This map shows the extents of the Kogolor Dwarves' territory, and their immediate neighbours.
Notice the huge forested river valley in the World Spine, between the Kogolors' mountain kingdom and the Oltec Hills.
My question is simple: who lives in that valley? If it is uninhabited, why? Why don't the dwarves expand into the valley, which seems like perfect territory for them?
The only solution would seem to be that the valley is inhabited by someone or something, and has been for a very long time. But what?
Well, let's see. The valley opens out onto Neathar lands, bordering on the Krugel Hordes. This isn't a very safe area, but the valley narrows enough to provide defensible entrance point.
Perhaps the Neathar claim the valley - a particularly fierce tribe? Or maybe it is completely overrun with dinosaurs?
Any other ideas? It seems too big for the dwarves simply to have overlooked it. Even if we believe the dwarves are not interested in the forest areas, the slopes of the valley at least would surely be perfect for them.
This isn't a very safe area, but the valley narrows enough to provide defensible entrance point.
Especially if it narrows to such an extent the waterfall covers the width of the valley.
Maybe a small 'lost world' with a tribe of neanderthals, a couple of cyclops', and a sprinkling of dino's and prehistoric mammals.
Regards,
Gary
This may have been one of the areas they originally colonised before being pushed back by the Elves in their first invasion of conquest when reaching the Hollow World. So we could find ancient Kogolor ruins being fought over by skirmishing patrols of Schattlan Elves, Neather, Krugel Hordes and Kogolor Dwarfs.
With Small parties of Academics sneaking through on their way to and from the LightHouse valley also.
Also you made me realise that there is another I hadn't considered: sheer inaccessibility. The valley is surrounded by high mountains, after all, and there are no marked passes. The Hollow World is supposed to have lots of hidden valleys, too, so maybe the whole valley is completely walled in by mountains, blocked off by a massive waterfall (or even a series of waterfalls), and thus totally inaccessible except by air (or underground passages).
True it does look like ideal territory for Kogolor dwarfs, as they are more interested in forestry and lumbar then mining. In the HW boxset it does mention they trade to the NorthWest with the Neather, and the border to the West is vague due to continual border clashes with Schattlan Elves.
This fighting between the Schattenalfen and the Kogolors always confused me a bit, because even at their closest points the two races are over a thousand miles away. Considering the terrain (high mountains every inch of the way), and the apparent lack of major settlements of either race, it seems hard to believe that they would be fighting still.
This may have been one of the areas they originally colonised before being pushed back by the Elves in their first invasion of conquest when reaching the Hollow World. So we could find ancient Kogolor ruins being fought over by skirmishing patrols of Schattlan Elves, Neather, Krugel Hordes and Kogolor Dwarfs.
With Small parties of Academics sneaking through on their way to and from the LightHouse valley also.
I do like this idea too, though. The valley could be a warzone, perhaps the warzone, for the Kogolors and Schattenalfen. Whether it's currently active or not, it would be filled with ruins, riddled with underground accesses and pathways, and generally rathering interesting to go exploring in.
Maybe the name of the river gives a clue also, Muddy river. This indicates that getting into the valley is easy along the few paths shown over the mountains. Whilst in the valley floor we find large numbers of streams and rivers due to high levels of rain making it difficult to cross the valley floor.
Throw in some nasties that prefer wet, cool climates, eg Trolls
I noticed the distance between the two cultures as well. Inconsistencies allow for creative thinking
There must be some passes since it does mention that the Oltecs and Kogolor dwarfs are in contact with each other on friendly terms, and trade with the Neather to the North West would try and keep out of Krugel Orc territory.
You're right, the Oltecs have a pass leading directly into the valley. And as you say, its position means the dwarves couldn't help but go through it to get to the Neathar and the Oltecs for trade.
Maybe the name of the river gives a clue also, Muddy river. This indicates that getting into the valley is easy along the few paths shown over the mountains. Whilst in the valley floor we find large numbers of streams and rivers due to high levels of rain making it difficult to cross the valley floor.
Throw in some nasties that prefer wet, cool climates, eg Trolls
That's true, but remember that this is the upper portion of the Great Mud River. The name almost certainly comes from the lower part, which winds through the badlands of the Krugels' territory.
On the other hand, I agree there must be a lot of rain in this valley, especially to keep the river flowing through the desert-like badlands. The valley could be prone to flooding in many places, explaining why there aren't any permanent settlements there.
I noticed the distance between the two cultures as well. Inconsistencies allow for creative thinking
True. The Schattenalfen may well have tunnels reaching close to, or even reaching underneath Kogolor settlements.
It's still a very long way, though, and the elves have other enemies much closer. Then again, if the dwarves have something that the elves want or need, and vice versa of course, that could explain them going to such lengths to war with each other.
I like your ideas.
Also you made me realise that there is another I hadn't considered: sheer inaccessibility. The valley is surrounded by high mountains, after all, and there are no marked passes. The Hollow World is supposed to have lots of hidden valleys, too, so maybe the whole valley is completely walled in by mountains, blocked off by a massive waterfall (or even a series of waterfalls), and thus totally inaccessible except by air (or underground passages).
It could also be possible that the Immortals have set aside this valley for another culture that might require relocation at some future time - this might explain in inaccessibility...
The other ideas being discussed are very cool, though.
Geoff
Given the average character of Schattenalfen Elves, with a philosophy based on Revenge and Punishment. I think they will hold a special hatred for the Kogolor Dwarfs, since it was they who first defeated them in the Hollow World forcing them to migrate so far losing contact with Aengmor and the Shadow elves. Do they really need anything else from the Dwarfs?
They may just hold a cultural signifcance to the area being their birth place into the Hollow World. Once in awhile some uppty leader will declear that they should reclaim the land and try recontacting the ShadowElves.
ShadowElves maybe trying to contact their lost brethern, clashing with Kogolor dwarfs who see them as the hated Schattenalfem Elves and send them packing immediatly back into the Underworld