Gamemaster Information Page 

Cnoc Troich (Dwarf Hill)

On the western side of the valley from the village are the aged ruins of the Cnoc Troich, Dwarf Hill, where local myth explains the Mostali once lived in the ages long past. A carving of a barely visible stasis rune in the crumbling foundations may well be the cause of this fable.  The ruins are home to a wide variety of snails and slugs and are very overgrown and uncared for. It is said that if one visits the ruins at night they might hear the Mostali at work deep below. It is also said that they will take offence to eavesdroppers and take the culprits with them down below, never to return. Unsurprisingly Cnoc Troich is shunned by the villagers and none would dream of visiting it at night.  

The ruins are left over from the time of the EWF, Empire of Wyrm Friends, and the Dragonkill War. They are five hundred or more years old. At night the sounds beneath the ruins are not the workings of the Dwarves but the movement of the being trapped beneath. A thorough search of the ruins will reveal a three quarters buried slab with its markings long worn away. With much time and effort the slab can be cleared. It would then take a strength check (20) to force it open.

Beneath are some broad steps leading down in to a dust and rubble littered chamber. The chamber holds the skeletal remains of a troll that died centuries ago. Whenever someone walks on the ruins above it activates the skeleton who moves around in response making noise that can be heard above. It wears old bronze armour, wields a large club and carries a polished beetle’s shell shield. It will attack anyone who enters the chamber and will attempt to leave the chamber if the slab is still removed. 

Flamal's Grove

Away from the village is a copse of pink cherry trees where it is claimed a drop of Flamal’s blood fell after his murder by Zorak Zoran. The seed god’s essence allowed the blushing trees to grow and bloom bringing warmth to the valley where they have flourished ever since. The villagers are respectful of the wild grove and like of the splash of colour it brings to the scenery. They wholeheartedly believe the origin story. Every year on wildday, truth week of storm season the villagers traditionally hold a fayre by the grove and tie bright ribbons to the trees. Folk come from the settlements around to join in much merriment is had. They sing songs and dance to honour Flamal, who was Ernalda’s first husband.  The fayre is famed for its good weather and is much beloved by children and adults alike.

The grove is home to Annwyl the dryad who has lived in the valley for ages. She tends to the trees and lives a quiet life. Annwyl cares for the villagers and takes pleasure in watching them grow and flourish. When the village was, in the past, abandoned it brought sorrow to Annwyl who felt her years were finally creeping up on her. When it was resettled fifty years ago the dryad was pleased and the love and warmth of the folk of Rasanach has nurtured her. Several times she has summoned mists that have hidden Rasanach from raiders and once or twice even driven off broo that meant her humans harm.

Natalina the Cursed

Natalina the Cursed, Initiate of Ernalda Natalina is the daughter of Korsar the Copper Smith whose family used to live in Rasanach till he was hired to work in the mines further in the Hydra Mountains. Korsar took his family with him and lived a good if transient life but unfortunately his daughter Natalina was abducted by cultists of the goddess Thed. They took her in to the deep mountains and it was assumed she was lost to all. Then four months later in mid-winter she stumbled back in to Rasanach in poor condition but alive. Natalina is unable to talk about her time with the Thed Cultists and her family has shunned her since her return. Korsar has called her cursed and has disowned her out of fear and shame.

In the four year since her return Natalina has lived at Rasanch under the protection of Dardina who has taken her as an assistant and acolyte. The other folk were wary of her but this has faded over time and she is now an accepted part of Rasanach. Natalina is an Initiate of Ernalda the earth goddess but is unlikely to ever become a full priestess as to do so requires a priestess to have born a healthy child. The stigma around the abduction is still there and it is unlikely that Natalina will ever wed. Natalina is a pretty dark haired woman of twenty three years of age who comes across as rather sombre in her manners. She is very attached to Dardina who is like a mother to her. Indeed some whisper that he devotion is more to Dardina than Ernalda but they would never say it to either of their faces.

Natalina is a skilled and talented healer who would make a fine Ernalda Priestess but will never meet the requirements. She is barren and unable to bear a child, again. She was indeed kidnapped by Thed cultists and badly used by them but was given in tribute to Sheerhorn the Broo chieftain. She bore him a son, miraculously survived the ordeal and even cared for the offspring. It was her broo son who returned her to Rasanach and it is he who roams the Hydra Hills unable to visit his mother.