Tag: loc-dunst
Hweran Lizard Folk clan of Dunstrand
Posted on July 6, 2023 in Steel-Realms
Although the Hweran Clan of Lizard Folk Newtlings of the realms has three families or tribes of Lizardfolk in Dunstrand (population of about 1800), their most sacred spot is the Wonald Delta of Crestwold. These “Weighty Tails” range all over Dwindor along the Black Shore, but prefer the cleaner waters of the delta and moorswood. They have a mutual aid pact with the druids of the Pranin Moorswood. They raise alligators and birds, and have begun a fish farming operation in the last hundred years. They are rarely seen despite growing numbers, as they try to avoid clashes with other humanoids. They are constantly at war with their more base and violent cousins, the Troglodytes. Troglodytes breed faster, care nothing for resource management and are violent and war like. Their clashes with other humanoids often get the lizardfolk lumped in with them, and subject to the ire of others; They have mutal trade and defense with the family along the Hoolip Coast.
A lizard folk live predominantly in the delta and some of the woods and along the Hoolip Coast, even into Loamwold. There are three separate families. The one on the delta is the biggest. The one on the coast is the best developed for. They get seawater, freshwater and lots of marine life to feed on, they are the richest and they trade with halflings and sometimes smugglers and merchants. The lizardfolk extract poison from a fish and are immune to its effects which otherwise immobilize. Or they have seriously reduced effects.
Lizardfolk Crafts
Eelskin Sheath
Eelskin Sheath is made from the large freshwater black eels of the Wonald Delta. It grants minimal Resilience. It is treated with a special slime coating. When it gets wet, its flexible. When it dries out, it becomes like a form fitting sheath. It is organic, and only lasts 30 days. The coating, if sealed in a container, lasts until used. It can be used under any armor or over clothes or bare skin.
iCore™The Order of the Striking tail
The Order of Striking tail in ma is what the name translates to of the monks. There are only about a dozen of them at any given time – tribal champions. It all started when a monk from an ancient order that no longer exists. Washed up from a shipwreck. They nursed him back to health and an exchange. He taught them the secrets of vibration and the way of the quivering palm (scales). They are uniquely adapted with their sparse life and spartan needs. This monk could have been from the south. The language in words of the moves is essentially Synedcian.
Hoolip Coast and Westwoodlands (Pranin)
Posted on May 22, 2023 in Steel-Realms
The Hoolip Coast is a specific place of note within the Pranin Moorswood, named for seasonal red tides brought from the juices of the Hoolip Berry that wash out to sea from Maldoolin in Loamwold and flow along this area. It is a calm spot along the rough coast of the Pranin Moorswood leading to Sabin Bay. The infamous Greafears Maw sits just off the north side of this coast.
Mostly mangroves grow here on the waters edge and some willow trees. There is a path along the coast that leads to Sabin Bay, and from there to the safe Moorland Cut that allows boats to enter the north fork of the Murchart River where easterly winds help shallow draft boats tack up the river to Torrelsons Ford. Sometimes smugglers find refuge from bad weather in small shallows here.
The western most area is mostly free of the sharp rocks of Sabin Bay near the border with Loamwold. It is teaming with fish and birds. It was once an area known as the Loamwold Cut or “The Loam Loch” – where the Nanford River and Murchart River met and flowed west into Coldstream Inlet (now Coldstream Channel) and to the sea. The currents (and possibly the Druids of Pranin) are mostly fresh water in the area. Pieces of the Hoolip Coast are claimed by Loamwold, but they and the druids seem allied in keeping further exploitation at bay and so conflict has never developed.
Lizardfolk Settlements: A family of the Hweran Clan of Lizard folk serve as a buffer between humans, halfling, and druid interests and raise fish, muscles and urchins to trade with all three with.
Westedge Woodlands
The halflings of Loamwold fish and live along here, a few even have homes here in the Westedge Woodlands, loyal to the druids and keeping their ways and the general peace.
The Mud Riders
Rumor has it that there are human dwellers here, a people known as the “mud riders” will serve as guides through Pranin. They are wary though, and don’t trust outsiders. If they will not work with travelers if they are threatened – they will abandon them, force them back into the Deepwold, or hail a coastal merchant boat or smuggler to get to Torrelsons Ford. The druids of Pranin and the Mud Riders have a relationship – the folk are avid Wyld faith worshipers, and leave the giant constrictors of Pranin (sacred to Ssisslenn) alone.
Mud Riding: These folk get the name because they have been seen from a distance to “ride” along what appears to be clumps of mud somehow. In reality, they have a special relationship with the alligators of the coastal and moor area, using them as transport. They provide easy food (fish and lizard) and safe nests and in return, the gators guard them and move among them without issue. The folk do not fear them, though they are not pets. The folk guide the gators away from the sacred snakes as well.
Shrine of Ssisslenn: The Mud Riders maintain a Shrine that is a holy place to both Darupet and Ssisslenn.
Notable Ruins (of The Saelish)
Posted on August 30, 2022 in Steel-Realms
The Notable Ruins (of The Saelish) are all ruins of fortified keeps and castles that have been abandoned all over The Saelish. The area was whipped into a frenzy many generations ago by a multitude of known and unknown forces, with Nurth and Orrish overrunning the southern area around Birch Cut. Many of the castles/keeps were made with assistance by the Dwarves of the Enclave of Redlaen, which is why the ruins still stand.
- Minystra (“Duskhaven Castle”) – no one goes near here; haunted.
- Mcosterain Keep
- Castle Audbrey (still inhabited, but mostly in ruins)
- Mcinveress Keep
- Mccollec Castle
A dangerous place of crumbling stone. Sacked by the Umbakians, it is a symbol of the failure of the local spirit. Defeated in battle, it held for only 3 days behind its walls before the young and foolish Breyndayn Mccollec surrendered – believing his people would be spared. They were. The down was knocked down to the last pebble and caslte looted and burnt.
- Mccurhn Keep
- Raed River Keep
Wonald Delta
Posted on November 15, 2021 in Steel-Realms
Sabin Bay, along with the Pranin Moorswood and Wonald Delata, are claimed as territories under the watch and sanction of the Druids of Pranin – the druidhold of Moordaeth. The Wonald Delta and the south fork of the Murchart River are part of it, but not according to the baron of Crestwold.
Gatesmount (Riverdan)
Posted on July 6, 2021 in Steel-Realms
Geo-Location: Duchy of Dunstrand
The capital of ___ has a population of 1,700 (though in the far past it was 3-5 times that).
Defining Ideal: The Riverdans has always seen themselves as a bastion of independence & freedom within The Grand Duchy of Dunstrand. They safeguard the traditions of the Fallen East, personal freedom, the nobility of service, and bloodline purity. "Where the river Nanford once flowed, so flows the blood and honor of tradition and loyalty."
Defining Moment: All of the Riverdans were devastated when, in CY 7950-7986, Nanford River changed course during the Storm Times and Dwindor Swamp became a living things itself and gained the appellation of “Mighty Dwindor”.
Unless a specific location offers alternatives, Steel Realms Characters coming of age in/from this locale will shape their perspective to the primary experience of Cultural Experience of the Riverdans.
- A Cultural Experience is on top of any background, archetype, or species character elements; Normally a PC may only have a single Basic Cultural/Regional Experience at the time of Character Inception. A group of characters with the same cultural experience can come together to form a shared Cultural Bond.
Known For:
Ruled By: (Pledged Directly to the Duke of Dunstrand)
Rulership: Active; [‘Lord-Steward’ is proper, ‘Baron’ outside of Dunstrand] (Titled, peerage [knightly grant] based, matriarchal lineage)
Seat of Rule: The city of
> Symbol:
Factions: The most ancient faction is based on the lineage of the old families from the Fallen East. Like all the old families, they are associated with the League of the White Lily & brought their Dryad refuge through the ancient association with the Osten-Paullus faith.
Armed Forces
Size/Composition:
[Approximate] Professional = / Volunteer = / Mercenary = / Levy =
Pacification Garrison Presence: NO
Total Population:
[Approximate] Urban = / Rural = / Remote =
Transient: Very little due to the economic depression suffered by the river lands.
Racial Division and Relations: Like all the Riverdans, the population is almost 90% human. A few Grollen, Half Elves, and Dwarves have found their way into the old lands due to the general acceptance (though they are still treated as outsiders) of any people.
Social/Cultural Norms of Note: The folk of this place share the common culture of the Riverdans. They take pride in the origins and shared culture with ancient traditions. They all share some common historical events, such as the River Nanford changing course. They are obsessive about their bloodlines and preserving the records around them.
Divine Associations/Religion: The Riverdan folk are not overly religious, though they still observe many of the ancient Rites and traditions of the vanishing Osten-Paullus faith of the Fallen East. Over time, all of the families have gravitated more towards the Green Church and mother Gaia – even welcoming in Druids of the Wyld Faith since the impoverished and somewhat abandoned Riverdans are slowly “returning to nature”.
Common Names:
Riverdan Basic Map
Commerce, Economy, and Travel
Annual $:
Roads and Transport: Most roads are in disrepair. Markers have been left to rot or become overgrown. The river-side territories on the south are mostly lush flood plain lands. The river rarely floods any more, and all settlements are built on rises above the river levels. A few dykes or small seasonal dams are ready but often fail due to their state of disrepair.
Primary Imports:
>
Primary Exports: Orchards, grains, and grasses are plentiful.
When the river floods, it deposits silt and nutrients. The silver crown is accepted everywhere, but many transactions between those who live here are on a barter system due to the monetary poverty of the fiefs.
Crime/Criminal Element(s): There is not enough trade and capital to support any kind of large scale organized crime. Most criminals are opportunistic, though in a few large cities a small gang may be organized to run some local operation. Because of the currently impoverished nature of the Riverdans, many criminals are not treated harshly for non violent crimes (and there is a lack of jail facilities), while violent crime is often responded to with a level of severity greater than the crime.The people are fiercely community-minded and disturbing that peace is sometimes even dealt with in vigilante style.
More Materials
Adventures in the Area
Adventure Ideas
General adventuring in the Riverdans has some common threads…