The Scab

A Long and Storied History

The Scab has a long and storied history, but much of its distant past is lost. The dwarves have called it home since the beginning of the second age when Domi ascended to godhood and claimed the dwarves as his people. In those days, the dwarves spread south through the Red Hills to live in and under the triple plateau of what would later be called New Elenna. Some ruins of dwarven delvings have been discovered under the plateaus proving this history.

There they flourished until the Great Invasion of the 4th age when the “other” noble races were banished by the Gods of Wold for their unbelief and ambition to overthrow the gods. Those who remained in the “interior” of the Continent of Yrth were destroyed as was the land. Of those fleeing to the “edges” of the continent, most came to the Peninsula of Elenna. The gods, not wanting the noble races to reenter those destroyed lands, made the mountains of The Scab impossible to pass. They also tasked a group of immortals called The Old Ones to keep the Noble Races out of the lands to the east. These were placed under the control of Fhorge, an immortal that the gods bound to the largest mountain volcano in The Scab so that the mountain and Fhorge were one. During this time, none of the Noble Races ever succeeded in traversing The Scab to the Wasted Lands to the east. However, it should be noted that the Drow from the Underwold, used their nefarious magic to create a means of travel underneath The Scab simply named The Wind Tunnels.

The Grim Guard

One notable adventuring group should be mentioned from the earliest days of the 5th age. This group was named The Grim Guard and was formed of dwarves from different clans. They were the heroes of their age within The Scab and traveled within its borders as a force for good. They succeeded in pushing back against multiple Duergar invasions, quashed an uprising of necromancers, and aided Clan Blackaxe to retake Drakesmeade. Their adventures may be found in a set of volumes known as "The Forged".

The Year of Ascension

At the end of the 4th age, the Wold was attacked and destroyed by Marteaus in a time known as the Year of Ascension. During this time, the Drow of the Underwold staged an attack of the surface, massing by the 1000s under the Scab in an area known as the Lava Tubes. They had created an artifact, known as “The Wind Tunnels”, that allowed one to float through the lava tunnels under The Scab at a high rate of speed and do so safely. They were stopped at the West Wind Tunnel Entrance by the Gold Dragons. Gathering the help of many adventuring groups of the Woldian League of Adventurers, the small army of adventurers collapsed the western end of these tunnels destroying the massing drow army.

After Marteaus destroyed the Wold and The Jericho recreated it, the 5th (and current) age of Woldian history began. The Scab was one of the areas altered by this new “recreation.” The Scab was no longer impassable. The Gods released all of the Old Ones, except for Fhorge, who they elevated to the status of “Geographic Power” (another term for a lesser god). Two other of the immortals were also rewarded with this same elevation to provide a modicum of balance to the area: Scald and Mother Veolos. They, like many of the powers, have become “one” with the geographic features that they inhabit.

The 5th Age

In this 5th age, the dwarves are beginning to prosper, but the way is difficult as nothing is ever easy in The Scab. Five of the larger Dwarven Clans are known to meet yearly at the Stone Festival to do their best to please Domi, maintain the peace, and discuss the threats that the past year has wrought.

The category of a dwarven steading is based on its size:

• Large steadings are known as Strongholds.
• Medium steadings are known as Holds.
• Small steadings or family holds are known as Delvings.

The most well known of these clans, though not the largest, is Clan Blackaxe. Their Stronghold is named Drakesmeade and is the farthest west of the clan holds, making them more accessible than the other holds further east.

Giantkind has also prospered and there is a "balance of sorts" between them and the Dwarf Clans. Along with the giants, are an abundance of other monster threats within The Scab. Included in these are threats related to the three native Powers of the Scab: Fhorge, Scald, and Mother Veolos. Threats from these sources include the fire creatures that surround Fhorge Volcano Mountain, the water and steam elementals within Scald Lake, and the "creepy crawlies" (as named by the Invisible Gnomish Caravans) of Mother Veolos that live in and around Carrion Valley.

A new culture has also arisen in this 5th age: The Invisible Gnome Caravan culture. They built the town of Riddleport on the northern shore of Dragon Bay. The gnomes work exhaustively to build roads, both above and below ground in places going straight through portions of a mountain, and send their invisible caravans through portions of the Scab, increasing trade. Even for them, travel is dangerous, but progress continues to be made. A balance of sorts seems to have emerged between the Noble Race cultures and monsterkind. Travel is still difficult as well as dangerous, but it is not impossible in most places. The easiest route in the western and northern ranges are by road. The best route in the eastern ranges is via the Serpent’s Breath River. The Invisible Gnome Caravans are making progress in this respect, increasing trade in and out of the Scab.

Locations with Descriptions

1) Black Dwarf Ruins

These ruins in the western edge of the Scab was once an outpost of the ancient Black Dwarves Clan, or at least that is how it is translated from the dwarven language to common. They were one of the original dwarven clans that date back to the 2nd Age of the Wold. No one knows where the original stronghold was, but there are many theories that vary greatly. One of the more interesting theories is that their stronghold entrance was on the western cliff of the 1st Plateau of New Elenna near Idol City where the “Teucri” face is now carved into the cliff, which also explains why no one has tried to explore this option. No one likes being turned to stone by a Teucri face.

2) Red Dwarf Dwelling

These ruins, also in the western edge of the Scab, was an outpost of the ancient Red Dwarves Clan, that also dates back to the 2nd age of the Wold. This oddly enough, is a surface building constructed of stone that seems to have been built as a consulate/trading house to interact with the Elves of Culverwood, perhaps also an effort to keep them away from their stronghold, which is supposed to have been somewhere in the Northeastern area of the Scab. There are wall sculptures and some paintings that have now been magically preserved depicting dwarves and elves trading and meeting in peace. There is also evidence of attack which archeologists and diviners both claim is evidence that this peace did not last.

3) Collapsed West Entrance to Wind Tunnels and the UnderWold

This Drow gateway structure used to be the entrance to the Wind Tunnels constructed by the drow during their “Dwarf Wars” of the 2nd age.

Just before the Year of Ascension, a group of adventurers descended into the Underwold to aid the lead house of drow city. This non-evil group of drow had been hiding their alignment for generations, but had at last their non-evil alignment had been revealed. Besieged on all sides, the adventurers helped this drow house escape to the surface.

The evil drow were fast on their heels chasing them as far as the Wind Tunnels under the Scab, where they began to organize their army for war. However, at the last moment, the adventurers collapsed the “wind tunnels” killing an entire generation of drow warriors. The drow have not been heard from since. The escaping drow became the Surface Drow of today and founded the city of It’lal.

After the drow incursion, Clangden the Stout faithfully stood vigil over the Western Wind Tunnel Gateway until his recent death and was buried just outside the ruins of the Western Gateway Entrance.

4) Sanitarium Ruins

This sanitarium stands empty and partially destroyed after the evils and human experiments conducted there were stopped by adventurers from the village of Humble’s Ford in the Crescent Valley.

5) Frigid Mountain (5 Sisters)

The first of 5 signature mountains in the western side of the Scab. At night, and especially on a full moon, they glow in the moonlight and have the reputation of being haunted. This mountain and the valleys surrounding it become dangerously cold on such nights. This is a magical effect, but no one has ever found the source of the magic.

Gargul is known to walk the paths of the 5 sisters when he goes walkabout from his duties as Judge of the Dead.

6) Flamebearer Mountain (5 Sisters)

The second of the 5 sisters glows orange reflecting the sun in the early morning and late evenings before and after a new moon. Dwarves who have lost loved ones may climb in groups on a double full moon to leave messages for them and return on the next double full moon to receive a response. It is said that Maab sends a traveler from her Feast to collect and deliver the responses as this mountain has a connection of sorts to the Twilight Valleys in the AfterWold.

7) Forgotten Twin (5 Sisters)

The third of the 5 sisters is a part of a great mountain that at some point split into two separate mountains. There are many dwarven fairy tales for children about how the mountains split, but none seem to contain any discernible truth about how this occurred.

This most western of the two mountains is the Forgotten Twin. It will disappear before the last day of each Teucral Year and all knowledge of it is forgotten. After the first day of the new year it reappears and is remembered. Those who have something they want to remember or something they want to forget come here and climb to “Recollection Point” during this time. Afterwards, many attempting this claim to have had their wish of forgetfulness or remembrance granted.

8) Favored Twin (5 Sisters)

The fourth of the 5 sisters is the easternmost of the two twins and is named the Favored Twin as it is favored by Wardd, God of Luck. As with its “twin sister” it manifests a related boon on the first day of each year. Those who have suffered more than their share of bad luck will sometimes climb to a spot named “Fortune Point” to ask for a boon of luck. Some come to ask a boon for others.

On New Year's Eve, Favored Twin will appear to rise during the evening far above the Wold and slowly rotate. As midnight approaches, it will begin to glow brightly as it descends quickly to the surface landing exactly at midnight when ghostly fireworks may be seen and the magical sound of singing trumpets heard.

9) Forlorn Mountain (5 Sisters)

The fifth of the 5 sisters is Forlorn Mountain. This is the only one of the five that does not manifest any sort of magical effect during the year. The oldest known altar to Domi lies atop this mountain. Forlorn Mountain is said to guard Drakesmeade from the dangers to the east. Many dwarves climb Forlorn in the summer to pray to Domi for their clan, for protection, and for guidance. Dwarven children draw pictures of all kinds of things to give to those who climb to give to Domi. Each one always has the words, “We Love You Domi!” somewhere on the drawing and sometimes a letter on the back saying how good they’ve been.

10) Fhorge Mountain

Fhorge Mountain is the embodiment of the power of the same name. [See Powers under Spirituality for more information] It is located within the central ranges of the Scab and stands alone, not as part of a mountain chain. Reddish in color, this volcano mountain is the largest in the Scab and is always active. Travelers near or on his slopes must be very vigilant so as to not be trapped by lava flows and other volcanic dangers. It has been known to blow its top without warning spreading lava, rock, poisonous gasses and other dangers in all directions for many miles. Some say you can judge Fhorge’s temper by the volcanic activity on the mountain.

Many mines have been dug into the slopes of Fhorge Volcano as it is known for having rare deposits of adamantite and mithril that can be found in lava vents and tubes. Many giants of all types travel here as a rite of passage and use a dowsing rod to find raw, rough, or uncut gemstones to be their lucky talisman or token. It is a misunderstanding that "all giants" choose Fhorge as their patron power, but many do. One would think that Fhorge would hate mining on his slopes, but in fact the opposite is true as he has the ability to "lay" new deposits. Some think he likes the attention.

The area is full of fire based creatures that call the volcano home such as Fire Giants, Fire and Magma Elementals, Salamanders, Efreeti, Cherufes, Fire Mephits, etc.

The mountain is known to have temporary gateways that open to the Elemental Plane of Fire.

11) Scald Lake

Scald Lake is the embodiment of the power of the same name. [See Powers under Spirituality for more information] It is located in the eastern ranges of The Scab. It is shallow and constantly boiling and shooting geysers and fountains into the sky. It is dangerous to approach as most geysers and other geographic features are not predictable. Some of the geographic features are magical in nature causing magical effects if one touches or is splashed by them. This has even been known to happen with magical mists. One pool on the south end is considered safe to “take a dip in” and worshippers will enter the pool and worship Scald the power asking for her blessing. Serpent’s Breath River flows south out of the area and sometimes contains bits of magic that flows south causing unusual effects of color etc. [See Serpent’s Breath River below]

Scald Lake has many caves and lava vents surrounding the lake. One will also find randomly opening gateways to the Planes of Fire and Water. Many water elementals and other water and steam based creatures live in the environs of this lake including Steam Mephits, Clockwork Leviathans, etc.

12) Flamelich Lair Ruins

Northeast of Scald Lake is a smaller lake of lava. There is much turmoil where the two meet. This used to be the 2nd Lair of Flamelich the Dragon, scourge of adventurers everywhere and one of the combatants in the final battle of the Year of Ascension that led to the death of the Wold. The lair was supposed to be a floating magically constructed lair that would float above the lava to give the dragon a refuge that adventurers couldn’t reach. Nothing remains of this lair, yet dragons chose this locale after the destruction of the Dragon Nation as a yearly mating location. Adventurers have talked about “crashing the party,” but none have dared.

13) Carrion Valley

Carrion Valley is the embodiment of the power known as Mother Veolos. [See Powers under Spirituality for more information] It is located in the eastern ranges of the Scab northeast of Skald Lake. It is a high valley that descends from the summit of Veolos Mountain to the eastern shore of the Creusa Sea. This valley is the vilest place ever seen by the Noble Races. Thousands if not millions of insects, parasites, bugs, etc form a living carpet of “creepy crawlies” that fly, crawl, and burrow making this valley one of the most loathsome horrible places in the Wold. Koshe Marr wishes it had something this revolting to create the fear it craves.

During winter, the valley empties with the insects going underground, into hibernation, or use other means to survive the winter. In the spring, they return very hungry and the “carpet of insects” will travel outside the valley as a semi-intelligent creature under Mother Veolos’ guidance looking for food and prey. As a result, few trees survive within 10 miles of this valley and everything looks as if it has been eaten, because it has.

14) Clan Blackaxe (Drakesmeade)

Clan Blackaxe is located near the 5 Sisters mountain range and is the only clan of note whose stronghold is in the western ranges of the Scab. The clan lives in the ancient stronghold of Drakesmeade, equal in size to the largest strongholds in the Scab. The size of this ancient stronghold is much larger than the clan currently needs for their current clan size, which has hit upon hard times recently. It is now growing again due to its location and its willingness to be friendly to folk of other races. It has instituted a new policy of declaring worthy folk of other races as Dwarf-Kin giving them status and membership within the clan. Chief Stern Blackaxe is clan leader. His son and only heir, Thadean, has started to take on some responsibilities of being leader to help prepare for when he inevitably becomes leader of the clan.

15) Clan Wyrmbane

Clan Wyrmbane is a large clan located just east of Fhorge Mountain. Fhorge is the officially declared patron of this clan, though most dwarves also patron Domi. A smaller number also patronize Scald and other powers. This clan is not friendly with any other clan, though they do attend the Stone Festival for purposes of achieving dominance and conducting trade. They also do not want to risk ire with Domi. They hold their own gathering to honor Fhorge, holding contests of strength and skill. However, few outsiders choose to attend. Clan Leader Grukhoin Boulderbelt is a strong leader who believes in the leadership of the strongest and is training his twin son and daughter to honorably follow in his footsteps. The clan stronghold was originally an adamantite mine centuries ago and is built and supported to withstand the strongest earthquakes, which is a regular occurrence around Fhorge Volcano Mountain.

16) Clan Mountainheart

Clan Mountainheart can date its lineage back to the Red Dwarves of the 2nd age. Its original stronghold was north of Fhorge Mountain and the clan believes it was destroyed in the 4th age by Fhorge as the clan worshiped Domi instead of him. Now they have a newer stronghold in the southern ranges of the Scab just west of Serpent’s Breath River. The clan officially patrons Domi and the clan greatly frowns on anyone who patronizes any other god but him. An honorable tribe, they trade with the other tribes and foster relationships with smaller clan family delvings throughout the Scab. As the closest clan to the Eastern Wind Tunnel Entrance, they claim ownership of the location and have a force presence there at all times. They make excursions down into the wind tunnels to search for any drow presence and to keep the area clear of monsters and other dangers. A large diamond mine is also near the Wind Tunnel location. They use the facility there to train their young to be both warriors and miners. Clan Mountainheart is very patriarchal, dividing professions and jobs clearly into male and female responsibilities. Chief Gwalin Sternbough works to keep the clan’s tradition strong and unwavering. All are required to attend clan gatherings where these traditions are taught and lauded. It is a punishable crime for parents to have undisciplined children. A cave down by the river has from time to time housed some of the outcasts, but they tend to not stay there for long.

17) Clan Grimrock

Clan Grimrock is located east of the Serpent’s Breath River in the most impassable and difficult terrain of The Scab. The singular path leading to the Hold is well tended and supported so that the Gnomish Caravans can reach them. There is a Gnomish Caravan repair delving near Grimrock, but its exact location is kept secret from even most of the Grimrock clansfolk. This clan is very diverse in who its clansfolk patron. In fact, they are the only clan that has not officially declared one or more gods to patron as a clan.

There is a small contingent of gnomes that are considered part of the clan and they have a seat on the clan council. Thodrumin Metalspine is the clan chief and rules with a council that is elected by the clan and representative of its people as well. He is known to be honest and fair and is occasionally called upon to mediate between other dwarven tribes or to represent the dwarven clans with outsiders. Clan Mountainheart are the most proficient masters of mining and delving. They will hire out their masterminers to other clans when they are having difficulty. This clan mines everything and their most lucrative mines are always kept secret. They have trading deals with most nations of the Wold, despite their remote location thanks to the Invisible Gnomish Caravans. Due to their skill and diplomacy, they are the wealthiest of the clans, yet their people live simply with honor and responsibility being the key words to their moral code.

18) Clan Anvilfist

Clan Anvilfist is located between the ruins of Flamelich’s Lair and Carrion Valley. They are extremely isolationist, cautious, and secretive. They do not officially attend the Stone Festival, some do attend. When clansfolk do travel, they never reveal that they are from Clan Anvilfist. The reason was a practical one. They for centuries had the most lucrative gold mines anywhere in The Wold, but word has leaked that this may no longer be the case. Either that or the clan is spreading that rumor to keep hopeful prospectors away. Due to how their hold entrance faces the lava lake, they can see anyone approaching the area easily and will send a patrol out to send them away. Very rarely visitors are redirected to what they call the Plateau of Lost Souls to await the person they came to see. No visitor in the 5th Age of the Wold has been allowed to come to the hold itself. Not much else is known of this tribe or its current situation.

19) Eastern Wind Tunnel Entrance

Just west of the Upper Serpent’s Breath river and south of Scald Lake is the eastern entrance into the Wind Tunnels, which are part of a vast Underground Lava Tube network that runs under the Scab. Guarded by Clan Mountainheart, the Windtunnels are considered off limits by that Clan and refuse all requests of entry. If a request ever seems legitimate, the guards have instructions to send the petitioners to Clan Mountainheart to speak with Chief Gwalin Sternbough. The 50’ tall gate covering the entrance is of dwarven make and bears protective magical glyphs to prevent entry. Note that its twin, the Western Tunnel Entrance in the far western ranges of the Scab collapsed with that end of the Wind Tunnels when the drow from the Underwold just before the Year of Ascension staged an invasion of the surface with a large army. The invasion was to be in response to the escape of the 1st Family of the drow city to the surface. This escaping family became the surface drow of It’lal far to the east of the Scab.

20) Wold's Loft

Located in the western ranges of the Scab and NE of The Sisters mountains, Wold’s Loft provides the widest 360 degree viewpoint in the Scab allowing one to see for great distances in all directions. The Blackaxe Clan maintains sentries here to keep an eye on the area, except in the wintertime as the Loft is inaccessible during winter. Stocked with supplies and protected with a small fort, it is an important defense point during times of danger. The road has been widened to allow the Invisible Gnomish Caravans access to this summit. Signals may be sent from here to Fhorge Mountain, Drakesmeade, and even as far away as the Giant Towers in Crescent Valley to warn folk of giant movements and other dangers.

21) Stone Festival

Both dwarves and elves attend this festival near a place where the Scab and Culverwood meet. There they celebrate the Demon/Fae that for centuries protected the surface from the main Underdark entrance, before the fall of the Drow. This festival lasts a week and has been responsible more than once for extending the peace between dwarf and elf.

That doesn't mean that all is peace and love at the festival. In fact, they can't ever agree on the name of the festival. The elves call it "The Wood Festival." The gnomes and halflings who are not even invited call it "The Festival of Stone and Wood" (gnomes) and "The Festival of Wood and Stone" (halflings).] Of course the gnomes and halflings come to the festival anyway. The halflings always say, "I'm with the elves," while the gnomes say, "I'm with the dwarves."

Needless to say, a great time is held by all, if by a great time you mean arguing and bickering until you are literally blue in the face, which has happened.

22) Thistleport

Early in the 5th Age, the town of Thistleport was built and became a thriving hub after their original home in the western reaches of The Scab was burned to the ground as a response [see Thistleport Article.] (as thriving as a town could be in the Scab at least). It is home to many gnomes, dwarves that chose not to live with their clans, and even a few people from other noble and ignoble races. Living in the Scab teaches one to be resilient though, and the town of Thistleport has grown and is integral to the trade of this region.

Close by this large town is the central construction hub for the Gnomish Caravans where the wagons are constructed and enchanted. This is the only known hold of the IGC. Other rest and repair holds are scattered throughout The Scab and kept secret.

23) Pale Flume River

The Pale Flume River flows from an underground source just outside Drakesmeade. A very clear river, it “races” west. It is also fed at dozens of places by other rivers flowing into it from underground sources. It is impossible to “traverse with a boat” due to its steepness and the speed at which it flows. However, this speed only encourages the Historical Drakesmeade Barrel Riding Society, which sponsors the very popular “barrel riding contests/events” at the Stone Festival. This event also brings in halfling competition from Crescent Valley, who practice on the Crescent River after the mages of the Second Dinner Club “rile up the waters.”

24) Serpent’s Breath River

The Serpent’s Breath River flows south from Scald Lake. Water elementals are known to traverse this river coming and going from the lake. Broader than the Pale Flume River, barges and boats may travel up and down its length helping trade in the area of the Scab that is most difficult to traverse. The river is full of jagged rocks in places causing boats to be small enough to be “carried” to the next safe place to traverse. Some say that the name of the river came from when the water would crash against the jagged rocks and send spray into the air “like a serpent’s breath.” The Invisible Gnomish Caravans will traverse the river, but their “trains” will levitate above the water. One can occasionally hear one go by, but they are not seen without magical assistance.