Difference between revisions of "The Scab"

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'''The Scab''' is a mountain range full of natural wonders.  Volcanoes launch lava into the air.  Geysers, mud pots, and hot springs abound.  Yet within these powerful forces of nature are The Old Ones, ancient immortal creatures who are one with the feature they inhabit.  Ruled over by Fhorge, The Old Ones were imprisoned as guardians of the passes until recently.
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= A Long and Storied History =
  
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The Scab is also home to the Dwarven Clans.  Struggling against nature, themselves, and their shame, they try to forge ahead in these difficult times.  Partnered somewhat with The Dwarves are many gnomish farmer and trader clans that use illusion and bravery to work the stubborn but rich soil of the region.  Giants also abound lead by the Fire Giants, bound to Fhorge.  Add Dragons and a valley full of insects and you have a very volatile mix of life, power, and struggle for survival.
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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.
  
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Welcome to The Scab!
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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.
  
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==[[Legends of The Scab]]==
 
  
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'''Origin of The Scab's Name'''
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= The Grim Guard =
  
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After the 3rd age, when the interior of the continent of Yrth was forbidden by the gods to all of the Noble Races, the mountains of Dordak [which means Red Mine] were lifted by the gods as a barrier.  Volcanoes raged as the Gods appointed The Old Ones [which the Dwarves call Demons] to guard the passes.  As these forces rages, layer upon layer of igneous rock, rained upon the mountains.  In effect, the mountains looked patched by new igneous rock.  Humans in the area started calling the abondoned mountains The Scab for its appearance at the time.  The name stuck as it pained to dwarves to use the old name for their beloved mountains, which were beloved no more.
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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.”
  
  
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==[[Dwarven History]]==
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= The Year of Ascension =
  
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1st Age:
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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. 
  
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During the First Age of the wold, the Dwarves did not get involved with the Godwar and shunned the Fae.  They delved, built, and developed the dwarven society under the Elennian Plateaus thousands of miles from the elves or humans.
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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.
  
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They discovered great riches then in a mountain chain to the north, which they named Dordak. These mountains were very active with volcanoes, bubbling pools, hot springs and boiling mud pits.  The effect was that once something was mined out, the mountains tended to rejuvenate themselves and within a few centures, new minerals would form in the area ready to mine. Great mines would be stripped only to be opened again a generation later.
 
  
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So the Dwarves lived isolated, prospering during the 1st age.  They had very little contact with the Gods of Yore. They were not dependant on worship for their power, nor were the first gods tasked with any responsibilities towards the Mortal Races of The Wold, for the Gods of Yore were tasked with protecting the Wold from without..
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= The 5th Age =
  
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2nd Age:
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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.
  
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During the second age, trade found the dwarves and they found it.  The elves wanted mithril.  The humans wanted gold, steel, and magical weapons.  Both elves and man started civilizations on the Elennian Peninsula crowding things somewhat. The Sacred Mountains of Dordak had to be shared. The Teucri, an alien race, arrived and claimed the surface of the plateaus, living above the Dwarves, and claiming it as their own.
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The category of a dwarven steading is based on its size:
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* Large steadings are known as Strongholds.
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* Medium steadings are known as Holds.
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* Small steadings or family holds are known as Delvings.
  
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The Dwarves didn’t play well with others.  Our mountain.  Our land.  They were lessened because their borders became limited.  They continued to live under the plateaus, but mined the nearby Dordak mountains.
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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.
  
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Issues become complicated and the Dwarven Clans disagreed and split into Duergar, Black, and the Fist Clans (formerly known as the red dwarves from a tendency for their Kings to have red hair.)
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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.
  
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The City of Durendal was founded so that the Fist Clan could be closer to the mines to guard them from the other two clans.
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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.
  
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3rd Age:
 
  
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The dwarves further dishonor themselves causing Domi to remove his blessing from them.  He also removes his gifts:  The Icons of Courage: hammer, anvil, and forge.  Dwarves scatter to the niches and corners of the Wold trying to achieve separately what they could not do together.
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= Locations with Descriptions =
  
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The City of Durendal falls as the Fist Clan divided into Durendal's Clan and Turok's Clan.  A few of Durendal's clan survive but do not rebuild the city.  A remnant of Turok's Clan are banished to the edge of the Wold by Domi and survive to rebuild their honor and build the great Dwarven City of Turok Nor.  But this is another tale.
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'''1) Black Dwarf Ruins'''
  
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4th Age:
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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.
  
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The dwarves, left in the Continent of Yrth, continue their fall and find lose much of what is left of their culture to further division.  Many dwarves begin to live among humans in the melting pot of what has become "The Noble Races."  They are forgetting who they are and what they are about.
 
  
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All except for a group that is berated by all, The Harbor Dwarves.  They live and delve on a small island south of New Elenna.  There, with the help of an adventuring group, they learn loyalty to clan again.  As a reward, Domi gives them a clue to finding The Anvil.  The Harbor Dwarves begin to discover and relearn their past and institute the "Old Ways."  The Coming of Age Test is used and every dwarf of every age takes the test and passes it or dies.  A vision is given to them to begin uniting the Fist Clans.  This they do and a renewal begins.  Four of the clans reunite in The Scab and begin working together.  Domi gives them The Hammer with a direct appearance.
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'''2) Red Dwarf Dwelling'''
  
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During the Year of Ascension, the dwarves fought bravely and many died.  Then the discovery was made that vast numbers of Drow were massing below The Scab for an attack upon the surface.  Again, with the help of adventurers, the passages under The Scab were collaped and the Drow massacred.
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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.  
  
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The Dwarves of The Scab showed themselves loyal and brave throughout the time called The Year of Ascension and were present at the end, when the final battle was fought between Domi and Marteaus at the Yoshirr House when the Wold perished.
 
  
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5th Age (current day):
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'''3) Collapsed West Entrance to Wind Tunnels and the UnderWold'''
  
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After the recreation of the Wold by the Creater, which the dwarves call The Forger or The Great Blacksmith, the dwarves found that The Forge had been restored to them by Domi.  It is a golden age for the dwarves again.  Cooperating with everyone in the "mixing pot" of the Noble Races, they remaining distinct and faithful to their own culture and thrive with the blessings of Domi.
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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.
  
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Yet, the freed Demons now entertain worship as well and some dwarves are turning from Domi to something more substantially seen: The Fhorge.
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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.
  
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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. 
  
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==[[Fhorge]]==
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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.
  
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The greatest of the Old Ones is a Power known as Fhorge.  He is worshipped, loved, and feared by all inhabitants of The Scab.  He is positioned in the deepest part of the mountains and in the old days served as a final defense point between Elenna and the Forbidden Lands.  Unlike the fey spirits, however, Fhorge IS awakened mind of the volcano.  He is still called one of the Old Ones, because he rules over them, but by type he is not.
 
  
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Fhorge is the largest volcano in the mountain range and is always active.  He is now tasked by the gods to act as a spiritual jailor for the creatures that were of such power that their destruction was not possible.  Recently the Old Ones, called The Demons by some, have been able to reach through the barriers he had constructed due to the scabs contact with Culverwood. They seem to be learning how to break their bonds not through escape, but by becoming one with the prison, just as Fhorge is. It limits them to the region, but it is better than no power at all in their minds.
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'''4) Sanitarium Ruins'''
  
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Fhorge seems to be benevolent, yet harsh on those who cross him.  The Dwarves of the Scab appease him with worship and sacrifice and in return The Forge reveals veins of metals to the dwarves.  The giants offer live sacrifices from their yearly raids of the Noble Races to Fhorge as well.
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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.
  
  
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'''The Order of Fire'''
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'''5) Frigid Mountain (5 Sisters)'''
  
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After Forge imprisoned the old ones beneath rock and fire, he was rewarded with several gifts from the gods, including an army of his own design.  He forged a race as brutal, ruthless, and ferocious as he. Standing 12 feet tall with skin the color of molten lava, these creatures have been dubbed fire giants by the noble races and they serve as guardians of the ancient prisons.  They view all those who "folly" through their land as trespassers looking to free those whose cages they tend.
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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.   
  
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The other giants(Hill, Stone, Mountain) are seen as lesser by the fire giants and are treated as subordinates.
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Gargul is known to walk the paths of the 5 sisters when he goes walkabout from his duties as Judge of the Dead.
  
  
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'''Artisen Mor's Legend of The Old Ones'''
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'''6) Flamebearer Mountain (5 Sisters)'''
  
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All craftsmen must practice and hone their craft before they have the skills to make great works of art, this rule too applies to the gods. It has been told that the noble races were created with, but a whim, but as a craftsman I have found this idea farfetched even for the gods. A creation as masterful as a dwarf would not be the result of a novice, but an experienced and keen artisan. It is this belief that has brought me here to the deep recesses of the Scab, called by an ancient voice.  I have traversed dark and forgotten caves to this lake of fire where one of the old ones, as that is what I have come to call them, has told me the story of his creation and imprisonment within the stone and fire of this place.
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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.
  
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He has no name, as he was never given one, but I have come to call him Morek after my Grandfather as that is how he first appeared to me.  Morek explained to me that when The Wold was young, The Forger began to create things big and small.  He wasn't exactly sure what he was attempting to create, as he had never created before. Thus he hammered the essence of existence and forged it into shapes of all sizes and designs. Those he found lacking, he reforged to create the next work.  But some works could not be undone. One of those creations were the Old Ones.
 
  
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As the Forger focused on his masterpieces, many of the Old Ones grew jealous and sought to destroy, or taint these works of art. The creator, unhappy with this interference, offered a reward to any who could take care of their problem, It was surprisingly one of the Old Ones who answered the call. Climbing to the tallest point of creation (as of that point in time) the traitor and his cohorts called forth the powers of the elements and sealed the old ones, good and evil, in prisons of stone and fire.  This is how the area now known as the Scab was forged.
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'''7) Forgotten Twin (5 Sisters) '''
  
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The gods rewarded the traitor with dominion over his prison, created the giants to serve his will, and granted him a name, Fhorge.  When the 4th Age was born, these prisoners were given the task to guard the passes for a time.  They were given some freedom to leave their prisons, but only to perform this task.  They were promised that when their task was done, they would be rewarded.
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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.   
  
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Told by Dwarven Master Artisen Mor
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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.
  
  
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'''Master Swordsmith Jarnor's Legend of The Old Ones'''
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'''8) Favored Twin (5 Sisters)'''
  
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Long ago was the time of destruction.  The Gods of Wold destroyed the Races of Nobility because they did not worship the gods nor respect them.  Instead, the Noble Races, of the interior of the continent of Yrth, were exterminated.  Thus the Forbidden Lands were named.  The Gods pronounced that it would be death to enter the Forbidden Lands.  Yet they know that the Noble Races would try, due to all the knowledge, ruins, and treasure that was hidden there.
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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.
  
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The remnants, spared by the gods, lived in the unharmed areas at the edges of the continent.  The largest of these areas was the Peninsula of Elenna.  The Peninsula of Elenna was connected to the Forbidden Lands by a narrow strip of lands covered by mountains.  These mountains are The Scab.  They are also home to the Dwarves.
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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.
  
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After the Third Cataclysm, the gods caused the mountains of The Scab to grow tall and to be geologically active with all manner of volcanoes, poison air vents, geysers, and earthquakes.  This made the Dwarves tough as well as respectful of their homeland.
 
  
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Then the Gods placed ancient Fey Guardians, known then as The Old Ones, within each major geographic feature and trapped them there.  The Old Ones had opposed the Gods of Yore in the first age and had been placed into eternal sleep.  The Old Ones were instructed to guard The Scab and destroy anyone that attempted to cross over into the Forbidden Lands to the east.  When the Time of Suffering was at an end, they would finally earn their freedom and their time of incarceration for their misdeeds would end.
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'''9) Forlorn Mountain (5 Sisters)'''
  
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So they were placed inside their prisons: volcanoes, waterfalls, poison air vents, ancient trees, boiling mud pools and the Old Ones used the power of their prisons to prevent passage through the Scab.
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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.
  
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They served their sentence during the 4th age and very few mortals found their way to the Forbidden Lands beyond.  With the Year of Ascension and the recreation of The Wold, the Old Ones were released from their prisons, yet many decided to remain.
 
  
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Many bear the name of the land feature they inhabit.  They draw their strength from this feature and their power grows and wanes with the power of their habitation.
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'''10) Fhorge Mountain'''
  
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Notable Old Ones in The Scab include Mother Veolos, the master of Carrion Valley; Scald, who lives within a huge Hot Spring lake full of fountains; and The Forge, who resides within a massive volcano.
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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.
  
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The dwarves call them Demons.  And demons they may be.  It is a hot topic of debate whenever dwarves and elves gather in friendship.  The elves insist on their ancient title: The Fae.
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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.
  
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Many dwarves love debating the origins and natures of The Old ones.  Some say that these immortals ARE the features rather than INHABIT the features.  There is also the issue of The Dark Fay Rising when Eberyon, the first creater, woke and threatened the newer creation of The Jericho. What indeed is the relationship of the Old Ones to Eberyon?  Are they his servants?  Are they now servants of The Gods of Wold?
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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.
  
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The mountain is known to have temporary gateways that open to the Elemental Plane of Fire.
  
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'''Elven Legend of The Old Ones'''
 
  
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The elves argue that Culverwood IS the Culverwood.  The same is true of the traitor and leader of The Old Ones named Fhorge.  He IS The Fhorge, at least according to Elven druids and historians.  There are indeed many Fey Spirits, described in a similar manner as with The Old Ones, that simply woke up when Eberyon did and now serve various powers, Fey, or act as free spirits.  The dwarves believe that there is a close relationship between Fhorge and Maab, who is called Queen of the Fey, Ruler of the Vales of Twilight in the center of the Lands of Rest.  The gnomish farmers of The Scab believe there is an alliance between M and E of Ice Vein who are similar powers in the Southern Continent.  They are the mountains they inhabit, just as Fhorge is indeed the volcano he inhabits.
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'''11) Scald Lake'''
  
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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]
  
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'''Nermalkin's Legend of The Old Ones'''
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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.
  
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The Gnomish Scholar Nermalkin believes that there is historical precedent that the Gods can and have imposed punishment upon M and E, similar as to how The Old Ones were imprisoned.  He believes that these imprisonments led to the ONENESS that has occurred with both Fhorge, M, and E--that in fact the Old Ones as well as others of similar type slowly became like their prisons, and eventually actually became their prison, just as the land around the prisons have become one with the landform.  He also argues that all three are clearly lesser beings when compared to the Gods, which raised interesting religious questions since all are now worshiped.  He goes on to argue that many of the afflictions of the Southern Continent were supported by M and E raising the question as to why the Gods have not yet punished them in a similar fashion to The Old Ones.  He further believes that these powers, which he believes are Elemental instead of Fae were not created by Eberyon, but existed before that time.  Both the Elves and the Dwarves, think this is a load of donkey poop.
 
  
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'''12) Flamelich Lair Ruins'''
  
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'''Scald'''
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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.
  
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Scald is one of the most powerful Old Ones and lives within a large Hot Spring lake full of fountains that goes by the same name.  Brutal to the extreme, his territory is growing as more and more of the water features of the area come under his control.  He opposes Fhorge as often as he can causing a great tension between fire and water in The Scab.
 
  
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'''13) Carrion Valley'''
  
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==[[Cultures and People of The Scab]]==
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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.
  
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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.
  
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'''The Stone Festival'''
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The great mystery concerning Mother Veolos is that no one knows who worships her.  It takes intelligence to worship or patron a Power.  It takes priests to spread the message of a power or god.  But absolutely no one worships Mother Veolos.  Some say there is a place in the Twilight Valleys of Maab that worships her.  Some talk about a hidden pocket realm within Carrion Valley where intelligent insects worship her.  Some talk of a Dark Lord within Koshe Marr that patrons her.  But these are just rumors and guesses.
  
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Both dwarves and elves attend this festival near the 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.
 
  
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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."
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'''14) Clan Blackaxe (Drakesmeade)'''
  
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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.
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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.
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'''Gnomish Farmers'''
 
  
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Dwarves have always had a certain disdain for farming and gathering, so naturally a small percent of the population of dwarf communities is made of gnomes, who do the handle such things. They also are responsible users of the rare stands of trees in the Scab, and harvest and work in wood. They have secret orchards too which they refuse to tell the dwarves about.  This bothers the dwarves immensely to the point that they refer to the situation as "The Fretful Secret."
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'''15) Clan Wyrmbane'''
  
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The gnomish presence in The scab also serves to supply a source of arcane power to the dwarves as they tend to shun such practices.
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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.
  
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One would think that the gnomes of The Scab would specialize in inventions and such with such immense nature based power sources nearby, however, the giants of the area have influenced the gnomes of The Scab towards illusionary magic.  Similarly, the gnomes of Zaran in Ice Vein specialize in a new form of icemagic to survive the cold and to create their amazing city of ice.
 
  
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The gnomes of The Scab have perfected ways to hide entire farms and towns from view for short periods of time when the Giants come calling with their rumbling bellies.
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'''16) Clan Mountainheart'''
  
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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.
  
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'''Gnomish Shadow Caravans'''
 
  
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Commerce and trade through the Scab is dangerous work, which is one of the reasons the Dwarf Clan Citadels function as City-States. The long winding caverns of the Dwarves may take weeks to traverse where an above ground path would take mere days. This is where the Gnomish Shadow Caravans come into play. Masters of Illusion the Gnomes have devised specialized methods and equipment to transport goods overland and avoid many of the dangers that reside in the Scab.
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'''17) Clan Grimrock'''
  
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This is incredibly helpful as well since teleporting has been extremely problematic in the Scab since the time of the prohibition days of the 4th age.
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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.
  
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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.
  
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'''The Giants'''
 
  
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The Scab is brimming with giants of all types, yet they are a culture, not just monsters.  They are ruled by the Fire Giants who serve Fhorge.  Yearly, they raid the halflings of Crescent Valley, but to no avail as the Halflings have erected magical towers along ley lines in the area which repulses them.  Yet the giants come every year, brimming with confidence and then cast down.
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'''18) Clan Anvilfist'''
  
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This leaves them to fight among themselves, attack the dwarven steadings, raid the gnomish farms, and generally be a nuisance to all.  Luckily, they are not very organized nor intelligent.  They are powerful, however, and not to be taken lightly.
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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.
  
  
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==[[Geography of the Scab]]==
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'''19) Eastern Wind Tunnel Entrance'''
  
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'''The Lava Tubes of Thekk'''
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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.
  
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The Lava Tubes of Thekk are a natural formation of old lava tubes that run from west to east underneath the Scab.  During the 4th Age, the Scab was used to keep the Noble Races from going to the forbidden center of the continent.  The Lava Tubes was the only land-bound method ever found that could circumvent The Scab's natural barrier and deposit the traveler at the far side near the edge of the Forbidden Lands.
 
  
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An elf named Ellisar added to the usability of the tunnels.  He was a student of the Teucri and had learned some of their lore, including the ability to make any corridor switch to "Reverse-Teucri" gravity.  Teucri corridors ignore normal gravity.  One can walk on any wall, ceiling, or floor of a Teucri corridor.  Knowing this knowledge, it was a simple matter for him to learn to reverse the effect.  He inscribed a set of permanent glyphs on each end of the Lava Tubes. Touching the glyphs in order, as the elvish instructions explain, changes the Lava Tubes gravity.  All living beings in the Lava Tubes instantly begin floating in the center of the tube and then slowly begin to move towards the other end.  Faster and faster, the travellers race through the tubes until they reach the far end.  There, they are spit out the far end to crash harmlessly into a web permanently installed in the correct place to catch the traveller.
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'''20) Wold's Loft'''
  
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During the Year of Ascension, the Lava Tubes were used for a more sinister purpose.  The Drow from the Underwold used it as a staging ground for an attack upon the surface.  Several adventuring groups including the Storm Dragons, Red Tigers, and others collapsed the tunnels just before the attack, slaying over 100,000 drow and for the most part destroying that culture within The Wold.
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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.
  
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After the recreation of the Wold, portions of the Lava Tubes were recreated, or perhaps the tunnels were not totally destroyed as was previously thought.  From this has come the new generation of rumors, legends, and tales of the places the Tubes of Thekk lead, the treasures that can be found there, and the mysteries of the Drow that the tube may lead to.
 
  
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'''21) Stone Festival'''
  
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'''Carrion Valley'''
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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.
  
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Carrion Valley is the highest valley in The Scab.  Warmed by all sorts of geothermal activity, it is the home of Mother Veolos, the Swarm Queen. Many in the scab know Fhorge's might, but even with all his power he wouldn't have been able to capture the old ones without allies.  Veolos was one of these allies. It was her job to hunt down and subdue the old ones who attempted to escape Fhorges imprisonment, and for this aid her children were allowed to remain in the scab, although she herself would be imprisoned as the rest. Veolos is said to be the mother off all ettercaps who still roam the scab, if the Fire Giants are the guards the Ettercaps are part maintinence crew, and part bounty hunter. They believe it is their duty to ensnare all who venture through the scab so that the great forge can imprison them with his stone and lava.
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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."
  
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No dwarf ventures here uninvited, and one should beware such invitations!
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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.
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'''Dragon Coast'''
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The southern coast of the Scab borders upon Dragon Bay.  This now is the home of many dragons who survived the Dragonplague.  Until the plague, Dragon Bay was the home of the Dragon Nation, probably the most powerful culture in the Wold.  Now, however, dragons are loners, hiding from each other and mutations of the plague.  These dragons, whom some call "The Remnant," do not usually hassle the dwarves of the area.  A tenuous unspoken "leave each other alone" agreement seems to be in effect.
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Near the shore, is There is also a Dragon Graveyard where the diseased dragons went to die which the dwarves call Kulaz Kurzr, which means "dark curse" in the old tongue.
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'''Traveling in The Scab'''
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Today, there are trails that traverse The Scab so that one can go through to the lands both east and west.  However, Dragon Bay is still the traveler’s choice, most of the time, because the mountains are still difficult and treacherous.
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It is not forbidden to travel the Scab, though, as it was in the 4th Age.
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However, the dwarves warn such folk advising with these words:
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“Beware traveler, and show respect.  For the waterfall you bathe in is a sacred place and home to a sacred demon.  So state your respect.  Say your racial or religious litanies.  Leave offerings of respect.  For these sites are sacred earth, water, fire, and air"
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OH SACRED ONE,
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I HONOR YOU.
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BESTOW A BLESSING UPON ME
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FOR I AM FILLED WITH RESPECT.
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[a litany translated from the old dwarven.]
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There are also dwarves who say,
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"You're gonna take a stroll through the Scab? What are you, dadblum fools! If you manage to beat off the trolls and ogres, and you survive the landslides and lava, and you manage to hide from the demons and dragons, then the giants will catch you and sacrifice you to the volcanoes. Idiots. Unless you're some kind of -- what do the humans call 'em? -- Dragon Hero Groups, yeah -- you're toast! Do yourselves a favor and just jump off a cliff. It'll hurt less."
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'''Caverns of Glimstone'''
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The Caverns of Glimstone is the one of the newest dwarven delvings.  Containing Gold and Silver as well as gems further in where the lava tubes are, it is very prosperous.  Licenses to mine within are available in the main cave.  It is considered a "shared delving" and is managed by Glimstone Properties, a gnomish outfit.  Considered "tame" by older dwarves, it is relatively safe, if you con't consider the vampire bats, the purple worms, and the cave-ins caused by the nearby geothermal effects.
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'''Mines of Durendal'''
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The mines of Durendal is infamous as the mine that brought the original downfall of the Dwarves of the 2nd Age.  Legend has it that this mine, filled with mithril and silver, created such greed and separatism, that wars between the clans were fought and lost.  As Durendal himself said,
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"When two clans battle,  all dwarves lose badly."
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And it did.  Clan Turak fought with Clan Durendal for nearly a century.  At the end, Clan Turak had the last of Clan Durendal trapped in an old copper shaft.  Durendal's grandson, Torgrim [which means soul eternal] rather than die and let Clan Turak claim his grandfather's mine, uttered a magical curse obtained from a drow.  The dwarves believe that this was the act that ended the 2nd age for the entire Wold.  The words collapsed the mine, the city of Durendal, and caused major upheaval all over the Scab for many years.
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Old man Turak, who had survived The Horrible War, was finally slain.  Yet Clan Turak was to survive.
 
  
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In the Cathedral of Stone, a lone priest commanded 5000 dwarves to lay prostrate before Domi and beg for survival.  The ceiling fell, yet the dwarves remained.  The screams of the dying were heard throughout the cathedral, yet the dwarves remained prostrate petitioning for their lives.
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'''22) Thistleport'''
  
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Domi heard their cry.  A portion of the city was instantly moved to the Ends of the Wold, forever to be separate from all other dwarves.  This remnant, named Turok Nor, means
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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.
  
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"We who were heard."
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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.
  
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To this day, Turok Nor has kept their honor and their city, in the Southern Continent, has surpassed the original City of Durendal.
 
  
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Recently, a main shaft of the Mines of Durendal have been discovered, yet no dwarf has ventured to delve there.  The fear and the shame remain.
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'''23) Pale Flume River '''
  
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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.”
  
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'''Wider Area''': Here is a map of the lands around The Scab. Note that the scale is 25 miles per hex; for more info, click on the map:
 
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[[Image:SE-Yrth-3.jpg|350px|left]]
 
  
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'''24) Serpent’s Breath River'''
  
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[[Category:Geography|Scab]]
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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.
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[[Category:The Continent of Yrth|Scab]]
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Revision as of 22:05, 10 April 2023

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.

The great mystery concerning Mother Veolos is that no one knows who worships her. It takes intelligence to worship or patron a Power. It takes priests to spread the message of a power or god. But absolutely no one worships Mother Veolos. Some say there is a place in the Twilight Valleys of Maab that worships her. Some talk about a hidden pocket realm within Carrion Valley where intelligent insects worship her. Some talk of a Dark Lord within Koshe Marr that patrons her. But these are just rumors and guesses.


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.

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