...having a quick beer-thirty IPA at the bar next to my office, and jotting ideas in my notebook, trying to come up with a few more items/ideas to populate my shared hex for its next draft...
The guy next to me (whose beer-thirty arrived had a substantial head-start on mine) looks over and says, "Hey look, we're both doodling!" (he is sketching on a notecard while half-listening to his lady-friend). "Whatcha drawing?"
I tell him I'm making notes for a wilderness adventure story, but that my forest is boring.
"Oh, you need to make it underwater."
"I have a lake with some interesting stuff already."
"No, dude, like filter feeders. Saw them on TV. Put 'em in trees. Guy's in the forest, it's all dark and creepy. 'Hey, what's that?' Sees something floating in the air. 'Rawr!' "
And that is how I came to contemplate arboreal filter-feeders....
... another thing perfect for eating halflings.
Heh.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Monday, November 10, 2014
The Mamalen Entek (magic beast)
The Mamalen Entek, or 'Wandering Root' makes its appearance in Chapter 1 of the excellent webcomic "Unsounded" by Ashley Cope. Unsounded has been on hiatus while Ashley built up buffer but came back on line today, as promised. In recognition of the creative worldbuilding in the comic, have a statted-up magic beast...
Referred to as a 'Senet Beast' in the local parlance, the Mamalen Entek was created through ancient magic, or perhaps even by the gods, and wanders the deepest primordial forests. Believed to be centuries old, it appears as a massive, crude sauropod comprised of boulders and gnarled tree trunks, often with one or more aged trees growing from its back. Green-glowing 'eyes' bracket the head.
Absolutely silent when still, and comprised of vegetation and country rock, the Mamalen Entek will surprise on 5 in 6. Some say that the beast's idea of curiosity and problem-solving is, "Will it fit in my mouth?" But other observers believe that the beast's intended purpose is to re-balance a place, and as such, it seeks to neutralize discord, occasionally by gastronomic means...
As a creature of deep magic, the Mamalen Entek has an empathetic response to any intelligent creatures it encounters. In fact, it is believed to 'feed' off these responses, whether peaceful or violent. Neutral or positive encounters will typically be ignored, or observed in the Mamalen Entek's ineffable way. Minor aggression, especially by relatively low-powered foes, will either be ignored, or efficiently, but relatively harmlessly, dispatched.
In the event of continued annoyance, a powerful physical attack, or sufficient feelings of aggression, the Mamalen Entek takes on a dark visage, with a reddening glow of visual rage. Its body spouts plant-like thorns, hardening its hide and increasing damage dealt.
The beast will defend itself via smashing or trampling, entangling, and swallowing foes. Any swallowed foe will take additional damage as the beast's fibrous 'entrails' engulf them and root into their body, absorbing energy and essence. Undead (such as Unsounded's reanimated mage) are not affected.
Blunt trauma is shaken off by the beast. Normal and magic weapons do regular damage, but the beast takes double damage from magical fire attacks.
Psychic energy spilled by the dying Mamalen Entek will cause any intelligent creature within one mile to feel despondent and sluggish for one day.
Mamalen Entek ('Wandering Root")
Huge Magical creature
Extremely rare to unique
HD: 16, AC 3/16, Atk: Smash 2d10x2/Engulf 2d8+4-8/round swallowed, Move 9, Save 3, AL N, CL/XP 19/3,800; Special: Surprise on 5/6, Empathetic, morale/response will mirror 'foe,' Blunt weapons cause no damage. Rage attack increases damage to 3d10, AC improves by -/+1. Death causes all intelligent creatures within 1 mile -2 all actions/saves for one day.
(Welcome, Unsounded readers - I'm pleasantly surprised that Ashley added this to the fanfic contest list!)
Referred to as a 'Senet Beast' in the local parlance, the Mamalen Entek was created through ancient magic, or perhaps even by the gods, and wanders the deepest primordial forests. Believed to be centuries old, it appears as a massive, crude sauropod comprised of boulders and gnarled tree trunks, often with one or more aged trees growing from its back. Green-glowing 'eyes' bracket the head.
As a creature of deep magic, the Mamalen Entek has an empathetic response to any intelligent creatures it encounters. In fact, it is believed to 'feed' off these responses, whether peaceful or violent. Neutral or positive encounters will typically be ignored, or observed in the Mamalen Entek's ineffable way. Minor aggression, especially by relatively low-powered foes, will either be ignored, or efficiently, but relatively harmlessly, dispatched.
In the event of continued annoyance, a powerful physical attack, or sufficient feelings of aggression, the Mamalen Entek takes on a dark visage, with a reddening glow of visual rage. Its body spouts plant-like thorns, hardening its hide and increasing damage dealt.
The beast will defend itself via smashing or trampling, entangling, and swallowing foes. Any swallowed foe will take additional damage as the beast's fibrous 'entrails' engulf them and root into their body, absorbing energy and essence. Undead (such as Unsounded's reanimated mage) are not affected.
Blunt trauma is shaken off by the beast. Normal and magic weapons do regular damage, but the beast takes double damage from magical fire attacks.
Psychic energy spilled by the dying Mamalen Entek will cause any intelligent creature within one mile to feel despondent and sluggish for one day.
Mamalen Entek ('Wandering Root")
Huge Magical creature
Extremely rare to unique
HD: 16, AC 3/16, Atk: Smash 2d10x2/Engulf 2d8+4-8/round swallowed, Move 9, Save 3, AL N, CL/XP 19/3,800; Special: Surprise on 5/6, Empathetic, morale/response will mirror 'foe,' Blunt weapons cause no damage. Rage attack increases damage to 3d10, AC improves by -/+1. Death causes all intelligent creatures within 1 mile -2 all actions/saves for one day.
(Welcome, Unsounded readers - I'm pleasantly surprised that Ashley added this to the fanfic contest list!)
Sunday, November 9, 2014
The Tri-Colored Crater Lakes of Kelimutu, Indonesia
This popped up on my G+ feed...
The Tri-Colored Crater Lakes of Kelimutu, Indonesia occupy the summit craters of the Kelimutu Volcano on Flores Island, Indonesia. Although the three lakes are adjacent to one another, each is differently colored, and the colors periodically change, also independently from one another. The color changes are suspected to be attributed to chemical changes in the lake waters from interactions between dissolved minerals and volcanic gas eruptions.
The three lakes are named Tiwi Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Lake of Evil Spirits, or Enchanted Lake).
Hook possibilities:
Of course, as volcanic lakes, I'd make them reeking, corrosive, poisonous, bubbling up with asphyxiating (or perhaps explosive) gasses, and a lovely place to visit during the summer.
For the less mundane, the color-changing lends to differing characteristics of the water. Hook or plot drivers may entail collecting water at certain times, in order to gain certain abilities or characteristics - for more complexity, multiple trips may be required, or only when two or more of the lakes are in a certain color combination. Of course, lake characteristics change randomly. Water qualities include curative, poisonous, component for potion or construct, toxin or other reactant specific to the big-bad or a barrier, etc. Have at it.
The Tri-Colored Crater Lakes of Kelimutu, Indonesia occupy the summit craters of the Kelimutu Volcano on Flores Island, Indonesia. Although the three lakes are adjacent to one another, each is differently colored, and the colors periodically change, also independently from one another. The color changes are suspected to be attributed to chemical changes in the lake waters from interactions between dissolved minerals and volcanic gas eruptions.
The three lakes are named Tiwi Ata Mbupu (Lake of Old People), Tiwu Nua Muri Kooh Tai (Lake of Young Men and Maidens) and Tiwu Ata Polo (Lake of Evil Spirits, or Enchanted Lake).
Hook possibilities:
Of course, as volcanic lakes, I'd make them reeking, corrosive, poisonous, bubbling up with asphyxiating (or perhaps explosive) gasses, and a lovely place to visit during the summer.
For the less mundane, the color-changing lends to differing characteristics of the water. Hook or plot drivers may entail collecting water at certain times, in order to gain certain abilities or characteristics - for more complexity, multiple trips may be required, or only when two or more of the lakes are in a certain color combination. Of course, lake characteristics change randomly. Water qualities include curative, poisonous, component for potion or construct, toxin or other reactant specific to the big-bad or a barrier, etc. Have at it.
Friday, November 7, 2014
The Halflings of Bogaert
The Enclave of Bogaert
To feed off of Timrod's and Zenopus' halfling posts - a little community out in the boonies where few travel...
Most halfling communities are somewhat reclusive and insular, and the Enclave of Bogaert is certainly no exception. They are willfully independent and generally suspicious of outsiders. The halflings settled in contested territory within the foothills of the Rhodamine Peaks ten generations ago, and have been generally keeping to themselves since then.
The Enclave is generally forested, with cleared, terraced fields growing rye, barley, and wheat. Livestock includes sheep and semi-feral hogs that roam among the forest brush.
The residents live in hamlet- to village-sized settlements, with the 'capital' of Myrkan having a population of 3,800, quite populous for any halfling settlement. However, visitors speculate that it is not so much a town as a haphazard group of villages that have grown together, disheveled and unorganized. Although outsiders are soon disoriented and confused by the torturous streets and pathways, a native finds her way effortlessly, reading subtle signs and ciphers known only to the residents.
Individual residences are the typical hobbit burrow-holds, although many well-to-do and/or eccentric residents will build one-to two-story buildings over the burrows. Close inspection will find them to be empty shells.
To feed off of Timrod's and Zenopus' halfling posts - a little community out in the boonies where few travel...
Most halfling communities are somewhat reclusive and insular, and the Enclave of Bogaert is certainly no exception. They are willfully independent and generally suspicious of outsiders. The halflings settled in contested territory within the foothills of the Rhodamine Peaks ten generations ago, and have been generally keeping to themselves since then.
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| source |
The residents live in hamlet- to village-sized settlements, with the 'capital' of Myrkan having a population of 3,800, quite populous for any halfling settlement. However, visitors speculate that it is not so much a town as a haphazard group of villages that have grown together, disheveled and unorganized. Although outsiders are soon disoriented and confused by the torturous streets and pathways, a native finds her way effortlessly, reading subtle signs and ciphers known only to the residents.
Individual residences are the typical hobbit burrow-holds, although many well-to-do and/or eccentric residents will build one-to two-story buildings over the burrows. Close inspection will find them to be empty shells.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Dungeon Geology 5
A long-tardy addendum to some musings, starting here.
As part of my hex contribution to the Tenkar's Landing crowdsource project, I elected to throw a couple of volcanoes into my hex - one dormant (but still geothermally active) and one extinct. The area around the extinct volcano is riddled with lava tubes, which are in the process of being explored by a local band of lizardmen seeking artifacts of their species.
Simply, a lava tube is formed by lava flowing under a hardened 'roof' or under a crust of cooled lava:
They are not uncommon in volcanic areas - both stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes. My semi-local example is along the slopes of Mt. St. Helens. Tubes may be quite cavernous, or may pinch down to crawl-spaces or nothing, as repeated flows fill in the cavity.
Access may be through a 'typical' cave entrance, or via a roof collapse.
The challenge with a lava tube system is that the passages tend to be linear, with very few branchings or chambers. Characters could end up exploring multiple dead-ends and in-and-outs before encountering anything of note other than whatever cave fauna has moved into the chambers. However, as a natural tunnel (many may be over a mile long) it can interconnect two areas. An interesting possibility, especially if the lava tube is an unknown quantity, or perhaps acts as a bolt-hole from some residence or redoubt.
So although the tube or tube system doesn't have the tortuosity of a dissolution cave (ex. limestone), it still has the potential for some interesting features, geometries and interconnections.
For the crowdsource exercise, one or more tubes will access ancient lava chambers (this may be more artistic licence then scientifically accurate), where there is the potential to find interconnection over multiple levels, ancient workings and macguffins. An event, such as an earthquake or landslide, may expose a heretofore unknown tube or passageway, or clear a formerly blocked conduit. Now to create a few levels for some populating...
As part of my hex contribution to the Tenkar's Landing crowdsource project, I elected to throw a couple of volcanoes into my hex - one dormant (but still geothermally active) and one extinct. The area around the extinct volcano is riddled with lava tubes, which are in the process of being explored by a local band of lizardmen seeking artifacts of their species.
They are not uncommon in volcanic areas - both stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes. My semi-local example is along the slopes of Mt. St. Helens. Tubes may be quite cavernous, or may pinch down to crawl-spaces or nothing, as repeated flows fill in the cavity.
Access may be through a 'typical' cave entrance, or via a roof collapse.
The challenge with a lava tube system is that the passages tend to be linear, with very few branchings or chambers. Characters could end up exploring multiple dead-ends and in-and-outs before encountering anything of note other than whatever cave fauna has moved into the chambers. However, as a natural tunnel (many may be over a mile long) it can interconnect two areas. An interesting possibility, especially if the lava tube is an unknown quantity, or perhaps acts as a bolt-hole from some residence or redoubt.
So although the tube or tube system doesn't have the tortuosity of a dissolution cave (ex. limestone), it still has the potential for some interesting features, geometries and interconnections.
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| Small tube |
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| The "Meatball" inside Ape Cave, Mt. St. Helens |
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| Lava stalactites |
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| Lava "gutter" and tube-within-a-tube |
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| Branching lava tube or side-tunnel |
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| Page with more features and definitions |
For the crowdsource exercise, one or more tubes will access ancient lava chambers (this may be more artistic licence then scientifically accurate), where there is the potential to find interconnection over multiple levels, ancient workings and macguffins. An event, such as an earthquake or landslide, may expose a heretofore unknown tube or passageway, or clear a formerly blocked conduit. Now to create a few levels for some populating...
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| Looks like something out of Giger |
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