Lords of Norwold visit Dunadale!
by Jeff Daly "Note the dark places around
Dunadale that you see as we approach. You may not be aware, but
Dunadale is built upon an old drained bog. There are many bogs in
the outlying areas. A decayed vegetative matter develops in these
bogs, called peat moss. This "peat moss" is dried and cut into
bricks by the people of Dunadale to heat their homes and
taverns."
Terari looked very scholarly as he paced back and forth on the
deck, lecturing his captive crowd.
"It is the acidic quality of the soil," he pronounced carefully,
"that causes plant life to only partially decay and produce peat.
Now, why the bogs of Dunadale are so acidic is a question that has
not been answered.
"Many plants grow specific to the bogs. If you venture therein, you
may find heaths, sedges, conifers, and the occasional carnivorous
plant. Of course, the cranberry grows in abundance, as this is the
major export of Dunadale. The cranberry is a small red fruit with a
sharp taste. Beetles, birds, dragonflies, mosquitoes, frogs,
salamanders, and lemmings also thrive therein.
Terari waited for the anticipated chuckles over the mere mention of
lemmings to die down, "One special plant you may find, should you
be so lucky, is the spider root. The spider root plant may be used
in the casting of binding spells like web and hold person."
Upon entering the harbour, the party found a town that, while
larger in size than Helskir, had a smaller dock and therefore a
longer wait. Once docked, they split into two groups. Terari, Count
T, Count Diego, and Caine went to meet the king, while Aligorum the
rakasta, Fiona the elf, Brimstone the Glantrian, and Eilonwy the
Alfiemer (lately picked up in Helskir, but an old companion)
located an inn called Mossy Pete's.
Mossy Pete's was a log cabin built into the side of a hill. Its
dirt floors and wood panelling give a measure of comfort and warmth
in the still relatively cold clime. Peat burned within and gave off
a peculiar woodsy smell. Moss was grown over the roof and overhung
the porch.
Once rooms were squared away, the heroes went to a local tavern
called The Tiny Tart and partook of cranberry wine and pie while
seeking a local sage to lead them through the bog.
Indeed one was found, named Relegar, who charged only 500 gold a
day. They found d4 spider roots a day, and a large dragon that
slept among the moss...he looked very much like a hill with the
moss growing over him.
Wisely they did not disturb him. However, the 18 black dragonflies
hit them pretty hard, killing the lovely little Fiona...
It was with a heavy heart (but a pouch full of spider root) that
the companions returned to Dunadale.