History
Once, many many years ago, the Great Woses was the site of a mighty and monumental Kingdom. This kingdom predated even the life of Falha, and some say that Sangia had not yet hatched from his egg when the lords of that land claimed their dominions. Yet there comes an end to all things, and according to myth, this kingdom was brought low by its own hubris, daring to offend the mightiest of the gods with their haughty words and blasphemous deeds. The gods punished their wicked way with great deluges of water, entire towns were washed away. Cities sank into soupy mires, and across the nation the crops failed and millions died.
That Kingdom perished, and there is naught left of it but scattered illegible writings left on sheets of hammered tin. ruins can be found in the Great Woses, toppled towers and forgotten strongholds that have been swallowed and forgotten by the swamps, what things lurk inside them is unknown.
The Endless Swamp
As it is also known, most maps only show the southern border of the Woses, leaving the map north blank and marking it as the endless swamp. The region itself is not entirely swamp, but there are three major swamplands that have given the impression of endless swamps.
The southern-most of the three swamplands is the largest and is nearly 30 miles wide and stretches from the feet of the mountains where it is fed by cold glacier run-off to the ocean. Low-lying and brackish, it is a black swamp of nightshade, and poisonous creatures. Few dare to cross it as it is a principle domain of the ogres.
The middle swamp runs parallel to the lower branch, but though the smallest of the three, it is the most rife with bogs full of quicksand, mud hollows, and sink holes that threaten to suck off boots or pull unwary travelers to a close and final embrace. many portions of this waterway vanish into water-logged hills and thickets of mangrove before springing up again on the other side. These islands in the swamp are home to the many ogre clans that live in the swamps.
The Northern branch of the three is the most treacherous as it draws nearly all of its water from the mountains. While still boggy and turbulent, in many places the swamp water is cold enough to suck the breath out of those who blunder into it. Crossing this, after the other two is generally the straw that breaks the camel's back, or invites explorers to return the way they came rather than to press on.
The Ogres
No one knows where they came from, but the Ogres have been a part of the swamp for as long as records count. Standing a good foot to foot and a half taller than a normal person, and half again as heavy, the ogres are physically daunting. Their society is a primitive hunter-gatherer one that has perfected the art of distillation. In the swamps, away from prying eyes they brew poisons and buck-ogre rum, healing tonics, and onion ale.
Plot Hooks
The Dingus - A rather simple mission of finding the ruin in the swamp, defeating the traps and retrieving the vital yet lost dingus. The problems encountered include the swampland itself, facing the ogres, and the innate hazards of illness and such. Fun ensues when the ruin is now the lair of an ogre-sorceress hag!
Explorers - The PCs have been tasked to find the northern border of the swamp for the king. this is in part royal expedition and part recon for forces to be sent in against the pesky ogres who keep snagging locals to make their rum. Let the slaughter commence!
Nightshade - The PCs encounter an Ogre expedition out of the swamp looking to establish trade contacts outside of the swamp. They have their herbal and brewed goods, smooth rum, isn't it? They also have access to those afore mentioned ruins that could be choke full of neat whatsits from the fallen empire, now 2000 years gone.
Interim post between Falhath and the to be released Zehin nation, which forms the northern border of the Woses.
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? Responses (5)
A delicious canvas! I liked the descriptive detail of the swamp.
This would be a great addition to any world.
Nicely done. It places well in almost any world. It gives us a bit of history, some dramatic hooks, and a number of 'things man should no know'. Good job.
Excellent Locale.
There´s something with me and swamps...No idea why, but there it is... So, this piece makes me drool. Scenery is good, history is good and the name is excellent. Kudos! /David