step removed from differences in wrestling and brawls rather than with the
the vile evil of the Black Sand Raiders, and often the sharp point of a sword. Even positions within the tribe are
atrocities attributed to one were done by the other. The determined through contests of strength and skill, though
big difference is that the Raiders attack everyone with wild Sortar has been known to overturn the outcomes of some
abandon, while Sortar's Army is engaged in a war against battles to promote those he feels will do a better job.
the citystates. Of course, as in any war, innocents suffer
along with the enemy, but Sortar does not go out of his Operations and Means of Existence
way to slice up slave villages or to kill lone travelers for
the amusement of his band. Sortar and his band wage war against the citystates
of Athas that perpetuate the practice of slavery. They
Organization do this by attacking and plundering the caravans that
travel the roads between the citystates. Sortar believes that
Sortar, a human fighter, serves as leader and warlord of everything within a citystate caravan was bought or built
the tribe. His leadership is based upon his deadly combat with the sweat and blood of slaves. As such, it is only
skills and the vision he has brought to his followers. He right that Sortar and his army of ex-slaves be the ones to
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liberate those goods from the clutches of the templars and If the caravan carries slaves, Sortar's tribe attempts to
nobles, who only exist to grow fat on the labor and pain set them free. Otherwise, they leave no survivors to tell
of the enthralled masses. of their battle prowess. The tribe is careful not to attack
The tribe constantly has small scouting units ranging travelers who do not carry the spoils of nobles or templars
along the known caravan trails. Their job is to find a with them. They have no wish to kill innocent ex-slaves,
suitable target, determine that it is in fact a caravan duped freemen, or villagers from settlements that do not
bound for or coming from one of the citystates, then send practice slavery. They are quick to slaughter nobles and
messengers to gather the rest of the tribe. A few scouts templars when they find them, however.
remain to follow the caravan and to direct the rest of the Sortar's Army operates throughout the Tyr region, though
tribe to it when they arrive. it concentrates its efforts around the central Tablelands.
The warriors of Sortar's Army ride swift-moving kanks. Besides attacking city-state caravans, the tribe has been
It falls to the scouts who selected a target to determine known to sweep down upon city-state client villages and
its strength and defenses and to come up with a plan of outposts, and it has even made minor raids into the forest
battle. These plans are usually simple affairs based upon surrounding Gulg and Nibenay. It does not limit its
the territory the caravan is riding through and the number targets to only the weak. Sortar's Army has been known to
of guards protecting it. If ambush sites are available, take on heavily guarded caravans and well-fortified client
Sortar's Army makes use of cover and strikes when the villages, using a combination of surprise, lightning-like
caravan is least expecting it. If the caravan rides through strikes, and magic to gain the upper hand.
open desert, the tribal warriors use a surround-and-charge Everything the tribe needs to survive comes from the
tactic that cuts off escape and enables the full strength of caravans it raids. However, this is only a secondary benefit
their army to be brought to bear. for the tribe. Its main purpose is to strike out in any way
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that will hurt the templars and nobles. If the tribe also but in the end the slaves died for their trouble. Sortar did
gains food, water, and supplies as a result of its efforts, so not see these slaves as foolhardy, though. He saw them
much the better. as brave, and he decided that someday he would avenge
Make no mistake – Sortar's Army is a bloodthirsty their deaths by striking back at the templars and nobles
band of berserkers. However, they direct most of their who enslaved them. Perhaps, he thought, he could even
deadly impulses toward the agents of the city-states, which find a way to hurt the sorcerer-kings.
makes them much less of a menace to the other slave Of all his duties as a soldier slave, Sortar most loved
tribes of the Tablelands than the Black Sand Raiders. the patrols into the mud flats. He was developing a lust
for battle, and whenever a giant happened ashore he
Origin rushed to engage it in combat. Soon he was among the
Sortar grew up as a slave in Balic, enduring the same best warriors Balic could field, and Gebiz took credit for
hardships as other slaves. He suffered ritual beatings, was the youth's development. On one patrol, Sortar saw his
forced to work until he collapsed from exhaustion, and opportunity to escape. The patrol was surprised by a gang
put up with every humiliation a master may visit upon of giants coming out of a silt-filled channel. As the patrol
a slave. This was the life he was born to, and he knew moved to engage the giants, Sortar buried his sword in
no other. the templar's back. Gebiz, his eyes wide with surprise,
In Balic, every freeman and slave must spend time in died before he could cast a single spell. Sortar left the
the militia. The militia helps the regular army patrol the rest of his companions to their battle as he struck out for
mud flats around Balic, watching for signs of approaching the west.
giants who regularly raid the area. When Sortar's turn His time alone in the desert helped Sortar formulate
came to join the militia, he discovered his love of battle. his plans for the future. He knew that when he killed the
Sortar had a knack for combat and took to his training templar, he had declared war upon the city-states. All he
well. Even his commanding officer was impressed, and needed now was an army to wage that war with. He joined
when the slave's shift in the militia came to an end, he up with a tribe of slaves that made a living by raiding
was reassigned to the standing slave army. travelers approaching Grak's Pool. Within a matter of
As a soldier slave, Sortar learned everything his masters weeks, he was ready to challenge the half-elf leader for
would teach him. He learned unarmed combat. He command of the tribe. Sortar's superior fighting prowess
learned to fight with a variety of weapons. And he learned easily won him the job of tribe leader. With that victory
strategy and concepts of waging war that few other slaves was born the tribe that would one day become Sortar's
could ever imagine on their own. One of his teachers, a Army.
templar called Gebiz, took a particular fancy to the young The first order of business for the new leader was to
slave. This is not to say he liked Sortar or treated him stabilize his tribe and make it prosper. This was done by
well. What he did do was fill the youth's head with tales engaging in a series of daring raids that netted big profit
of long-past wars and his own theories on how to destroy with little loss of life. Then he began to outline his ideas
the other city-states. The templar loved to talk, and Sortar for waging war against their former masters, inflaming his
obliged him by listening. And by learning. followers with visions of templar and noble blood. More
One day Gebiz told Sortar about a slave revolt in one members were added to the tribe, and a secure location
of Balic's client villages. He described the bloody coup for their base of operations was found in the mountains
in graphic detail, for he knew the young slave appreciated around Altaruk.
such things. What he did not know was that this story
would stay with Sortar for the rest of his life. In the story, Location and Defenses
Gebiz described how the foolish slaves tried to overpower Sortar's Army makes its camp in the mountains around
the templar overseers so that they could escape into the Altaruk. The craggy mountain peaks serve as the camp's
wilderness. A few templars fell before the savage attack, first line of defense. The trails up the mountain can be
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treacherous on their own, but the tribe has added pit mercenaries guarding Grab's Pool. As long as the tribe is
falls, rock slides, and other obstacles to discourage visitors. allowed to use the facilities (which they readily pay for) it
Within the shattered crater of one of the mountain tops, leaves the mud-brick fortress in peace.
the tribe's home is an island surrounded by a pool of Other slave tribes, villages, and travelers are usually
bubbling lava. Because of the protection offered by the safe from Sortar's wrath, unless they somehow reveal
crater and the lava pool, the tribe has not erected walls or themselves as agents of the city-states. The two exceptions
permanent buildings. The tribe uses huge tents for shelter. to this are the Black Sand Raiders and Weriik's Stalkers.
Each tent houses over a dozen warriors, depending on it Sortar considers Werrik and her band to be as bad or
size. The largest tents can comfortably shelter as many as worse than the templars and nobles, and he has declared
40 tribe members. the slavers to be his tribe's mortal enemies. Sortar has
A series of stone bridges connects the island to the sworn to destroy any member of Werrik's band whoever
crater wall. The innermost bridge can be pulled onto the crosses his path. As for the Black Sand Raiders, Sortar
island to cut off access from the far side of the lava pool. sees them as dangerous thieves and murderers who kill
This is done as a defensive measure, and only as a last indiscriminately. He does not mind when they destroy
resort, for the ex-slaves do not relish being trapped in the those connected with the city-states, but he does take
middle of the bubbling lava. exception to their preying on other slaves.
To prevent such dire measures from being taken,
the tribe maintains constant patrols in the surrounding Joining the Tribe
mountains. If any sign of danger shows itself, the tribe is Sortar needs a large army to eventually take his war
mobilized for battle. The warriors know all of the passages directly to the sorcerer-kings. More than likely, he will
leading up to their island home, and they can sweep never be able to field an army large enough or powerful
down the narrow passages quickly to engage and encircle enough to march on a city-state. That does not stop him
any threat. from trying, however.
The passages nearest the top of the lava crater are Whenever the tribe comes across captive slaves, the
further protected by two catapults. Aimed down the first priority is to free them. Freed slaves are immediately
narrow approaches, these weapons can rain rocks and given the option to join Sortar's Army. If they agree, they
rubble upon enemy forces, crushing them before they can must undergo a few tests of battle skill and loyalty. If they
bring large numbers to bear in the confined, canyon-like refuse, they are given whatever supplies the tribe can spare
trails. and sent on their way. Those who agree to the tests either
become full members of the tribe or die trying.
Relations with Others All of Sortar's tests are geared toward determining if an
Sortar's Army treats everyone associated with city-states ex-slave is worthy and skilled enough to join his growing
as its enemies. This includes templars, nobles, client army. The tests are difficult and dangerous, often involving
villages, outposts, and even merchants who sell to the city- battling desert creatures, attempting risky quests, or even
states. These folk suffer swift and violent attacks if they pitting combat skills against his chief lieutenants.
cross the tribe's path.
The tribe has an uneasy truce with the village of Personalities
Altaruk. Though the village is a regular stop for caravans Sortar: Sortar was born a slave in the city-state of Balic.
coming from and going to the city-states, its connection His knack for combat techniques earned him a place as
with the Veiled Alliance makes it a sometime friend to a soldier slave, and it was during this period of his life
slaves. Though the tribe has not attacked the village itself, that he came to understand the mission he was destined
it does often prey upon the caravans approaching and to undertake. Tales of slave revolts in the client villages
leaving the village's heavily fortified walls. inspired him to eventually seek his own freedom. Shortly
Sortar's Army also has an understanding with the thereafter, he began gathering a tribe of followers to serve
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as his army against the city-states. Derrim stands slightly shorter than six feet, has a slim
Some call Sortar's quest a fool's dream – but they do but muscular build, and has a wild mane of light brown
not call it that when he is close enough to hear. The hair. He wields an obsidian bastard sword and wears a
huge and powerfully built human has dedicated himself suit of carru leather armor.
and his tribe to a war they cannot hope to win. Sortar's
Army has made its main course of action to battle and Porgo: Porgo was a member of the tribe that eventually
destroy whatever belongs to the templars and nobles. This became Sortar's Army. He was present when Sortar joined
includes caravans, client villages, and outposts across the the tribe, and he witnessed the ridiculously short battle
Tyr region. in which Sortar took over leadership. He decided that
The warlord has become very close to the extemplar any human who could fight that well deserved a chance
named Caletta. Some say they are even in love – or at to be leader, and he has served as one of Sortar's chief
least that he is. But while he has become very fond of her lieutenants and advisors ever since.
and even loves her in his own way, there is little room in The mul once fought in the arena of Tyr, back before
his life for a true commitment, other than the one he has the sorcerer-king was killed and the city fell into chaos.
already made to his private little war. He found freedom as many slaves do – strictly by luck
Sortar is obsessed with his war. His love for combat and and accident. His early days of freedom taught him that
his hatred of the templars and nobles have combined to gladiatorial skills and strength of arms would get him only
drive him to attempt reckless, heroic, and often crazy feats so far in the harsh wilderness of Athas. When the mul
that no sane man would try. As a result, he is respected finally joined up with a tribe of ex-slaves, he sought out
and loved by his followers, and a little feared. anyone with knowledge of survival and wilderness skills.
His obsession with learning these skills turned Porgo into
Derrim: Derrim joined the tribe shortly after Sortar not only a better warrior, but a true scout.
became leader. He liked the idea of waging war against The mul operates as commander of the scouting patrols.
their former masters, even if he takes a more realistic His scouts seek out targets to raid and then lead the
view of their chances than does Sortar. Derrim believes tribe straight to them. Porgo's combat experience also
that they have little chance of doing anything more than enables him to size up each opponent, spot strengths and
bloodying the figurative noses of the citystates, but he is weaknesses, and determine the best method of attack. In
more than willing to contribute his share to the war effort. many cases, Sortar turns command of the warriors over to
The half-elf ranger never actually served time as a slave, Porgo so that he may best implement his tactics.
though he was captured by slavers and bound for the One thing Porgo learned as a gladiator was how to kill.
markets of Urik when Sortar and his tribe set him free. He even developed a taste for shedding blood that he
He was attracted to Sortar's ideals, even though he was now satisfies by killing templars, nobles, and heir agents.
less-than-enamored of his methods. He quickly worked He does not get along with Derrim, for the half-elf ranger
his way into a chief lieutenant spot in the tribe. Now he tries to curb the mul's desire to kill and destroy. Porgo
sees his post as a voice of reason and moderation to stem feels the half-elf doesn't understand that the only way to
Sortar's more violent tendencies. win Sortar's war is to kill the owners before they can kill
The half-elf uses his ranger skills to best advantage, you.
finding water for the tribe, tracking caravans, and doing a
host of other tasks. He also serves as one of Sortar's chief Caletta: Caletta was once one of Nibenay's templars.
advisors, rarely leaving the leader's side for more than a She served her master well in his walled sub-city, even
few days at a time. He does not get along with the mul, submitting to his occasional carnal desires. Her love of evil
Porgo, for the gladiator wants Sortar to give in to the was surpassed only by her love of power; serving Nibenay
tendencies Derrim tries to control. He also has little trust provided her with plenty of power and the opportunity to
for the ex-templar from Nibenay, but he attributes that use it for evil. She reveled in physical power, commanding
more to her past position than to her recent actions. large numbers of lesser templars and slaves. She also
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reveled in priestly power, using all of the energy that of her options were used up, Caletta met Sortar's tribe.
Nibenay provided with wild abandon. She thought her It was by the grace of the powerful warlord that Caletta
course in life was set, but then everything changed. found acceptance in the tribe. Now the two are lovers, at
A minor misunderstanding (at least from Caletta's point least in the physical sense, though many say she is simply
of view) led to a major mistake as far as the sorcerer- using Sortar's feelings to achieve her own ends. To some
king was concerned. Caletta's slaves brought back only a extent that is true, but she also feels a special bond to
dozen agafari trees from the Crescent Forest instead of the man that goes beyond her personal schemes – and
the score Nibenay had demanded. For their mistake, the that bothers her.
entire slave work detail was slain. Calette, as the templar
overseer in charge of the detail, suffered a worse fate. Gammeg: Gammeg is one of four preservers currently
She was stripped of her templar powers and station, then working with Sortar's slave tribe. Like others of his ilk,
assigned to another work detail bound for the forest. She Gammeg uses magic in concert with the environment. He
was made a slave. came to the tribe in order to use his magic freely and to
Caletta learned to hate the sorcerer-king and her sister find a place and a people to call his own. Though the
templars over the two years she spent as a slave. Every day tribe treats him and the other mages with some suspicion,
she toiled in the forest, cutting down trees and hauling they have also come to accept the preservers and even
wood. Every night she returned to the city-state where appreciate the help they provide during combat.
a crowded slave pen and a barely life-sustaining meal Gammeg learned magic as an apprentice to a member
waited for her. She contemplated ways to get back at them of the Veiled Alliance in the city-state of Gulg. He knew
all, but every dream ended when the gate on the pen it was illegal to practice magic in the city-states, but
slammed shut behind her. Gammeg didn't care. He found happiness in magic that
One day while laboring in the forest, an opportunity he could not find in life, for Gammeg was a slave. He
for escape presented itself. Caletta took it greedily. Her toiled in the forest outside the city, gathering wild fruits
chance to leave slavery behind came when a thri-kreen and nuts for the benefit of the oba, Gulg's sorcerer queen.
hunting pack appeared in the forest. The mantis warriors On certain days, when conditions were right and he wasn't
decided to prey upon the slaves and their templar guards. under close observation, Gammeg's contact materialized
In the heat of battle, Caletta ran. The only thing she took out of the forest to conduct brief lessons. This went on
with her (besides the clothes on her back) was a gythka for a number of years, but progress under these conditions
from a fallen thri-kreen. She has used the polearm with was painfully slow.
the wicked blades as her personal weapon ever since, in The day finally came when Gammeg could stand it
tribute to the thri-kreen who inadvertently helped her gain no longer. He petitioned his contact to help him escape
freedom. so that he could learn more about the preserver 's art.
In the wilderness, the combat training she received in Surprisingly, the contact agreed. It took many more weeks
her first years as a templar came back to serve her. before the contact proclaimed it was time. Then, almost
Without clerical magic to aid her, she had to rely on without warning, the preserver who had been teaching him
her own combat skills to protect her. While survival was cast spells that confused the other slaves and distracted
her major concern, Caletta allowed the dreams of revenge the guards and templar overseers. Gammeg was never
against Nibenay and his templars to once again occupy sure, but he thought his contact must have had unseen
her thoughts. She would later find realization of these help from elsewhere in the forest. Before he could change
dreams-at least in some small part – as a member of his mind or even gape at the spectacular display of magic,
Sortar's Army. the preserver led Gammeg out of the forest and away
Caletta's one-time status as a templar made it hard for from Gulg.
her to find a place outside of the city-states, but she knew He was taken to Altaruk, where another powerful wizard
that the only place for her within the walls of civilization continued his training. During this time, Gammeg learned
was in the slave pens – or worse. When she thought all about magic and how to use it without harming the
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1. Crater Wall: The top of a mountain, shattered well as joyous celebrations and councils of war.
by an ancient volcanic explosion, serves as the hidden
location of Sortar’s camp. The crater wall hides what lies 5. Warrior’s Tent: This tent shelters over 20 of Sortar’s
within from the eyes of those passing below. It also makes more experienced warriors.
a perfect position for scouts and lookouts from the tribe.
6. Porgo’s Tent: Porgo and his scouts call this tent
2. Lava Pool: This bubbling pool of lava surrounds home. The mul and 15 of his best scouts share this
an island of solid rock. The tribe makes its camp on the shelter, when they are not out looking for a target to raid.
island.
7. Warrior’s Tent: This tent shelters nearly 20 of the
3. Stone Bridge: A series of stone bridges leads from tribe’s soldiers.
the island to the crater wall. The bridge closest to the
island can be pulled in to cut off access in times of dire 8. Warrior’s Tent: This tent shelters nearly 20 of the
emergency. tribe’s soldiers.
4. Sortar’s Tent: The largest tent on the island houses 9. Supply Tent: Supplies taken in raids are stored in
Sortar, his chief advisors, and his personal troop of these small tents.
warriors. Important meetings are held within this tent, as
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Personalities north and south shores of the silt estuary. Most of these
Hurdll Crost: Master Trader of House Shorm in skimmers are relatively small, with crews of four plus their
Cromlin. captains.
Captain Gaff: Firewind's captain is the human warrior 2. Pier of House Shom: One pier is dedicated
Gaff. He commands the complete respect and loyalty of exclusively to House Shom and its trading partners. There
his able crew. He fights with an enchanted bone long are always at least two guards here, who remain constantly
sword that was a gift from elves of the Sky Singers tribe. on alert due to Cromlin's rowdy inhabitants. A huge
skimmer, one of the largest in the Tyr region, is the
Garreth Brodden: As the House M'ke representative, Firewind. It can be found here whenever it isn't crossing
Garreth respects Crost and the employees of House the silt shoals.
Shom, and he engages in no activity that would anger the
village's controlling merchant house. At least not openly. 3. Warehouse: House Shom stores its goods here. Only
What he gets away with in secret is simply seen as good the Master Trader has unrestricted access, and he keeps
business. a detailed inventory of what's inside. Many believe that
Crost uses the information as part of an elaborate money-
Passk: A dwarven former silt pirate, Passk and his making scheme. There are always two sentry patrols, each
crew once plundered the silt shoals in the silt skimmer consisting of three guards, on the warehouse grounds.
Silt Slicer. Then disaster struck. The Caller in Darkness
of Giustenal urged his first mate to kill the rest of his 5. Homes: The homes built by the citizens of Cromlin
crew while they slept. The dwarf awoke just in time to vary from crude mud structures to elaborate constructions
save himself, though his first mate leaped overboard in of stone and wood. Most of the people who live here are
an effort to reach Giustenal. Passk's focus became clear fairly hardy individuals, though there is a disproportionate
that fateful night. He has to kill the Caller. His skimmer number of elves (many of whom were exiled from local
was damaged in his escape, however, and no crew will tribes). There are no street patrols in the village, so visitors
join him. He fears that he will never be able to complete who venture into the darker alleyways had best bring their
his focus and is doomed to become a banshee, so he has own protection.
taken to hiding his fears at the bottom of a tankard of ale.
6. The Dirty Lizard: This large tavern is Cromlin's
1. Silt Piers: Unique to Cromlin are a series of tall center of entertainment. The silt pirate Jaksot Han
piers that extend out over the silt. These 20-foot tall decided to go into a safer line of work after losing his
structures allow giant silt skimmers to unload their goods right eye in a raid. Opening the Dirty Lizard wasn't a
and personnel quickly and easily. The timbers used good choice. Fights and drunken arguments break out
to construct the piers come from the great trees of the constantly, and the skimmers who frequent the place are
Crescent Forest. The wood's natural tenacity keeps the quick to test the abilities of newcomers.
piers standing in the face of frequent silt storms. From midday on, there are always as many as 40
Most of the piers are owned by private citizens who skimmers, merchants, thieves, con artists, or free citizens
charge two silver pieces per day to harbor a skimmer. At on hand, drinking the thick, fermented kank-honey-mead
the base of each pier is a small shack with a simple cot, the Dirty Lizard is known for.
table, and chair. Someone is always present to collect
berthing fees, no matter when a skimmer arrives. 7. Marketplace: This is where the various merchants
At any given time there are up to 6 skimmers docked are allowed to set up their booths from sunup to sun-
here. These independent vessels serve smaller trading down. Master Trader Hurdll Crost takes 10% of whatever
interests, transporting goods to the piers located along the crosses the vendors' counters once per week, so a 10%
markup over usual prices should be expected.
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Most anything can be found here, including components Ghodan Tar Mine
for spellcasting and the occasional magical fruit or rarer
item. Though these illegal items aren't displayed openly, Recently, two enterprising dwarves have turned tar mining
a few elf vendors stock them. Crost only enforces the into a profitable business. Durex and Haltham Ghodan,
sorcerer-king prohibitions against magic when he has other brothers and free citizens from Raam, first encountered
reasons for doing so. a tar pit on a trip to the House Shom trading village
The fence that surrounds the marketplace is constructed of Cromlin. They quickly realized the potential of tar
of stacked stones. The well in the southeast corner of the business, and took building materials and 20 slaves (both
lot is controlled by House Shom soldiers. Water is sold crafters and laborers) to a large pit about two miles due
at the standard price. south of Cromlin. Now they have a thriving enterprise.
They use the tar to weatherproof a variety of useful and
8. Lodge: Master Trader Hurdll Crost and his 11 necessary items that they produce in the craft shops they
overseers and officers live in this complex. At least half set up next to the tar pit.
of their time is spent indoors in an attempt to escape the The Sky Singers and other local traders provide bladders
choking dust of the nearby sea. As is typical with House or leather that the Ghodan brothers' crafters fashion into
Shom, each man's room is lavishly decorated and far valuable wineskins, crew-size water containers, sandproofed
larger than necessary. armor, sails for silt skimmers, and anything else that needs
A short walkway extends out over the marketplace. to be sealed against the elements.
Crost and his overseers frequently view the merchants Twice a month, a Ghodan caravan travels to Cromlin
below from here. There is always at least one guard posted to sell their weatherproof wares to House Shom. These
here to watch for trouble or fighting in the marketplace. caravans have become frequent targets of bandits, raiders,
and even gith (who value the goods for their intrinsic
9. Barracks: The common soldiery of House Shom value more than for what they could fetch at market). The
dwells here. Crost keeps 30 soldiers on the payroll at all caravan leaders try to vary their exact routes from time to
times. time to throw off the raiders, but the trip is a short one
and there is little room for deviation. For this reason, the
10. Passk's Shack: This dilapidated shack is the home route is considered extremely dangerous, and guards will
of a former silt pirate named Passk. be well paid for escorting the trains through safely.
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Salt View in the chaotic nature of the village itself. People come
and go without rhyme or reason, and most spurn serious
The village was originally founded as a raider’s hideaway work in favor of having a good time. This is not to say
by a band of ex-slaves from the Raam region. Led by that the people of Salt View are lazy, for when the need
Xaynon, a mul ex-gladiator, this village makes its living arises they band together to accomplish the job at hand.
raiding and performing plays for the villages and cities of But the orderly schedules kept by other slave tribes like
the Ivory Triangle region. Tenpug’s Band remind the people of Salt View too much
To enter the village of Salt View is to enter a place of of their past lives as slaves. When work must be done, it
contrasts. Moving about among its people, you will see is. When a job can wait, the people fill the streets with
life in a slave tribe from a number of different angles. drink, song, and dance.
The villagers are an unruly lot of ex-slaves from all races. Salt View, although a raiding tribe, should not be
They partake in most of the normal activities associated confused with the likes of the Black Sand Raiders. Salt
with the slave tribes – they raid caravans, they stay alert View raiders rarely injure or kill those they ambush. They
for slave hunters, and they live every moment of freedom want the carried goods and supplies, not the blood of the
as if it were their last. In addition, the people of Salt caravan’s protectors. Once they subdue a caravan and
View have a true love of the arts. They are especially take what they can carry, they thank their victims with
enamored of storytelling, which they have taken to new a theatrical flourish and ride back into the Great Ivory
levels in arenas they call theaters. Here, instead of a Plain.
single storyteller weaving a tale for an audience, a whole The village gets its water from a mountain stream that
group of storytellers acts out the tale from beginning to pools within the cavern. There are no fields of crops to
end. I must tell you, to watch such a performance is to harvest, no herds of animals to watch over. There is a
be whisked away to another time! marketplace where the goods and supplies taken in raids
In Salt View, the wild, boisterous raiders enjoy performing are displayed. Members of the tribe take turns distributing
for audiences. While the permanent theaters in Salt View stolen food and other items as fairly as possible among
are used to hone their skills, they send traveling theaters the entire population.
out to villages, caravan camps, and oases to perform for The rest of the village is a haphazard grouping of
others. This new concept has apparently appealed to dwellings and taverns – the inhabitants of Salt View love
many, for I understand that the village supplements its their taverns – built around the large theater district and
livelihood with the proceeds these traveling theaters bring the small artisan camp. Some theaters are simply raised
in. The two plays (that is what they call these multiple platforms set before open ground where audiences can sit,
storyteller performances) I watched were exhilarating and the entire area covered by a tent. Others, like the artist
quite enjoyable. arena, is built of stone and shaped like a gladiatorial
Salt View is a fairly sizable village of more than 500 arena. Most other buildings, including the dwellings, are
people. Representatives of all races constantly walk the either thatched huts, brick boxes, or large tents.
busy streets, enjoying lives that are no longer controlled
by the whims and desires of uncaring masters. While Organization
humans and dwarves account for a large part of the
population, quite a number of elves have taken up Salt View is led by Xaynon, a mul ex-gladiator from
residence specifically to perform in the theaters. There are the city of Raam, and his advisor, the preserver Arya.
also a few muls in the village, including the tribe’s leader. This leadership is not one of a dictatorial ruler; Xaynon
On my visit, I even saw a thri-kreen and a couple of half- is much more of a father-figure than a real chieftain of
giants wandering around. the slaves.
With such a diversity of individuals, there is no single The population is divided into a number of classes.
dominating trait at work in Salt View. The closest the While in theory each member of the tribe has the same
entire group comes to a unified outlook can be seen political power, in practice there is a clear (if informal)
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hierarchy of leadership. indirectly in the past. The distribution of goods had always
At the top of this hierarchy is Xaynon himself. Xaynon been the responsibility of the raiders. Naturally, beyond
feels that the less the ex-slaves are directly governed, the the allocation of food and water, such distributions have
better that government will be. In times of emergency, not always been equitable. The artisans solidly support
however, he quickly assumes the mantle of leadership. His Fyra’s efforts to move Salt View’s operations away from
authority is ultimately based upon his strength and fighting raiding.
ability and those ex-slaves who he sees as jeopardizing the While every tribe member generally has some raiding
interests of the community in an emergency, may find and performing ability, the dedicated actors of Salt View
themselves quickly dispatched at the end of Xaynon’s command a significant amount of influence within the
sword. community. The first troupes of Salt View performers who
Arya, a preserver, serves as Xaynon’s closest advisor. travelled across the Ivory Triangle region were considered
Some villagers are uncomfortable with the wizard. both a source of ancillary income for the community and
Consequently, she does not necessarily lead raids or give an intelligence network for the raiders. The performers
orders to other villagers. It is clear, however, that she has make up an unpredictable political faction within the
more direct influence on Xaynon’s rule than any other village. Popular performers can often rally villagers with
tribe member. Xaynon makes few important decisions compelling oratory, creating mobs that are difficult for
without consulting Arya. even Xaynon to control. Fortunately, the performers, on
The raid commanders report to Xaynon. These people the whole, do not have a vested interest in the outcome
are Xaynon’s trusted lieutenants, and speak (within limits) of the current struggle between the raiders and the traders.
in Xaynon’s own voice. In raids, the raid commanders There will be plenty of opportunities for the actors to
have military control over their people, and a raider who perform regardless of the means by which the community
would publicly challenge his commander’s judgment in survives. Consequently, leaders of opposing factions often
Salt View will obey without question under the pressure lobby popular actors for support. The actors are, as a
of a raid. In times of emergency, the commanders act rule, easily flattered and while articulate, are not nearly as
as rallying points for the populace, and their orders are bright as they think they are.
unquestioned. The lowest status members of the Salt View community
While raiding parties were originally assembled on an are the refugees. These include those who are undergoing
ad-hoc basis, over time, certain commanders began to the trial period and those who have been admitted to the
request the same raiders for their missions. These groups tribe, but whose skills are not vital to Salt View’s survival.
also associated together socially and became the basis of While these people are given food, water, and shelter,
informal political factions and cliques. they are not influential in the political debates. Most in
Raiders report formally to the raid commanders only this class try to gain fighting prowess or performing skill,
during actually raiding operations. Most raiders have so that they will be respected by the more established
some military skills, either from being in the slave-armies inhabitants of Salt View.
or gladiatorial ranks of the city-states or by virtue of the
training they have received in Salt View. In the rough- Operation and Means of Existence
and-tumble existence of Salt View, where disputes are Salt View survives on the strength of three industries,
settled as often by blades as any other way, fighting which combined provide sufficient support to allow Salt
prowess is an important measure of status. View to prosper. Raiding has traditionally been Salt
A growing political faction in Salt View is represented View’s core means of acquiring resources. The performing
by the artisans and craftsmen of the village. Fort Fyra has troupes have supplemented the village’s income as well as
provided a viable market for their work and the additional provided valuable information regarding caravan activity.
revenue generated by the artisans is strengthening Fyra’s Lastly, Fort Fyra has begun to introduce the benefits of
political hand. Many of the artisans are at best indifferent legitimate trade to the small village. The village does not
warriors, and their skills have benefited Salt View only
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maintain farms or raise herds of animals. Hunting and of subtle strategies to slow caravans and force them to
gathering, while practiced, serve to supplement the tribe’s abandon valuable cargo. Raiders from Salt View try to
primary source of revenues. keep their plundering as bloodless as possible. They see
Since Salt View’s founding, the goods from raiding have cargo bound for the city-states as fair compensation for
been distributed evenly among the village’s population, the years they spent as slaves to the sorcerer-kings. They
with rarer goods going to those with the greatest influence. have no desire to hurt anyone or see any of their fellows
However, while this system worked well when Salt View hurt in turn. They will defend themselves and even kill
had 200 inhabitants, the village has grown too large for stubborn mercenaries if necessary, but always as a last
this to satisfy everyone. resort.
Thus, there is a substantial trade economy which As Salt View has become more securely established,
operates after the official “fair” disbursement. This is its raiding bands have traveled further afield. Salt View
primarily barter, with artisans adding their own works raiders (or those claiming to be from Salt View) have
to the goods which come from caravans. There is some been encountered on the trade route between Gulg and
currency (primarily coming from the artisan troupes and Altaruk, on the road between Nibenay and Raam, and
the salt miners of Fort Fyra); coinage from Gulg and even in the village of North Ledopolus. The raids are
Nibenay is most common, but there are even a few coins causing prices of many goods in the area to rise. This
from far-off Balic. is hitting the small client-villages of Gulg and Nibenay
The slaves of Salt View are skilled raiders, and have particularly hard, as they do not have the capital required
often been able to capture (or at least threaten) caravans to pay the higher prices. They are willing, however, to pay
with many more troops and weapons. They are masters for the heads of dead raiders.
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While Xaynon’s band has always been strict about just the freedom of the trail. They wanted the freedom to
killing victims only in self-defense, many other raiders in establish homes and raise families. They wanted the safety
the area are less concerned with the survival of their prey. and security that only a fortified village could provide
More than one caravan near the Crescent Forest has been them. When his tribe set foot upon the eastern face of the
lost entirely to other slave tribes. The merchant houses Mekillot Mountains and found the abandoned salt mine,
have no way of distinguishing between raiding parties and Xaynon knew that they had found their home.
any retaliation is likely to be targeted at Salt View. Unless Xaynon had been a gladiator, regularly fighting for his
Xaynon can somehow drive off the competing slave tribes, life in the arena in Raam. When the mul finally found
Salt View could be in danger. freedom, he imagined that his days of fighting were over.
The second major industry is the theater. The actors He was wrong, for he soon found himself fighting the
and singers of Salt View present plays throughout the leader of the slave tribe he joined for command of the
Ivory Triangle. These troupes of artists travel throughout group. His victory began a new chapter in this tribe’s
the area as wandering freemen, with no hint that they are existence. First, the mul led them away from Raam, taking
really from Salt View. They supplement the earnings from his tribe southwest in search of plunder and adventure.
their plays with an occasional theft (usually from the local Second, he changed the tribe’s habit of killing those they
templar or noble). They also gather information about stole from. There was no need to bring more death to
caravan routes and planned dates for the raiders. this dying world, he told them. He also gave them more
Initially, the performing troupes were an escape; an freedom to determine their fates. When they needed a
opportunity for the tribe to forget about the difficulties of leader, he was there. When they did not, he let them
their fugitive life. Over time, however, the actors began to make their own decisions.
take touring companies out on the road. The plays have More ex-slaves joined Xaynon’s tribe as it traveled
become more and more profitable, and their legitimate around the perimeter of the Sea of Silt, past the Dragon’s
visits to traders, villages, and cities allow them to acquire Bowl, and south toward the Great Ivory Plain. Besides
some items (such as spices) which are too difficult to the soldiers and gladiators that flocked to Xaynon’s side,
stumble onto in a caravan raid. he attracted a large following of artists. Perhaps this was
The acting troupes from Salt View never put on shows because he enjoyed the arts, and even fancied himself
for nobles or templars, and they have been known to something of an artist. He loved to tell stories and dance,
refuse even the invitation of Nibenay’s sorcerer-king (who and he could listen to sculptors and painters talk for
thought he was hiring a group of freemen). To perform for hours about the techniques of their craft.
these people would be akin to once again donning the In the Mekillot Mountains, he ordered his tribe to halt.
shackles of slavery, no matter how much wealth may be The time of travel was over, he decided, at least as far as
offered. They may satirize these classes in their plays, but he was concerned. Anyone who wanted to continue on
they will not perform for them. was free to go. Those who wanted to stay would have to
The third and final industry is the salt-mine and artisan help him build the village he always dreamed of living in.
market supported by Fort Fyra. Most salt-miners live at That was how Xaynon and his tribe came to build Salt
or near Fort Fyra, rather than in Salt View proper, but View within the caves of the mountains.
their revenue (when the salt business makes a profit) goes The portion of Xaynon’s original band that stayed to
to support Salt View. The artisans have increased their help him numbered around 200, including both warriors
production in order to sell goods through the merchant and artisans-and a few who were both. The artisans saw
fort. the cavernous salt mine as an opportunity to build a
city of their dreams; Xaynon’s warriors saw it as a shelter
Origin secure from the reprisals of the city-states. The salt mine
Xaynon and his original tribe of raiders grew tired of the hid the village from the prying eyes of Templars, and its
nomadic life they were leading. They wanted more than only entrances were narrow tunnels which could easily be
sealed should the village’s location somehow be revealed.
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Further, the ready supply of stone discarded around View’s survival warrants the loss of some freedom. Finally,
the mine provided all the materials needed to build a he established the trial period system which determines
defensive wall within the cavern itself. who will and will not be accepted into the community.
The warriors raided caravans for the other materials Xaynon’s law did not result in a utopia. The ex-slaves
needed to make the cavern livable; the artisans used these had too varied a background (and too great a desire
materials to build the small village filled with theaters, for freedom) to work together in perfect harmony. The
taverns, and artisan’s workrooms. One ex-slave had wanted village’s layout quickly deviated from the idealized plans
to mount torches on the walls of the cavern surrounding of the original artisans, as more and more people added
the village. “Toward what end?” asked Xaynon. “So you their own touches to the village design. Disputes arose,
can have a better view of the salt?” With this joke settled by violence as often as reasoned debate.
Xaynon had coined the name of their newly constructed Since that time, the village has continued to grow. Over
home. 500 people of all races now inhabit the village, and the
Not long after the first dwellings were built and the artisans work feverishly to extend the facilities to support
perimeter wall was constructed, a few artists who had them all. Raids have increased to support the increasing
shared stories and poems with Xaynon asked if they population. With the raids comes more notoriety and
could build an arena. The ex-gladiator was aghast at the more recruits.
suggestion and in his anger he almost struck the man who
suggested such a thing. But they quickly explained that Location and Defenses
they wanted this arena to serve as a showcase for the arts, The village of Salt View lies within a huge cavern
not for bloody entertainment. So Xaynon agreed and Salt with great salt pillars supporting its ceiling. The cavern
View’s first theater was built. is concealed against the eastern face of the Mekillot
During the caravan raids, Xaynon’s band sometimes Mountains, and can be accessed only through a circuitous
freed slaves. Those slaves who seemed to have the spirit series of high passes, winding trails, and tunnels. These
and talent were given a choice: make your own way trails are laid out to confuse any pursuers looking for the
among the desert, or join Xaynon’s band. Preference was village, and they are defended by deadfalls, rock slides,
given to slaves who were skilled warriors or artisans; the and guards to ensure no one gets in uninvited.
village had little need for laborers and bearers. The village itself occupies only a sixth of the interior of
Slaves who had turned them down (or even those who the cavern, and is laid out in a rough hexagonal shape.
had never been asked) began to spread the word of The walls are 8 feet high and constructed of rough-hewn
Xaynon’s band and the mysterious village of Salt View. stones mortared together with a salt paste. While this
Soon the raiders were encountering lone ex-slaves (or mortar is not as strong as that defending the walls of
even small groups) who were interested in joining with the city-states, it has held up fairly well. The wall is wide
Salt View. enough to allow a man to walk along the top. Under
The new slaves quickly began to outnumber Xaynon’s siege, ladders would be laid against the inner wall to allow
original band. Salt View, which had been constructed as the warriors of Salt View to repel attackers.
a lovely village for 200, was becoming an overcrowded Every inhabitant of Salt View is given some training
village of 400. Furthermore, some of the new members with weapons. At any one time, at least half the raiders are
were of a violent temperament, and the ills of the city- in the village, providing a garrison of 150 trained warriors.
states were beginning to develop in this village of hope. Xaynon’s raiders have made an extra effort to collect the
Xaynon stepped in to reestablish his leadership. He weapons from the caravans they have captured, and the
executed the most severe troublemakers and established market section of the village has a near inexhaustible
the main law of Salt View: no one in Salt View shall supply of melee weapons, bows, and arrows.
limit the freedom of another, unless the survival of Salt If the cavern is attacked, deadfalls within the tunnels
View is at stake. As the leaders of Salt View, Xaynon can be dropped to seal the invaders out. A secondary
and his raiding commanders are the arbiters of when Salt
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tunnel is blocked by a makeshift rock wall; this tunnel comprised of battle-hardened warriors. Nevertheless, the
is intended as an escape route if the other tunnels are troupes are earning enough to make them a tempting
collapsed. target to more aggressive groups (such as the elven raiders).
Moreover, other raiding activities threaten the economic
Relations with Others lifeline which the performers represent. The advance of
As Salt View grows, it becomes more integrated with the gith hordes from the Blackspine Mountains in the
the Ivory Triangle region. While Xaynon would like to north and the corresponding forays of giants from Ledo
keep Salt View totally independent (except for raiding Island in the south have begun to pinch at Salt View’s
caravans), in practice some connections have developed. lifeline to the economy of the city-states.
First, Salt View is the primary means of support for Fort Thus far, Xaynon and his lieutenants have done nothing
Fyra. The trade from the fort has also begun to create except advise the troupes to use caution. However, if the
indirect relationships between Salt View and some of the raids continue to intensify, he may have no choice but
merchant houses that conduct caravans through the area. to guard the troupes like a caravan, or abandon them
Second, Salt View has begun trading with some of the altogether.
client villages in the Verdant Belt. This trade began as Not all Salt View’s relationships are positive. Gulg and
a side activity of the traveling performing troupes, who Nibenay have forbidden trade with the raiders, and the
use the smaller villages as shakedown performances before dwarves of North Ledopolus despise the ex-slaves. The
taking their shows to the larger markets. They have taken merchant houses do not particularly like the raids, but as
the opportunity to exchange the currency their shows Salt View has shown some restraint (and low propensity
bring for useful goods. This activity bolsters the Fort to kill merchants) they view the raids as a cost of business,
Fyra faction’s contention that legitimate trade is the only and raise prices accordingly. To preserve its reputation
course that Salt View should pursue. for raiding without murder, Salt View raiders often find
Salt View’s nearest neighbor, the dwarven village of themselves in conflict with other raiders (particularly the
North Ledopolus, refuses to have anything to do with Swiftwing elves) who work the same territory as Salt View’s
the slave tribe. They consider the raiders a threat to their raiders.
caravans, as evidenced by the amount of cargo that never
reaches its destination. Joining the Tribe
The merchant houses that regularly trade with Gulg All new inhabitants of Salt View must undergo a trial
and Nibenay are familiar with Salt View and its period before being accepted as full members of the
practices. Many order their caravan drivers to simply give community. Before the trial period begins, any potential
up part of their cargo as tribute to the raiders, in effect inhabitant of Salt View is warned of the details. Xaynon
purchasing free passage through the Great Ivory Plain and does not relish the occasional refusal he must make, as he
its surrounding environs. Others try all kinds of things feels there has been enough death in his life, so he gives
to deter the raiders – varying their caravan schedules, a prospect the maximum opportunity to turn away before
traveling at night, adding extra guards, employing powerful drastic measures must be taken.
psionicists and mages, even sending out decoy caravans A potential member of the Salt View community is
carrying worthless cargo to occupy the raiders while the usually found as part of a raid, or by a traveling acting
true caravan takes another route. Sometimes these ploys troupe. When freed, a potential candidate is told that
work, but more often than not the raiders get their share they may be able to join the community of Salt View.
of goods to distribute at Salt View’s market. The basics of how the society operates are sketched out,
Third, Salt View’s acting troupes are now a sufficiently but the location of the village is kept secret at this stage.
common sight that they are themselves subject to raiding. The new prospect is then warned that there is a trial
Most slave-tribe raiders receive a terrible shock when they period, and that those who are judged not to fit into the
discover that the defenseless troupe of actors is actually community are not permitted to survive. The prospect is
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then asked if they are willing to try. every battle he had ever fought, he won that one, too.
If the prospect declines, then he or she is let free, and Now his tribe is firmly established in the Mekillot
no more is said. There are no hard feelings, and more Mountains, living in a village called Salt View. Xaynon
than once someone who turned down an opportunity to leads by example and by granting his people the freedom
join the tribe later came back to find some representatives to do as they choose. This freedom is appreciated and
and petition to join. cherished, but they always turn to the mul for advice,
If the prospect accepts, they are taken to the village. leadership, and protection.
When the prospect reaches the village, he or she is Xaynon loves all expressions of art, and artists and
assisted in finding a place to live and assigned duties in artisans find a special place in his tribe. He especially
the village. Any task is allowed to the prospect, and tasks loves the artist arena, where he can watch fine performances
are chosen for them in the same way as any permanent and give some of his own. The mul enjoys acting in
resident. comedies best of all, and the cheers that rise up when he
The prospect is permitted to remain in Salt View for up takes the stage have almost made him forget the bloody
to three months before a judgment is passed. Particularly memories of his past. Almost.
heroic or heinous acts will accelerate this time. If, at the
end of the trial period, the prospect has demonstrated Arya: Arya is a tall woman with striking features and
an ability to get along in Salt View, and has shown long, dark blond hair. She is of indeterminate age, and
skills which the community needs or can use, he or she her slightly exotic eyes hint at the half-elven heritage she
is accepted as a permanent inhabitant of Salt View. If, never talks about. In fact, Arya never talks about her past
on the other hand, the prospect has shown himself to at all, except to admit she once served as a slave in a
be violent, cowardly, untrustworthy, or unwilling to fit in, city-state far from the Tyr region.
Xaynon denies the petition, and the now-failed prospect The woman joined Xaynon shortly after he took
is taken to the Sea of Silt to die. command of the tribe. She literally appeared out of the
ruins of Yaramuke and offered her services to the mul.
Personalities While the rest of his tribe failed to hide their fears and
Xaynon: Xaynon was a crowd favorite at the gladiatorial suspicions, Xaynon took the woman at her word. She
arena in Raam. Whenever the powerful mul was scheduled became his chief advisor and a powerful ally to the tribe.
to appear, wagering increased. Xaynon had never lost a Arya is now such a fixture at the beloved mul’s side
match, and this fact inspired the crowds to bet heavily that long-time tribe members have come to accept her, if
– both for and against him. When the young mul made not trust her. Newer members still find the thought of a
his first appearance in the arena, he enjoyed the cheers of wizard with such influence very disturbing, but they are
the crowd. When he won the day, the cheers serenaded careful not to voice their apprehension in earshot of either
him. But with each victory he won, another gladiator died, the woman or Xaynon.
and the cheers turned to wails of sorrow in his mind. The One thing that has eased feelings over the years is
cheers haunted him, conjuring images of every human, that Arya practices a non-destructive art. She does not
dwarf, and mul he killed. Finally, he decided that he had engage in the practices of the defilers, but works a balance
had enough of this bloody entertainment. between nature and magic. Some have even suggested
Xaynon urged the other gladiators in his pen to rise that she is a member of the Veiled Alliance, but no one
up against the guards watching over them. Many died on knows for sure. What they do know is that Arya uses her
both sides of the conflict that day, but in the end the mul art for the benefit of Salt View, and for that she finds
and a handful of his fellows had escaped. The ex-slaves tolerance and an uneasy acceptance.
fled into the wilderness around Raam, eventually joining
up with a raiding tribe. It wasn’t long before Xaynon Vandrellen: Vandrellen escaped from Raam with
challenged the raider’s leader for control of the tribe. Like Xaynon after a short stint as a gladiator. When the elf
was taken as a slave, he refused to bend to the templars’
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will. Vandrellen’s lack of cooperation quickly landed him of entertainment that took storytelling to new heights, he
in the arena, where it was decided that if he could knew he had to find out if it was true. While his claim
not serve a useful function he would at least provide to being a slave has never been substantiated (and most
some entertainment in a gladiatorial bout. His speed and believe he never was), the bard made a fine showing
fighting skills surprised everyone, though, and Vandrellen during his period of testing. When Xaynon heard Kilay
won his first two matches. His next scheduled bout was sing, he immediately agreed to let him join the tribe.
against Xaynon, but the two escaped before they were The bard does his share of tribal work. He goes on
forced to determine who was better. raids, travels with the acting troupes, and even has been
The hearty and unpredictable elf decided to stay with known to pitch in when the wall needs repairs. But his
Xaynon. He told the mul that he could not leave before true love is creating stories for the actors to perform, and
he satisfied his curiosity about which of them would have few others can match the power of his creations.
won their match. Now, years later, Vandrellen remains at
Xaynon’s side as a valued member of Salt View. Korsk: Not all the gladiators and soldier-slaves who
Vandrellen serves as a raiding party leader, employing founded Salt View are pleased with the idea of becoming
his skills as a ranger and warrior to best advantage. Like a simple trading village known for its performing troupes.
many ex-slaves, the elf does not reveal much about his Many would rather abandon the village’s dead weight in
past. Sometimes he gets a far-away look in his golden the desert – or better yet, use the actors as fodder and
eyes, and at those moments Xaynon wonders how much throw them at caravan guards – and return to the raiding
longer his friend will remain with the village. Someday, he lifestyle they know and understand. Korsk, a dwarf who
believes, the elf will announce he is returning to his own fought with Xaynon in Raam’s arena, is the most vocal
people. On that day, Xaynon will wish him well and try member of this faction. He is secretly arranging an attack
not to show his sadness. by Nibenese slavers that will carry off many of Salt View’s
Like many of Salt View’s inhabitants, Vandrellen loves “useless” citizens when he and his raiders are safely away
to perform on stage. He is an accomplished actor, easily from the village.
moving from one role to another with a skill that makes
many of the other actors jealous. He seems to have no Veeshte: Veeshte is a Templar of the Shadow King.
favorite type of role, for he approaches every kind of play She is masquerading as an escaped slave, and is
with equal relish. attempting to infiltrate Salt View. She has been accepted
as a prospective villager, but is not yet through her time
Kilay: Perhaps the most accomplished playwright of trials. She has kept her magical and psionic abilities
working in Salt View is the bard, Kilay. Kilay is short hidden, and most believe her to be an ex-seraglio-slave.
for a human, barely taller than a dwarf, but the plays Her aim is to get out of the village as soon as possible
he creates for the theaters of Salt View are wonderful and return to Nibenay with the location of Salt View.
to behold. He has tried his hand at all types of stories, She feels that this information is the key to her rapid
but a few stand out as particularly fine. His comedy, promotion in the ranks of the Templars.
The Halfling Comes to Dinner, stands out as a work of Xaynon admires Veeshte’s confident bearing and is
comedic genius. His drama, The Last Slave in Yaramuke, somewhat taken with her charismatic personality. Arya is
brings tears to the eyes of every audience, even if they suspicious of Veeshte, but Xaynon dismisses her concerns
have seen it before. as jealousy. Unfortunately, Salt View has never found a
The bard also performs from time to time, usually psionicist to help verify the claims of prospective tribe
preferring musicals to heavy dramatic roles. His voice has members, and it is unlikely that Xaynon will discover
been called the most beautiful sound in Salt View, and Veeshte’s deception.
many a fair maiden has swooned to Kilay’s songs. Having to treat these slaves as equals irritates her,
Kilay came to Salt View after its reputation for fine and sometimes that irritation shows through, but she has
theater had spread. When he heard tales of a local form shown tremendous enthusiasm for joining a raiding party.
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Xaynon will not approve this until she has had sufficient 2. Residential Area: The residential quarters are the
training, but that time is soon approaching. Veeshte is most unruly portion of Salt View. While originally these
waiting for that opportunity to sneak off back to Nibenay. sections were laid out in a series of spoke-like roads
Should she escape, the information she carries could running from the Theater Arena to the outer wall, the
mean the end of Salt View. rapid growth of Salt View’s population has demolished
any hope of an orderly development. Buildings abut one
Wheetan: Wheetan is the current darling of the another haphazardly, and more than once Xaynon has
playwrights of Salt View. Recently escaped from Nibenay, had to be called in to resolve a dispute over rights of way.
Wheetan is working in Salt View as a magical enhancer (One case involved a homebuilder who had inadvertently
of plays. He uses his magic from behind the scenes to sealed off the last access to more than 30 existing homes.
allow playwrights to present more spectacular effects. Before the case could be resolved, the foundation and
Wheetan is very shy, and refuses to work visibly on walls of the house had been constructed. Xaynon’s
stage. However, the playwrights have found a number of solution was to require the owner of the new building to
uses of his magical talents. The above spell list is the one provide a public corridor through the center of his home.)
selected for Kilay’s play “The Mul’s Escape”; for other Individual residences grow in stages in these areas.
plays he is able to select a different variety of spells. Initially, a new prospective inhabitant stakes out an
Unfortunately, Wheetan is not powerful enough to unoccupied section of the residential district and
sustain more than one performance a night. Moreover, as pitches a temporary structure or large tent there. After
magic is banned in the city-states and their villages, none the inhabitant as passed the trial period and has been
of the plays which use Wheetan’s talents can be shown confirmed as a permanent resident, he builds himself a
outside of Salt View. Nevertheless, the people of Salt hut of stones with a hatch roof. Village artisans are ready
View have begun to appreciate Wheetan’s talents. to assist homebuilders and bricks may be cut from the
Most other mages in Salt View, notably Xavnon’s cavern walls, and thus provide an inexpensive and ready
lieutenant Ayla, disdain Wheetan’s work, saying that source of building materials. Not all the huts even have
magic is not a tool for entertainment. The shy young roofs. The only benefit they bring is to reduce the sounds
mage does not mind; he receives so much praise from of revelers when a homesteader is trying to sleep.
the theatrical community that he is unconcerned with the The residential area is also home to a number of
opinions of the other mages. taverns. The taverns in these sections are quieter than
those in the theater district, with families and friends
1. The Theater Arena: This large amphitheater is the gathering to eat, drink, and have a pleasant evening.
center of public life in Salt View. It consists of a number Popular taverns include The Oba’s (primarily a dining
of concentric squares dug into the floor of the cavern; tavern specializing in Gulg cuisine) and the Salty Mug
each square is topped by a series of wooden planks that (run by Velin, a dwarf who brews his own ale).
are used as seats. The central square, which occupies
about half of the area of the theater overall, is raised to 3. Marketplace and Artisan Camp: This section of
provide a platform for performers. This is theater-in-the- the city is used to distribute the goods taken from caravans
round; there are no wings or other areas for actors to use by the raiders. Food and water are distributed as fairly
to leave the stage. Instead, they access the stage by passing as possible. Rarer items are distributed in a manner that
through the audience. best serves the interests of the person distributing them.
Kilay, the master playwright of Salt View, has been Each member of the raiding parties in turn takes on the
pushing to have a framework constructed over the stage, task of distributing goods. Xaynon perceives this as the
so that magical flight and other special effects can be most equitable solution. The people who are risking their
included in his plays. Thus far he has not convinced lives for the community should have some say in how the
enough of the building artisans to take time away from fruits of their labor are distributed. He will sometimes
their work for this project. intervene, however, if a dispute arises. After distribution
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there is usually quite a bit of bartering. Artisans usually the round specializing in satirical plays about the templars
introduce their goods into this aftermarket as well. and the sorcerer-kings), and the Kilay (the theater of
Excess goods (when there are any) are stored here. This choice of Salt View’s chief playwright).
section of the village is also used as an armory, holding The theater district is also the site of Salt View’s more
a storehouse of weapons capable of arming nearly 1,000 lively taverns. Each of the two-dozen taverns in this district
warriors. offers some kind of entertainment, generally musicians or
The artisan camp is brightly lit with torches at any singers, to go with the broy. More famous (or infamous)
hour, as it contains the workshops and studios of the places include the Whistler’s Rest (a musician’s tavern
artisan class. Now that Fort Fyra has created a viable where on any given evening you may hear the finest
outlet for their work, the craftsmen in this area can be musicians in Salt View) and the Wild Ride (a tavern
found laboring day and night. catering to returning raiders).
4. Theater District: This section of the city is home to 5. Residential Area: Like Area 2 above.
many smaller theaters. Nearly 40 theaters can be found in
this section, with varying layouts, stage sizes, and audience 6. Cavern Pool: A thin stream of water runs from the
capacities. It is here that the traveling troupes and new top of the cavern to a pool against the rock wall. Since
plays are given a chance to develop and become ready much of the cavern is filled with salt deposits, the water
or performance. has a salty taste. Still, it does not contain so much salt
Many of the theaters were constructed for a single play, that it is unhealthy to drink, and the village uses it to
and have unusual stage shapes or other features. Others supplement its supply of water (gained in raids against
with more traditional structure are used regularly. Perhaps caravans and other villages).
a dozen of these theaters are in use at any one time,
with half of those being occupied by artisans who are 7. Blocked Tunnel: This tunnel serves as an escape
building sets. Dancers and singers can be seen everywhere, route should the main tunnels be unavailable. The rocks
practicing in rehearsal halls and taverns throughout the blocking the tunnel can be moved aside quickly to
district. provide access.
Particularly popular theaters include the Orpheum (a
flat-stage theater with a structure designed to amplify the
voice of anyone on stage), Templar’s Hall (a theater in
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near the fortress. This mine will reduce the cost of the salt, useful among their loot. Lastly, they will be able to ensure
but requires a considerable investment to get it started. that their children are not hunted, but rather sought as
Moreover, mining salt is extremely hard work, and the ex- trading partners and allies. Fyra believes in this vision
slaves of Salt View command high wages for their labor. and is struggling to gain support for the mine among the
Xaynon is not prepared to make the investment necessary factions of Salt View.
to ensure Fort Fyra’s longterm production capability. Xaynon is not interested in the salt trade. The ex-
Ragstol Wavir, the master trader of Outpost 19, has gladiator has no natural inclination toward such activities
spent a significant amount of time counseling Fyra and and he is uncomfortable with how such a change would
encouraging the artisans of Salt View. He has convinced realign the power structure within the village. Rather
Fyra that the population of Salt View will continue to than support the construction of the mine, Xaynon has
increase and that the raiding activity will have to increase gradually reduced the amount of goods allocated to the
to support the community. If this happens, there is certain project. He contends that House Fyra should support
to be retribution from the merchant houses or the city- itself.
states. Even if Salt View escapes their enemies, they will The artisans of Salt View, however, have rallied to Fyra’s
drive off all the caravans in the area, and will no longer side. For the first time, they have found a market for the
be able to find the goods to steal. The tribe, Ragstol goods that they manufacture. They are using the revenue
argues, should stop the raids and channel all of their from their sales to help invest in the mine. Xaynon is
resources into legitimate trade. In this way the income of not pleased with this development, but he has allowed it
the community will grow with the addition of productive to continue.
members. They will be able to freely buy the specific As more and more people become aware of the
supplies they need rather than hoping to find something fortress, the number of caravans which visit the outpost
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increases. This allows Fyra to sell more salt, trading for the fort, in practice no more than 75 are ever there at
necessities for Salt View and cash to pay the workers. It any one time. Others are guarding salt-workers, escorting
is now something of an open secret that “House Fyra” is nearby caravans, or simply “on leave” at Salt View. It
associated with the village of Salt View, but no official would be impractical for the fortress to support such a
notice has been taken of their relationship. huge contingent of soldiers at all times; in time of trouble,
Thus, House Fyra is at a turning point. Should the however, all 300 are posted to the fortress, and the traders
mine become established, the House will have enough and salt-workers are sent to Salt View. Soldiers receive
stability to survive without Xaynon’s support. If internal votes like any other “member” of the house, and there
dissension should prevent the mine from opening, then are always a number of senior military officers among the
the house will fall. ranks of the traders.
The salt-workers are both the most and least powerful
The Garrison group in House Fyra. More than 200 people are involved
The fortress’s occupants are all ex-slaves. They are in the gathering and refining of salt. This makes them a
divided into three major groups: traders, soldiers, and powerful voting block. However, they are rarely available
salt-workers. to participate in the political battles. They labor in the
Traders represent the “public face” of the house to refinery, turning the huge millstone to grind the salt. They
caravans and to the people of Salt View. While ultimate work in the mine, excavating tunnels through solid salt.
leadership of House Fyra rests in Fyra himself, day-to- As a result, there are rarely more than 40 salt-gatherers in
day operations are managed by a “master trader” who is the fortress at any one time.
selected by a democratic vote. A majority vote confirms Fyra is the sole coordinator for the artisans of Salt View
an individual to the post as master trader; their term lasts at the fort. With Ragstol’s advice places orders for certain
two years. The master trader appoints a cadre of assistants quantities of various items from the craftsmen.
and officers who comprise the “traders” of the house. The
exact number of traders in House Fyra varies from master Personalities
trader to master trader, but generally hovers around 30. Fyra: Fyra is a dwarf, born into slavery and trained as
Master traders select their assistants for a variety of a gladiator. He spent over 75 years in the gladiatorial
reasons, including talent, skill, or mere political favoritism. arena, and never lost a fight. Like Xaynon, he did not
Major decisions are resolved by a vote of the traders in enjoy the many deaths he caused and because of his
an effort to keep those who supported the master trader in race and his dour manner, he had never become a crowd
his camp. Their constantly shifting votes place the House favorite. When Xaynon urged the other gladiators in his
in constant turmoil, as political alliances shift and the pen to break free, Fyra was the first by his side. It was
direction of the House changes. Fyra had been working the combined strength of the mul and the dwarf which
to keep the house on a consistent course, but his eroding pulled the door to their pen off of its hinges, beginning
relationship with Xaynon has weakened his popularity, the rebellion which would find them both alive and free.
and there is talk of ousting him by election-something Fyra traveled with Xaynon’s band for all the years of
that until now had never been considered. Some have wandering. He was Xaynon’s constant companion, and
proposed that another be assigned Fyra’s role, while others the two ex-slaves saved one another’s lives many times.
think the position should be abolished and all decisions This bond of friendship caused Xaynon to put Fyra in
made by the master trader and his staff. Only the lack of charge of the fortress now known as Fort Fyra. Now at
a strong challenger and cohesion among the ranks keep 132, he is just beginning to feel his age. While Fyra
Fyra in place. first took this on as just another assignment, the growth
The soldiers who occupy Fort Fyra are independent of of House Fyra and his vision of a prosperous and free
the house, but provide protection to house activities as community has become his focus.
part of their “cover”. While 300 warriors are assigned to It is this single-minded determination to make House
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Fyra succeed that has caused the recent friction between Lestria: Lestria first met with Xaynon’s band before
Fyra and Xaynon. Xaynon sees the salt merchant stratagem the founding of Salt View. The druid had resided in
only as a minor cover to their fortress. Fyra sees the this area for years before Fort Fyra was founded, serving
success of a salt trade as central to Salt View’s (and his as a protector of the region. When it became apparent
own) very survival. Fyra chafes at the lack of support and that Xaynon was founding a permanent base here, Lestria
resources Xaynon offers, while Xaynon cannot understand contacted him to determine his intent.
why his old friend has invested so much in a whim. Periodically the druid and the raiders crossed paths; in
Xaynon is happy with the way things are in the village. each case the result was a careful avoidance of hostilities
In spite of his claim that leadership has been thrust on both sides. Over the years, the druid became less aloof
upon him and should be democratic, he cannot help but toward Xaynon and Fyra although no one would ever
feel pride in what he has accomplished. In a village of describe Lestria as friendly.
merchants strength and fighting prowess might not count Lestria’s guarded land includes Fort Fyra, but not Salt
for as much. View itself. As a result, she is virtually unknown in
None (except other dwarves) recognize what has the slave village. Even in Fort Fyra, she is a mysterious
happened to Fyra. Most believe that Fyra’s continual figure. She has been friendly to the fort, and has even
efforts to expand House Fyra is a result of his spending allowed the mine to be established, but has placed some
too much time with the master trader of Outpost 19. The restrictions on how the mine is constructed which are
raiders of Salt View feel Xaynon is excessively lenient slowing construction. Even Fyra knows better than to
toward his old friend. They do not like the idea of the challenge the druid on this; her magical abilities could
village artisans usurping their control over village affairs. destroy the entire fortress.
Even Xaynon does not realize that the fate of Fyra’s soul There is little danger of Lestria becoming involved in
hangs in the balance. As is typical of dwarves, Fyra has the impending political disputes. She has shown absolutely
not bothered to inform anyone, so the impasse continues. no interest in the affairs of the community beyond the
extent to which they affect the surroundings.
Melestan Eltrabel: Melestan Eltrabel is an up-and-
coming member of House Fyra, perhaps due to his 1. Walls: These 15-foot walls protect the salt mill
exceptional number of wild talents. Initially assigned to and the garrison in the event of an attack. The gates
guard duty at the garrison, he has spent much of his are generally left open, and the walls manned only by
time traveling with the salt-workers, protecting them from lookouts. In time of attack, however, the walls provide
creatures and bandits. He is well liked by most everyone cover for more than 100 soldiers.
in the fortress, and is viewed as one of the most capable The fortress is not large enough to support the full
members of the garrison. He holds the rank of trader, but complement of people who live here. In case of an attack,
has not affected the manners of the merchants who pass the full garrison could be brought inside the walls, but
through the gates of the fort. would run out of supplies in a few days. The intent is for
While Melestan has no ambition to lead, others in the fortress to hold until reinforcements can be brought
Fort Fyra feel he may be a potential challenger for Fyra’s from Salt View.
position. They encourage him to take more and more In addition to the soldiers, Fyra has devised a unique
responsibility, and lavish praise on him in hopes of way stone fragments have been hauled from the mine
convincing him to pursue the position. entrance: Fyra has bundled the sharpest of these in sacks
The effort seems to be working. Melestan has become with ground salt; these are poured down upon attackers
more forward with his own opinions in trader council climbing the wall. The stone shards cut the attacker’s
(although many of those opinions were fed to him by skin and the salt causes such pain that the attacker is
“close advisors” from the various groups), and has even essentially out of the fight.
directly challenged Fyra’s authority in a few areas.
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2. Soldier’s Hall: This administrative building is the it is then transferred to sacks in which the salt is stored.
marshaling point for each shift of soldiers. Fyra maintains The millstone is moved by manual labor. Six muls must
an office here, as does the watch commander. Aside from work the millstone at all times; getting the mill started
the change of shift, this building is relatively idle. and stopped is difficult, so it is generally run constantly.
Each mul can work a shift of approximately 10 hours
3. Salt Mill: This building houses the huge salt mill before tiring. There are always at least three muls actually
which is the source of House Fyra’s trade. The salt pushing the millstone. Those not driving the millstone
mill is made of two stone wheels, one laying flat and are sweeping the finely-crushed salt (which makes its way
the other rolled in circles atop the first and around its to the outermost part of the mill) into channels which
circumference. Rock salt is laid on the lower millstone lead to the sacks. This task is somewhat dangerous. The
and crushed by the upper stone until it is a fine powder; miller, Praxtra, is skilled at knowing just how much salt
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the mill can handle at any one time. Visitors to the mill unruly pattern. There are footpaths running between the
are sometimes startled by the sudden smash as he uses his buildings, but most of the “streets” in this section are
hammer to crush a particularly large crystal into millable toonarrow even for a small wagon. The tents and temporary
size. buildings are constantly appearing, disappearing and
The mill is also used as a trading hall, since salt moving as the population evolves, which makes finding
is House Fyra’s primary export. It is only moderately anything in this section a bewildering task.
satisfactory, as the constant sound of the millstone makes The area is roughly divided into quarters, based on the
conversation difficult. Fyra has discussed constructing a preferences of the inhabitants. The soldiers in the garrison
true Trader’s Hall, but thus far no work has begun. occupy much of the eastern zone, while the northern part
contains the homes of many traders. The western zone
4. Salt Silo: This 20-foot silo contains the accumulated is primarily the province of the miners, while the rest of
rock-salt brought in by the salt-gatherers. The salt is kept the residential area is a mix of mill workers and artisans.
here until it is milled. Generally, the silo is about half-
full; this varies by the amount of salt gathered recently 7. Mine: This is the entrance to the new salt mine. To
and the efficiency of the mill. date, most of the work has been expended in breaking
Fyra has condemned traitors or others who threatened through the stone which surrounds the salt deposit. For
Fort Fyra to death in the silo. The condemned are hurled all his desire to establish a salt mine, Fyra would have
in from above, and allowed to die of thirst, the moisture been unable to locate the rich deposit which lies under
in their bodies leached out by the salt. By the time the stone without the help of the druid Lestria.
the bodies make their way out at the base, they are According to Lestria’s information, the miners are
mummified. While this punishment has only rarely been almost through the stone cap. If all is as she says, beyond
implemented, it is a memorable threat. Praxtra, the salt lies a huge deposit of high quality salt. Since no salt has
miller, has decried the practice, saying that it spoils the yet been uncovered more factions are pushing to abandon
salt. the mine attempt.
At Fyra’s direction, the miners have constructed a small
5. Well: This well has stood for many years, and was breastwork in front of the entrance to the mine. The
one of the things that attracted Xaynon and his band breastwork is a low wall, 4 to 5 feet high, made of loose
to this site. The well is deep, but water can be found rock excavated from the mine. This fortification is not
in it year round. As a result, Fyra has seen no need to designed to withstand a prolonged assault; it is intended
construct a cistern. to buy time until the garrison in the fortress can counter-
attack. The breastworks are manned by five soldiers from
6. Residences: This area is dotted with various homes the fortress during daylight hours; these soldiers are there
for the fortress garrison. These range from tattered tents to repel any attackers, and to assist the miners in the
to strong mud-brick buildings, and are distributed in an event of an emergency.
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offers his particular talents for sale. He remains with the can we do?’’
village or camp for as long as there is wage-paying work to Angry, Gralth turned on the mul with a snarl. For
be had or until his week (15 days) is up. Then he gathers a moment, he looked more like a gladiator than a
his earnings and returns to the tribe until his turn again weaponsmith. “You can do what you’ve always done!’’
comes up. Gralth shouted. “You each have skills that most freemen
Sometimes a tribe member is sent out with a sack full would die for. Combine your talents, pool your resources,
of finely crafted pottery or some other goods made by the and sell them to the highest bidder! But don’t do it like
tribe. In addition to offering his talents for sale, the tribe slaves. Do it like free merchants.’’
member seeks buyers for the goods he carries. Gralth and Tenpug talked through the night, setting
The tribe never sends out more than half of its number forth the ideas that would be used by these exslaves to
at any given time. The rest remain behind to protect survive. When they finished talking, the dwarf bid them
the camp, make goods to sell, or repair tents and tools. farewell and turned back toward Nibenay. When Tenpug
Whenever necessary, the tribe sends out a small caravan asked where he was going, Gralth said that he still had a
to purchase supplies. They use at least three different focus to finish. He did not want to end up wandering the
nearby settlements for this purpose, never going to the wastes as a banshee after he died. That was the last time
same one twice in a row. Again, the caravan pretends to any of them ever saw the old dwarf.
be from a freemen village that needs to supplement its Eventually, the band found a secure spot to set up a
own stocks by purchasing supplies. permanent camp. Once they no longer had to move from
place to place, the band could concentrate on finding
Origin work and making money.
Tenpug’s Band started as a small group of traveling
craftsmen who earned food, water, and shelter by Location and Defenses
performing small tasks for their hosts. The first members Tenpug’s Band has established a camp within the half-
were all artisan slaves from Nibenay. The story, at least buried ruins of an ancient temple. The temple is located
the way I heard it, went like this. some 50 miles northeast of Nibenay, near the shore of
During a particularly hard time in Nibenay, slaves the Sea of Silt. The blowing sand has covered much of
from all classes were forced into labor details to gather the ruins, offering protection from passing travelers. The
wood from the Crescent Forest. One detail was made up fearsome statues that protect the temple entrance serve
of artisan slaves, including the one-armed mul named to frighten away all but the most desperate or ruthless
Tenpug. After a hard day of work, the slaves finished raiders. Those who do try to force their way in can usually
loading up their carts with wood and made ready to be scared off by a few blasts from the ghost horns. (These
return to the city. They were barely on the path back instruments were specially made by Tenpug’s craftsmen to
when warriors from Gulg ambushed their small party. The produce eerie, otherworldly noises.)
warriors killed the guards and scattered the frightened The partially buried temple is built on a massive scale,
slaves. as though the original occupants were giants. The ceilings
The slaves gathered in the forest and looked to Old are 40 feet high, and the entire structure is made from
Gralth for guidance. The ancient dwarf, who had slaved fitted stones. It must be from the time of the ancients, but
away for Nibenay longer than any of the other slaves no spirits walk its huge halls.
could remember, told them to run into the desert. “You Within the abandoned temple, which has been
are free men now,” Gralth told them, “For the warriors of remarkably well preserved, the band has set up tents
Gulg have broken the bonds that held you.’’ between massive pillars that are as large as trees from
The slaves all began to talk at once, asking questions the Crescent Forest. Few items have been found within
and seeking to postpone the inevitable. Finally, Tenpug the temple, and Tenpug has been reluctant to look for
asked, “How can we survive without our masters? What secret caches. So far, the ancient gods have tolerated
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their presence. He does not want to do anything to upset states, Tenpug’s Band gets along well with the other
that. In fact, Tenpug has taken to placing a share of settlements in the wilderness. Few settlements refuse to
the goods they make and the money they earn on the welcome their craftsmen with open arms and open purses,
massive altar as an offering to the ancient gods. He hopes for the coming of even a single traveler breaks the normal
this appeasement will keep his band welcome within the routine and brings news of other places to the remote
ancient halls. villages.
The Band keeps its members’ pasts hidden, believing
Temple that they would not receive warm welcomes if their hosts
The temple that Tenpug and his band occupy dates knew they were escaped slaves. Instead, they pretend to be
back to the Time of Magic. Originally, the temple was freemen looking for honest work.
dedicated to a forgotten god worshipped by the followers of Of course, sometimes a lone traveler makes a tempting
Taraskir, a beast-headed giant who once ruled Giustenal target for monsters, raiders, or slavers. Every once in a
before Dregoth arrived and slaughtered them. The statues while, a member of Tenpug’s Band goes out and never
were representations of Taraskir’s Lion Guard, his elite returns. That is a cruel fact of life for the ex-slaves in
warriors. Later, after Dregoth killed Taraskir, much of Tenpug’s Band.
Giustenal’s remaining demihuman population (and some Although close to Giustenal, the band think little of
of the humans, too) began to worship Taraskir as a god. the ruins. Tenpug’s followers admit that Giustenal would
This ended shortly after the fall of Giustenal, and the be a source of fantastic treasures, but most fear the tales
temple was lost to the sand and silt until Tenpug’s Band of the Caller in Darkness. Tenpug hasn’t forbidden any
came across it a few years back. of his tribe from exploring the locale, though he has
As most of Giustenal’s ruins are decorated with dragons, expressed reservations about such an activity.
none of the members of Tenpug’s Band have connected Tenpug suspects that at least one of the band’s
the temple to the ancient city. The only clues to the number visited Giustenal and coaxed a bauble or two
temple’s history decorate the walls of the temple’s great from its shattered depths. An artist named Nallan once
hall. Faded frescoes show a city straddling the edge of disappeared for several days, and when he returned he
the Silt Sea, though the surface of the sea looks strangely sold several objects to traders from House Shom. One
choppy and motive. The city vaguely resembles Giustenal, of the objects was an amulet that bore the design of a
but there are several important differences. First, most of dragon and was made from reddish-orange stone. Nallan
the protective wall is lower and less foreboding than that disappeared again some weeks later, and has not been
which exists today. One part is much higher, however, and heard from in several months. Tenpug has seen the dragon
wavy lines run down its face to fill what look like a stream design on stone guardians in Giustenal, and he believes
around the foundation. Nallan fell to some nameless horror in an attempt to find
Also, the ominous central spire of the city is missing. additional profit in the ruins.
Most of the buildings shown on the weathered mural
are long, low and flat, and their architecture is more Joining the Tribe
ornamental than that used in the days of Dregoth’s Any slave with a talent as an artist or artisan is welcome
rebuilding. to join Tenpug’s Band. Tenpug wants nothing to do with
To Tenpug and his band, the temple is nothing more preservers, defilers, or templars, however, and none of
than a sturdy building to protect them from the elements. these ex-slaves are welcome. Also, the mul is cautious
While they don’t necessarily worship the old god, they when it comes to warrior types who want to join his
take great pains not to do anything to anger him. band. Though the tribe could always use another strong
defender, Tenpug knows that his people have grown used
Relations with Others to being on their own. Warrior types usually like to
With the possible exception of raiding tribes and city- lead, and Tenpug’s Band just isn’t set up as a military
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Feera: Feera, a half-elf female, serves as a bone carver 6. Secret Chamber: So far, this chamber has remained
hidden from the tribe. It still contains its original treasures,
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including giant-sized furniture, piles of gold, and objects 11. Altar Chamber: A gigantic stepped altar fills
made of metal. There are bronze cups, iron swords, and much of this huge hall. Tenpug has piled goods made by
even whole suits of plate mail armor. the tribe as well as a portion of the wages the tribe has
earned atop the altar as a tribute to the ancient gods who
7, 8, 9. Empty Chambers: These rooms are similar to have allowed them to dwell in this temple. The tents set
rooms 3, 4 and 5. up in this area include storage tents, Tenpug’s command
tent, and meeting tents.
10. Secret Chamber: This room is similar to room 6.
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The fortress is an important supply point for the traders The master trader will not permit thri-kreen inside the
who canvass this region. It is rare for a week to go by walls, although he will allow them to trade here. When
without a small caravan wandering in or out of the gates. thri kreen come to the fortress, a special trading table is
Most of the caravans are of House Inika but some are set up on the hillside outside the fortress, and all trading
from other houses, notably House Wavir and the Renythi is done from there.
League.
Fort Harbeth caters to the small, fast caravans favored The Garrison
by House Inika. These caravans haul cargo on the backs Fort Harbeth’s garrison includes a staff of 10 traders,
of kank or inix rather than using the slow mekillot wagons. including the master trader Waltian Inika and his assistant,
The enormous lizards’ need for huge quantities of water Kelira Legar. This small trading group is defended by 40
make such caravans unpopular visitors. The fortress can, soldiers led by Hurgen Vurst, a half-giant. The troops wear
however, accommodate mekillot wagons when necessary. hide armor and carry bone battle axes, light crossbows,
In an emergency, the interior of the fort can hold all the and stretched leather shields.
beasts of a small caravan, but for normal traffic, there is The garrison is supported by a well-defended fortress.
a good caravanserai just outside the gates. In addition to the usual defenses of high walls and strong
House Inika actually has good relations with several gates, the outer defenses of the fortress are littered with
elven trading tribes, and such tribes occasionally stop at traps. Most of these traps are fairly simple. They consist of
Fort Harbeth. The master trader is naturally suspicious covered pits and spined traps along the tops of the walls,
of elves he does not know, and will not allow a tribe to intentionally loosened stones on the outer face to deter
unload booty which they have obviously just stolen in a climbers, and other delaying or injuring barriers. These
raid. traps are intended to deter stealthy attacks; the garrison is
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quite sufficient to repel any direct attack by force. fawning toward everyone above him. Waltian fancies
The garrison has recently been enlarged in response himself an expert on everything and has an exaggerated
to growing concerns that the slaves of Salt View might sense of self importance. Andiama’s advisers hope that
choose to raid the fort rather than trade with it. Caravans the responsibilities of running the fort will eventually tone
and traders are watched carefully, and Hurgen Vurst Waltian down and allow him to develop some polish. No
has standing orders to forbid entry of more than 10 one objects to Waltian’s wish to rise in the hierarchy; they
non-House Inika individuals to the fortress. Some of the are just concerned that he may simply not have what it
passing traders who have been forced to sleep in the takes.
caravanserai have grumbled at this policy, but to date,
Fort Harbeth has not been successfully attacked. Kelira Legar: Kelira Legar is a lovely young woman
in her late twenties. While she has been a trader for
Personalities several years, most of her career has been spent as an
Waltian Inika: Waltian Inika is a tall, slender man administrator in House Inika’s main chapterhouse in
with dark hair and a closely-cropped beard. His silken Gulg. Her career there was fairly set; she was likely to
robes and confident bearing make it obvious that he is remain a low-level functionary for the rest of her days.
the chief trader of Fort Harbeth. This seemed to suit Kelira Legar well, as her essentially
Waltian is a man whose ambition exceeds his ability. gentle nature was ill-suited to the competitive character
While competent, he does not have the vision or strength of a potential house leader. She was not actually of the
of character to become a leader. He has spent much of Inika family, so any attempt to rise high within the house
his life in House Inika’s most vital trading posts, first as would be difficult at best.
an assistant outpost master and agent, now as master Thus it was very surprising four months ago when she
trader of an increasingly important base. He has spent requested a transfer to a desert outpost. She explained
little time on caravans, considering the risks of such an to Burette, her superior, that she felt the move would
uncomfortable and dangerous lifestyle much greater than broaden her base of experience and would later serve
the potential rewards. to increase her usefulness in Gulg. Burette agreed that
He has been consistently assigned to the outer posts, the house would always benefit from administrators with
away from the cities, for a number of reasons. First, field experience, and arranged to have Kelira sent to Fort
although Waltian is a shrewd and cunning trader, he Harbeth. The request was sudden and somewhat out
has made a number of serious mistakes that have cost of character for Kelira. Consequently, her superior has
the house considerably in lost profits. These incidents advised Waltian to keep an eye on her.
are in the past, but the leaders of House Inika have long Rather than watch Kelira, Waltian has simply kept her
memories. outside any of his business dealings. He suspects that
Second, his natural telepathic abilities make him an Kelira may be a spy from a rival in Gulg and believes
ideal representative for a distant outpost. He has sufficient that until she exposes herself, he will not give her the
psionic power to make a short daily report back to the opportunity to jeopardize Inika’s trade. She spends her
main chapterhouse in Gulg. Since his most potent days visiting with the caravans, but she has not been
telepathic ability is only one-way and his psionic strength permitted to actually negotiate deals with them. She
is too low to allow him to attempt to use his power more has become increasingly self confident and outgoing in
than once or twice a day, he would not be as useful in the desert outpost and most caravan masters prefer her
a central location. pleasant company to that of the arrogant Waltian. Word
Finally, Waltian’s personality has stood in the way of is returning to Gulg that Kelira is showing promise and
advancing his career in Gulg. Advisers to the house may have potential developing business relationships for
matriarch, Andiama Inika, disdain his pompous attitudes the house.
toward those of equal or lower rank and his obsequious Whether she has the talent to become a dealmaker will
never become evident as long as she works for Waltian.
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While the house makes an effort to groom talent, it is of the guards to the defense of the fortress. Sections of
the responsibility of an agent’s superior to identify and the walls are trapped with many 8’-diameter round pits,
promote promising agents. Burette would happily take spined to prevent a trapped person from removing a foot
Kelira back in, but now that she is under Waltian’s or limb. The pits are covered with sun-baked clay, and
control, it is unlikely she will be allowed back to Gulg. they are easily spotted in daylight. Thus, they present a
The decision-makers of the house have business to attend hazard only to a night traveler, or to an attacker coming
to, and Kelira will soon be forgotten. Her career has, like quickly over the wall. Hurgen has trained his men to
Waltian’s, essentially stalled. channel attackers scaling the walls into one of these areas
No one but Kelira herself knows that her request for to further delay their invasion. Hurgen himself has no
transfer had nothing to do with advancing her career. fear of these areas, as the pits are too small to catch his
Recently, she discovered that she was a psionic wild massive feet.
talent. For years she had hoped to manifest the power
of the mind, but when it came, she was horrified – her 3. Warehouse: This building holds the trade goods
ability was the power of aging. She fears that she has let of Fort Harbeth. Most of the building is a warehouse,
some kind of demon out of her soul, and is concerned covered by a roof of leather on a wooden framework.
that she will be unable to resist the temptation of using The roof keeps the sun from beating down directly on
the power on those around her. In truth, Kelira rarely has the trade goods, but the warehouse is still hellish during
a harsh word to say, much less enough anger to cause midday. The rear section of the building is the slave
her to lash out with such a powerful psionic discipline. quarters; 80 slave laborers are herded into this section
The power places such demands on her weak physique and locked in at night.
that it is unlikely she will ever use it, but this does not
reduce her fear. 4. Trading Office: This building is both the trading
office and the residence of the master trader. The building
Hurgen Vurst: Hurgen Vurst is the half-giant garrison has two stories; a small staircase winds up the front of the
chief for Fort Harbeth. He is 11 feet tall, with broad building to the entrance on the second floor. The second
shoulders and enormous strength. He is basically lawful, floor is the trading area; it is austere and functional. This
and tends toward lawful neutral in imitation of Waltian floor also holds the chambers of Waltian’s four personal
Inika, the master trader in the fortress. Hurgen is more slaves.
clever than most half-giants, which makes him a particularly The lower floor, which is partially underground and
dangerous adversary. He is responsible for the network of therefore considerably cooler, is Waltian’s home. This
traps that defend the outer walls, although he leaves their floor is filled with accommodations, including a direct
detailed design to those with more crafting skill. He is as pipe to carry water from the cistern to a bathing well for
respected a commander as can be found in House Inika. the master trader’s personal comfort. This bathing well,
and the water it consumes, is a sore point with some
1. Main Gate: The gatehouse frames a high gate with a traders forced to make do with the water in the outer
portcullis made of agafari poles from Gulg. The portcullis troughs.
is open during the day (except when the fortress is under
attack), and closed at night. A force of four men is 5. Trader’s Barracks: This building houses Kelira and
kept in the gatehouse at all times, watching for caravans the other traders who serve Waltian Inika. The building
approaching from the road. is divided into three bedrooms, each holding three traders
and one personal slave each. A central common room
2. Walls: These stone walls are 20 feet high and topped allows the traders to eat and discuss the day’s business in
with machicolations. Each side of the fort is manned by the shade. Waltian rarely comes here.
two guards at all times, and alarm gongs are mounted at
the center of each wall, If rung, these gongs will rouse all 6. Garrison Barracks: Forty soldiers and their 10 slaves
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reside in the longer main building; the square building to The pass is blocked by a rough gate made of mekillot
the south is Hurgen’s quarters, with ceiling and furniture bones.
suitable to his large size. A kitchen has been added to
the building, jutting out to the east; the garrison cook is 9. Caravanserai: This large, level area of hard-packed
responsible for feeding all of the staff of the fortress. earth is where merchants and their caravans camp when
visiting Fort Harbeth. A narrow pipe from the cisterns
7. Cisterns: These large stone cylinders hold the inside the fortress can be opened to fill the water troughs
accumulated water from the spring. Should the spring on the western edge; the water can be shut off from inside,
fail, there is enough water in the cisterns at any one time preserving the water supply in case of siege. The area is
to support the full complement of freemen in the fortress kept clear of brush by the garrison and by the grazing
for six months. (Should slaves and erdlu be given water erdlus.
in that time of duress, the cistern would only last two
months.) The spring water flows directly into the cisterns, 10. Stable: This building houses the small hive of kanks
and the heavy leather awnings over these tanks, combined that serves this fortress as mounts. There is supposed to
with the cool flow from the spring, keep the water from be a full complement of 20 kanks at Fort Harbeth at all
becoming too warm and stagnant during the day. times. The fort, however, is often at less than full strength.
The kank tenders must ensure that the brood queens do
8. Erdlu Pen: This low hollow is the pen for the erdlu not lay eggs in the stable, so the area is kept free from
herd. The herd is allowed to forage for scrub during the vegetation. Gravid brood-queens are driven to a nearby
day, but at night it is kept here. The sides of the hollow valley where the hive can raise the new brood. Once the
are too steep for the erdlu to climb; the birds can enter hatching period is over, the kanks are driven back to the
and leave only through the narrow, gently-sloped pass. fortress. Excess kanks are sold or driven away.
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been brisk. The people of the slave village prefer to deal There is a low wall, but this is mostly to slow any attackers
with House Wavir, due to Ragstol’s congenial manner rather than to stop them. There have been a few raids,
and the absence of slaving in the outpost. House Wavir’s but allies of the fortress (either from Salt View or from
ties to Gulg and Nibenay are loose enough that its the elven tribes) have made raiders wish they had picked
support of Salt View causes it little trouble in those city- a less well connected target.
states, and the other sorcerer-kings could care less what
happens in places so far from their own lands. Personalities
The outpost has also kept its contacts with the elven Ragstol Wavir: Ragstol Wavir is the 42-year-old leader
nomads. Several wandering elven tribes visit the fortress. of Outpost 13. He is tall, topping 6 1/2’ in height, with
Some travelers claim that Wavir uses this remote outpost curly, light-brown hair and a long, almost sad face. His
as a contact point for their connections in the Shadows. limbs are long and thin, and his skin is burned a deep
There is a fair amount of festivity when an elf tribe brown.
makes camp outside the outpost. During these visits, it is Ragstol was a caravan master for many years, until
usually possible to buy spell components from the elves. his caravan became lost in a siltstorm in the trackless
A few elves have occasionally joined here as mercenaries, wastes south of Balic. He was knocked unconscious by a
protecting the small group of traders from the depredations panicking crodlu as he attempted to wrap its head with a
of those who do not know better. wet cloth. He was nearly buried in silt before one of his
The thri-kreen also trade here, although there is little staff wandered near.
in the fortress to interest them. Ragstol maintains a good- Unfortunately, the long exposure to the silt has ruined
sized herd of crodlu and erdlu to use as trade goods in his health. He is prone to coughing fits, and has lost
case the thri-kreen do come. The thri-kreen have learned much of the vigor that characterized his early years.
that there is often good food here, but the prospect of Although he is physically not what he once was, his
dinner without a hunt makes their visits rather rare. mind and his trading skills are as sharp as ever. He has
Outpost 19 is more isolated than most of the merchant spent much of his time counseling Fyra and trying to
forts in the Ivory Triangle. House Wavir, while large, is convince the ex-slaves of Salt View to give up raiding. He
not always able to keep regular contact with all of its far- believes that he is making progress with the group and
flung outposts. This leaves Ragstol considerable discretion does not want to leave until he feels the area is secure
as to how he manages the fortress. He sends regular for free trade.
dispatches back to Balic, but receives formal direction Thus, Ragstol has turned down several offers by House
from his superiors in the house perhaps twice each year. Wavir to return him to Balic. Despite his age, he insists
on remaining in the field, aiding Salt View and improving
The Garrison Outpost 19. His talents are valued highly enough that
There are four merchants posted to Outpost 19, his eccentric insistence on being allowed his own way is
including Ragstol Wavir and his son Astemba. The other tolerated by the merchants at the house, but none can say
two are often absent, supervising a regular trade caravan how long the sickly man can continue this pace.
to or from North Ledopolus. If Ragstol has a flaw, it is that he is too trusting and
Outpost 19 has a small garrison consisting of 15 unwilling to take charge in a situation. In a bargaining
warriors. There are a few elves and muls in the force, situation he is second to none, but in the day-to-day
but the majority are human. The troops are armed and administration of the outpost, he leaves much to his son
armored in a variety of equipment, with no man wearing and his garrison commander. Some of his subordinates
any less than hide armor. This motley force is surprisingly enjoy the autonomy and work all the harder, others take
effective, particularly since they are dedicated to their advantage of the opportunity to shirk their responsibilities.
cause and are well treated by Ragstol. Some wonder whether this is Ragstol’s management style
As mentioned above, the outpost is not well fortified. or simply lack of management. Thus far, his trust has
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been well placed in his son, and at least not a disaster in right. He has less skill in negotiating, but he can appraise
his garrison commander, but many worry that it is only a an item’s value more quickly and more accurately than
matter of time before a crisis arises. At that time, all will his father. Garbed as a trader and bearing a bronze
know whether Ragstol’s command abilities have weakened dagger which is the image of his father, Astemba can look
with age. forward to a long career in House Wavir.
Few know, however, that Astemba is secretly a preserver.
Mersten Vell: Mersten Vell is an ex-slave, ex-gladiator, Astemba takes great care to conceal his abilities, and only
and an ex-inhabitant of Salt View. A simple woman with his father knows of his illicit studies. Astemba generally
a warrior’s view of the world, she found the transition to selects spells with no material components, or with
a life of art and performance by the slaves of Salt View material components that are easily obtained. He uses his
too confusing. While she finds it difficult to live among comprehend languages spell to demonstrate understanding
the artists of Salt View, she still believes that the people in languages like that of a normal trader, and indeed
of Salt View should not be forced to return to a life of has become adept at a few nonhuman languages without
slavery any more than she should. She convinced Fyra magical assistance.
to allow her to travel to Outpost 19 in order to study its Astemba’s magic is Ragstol’s secret weapon. He will
operations. Fyra consented without seeking approval from not use the magic against an opponent in a business
Xaynon, Salt View’s leader. Mersten offered her services negotiation (you get no repeat business by cheating a
to Ragstol Wavir and the master trader gladly accepted. charmed opponent), but more than once, Astemba’s
Mersten is a typical mul. She respects Ragstol, but magic missiles have made the difference between loss of
has not spent much time contemplating his thoughts the outpost and the complete rout of attackers.
about trade and the importance of an individual’s right Unfortunately, since Astemba has developed his abilities
to property. Although she is no longer a gladiator in the secretly, he has a limited selection of spells. He is a
games of Nibenay (her one-time home), she still thinks in voracious student of magic, and is filling out a reasonable
the concrete, straight line fashion that led her to so many spellbook as fast as he can.
victories in the arena. Astemba is developing a close relationship with the
Her status as the best warrior in the outpost makes her Swiftwing elves, using his position to gain their trust and
a natural candidate for garrison leader. In a fight, Mersten respect. The Swiftwings will probably not completely trust
is likely to set out on her own, regardless of the odds, the son for a number of years, but Astemba is hoping
expecting her comrades to follow and to acquit themselves that eventually he will be able to turn to the elven tribes
as warriors. She spends little time on strategic planning, for further magical training.
and is unfamiliar with the use of scouts or sophisticated
plans. Many friends of Ragstol have urged him to take Perian Evenstar: Perian Evenstar is a member of the
a more active hand in the outpost’s defense, as they see garrison under Mersten Vell. A wandering elven warrior
Mersten’s inflexibility as a strategist as the primary cause of the Shadows tribe, she was hired on at Outpost I9 a
of the outpost’s defensive weakness. few years ago to learn more about human ways.
Moreover, Mersten is not an even-tempered mul. She Only Ragstol knows that Perian is his contact with the
tries to control her temper, but she is not always successful. Shadows. Perian handles the spell components and other
If challenged or under pressure, she has a tendency to illegal trade that Ragstol cannot handle himself, and is
react violently. Thus far, Ragstol has been able to control the one to contact the Swiftwing tribe when Outpost I9
the mul’s temper, but if Mersten cannot change her ways, needs help.
Ragstol is afraid he may have to send her back to Salt While the Swiftwings are a fiercely independent group,
View. the Shadows are one tribe whose call they will respond to.
Many tribes that deal with contraband never encounter
Astemba Wavir: Astemba Wavir is the son of Ragstol the Shadows, but if they do, they are wise to heed them.
Wavir, and appears to be a skilled trader in his own In return for Perian’s assistance, Ragstol collects no tariff
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on Perian’s trade, and the trader will occasionally allow true nature of their arrangement.
other Shadow members to be concealed at the outpost.
Perian is, in fact, one of the reasons that Ragstol has 1. Caravan Trail: This narrow trail leads to the open
refused to return to Balic. While House Wavir is not Ivory Plain and is carefully marked and kept clear of
opposed to dealing with the Shadows, such dealings debris by the outpost garrison. The trail is hard-packed
are generally private matters between the Shadows and earth, and is wide enough for one mekillot wagon to pass
individual traders. His son is not quite ready to take over, through. The trail ends in a large open area outside the
and he can trust no other trader, even in his own house, wall, where visiting caravans camp.
with Perian ‘s true identity. Moreover, he fears that if he
leaves, and the connection with the Shadows is broken, 2. Canyon Walls: These high cliff walls protect
the outpost will not have an adequate defense. Outpost I9 from the winds and sandstorms of the desert.
The rest of the garrison does not understand why The canyon entrance twists and turns before reaching the
Ragstol is so fond of Perian. The elf is haughty and prone open salt flats, further protecting the outpost.
to testing the garrison of the outpost, and this tendency The canyon walls rise some 200 feet above the outpost
has earned her the general dislike of the garrison. Mersten and are beautifully colored with bands of various shades
Vell was initially very hard on her for her attitude, as running horizontally along the canyon. The lower reaches
her taunts and tests of friendship were incomprehensible are scalable, but much of the cliff face is very steep, and
to her. Ragstol asked her to restrain herself, and it is an thus far no one has successfully climbed up to the top
open secret in the camp that Ragstol and Perian have a (or down from above). The terrain at the top of the cliffs
relationship of some sort. Perian has taken to staying with is unknown; no one has ever managed to approach the
Ragstol on occasion, to keep people from suspecting the outpost from any direction other than the caravan trail.
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3. Wall: This low stone wall represents the primary line 7. Well: This small well is a wide shaft that drops
of defense for the outpost. While the wall is high enough some 30 feet to the water below. The water is tangy with
to discourage jumping over it on crodlu-back, it is low minerals, but is safe to drink. Water is drawn up by
enough to see over and can easily be scaled by a normal throwing waterskins into the well, then hauling the skins
human. (Thri-kreen can leap over this wall with ease.) up by ropes. Lifting the water is hard work, especially
Notches have been set into the top of the wall to allow since the water must be lifted for the erdlu and crodlu
arrows to be fired at any attackers. as well as for all the humans. Mersten Vell often assigns
drawing up water as a punishment for unruly behavior.
4. Aarakocra Aerie: The top portion of the cliff wall This well is the only supply of water in Outpost 19. As
in this section is strung with a complex structure made of a result, it is not practical for caravans to remain here for
netting. This netting is home to a tribe of aarakocra that more than a day or two. The demand placed on the well
hunts across a wide range in the Mekillot Mountains. by watering the animals and staff of a typical caravan in
The aarakocra have been here since Outpost 17 was addition to the permanent outpost garrison will quickly
reconstructed, but all attempts to contact and ally with deplete it. Caravans knowledgeable of the region are aware
the birdmen have failed. The aarakocra occasionally steal of this and bring the minimum number of animals up the
an erdlu when times are hard, but otherwise avoid all canyon to the outpost. New caravan masters are quickly
contact with their neighbors below. informed of the situation by Ragstol on their first visit.
5. Housing: This building contains the living quarters 8. Animal Pens: These pens contain the outpost’s
of the traders and garrison of the outpost. It is partitioned herd of 40-60 erdlu and crodlu. These flocks are used
into a number of smaller rooms; Ragstol, Astemba, as mounts for the occasional expedition, trade goods for
and Mersten Vell have rooms of their own, while the the caravans, and food bribes or raiding thri-kreen, so the
remaining staff are distributed three to a chamber. A number of animals in the fortress varies wildly. These
common chamber acts as a dining hall and workroom. animals are replenished by caravans and by the slaves of
Salt View, for which they are almost the only export.
6. Trading Warehouse: This wooden building, the
largest in the compound, contains the trade goods which 9. Cave: This low chamber is used as a secondary
Ragstol and the other traders buy and sell. More often storeroom or as a living chamber when visitors exceed
than not, the building is more than half empty, as the the capacity of the outpost’s small buildings. It is 20 feet
warehouse was built in expectation of a much higher deep, roughly circular, and has a 15-foot ceiling. At the
volume of trade. Now and then, however, large caravan rear is a narrow tunnel, 4 feet in diameter, which leads off
drops are made by House Wavir, which ships the goods into darkness. The small tunnel was sealed off when the
from South Ledopolus or Altaruk to Outpost 13. These outpost was built to avoid a visit from some hibernating
are then doled out to visiting caravans over a period of creature.
months.
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primarily because Fort Inix consumes so much of the disputes or Werelev’s discipline than are lost defending
water for itself. the fortress. Typically, half of this force remains at the fort
As conditions continue to worsen, the day when there at all times, while half can be found “on patrol,” raiding
will not be enough water to support the staff rapidly nearby villages and caravans of other houses.
approaches. The chief trader himself heads the last department,
whose purpose is to trade with those who visit the fort,
The Garrison regardless of house affiliation. This department has 15
The staff of the fortress is divided into four main members plus 55 slaves, and operates a bazaar just outside
organizations, all reporting to the chief trader. These are the fortress walls. Of all the departments in Fort Inix,
the storehouse, the herd, the garrison, and trade operations. only this one is still doing the work of supporting House
The master of stores and his staff of 10 workers and Shom. Unfortunately, the costs of goods at the fort are
30 slaves maintain the inventory of trade goods and determined in part by the market, but mostly by the huge
supplies that are to be kept available for House Shom overhead costs that go into supporting the enormously
caravans. With regular caravans, most of these goods are over-staffed fortress. As a result, prices at Fort Inix are
lost to decay long before a caravan arrives to use them. uncompetitively high, and few will purchase anything here
As a result, this organization is primarily dedicated to they can get anywhere else. The only product traded
identifying stores that have become useless, discarding heavily at Fort Inix is lumber, and this is only because
them, and requesting new stores from Nibenay. The Nibenay and House Shom hold a virtual monopoly on
current master of stores is Berdeth Wesran; he is known lumber in this region.
privately as a good source of inexpensive goods, and many In addition to the slaves mentioned in the various
believe that some of the discarded stores end up in the departments above, every free member of the garrison
hands of his personal customers. has a personal servant-slave. The department heads have
The master of the herd and his organization (6 workers three slaves each; the chief trader has five. These slaves
and 30 slaves) care for the inix herds. Since there are have no direct duties, except to provide for the comfort
no inix at the fortress (the oasis can no longer support of the garrison. While in theory each slave is assigned to
them), they spend much of their time waiting or training a specific individual, in practice they are managed as a
in outdated methods of inix care. The current master of labor pool, and a garrison freeman needing help will seize
the herd is Sermap Yestrev, a slender man in his fifties. the nearest servant-slave.
Sermap has been master of the herd for nearly 20 years,
and makes no secret of the fact that he plans to die in Personalities
the job. He views his generous salary and light duties as Pevuran Bollos: Pevuran Bollos is the most recent
a sinecure owed him by House Shom or is ears of service. master trader of Fort Inix. Pevuran fancies himself a hero,
Sermap has done little to endear himself to the rest of a remnant of the House Shom at the time of its greatness.
the fortress garrison. His staff contributes little to the He is proud of his physical prowess and his talent as a
fort’s daily operations. Sermap has a long-running feud trader, but over time he has become worn down by the
with Berdeth Wesran, stemming from Sermap’s suspicions bureaucracy. As a young man he may have had good
about Berdeth’s inventory management and Berdeth’s intentions and energy to become a reformer but the closer
resentment regarding Sermap’s ineffectual staff. he has gotten to the centers of power in the merchant
The master of the garrison, Werelev, is responsible house, the more he has become complacent. He focuses
for maintaining the defenses of Fort Inix. Werelev is now more on his success within the organization and less
a belgoi, and his 40 troops are a mixture of that evil on the success of his operation.
race, half-giants of evil or chaotic temperament, humans, Pevuran made his fortune on the House Shom trading
muls, and thrikreen. Werelev maintains a rough, violent route between Nibenay, Raam, and Draj. This route
discipline, and more garrison members are lost to internal (which primarily trades rope, grains, water, obsidian, and
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precious metals) has been the backbone of House Shom’s relics of an older, more prosperous time. Twenty feet thick
prosperity for centuries. Pevuran was unusually lucky in and forty feet high, they are among the most massive
avoiding raids, so his caravans reflected higher profits than stoneworks outside of a city-state. Legend has it that the
most, but he is generally perceived as being a lackluster stoneworks were the construction of giants in a time when
trader. Pevuran was actually rather thoughtful in planning dealings between giants and humans were much more
his trips. He almost always scheduled his runs behind a friendly. The finer workmanship on the walls is obviously
rather large caravan of a competitor. This, combined with dwarven, however, with some sections polished to a glassy
a judicious use of scouts and mercenaries resulted in the surface.
successful track record which secured his position here. Such polishing appears only in a few protected corners
Pevuran is yet another of the caretakers assigned the of the wall, however; time has worn away at the rest. The
monitoring of Fort Inix. Since his arrival, he has developed machicolations are rounded and worn, sections of the wall
an understanding with Werelev, the belgoi master of the have developed cracks, and much of the wall has had so
garrison. He has not sought to interfere with the normal much mortar wear away so that their outer face is riddled
operation of the fort, and has focused most of his attention with hand and footholds. Even the minimal maintenance
on the political maneuvering in Nibenay. of mortaring, which would reduce further wear on the wall,
has not been attempted. Only the thickness of the walls
Werelev: Werelev is a belgoi, and has been master of and their original quality construction has prevented their
the garrison at Fort Inix for the last eight years. He rules collapse.
his diverse and violent garrison through intimidation. The only point at which the walls can be penetrated is
Werelev has seen several master traders come and go, the main gate, which faces to the northwest. During the
and makes a point of quickly establishing his autonomy day this gate remains open, but at night huge stone doors
whenever a new trader takes over the fort. He tells the are set into place in the opening. The gate is wide enough
new master trader that because he has been at the fort for two mekillot wagons to pass one another, and the arch
so long, the main chapterhouse in Nibenay looks to him is high enough to allow passage of even the highest wagon.
for feedback on the new master trader’s performance. He
assures the new manager that he will send only praise 3. Towers: The outer walls are protected by round
to Nibenay as long as he is not interfered with. He lookout towers. Each tower is 40 feet high, with three
concludes the discussion with veiled threats about the stories plus a roof. One lookout is stationed at each
fort being defenseless against raids. This usually results in tower; lookouts work 12-hour shifts, and most in the
Werelev retaining full freedom to run, staff, and outfit the garrison consider lookout duty to be unimportant and
garrison as he pleases. Pevuran has little interest in the dull. Werelev, in one of his few attempts at real discipline,
affairs of the garrison and has let Werelev have his way. has tried to instill more attentiveness in the lookouts. His
last attempt came as he approached an habitual sleeper
1. Motte: The entire fortress rests on an earthen hill “on duty” and threw him off the tower to the courtyard
some seven feet high. This huge mound once acted to below. This caused the lookouts to be more attentive for a
protect the walls from siege engines, but as trade routes time, but as the incident fades into memory the lookouts
have shifted it is unlikely that anyone will have any are relaxing again.
interest in capturing Fort Inix. Legend has it that the hill
(called a motte) is riddled with hidden tunnels which can 4. Trading Hall: This building was once the most
allow troops to move unseen into or out of the fortress. beautiful in Fort Inix, and it still is an awesome site.
The truth of these legends is unknown, but not a few The main trading hall is a vaulted chamber some 40 feet
members of the garrison have made it a hobby to search long, its ceiling painted with images of traders exchanging
for these hidden tunnels. goods, particularly inix. The walls are inlaid with white
stone, the floor is marble, and the ceiling is supported by
2. Walls: The massive stone walls of Fort Shom are pillars covered with reliefs. Side chambers off the main
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hall once housed record keepers, private traders and more by the race and temperament of the occupants than
money changers. At the height of Fort Inix’s success, this by any semblance of military organization. Beds are rough
was one of the most active and successful trading halls ticks, stuffed with sand or straw, strewn haphazardly within
outside a city-state. the sleeping areas. Equipment is stowed in chests or in
Like everything else in Fort Inix, the trader’s hall suffers piles; theft and insects are chronic problems.
from neglect. The heat of the sun beating down on the The central dining area here doubles as a duelling pit.
roof has caused the ceiling to crack and chips to fall Disputes within the garrison are solved with knives as
from the faded frescoes. Centuries of torches have left often as by Werelev. In part this is because Werelev is
grey smudges on the white walls, and the marble floor is likely as not to have both parties executed, regardless of
covered with dust and minor debris. The hall itself is no who is right. In his words: “You are soldiers, not bawling
longer used. There are not enough traders or customers children. Fight your own battles!” Duels here are more
to warrant it. common than Werelev would like, but not so common
Occasionally, a new chief trader decides to reopen the as to deplete the garrison. Replacements are hired on
Trader’s Hall. For a time there is a lackluster effort to periodic trips to Nibenay.
reclaim the building, but long before it opens interest
wanes and the work stops. 7. Master of Stores’ Residence: This two-story building
houses the master of stores and his freeman staff, many of
5. Chief Trader’s Residence: This building is both the whom are also his family members. While the exterior of
residence of the chief trader and the hostel for important this building is rather plain when compared to the other
visitors. The building is among the most ornate in the residences, the interior is filled with the finest furnishings
fortress, and is in excellent condition. The interior is filled and accoutrements that can be had from the warehouses.
with historical treasures and the finest of furnishings. The walls and floors are of the finest woods, and the
This luxury, however, is something of a sham. The rooms are comfortable and spacious. The building is in
“historical treasures” are little more than memorabilia good repair, as the master of stores has made sure that
with no intrinsic value, and the furnishings, while ornate repairs to his home are made promptly and well. It is said
and valuable, are of varying styles, some dating back as far that of all the people in Fort Inix the master of stores lives
as 40 years. The surroundings are certainly comfortable, a life second in luxury only to the master trader.
but the constant turnover of new chief traders gives the
decor of this residence an eclectic, unfinished look. Before 8. Warehouses: These enormous warehouses store the
any one trader can complete redecorating in the style he trade goods which are Fort Inix’s ostensible reason for
prefers (given the delays involved in getting anything from survival. Like many of the buildings in Fort Inix, the
the master of stores) another chief trader-with his own warehouses are not in good condition, but the master of
ideas of appropriate decoration-has come along to take his stores has made some efforts to keep them in repair.
place. Thus, the residence is never complete. The stores are “organized” in a system devised by
The rear portion of this building houses the chief the Amburr Wesran, the great-grandfather of the current
trader’s staff. Like the chief trader himself, the staff is master of stores. It is said that no one but a Wesran can
frequently replaced. This chamber is more functionally find anything in the confused morass, although Berdeth
furnished, with little in the way of luxury. Aside from seems to be able to locate virtually anything in the huge
beds and lockers, there is a small resting area modestly stacks of goods. The master of stores’ staff spends most of
outfitted with cushions. its time inventorying and cataloging the huge storehouses,
identifying items that either through wear or neglect (or
6. Garrison Barracks: This building houses Fort Inix’s sale on the black market) are in need of replacement from
ragtag garrison. This building is a square frame of wood, Nibenay.
almost spartan in its simplicity. The interior is divided The warehouses also act as the sleeping quarters of
into a number of sleeping areas; bunks are divided up the slaves. A section has been set aside in one of the
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larger warehouses as slave quarters; while the freemen of The current dispute between the master of stores and the
Fort Inix have done little more than provide the slaves master of the herd regards who should repair the stable.
with some straw, the slaves have turned this section into Both are insistent that they have too many other duties.
comfortable quarters, with bedding, braziers, and even Should the stable collapse, Werelev will ask the master
some seats “borrowed” from stores. While the slaves are no trader to step in and resolve the dispute.
more successful than anyone else at finding things in the
Wesran organizational scheme, they view the improvement 11. Oasis: This area is the outermost edge of the
of their quarters as a kind of scavenger hunt, and borrow vegetation supported by the oasis. Primarily scrub brush
what they find and can use. So long as the slaves are well- and flowering cacti, these plants take their water from
behaved and limit their pilferage, the master of stores and deep roots which go down several feet to the water table
his staff do not interfere. (This is more because interfering of the oasis. Fortunately for Fort Inix, the oasis no longer
would require work and attention rather than any feeling seems to be receding, although it is shrinking on other
of charity on the freemen’s part.) sides. There is no open water at the oasis, although a
deep well can be found near its center. This well always
9. Herder’s Hall: This building is the residence for has water, even in the dry high sun season, and when
the herder staff, including the chief herder. While this the cisterns get low slaves are sent to the outer well to
position is maintained as a symbol of the history of replenish the water supply.
House Shom, the chief herder has little responsibility at
Fort Inix. Sermap Yestrev’s feud with the master of stores 12. Well and Cisterns: This 30-foot-deep shaft provides
is manifest in the condition of the Herder’s Hall. While the water for the entire fortress. Ten slaves (provided by
the exterior of this building is no more run down than the master trader) work day and night to draw water from
any other building in Fort Inix, the interior is a shambles. the well and place it into a cistern from which the fort
Entire rooms are uninhabitable because the floor has draws its water. Several complex arrangements to bring
collapsed or cracks in the walls go unsealed. A portion of the water up have been tried, but slaves with buckets
the building has been infested with giant centipedes; the have proven the most effective solution. In the season of
affected rooms have been sealed to prevent their spread. sun descending, the well goes dry, and the fortress must
All of the herders except the chief herder are huddled in survive on the stored water in the cistern for a period of
a single room, with a tightly sealed door to prevent any several weeks. During this period, slaves are put on half-
centipedes which escape their confinement from getting rations of water, and freemen may be put on half-rations
to the sleeping herders. The chief herder has repeatedly late in the spell. Each year, the dry spell gets longer and
requested the slaves and materials to restore the Herder’s longer, but the cisterns – augmented with occasional trips
Hall, but so far has been politely refused. to the well at the oasis-have been able to support the
residents.
10. Inix Corral: This large fenced area was once the
corral for the inix which made this fort great. Unfortunately, 13. Bazaar: This large area is where the traders set up
as alluded to above, the inix are gone, but the corral still when a caravan or nomad tribe comes, or on the regular
waits for the return of the lizards. “market days”. The bazaar is divided into a number of
When House Shom caravans bring livestock to the booths, each of which offers a portion of the fortress’ goods.
Fort, they are housed in this corral. Temporary repairs are These booths are easily assembled and disassembled, and
made to shore up the collapsing fence, and the master are brought back into the fortress and stored in the
of herders and his staff actually have animals to care for. warehouse when customers are not available. All of the
Soon, though, the caravan leaves, taking its livestock with traders in this bazaar serve House Shom, and therefore
it, or the livestock is sold off to the neighboring tribes, and the prices set by the house are rather high. Fort Inix still
the herders return to a life of idleness. has, however, the widest variety of goods of any trader in
At one end of the corral stands a half-collapsed stable. the Ivory Triangle region.
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of the Cache is to train Shadows. Much of the talon The mercenary and raiding claws (which offer mercenary
leadership, including the talon-master Vollen, can be and raiding services to outside groups) are responsible for
found here, imparting wisdom to younger, less experienced providing the first line of defense for the Cache. There
members and administering the Shadows’ many affairs. are at least 100 warriors of 5th to 10th level from various
The Cache is also a resting place for the elves who are mercenary and raiding groups here, some recovering from
often forced to live within human society; when they have injuries, others in training. They are organized in a rough
tired of life within the city they can remove themselves to command, but as most of them are here only temporarily,
an entirely elven environment once again. there is little troop cohesion. In case of attack, however,
Once the isolated fortress of the head of assassins, they will rapidly become a formidable force.
the Cache is changing. It is transforming more and The magical claw is also comprised primarily of
more into a merchant’s fortress. The merchant claw (the temporary visitors. At any one time, roughly a dozen
portion of the Shadows’ organization involved in trade) defilers of 4th to 12th level can be found here. Most are
has burgeoned with the growth in legal trade in the Tyr studying magical fundamentals or new spells, and are not
region. Trade in the illegal goods with which the Shadows likely to have a wide variety of offensive magic available
deal has been further boosted by the revolt in Tyr and in case of a surprise attack. However, four of the visiting
the unrest in Raam. While both of these cities are far mages are assigned to garrison duty on a daily basis,
from the Ivory Triangle, the effects of the changes there and are required to be fully prepared with offensive and
can be felt throughout the entire Tyr region. defensive magics.
Today the clash of weapons and calm words of the In addition to the visiting mages, there are a half-dozen
teachers have been augmented with the calls of inventory experienced wizards who are teachers. One teacher is
counts and the scratching of the record-keepers’ tablets. assigned to lead the magical contingent of the garrison
While the Cache sees no regular trade (its location is each week.
far too secret to allow outsiders to visit), the volume of The thieving, espionage, and merchant claws operate a
trade done in elven markets throughout the Ivory Triangle training center for rogues. (Illusionists in the thieving claw
region has pushed the elves into running occasional are assigned to the magical claw for training.) Perhaps a
caravans to the Cache to store goods. Vollen, the current dozen students and three teachers can be found here at
talon-master, is concerned by the increased traffic to the any one time; in an emergency they can be called upon
Cache, and is afraid that this will lead to its discovery, to defend the Cache, but in general they are typically
but thus far no one has come up with a better alternative. held as a reserve or surprise force.
There is some discussion among the leadership of the In addition to the trainees and their teachers, there are
talon that the best thing to do would be to move the approximately 40 “staff” members who are permanent
talon back into the city. After 600 years, however, the residents of the Cache. These include the talon-master,
desire to remain is strong, and no real threat has arisen his immediate assistants, and various members of the
to force the Shadows to act. Business is good enough that claws assigned to administrative duties.
the current leadership feels they have time to deal with In short, while the Cache has no formal garrison of
the problem; the elven tendency to resolve a problem troops, it is not an easily conquered site. It would require
tomorrow instead of today may ill serve them in this. a significant portion of the military forces of a sorcerer-
king to dislodge the Shadows from the Cache. Assuming,
The Garrison of course, that they could find it.
The exact population of the Cache varies over time.
Agents and trainees arrive and leave, caravans bring new Personalities
members, and special operations may deplete the garrison Vollen: Vollen is the current talon-master of the
by as much as half. However, the following generalizations Shadow talon of Gulg. A skilled and ruthless leader, he
may be made. has led the talon for over 70 years. He began his career
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in the mercenary and raiding claws, then transferred to provide ‘support’ mages to the other claws, believing that if
the thieving claw. He spent several years in Gulg as an the problem is one of brawn, she need not risk her mages.
elven trader, and considers the merchant claw to be the This magical claw employs only single-class defiler.
future of the Shadows. Mistella will not accept a dual-class defiler, regardless of
While Vollen is a capable (and occasionally even level, as she sees such characters as dilettantes. Mistella
brilliant) administrator, the Shadows have been erratic despises preservers as being lazy mages who are weaklings,
under his leadership. Vollen distrusts mages, and himself and has been known to take a detour in another mission
has no magical talent; this has caused him considerable to execute a preserver. This has not endeared her to
friction with Mistella, leader of the magical claw, so that the magical claws of the talons of Nibenay and the
group operates with more than usual independence from other cities, who think the deaths may attract unwanted
the talonmaster. He has pressed the merchant claw to attention.
increase activity some say at the risk of revealing the true
extent of the Shadows’ power. On the other hand, he has Ruvella: Ruvella is a powerful cleric/psionicist who for
been indifferent to the operation of the other claws, which many years was the head of the espionage claw in the
has led to errors and misjudgments. talon of Tyr. Her anonymity was lost during the recent
In combat, Vollen is a terror. He has fought hundreds rebellion there, and she was forced to flee the city. She is
of battles. He has no code of honor when fighting and here partially to hide, and partially as an observer for the
believes the purpose of a battle is to kill your enemy. He current grand shadow master, Thus far her style of work,
will show no mercy to those who oppose him with force. which includes close coordination between the various
His favored tactics include backstabbing with his long claws and an extreme focus on secrecy, has not meshed
sword. In a fight, he will wade into the melee, select the well with Vollon’s more independent, freewheeling style.
single most powerful opponent, banish him (using his Ruvella’s reports reflect this, and they are beginning to
psionic abilities) until the remainder of the opposition has sway the grand shadow master toward replacing Vollon,
been killed, then bring him back to face Vollen’s entire perhaps with Ruvella herself.
force alone. He is not above life-draining his own troops,
although he will stop at killing his own elven warriors to 1. Cave Entrance: This natural cave entrance is often
ensure his survival. covered with brush to obscure it from sight.
Mistella: Mistella is the head of the magical claw of 2. Balconies: Walkways along the inside of the cliff
the Shadow talon of Gulg. A fiercely independent woman face lead to these carefully concealed balconies set 30 feet
and a powerful sorcerer, she is often single-minded to the above the desert floor. In times of attack, archers can man
point of being stubborn (a very non-elven trait). these balconies, raining arrows down on besiegers without
Mistella spent her younger years as a slave-courtesan to risk of return fire. Other balconies lead to escape routes,
a defiler in the chaotic courts of Raam. Her experiences so that scouts, assassins, and other small parties can come
have left her with a dislike of cities and anything human. in and out without being seen.
Mistella is a believer in the power of magic. When
presented with a problem, she will use magic first, even if 3. Residences: This area, a separate chamber nearly 25
a nonmagical solution presents itself. Thus, she will often feet high, is where most of the inhabitants of the cave live.
waste magical energy rather than involve those outside her Temporary residents pitch tents or bedrolls here; more
claw in her missions. The magical claw of Gulg is known permanent residents have lean-tos and huts. In general,
for performing most of its missions without any warrior the longest residents live closer to the cave wall, and the
support: an idea most think is unwise. most senior inhabitants of the Cache incorporate the wall
Mistella would have been faced with the consequences into their residences.
of this strategy long ago were it not for the fact that she
disdains any but the most difficult missions. She will not 4. Training Ground: This large (30 feet high) cavern
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is used for training warriors and thieves from the raiding, on clay tablets and is rumored to be among the finest
mercenary, and thieving claws. Pells, blunted weapons, libraries outside the city-states. Unfortunately, the library
weighted shields and other training equipment are stored is not well organized. To find a spell in the library, a
at the edges. mage need to search for several days.
The training ground is lit and ventilated by a large In addition to housing the magical library, the mage’s
hole in the top of the cavern. The hole is in a depression hall is also where visiting mages (of the magical claw)
on the top of the massif in which the cave is built, but reside. Mistella forbids her people to go to the common
no one has yet found a safe exterior route to the top. In residential cavern without an explicit mission from her.
time of attack, lookouts climb up through the hole (using
ropes attached by levitating mages). A sentry posted atop 6. Storage area: This cavern is devoted to storing
the mesa can see a large force coming for several miles. mercantile supplies, weapons, and other goods. Things
When training is not going on, this chamber also acts are piled haphazardly here; there is no one individual
as a recreation and dining area. The elves congregate here responsible for caring for this area, and as a result it is
because it affords them a clear view of the sky. impossible to find any but the largest and most plentiful
items.
5. Mage’s Hall: The only real building in the cavern
complex, this structure houses the magical library and 7. Spring: This spring provides water for all the
practice chambers for the mages. It is under the control inhabitants of the cavern. Water from the spring pools
of the magical claw, and is off limits to nonmages by in a natural grotto below, which the inhabitants use as
Mistella’s order. a cistern.
The library has a wide variety of magical texts carved
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from the clan leader. They focus on stealing animals (and wanted a new weapon to strengthen her hand against the
people), but they will take nearly anything in the caravan Shadow King’s army. She therefore struck a deal with
until the leader calls off the raid. Mogglul, to provide scouts and guides in exchange for
Zivlil has ruled that no non-halfling should know of obsidian, which she planned to purchase from the mines
their existence, so each time they raid they strive to kill or of Urik. When Mogg-lul died, the scouts who had arrived
capture all of the intelligent beings in the caravan. These in Gulg saw no point in continuing this effort. They
they eat, either immediately or over time. Generally, the could not see how their sacrifice benefitted their chief if
caravan warriors are killed during the raid while the rest he was dead. The oba imprisoned the halflings while she
are kept alive to provide fresh meat for later. Thus far no attempted to forge a new pact with Alu, a charismatic
one has escaped to tell the true identity of the raiders; the shaman who had assumed leadership of the tribe. Alu
city-states note the absence of slave bodies in the remains had advised against the agreement in the first place and
of the caravan and blame Salt View. was certainly not about to support it now.
The oba decided her only alternative was to invite
Origin her captives to aid her. Those who volunteered would
Losthome’s origins begin in the city-state of Gulg and be given their freedom and the rest would serve her in
the oba Lalali-Puy. In an effort to expand her control of captivity. The plan was doomed to failure. While several
the Crescent Forest, Lalali-Puy sought to develop a corps of the halflings agreed to assist the oba, most just wanted
of forest raiders who could assault the lumberjacks and to return home. The captive halflings were stealthy enough
settlers of Nibenay, blunting the Shadow King’s advance to easily evade their templar handlers.
into the forest and allowing her forces to work unseen. One of the first escapees was Zivlil. In early trials of the
While her templars were certainly up to the task, she halfling-slaves, Zivlil psionically overwhelmed his handler,
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fled into the forest, and slew a half-dozen templars with a to surprise the halflings of Losthome.
sling before vanishing into the wilderness forever. If attacked, the halflings fight primarily with bows, slings,
As the trials continued and more halflings fled into the and other range weapons. Some use wooden clubs spiked
Crescent Forest, Zivlil offered them traditional halfling with obsidian, others have bone weapons, and a few have
hospitality, sharing his food, water, and knowledge of the metal weapons taken from caravans. If the enemy has
Crescent Forest with them as he would with members of not yet closed, the bowmen will attack while the other
his own tribe. Soon he had accumulated a following of halflings fade into the forest. If the enemy gets too close
nearly 20 halflings, and the refugees began to form a clan. before it is discovered, the halflings fight furiously. If the
The clan has continued to grow. Thus far, the templars halflings outnumber their attackers, they will gang up on
have tried hobbles, bribery, threats, and many other individuals; if they are outnumbered, they will fight only
methods for controlling the halflings, but to no avail. until they can flee.
Recently they have begun a new approach, striking off one
of the halfling’s feet before releasing it into the wilderness. Camp Description
This slows the halfling sufficiently to ensure that the The halfling clan usually searches for a defensible
templar can keep up, but halflings so treated soon die in hollow in which to camp. The primary features sought are
Gulg captivity. Should Zivlil hear of this practice, the full a thick copse of trees, a source of water, and at least two
force of the anger of the clan may be turned toward Gulg. escape routes. Over the years, Zivlil has found a number
of such places, and at each the halflings have constructed
Location and Defenses a number of traps and signals to help defend them. The
The halflings of Losthome have no permanent settlement. following map key shows a typical site; other sites may
Their current hunting range is a rough forested circle have a different mix of traps and a different layout.
some 15 miles north of Gulg, nestled against the eastern
slopes of the Windbreak Mountains. This region is well Relations with Others
watered with springs and runoff from water sources high The halflings of Losthome are strangers trapped in a
in the mountains, and it is among the thickest and most strange land. They are unfamiliar with the world they find
impenetrable timber in the Crescent Forest. themselves in. As a result, they are secretive to the point
The halflings wander their hunting range, camping of slaying anyone who discovers them in the Crescent
wherever they are when night falls, taking only minimal Forest.
precautions to defend the camp. However, their natural The oba Lalali-Puy and her templars know about the
ability to conceal themselves and their arboreal skills halfling escapees. They feel the diminutive people must be
make it possible for a platoon of templars to pass right falling prey to predators, and they have not realized that
through such a camp without ever knowing the halflings the halflings are banding together. The general populace
are there. of Gulg, however, is unaware that the halfings were even
Each night, the clan hides high in the trees, resting in in the city, much less that they escaped.
nooks and the forks of branches. They huddle in groups Nibenay also knows nothing of the escapees. There is
of three to four in each tree, and they are nimble enough some evidence in the caravans the halflings have raided
to move directly from tree to tree if they are in danger. (wounds on some of the bodies, gnaw-marks on the bones,
During the day, this scouting system is also used as a etc.), but the templars and merchant houses have not
perimeter watch for the clan. As the clan moves, the main yet realized what is going on. Should the Shadow King
body of the clan is surrounded by a ring of scouts that discover such a large slave community so close to his city,
alerts the leaders to anything the clan encounters. Raiding it is sure that a body of templars will be sent into the
and foraging groups use a similar structure, although forest to get them out and bring them back to Nibenay
there are fewer group members, so the scouts maintain a – to become slaves again.
narrower perimeter. As a result, it is virtually impossible The halflings have little contact with the other peoples
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of the Ivory Triangle region. They rarely leave their forest was chosen to lead the expedition, and members of each
home and few people travel deep into the forest. They clan volunteered for the opportunity to serve their chief
have occasionally sighted human raiders and thri-kreen and the forest. The journey was difficult and Zivlil’s party
packs on the edge of their territory. With the exception of was forced to eat the oba’s templars who had been sent
some druids, the halflings have remained unobserved by to accompany them. They arrived unescorted in the forest-
all known peoples. city of Gulg and awaited the oba’s instructions. Lalali-
Should they be discovered, most within the Ivory Triangle Puy was surprised and pleased with the compliance of
would have little concern for them. The city-states would the halflings and with the curiosity they displayed for her
feel that the halflings were a danger and try to drive them forest home. The visitors had been in Gulg three nights
off. The slave tribes and elven nomads would view the when Zivlil heard the thoughts of Alu, the shaman of his
halflings as simply one more reason to avoid the Crescent tribe. “Mogg-lul is done, Zivlil. Return to your home,”
Forest. The gith of the Blackspine Mountains might view came the message.
them as tempting victims, but that is quite a distance to Zivlil told the other halflings that they were free to
travel for such a “paltry meal”. return to the Forest Ridge. It was a great surprise when
the oba had him and his companions imprisoned as they
Joining the Tribe attempted to leave the city. He was further surprised by the
Losthome is open only to halflings. No other race may fact that the oba could not understand that an agreement
join the tribe, as the halflings trust only their own kind. lasted only as long as the person who made it. After
Any halfling who approaches, however, is welcomed. several days of detention, the oba extended an invitation
The halfling is informed of the status of the clan and to Zivlil and his friends. She invited them to stay in
is given a fair share of its goods. There are no initiation her forest-city and explore the surrounding trees with her
ceremonies or trial periods required of new members. The templars. While the offer would have piqued the curiosity
halflings trust one another, and even if a halfling is a
wanderer in human lands, the halflings consider him one
of their own.
There is a period of adjustment, however, while the
halfling establishes himself in the clan. During this time,
the other clan members watch the newcomer carefully,
assessing his skills and measuring him against themselves
and the other members of the clan. This is not out of any
sense of rivalry. Instead, it is a way for the clan members
to make an unbiased appraisal of who is the appropriate
halfling to assay any particular task. Skilled halflings may
immediately find themselves in charge of one of the many
projects which the clan must undertake to survive.
Personalities
Zivlil: Zivlil was a talented psionicist and mage in the
forests beyond the Ringing Mountains. He was not only
a respected clan leader, but there was even talk that one
day he might become a tribal chieftain.
That all changed one day when Mogg-lul announced
that 100 warriors would be traveling across the world to
find paths in the forest of a queen of the flatlanders. Zivlil
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and skins to carry the food and water they will need for
the trek across the desert.
Grelzen has also conversed at length with captured
humans brought back from raids. She tries to find out
as much as possible about the route back to the Ringing
Mountains. She has shown amazing patience in listening
to rambling human tales about their lives, their homelands,
and their culture, searching for any hint of how to ease
the journey home. Even the most loquacious source of
information, however, eventually enters the stewpot.
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Fullgrin had to flee again – this time into the Crescent conflict is arising, and the halflings must decide what to
Forest – until pursuit for him died down. do about it.
Thus he was greatly surprised to find a thriving
community of halflings in the Crescent Forest. As is 1. Sleeping Trees: These trees are used as sleeping
halfling custom, they offered him hospitality and protection quarters by the halfling clan. Those halflings not on
from the humans. He accepted and for the last several sentry duty climb one of these trees and nestle into the
months he has resided with the halflings of Losthome. His forks of branches high above. Most of the sleeping places
skills of stealth and combat were quickly recognized, and are 15 to 20 feet above the forest floor. The older, more
he has been placed in charge of a number of important established sites have small hammocks woven of vines
raids and missions for the clan. and leaves to provide a more comfortable resting place.
But forest life is not for Fullgrin. Had he wanted to These are carefully woven to resemble natural foliage
live the life of the halfling clans, he would have returned when viewed from below.
home from Urik rather than heading deeper into human
territory. And therein lies the problem. 2. Observation Posts: These small wooden platforms
Zivlil thinks Fullgrin is a very strange halfling. While stand high in the trees, carefully hidden from view by
it is not in halfling nature to do violence to one another, branches. From these posts, the halfling sentries can survey
nor to hold one another in captivity, Zivlil fears that if the forest for several hundred yards. Halflings traditionally
he allows Fullgrin to return to human society, the secret do not make use of such structures in the Forest Ridge,
of Losthome will be lost and the humans will come to but prefer to rest among the branches of the trees. This
hunt them once again. Fullgrin and Zivlil are both aware new innovation was an idea learned in Gulg.
of the dilemma, and are both moving circumspectly to Each sentry is responsible for watching a specific section
accomplish their goals without offending the other. But a of the camp’s perimeter. The platforms have been placed
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to ensure that no one can approach undetected from any however, the branches will snap off 20 feet above the
direction. The sentries are armed with slings or bows, and ground, dropping the climber to the forest floor.
most platforms hold a stockpile of spears that can be
thrown at any attackers below. 6. Stream: This fast-moving, 2-foot-deep stream carries
water down from the Windbreak Mountains, into the
3. Foot Sentries: To supplement the sentries posted forest. The water is clean and cool. There is a ford, but
in the trees above, these three sentries wander the forest the water rushes fast enough to knock people off their feet.
below. They remain at the edge of the tree sentries’ vision The halflings cross the stream by
and signal with bird calls when an intruder or predator climbing in the trees and swinging from branch to
approaches. branch, rather than by wading.
The map shows likely hiding places for these sentries.
However, they roam the perimeter and can be encountered 7. Strange Ridge: This unusually-shaped ridge conceals
at any point. the buried form of an ankheg. The halflings are unaware
of the creature, and if they knew about it would avoid it.
4. Deadfalls: Each of these points on the map shows The ankheg will come out if it hears a lot of movement
where a large tree trunk has been hung by vines in the (such as the sound of combat or the thud of deadfalls).
upper reaches of the tree. It is hungry and will consume humans and halflings with
equal relish. It is just tall enough to reach the halfling
5. Trapped Tree: This particular tree has been cut sleeping and sentry platforms, but must pull itself up the
by the halflings to make it very climbable. If anyone side of a tree, exposing its soft underbelly.
who weighs more than a halfling tries to climb the tree,
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drives up the cost of magic components and reduces their however, he found the secretiveness of the organization
availability. The Veiled Alliance naturally feels the impact that oppressed him and the structure stifled his growth.
of such a change, and the first thing to suffer within the He eventually stole a contact’s spellstring and set out into
organization is the training of younger members. Poortool the scrubland.
uses this tactic to heighten the discontent of the lower He had been traveling for a week when he was set
ranks of the secretive society and then uses his insiders to upon by a small pack of gith. He quickly disabled his
flush out potential tribe members. attackers and decided to ransom them back to their tribe.
Raids are also conducted for the benefit of Poortool’s The incident earned him the respect of the gith warriors,
allies. These currently include the tribes of gith who who admired his cunning. He offered to assist the gith in
serve him and the merchant House Tsalaxa of Draj. planning a raid and, while they were suspicious, the success
The tribe will send mages to support the gith as needed. of the raid confirmed the young half-elf’s intelligence and
Poortool has recently struck an alliance with House formed the basis of his current relationship with them.
Tsalaxa, which hopes to increase its influence on both Poortool decided to establish a permanent base
Gulg and Nibenay. The tribe is often requested to escort and called upon the gith to help him capture some slaves
caravans carrying sensitive cargo. They are also hired to from the caravans traveling out of Nibenay. Once he had
raid competitor’s caravans or client villages. The tribe uses put the slaves to work building the small encampment, he
the revenue from their mercenary work to purchase goods set out to recruit some like-minded young mages. Through
directly from the merchant house. They also sell some a series of clandestine meetings reinforced by a sudden
of the magic components that they acquire through their scarcity of magic components, Poortool quickly-found a
shakedown raids to House Tsalaxa. handful of initiates. It was the gith who named the tribe as
Poortool draws upon the gith tribes to supplement his they saw the young mage begin to collect adherents. Over
garrison for particularly difficult attacks. He also dedicates the years, Poortool has expanded his small community.
at least two mages to each raiding party. He is currently He hopes now to tap into the cities of Balic, Raam, and
looking for a few psionicists to augment the mobility and Dral for more tribe members.
communications capabilities of his raiding parties.
Daily living within the camp is attended by the staff of Location and Defenses
slaves. These slaves are fairly dedicated to the tribe, partly The encampment of Poortool’s Horde lies about 20
out of fear and partly because they are treated well and miles due east of Nibenay. It lies at the edge of the
know that their lives would be much more difficult back scrub plains, where the rocky badlands of the Blackspine
in the city-states or with the slave tribes in the wilderness. Mountains begin to take shape to the northeast and
The slaves’ activities include minding the camp’s small the salt flats of the Great Ivory Plain spread out to the
erdlu herd and preparing meals. south. The camp consist of a small village with modest
fortifications. There is a low earth wall topped with wooden
Origin spikes, built to discourage predators. A garrison of 50 gith
Poortool’s intelligence showed as a child, and he was maintain watch in three shifts. The sentries surround the
taken into the tutelage of the king’s defilers in Nibenay. village and maintain visual contact with one another. The
He had an insatiable appetite for knowledge, but little area is gith territory and as a result few travelers or raiding
patience for discipline. His master recommended he be bands pass by unmolested.
sent for psionic study to improve his concentration before
he continued studying magic. He quit his magical studies Relations with Others
and continued to serve as a clerk to the templars. His Poortool fully recognizes that his tribe will remain
talent had not gone unnoticed, however, and he was soon fugitives from the law as long as the sorcerer-kings remain
recruited by the Veiled Alliance. Starting from scratch, in power, or at least until his tribe can grow in strength
he began his magical training as a preserver. Over time, to the point that they can defy the sorcerer-kings and
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conduct their affairs openly. That day, however, is unlikely Poortool will strike a deal with anyone if he believes
to come to pass in this King’s Age. Consequently, a that it will serve the long-term interests of the community.
strict policy of secrecy must be maintained outside the He has hired small bands of mercenaries to find odd
community. items for the tribe or to serve as escorts on Tsalaxa
Even the tribe’s allies at House Tsalaxa know the tribe caravans.
as a roving band of mercenaries. Only their gith allies of
the Blackspine Mountains know of the encampment. Joining the Tribe
Poortool views the Veiled Alliance with disdain. While Strangers happening upon the encampment are likely
he recruits from their ranks, he tends to view them as a to wake up a distance away with no recollection of having
secret society of doddering old men and intriguers. He ever seen the place. Poortool has no qualms about killing
enjoys exposing their weaknesses and culling the most intruders if necessary. It would not attract undue attention
promising mages from their ranks. While they are not for traveler’s to fall prey to gith and disappear in the
currently aware of his tribe, were an Alliance chapter to vicinity of the Blackspine Mountains. Poortool will,
approach Poortool, he would entertain the value of an however, actually extend hospitality to mages and their
accord with them just as he would any other organization. traveling companions. His intention, of course, is to find
Poortool has no particular aversion to defiling magic, new members for the tribe.
but he does not believe it is practical to allow defilers A mage expressing interest in joining the tribe is
to join the community when there are so many mages interviewed by Poortool and Prasad, the tribe’s psionicist.
working together in close proximity. He does occasionally They use magic and psionics to confirm the veracity of
provide a passing defiler with spell components or a place their candidate’s answers. The candidate is permitted to
to hide. He reminds his preservers that all mages are remain in the community for a week, enjoying the open
fugitives and that such relationships may sometimes prove company of other mages. The candidate is then taken
valuable.
He sees the tribe’s relationship with House Tsalaxa as a
way of meeting the tribe’s needs for various goods without
exposing the group unnecessarily to the city-states and
villages of the region. He would, however, gladly enter into
a relationship with another merchant house if it served
his interests. Presently, the availability of goods, combined
with a single point of contact, make the House Tsalaxa
relationship quite satisfactory.
To this point, the tribe has only maintained alliances
with solitary gith tribes that have been displaced by
Blackspear. Poortool is now preparing to establish an
alliance with Blackspear himself. The mage believes that
one day when his small tribe has become a nation, he will
need an army to carve out its home.
Neither the elf tribes whom Poortool’s gith harass, nor
the templars whom he occasionally aids, are aware of
the existence of the tribe. The mages generally remain
concealed in the raids on the elf tribes. Consequently, the
elves simply think the attacks are just the random strikes
of roving gith tribes. The templars of the city-states believe
that the tips they receive simply come from concerned
citizens.
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Personalities
Poortool: Poortool is a tall, bald half-elf with extremely
pale skin. He burns easily in the sun and always wears
a wide, formless straw hat to shade his face. His taste in
clothing is simple and he favors a functional leather jerkin
that he ties at the waist.
Poortool is in all ways a brutally pragmatic man. At
times he exhibits the ruthless efficiency of the templars
he once served. He is an excellent negotiator and always
honors his agreements. He is dedicated to advancing his
own knowledge of magic and psionics, and he believes that
his community provides the best chance to accomplish
this. While he would never voice such an ambition, he is
establishing a power base that he believes may one day
rival that of the sorcerer-kings.
He has, over the past few years, developed an increasing
interest in the Way of the Unseen. The discipline that he and watched the village for several days and was confused
lacked as a child has come in maturity threefold and has by what he saw there: humans and half-elf wizards milling
been fed by his continuing mastery of his innate psionic about and casting spells, slaves tending an erdlu herd,
ability. gith sentries. On the third evening he resolved to steal
Poortool is not an emotional man. He has a talent for into the camp and recapture his slave. The gith alerted
understanding what motivates individuals, and his tolerant Poortool when Garreth tripped an unseen magical alarm.
manner is borne of political acumen rather than kindness. Garreth was taken into custody, but his perseverance
A natural leader, Poortool is a solid ally and a dangerous and skill had impressed the gith so much that Poortool
enemy. returned his slave to him and extended the hospitality of
the tribe. The difficult man soon found himself agreeing
Garreth: Garreth is a warrior who joined the tribe as to serve as captain of the village garrison.
garrison commander after surviving an attack on a client Garreth is a large, disagreeable man who wears black
village he was defending. Garreth had been hired as a studded leather armor and pulls his long black hair back
mercenary to protect the village of the House Inika of in a knot. His abrasive personality and vindictive manner
Gulg. Poortool’s Horde descended on the community have won him the comraderie of the gith. He is something
and rounded up the four slaves in the town, one of which of a freebooter and is well suited to his task.
was Garreth’s. After the raiders left, Garreth set out to
find his manservant. While he was uncertain whether the Tordos: Tordos is a middle-aged human with thick
slave would still be alive, he was furious that someone black hair and a neat beard. He wears a decorative
would take his property. pillbox hat and can usually be seen carrying a large
Garreth, a stubborn man, tracked the gith party all the wooden box on his back like a knapsack. The box has
way back to Poortool’s encampment. He lay in the scrub two doors which open like a cupboard and are held fast
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by a small loop of leather. When open, the box can be directs the slaves.
seen to house a countless array of tiny drawers, each with
a small round handle. The drawers are used to store 1. Mage’s Quarters: These buildings are made of dirt
magic components as well as the herbs and powders with brick and a sod roof. They are divided into a sleeping cell
which Tordos experiments. and a sitting room. The residents are prepared to abandon
Tordos was the first mage to join Poortool’s tribe and the village at a moment’s notice. All the mages learn to
is undeniably the most dedicated. Tordos had been store their spells in a series of intricate knots on strings
an innkeeper with a large family in Nibenay. He was which they wear as belts. Each mage’s quarters contains a
an initiate of the Veiled Alliance in that city, and he cabinet mounted with straps so that it can be carried on
allowed the group to use his inn as a contact point the back. These are used to store spell components and
and meeting place for his cell. The pressure of all of valuable objects. Beneath each of the mage’s quarters is a
his responsibilities had driven him to take a trip to visit cellar used for individual research.
a friend in South Ledopolus. Tordos was traveling with
a caravan that was attacked by Poortool and his gith. 2. Slaves’ Quarters: This large single-room building
Poortool mentally dominated the mage and used him contains thatch mats and small chests that contain the
to complete the violent attack. He then had his gith private effects of the slaves. The mages have magically
immobilize Tordos’s hands, gag him, and lead him back warded the chests so that each slave can open only his
to the village with a handful of slaves. or her own chest. This small recognition of privacy seems
Through various magical and psionic means, Poortool to please the Slaves.
completely controlled the older man for several days.
During this time Poortool mulled over the best way to 3. Dining Hall: This large hall holds several large
turn this puppet into a willing ally. Finally, Poortool took tables flanked by benches. There is a large open fire pit
Tordos into a field and prepared to speak to him of his at the north end of the hall where meals are prepared.
dream. He released his control of Tordos and waited for Meat is cleaned and dressed in the adjacent smokehouse.
his reaction. Rather than anger or bitterness, the man All tribe members eat here, although the mages will
seemed filled with almost childish wonder. He marveled sometimes take meals in their quarters.
at the death that had been caused by his hands in the
caravan raid. Total enslavement for Tordos had been an 4. The Well: This deep well provides water to the
invigorating release. He spoke of the thrill of abdicating village year round.
all responsibility for his actions. Not since he was a child
had he felt the freedom of knowing that someone else 5. The Corral: This fenced area is used to contain the
had to feed him, to clothe him, to decide how his magic erdlu herd managed by the slaves.
would blind a man.
Poortool began to speak of his vision. “Why let a bunch 6. The Storehouse: This room stores various dry goods
of old men whom you don’t even know decide what spells used by the community. Items here are generally purchased
you should learn? Why take orders from people who hide from House Tsalaxa.
in the shadows? Why is there no community where a
man can choose his own path and where his acquisition 7. The Barracks: This building houses Garreth and
of greater ability is limited only by his intelligence?” The the gith warriors. The gith prefer to sleep on the floor, on
discussion soon turned into a fascinating exchange on the a nest of cloth. Garreth has taken to sleeping this way as
techniques of somatic concealment. He enthusiastically well. The warriors all chests warded as the slave’s chests
agreed to join the young preserver and has proven to are. The warriors all sleep with their weapons. At any
be Poortool’s right arm. Tordos has never contacted his given time, one third of the garrison is sleeping here.
family, who believes that he was killed in a gith raid.
The gentleman now administers the day-to-day affairs and
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8. The Pit: This is a 40-foot-deep pit that has been 10. The Drop: This is a 40 foot drop that opens
dug to hold a so-ut that one of the mages plans to capture up into the subterranean amphitheater. The pit has no
for purposes of research. So far he has been unsuccessful, handholds and has a hard stone floor. The mages can use
and the pit is empty. any number of magical means to descend the tunnel and
enter the room below. There is a rope in the storehouse
9. The Amphitheater: This is a 10-foot-deep pit with in the event that a slave needs to gain access to the room
several tiers of benches leading to the floor. It is used for for cleaning or for repairs.
demonstrations and instruction. Thirty feet below the floor
of this amphitheater is a room with a 20 foot ceiling and
identical lateral dimensions. It is used for presentations,
experimentation and testing.
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The Poisoner’s Pit only takes reduced damage from physical attacks. Another
peculiar side effect of his neurological damage is his
Wheelock is, perhaps, the greatest poisoner of the complete immunity to telepathy. Wheelock can neither
Tablelands. He makes his home at the oasis 35 miles be contacted nor attacked telepathically.
northeast of North Ledopolus, on the edge of the Great It is not clear how old Wheelock is, but the poisons
Ivory Plain. He usually remains at home, but he does coursing through his veins seem to have contributed to his
make occasional excursions to collect new strains of longevity.
poisonous plants. Whenever he travels abroad, he always Wheelock has a number of odd idiosyncrasies. He
makes the journey in a brightly colored wagon drawn by will not, for example, directly respond to questions. He
six muls. The wagon has small curtained windows and a will instead wait until Toth, his companion, repeats the
sloping roof. question to him. This is because Wheelock hears voices.
When at home, audiences are received by his assistant It is not clear whether this is some sort of psionic residue,
Toth, who is a cleric of the earth. Toth is a simple and voices from the lower planes, or simply the result of his
polite young man who conducts Wheelock’s business affairs deteriorating nervous system. He has, however, become so
and determines who will gain access to the poisoner. True used to the constant whispering, that he ignores anyone
to the chilling neutrality of Athasian bards, Wheelock who speaks to him. He makes an exception to this habit
does not discriminate among his clientele in terms of the in the case of females.
merit of their various causes. He does evaluate clients in Wheelock seems to have a gentle fondness for women,
terms of urgency and sheer desperation. He may at times although he does not always seem to be able to distinguish
end up selling one man a poison and his intended victim between them. He will often seem to become lucid and
the antidote. begin to pepper a woman with questions just to listen to
He has little use for gold, but he will charge exorbitant her voice. It seems to remind him of someone.
fees just to measure the desperation of an individual. The poisoner has an insatiable appetite for riddles. His
Other times he will require a service be completed before lair is often protected by riddles and he enjoys playing
providing a poison. He usually demands whatever the mental games. He has been known to forgo payment for
client has less of, whether it be time or money. Sometimes, his services when a client petitions him with a challenging
if he takes a fancy to a person or dilemma, he will provide riddle. He has also waived fees when particularly impressed
his services for free or for a small gift. with an individual’s ability to solve a puzzle.
Wheelock always interprets people’s requests literally.
This sometimes ends up killing them. Toth: Toth is Wheelock’s personal assistant. He
is deeply devoted to the poisoner and has taken care
Personalities of him as the years of direct exposure to poison have
Wheelock: Wheelock has, over the years, consumed reduced Wheelock’s ability to take care of himself. Toth
so much poison that he is now completely immune to is kindhearted and non judgemental by nature. He has a
its effect. He can identify any poison by taste. He can gentle demeanor. He is scrupulously honest in business
likely recreate any poison in his laboratory and and also and extremely protective of Wheelock. He enjoys company,
an antidote. In circumstances where he does not have the but he is not a very talkative young man.
materials for such a task, he will be able to identify the Toth grew up in the village of Haddrass, at the nearby
components that he requires. If the materials he requests oasis. His father was an herbalist and farmer who grew
are brought to him, he will be able to produce the a variety of odd plants for Wheelock. The boy met
desired poison or antidote. This can sometimes involve the poisoner one day while running an errand for his
extraordinary journeys to find the unusual items that he father. He had dropped off small bundles outside the
requires. poisoner’s lair many times and had never caught sight of
Due to the deterioration of his nervous system, Wheelock its inhabitant.
This day, he saw a frail figure collapsed on the ground,
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bleeding. The young boy drew upon the power of the travelers who passed through the inn where she worked.
earth to mend the man’s wound and carried him inside Several years passed before Toth’s father died and he
to recover. Wheelock had actually inflicted the wound returned home to take care of the arrangements. He
himself in an effort to measure the extent of his worsening stopped to visit Wheelock and found the poisoner’s
neurological damage. The boy found the poisoner’s quarters condition had worsened. The young cleric resolved to stay
in disarray. He straightened up the rooms as he nursed with his old friend and sent word to his wife in North
the strange man back to health. While he went through Ledopolus. Toth now sends money to the dwarven village
the poisoner’s effects, he uncovered some information that where Janelle still lives, enjoying the company of travelers.
shed light on his patient’s bizarre condition. Whatever he
discovered there, together with his conversations with the 1. Entrance: This entryway is a 10-foot-square room
half-lucid man, led him to feel that Wheelock needed surrounded by 5-foot-thick stone walls. Outside the
him. entrance is a small pond tainted with slow acting poison.
After the poisoner recovered, Toth continued to The absence of algae and the bones of animals on the
visit him whenever he had the chance. He spent long floor of the pool usually deter travelers from drinking from
afternoons puzzling over one of the bard’s riddles or it. The entryway is usually blocked with an enormous
listening to fascinating stories about the peculiar weapons stone slab. Wheelock sometimes has the door warded
that hung on the wall. with a riddle.
Toth eventually moved to North Ledopolus to continue
his clerical studies. It was there that he met and married 2. Stairway: This stairway descends 40 feet below the
his wife Janelle, a barmaid. The marriage was difficult for surface of the salt flats. The walls are marked by small
Toth, as his wife had a tendency to take an interest in nooks every 5 feet on either side of the stairs. Resting in
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each is a humanoid skull that has had the cap carved off chimney rises from the ceiling to the surface, where it
to make a bowl. The skulls are filled with lamp oil that looks like a gigantic ant hill.
burns to illuminate the stairway. Visitors are not permitted in this room. There is a
good chance that someone sneaking in this room will
3. The Wyvern’s Gate: The stairway leads to a accidentally touch something coated with contact poison.
rough hewn hallway that opens into this chamber. In the There is a well in this room which Toth created by
flickering firelight, visitors can discern an insubstantial locating an underground spring. The spring feeds the
haze. It appears to take the form of a large lizard with a small pool by the entrance to the compound. It carries the
long neck, bat wings, and a scorpion’s tail. This gate has waste from Wheelock’s work up to the surface.
been warded by Toth with a wyvern watch spell.
8. Kitchen: This room is where Toth prepares meals.
4. The Receiving Room: An ornate wooden cask with There is a small vent leading into the chimney from
a spout and a jewel-encrusted goblet are in this room. the laboratory. There is a well in this room that draws
Written on the wall in the common trade language is a clean water from the same spring that feeds the well in
message: “Please drink from the barrel. It contains a slow- Wheelock’s laboratory. There is also a large wooden cask
acting poison. The antidote will be provided upon the that Toth uses for bathing.
completion of business.” Unfortunately, because reading
and writing are illegal in the city-states, usually only 9. Storeroom: This room contains various dry goods
templars, merchants, and bards get past this doorway. and miscellaneous supplies.
Toth will not open it unless a visitor drinks.
10. Wheelock’s Chamber: The poisoner sleeps on a
5. Sitting Room: This is a large room with decorative large bed with a delicately-wrought canopy draped from
tapestries hung in the doorways and spread across the the ceiling.
floor. A bench lines the walls, and many large pillows are
strewn about in a manner of a wealthy nomad merchant’s 11. Library: The walls of this room are lined with small
tent. There are several game boards with stones in the cubby holes carved in the stone. Paper and leather scrolls
room as well as a dizzying array of ornamental weapons on are tucked in each compartment. A large table in the
the walls. There are also a variety of stringed instruments center of the room is covered with clay tablets that have
fashioned out of gourds. various inscriptions on them.
6. Wheelock’s Chair: This is a hall thick with smoke 12. Toth’s Chamber: Toth’s room has a simple bed
from incense. At the end of the corridor, two thick black and an oil lamp.
curtains are drawn to the side, exposing a heavy wooden
chair that sits on a dais. Wheelock receives his visitors 13. Temple of the Earth: This small chamber is simply
in this chair. Toth must often bind the poisoner upright an alcove of exposed earth that Toth uses for votive
in the seat, to spare his master from losing his balance ceremonies.
in a seizure.
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Tongue
ex-mercenary whose bluff good cheer is wearing thin
after years of setbacks and obstacles. The hill giants that
inhabit Ledo, a key stepping-stone for any bridge across
the estuary, have already torn down two previous bridging
Ledopolus attempts. The giants believe that the bridge is a scheme
The twin towns of North Ledopolus (population 1,000) to gain access to their island's valuable flint deposits.
and South Ledopolus (population 2,000) sit on the shores Attempts to bribe them into allowing the construction
opposite the island of Ledo. Many dwarves live in these have proved fruitless. Competing merchant houses make
towns, and they are engaged in a great project – the the situation even more difficult. The Wavir and Inika
construction of bridges to span the northern fork of the trade posts in Ledopolus favor the bridge, but the head
estuary and replace the silt skimmer ferry. The dwarf of the Tomblador outpost secretly fans the giants' fears.
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Road of Kings
City-state of Draj
The City of the Moons. A marshy realm rules by a
frenetic, whimsical warlord named Tectucktitlay, whose
greatest pleasure is taken in performing sacrifices atop
his mighty temple while the whole of the city pays him
homage. This backwater city celebrates the ferocity of the
jaguar and the prowess of the hawk, but spends most of its
time squabbling with raiding tribes and beasthead giants.
More details can be found in the city-states book.
City-state of Raam
A hub of chaos and decadence, Raam is an enormous
center, warred over by nobles' private bodyguards, corrupt
templars, and squads of professional graverobbers. The
Grand Vizier, Abalach-Re, turns a blind eye to her
tumultuous capital, spending her days throwing lavish
parties or overseeing hedonistic rites to her imaginary
patron deity, the primal serpent Badna. More details can
be found in the city-states book. Ket
Seventy miles northeast of Bitter Well sits the large
City-state of Urik village of Ket, known to dune traders as the last outpost
The Golden City. The City of Lion. The Holy City of civilization in this corner of the Tyr Region. The half-
of Urik is the most disciplined, most orderly, and most legendary cities of Kurn and Eldaarich are many days'
militant of the city-states, thanks to the ever-present travel to the north, and trade with those distant realms
oversight of Hamanu, the Lion of Urik, King of the is infrequent. Ket lies in a large mudflat covered in tall
World, Lord of the Mountains and Plains. An ancient grasses, trees, and brush. A silt basin surrounds the flat,
ruler who has never been defeated in battle, Hamanu and a mile-long wooden causeway spans the dust, linking
accepts only the best from his city, and his iron grasp Ket to the Road of Kings. Ket is a client village of Draj,
keeps the discipline and devotion of his citizens from and Draji warriors stationed here protect the settlement
wavering. More details can be found in the city-states from attacks by giants.
book.
Makia
City-state of Yaramuke Standing on the southern shore of the Lake of Golden
Long ago, Yaramuke was the fourth city-state along the Dreams, the village of Makia is a trade center and supply
Road of Kings. Defeated by King Hamanu, the ruins of depot surrounded by pens for the quarry slaves. House
the city remain, tempting treasure seekers. More details Stel of Urik invests heavily in the village, and most
can be found in the city-states book. employees, guards, and citizens in Makia have ties to
this merchant house. King Hamanu keeps a large force of
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Krikik's Pack
This tribe, or “pack” as they call themselves, operates
out of a hidden oasis that has a small copse around it.
While the pack is made up of as varied an assortment
of races as any slave tribe, it has patterned itself after a
thri-kreen hunting pack.
The pack is led by a thri-kreen druid named Krikik.
The druid sees the members of his pack as not only
hunters but as fellow protectors of the hidden oasis he
guards. Everything that passes near the oasis is prey for the
pack, providing food and other supplies for the members.
The pack lives within the trees of its hidden oasis.
There are less than 50 ex-slaves in the pack, which often
leaves the tree village to roam the surrounding countryside
in search of travelers to prey upon.
Krikik's Pack views life as a precarious balance that
must be maintained. As such, the pack sees itself as
an instrument of balance. When the pack has a need,
it seeks a passing caravan that has too much of a given
item. By taking what it needs from those who have too
much, the pack maintains a balance and so helps the
world. Granted, I doubt that many of the pack members
see it this way, but it is how their leader understands it.
And without Krikik, the pack would soon dissolve into a
purposeless collection of individuals.
Krikik's Pack can be considered a raiding tribe, though
they never take more than they need from those they
plunder. They have no qualms about killing, and some
of the pack's members relish bloodshed, but usually they
do not go out of their way to engage in slaughter. Instead,
the pack kills when it must, hunts when it has needs to
satisfy, and plunders from those who are weaker.
Organization
Krikik's Pack is led by a thri-kreen druid. He sees this
collection of ex-slaves as his hunting pack, and so treats
each member as though he or she were a fellow thri-kreen.
Krikik does not abide idleness, though he understands
that his pack cannot go without sleep like a normal thri-
kreen pack. When rest is over, however, the druid expects
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his followers to hunt or care for the oasis. At times, the pack even attacks villages or the fields
The pack is organized along a strict order of dominance, around a city-state if Krikik believes they can do so with
as in any thri-kreen pack. Krikik assumes his place as leader, a minimum of casualties.
though he has never been challenged for dominance. The The pack takes only those items it needs or will use in
rest know exactly where they stand in the pack, and any the near future. It does not plunder to raise wealth, but to
disagreements are handled via the time-tested method survive. Food, water, weapons, and clothing are the most
of battling until one of the combatants surrenders or is common targets in a hunt. Krikik also demands that
killed. Because of the pack instinct, Krikik is extremely the pack aid him in protecting the hidden oasis. This
loyal to his fellow tribe members. He expects the same involves driving off destructive creatures or even attacking
loyalty from them. travelers who desecrate the oasis in any way. Travelers
Jaleen, a human psionicist, serves as second in command who seek to use the oasis for normal purposes are not
of the pack, and usually leads the hunts that take the bothered unless their number includes a defiler or if they
pack away from the oasis. She ruthlessly uses her psionic pose some threat to the pack. Of course, once they leave
abilities to put down any opponent, and her skills with the oasis there is nothing to stop the pack from preying
physical weapons have surprised many who thought she on them.
was an easy target once her psionic powers were spent.
She appreciates the hunting pack attitude that Krikik has Origin
instilled in the tribe. Sometimes she even imagines herself The thri-kreen druid had started his time of wandering,
as one of the powerful mantis warriors, prowling the desert traveling the Tyr region to gain an understanding of the
in search of prey. world and his faith. While traveling near Draj, Krikik was
The third rank in the pack is currently held by a captured and placed into slavery. He decided to abide
dwarf named Krom. Krom relies totally on strength and as a slave for a time, for he considered the bondage as
weapon skill to keep his position of dominance. While he another part of his time of wandering and learning.
sometimes feels he could take Jaleen and thus move up While working in the fields outside the city-state, Krikik
in rank, he likes the psionicist too much to want to upset got to know his fellow slaves, including the psionicist
the current order. As long as Jaleen treats him with the Jaleen. Jaleen had pursuaded some of the other slaves
respect he believes is his due, he will be content to stay to join her in an escape attempt. Sure that this somehow
third in dominance order. related to his period of learning, Krikik decided to help
While this dominance order reminds some of the ex- the slaves escape. Using his own strength and druidic
slaves of the ranks used by templars, the pack does not powers to complement Jaleen's psionics and the others'
treat its members like slaves. In fact, everyone who wants sheer determination, Krikik provided the extra ingredient
to can battle for dominance if he so desires. No one is to overpower the guards.
assigned a position just because of the station he was Once the small group of runaway slaves reached the
born into or the amount of money in his belt pouch. open desert, some of them began complaining that they
had no plan, no supplies, and no chance to survive.
Operations and Means of Existence Listening to these beings, Krikik finally came to a decision.
The hunt is the pack's primary means of existence He challenged Jaleen for leadership, telling the slaves that
(though others call what they do raiding). The pack ranges he knew a place they would be safe. The psionicist did
far from its hidden oasis to search for small caravans not resist Krikik's bid for dominance, for she had seen his
or other vulnerable groups of travelers. When the pack powers and had no plan of her own. So the druid led the
attacks, it can be vicious. Well protected prey is hit hard slaves to his guarded land. Krikik decided that these
and killed quickly in order to even the odds. Weaker prey people were to be the pack he did not have. They were
may be spared if they surrender. The pack will destroy the reason he had originally started wandering, for the
an entire caravan, however, in order to protect the oasis. oasis he guarded was too precious to trust to a single
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guardian. It needed a full pack to protect it from defilers the pack will even raid the fields outside the city-states.
and desecrators. These slaves would be Krikik's pack, and The ex-slaves tend to stay away from large settlements, for
they would serve as additional guardians for his hidden there are not enough of them to adequately attack secure
oasis. defenses.
He explained to the ex-slaves what a pack was and how
it was set up. Anyone who did not want to remain with Joining the Tribe
the pack was free to leave, but they had to leave as they Few slaves wander out of the desert asking to become
arrived – without supplies of any kind. part of the pack. However, when the pack attacks caravans
None of the ex-slaves took his offer to go. They or fields where slaves are kept, they often set the slaves
all decided they wanted to be part of Krikik's Pack. free. If any of these slaves seek to join the pack, they are
invited to come along.
Location and Defenses Several considerations are made when determining if a
Krikik's Pack operates from a hidden oasis that is the slave is worthy of the pack. First, the slave must serve the
druid's guarded land. The oasis lies at the bottom of balance of the pack, neither upsetting the relationships
a deep valley in the mountains north of Raam. The of the members nor requiring too much help to survive.
valley, especially the area right around the oasis, is a lush The pack survives by working together, and anyone who
domain of fertile land. A small copse of trees surrounds seeks to unbalance that is cast out into the desert to fend
the oasis, and the pack has built a village within the for himself. Second, the slave must agree to protect the
branches of these trees. oasis, for that is the pack's sacred mission (at least as far
The location of the hidden valley is the oasis's primary as Krikik is concerned). The oasis offers the pack shelter
defense. The small range of mountains is surrounded by and water, and the pack must offer it protection in return.
desert on all sides, and the valley is tucked away between If a slave agrees to these two rules of life in the pack, he
two closely-spaced peaks. The druid guards the oasis with is allowed to join and even fight to establish his place in
all of his ability, for he considers this patch of land to be the dominance order. If a slave is found unacceptable, he
his sacred trust. With the help of the pack, he can deal is either sent into the desert or killed outright, depending
with most bands of travelers who would desecrate the area. on how much he can tell others about the pack.
The pack itself remains hidden within the branches and
leaves of the trees. They have built a village high above Personalities
the ground by constructing platforms between the trunks Krikik: Krikik became a slave while on his time of
of the largest trees. Protected and hidden by the mighty wandering. He took his imprisonment in stride, seeing
branches and lush foliage, the village is further disguised it as just another learning experience. While working in
by covering the tents with vines and leaves. Ladders can the fields outside Draj, the druid learned of an escape
be raised, thus eliminating all outward signs that the trees attempt planned by his fellow slaves. As this attempt also
are inhabited by a slave tribe. seemed to relate to his period of learning, Krikik decided
to help the slaves. Together with the psionicist named
Relations with Others Jaleen, Krikik aided the slaves escape into the desert.
The pack sees everyone as prey. Only those who It wasn't long before the druid decided that these ex-
approach the hidden oasis to drink are left alone, but slaves were meant to help him with his life's work of
this free passage usually lasts only as long as the travelers protecting his guarded land. He offered the slaves a
remain within the oasis. Once outside, they again become chance to become part of his pack. As pack members,
prey for the pack. they would share in the thrill of the hunt and would have
Krikik's Pack does not engage in trade. It exists to hunt an oasis for shelter as long as they pledged to protect it.
and raid. The pack's favorite targets are small groups of The slaves agreed and Krikik's Pack was formed.
travelers moving between Urik, Raam, and Draj. At times Now Krikik spends most of his time in the
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While Krom is a fierce fighter, he has become an 4. Supply Tent: Whatever the pack acquires during a
accomplished tracker as well. He adores the human hunt or raid is stored in this tent. Food, water, and extra
Jaleen, and is content to remain third in dominance weapons are placed here.
order as long as she returns his gestures of friendship.
5. Krom's Tent: This tent serves as the living and
1. The Meeting Tent: This large tent serves as the sleeping area for the pack's third in command.
gathering place for the pack. Here hunting forays are
planned, stories are told, and decisions concerning the 6. Krikik's Tent: When the druid is not communing
pack are discussed. Krikik allows discussion on all topics with the oasis or off wandering, he uses this tent. As he
save the oasis. When a decision must be made about his does not need to sleep, the tent serves as a place for the
guarded land, the druid makes it alone. He does listen druid to think, to work on his weapons, or to meet with
to the opinions of his dominant pack members, however. members of his pack.
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be seen soaring in a cliff glider among the rocky peaks 3. Alicious' Cave: Alicious lives in this spacious cave,
of the valley with the Ahpotexans, the tribe that gave her but actually spends most of her time out on the ledge.
shrine its name. She loves the feel of the racing, valley wind blowing
through her long, silver hair. There is a hammock, a
1. The Village: Some of the people live in the natural number of soft pillows made by the adoring Ahpotexans,
caves that spot the cliff face. Others have carried wood and an ingot of pure silver worth about 950cp. Inside a
and other building materials from the plains below to pocket hidden in one of the pillows is a wind fan.
make sturdy apartments. One large building is situated
in a natural chasm, and this is used for skinning and 4. The Shrine: The shrine itself is a rocky promontory
preparing carcasses for the cliff gliders. When not in use, behind Alicious's cave. The villagers often have marriages
the gliders are stored in a cave located about 100 yards and rites of passage performed here; and funerals – their
from the village. There is always at least one guard. custom is to throw the deceased to the winds as a funeral
Only about 25 of the men and women of the village offering.
are old or fit enough to fight. They wear leather armor in
battle and wield spears and short bows. Alicious Strax: Ahpotex is the name of both the shrine
and the village, and there are about 40 humans who
2. The Path: The path leads to a primary trail through live here. Without exception, these villagers revere and
the mountains. It is well concealed from the average honor Alicious. They often hunt together with their cliff
traveler by a rocky landslide about 75 yards from the gliders, and Alicious may invite friendly and adventurous
village. The Ahpotexans created this barrier so that casual characters to come along for the ride. Without her, the
travelers would miss their hidden home. gliders often descend and force the riders to scale their
way back up the cliffs, but Alicious's mastery of the
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winds, and the thermals that rise up off the tablelands, the beast away since it tends to keep away visitors, and
allow them to soar in and out of the valley for hours. the vast majority of them are only troublemakers in the
Should a cliff glider separate from her, however, the rider old dwarf's opinion.
will find himself descending rapidly from the sky.
2. The Grotto: There are usually a number of giant eels
in this small chamber. Strallowshax doesn't control them,
Grace but they are familiar with him and usually ignore him.
Beneath the Lake of Golden Dreams is one of the most With their hostile nature, they serve as both guardians
inaccessible shrines. Beneath the hot, clear waters of the and alarms, should anyone enter the caverns.
lake is the entrance to Strallowshax's submerged cave. A
dwarven cleric whose eyes and ears aren't as good as they 3. The Shrine: This is the actual shrine of the spirits
once were, he should not be underestimated because of of water. No water creature will enter this chamber, so
his age. priests fighting with a cistern fiend or the giant eels are
The yellow waters of the Lake of Golden Dreams safe if they can dart into the shrine.
are extremely hot. Anyone who spends more than a
moment in the water start suffering damage unless they 4. Strallowshax' Cave: A vertical tunnel off the shrine
have some sort of protection from the intense heat. leads to the guardian's cave. This part of the cavern is
above the water level, but it is constantly humid due to
1. Submerged Entrance: This is the only entrance into the steaming water. Strallowshax has only a few meager
the shrine, and visitors often find a cistern fiend lurking possessions in these sparse quarters, but one of them is a
near the entrance. Strallowshax hasn't bothered chasing small vial of universal solvent.
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Hinterlands
the flying creatures reside. There, they search the canyons
for pterrax eggs. Each warrior is responsible for securing
one egg, and for raising and training the baby pterrax that
eventually emerges.
Dej The civilized pterrans follow the same three Life Paths
A few miles from the Chak'sa is Dej, the great grave as their primitive cousins to the east. The Warrior's,
circle, another remnant of the ancient kreen/human Druid's, and Psionicist's Paths make up the foundation of
nation. Modern Dej is the only permanent thri-kreen pterran society. However, the civilized pterrans have lesser
settlement close to the Tyr Region. The population at paths as well. Farmers, herders, crafters, and traders are
Dej rotates, but there are always thri-kreen there, learning all honorable, if lesser, roles for pterrans to embrace. Still,
psionics, caring for the bodies of the dead, and so forth. the primary paths produce the society's leaders and hold
Occasionally, zik-trin'ta live at Dej and teach thri-kreen; more prestige than the lesser paths.
within the last decade, a "tohr-kreen" named Chaxchik Each pterran village is led by a Triumvirate, comprised
spent a significant amount of time at Dej and built an of the eldest tribal member from each of the primary
army of thri-kreen to fight a horrible psionic menace. Life Paths. In smaller communities, the entire tribe is
consulted before a decision is made, but in the larger
villages the Triumvirate is empowered to decide for the
Pterran Vale and Lost Scale entire community.
The villages of the civilized pterrans of the Hinterlands
are known as Pterran Vale and Lost Scale. In addition
to the twin villages, a few smaller settlements are scattered
around the area. There are approximately 10,000 pterrans
living in the Hinterlands communities.
Pterran Vale is by far the largest settlement, with 4,000
permanent residents. The pterrans live in lodges built
over hollowed out pits. The lodges are made using bones
and hides taken from the larger creatures wandering the
Hinterlands, including mekillots and inixes. The pterrans
farm, hunt, and raise herds. They are also fine crafters,
making some of the best bone weapons and tools in the
known world.
Lost Scale consists of only 2,000 villagers. Originally,
the community was established after the pterrans had a
split along religious lines. Some continued on toward the
Tablelands and became the primitive pterrans that still
reside there today. Others settled the village of Lost Scale.
The disagreements that led to the split have long since
been settled, and today the two villages form the basis of
civilization for the pterrans of the Hinterlands.
The people of Lost Scale are recognized for their legion
of pterrax riders. The best warriors of the village must
travel far to the southeast to reach rocky badlands where
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Forest Ridge
in Urik have a more cosmopolitan view of the world, and
since this arrangement has been ongoing for the past few
years, hundreds of halflings in Ogo share this experience.
Ogo
The town of Ogo is home to a prosperous tribe of
The Rain Tree
about four thousand halflings. At its heart stands a In the thickest part of the Forest Ridge, just above the
massive, ruined step-pyramid that has stood for as long salt flats of the south, is a huge tree that may be more
as the town lorekeepers have recorded. A shrine at the ancient than the sorcerer-kings themselves. It is always
base of the structure houses the Spirit Oracle, a female dripping, as if it from a recent rain. A halfling cleric
halfling druid of unknown abilities who spends much of named Purhas protects this tree from potential danger,
her time in deep communion with primal powers. Such and hangs defilers from its dripping limbs.
is her reputation that even individuals from beyond the The tree and the grounds surrounding it to a
Forest Ridge seek out her far-seeing advice. distance of 10 feet is the actual rain shrine. Any rain
The remainder of Ogo is composed of a scattering cleric who stands in this space or on the branches of the
of stone and wooden buildings amid open-air plazas. The tree is considered to be in conjunction.
halflings here sometimes deal with outsiders and are less Purhas protects the forest and all that live within
likely than other clans to grab visitors and tie them up its confines. He is known to be kind, unless provoked,
for dinner. Every year, King Urga Zoltapl sends a levy of then he displays the vengeance of his dying paraelement
two hundred halfling warriors to King Hamanu in Urik in masters. Once enemies have been killed in combat,
exchange for a shipment of obsidian weapons and tools. Purhas hangs them from the soaking branches of the tree
The warriors who choose to return to Ogo after their stint that marks his shrine.
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Sea of Silt
three islands surrounded by mud flats, which range in
depth from thick-crusted, waist-deep puddles to central
areas so wet that crust never forms and the depths reach
as much as 30 feet.
City-state of Giustenal Parts of the mud flat have a crust solid enough to
Giustenal's lord, the Dread King Dregoth, was second support villages and crop fields. Humans, dwarves, and
only to the Dragon in power. Thus it was that the other giants live in the region, and the druid known only as the
sorcerer-kings joined forces to bring him low, to prevent Old One guards the lake from defilers and others seeking
the devastation that two Dragons would cause in their to spoil the land.
war for supremecy. When Dregoth fell, so too did his The people who live among the mud fiats and islands
city. Now Giustenal is a haunted ruin, inhabited only of the archipelago tend to cooperate over the distribution
by the subterranean dray – dragonfolk dedicated utterly of the area's resources. Trade between the villages is a
to their missing king. More details can be found in the way of life here. They even team up to defend themselves
city-states book. against slavers and raiders from the Tyr Region. While
intruders are frowned upon, traders are usually welcomed
by the villages. Balic's small trading houses, for example,
The Silt Archipelago trade mekillot hide
Shallow silt and mud flats make up the region known and bone, kank honey, and finished goods for food,
as the Silt Archipelago. Existing here is the last remnant wood, hemp, and giant hair.
of the fabled sea of water that once filled the basin. The Humans in the region maintain farming communities,
area is marked by the Vanishing Lake at the north and trade villages, and hunting tribes. Nomadic traders wander
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the mud flats in silt skimmers, while the hunters make use element that sustains them. In addition, if they range far
of domesticated pterraxes that they use as flying mounts. from their island home, the ukoven slowly die. For every
Dwarves of the archipelago are primarily traders who day they stay away, they must spend six days rejuvenating
have refined silt-skimmer construction techniques into an themselves in the elemental springs of Euripis. If any
art form. They maintain a few villages, but mostly travel ukoven fails to return to the springs after more than
in small family groups aboard their skimmers. When the ten days, he risks death and the permanent loss of his
Vanishing Lake is at the height of its cycle and travel is abilities.
most difficult, four to six family groups join up to perform The inhabitants of Euripis are philosophers and artisans.
repairs on their vehicles and raise crops for a time. They welcome friendly visitors who truly want to admire
Large numbers of gith raiders inhabit the shores of this the half-elementals' work or learn whatever knowledge they
area, but they rarely cross the silt to pursue their raids. feel like teaching at the time. They aren't a violent people,
More dangerous are the hordes of silt runners who plague but they will use their powers to defend themselves against
the region. Though no village has been attacked by the attacks. Currently, the half-elementals are establishing
gith in living memory, these loathsome vermin may set peaceful relations with their neighbors to the north.
upon lone silt skimmers and small bands of travelers.
All the people of the Silt Archipelago hold clerics and
druids in high esteem. Each village is led by a cleric-
Tarelon
chieftain who is usually on good terms with the nearby Despite its appearance and reputation as a haunted
druids. Mages of any kind are taken as defilers and driven city, Tarelon is inhabited. The ruins conceal a small
away as quickly as possible. slave tribe, the Silt Raiders. The Sea of Silt is their chief
protection – and their greatest foe. Though no slavers or
soldiers of the sorcerer-kings will ever find the tribe in the
Darna, Muln, and Vaas midst of the Silt Sea, the barrenness of their home strains
Giants live on the three islands of Darna, Muln, and their resources and cunning to the utmost. They can only
Vaas. These are among the friendliest and most peaceful manage to grow a few meagre acres of scant crops, and
giants on Athas. Most raise livestock on the islands, but they must rely on trade and raiding to furnish their basic
some sell their services as silt waders and cargo haulers. supplies.
Their frequent dealings with humans and dwarves have The Silt Raiders, about 100 slaves of all races, are
formed a special bond of friendship that often surprises led by an Earth cleric, known as Kelestes, who dreams
visiting traders. of seeing the ancient temple restored to its former glory.
The southern portion of the island of Muln used to Visitors to Tarelon find that the slaves are eager for
be cut off by a wide trench of silt. The changes in the supplies and trade but are hardly fools; they attack foes
earth have subtly altered the island, making it much within the maze of crumbling walls and buried buildings.
larger than it once was. The giants of Muln always left The raiders know the ruins perfectly, and in many places
the southern reaches alone, but now that the connection they have built secret tunnels and passages from one
is more permanent they have begun making overtures to buried building to another. It is a very defensible position.
the people living there-the people of the village of Euripis. In return for food, the raiders produce crafts and volunteer
their services as guards and scouts. They refuse to work for
any merchant who uses slaves. Another source of income
Euripis lies in the ancient treasures they find in the ruins of
Euripis is a society of ukoven, or half-elementals. Like Tarelon itself. They hoard steel armor and weapons and
the lesser genies of other worlds, the half-elementals of trade them for months of supplies. Adventurers hoping
Euripis have abilities and powers that give them an edge to loot the ruins during their visit discover that the tribe
over the other races of Athas. These abilities, however, regards the city as a crucial resource by the raiders. In
can only be used if the ukoven maintain contact with the their eyes, plundering the ancient town would be akin to
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a deep burrow. Magical equipment stolen from caravans anyone he catches on Lake Island. He claims to hear the
and or bartered from the thieves of Draj can be found voices of his patrons screaming inside his head, telling
bubbling, burning, or otherwise cooking on his laboratory him to push the fiery rivers up and out. The screaming
table. His bed is a pool of silt covered with a heavy quilt, is worse when the inevitable failure occurs. He is always
and a number of bones are lying about the floor; Kathak looking for ways to increase the surrounding temperature
has a taste for raw meat. or to fuel the fire in the liquid rock. He believes that
Within the pool that serves as his bed, a number of throwing in combustible materials is a viable method.
treasures can be found. Most of the items cannot be used Only clerics of fire or magma have a chance of speaking
by Kathak, but he keeps them around to trade with the to him, and even they are slain if he they will not help
elven thieves he employs from Draj. Anyone searching to keep the lava heated.
can find 3,400 cp, a magical broadsword, 2 potions of His shrine is deep within the largest volcano on Lake
healing, and a ring of water walking. Island, near the source of the ever erupting lava pool.
He must use his ability to ignore the element if he stays
down there for any length of time. Fortunately for him,
Groomsh the benefits of the shrine are in effect whenever he stands
Within the bowels of the volcano bordering Lake Island anywhere on the face of the volcano.
lurks a fierce, terrible cleric named Thyraximus. This
crazed priest patrols the island looking for sacrifices for
1. Entrance Ways: The volcano is honeycombed with
his terrible lord, knowing that to let the molten rock go
carved passageways, courtesy of Thyraximus and the
hungry is to yield to the dim-witted earth spirits. He coaxes
antloids that live above him. It would be easy for someone
the magma up with powerful spells, dances insanely as it
to get lost in this searing maze of death.
splashes in the deep silt around the island, and vanishes.
Thyraximus is quite insane, and won't hesitate to attack
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2. Antloid Nest: A natural hive of antloids live here Still, the ring is his holy symbol, and he must be dead or
and move throughout the volcano. They have become helpless before it can be removed.
friendly with Thyraximus, but that courtesy wouldn't Originally, the ring had three wishes, but Thyraximus
extend to anyone else caught wandering in their tunnels. unwittingly used one of them years ago. He wished that he
The spot marked with an "X" is the chamber of the could withstand the incredible heat of the shrine below,
queen. There is an assortment of treasure here, taken from and the ring instantly granted him this power.
those who strayed too close to the antloid's nest. The fire cleric doesn't have a bed, but there are a few
small bones and scraps of meat here.
3. Thyraximus's Cave: Thyraximus has little treasure,
but he does possess one item of immense power, a ring 4. The Shrine: A narrow, natural ledge hangs out and
of 2 wishes! The cleric found this ancient artifact in his over the central pool of lava that fuels this volcano. The
youth, and the symbol of fire etched upon it convinced heat is extraordinary, and anyone unprotected will burst
him to find a mentor to teach him the power of fire. What into flames in a matter of seconds. Obsidian stones mark
he found was a cleric of magma looking for someone to a meditation circle just above the fiery ooze, and is the
take over his maddening position, and Thyraximus has only surviving, visible decoration. Magma clerics natural
been chasing lava flows ever since. abilities to withstand heat do not work this close to the
If he had any idea of the power of the signet ring he source, so they must use their ability to ignore their
wears, he might have appeased his insane lords long ago. element, or other magic, to visit the shrine.
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Level One: The lowest of the common levels features to ‘reward' her with undeath. To attain her goal, she may
large storerooms and armories. The fortress mess halls and secretly recruit the party as her agents, taking them to Ur
kitchens are here, as well as the slaves' quarters. Most Draxa as ‘prisoners' and then letting them escape-with the
common Draxans of the garrison reside here, sharing Lord Warrior taking the blame, as well as perishing at
barracks that house 20 men or women each. The slave their hands.
quarters are far more crowded, and the slaves are locked
inside when not on duty. Service in the Iron Citadel is
hard.
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Fire
was a slave gladiator who was brought to the Valley when
he was 18 years old as part of the Dragon's sacrifice.
At 22 he escaped from an expedition of viziers and
templars and fled into the Dead Forest. An intelligent
City-state of Ur Draxa and charismatic man, he managed to form a small group
The hidden city of Ur Draxa lies deep within the of outlaws and exiles into the Clan of the Roc. They have
Valley of Dust and Fire, ruled over by the Dragon. More flourished under his leadership, but the question is arising
details can be found in the city-states book. whether Aristes' son will automatically inherit leadership
or if some kind of competition or election should be held.
Fortunately, Aristes enjoys vigorous health.
Outlander Villages Outlaws, slaves, and criminals have little chance of
The ka'ardani (‘outlanders' or ‘exiles' in the tongue of winning an invitation to join the Clan of the Roc. Any
the City of Doom) are descendants of criminals exiled strangers defeated by the clan are considered too weak to
from the Dragon's kingdom. They scratch out a precarious become members and are killed for their belongings. But
existence here, outside the Ring of Fire; they believe if a character fights bravely and honorably and tells the
nothing lies beyond the Sea of Silt. clan of his background, Aristes might set up a duel for
The outlanders are far more savage than even feral the person's life.
slave tribes. Thousands of years of isolation have taught Aristes: A good-hearted man, Aristes leads the Clan
them superstitions unknown in the Tyr region. They of the Roc. An escaped slave gladiator of Ur Draxa,
regard preservers, defilers, and clerics as shamans or witch he gathered his tribe over the course of 30 years. The
doctors – powerful and fearsome creatures to be respected hostility of the Valley and the impossibility of escape have
and obeyed. forced him to extreme measures; it is Aristes' law that no
Outlanders speak a crude dialect of Low Draxan (the outsider may learn of the lair and live. However, he bends
slave tongue of the City of Doom), with a few words and his own rules for strong and non-evil visitors who help
structures of the outer world's Common thrown in. Their the clan. He may provide especially helpful visitors with
speech is only about 5% intelligible to outsiders, about information about the Gate of Doom and the Dragon
60% intelligible to speakers of Low Draxan. Warriors.
Humans, dwarves, elves, half-elves, and muls are all Aristes is short, muscular, and lean, with a scarred body
present among most tribes. Half-giants, halflings, and thri- and gray hair. He is a fierce enemy, a strong friend, and
kreen are only distant rumors. Outlanders may be fighters, a good chieftain for the clan.
rangers, clerics, psionicists, or preservers. The resources of
the Valley are so depleted that defilers are not tolerated.
A. Sentries: At all times four sentries watch from good
vantage points in the surrounding wasteland.
Clan of the Roc
The Clan of the Roc, a strong band of raiders and B. Guards: Four sentries guard the cavern entrance.
hunters, fortunately possesses a small cavern system for its
home. Spring-fed underground lakes supply a wealth of C. Common cavern: The largest chamber of the lair
water. The clan site, marked on the large map, is a rocky features a deep, cold lake and natural light from small
tor in the foothills of the mountains. Clansmen guard entrances around the room. By day, the rest of the tribe
their lair well, posting sentries for miles around. prepares food, makes weapons, or teaches children. By
The Clan of the Roc consists of 30 human, night, this area is usually empty-most of the Roc clansmen
4 dwarven, and 7 elven adults and 8 children of the sleep in private chambers.
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Beyond the
Tyr Region
Beyond
The Jagged the Tyr Region
Cliffs
The cliff-dwelling halflings are excellent climbers, but
their society has given birth to a specialized group of
Climbers who travel the Cliffs like others walk across
The known portions of Athas fall into two categories: a paved road. These Climbers are greatly respected
all the land that exists atop a high plateau alongside the and extremely necessary to the cliff dwellers' way of life.
Sea of Silt, and lowlands that stretch to the northwest. They maintain the climbing paths between the vertical
Separating these two areas are the massive Jagged Cliffs. villages, act as guides and scouts who range far from
From the top of the Jagged Cliffs, sheer rock walls a village's familiar territory, and provide a fast means
drop two miles to the lowlands. These vertical monoliths for getting messages or other important things from one
descend in straight lines. No gradual slopes slide to the place to another. It should be noted that the markings
bottom, no layered steppes ease the descent. Instead, each used to identify climbing paths and point the way are
portion of the rock wall is as steep as the walls of any unrecognizable and incomprehensible to anyone not
city-state, though definitely on a more massive scale. The raised in the cliff dwellers' society-including halflings from
name of the Cliffs comes from the irregular, jagged nature other parts of Athas.
of the horizontal plane, which from above appears as a Flying as discussed here refers to those with natural
rip across the earth. powers of flight (like aarakocra), those with flying mounts
Powerful currents of air rush over the top of the Cliffs (like pterran pterrax-riders), or those with access to the
to spill across the highlands. These air currents race airships of the fabled Windriders of the Jagged Cliffs.
at high altitudes and affect the weather patterns farther Strong winds aren't a problem along the cliff face, for the
inland, but the climate around the Cliffs themselves is hot currents that rise from the base direct the stream of
relatively stable, always hot and humid. air blowing from the west up and away from the Cliffs.
In fact, these rising currents provide cushions of air on
which flying creatures can rest, making flight easier in
Methods of Travel many respects. However, there are dangers that fliers have
There are only a few ways to descend the Jagged Cliffs to watch out for as well.
in the northern region. These include climbing, flying, The clouds of hot steam discussed earlier are one of
or via supernatural means. No matter what method is the greatest hazards. If a flier accidentally enters a steam
chosen, the result is the same: The trip is dangerous, long, cloud or has one catch him by surprise, he can be
and frequently fatal. scalded to death before he's able to find his way out of
Climbing is the one method of travel available to the it. Warm, benign mist can hide deadly steam clouds from
majority of people. Is it the easiest way to get from the view until the very last moment, making it impossible to
top of the Cliffs to the bottom? No, for those who have avoid contact. Additionally, those not familiar with the
access to spells or psionics, for example, can make the nature of a steam cloud might fail to recognize the danger
trip with greater ease. Those who have no other means at before it's too late.
their disposal and have a dire need to descend the Cliffs Fliers must also contend with poor visibility. The mist
must resort to climbing. This method requires appropriate clouds everything in vapor, making it difficult to see
equipment, such as ropes, spikes, and hammers. Though for any distance. In some places the mist is thinner,
the rock walls look totally sheer from a distance, there are with frequent breaks and areas of open air. More often,
ledges, handholds, stray scrubs, cracks, and cave openings however, the mist is dense and dark, shrouding the region
scattered about the face of the Cliffs. These are separated in dreary gray. In these conditions, visibility drops to
by vast expanses of sheer, flat rock. Climbers need to only a few feet, and hidden dangers can appear without
bring food and water with them. Except for the vertical warning. Poor visibility also makes it easier to get lost,
forests and the occasional waterfall spilling from a break resulting in travelers running out of supplies or getting so
in the wall, the rock face is as desolate as any salt flat or turned around that they crash into the cliff face hidden
sandy waste. behind an otherwise non-threatening cloud.
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Predators of all descriptions live along the Cliffs, and Features of the Jagged Cliffs
fliers make excellent meals. Some of these predators use The Jagged Cliffs have a variety of terrain types. Some
psionics or highly specialized senses to hunt within the are similar to those described elsewhere, others are unique
clouds, so fliers should remember this adage-just because to the area, but all have special twists that reflect the
you can't detect a predator doesn't mean that the predator nature of the Cliffs themselves. Travelers will encounter
can't detect you. In general, another rule applies along vertical forests, caves, scrub patches, oases, waterfalls,
the Jagged Cliffs: the farther a traveler descends, the more barren rock, and swamp. Beyond all of these terrains, the
prevalent the dangers become. The mist grows thicker, most significant feature of the area is the abundance of
the temperature rises, and terrible beasts unlike anything water. It forms clouds of mist that shroud the Cliffs. It
known in the highlands appear in greater and greater spills from underground sources and runs down the rock
numbers. This has to do with what lies at the bottom of face with amazing exuberance. It coats trees and stones
the Cliffs, as described below. with sparkling droplets that grow as large as vel fruit as
Finally, the usual problem of finding fresh food is just as they slide toward the ground. Water trapped beneath the
prevalent along the Cliffs as it is in other parts of Athas. arid highlands finds freedom at the Jagged Cliffs.
While there are a fair number of forests, there are even
more stretches of barren rock. Water, conversely, isn't a Misty Border
problem-at least not the lack of it. Any cloth can be laid
A wall of fog that those who live near the Cliffs call
out to absorb moisture from the mist, and waterfalls and
the Misty Border rises from the base of the rock wall
pools of standing water are spaced out with abundant
to just above its pinnacle, where it dissipates into the
regularity. However, those used to the drier climate of the
sky as long, thinning tendrils of vapor. Produced by a
highlands soon grow tired of wringing out clothing and
combination of water, magma pools, and ancient magic,
wiping beads of condensation from their faces. The high
the Misty Border clings to the face of the Cliffs. It’s dense
humidity makes it harder for those from the arid regions
enough to hide the lowlands from those on or atop the
to breathe, and they find themselves developing chronic
Cliffs. Occasionally a patch of the mist breaks open to
respiratory ailments after extended stays in the mist.
reveal the lowlands, but such breaks seal themselves after
The best advice travelers should heed is to fly straight
a few moments.
through the mist, going west or northwest as fast as
The temperature of the mist ranges from tropical near
possible. To linger in the Misty Border is to invite one of
the top of the Cliffs to hot and steamy at the bottom.
the disasters listed above to befall you.
Clouds of scalding steam float within the Misty Border,
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Caves
Caves of all sizes and shapes run through the face of
the rock wall, Some are no more than narrow, shallow
depressions, others open into elaborate natural mazes that
twist and turn for miles toward the Silt Sea. Most caves
welling up from hidden sources to pose a hazard to those are dry, providing some relief from the hot, wet mist,
who dwell along the Cliffs. These clouds of steam normally but others contain varying amounts of standing water.
cool to tolerable levels before reaching the interior of the Depending on the orientation of the cave and the position
vertical forests that grow on the rock face, but they can of its opening, mist might fill the interior and fall as rain
be deadly to climbers on the barren walls or travelers in within the rock chamber. Others have ponds or lakes.
one of the living airships of the halfling cliff dwellers. In The water in these might be cool and safe to drink, or it
short, the higher up the rock wall, the more tolerable the could be stagnant and foul. In some instances, running
hot, humid climate is. water rumbles through a cave and spills as a waterfall
from its mouth. These represent the end of the water's trip
Vertical Forests beneath the earth, for underground rivers and streams still
Vertical forests are much the same as the terrain found exist in this otherwise arid world.
in the Forest Ridge, except that they cling to the side The caves serve as lairs for flying and climbing creatures,
of the Cliffs or rest atop and spill over jutting ledges of as havens for travelers, or as homes for those cast out of
rock. These tropical forests range in size from a few dozen the cliff-dwelling halflings' society. For this reason, those
square feet to several miles across. All kinds of creatures who decide to explore a cave should first look for signs
live within the vertical forests, including the cliff dwelling that it's already occupied. Few things are more dangerous
halflings native to the region. The forests controlled by than a creature encountered in its lair.
the halflings are more or less tame, as the halflings go to A few caves appear almost organic in nature, as though
great lengths to keep the area around their villages free shaped consciously by some intelligent being instead of
of dangerous predators. The forests not under the care of by natural erosion. The cliff dwellers avoid these locations,
the halflings usually house a number of vicious creatures, reluctant to disturb places they believe belong to another
depending on their size and location. age. It's hard to tell if this attitude is the result of fear
In a vertical forest, small, sturdy shrubs and vines sprout or reverence, just that it runs through all of the villages
from cracks in the cliff face, forming a dense undergrowth and seems to be deeply ingrained in halfling psyche.
in which other plants can blossom. From this foundation, Interestingly, halflings from other parts of Athas recognize
tall, twisting trees grow out and up, reaching for the sun these caves on an instinctual level, as though they belong
and creating a thick canopy to cover the forest below. to some deeply buried racial memory. Like the cliff
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Scrub Patches
Scrub patches resemble the scrub plains of the highlands,
though on a much smaller scale. Clumps of grass, thorny
bushes, and spindly trees take root in a crevice or furrow,
or on a narrow ledge, and cling there for dear life. Rarely
more than a dozen large plants, and usually only one or
two, make up an individual scrub patch. They provide
handholds for climbers and resting places for fliers, and
some of the vegetation is even good to eat.
Oases
Oases found along the Cliffs basically combine scrub
patches with sources of fresh water. They're found in
depressions or natural basins in the rock wall – anywhere every direction before another type of terrain intrudes.
that water can collect and vegetation can take root. These This stone can be sheer and smooth, jagged, cracked,
include areas alongside or beneath waterfalls, or basins or covered by narrow, ledge like protrusions. The only
in regions where rain falls on a regular basis. Powerful constant is the wet, slick coating that paints the stone
creatures often take control of individual oases, setting up with shiny droplets – a result of the high concentration of
a lair within the comfortable confines. Travelers should water vapor. This condensation makes even the roughest
consider this, as food and water might be as close as a portions of the Cliffs slippery and harder to climb.
few feet away but as distant as the other side of an angry
aviarag. Swamps
At the bottom of the Jagged Cliffs, two miles below
Waterfalls the level of the Tablelands, a fetid swamp stretches along
Waterfalls create impressive visual spectacles along the the base of the rock wall. At its narrowest, the swamp is
rock wall, but also present many dangers. Like any vital a couple of yards wide; at its widest point, it extends a
resource on Athas, the fresh water cascading down the mile and a half from the base of the Cliffs. This swamp
rock face is coveted by everything in the area. It attracts was once a great forest with a mighty river rumbling At
predators and docile creatures alike as kank honey draws the bottom of the Jagged Cliffs, two miles below the level
sting-wings. The falling water can also cause parts of of the Tablelands, a fetid swamp stretches along the base
the wall to crumble and slide, create flash floods in the of the rock wall. At its narrowest, the swamp is a couple
vertical forests, and even burst unexpectedly from the rock of yards wide; at its widest point, it extends a mile and
to catch climbers by surprise and wash them away. Some a half from the base of the Cliffs. This swamp was once
travelers have attempted to ride the falls to the bottom a great forest with a mighty river rumbling between its
of the Cliffs. Unfortunately, this usually leads to crushing trees. That changed long ago, when Rajaat came here to
death somewhere deep within the mist. develop defiling magic. Since that time, natural forces and
magical reverberations have combined to keep the swamp
Barren Rock alive and maintain the ecosystem of the Jagged Cliffs.
The base of the Cliffs acts as a natural drain, collecting
Barren rock is the most prevalent terrain type along water running off from the highlands as well as water
the Cliffs. Desolate tracts of bare stone run for miles in emptying from the western lowlands. Hot springs, open
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Beyond the Tyr Region
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Yihn-tol
The village of Yihn-tol gained the name Climber's
Home in times past when it was the center for the climbing
profession. While that role has diminished, Yihn-tol is
still a successful village of 1,800 inhabitants. It is also
situated further down the cliff side than any other halfling
settlement on the Jagged Cliffs. This presents two unusual Unique among the vher-elus, however, their attention is
challenges for the community. directed outside the settlement rather than within it.
The first problem is Rajaat's Curse. Being the village There is no life-shaper sanctuary in Yihn-tol. The shapers
closest to the swamp means that terrifying effects emanating refuse to risk either themselves or their growth chambers
from it present a greater risk to those who live here. to the tender mercies of Rajaat's Curse and swamp-born
The mysterious incidents caused by the swamp's energies monsters. All of the shaped constructs required by the
sometimes result in disaster. Fire, sickness, blight, and community must be shipped in from other villages. Life-
mysterious disappearances are all traced to Rajaat's Curse. shapers are flown in when a new building is to be created,
The curse alters people, warping the bodies and even the and leave immediately upon completion. Because of this,
minds of the inhabitants, particularly the newborn. The people of Yihn-tol have taken steps to reduce their
The second trial is yet another threat from the swamp, needs for organic tools, products, and even structures.
this time from the monsters down below that seek a
purchase a little higher on the cliffs. All manner of Places of Note
horrors breed within the swamp and some of them leave Brewefam: Housing producers of wonderful leather
to ascend the bluffs. Most are clumsy climbers, illused to goods, this place is named for its odd appearance.
the bright and open ridges, and the city's defenders easily Apparently, a flaw during its growth caused the building
ward them off. to “sweat.” The walls of Bren-efam draw moisture from
Yet far worse are the reggelids, who live at the base of the air and the earth and secrete it out of the tiny pores
the cliffs and wield strange powers. Thankfully, they rarely in its surface. The seepage is a thick, syrupy ooze that is
seek to come as high as Yihn-tol. Finally, and worst of strangely sweet to the taste and quite harmless.
all, are the rare but dangerous assaults of the thri-kreen.
When the mantis warriors seek to find a way up the cliffs, Ter-ogon's: This safehome caters to adventurers. Daring
they often choose to attack Yihn-tol first. halflings occasionally decide to brave the dangers of the
Because of these threats, Yihn-tol is the only truly swamp or the kreen-infested savanna to learn what secrets
fortified halfling community. Walls of stone and other and treasures they hold. When they do, they come to
defenses protect the village. A large, well-armed garrison Yihn-tol first, and always end up at Ter-ogon's.
of vher-elus stands vigilant and ready to repel any attack. Ter-ogon's is also a hideout for Chahn terrorists and
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other, even more disreputable, types. The comforts it offers employed, dealing with everything from small acts of
are few, but pickings in Yihn-tol are slim. A night's stay vandalism and terrorism to the violence that sometime
costs 2 ghav-egoths, and a meal costs 1 ge. erupts throughout the village.
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Places of Note
The Crook of Her Arm: This safehome is the favored
establishment of painters because of its wide, open views
of the surrounding community. Prices are inexpensive – a
night's stay costs 1 ghav-egoth, and a meal is usually less
than 1 ge.
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Reg-tol
The small village of Reg-tol, known as Lordshome,
was once a community of the wealthy – a retreat where
the rich and powerful could escape the rigors of life in
Thamasku. Before that, it was the traditional dwelling
place of the rhul-thaun high lord – a position not held
for thousands of years. Since its founding, however, it has
grown into a lively but respectable village. Eight hundred
people live in Reg-tol, making it the smallest inhabited
community of the cliffs, but it is still larger than the tiny
camps that dot the cliff face.
Personalities
Dhar-ahan: Dhar-ahan is a professional pickpocket,
cutpurse, and burglar. If that were all, she would be just
one of the many who tread on the dark side, and nothing
Places of Note more would need to be said. Dhar-ahan is different,
however, for not long ago she uncovered a thrikreen plot
Clon-sin Bridge: This stone bridge connects the two
to use psionics to infiltrate and destroy the rhul-thaun.
ledges on which Sunnil is built. It is the longest bridge
Worse, she agreed to help them in exchange for her life.
ever erected by the rhul-thaun that is still in existence,
Dhar-ahan has medium-length black hair, and dark,
stretching nearly 500 yards. The bridge is wide enough for
bloodshot eyes. She wears wildly flamboyant body paint,
20 halflings to walk abreast. Organic buildings grow along
particularly on her face.
the sides of the bridge to utilize precious space. Most of
these buildings house lower-class homes.
Bav-rem
Hast-ulon Temple: This temple of elemental water is Bav-rem is now an empty ruin of abandoned basement
maintained by two clerics, Thavadern and Lus-okuhv, a pits and discarded articles. Once this was a small but
married couple who have a great deal of political influence thriving community in the north, near the falls of the
in this small village. They are consulted by the local har- same name. (The village was named for the waterfall,
etuil on matters of importance, and even those who pay whose name means “death drop.“) Just a few months ago,
no heed to the faith of water respect these two. a group of climbers carrying messages and provisions to
Bav-rem found – nothing. All of the inhabitants and even
Personalities the village's buildings, had vanished.
Ther-adar: This windrider makes her home in Sunnil. Subsequent expeditions determined that something large
She is the daughter of the current administrator, but she and amorphous strayed hrough the village. Disturbingly,
has no desire to take her place. Her home is in the skies, according to the tracks it left, it seemed to grow larger
and no one can make her believe otherwise. Nevertheless, as it slithered through the community. Everything organic
she feels guilty about letting her mother down. – halflings, buildings, lifeshaped creations, and even the
Ther-adar is rugged and tough. Her black hair is cut wild plants growing nearby – were no more. One of the
very short, and she is rarely seen in anything but sturdy explorers noticed that there were no insects in the area.
work clothes. Only inorganic materials and objects remained.
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The Truth
The cause of the disappearance of Bav-rem has not
yet been discovered, but it has alarmed a great many
people. Many felt that other villages would be attacked in
a similar way, but as of yet, nothing has happened. Most
believe that a horror from the swamp destroyed the village.
Others fear that the kreen were again on the move and
this time made it all the way up to Bav-rem.
The actual origin of the calamity was a furtive life-
shaping experiment gone awry. Three life-shapers in
the local sanctuary had discovered an ancient formula
for producing a new life-shaped construct. Although it
contained principles they did not understand, they chose
to use the formula anyway, thinking that if they were
successful, their fame would be assured. As it was, the
fateful consequences of their actions were so pervasive and
servants. The yuan-ti that dwell in the Forbidden City
complete that they did not even achieve infamy.
raid the local tribes for food and slaves, and sometimes
The accidental formulation created a semi-sentient
they grow bold enough to waylay large war parties of
creature with the ability to absorb other organic substances
halflings or thri-kreen that venture too close.
into its body, convert the material, and add the substance
to its own mass. It began first as a tiny blob of protoplasm,
then it started to grow at an alarming rate. It consumed the The Lost Clans
life-shaped creations in the laboratory where it was born. Halfling fables tell of a number of clans to the far, far
Next it absorbed its creators and the other life-shapers north who long ago lost contact with the rest of society.
in the sanctuary, consuming their constructs as well. Different versions of these tales each cite a distinct reason
Spreading out from the shapers' sanctuary, it groped its for the isolation. Some claim that the lost halflings left to
way through the village, drawing every living thing into its find a better land in which to make their homes. Others
ever expanding bulk. Nothing escaped. The creature then contend that they were outcasts and nonconformists who
wandered to a nearby cave to rest. The giant protoplasmic disliked the way rhul-thaun society worked. Still others
creature has lost much of its mass, and eventually it must tell tales of a great disaster, an earthquake, plague, or
feed again. To make matters worse, the beast may go into invasion that drove the clans away. Even the pterrans,
mitosis and produce a duplicate of itself. during a period of rare communication, have alluded
to other halfling communities on the cliffs beyond those
The Forbidden City known to the rhul-thaun.
In any event, the surmised existence of the lost clans has
Within the jungles south of Thamasku, an ancient
never been confirmed. Sometimes climbers and windriders
city half overgrown by withered vines and stunted
claim to have seen the villages of the lost clans – or even
trees crumbles into ruin. The nomadic halflings of the
claim membership in the clans of lost names. No real
surrounding tribes whisper fearful tales of Tham Nusul –
evidence exists to prove their reality. If halfling clans do
the Forbidden City. They tell of serpentfolk that come in
lie to the north, several unanswered questions are still to
the night, silent as shadows, and steal children from their
be raised. How has their society deviated from the rhul-
cribs. They tell of plants that seek the blood of the living,
thaun during the thousands of years of separation? What
and of a devil in the cisterns below the city that ensnares
life-shaping skills might they have retained that are lost to
its victims with illusions and turns them into mindless
the rhul-thaun? What else lies to the mysterious north?
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This often brings confrontations with windriding rhul- foul swamp that stretches along the base of the Cliffs
thaun hunters. Aerial battles are common, although both waits, though as luck would have it the Rift's mouth opens
sides usually avoid them whenever possible, since they are at the swamp's narrowest location. A few strange monsters
difficult to fight and harder to survive. A wounded flying from the swamp have moved into the Rift, and gaping
mount may take itself and its rider to their deaths, either holes in the Rift's walls allow some subterranean horrors
dashing into the cliff face or plummeting all the way to to emerge. As such, the Rift isn't a safe place to travel.
the swampy bottom. Tohr-kreen loyal to the Kreen Empire are using the
Unlike the reggelids or the bvanen, some pterrans Rift as a means for reaching the highlands. So far, only
have learned to use the life-shaped creations of the exploratory teams have made it into the highlands, but
halflings. They do not have the knowledge, the skills, the kreen are definitely investigating the possibility of
or the facilities to maintain and tend the creatures in launching a full-scale invasion in preparation for expanding
most cases. Nevertheless, they enjoy stealing them and their empire.
using them until they die. This, more than anything else,
infuriates the rhul-thaun, for the pterrans have no respect
for life-shaped creations or even for life in general. Many
Si'jidzak
halflings – even some har-etuil – believe that steps should A few miles into the Rift but still near the bottom
be taken to drive off the pterrans or to eradicate them of the incline, the kreen have built a fortified wall and
altogether. Such a war would be bloody, with great losses stronghold they call the Si'jidzak. Literally translated as
of life on both sides. Those halflings who believe most “the Battle Wall,” the Si'jidzak is made of sand and the
strongly in the sanctity of life are obviously set against any exuded resins of slave insects. The wall is nearly 500 feet
attempts at genocide. tall. The sand has been piled and shaped, then coated
The pterrans are nomadic, but keep to the upper regions with a hard, smooth, crystalline material. A rounded
of the cliffs and avoid settling close to halfling villages. building constructed in the same fashion stands against
the wall. It's about 40 feet tall, serving as a silent sentry
beside a pair of massive gates.
The Great Rift The Si'jidzak serves two functions. First, it allows the
The Great Rift is an irregular crevice that's wide at the kreen to monitor what gets to enter the Rift, thereby
Jagged Cliffs and narrows to a point just south of the keeping the creatures of the swamp from migrating into
Dragon Crown Mountains. The rough walls drop straight the highlands. Second, it serves as a base for exploration
down to a gently declining floor that reaches almost the teams sent into the highlands to discover the lay of the
level of the Hinterlands, then slowly dips the two miles land. Additionally, the warriors assigned to protect the
necessary to reach the level of the Crimson Savanna as it Battle Wall are also on hand to keep highlanders from
runs toward the west. At its widest point, the Rift opens invading the Crimson Savanna. The kreen don't recognize
for 25 miles. non-kreen societies as threats (or even as civilizations), but
The gentle incline makes for an easy climb from the they do know that wild beasts can cause a degree of harm
highlands to the lowlands. At the bottom of the Rift, the if allowed to run free.
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Rocky Badlands
Rocky badlands of the Crimson Savanna resemble
the badlands already discussed in the Jagged Cliffs and
Tyr Regions. Like those found elsewhere, these badlands
usually surround mountain ranges or other rises of land,
like Kazin's Bluff in the extreme north. The greatest
differences revolve around the types of creatures inhabiting
the twisting canyons. As the badlands aren't the important
sources for food and water or the refuge for slave tribes
and hermits that they are in the highlands, they instead
become lairs for predators who hunt the grasslands.
readily eat the tall grass, but the younger blades have not Stony Barrens
yet developed the razor edge that makes them so deadly.
The tall grass hides pools of standing water, small Stony barrens and mountains also have much the same
streams, and patches of mud from casual observance. characteristics as those found in other parts of Athas. Stony
Travelers should be on guard for the mud patches, for barrens, however, are extremely rare. The only known tract
many of these are actually mud sinks. A mud sink is a of this type of terrain in the Crimson Savanna surrounds
deep puddle of mud that sucks whatever wanders into it the mountains northwest of Kano Swamp. Mountains
below the surface. Like quicksand, a mud sink pulls its aren't plentiful, but a few ranges burst up from the sea
victims beneath the mud, trapping them and killing them of grass to scrape the sky. The tallest of those near the
by suffocation. Jagged Cliffs are the peaks of the Koschak Mountains.
The river that runs through Kano Swamp starts in the
Swamps heights of these barren thrusts of rock. The name comes
from the kreen language and means “holder of knowledge
At least two swamps exist in the savanna closest to the in the sky.” The other ranges are little more than piles of
Jagged Cliffs. One has already been discussed. That's the jagged stone rising from the badlands.
one that occupies the base of the cliff face. The second
divides the known portion of the savanna. It's called Kano,
a kreen word meaning cold that also has connotations Encounters in the Crimson Savanna
relating to the kreen's cold hell. A mighty river cascades Insects of all types and sizes inhabit the savanna, and
out of a western mountain range toward the Jagged Cliffs. if travelers don't find them, they'll find the travelers. The
On its way, it pools in a depression that has become the majority of these insects have the cunning of predators or
Kano Swamp. The kreen of the area avoid this swamp, for the fear-induced survival instinct of grazers, but only the
its excessive wetness can cause a variety of illnesses in the kreen and a few slave-race insectoids have true intelligence.
insectoids, not the least of which is chitin rot. To'ksa, a subspecies of kreen who resemble the thri-
Swamps contain mud, water, plants of all descriptions, kreen of the Tyr Region, will probably be the first of
and a multitude of creatures. Kano Swamp, for example, the imperial kreen that travelers will encounter. These
houses a vast collection of reptiles not found anywhere barbaric nomads live outside the cities and villages of
else in the savanna. Travelers can escape some of the the empire, constantly hunting for food and sport. If they
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has grown too large to support itself. The time is coming disappear into the temple-laboratories of the priests of
for the family of nations to add new nations to itself. One change. Others believe that the current cycle is nearing
of the most promising directions for this expansion is east- an end, and a new Haazi will need to be selected to lead
up the Great Rift and into the highlands. the G'lathuk.
To facilitate this expansion, the zik-chil have been One particular group of malcontents gather at the
creating elite combat specialists called zik-trin'ak and sacred site called Kazin's Chak'sas (Kazin's Heads).
sending them into the Tablelands to explore and gather Located on a northern rise, this site features a series of
intelligence. As the tohr-kreen of the empire don't consider stone edifices shaped like giant kreen heads. The zik-chil
anything other than kreen to be intelligent, they have have ordered this location off limits to the general public
no problem contemplating moving into territory currently and has created an elite guard force from to'ksa gladiators
controlled by humans and humanoids. If the G'lathuk to protect it. This hasn't stopped the dissidents, who
does decide to colonize the areas east of the Jagged Cliffs, call themselves Kazin'tek (Kazin's pack). The Kazin'tek
it will mean a terrible war between insectand mammal- believe that the way of the empire has corrupted the
based life forms. kreen. It's time to return to a simpler way of life, like the
Not everyone in the empire desires a violent solution one embraced by the nomadic thri-kreen.
to the overcrowding in the savanna. Many factions within
each kreen nation seek to break ties with the empire, or Thaythilor, City of the Tohr-Kreen
at least to change the direction that things have been
heading. For example, the zik-chil have such close ties to Thaythilor is a city where zik-trin are created; it is the
the Haazi that some say they are controlling him. When city closest to the Jagged Cliffs on the northern side. The
such talk reaches the ears of the inquisition, the offenders city is fairly small, with a population of perhaps 10,000
tohr-kreen and a few hundred zik-chil.
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Like other tohr-kreen cities, Thaythilor was built using to a humanoid regional governor.
the amber-like secretions of z'ock'n, larger versions of the Each northern nation, or lathuk is a collection of kaluk.
snail-like ock'n found in the Tablelands. Most buildings The kaluk-haaz of a nation form a clutch of their own,
are constructed by gathering a mound of sand, then and the leader of that clutch is the leader of the nation,
allowing the z'ock'n to secrete their amber over the mound. the lathuk-haaz. The lathuk-haaz never takes an oath of
Some buildings are a hundred feet tall or more, and the office; there is no need. Tokchak ensures the lathuk-haaz's
translucent amber reflects the sun in patterns on the dedication to lead and help the nation, and the packs
sand. Domes and towers reach to the sky, while walkways and clutches that compose it. Any oath of office are
and ramps stretch around and between the structures. redundant to the compulsions of tokchak.
True to its nature, Thaythilor looks as if it was grown The other kaluk-haaz in the lathuk-haaz's clutch also
instead of built. Most non-kreen find the appearance of hold positions of importance, and several responsibilities
the city rather macabre, almost disturbing, with its spires, are delegated to them. To maintain the stability of the
walkways, and domes, the membranes stretching between nation, challenges for clutch dominance are restricted, at
some structures, and the presence of overwhelming least in regards to the lathuk-haaz and the kaluk-haaz. A
numbers of kreen in a variety of colors. The sight of lathuk-haaz can be challenged only once each year, at the
such a city triggers racial memories in thri-kreen, however, beginning of the year, and then can be challenged only by
causing them to recognize it as a safe haven, a "home." a kaluk-haaz. A kaluk-haaz can be challenged only once
Thaythilor is a free city that belongs to no particular every six months, at the beginning of the year and halfway
nation. The population of Thaythilor is mostly Jeral and through the year. A kaluk-haaz can be challenged only by
To'ksa, but has elements of each of the other kreen a clutchleader (g'tok-haaz) of the same kaluk.
subspecies. Zik-chil are more common in Thaythilor than Challenges for leadership positions are never made to
elsewhere in the three nations of the North. the death. In fact, some challenges for leadership positions
are not even made through combat; either the challenger
The Tohr-Kreen Nations or the challenged may initiate a "social" challenge, one that
is made in terms of social and political accomplishments.
The three nations that are also part of the Empire are If a social challenge is made for a g'tok-haaz position, the
the Jeral, J'hol, and J'ez. The primary species of kreen in kaluk-haaz and the other g'tokhaaz decide the results. If
each of these nations is named for the nation; the species a social challenge is made for kalukhaaz, the lathuk-haaz
are physically distinct from one another. Besides these and the other kaluk-haaz decide the results.
three subspecies of kreen, there are three others (Tondi, Though each nation of kreen is predominantly composed
T'keech, and To'ksa) that no longer have nations of their of a single species, members of other species are found
own. in each nation. Each nation has its own government and
Each of the three existing nations has a form of entertainments, including a ritualized system of challenges
leadership similar to that of a pack, but expanded. As that is much like the gladiatorial arena system of the
mentioned previously, a thri-kreen pack is led by a clutch human cities of the Tyr Region; the profession of gladiator
made up of all the clutchleaders in the pack; the leader is a respected one in the thri-kreen nations.
of the clutch of clutchleaders is the packleader. The thri- The "J" that begins three of the subspecies names has
kreen word for "pack" is tek or kek, while the word for connotations of "nation," while the "T" that begins the
"leader" is hoz. other names has connotations of "former nation." It is
The tohr-kreen word for "pack" is kaluk, and the word probable that the three former nations were once "Jondi,"
for "leader" is haaz. Kaluk has connotations of "state" "J'keech," and "Jo'ksa;" if the three current nations were to
rather than "tribe," as implied by tek or kek Likewise, haaz fall, those subspecies would become known as the "Teral,"
is closer to "governor " in meaning, unlike hoz, which is "Thol," and "T'ez."
more like "chief." Thus, among tohr-kreen, a packleader is
more correctly called a kalukhaaz, and is similar in status
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House Mareneth's traders deal with the communities refuse to let anyone else near the oasis.
living in the southern reaches of the Tyr Region, as well There are about a dozen adult giants in the clan, with
as with a few of the smaller elf tribes. Caravans flying the a similar number of children. The clan's chief, Ogflo, led
house's colors make regular trips to the seven cities of the his people to this spot two years ago. After a short battle,
north, though they mainly trade with Balic and North the giants killed or drove off the dwarves who used to
and South Ledopolus. In general, the traders try to keep a maintain the village. Ogflo and his clan have no desire
low profile, as Korsun prefers that his city remain mostly for ceramic pieces or silver, so travelers shouldn't hope to
a mystery to the people of the north. purchase food and water. In fact, they should prepare for
combat, as the giants tend to attack anyone who comes
close to the village.
Durg's Puddle However, the clan will trade food and water for goods
Located in the western portion of the Endless Sand and supplies. Travelers must survive the combat before
Dunes, to the southwest of Celik, Durg's Puddle is a tiny such negotiations can be opened, but afterward Ogflo will
oasis with a small but clean pond at its center. The place entertain all reasonable offers. Weapons, materials that
wouldn't deserve mention if not for the fact that the trade aren't available in the wastes, and finished goods from the
caravans from Celik use it as a resting point on the route cities and villages of the north all appeal to Ogflo and
that House Mareneth maintains to the southwest. Though his people. How much water a cord of mekillot bones is
Durg's Puddle is an independent facility, the merchant worth depends on the current needs of the giants, though
house and other travelers provide the tribe that runs it Ogflo tends to be fair once actual trading commences.
with plenty of supplies and enough wealth to pay for the
troops that defend it.
The half-giant Durg leads the small band that runs the The Crimson Monolith
oasis. Though he never talks about where he comes from, The blood-red needle called the Crimson Monolith
Durg is otherwise very friendly and outgoing. Like all half- rises from the eastern dunes, piercing the blazing sky like
giants, he tends to emulate the attitudes and customs of a stone sword blade. The needle is made of an unknown
those that stop at the oasis for a visit. Durg, as a water red stone. It's smooth and warm to the touch, and some
cleric, has chosen this site as his temple and home. claim it even pulses like a living thing. The base is about
Though friendly, he can become savage when called upon 15 feet around, and it tapers to a point about 40 feet
to defend the oasis. above the ground. It has no seams, no obvious doors or
Durg's followers never number more than 20, and windows, and no apparent function. No one knows who
they're mostly ex-gladiators who escaped from the arenas built it or how long ago it was constructed. It simply
to the north. The half-giant also keeps an additional 20 stands alone amid the rises and falls of the sand dunes
hired warriors on hand to help protect the oasis. Even like a lonely trail marker.
though the Puddle's defenders aren't numerous, most of Travelers claim that on nights when the twin moons
the raiders and predatory tribes in the area know that are high in the sky, strange creatures emerge from the
troops loyal to House Mareneth also watch over the oasis. monolith to explore the nearby dunes. These creatures
simply step out of the solid stone, for no doors appear
to open the way. When the moons begin to disappear,
Last Drink giving way to the crimson dawn, the beings step back into
The oasis village of Last Drink lies in the eastern portion the monolith as silently and mysteriously as they arrived.
of the Endless Sand Dunes. The bubbling spring and Accounts of these beings vary wildly. Some tales say
small patch of fertile land around it appear incongruous they are either tanar'ri or baatezu from another plane of
in the middle of the sandy waste, but the sight can also existence. Others claim that the beings are the ghosts of
be very welcome to thirsty travelers. Unfortunately, the some ancient age, returning to haunt the place where they
location has been claimed by a clan of desert giants who once lived. The most likely stories describe the beings as
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unknown denizens of another part of Athas who use either appear to be flat and smooth, but are actually covered
magic or psionics to travel to the site of the monolith. with sharp grooves and rivulets that can slice even the
Whatever the case, the tales concerning these beings grow toughest boots to shreds.
each time another group of travelers return from a trip No living creatures inhabit this desolate area. There's
across the Endless Sand Dunes. nothing to eat on the obsidian plain, little to drink, and
few places to find shelter from the wind and sun. There
are no breaks in the glass where vegetation can thrive.
The Great Salt Flat No fresh sources of water bubble up among the cracks
Between the eastern borders of the Endless Sand Dunes and fissures. Some water does collect in depressions when
and the Sea of Silt lies a salt flat even larger than the a rare rainstorm explodes over the plain, but the water
Great Ivory Plain. This region, known as the Great Salt quickly stagnates and turns bad before the heat of the day
Flat, is a waterless expanse hundreds of miles across that causes it to evaporate completely. A few clumps of bushes
offers no shelter of any kind. In many places, chest-high and groves of trees rise out of breaks in the obsidian, but
ridges of salty encrustation form natural mazes, blocking whatever foul magic formed the plain has also turned
all but the most nimble pack beasts and forcing travelers these once-living plants into black stone.
to scramble across the tops of the ridges. The flat is a An ancient, terrible battle of the Cleansing Wars was
nearly impassable obstacle between the islets of the Silt fought at this site. In the battle, the land was slain and
Archipelago and the more settled regions near the Estuary hundreds of thousands of beings were killed. Now undead
of the Forked Tongue. creatures of all descriptions roam the plains and canyons
of ebon glass. Most of these undead creatures are the
The Mud Palace remains of the slaughtered races, beings that no longer
exist on Athas – at least not as living creatures. Strange
In a deserted corner of the Tyr Region, the Mud beings with stranger names haunt the plains, wailing over
Palace stands in the middle of a vast mudflat. It is a the injustices they suffered and calling for revenge against
mysterious citadel of white marble that appears to have Rajaat and his infernal Champions. In life they were
no windows or doors in its lower floors. From its towers called kobolds and ogres, orcs, lizard men, and trolls.
pour continuous torrents of cold, fresh water that have They had names like gnomes and pixies and goblins.
irrigated the mudflat for years, perhaps centuries. Nomads Now they're spirits, skeletons, and other forms of corporeal
who pass nearby say that the palace was the home of a and incorporeal undead. The hatred they hold for all
powerful sorcerer who commanded genies or demons to living things sustains them, keeping them tied to the
build it for him. As the story goes, he reneged on his physical world long after their bodies have died.
payment, and his otherworldly allies entombed him in the In some places, mindless undead continue to reenact
structure. It seems likely that a gate or a portal provides the desperate battles they fought in life against the armies
the Mud Palace with its bottomless fountains, but few of the Champions. If living travelers come across one of
people try to collect water here – the surrounding mudflat these battle sites, the undead will attack them as though
teems with horrid monsters. they were their ancient foes. In other places, solitary spirits
moan for a world that has long since faded from view.
The Dead Land There are intelligent undead on the plains as well, usually
The Endless Sand Dunes eventually give way to a steep acting as leaders for the hordes of mindless zombies and
drop in the land. At the bottom of sheer, jagged cliffs, a skeletons that have lost their way. In all cases, when a
vast plain of blackest obsidian stretches beyond the limits being with the spark of life is detected, the undead flock to
of the known territory. Most of the plain is smooth, flat, that spark for the warmth and sustenance it can provide.
black glass, though in places the plain is shattered and Such life sparks are as water is to a living man, and the
great jagged chunks of glass jut into the sky. Other areas undead of the haunted plains are very, very thirsty.
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Obsidian Citadel
Somewhere in the center of this haunted plain, an
Obsidian Citadel rises over the fields of glass. From this
bleak fortress, a powerful undead creature gathers the lost
spirits and troubled souls into a massive army. The thing
plans to eventually lead its army out of the Dead Land
and into the realms where the living creatures of Athas
still hold sway. On that day, this undead lord hopes to
gain revenge against Rajaat and all others who still draw
breath beneath the crimson sun.
Small Home
The ruins known as Small Home sit on the western
edge of the obsidian plain. In the Green Age, this place
of small buildings with ornate decorations was the home
of beings called gnomes. Now the place has been covered
by the same layer of black glass that coats everything
in the Dead Land, and hordes of short undead 120
creatures roam the area. If any living beings approach the
ruins, the sparks of life within them draw the undead like
caravans draw raiders. The undead are as unique as all
the undead of Athas, though there are large hordes of
zombies and skeletons. All of the undead in Small Home
were once either gnomes or pixies, though few of Athas's
current inhabitants know what gnomes or pixies are. As few living beings have explored this city since it fell
to the Champions, many secrets and treasures remain
hidden within the glass-coated buildings. Unfortunately,
The City of a Thousand Dead most of the treasures have been tainted by the obsidian
A massive city of obsidian stretches for more than coating, and none of the undead creatures will allow
a mile in every direction from its center in the eastern living beings to enter the city anyway. In the rare instances
portion of the Dead Land. Hordes of mindless or near- when treasures have been liberated from the city, tales of
mindless undead follow the commands of troll kaishargas, horrible curses have been associated with them.
gnome raaigs, and new forms of undead unique to the One legend claims that a huge undead creature resides
haunted plains. While miles of the glass plains seem beneath the obsidian city. According to the tale, the
deserted and devoid of both living and undead creatures, beast was created by the inhabitants of the city to defend
the area around this ruined city is literally crawling with it against the Champions' troops. This happened late in
undead beings of all descriptions. They appear at night, the battle, so it was never released to fight like it was
emerging from the shadows to resume their dances of designed to. Instead, it has become as undead as those
misery and songs of revenge. it was created to defend. The legend goes on to say that
This city was once a massive demihuman and humanoid the creature doesn't follow the commands of any of the
metropolis, where all races lived in peace. It was, however, undead lords. It has its own agenda that could even mean
an abomination in Rajaat's eyes, so it was one of the first the destruction of the undead of the city-if it were to get
places targeted by the crusades of the Cleansing Wars. loose from whatever binds it to its subterranean lair.
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satisfy the blood lust that courses through every raider's Evartu leads the Ghosts of Plunder in terrifying, often
veins. violent, fashion. While the tribe attacks any travelers it
There are seven villages that each serve as the capital comes across for spoils and sport, the Ghosts especially
of a different Bandit State. These villages are Pillage, enjoy striking at the elf tribes of the Scorched Plateau.
Plunder, Ravish, Ravage, Kel's Lot, Wrath, and Spoil. When they go on a raid, the Ghosts wear the trappings
of the elven death myths – tattered clothing, burial paint,
Pillage and weapons decorated with blood. This adds to their
frightful image and often unnerves even the strongest elf
The village of Pillage surrounds an oasis located north warriors.
of the Troll Grave Chasm, in the portion of the Barrier When targets are particularly scarce, the raiders from
Wastes known as the Scorpion Plains. While most raiding Plunder don't hesitate to attack the dwarf fortress at
tribes contain members from a variety of races, the people the nearby oasis of Foul Puddle. While the mud-brick
of Pillage are mostly humanoids, with only a few humans fortress is formidable, the dwarves usually “pay tribute” to
and demihumans thrown in the mix. Chilod leads this the Evartu's raiders after a short, bloody battle. However,
Bandit State, commanding a community of tareks, ssurran, Evartu never sends all of his warriors away from Plunder
thri-kreen, nikaal, silt runners, some humans and dwarves, at the same time, as he must guard against attacks by the
a couple of braxat, and a few b'rohgs. All classes except raiders of the village of Pillage.
wizards are welcome among Chilod's ranks, as the tarek
has no tolerance for defilers or preservers.
Only Chilod's intimidating presence holds Pillage Ravish
together. The mixture of races makes a volatile brew, Ravish is one of five oasis village located south of Troll
but Chilod turns his followers' angry flames outward Grave Chasm, in the section of the Barrier Wastes called
instead of allowing them to explode within the village. the Glowing Desert. The community based in the village
To accomplish this, the leader has declared war on the is a typical tribe of raiders-all ex-slaves from Draj. The
nearby village of Plunder, making it a target for his tribe's tribe is ruled by Akive, a powerful mul with no leadership
natural aggressive tendencies. skills beyond great strength, excellent combat prowess,
The raiders from Pillage make periodic excursions into and the ability to intimidate and bully her subordinates.
the Scorched Plateau. There, they seek out ssurran trade This village is the poorest, least organized of the Bandit
caravans to attack. The ssurran traders have gone so far States, and its raiders blunder their attacks as often as
as to make a practice of leaving a small caravan behind they successfully gain plunder. The targets they strike at
for the raiders while their primary caravan continues on with most frequency are the halfling villages of the White
its appointed route. Mountain forests and Kurn's client villages.
Plunder Ravage
Plunder is the second of two village oases in the Ravage is the wealthiest of the Bandit States. It
Scorpion Plains. Its raiding tribe consists mainly of elves resembles a large trade village more than a struggling ex-
who have been cast out of their tribes for a variety of slave community. Its leader, Talid the bandit lord, has a
transgressions, though there are also the assorted collection vision that keeps Ravage on a path of growth and could
of muls, humans, and a few humanoids. The tribe calls mean big things for all of the Bandit States. However, few
itself Evartu's Ghosts, because according to elven tradition of his fellow bandit lords are willing to cooperate at the
those who are cast out from the elf community are dead. level necessary for Talid's plans to succeed.
If their one-time families have set them adrift in the land Talid wants to unite the Bandit States into one nation
of the dead, then the outcasts feel justified taking on the that stretches across the entire Barrier Wastes. Of course,
roles of ghostly avengers. the ex-gladiator from Raam sees himself as the head of
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this nation of outlaws, a vision that causes the other succeeding than a suicide raid against the main village.
bandit lords lots of trouble. They don't trust Talid or
his grand promises of wealth and power. When the mul Kel's Lot
calls for a conclave of bandit lords (which he does on
a regular basis), most of the tribal leaders answer. These Kel's Lot is the westernmost oasis village in the Glowing
meetings routinely break down as each leader tries to get Desert. This Bandit State is unique as it's the only
the best deal for his or her own tribe. Talid is never able one that isn't simply a glorified slave tribe. In fact, with
to get them to understand the value of cooperation or the the exception of a few individuals, the members of this
strength a united front will give all of the tribes. community have never known the bonds of slavery. Kel's
Though they all distrust Ravage in the extreme and Lot's members are all dwarves who settled this village
are jealous of its wealth, none of the competing tribes are decades ago. The village was already in place when the
willing to attack the village directly. As it's extremely well slave tribes started to move in, and it has a long history
fortified, direct attacks against the village often end in of using raiding as a means to survive.
victory for the defenders and lose of life for the attackers. The ancient dwarf named Kel serves as the leader of
The other tribes have no qualms about occasionally this Bandit State. Of all the bandit lords, he most clearly
striking at returning raiding parties, however. Such a understands Talid of Ravage's vision. Unfortunately, his
strike isn't easy either, but it stands a better chance of prejudice against the mul (and all muls in general) causes
him to dismiss it as beneath the notice of his tribe. To
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Kel and his followers, dwarves are the greatest of all races, Spoil
worthy of ruling the entire world. Muls, however, have
been rendered impure by their mixed heritages and are Spoil, the oasis village located in the southernmost
considered less than dwarves. The fact that Talid's tribe corner of the Glowing Desert, is another community of
prospers above Kel's makes the dwarf bandit lord even ex-slaves who use the village as a base from which to
more spiteful toward the mul. launch raids on nearby trade routes. A powerful defiler
named Densis leads the tribe. He's protected by the
Gorzu and Urtke, halfgiants devoted to the defiler.
Wrath Densis hates Talid of Ravage with a passion. If anyone
The village of Wrath, led by Lady Cesti, features a mix is going to rule a united bandit nation, the defiler believes,
of humans and demihumans living in a fantasy of their it should be him and not some muscle-bound half-breed.
leader's construction. Cesti, an ex-gladiator from Urik, Densis doesn't dare send his smaller and weaker tribe
grew up enamored of the nobles who owned her. Even in against Talid's, but someday he plans to destroy the mul
the slave pens of Urik, she withdrew into dreams of being and take command of wealthy Ravage.
a noble to escape the tribulations of the arena. When she While his tribe conducts raids or ambushes
gained her freedom and established Wrath, she did so membes of the other Bandit States, Densis travels north
with the illusion that she was of noble birth. to the ruins of the Buried City. He has been exploring
The village is set up along the lines of a noble house- the site for almost three years, and each time he returns
or at least Cesti's version of one. All of her advisers and to Spoil he has a bit more power at his command.
raiding captains have noble titles, and the parties that Few of his followers will accompany him to the ruins,
follow a successful raid look more like a noble festival than for they believe that the place is haunted by terrible
a slave tribe celebration. Most of Cesti's followers enjoy spirits and undead creatures. The fact that Densis
the illusion that the ex-gladiator has created, though a few regularly communes with these beings makes him more
sometimes wonder about her sanity. Lady Cesti (as she important in their eyes-and that much more frightening.
prefers to be addressed) can often be heard talking about
returning to Urik to participate in one noble function or
another, and she appears to believe that Hamanu himself
will grant her an audience if she so desires.
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who love making deals. They collect anything, behaving developed around the hunt and the forest. Because
more like glorified junk men than dignified agents of a the creatures of the woods only come out at night, the
merchant house. Still, they provide a key component to people of the woods (mostly humans, with an assortment
survival on the Scorched Plateau by bringing news and of adopted individuals from other races) have become
much-needed goods and supplies from one settlement to nocturnal as well. Because of their wilderness skills, their
the next. Because the heat doesn't bother ssurrans, their strange activity cycle, and their savage, mystical customs,
caravans travel near the Lava Gorge. They take advantage many weird legends concerning the Somber Woods' tribes
of the protection the gorge affords, as the intense heat have developed. Others inhabiting the Scorched Plateau
it gives off keeps most predators away. A typical ssurran believe that the forest is haunted and that the members of
caravan consists of everything the individual lizard men the forest tribes are the ghosts of the ancients. The tribes
can carry, a few carts (either pulled or drawn by kwilits, do nothing to discourage these beliefs, as such legends
large insects as adapted to the heat as their masters), and work to their benefit in most situations.
sometimes even a massive fortress beetle. Fortress beetles
grow to a length of 25 feet, carrying sturdy, 15-foot-tall
protective shells atop their backs. Much of the upper
Lava Gorge
portion of these shells is hollow, with intricate and To the east of the Somber Woods, Lava Gorge is a deep
beautiful chambers formed during the growing process. depression with sheer cliffs that drop almost 1,500 feet
Ssurran use these docile insects as beasts of burden, to a lake of molten lava. The heat rising from the gorge
filling their hollow shells with their most precious trade keeps most creatures away from its jagged edges, but those
goods. who stray too close often find themselves riding crumbling
stone into the boiling rock below. Travelers need to avoid
getting too close to the gorge. Temperatures within a half
Somber Woods mile of the lava lake are as much as 30 degrees to 100
The Somber Woods clings to the eastern side of a degrees higher than the normal temperature of the day.
small mountain range and serves as home to related tribes This increase in temperature isn't always gradual, and
of hunter-gatherers. This forest is a dark, brooding place an errant breeze can feel like a blast furnace if it blows
shrouded in an ancient cloak of antiquity. There are, it across the burning lake of rock. The intense heat can
seems, as many dead or dying trees as there are vibrant, blister exposed flesh, burn the lungs, and cause even the
living ones. Old beyond imagining and twisted with the strongest half-giant to be knocked unconscious.
weight of their years, these trees press in upon themselves, Luckily, the red glow of the bubbling lava can be seen
creating a claustrophobic maze. from a great distance as one travels the stony barrens
Adding to the feeling of desolation, most of the creatures surrounding it. During the day, the air over the gorge
and insects living in the forest are nocturnal. During the shimmers with rising heat and the sky above takes on a
day, the woods appear to be deserted and eerily silent. slight reddish glow. At night, the lava lights up the sky
Travelers can wander for hours without seeing or hearing and sets fire to the horizon for miles around, making it
another living thing. At night, the opposite is true. As the impossible to miss. When travelers spot the gorge, they
twin moons rise overhead, the woods become a shadowy, should turn toward the east or west to go around it. To
bustling terrain painted with the pallid luminescence of continue toward it is to risk an extremely painful death.
moonlight. Pale creatures with large, glowing eyes emerge
to hunt, prowling the forest with vigor. This is also when
the tribes inhabiting the woods become active, moving like
The Burning Plains
spirits through this ancient wilderness. The Burning Plains The Burning Plains are one of the
The tribes have customs in common with the Gulgs, most mysterious phenomena on Athas. The region's soil
though their culture and lifestyle is much more primitive is some of the richest remaining on the planet, fertilized
than that of Lalali-Puy's subjects. Their society has by centuries of dead grasses mixed into the black earth.
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day immediately after a fire (fires last 1-2 days), when the of the mountains by the Mind Lords. They were made
grasses are bare shoots above the ash, and there is little an offer: stay where you are and be eventually defeated
left to burn. Of course, the journey will generally take at and exterminated, or concede to our might and move
least two days, and on the second day the chance of a to the Lonely Butte, where you will be left alone for all
flashfire is higher. time. A few of the nobler giants resisted, but they were
For this reason, most travelers do not bother with trying quickly destroyed by the powerful psionicists. Soon after,
to cross the Burning Plains, at least not on foot. Even the remaining giants accepted the Mind Lords' offer and
the Thunder Mountains are more hospitable than this took up residence on the Lonely Butte. A small clan of
blistering land. them remains there to this day.
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lawkeeper to watch over them. The patrols keep watch in creatures. Only the most horrid crimes are prosecuted
split shifts of four hours each (four hours on, four hours during the festivals, mostly because the lawkeepers are
off, four hours on, four hours off, eight hours of sleep). having far too much fun and can't be troubled to go after
This way, they are always relatively fresh and alert. someone for something like jaywalking.
Thus, the watchtower holds 30 proctors and three Many of the people who have escaped from or sneaked
lawkeeper at all times. Fresh troops are brought in from into the valley of the Last Sea have done so during one
Saragar fortnightly. of these festivals. The security at even the South Pass is
At night, the pass is lit by dozens of torches, making notoriously lax at these times of year; only five proctors
it difficult to sneak through unnoticed. Nevertheless, are on watch at any given time and they are often caught
sneaky adventurers sometimes find some way to get past up in participating in their own miniature version of the
unnoticed. festivals.
Under no circumstances, however, are the merchants
The Great Trade Days ever willing to bring someone back across the border with
Every year just before midsummer's and midwinter's eve, them. They might do so unwittingly, but to knowingly
the ssurran traders from Tradenest make their biannual invite the terrible repercussions of the lawmakers for such
journey to a sheltered clearing nestled in between the a transgression is something that not even the greediest
Thunder Mountains and the Scorched Plateau. To these merchant would do-if he valued his life in the slightest.
meetings, they bring all sorts of exotic foods and trinkets,
anything that might possibly catch the eyes of the Last The Burning Plains
Sea merchants who are permitted to travel outside of the The other way to get into the valley of the Last Sea is
valley's boundaries for this express purpose. to cross the Burning Plains. While this may seem easy to
In exchange, the homelanders (as the denizens of the the untrained eye, the knowledgeable or wise traveler will
Last Sea are fond of referring to themselves) bring all go many miles out of his way to avoid having to traverse
sorts of unique things to trade: metal weapons, sails such a dangerous stretch of land. After all, getting caught
made from puddingfish hide (in high demand for the in the middle of the Burning Plains is a sure way to be
extremely different ships that sail the Silt Sea), and – transformed into a heap of smoking ash.
most importantly – fresh water (directly from Saragar's
desalination plant, making it some of the purest water to
be found on the entire planet).
The Last Sea
The Great Trade has become a famous tradition in The Last Sea is the final surviving remnant of the
the valley. At the height of the festivals – far and away Green Age, a time long since past. The lands around it
the two most important holidays in the entire valley – recall happier days, before the coming of the monstrous
the caravans of merchant wagons return from beyond evil of Rajaat and his genocidal Champions. It is a place
the mountains, overloaded with a veritable cornucopia of unspoiled by magic, and its caretakers – Mind Lords and
exotic foods and other items. mortal residents alike-take great pains to ensure that it
People from all across the valley arrive in Saragar for remains that way.
the festivals, and these are the only times of the year To most denizens of Athas, the Last Sea is the most
that the unity these people all feel, regardless of any amazing sight that they will ever behold. Nowhere else on
arguing they might do the rest or me year, is blatantly the planet is there a body of water to be found anywhere
obvious. Even the Lizard Men normally reclusive in their near as large. In fact, on a world in which an entire town
undersea kingdom, surface and join the festivities of the can be founded upon the existence of a single murky well,
air breathers for a few short hours. it seems that something as huge as the Last Sea would
The festivals are also the only times of the year that support a metropolis of staggering size, or even an entire
all of the lawkeepers can be seen to act like civilized nation composed of such cities.
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the sea have basically a beach culture in which there is of the druids is burnished a deep bronze from long hours
little that can't be put off until tomorrow. “Tomorrow,” of exposure to the sun. Long-time druids are wrinkled
the saying goes, “is the busiest day of the week, because beyond their years, but they don't care.
that's when everything gets done.” Very little can get a druid inside any kind of shelter
for longer than a few hours. The people like to sleep
with the sand on their backs, sometimes even with their
Cuarsen feet in the water. More than one druid has had a rude
This sleepy little fishing village is located in the middle awakening when the rising tide has washed him out to
of Marnita's southeastern shore, far from the influences of sea, but they generally just see it as the sea calling out to
Saragar. Altogether, Cuarsen consists of approximately 50 them, promising a chance at some excellent body surfing.
people, but this number fluctuates to a great deal higher It is rare to see a beach druid far from his board.
from time to time as the many druids that live on the Each makes his own board by hand, lovingly crafting and
shores of Marnita favor this tiny place with most of their polishing it until it's ready to glide across the waves. It can
attention. take up to two weeks for a druid to make another board,
For the most part, the druids of the valley of the Last and although druids do make boards for sale, they refuse
Sea are genuinely different from those found in other parts to part with their personal boards except under the direst
of Athas. They live together in tiny beach communities of circumstances.
10 people or less, spending their days surfing on the waves The people of Cuarsen are mostly friendly, and the
of the Last Sea, constantly searching for the perfect ride. merchants there are happy to get business of any kind.
The hunt for the ultimate wave is a never-ending one, The same cannot be said for the druids, though. They
and it is the focus of these druids' days. Since a wave is are a closed group. Even amongst themselves, their bands
an ephemeral thing by its very nature, these people are are extremely insular.
destined to never find permanent contentment. This is While in the Sea Wax, Cuarsen's only tavern, druids
fine by them, though, as they enjoy the searching almost are often friendly, open, and even talkative with people
as much as they love the ride itself. that they know. It will take them at least several days to
To these nature priests, surfing is a means of communing feel comfortable enough to speak their mind in front of
with the water that they have come to love so much. To an outlander, though, if indeed they ever do. Bee, the
learn to surf and then to practice the lessons of surfing Sea Wax's shaggy haired elven proprietor and bartender,
is to come to know the sea and to show not only your makes sure to sit newcomers as far from the druids as
undying respect for it as a force of nature, but also the joy possible, but it rarely works. Once the druids are not in
you can feel when you are totally in tune with that force. complete control of the bar, they most times get up and
This is represented by riding smoothly, almost poetically leave as soon as they can finish their drinks.
atop a wave, knowing that it will end at any second and
enjoying it all the same for as long as is possible.
Most of the time, these druids live off of seafood they Cubarto
catch and fruits that they forage for along the shore. Cubarto is the second largest mixed-race settlement on
Eventually, though, this diet palls, even to such ascetics, the shores of Marnita, following distantly behind Saragar
and they come to Cuarsen for a drink and a meal. In with just over 1,500 people. Cubarto is located on the
exchange for these things, they trade ropes, mats, and hats side of Marnita directly opposite Saragar. This position
they have woven from the grasses that grow just beyond gives its citizens trading access to both Kharzden and
the beaches. Sylvandretta, an advantage the barge drivers of Cubarto
On any given day in Cuarsen, there are usually one exploit ruthlessly.
or two bands of druids in town for some good grub. The people of Cubarto are loud and lusty. None of
They are typically dressed only in shorts, the women them would last 15 minutes in Saragar before being
wearing sleeveless half-shirts as well. Each and every one hauled before a harmonizer to be brought into tune with
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Visitors from afar will be astonished at the size of falling to the person best suited to taking care of that
these farms, the row after row of luscious plants and trees particular task.
bearing vegetables and fruits of all kinds. Perhaps the At the end of every weekend, the people meet
most famous farm in the area is the old Jenkins Vineyard, (traditionally at the Jenkins Vineyard, although other
a place which has been producing the sweetest grapes and places have been used) to discuss the issues of the week.
making the finest wines on Athas for millennia. Votes are brought up after everyone who wants to has had
The vineyard is run these days by a man named Clay a chance to say his piece. A simple majority rules, and
and his young wife Sherril. They happily care for the any resolutions are acted upon instantly.
vineyard and watch over all of their workers, and each No Huddlestonians ever willingly shirk a duty placed
year they supply the drink for the New Year's Eve festival upon them by their fellows. It's rare that assignment of
in Cubarto. There is always plenty of good, inexpensive a duty even has to happen, though, as most people will
wine to go around, and the Jenkins consider the yearend simply volunteer their services to lend a hand in solving
party to be the best advertising for their product they any problem that might arise. Consequently, Huddleston
could ever find. is an extremely competent community, and no one is
Never in the entire history of Huddleston has anyone ever left dangling in the delightfully cool sea breezes that
ever had to be harmonized. They're simply all too sweep over these fields of plenty
well adjusted to ever even consider causing someone
unhappiness. True, occasionally even a Huddlestonian
gets down, but whenever that happens, another one is
Kharzden
right there to help pick him right back up again. The The dwarven colony of Kharzden is far and away the
villagers are determined that no one is going to spoil their largest settlement in the valley, outside of mighty Saragar
perfect record. itself. It holds almost 2,000 dwarves scattered throughout
The Huddlestonians (basically anyone who lives within the ancient mining shafts riddling the northern part
10 miles of the village) generally live solitary lives, each of the Thunder Mountains. These dwarves live mostly
family working hard on its farm all week long. Come underground like their ancient counterparts once did,
the weekend, though, the villagers head into their tiny although they have long since lost any special abilities to
burg for a couple days of song and celebration. These mine and forge metals.
communal moments are what bring these people together Most of the veins of ore in the Thunder Mountains
and give them a sense of unity with one another. They were mined out long ago. A few new ones have been
cherish their friendships above all else. Once you've got discovered recently by hobbyist miners, and some new
a Huddlestonian for a friend, you've got a friend for life. metals have been extracted and made into new items like
The Huddlestonians are extremely friendly to outlanders mining tools and even axes. Most of the metal things that
and will extend such travelers every courtesy. Long ago, the dwarves have, though, are as ancient and worn as the
they simply called the lawkeepers every time someone bits that circulate throughout the rest of the valley.
made it through the Border of Guardians, but when the The miners wear bandanas tied around their faces to
lawkeepers seemed to stop caring so much about it, the keep them from inhaling too much of the subterranean
Huddlestonians did too. Today they call the outlanders dust. The people of Saragar have taken to jokingly
into their homes and treat them like royalty, eager to calling them the only bearded dwarves on all of Athas.
learn everything they can about the world outside their Traditionally these bandannas used to always be brown,
little valley but today they come in all sorts of different colors and
Huddleston is governed by a direct democracy. As patterns.
there are less than 250 people in the entire community, The dwarves' government is a matriarchal monarchy,
they see no reason to elect any single person to carry and the current queen is an aged woman by the name
out all of their wishes. The honor of dealing with any of Elakta. In the dwarves' home under the mountains,
particular matter changes from matter to matter, generally Queen Elakta's word is law, and it is obeyed by all.
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Saragar
The city of Saragar on the edge of the Last Sea is the
largest settlement in the area and the home of the Mind
Lords. More details are found in the City-states book.
Shallat
Shallat is a small town on the northern side of Marnita,
sheltered from even a view of Saragar by the intervening
Lonely Butte. The people of this village are mostly
fishermen, but a number of farms range from Shallat's
borders to the edge of the Thunder Mountains, ensuring
that the less than 300 people who live here have plenty of
food without having to trade much with the other towns. lovely bride, the Duchess Shelistone. Both are impressively
Shallat's main attraction is its healing facilities. The skilled physicians and 10th-level water clerics. They are
town is governed by a hereditary monarchy, each member admired and well-liked by their people. No one resents
of which is a physician of incredible skill. Most members the pair their titles, as they are in fact mostly honorary.
of the ruling family are water clerics as well, people who Additionally, the responsibility of being in charge of the
have dedicated their lives to using the fertility of Marnita village is something that no one really wants to volunteer
to aid in their healing ways. for. Most people are happy to let someone else take care
The head of the ruling family is titled duke or duchess. of the political stuff so that they can get on with their
The current Duke Jaan Shallat rules side-by-side with his daily lives. Jaan and Shelistone, however, shoulder this
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burden gladly, happy to be able to help their fellows in even fairer than ever before, and they are now called
any way that they can. “ghost elves” by the people of Saragar – even the elves
The Shallatians are a peace-loving people, and they are of that fair city.
generally treated well by everyone living in and around Sylvandretta is governed by a high council of seven
Marnita, even by the brigands and pirates who live on elders elected from the ghost elves' general population.
the Lonely Butte. After all, potentially anyone might These wise people rule over their people for 21-year terms.
eventually find themselves in need of the village's services, An election is held every three years, and a new elf is
and when they do, they want to make sure that the elected to the open position. No one is permitted to hold
Shallatian healers will attend them with all due haste and office for two consecutive terms, so they must take off at
without a single reservation. least three years between terms.
Of course, the Shallatian healers would help anyone in Sylvandretta is located in the Spirit Forest, a massive
need no matter how horrible a person he was. They have stand of ancient trees nestled between the two arms of the
sworn a sacred oath to aid anyone in need, no matter Thunder Mountains, in the southwest section of the valley
what the circumstances may be. In all cases, they try of the Last Sea. Here, as far from Saragar as one can get
traditional means of healing first, but if that fails, they will and still be under the Mind Lords' purview, the ghost
not hesitate to fall back on their priestly abilities. elves live in harmony with their natural surroundings,
The Shallatians charge reasonable rates for their services, sheltered as they are from the horrors the defilers and
and they are extremely understanding in cases of financial their ilk have visited upon the rest of the planet.
hardship. They will happily accept goods and services in Sylvandretta is based upon a circle of twelve tremendous
barter for their assistance. Otherwise, they gladly extend trees of life. These towering trees, each standing nearly
generous terms of credit. two hundred feet tall, support a network of handworked
The Shallatians are so well-respected, though, that if tree houses in which live the twelve great families of the
it is discovered that someone owes them something, the ghost elves. The network of rope bridges that crisscross
people of the Last Sea will treat that person harshly between the trees, high above the ground, is nearly as
until he makes good on the debt. Innkeepers will only complicated as the web of relationships that connect these
put him in their worst rooms and sell him their cheapest twelve families.
fare, hoping to force him to save enough to be able to Millennia of inbreeding among these creatures has
compensate the healers. Merchants around the sea will caused their life spans to be cut to half of the traditional
do the same. elven length. This has spawned a great debate among
If a person simply refuses to pay up a debt, someone the twelve families and the members of the council. One
(not a Shallatian, but a friend of theirs) will turn the side believes that the time has come to invite new blood
delinquent over to the lawkeepers for harmonization. After into their breeding stock. The other staunchly holds that
all, this person's actions are causing no small amount of any such action would be tantamount to forever tainting
concern in the community, and it's up to the lawkeepers their vaunted bloodlines in a manner that could never
to keep the happiness. be repaired.
As such, while most ghost elves will steadfastly refuse
to talk to or even allow themselves to be seen by a
Sylvandretta stranger (anyone from outside of Sylvandretta), a sizable
Whereas the dwarves of Kharzden are friendly and minority are at least willing to converse with outsiders,
open with strangers, the over 500 elves of Sylvandretta even those from beyond the Border of Guardians. In
are cold and aloof. They believe that the purity of their either case, both factions group the lawkeepers in along
bloodline needs to be preserved, and they hold this above with any other outsiders, except for a small force of ghost
all other concerns. Unlike most other elves on Athas, elf lawkeepers specially commissioned by the Mind Lords
these creatures are fair skinned with light blond hair and over five millennia ago as a concession to the elves'
pale blue eyes. Down the millennia, their line has grown extreme xenophobia.
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Waishiki
Waishiki is a small fishing community situated at the
rearmost point of the southern bay below the Saragan
peninsula. The people there are extremely friendly and
happy all the time. Strangely, this is because of the town's
tragic past.
Just over a millennia ago, the people of Waishiki were right away instead of waiting until a “better” time. The
having a problem. Actually, they were causing it. The goddess's orders were carried out to the letter, and every
mayor of the town and the rest of the village elders had man, woman, and child in the entire city was remade into
come out condemning the Mind Lords and their horrific the Mind Lords' image. In one fell swoop, the town was
practice of harmonization, a process (the elders claimed) entirely loyal to the Mind Lords again.
that robbed people of their right to free will. By living Since then, things in Waishiki have pretty much
under such a totalitarian regime, the people were being remained the same. The faces have changed, but the
forced to give up that exact same right, and it was up to attitude has not. They are each and every one model
someone to finally stand up and speak the truth. citizens. The lawkeepers are welcomed freely here, as the
The Waishikans were supported morally by many people have nothing to hide. Outlanders are not treated
homelanders, but few of these people behind the scenes well by the Waishikans for the same reason. Although
were actually nervy enough to speak out loudly in these new people don't have direct, immediate contact
unconditional support. In the end, they turned out to with the Mind Lords, they are devout worshippers of the
have been wise. Mind Lords, and if the lawkeeper who preaches to them
The protests were allowed to continue for as long as had something against people from beyond the Border of
Barani was in one of her manic moods. She was the Guardians, then so too do they.
protector of the meek then, seriously considering any issue One other thing that makes Waishiki stand out from
that her subjects cared to bring to her attention. To her the other towns is the monastery of water clerics that
fellow Mind Lords, she defended the right of the people stands in the center of town, just as it has been for the
to differ with them in their opinions. It was only by past five thousand years. These water clerics (or at least
her efforts that Thesik's hand was stayed from dealing their ancestors) were caught in the great cleansing of
punishment upon the village. the town, their minds wiped clear of the very thoughts
Then, as inevitably happened, Barani slipped into a that they were passing on and the instigation rumors of
state of depression. This spelled immediate disaster for the rebellion that they had started.
dissidents of Waishiki. Without even consulting Thesik The water clerics may live in Waishiki, but their sacred
or Kosveret, Barani contacted the chief lawmaker and place is Marnita itself. These priests can often be seen
ordered him to take every last one of his lawkeepers riding sailboards around the coast and even across the
into Waishiki and harmonize the entire town in one sea, preaching their faith to each community in turn, their
fell swoop. It would take too long to root out the real tiny crafts' puddingfish sails flapping in the wind. They
troublemakers, she said, and in the meantime, it was best are welcomed with open arms into each community that
to make the entire village obey the Mind Lords' wishes
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this cave some fifty feet above the waves that crash against the newcomer has been ameliorated a bit by the fact that
the base of butte, and the only way in or out of the most of his old patrons have stuck with him just because
area is by being hauled up in a precarious contraption he's lowered his prices on ale to match Sitko's. Besides
consisting of a larger wicker basket and a series of ropes which, the rough and tumble sorts who like to hang out
and pulleys. at Ordean's don't much care for the more intellectual
The engine for this device is an obsidian orb stolen Underground crowd that Sitko's draws in.
from the Mind Lords long ago by Ordean, the greatest
pirate the Last Sea has ever seen. Over the years, it has
gotten a bit finicky about who it hauls up into Blufftown,
The Lonely Giants
and there is only a 75% chance that it is working any By far the most notable occupants of the Lonely Butte
given hour of the day. are the small family of humanoid “crag” giants who live
The operators of the two competing inns are Ordean (a on the southwestern edge of the butte in an abandoned
weasely man who claims to be descended from the dread city dating back to the Blue Age. Portions of the city
pirate of legend) and Sitko, a relative newcomer to the seem to have almost grown directly from the rocks on
business of catering to criminals. A prominent member which the buildings sit, but much of it has crumbled, and
of the Underground, Sitko won the inn from its previous many walls and ceilings have been torn out by the giants
owner in a poker match a little less than a year ago. to make room for themselves in buildings meant for a
Ordean's is, simply put, a dive. The walls of this people just over a tenth of their size.
ancient place are rotting from long exposure to the sea The city, the name of which has long since been lost,
air without even a passing nod at general maintenance. hosts about 30 giants (25 adults and 5 children). The
Wind whistles through the slats, and even through the inbreeding problems which have plagued the ghost elves
floorboards (which are raised about three feet above the are even more prominent here, and the crag giants are at
uneven rock). Rain, when it can manage to be blown their wits' end trying to determine what it is they should
under the cave's sheltering roof, leaks through dozens of do to keep their clan alive.
holes in the roof. The floors are nearly as dirty as the Their fate has made the crag giants exceedingly crabby,
sheets on the beds, and the ale is watery and pale. and they tend to kill first and inspect the corpse later.
Still, if your money's good, Ordean is only too happy to Outlanders who manage to survive the initial onslaught
serve you. The prices are outrageous – nearly double what long enough for the giants to calm down will find them
they are in Saragar – but Ordean figures he's got a captive friendly enough. They are interested to glean information
customer base, so he'll get out of them whatever he can. about what is happening outside their butte.
Ordean is a bit of a bigot when it comes to races other The crag giants wait impatiently for the day that the
than his own (he claims to be human), but no matter who Mind Lords become weak enough for them to finally
the customer is, as long as he's got money, he's fine in wreak their revenge. To this end, they have made friends
Ordean's eyes. Ordean treats everyone equally. The dusty- with certain members of the Underground, including
haired little man with the weedy mustache will rip you Sitko. Sometimes they even offer shelter to such people.
off no matter who you are – if you give him the chance. Anything that could cause the Mind Lords harm seems
Things have changed recently for Ordean, though. He like a good idea to these sad creatures as it becomes more
had an arrangement with the previous owner of Sitko's. and more apparent that they are headed for extinction.
The two proprietors fixed prices in Blufftown ensuring a
hefty profit for them both. Sitko, on the other hand, has Criker's Pirates
balked at making the same kind of agreement. He's a
revolutionary, not a capitalist. He refuses to lower himself The Last Sea has known several semi-successful bands
to profiteering at the expense of his fellow Undergrounders. of pirates over the years. They sail the waves on the hunt
Competition between the two inns has heated up a for booty to loot from cargo-laden craft scudding along
great deal since Sitko acquired his inn. Ordean's ire at the shipping lanes. Eventually, most make a fatal mistake
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untold deaths. Still, the only thing keeping her ambition Long ago, the psionic masters who ruled the Green
for the throne in check is that fact that her people are Age built a series of underground corridors of stone that
outnumbered almost two to one. stretched for miles into the water-filled ocean that is now
Despite her warriors' skill, it is certain that Xhenrid the Sea of Silt. Standing upon ivory platforms, these
would be on the losing side of a civil war amongst the people were able to travel nearly instantaneously from one
lizard men. Until such time as she can convince one or end of the passageway to the other.
both of the other tribes to join her – or she manages to After the Mind Lords took control of Saragar, they
find help from some other quarter – she holds herself in began to build just such a series of tunnels for their
check. She is only willing to begin a blood bath if she is own use. It was a massive project, but one that they felt
sure the spilling of the red fluid into the frothing sea will was necessary for the continued defense of the valley of
be to her ultimate benefit. Marnita. After all, if it took their lawkeepers hours or
To this end, Xhenrid has struck up an alliance with even days to get from one end of the valley to another,
the Underground. The leadership of the Underground is they would find it impossible to respond to any threat
wary about working with such an obviously bloodthirsty that managed to breach the Border of Guardians.
ally, but it is hard enough to choose your enemies in war, The corridors, which became known as the seaways,
much less your friends. King Nelyrox is staunchly on the linked up all of the places shown on the map on this
side of the Mind Lords, just as every lizard king has been page, providing the lawkeepers with easy access to each
since the trio saved the amphibians from Keltis. And so of the passes through the Thunder Mountains, as well
the Underground is in bed with Xhenrid, like it or not. as with each large settlement in the valley. The very
Undertown is an ancient and beautiful city, long existence of the corridors was kept secret, as the Mind
untouched by the ravages of war. The lizard men have Lords were afraid that, if a powerful psionicist were to
become a peaceful people over the millennia, even going discover the transit system, it could be used against them.
so far as to set up their own Psionics Academy aimed A special underwater access point even allowed the
at exploring the boundaries of their reptilian minds. The travelers to reach Undertown. In fact, it was inside the
lizard men live off of kreel (cattle like creatures that dwell corridor from Saragar to Undertown that the lizard men's
in the depths with them) and kelp farmed from great beds time-frozen bodies were hidden when Keltis came through
of it which dot the sea. They supplement their diet with the area on his final hunt to exterminate the creatures.
an occasional fish or even a wild mammal that wanders The tunnels were operated by obsidian orbs that moved
too close to the shores of the Last Sea. the ivory platforms along at unheard-of speeds. Today,
The greatest threat to the lizard men's way of life is most of these orbs have malfunctioned, and only a few of
the squark, a giant half-squid, half-shark creature which the routes are entirely operational. These marked with a
roams Marnita's murky depths. Every so many years, solid line on the map (as opposed to the disabled routes,
the creature attacks Undertown unprovoked, wreaking which are marked with a dotted line).
massive destruction on the hapless city, despite the The only line used today with any regularity is the one
many fortifications the lizard men have built up over the that runs from Saragar to the South Pass. This way, the
centuries. large purchases made from the outside twice every year
Many expeditions have been formed to hunt the squark can be brought from the gate to the city without fear
over the years. Few of them have had any luck with of attacks by bandits. Other than that, the passages are
finding the behemoth, and those which have certainly considered unsafe
didn't survive the experience. Still, the lizard men hold Travelers can try to walk down the passages if they
out hope that they will someday be able to rid themselves like, but they are unlit and can sometimes house strange
of this seemingly immortal menace. creatures unseen elsewhere in Athas. It's rumored that the
seaways were long kept clean by gelatinous cubes, and
if these creatures haven't all starved to death for lack of
The Seaways something to eat, they could still be down there. Perhaps
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253
Celestial Bodies
The Dark Sun Celestial Bodies The phases of Guthay cycle over a 125 day period.
254
Celestial Bodies
silken snakes” lifted Uncle Tontor and carried him to the Tasker the Scorpion.
moon Guthay. There Uncle Tontor saw that the moon These constellations, and the order that they are
was really a colossal egg, from which all the silk wyrms progressed through are:
hatched, fully-grown. Balimarash the Caravan, Fiddle the Beetle, Hesper
Then the wyrms deposited Uncle Tontor unceremoniously the Kenku, Saurus the Lizard, Hortle the Spider, Sylk
on the underside of Athas. (Elven folklore once held that the Wurm, Tasker the Scorpion, Pyrus the Wheel, The
Athas is flat.) He had to swing hand-over-hand to the Dragon, Tyrospur the Lion, Scratch the Basilisk, Krawler
edge of the world, crawl up over the side, and walk all the Kank
the way home; this journey lasted a whole king.s age, 77 Besides these constellations used during the marking of
years. When Tontor arrived back in the village, even time, there are many other constellations that have been
older and more irascible than before, his descendants identified and named by the people of Athas. One of
did not recognize him. Always nosy, Uncle Tontor asked these is Coraanu, named by the Elves after the character
them, “What happened to your renowned ancestor, the of their legends as he races across the sky.
great Tontor?”
They replied, “What, that old coot? Our grandparents
said he went mad and thought he.d turned into a snake.
He slithered into the hills, and nobody ever saw him
again.”
The Messenger
An even stronger invoker of superstition and fear
occurs every 45 years, when a brilliant comet called “the
Messenger” visits Athas. By night one can read by the
comet’s light, and it can be seen clearly in the full
light of day. Folklore holds that the Messenger visits the
Dragon every 45 years to deliver important information.
The comet was supposed to appear four years before,
however, it never arrived. Priests and scholars have been
anxiously watching the sky, awaiting the comet’s return,
yet dreading what its tardiness might portend.
Constellations
All Athasians know the night sky and its familiar
constellations, and many peoples assign different meanings
to the motions of the stars and planets.
The main 12 constellations are the ones that make
up the mechant calendar. Through the year the crimson
sun proceeds through each of these, signifying the 12
months of the year. The sun reaches it’s highest between
the months of Krawler the Kank and Balimarash the
Caravan, and it’s lowest between Sylk the Wurm and
255
Celestial Bodies
256
Distances
257
Distances
258
Distances
259
Index
Index
Ahpotex....................................................... 177
Altaruk........................................................... 74
Darna........................................................... 184
Dasaraches..................................................... 54
Arkhold........................................................ 222 Dead Forest.............................................19, 73
Avegdaar........................................................ 60 Dead Land................................................... 225
Balic................................................................ 74 Dej................................................................ 180
Bandit States................................................ 231 Dhuurghaz..................................................... 60
Bare Stone...................................................... 15 Dragon Horns............................................... 21
Barrier Wastes............................................. 227 Dragon’s Bowl............................................... 51
Basalt Plain.................................................... 73 Dragon’s Causeway....................................... 67
Bav-rem....................................................... 212 Dragon’s Crown Mountains........................ 53
Beastbarrens.................................................. 28 Dragon’s Plate................................................ 49
Bitter Well...................................................... 50 Draj............................................................... 172
Black Isle........................................................ 64 Dry Marsh..................................................... 52
Black Sand Raiders....................................... 89 Durg’s Puddle.............................................. 224
Blackspine Mountains.................................. 46 Dust Sinks........................................................ 9
Blackwash...................................................... 17 Echoing Mine................................................ 46
Blue Shrine.................................................. 222 Echoless Caverns.......................................... 26
Blufftown..................................................... 250 Eldaarich...................................................... 229
Bodach........................................................... 44 Endless Sand Dunes................................... 222
Boulder Fields................................................. 9 Estuaries......................................................... 14
Broken Butte................................................. 28 Estuary of the Forked Tongue.............48, 171
Broken Lands................................................ 52 Euripis.......................................................... 184
Burning Plains............................................ 236 Flake Drifts.................................................... 18
Bvanen Cave City....................................... 213 Flashfires...................................................... 237
Cache............................................................ 148 Foothills......................................................... 10
Canyons......................................................... 10 Forbidden City............................................ 213
Celik............................................................. 222 Forest Colossi................................................ 55
Chaksa............................................................ 53 Forest Ridge...........................................55, 181
City of a Thousand Dead........................... 226 Fort Fyra...................................................... 120
City of the Fire King..................................... 52 Fort Harbeth............................................... 131
Clan of the Roc........................................... 191 Fort Inix....................................................... 141
Constellations............................................. 255 Free................................................................. 83
Crescent Forest............................................. 31 Freedom......................................................... 74
Criker’s Pirates............................................ 251 Fume............................................................ 168
Crimson Monolith..................................... 224 Gate of Doom................................................ 72
Crimson Savanna....................................... 216 Gauntlets........................................................ 51
Cromlin........................................................ 106 Giant Holds................................................... 49
Crystal Forest................................................ 55 Giustenal...................................................... 183
Cuarsen........................................................ 242 Glerran......................................................... 205
Cubarto........................................................ 242 God in the Dust............................................ 63
Dark Sun...................................................... 254 Godshold..................................................... 230
260
Index
261
Index
262