3-25-09
...While other kingdoms bask in the warmth of the sun, those who have been to the southern reaches see this as the luxury it is. This is a place
where white dragons fly, and winter wolves roam. A deadly white wasteland that indifferently hates all who cling to concepts of warmth and light.
Winter's Heart is a desolate place that hides as many secrets beneath it's white blanket as it does carcasses.
A land that has not seen a thaw for nearly 5000 years. And yet, there is life here.
From the mountain tribes, as cold and cruel as the ice they shape for weapons, to the massive herds of Elk that graze the southern hinterlands.
Home to such landmarks as the dead man, a giant relief carved into the very flesh of the mountains,
to the sea of glass - and expanse of crystal clear ice that stretches west as far as the eye can see...
Come to Winter's Heart if you dare, but expect little but bone-chilling cold, mid-day darkness, and a lonely death...
Some General Notes:
No central govt. Possible mountain pass garrisons from neighbors.
Few, if any traditional "dungeons"
Extremely Hostile environment
Ancient cultural ruins - literally just stone-piles and foundations. Fallen fey kingdom? Curse?
Monster Notes:
Fey, Elemental, Dragon
Barbarians
Dwarves
Eskimos : )
Explorers
Giant snow yetis
Location notes:
Hot springs - think african serengeti - Predators and prey
Ice crystal columns
Frozen waves and waterfalls
Frozen dinosaurs? DINOSAUR VALLEY! W00T!
Ship based or overland travel
Hazards
Avalanches near the mtns.
Ice crevasses and tunnels
Subterranean (ice boring) predators
Flying predators (little cover on the plains)
Hostile native humanoids
Exposure
Groups of influence
The Mountain Tribes
Three dragons patriarchs - they LOATHE each other, and their spawn are constantly fighting
A small fey enclave
Xenophobic Nazi-esque dwarves
Inuit-modelled tribes of humans (occasional half breed)
Sunlight hating undead during the long night
A large pack of winter wolves and shifters led by a GIANT wolf and druid(?)
I want to create a lawless northern region dominated with feuding barbarian clans. These clans will be of lightly mixed racial stock, and each have some sort of “revolting” cultural norm, as well as an odd taboo.
Possibilities include:
Necrophilia
Cannibalism
Ritual sacrifice
Scarification
There will be a small expeditionary port wherein ships may dock during the 4 months or so of the year when the ice has thawed. We'll call it Tildon's Folly.
A gate to the Far Realm, surrounded by freeze-dried, or frozen hulks of the foul creatures transiting it. (well, maybe not this last...but still)
The mountainous steppes are home to many horrid beasts, but the lure of rich metal deposits is simply too much for some to bear. Add the rich fur trade (for those that can survive the dangers) and a port-town is born.
We’ll have dragons, and winter wolves, and maybe even a Remorhaz (remember them?).
Please comment if you can think of anything you’d like to contribute.