Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 eric_anondson Mar 23, 2004 16:42:37	Hey all, Any of you Keoland maniacs out there know just why the heck the Zol River on the map of Keoland (see the LGJ#1) stops right in the middle of the country... seemingly ending before it reaches anywhere? It's a pretty dang big article, and I skimmed it briefly for info on the Zol River and didn't find anything. Anyone know the answer to this mystery? Regards, Eric Anondson
#2 Argon Mar 23, 2004 21:11:27	Your probably better off waiting for Samwise to reply. He is the resident expert on Keoland. I'm sure he will be able to answer this conumdrum for you. But I would say it runs underground and empties into some underground waterway.
#3 samwise Mar 24, 2004 12:25:08	And indeed I do. I looked at it, contemplated it, considered a variety of factors, and came to a decision. Then I discussed it with Gary Holian he concurred that was his intention. And that is, as Argon noted, that it goes underground. I am not sure that such is geologically sound, but that is how it is. Now as to where it goes, look in some of the old modules. Sometimes you don't want to know what lurks beneath the surface of the Oerth . . .
#4 zombiegleemax Mar 25, 2004 9:24:51	This reminds me of some commentary on Alph, the Sacred River (of Coleridge's poem, Kubla Khan). IMC, the Zol would arise from the Good Hills and flow eastward until it goes underground (likely a holy site). The underground river would eventually join the Blessed Sheldomar, which early Flan legends name as one of the seven lovers of Ehlonna.
#5 samwise Mar 25, 2004 12:30:35	Heh. That image came to my mind too Tizoc. Just thoroughly warped into an image from classic horror.
#6 zombiegleemax Mar 25, 2004 14:12:06	This would be a great place to write about for the "Mysterious Places" write up on Canonfire. Hmmm... I wonder how many of us have already had the same idea? I guess we'll see.
#7 zombiegleemax Mar 25, 2004 18:02:44	The river once flowed to the Sheldomar, but the Keoish have heavily diverted and dammed the Zol for irrigation projects ... along most of its length. There should be a sub-gridscale "lake" at what appears to be its terminus on that map. Whether that touches the underdark is a question for someone with a fertile imagination. -Gary
#8 eric_anondson Mar 25, 2004 21:46:25	Originally posted by PSmedger The river once flowed to the Sheldomar, but the Keoish have heavily diverted and dammed the Zol for irrigation projects ... along most of its length. Thanks Gary! Here's something to think about everyone... The Romans (and Etruscans before them) built great aquaducts, canals and tunnels to bring water to their cities. Where in the Flanaess have such aquaducts (on a Roman scale) been constructed? I can't think of any ever writen about. But if the Zol is indeed so diverted that it ends as it does, looking at the map, it seems to end near to Niole Dra. Of course, the water is probably mostly used for farming, but a good amount probably is diverted to the capitol for consumption there. Regards, Eric Anondson
#9 zombiegleemax Mar 26, 2004 9:05:16	Thanks for the info Gary. Is that in print anywhere as "canon" or is that from a compilation of Greyhawk "facts" heretofore unheard of and only for the eyes of The Powers That Be? (Man wouldn't that be cool to have?) When I saw Mr. Anondson's question and the followup responses I figured "Yeah, that sounds cool, a river that flows undergound and disappears." Endless possibilities The thought of irrigation hadn't ocurred to me but that doesn't necessarily spoil my plans. As a matter of fact a small lake just enhances it a bit. Thanks!
#10 zombiegleemax Mar 29, 2004 15:02:43	Alas, Alot of the elements and detail which we would have loved to have included in the LGG (or heaven forbid follow up books) just never made it, because of space concerns and time. We're trying to touch on some of the material in the pages of the LGJ (Poly/Dragon/Dungeon incarnations) but a tidbit like the Zol just doesn't fit anywhere. For instance, there was enough material cut to do an equally large gazetteer as Keoland in the LGJ1, but on the former Great Kingdom. But there's probably not a place for that now. Something to keep in mind when you are mapping detailed areas of the Flanaess, there are probably alot more sub-gridscale rivers, streams, creeks, than could be visible on the Darlene or LGG map of the Flanaess. Tributaries and drains that just weren't detailed since the scale of the map wouldn't allow. So feel free to add those to make the setting more realistic. Eric Anondson has done a great job on that with his great geographical maps of the Flanaess (which you can find on Canonfire). -Gary
#11 grodog Mar 29, 2004 23:23:48	Originally posted by PSmedger For instance, there was enough material cut to do an equally large gazetteer as Keoland in the LGJ1, but on the former Great Kingdom. But there's probably not a place for that now. That sounds like a great Canonfire! download to me, perhaps all snazzed up in .pdf format. Anyone else? :D
#12 zombiegleemax Mar 30, 2004 8:55:18	thanks for your response. I'm working on "something else." What you say is true about the small tributaries and such. I think we sometimes limit ourselves to what we see on the Darlene Map and don't give a second thought to the details until we see it in a detailed area map. I know my DM has folders filled with maps. Those are precious comodities. Download of the Great Kingdom? For starters! I'd like one for every country. Ew, I sounded like a Realmer there for a minute. Thanks again
#13 zombiegleemax Mar 30, 2004 9:09:55	Here's something to think about everyone... The Romans (and Etruscans before them) built great aquaducts, canals and tunnels to bring water to their cities. Where in the Flanaess have such aquaducts (on a Roman scale) been constructed? I can't think of any ever writen about. I don't remember which city but there is a place in Ivid the Undying that specifically mentions an aquaduct, so it would be pretty easy to imagine more, at least in the former Great Kingdom.
#14 Aeolius Mar 30, 2004 9:15:04	Originally posted by Eric Anondson Where in the Flanaess have such aquaducts (on a Roman scale) been constructed? Well, I do have that 3,000 mile long water-filled tunnel, the Underflow, connecting the Dramidj Ocean and Oljatt Sea in my undersea campaign. ;)
#15 zombiegleemax Mar 30, 2004 16:05:24	He has a similar device in 20,000 Leagues Beneath the Sea. I think it connects the Med and the Red Sea. Not nearly as long as yours but his description is fantastical...is that a word?
#16 grodog Mar 31, 2004 0:02:54	Originally posted by Lassiviren I don't remember which city but there is a place in Ivid the Undying that specifically mentions an aquaduct, so it would be pretty easy to imagine more, at least in the former Great Kingdom. From Ivid: Innspa has two exceptional features. One is the series of stone aqueducts of gnomish design which bring fresh water from the Flinty Hills... This attitude is both Ountsy's great strength and weakness. Its strength is reflected in the hard working nature of Ountsians and the disciplined defense and protections of the city. Its city walls, aqueducts and sewers protect not just against pirates or invaders but against disease and ill-health... Dominating the city are the famed hexpools themselves. There are six of these, arranged in a hexagon pattern around the margins of the city and within its walls. Each is a hexagon of limestone, some 100' from side to side, with 10' high walls with the pool sunk some 30' into the ground. A complex of fountains and aqueducts rings each great pool. Elemental magic draws up great streams of water from underground aquifers and powers the fountains and waterwheels which in turn power the mills of the city.