Unapproachable East.pdf - The Forgotten Realms

others believe it is a gift from the spirits of the land for
anyone brave enough to claim it. The treasure remains unclaimed
because its exact location is unknown, and a creature
known as the ice dragon guards it. No one knows its exact
nature, but it is probably a mutant aquatic white dragon with
ice-clear scales that make it almost impossible to see without
magic. Strange patches of ice appear on the surface of the lake
at all times of the year, usually with a hapless foreigner frozen
to death inside, a victim of the dragon’s icy breath. The creature
is under the control of the hathrans, or at least acknowledges
their power, and leaves normal Rashemi alone.
The North Country
Spoken of as if it were a different land, the North Country accounts
for almost two-thirds of Rashemen’s territory. The site
of many battles between old Narfell and Raumathar, the place
is scattered with old ruins and decrepit fortresses of those dead
empires. Rashemi nobles explore these dangerous sites to prove
their bravery and bring back great treasures. Few survive, but
the reward of ancient treasure is worth the great risk.
Few people live in the North Country. Those who do inhabit
small, isolated farming settlements as far as possible from the
nearest ruin. The local people have many stories about the
ruins and those who explored them, but only a handful of
these describe nobles returning laden with gold, weapons, and
magic. Rumors about the nearby sites are almost always tales
handed down from earlier generations, for no sensible
person would approach such places.
THE RING OF GRAY FLAMES
Raumathari ruins are usually clusters of tall towers, most of
which are fallen or severely damaged. Guarded by lethal and
large-scale battle-spells, some leach magic into the nearby area,
creating odd effects and mutating natural creatures. Their
treasures are usually spells designed to slaughter large numbers
of foes or items that augment sorcerers’ magic. One ruin,
called the Towers of Smoke by the nearby villagers, constantly
leaks a plume of deadly vapors (equivalent to a cloudkill spell)
and is said to be guarded by iron golems of many sizes.
The most famous ruin is the Ring of Gray Flames, a circle
of five narrow towers, each with a harsh gray fire burning
atop it. The flame emits only a feeble light but disrupts divine
magic brought near it. Occasionally, grinding noises can be
heard within the two intact towers. The countryside surrounding
the towers is roamed by spell wards, free-willed magical
constructs that seem to be spells given life.
THE FORTRESS OF THE HALF-DEMON
Nar ruins are squat fortresses with many underground levels
used for summoning terrible beings. Protected by powerful
glyphs, chained demons, and imprisoned spirits, some still contain
portals into the Abyss and the Nine Hells, although the
keys have been lost. Nar structures usually hold devices to
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summon and banish demons, as well as repositories for scrolls
of lost clerical spells.
The Fortress of the Half-Demon is so named for the remnants
of a gigantic iron gate made in the shape of a huge demonic
face. It may still be the home of fiendish and halffiendish
creatures that cannot leave their place of summoning.
The Fortress of the Half-Demon is currently the stronghold
of Losk (CE male hagspawn Ftr4/Wiz9), a warrior-mage
who leads a vicious group of brigands.
The Running Rocks
These granite peaks form a spur of the mountains that define
the High Country. The lower reaches have a few quarries and
mines for copper and iron, but the rest of the mountains are
avoided by normal Rashemi. The upper mountains have a mystical
reputation and are thought to harbor violent spirits that
dump rocks on visitors rather than accept offerings. As well,
trolls and bheur hags plague the region. Unknown to most
except the Witches, these mountains are the secret lairs of the
vremyonni, or Old Ones, male Rashemi wizards who manufacture
magic items for the Witches and train the young recruits
in arcane magic. The caves of the Old Ones are well
guarded by rare spells and sealed with great stone doors that
require the proper magical command word to open.
IMMIL VALE
Along the northern edge of the Running Rocks is a deep fissure
in the earth known as Immil Vale. No matter the season
or temperature above, this place is continually warm and
green. Grass, flowers, and trees grow everywhere, and crystalclear
streams are free of ice year-round. Many kinds of colorful
birds nest here that live nowhere else in Rashemen, while
deer and small animals live in the underbrush, hunted by
small predators such as lynxes.
Legend has it that the goddess of magic blessed this place with
protection from the cold so the Rashemi would always have a
vision of spring even in the heart of winter. The real explanation
is mundane—subterranean volcanic activity heats underground
water, keeping the vale warm and creating many hot springs,
which emit clouds of steam. Fortunately, these springs are not
tainted with the brimstone stench of some volcanic vents, so the
air is pleasant. Sometimes the vale fills with mist, giving it an
ethereal quality and enhancing its magical reputation.
Many spirits live here, bound to the trees and stones. One
famous spot is the Mosstone, a huge moss-covered piece of
rock near the center of the vale. Those who camp in the
stone’s shadow are blessed with prophetic dreams and are
sometimes visited by Hulmarra Murnyetha (N female
telthor human Rgr9), a beautiful and skilled Rashemi
tracker killed by a Red Wizard over two hundred years ago.
She was fond of visiting the rock, and after she died, her spirit
found its way back to it. Hulmarra sometimes steals away visiting
men who remind her of her long-dead husband, returning
them years later looking not a day older.