The Black Shore (of Dwindor Swamp/Scar Flow)

Steel Realms

Geo-Location: Duchy of Dunstrand

The Black Shore runs the length [of the border] of Dwindor Swamp and the Duchy of Dunstrand. It runs from The Earldom of Richfield in the north, to the Barony of Crestwold on the southern edge of the Earldom of Bar-Innis – where once the Nanford River ran. It is covered in black river soil and floodland soil and currents from Scar Flow and Dwindor – all rich in nutrients making it black. The Black Shore provides access to Dwindor where the lilies are harvested to make Lily Healing items.

The Black Road/Black Shore Road: This is a road, not paved but mostly marked. It is a dry and somewhat stable path amidst a watery and treacherous landscape. It has several areas of high ground where it is obviously intended to make camp (it could fit a few wagons and a dozen travelers) – some of them even defensible with low stone walls or small barricades.

  • Travel: Most of the time it is by walking. Beast of burden generally move not much faster, as ‘quick movement can lead to quicksand’ (as the saying goes); Often times the “swamp skiffs” of various sizes are used to move at a faster than walking pace using the waters off the coast. Those knowing the common paths can move through it without having to take the longer inland routes. The strange effects of Dwindor limit travel to by land in most cases, otherwise provoking an encounter.
  • Prevailing Weather:

What You Notice From a Distance: (From a 100m Distance) The entire picture is ominous, making you question the wisdom of exploring any further.

Knowledge About The Black Shore

Knowledge is broken down by ease of discovery/accessibility. If nothing is indicated, assume it is Pervasive.

Pervasive Knowledge / Very Easy Difficulty

The Black Shore runs the length [of the border] of Dwindor Swamp and the Duchy of Dunstrand. It runs from The Earldom of Richfield in the north, to the Barony of Crestwold on the southern edge of the Earldom of Bar-Innis. Although not part of The Black Shore officially, all the land that borders Dwindor and Scar Flow share some of the same qualities – including the SE shore of Tarmysia. It is covered in black river soil and floodland soil from Scar Flow and Dwindor – all rich in nutrients making it Black. It is filled with treacherous currents and flows and famous for swallowing those unfamiliar with its ways.

Encounters: Encounters can vary because of the shifting nature of the water and soil in the area. The Black Shore (of Dwindor Swamp/Scar Flow)The Black Shore has its own, safer, encounters that reflect its traveled nature. The encounters in Scar Flow and encounters of Dwindor itself overlap at times. As the Black Shore is part of Dwindor Swamp, the encounters in it reflect the encounters in Dwindor Swamp. There are defensible ruins (Umbakian, Bronzefolk, and Sea-King) all along the way though, these are well maintained by travelers. They are often covered in “colorful” graffiti with notes from them.

Obscure Knowledge / Near-Impossible Difficulty is not available in known references; It is not necessarily Forbidden Knowledge.


Adventures in the Locale

Realm's Aptitude Powers: Divine, Occult, and Psychic