The Firelords and the Hidden Valley of the Qauriks
by Håvard
The Valley
Location:Northern Brun
Area: TBD
Population: TBD. Qauriks and Firelords
Languages: TBD
Coinage: TBD
Taxes: TBD
Government Type: Oligarchy. The Firelords wield absolute power.
Industries:
Important Figures: Firelords
Flora and Fauna: Ice Wolves
The Valley of the Qauriks is described as an icy valley that has been isolated due to massive avalanches that have since formed impenetrable walls of solid ice and snow blocking the mountain passes in and out of the valley. It is located somewhere in Mystara's arctic regions. Fan material has placed it in Northern Brun such as the location shown on this map by Robin based on an older map by Ramelin. These maps also expand the valley to the size of nearly a quarter of the Known World. In addition to Winter Wolves, two intelligent races are known to live in this valley: The Quariks and the Firelords. Within the valley, it is mentioned that there is a domed city where the Qauriks can retreat to live comfortably in spite of the freezing conditions outside.
The Qauriks
The Qauriks are a race of humans living in the far north of Mystara. They are powerfully built, have pale skin, pale blue eyes and pale blue hair. They have hairy feet with claws that allow them to move across ice with ease. They wear heavy furs, wield two-handed swords, battle axes and lances. When inside their domed city, they tend to wear simpler clothes in orange or red colors. They have domesticated Ice Wolves which they use as mounts outside their city. They are noted for their great strength, but are generally not as bright as other humans and have a fanatical devotion to their rulers, the Firelords.
The Firelords
The Firelords are the true rulers of the Qaurik Valley. They appear as supernatural beings. However, this is just an illusion created by their magic. In their true form, they are degenerate, short humanoids with needle like teeth and unkept wild hair. They are spellcasters of levels ... The Firelords live in a palace within the domed city of the Qauriks. They use their magic to manipulate and control the Qauriks who are fanatically loyal to their leaders. Of course the Firelords are secretly cannibalistic despots who devour selected Qauriks in sinister magical rituals.
Published lore and fan material
The first mention of this valley and the two races within it was in AC9 Creature Catalogue under the Qaurik entry. They were also detailed in the DMR2 Creature Catalog. In addition to the fan created maps mentioned earlier, the valley was also detailed in Threshold #17 both in the race entry by Robin and the history section by Sturm. Robin connects the Firelords to the Afridhi of Blackmoor and the followers of Zugzul.
Other stuff from AC9
AC9 also has entries like the Cryions, Ice Wolves, Barbarians (Man, Primitive) and White Fang which all fit into an arctic landscape. Ice Wolves are specifically mentioned in the Qaurik enty. Cryions have been placed by fans in areas not too far from the Qaurik valley in fan material. The Barbarian entry is fairly generic, but perhaps they could be turned into a more specific cultures living in that region. I could see a culture of humans riding White Fangs, similar to the Fremen of Dune and the Sandworms....
Further Thoughts and Questions
It is incredible how this single monster entry from AC9 offers almost enough material for a full adventure. The core idea is reminiscent of HG Wells' Time Machine, perhaps with some RE Howard or Frazetta's Fire and Ice thrown into the mix. I like the fan placement in Northern Brun and the expansion of the valley into a greater area. The maps also suggest a warmer climate in the entire valley, not just within the Domed City itself. I think this opens to the possibility of expanding the Qauriks into the basis of a full campaign. I like the expansions done by Robin in Threshold #17, but I almost wonder if she did not take it far enough. Are there really just 8 Firelords in the entire valley? What about the other fortresses and locations outside the Domed City? Do the Qauriks have full control there or are there Firelords in each site?
I also like the connection to Blackmoor, although connecting the Firelords to the Fire Mages of Ierendi, or the Followers of Flame from Glantri/Alphatia etc could have been possible. Of course, it might be possible to work in some connections like this in spite of the Blackmoorian origins? Do the Firelords have access to the Plane of Fire? Could there be an even greater power behind the Firelords? What secrets does the Valley of the Qauriks hold? If we are making this a greater region of Mystara rather than a tiny valley, how to we make the entire area interesting?