The land of the Wallara.

Capital: Risilvar (pop.: 9,500 chameleon men); ruler: Bakaloo "Sunskin" son of Wov "The Dreamer"

Patron: The Rainbow Serpent.

Chameleon men descended from the Wallaras, a native race of hunter and gatherers, possibly one of the oldest races on Mystara. There was a time in the past when the Wallaras walked side by side with the spirits that created them. They were in tune with the land, so much so that Wallaras equated their life and well being to that of the earth and its wealth. The Wallaras viewed themselves as the protectors of nature with which their creators had entrusted them. They built a small city, Risilvar, in the hills where the link between them and their Immortal patrons was the greatest. From there, they flourished and learned much about the universe.

These were very wise people, a race that could pierce mysteries that other races did not even suspect existed. Although a small peaceful people, Wallaras soon attracted the enmitv of the Herathians who had many dark secrets to hide. The Wallaras knew of the aranean nature of the Herathian wizards, but saw it not as a threat but as just another incarnation of nature. Alas, Herathians did not follow this thinking. As years passed, the discomfort of believing their concealment was at risk grew unbearable to native araneas. This situation caused a frightening psychosis with which araneas did not know how to deal. At greatest risk were the older creatures, often the most powerful ones. Thus, the greatest wizards created a spell that would remove all knowledge of the araneas' true identity from the mind of the Wallaras. Alas, the mental uneasiness prevailing among Herathian wizards at the time caused them to miscalculate the severity of their spell's effect.

The result was catastrophic. In removing knowledge of the araneas from the mind of the Wallaras, the spell backfired and kept altering the memory of Wallaras. Herathians were at a loss to halt the spell and the hapless Wallaras' civilization fell back to the stone age. Only obscure memories and legends of their past survived in their minds.

This tragedy caused the Great One-the immortal patron of Wallara-to seek revenge. A plague of dragons attacked Herath. Araneas were experienced and organized enough to survive the wrath of the Great One, though at a dreadful cost to their nation. Herath faced such horrendous devastation that Korotiku met with the Great One and explained the error of his aranean followers. It cost The Trickster dearly to convince the Great One to cease the attacks, in addition to a promise of Herath never to interfere with the Wallaras again. The message got through to the aranean clerics, and soon Herathians began rebuilding their nation. The Herathian clergy also destroyed all traces of the despicable spell of forgetting, and forever banned further research on its effects for fear that someday it might be used against Herathians.

Meanwhile, the Wallaras remained primitive nomads, seeking the secrets of their past. They believed that, indeed, spirits once walked this land, but it was a Time of Dreams, the time when the Immortals cheated them. They thought for a long time that the spirits lived in the rocky hills, and no one was allowed to go there. Centuries later, walkabout medicine men seeking knowledge of their past entered the Forbidden Highlands and discovered the Lost City of Risilvar. There they found old runes and svmbols that told ancient stories of spirits, sky heroes, and Irnmortals. This became a hallowed place that all tribes could visit freely, and many did. Many returned to their nomadic ways, while others decided to settle in small villages in the grassland outback.

Today, chameleon men are slowly relearning their past, and shreds of their ancient civilization are starting to reappear. The remainder of the hills, mostly south of the Forbidden River, are still taboo. No one is to enter them for fear of evil spirits living there. Wallara medicine men have gotten messages from the sky that beyond the river lay the land of the balandas, evil spirits that steal people's souls. In truth, this refers to Herathians.

The Wallaras haven't gotten as close to the Immortals as they used to be. Immortals are convinced that this was not necessarily a good thing for mortals. After all, this closeness turned out to be the Wallaras' undoing. Chameleon men are still a wise people, but they no longer have the curiosity to see through mysteries. Their special wisdom applies mostly to their land and their people.

The Land of Wallara is at peace nowadays. Other than Herath, chameleon men have two other neighbors, the gator men of Gurr'ash at the northeastern end of the outback, and the Phanaton people at the western edge of Wallara. The latter are friendly, and some trade exists among the two races, mostly opals, quartz stones, and animal pelts being traded for phanaton goods. A large battle took place once, just after the Herathian spell wiped the chameleon-men's memory, but since then, the Wallaras have returned to their senses and back to peace.

The gator men are another story (see episode #32, issue #185). In order to preserve peace, chameleon men managed to make the dangerous gator men believe that the grasslands belong to their Immortal patron. On the other hand, they maintained a curious trading system with the uwvitting gator men. Only the wiser tribesmen may enter the Wallaroo Grasslands bordering the Bayou, and always under the guidance of medicine men. Gator men occupy a very special place in the chameleon men's mythology. For Wallaras, gator men are an embodiment of Genjoo, the Crocodile Spirit. Because of this, they must be respected.

Flora and fauna: The land is mostly a long, temperate plain covered with tall grasses and small clumps of forests. Occasionally, a lonely boab (baobab) offers some shade in the middle of the grassland outback. The light forest bordering the Forbidden Highlands is mostly eucalyptus trees, with acacias, mosses, and ferns where the woods grow thicker. Some vegetation struggles to grow in the rocky hills of the highlands, including patches of porcupine grass, saltbushes, and rare, stunted trees. The Forbidden River takes its source in salted grounds. Its muddy, brackish water remains inadequate for consumption. The Forbidden Highlands are mostly sandstone, with many forgotten caverns of the ancient Wallara. To keep with the overall feel of the Wallara wilderness, here are some creatures common to the region, and their game statistics:

Saltwater crocodile: Common in the Forbidden River and on the Great Billabong shores (Trident Bay), these large saurians are the true bane of the Wallaras. AC 3, HD 6 (L), MV 90' (30') on land or water, AT 1 bite, D 2d8, NA 0 (1d4), Save F3, ML 7, TT Nil, Int 2, AL N, XP 275.

Dingo: These wild dogs are commonly found in the hills or in the grassy outback. They normally hunt in packs. Lonely Wallara medicine men often keep tame dingoes as companions. AC 7, HD 2 (M), MV 180' (60'), AT 1 bite, D 1d6, NA 0 (318), Save Fl, ML 6-8, TT Nil, Int 3, AL N, XP 20 (AC9, page 14).

Spiny anteater (Echidna): An egglaving mammal that burrows under the ground, this nocturnal anteater uses its long, sticky tongue to catch insects. Beware of its giant cousin: AC 5, HD 9* (L), yiV 90' (30') or 60' (30') when burrowing, AT 1 tongue, D 3d6lrd, NA 1-2 (0), Save F5, ViL 8, TT Nil, Int 2, AL N, XP 1,600. The giant echidna lashes at its prey with its sticky tongue, sweeping a cone-shaped area equivalent to a standard dragon's breath. All small- or medium-sized creatures within this area must save vs. dragon breath or be stuck on the tongue. The giant echidna then pulls its victims into its mouth, causing 3d6 points of damage per round to each of them. At the end of each round, victims can pull free if they succeed a Strength check.

Emu: This is a 6-7' tall, flightless bird similar to the ostrich. Chameleon men of the grassy outback use large emus as mounts. AC 8, HD 2 (M), MV 240' (80'), AT 1 beak, D 1d6, NA 0 (2-121, Save F1, ML 6, TT Vil, Int 2, ,AL N, XP 20. Load: ๎ 50 cn at full speed; 1,500 cn at half-speed. Barding Multiplier: X l.

Goanna: This iguana-like lizard often ends up as prime ingredient of Wallara dinners. The skins can be sold to the phanatons for 2-12 cp each (or equivalent barter value): AC 5, HD i/z (S), MV 120' (40'), AT 1 bite, D id4, NA 0 (1-20), Save FI,ML7,TTNiI,Int2,ALN,XPS.

Kangaroo: A common herbivore of the grassy outback and lower hills outcroppings, this marsupial forms an important component of chameleon men diet. Skins can be sold to phanatons for 2d6 silver pieces (or equivalent barter value). AC 8, HD ? (M), MV 240' (80'), AT 1 hind leg, D 1d8, NA 0 (3-60), Save Fl, ML 7, TT Nil, Int 2, AL N, XP 20. The kangaroo can leap up to 60'.

Koala: This marsupial herbivore inhabits the eucalyptus forests of Wallara. Legends say it is the incarnation of a forest spirit, and thus is taboo for hunters. Medicine men sometimes use koalas as familiars. AC 8, HD llz IS), MV 30' (10'), AT 1 claw, D 1d4, NA 0 (1-2), Save Fl, NiL 7, TT Nil, Int 3, AL N, XP 5.

Kookaburra: This kingfisher-like bird is well-known for its raucous, laugh-Iike call. As with the koalas, kookaburras are rumored to be incarnations of spirits who use their call to warn the travellers of impending dangers, or to mock their ignorance of the land. AC i, HD 0.5 (S), MV 360' (120') flying or 30' (10') swimming, AT Nil, D Nil, NA 0 (1-2), Save Fl, ML 6-8, TT Nil, Int 3, AL N, XP ? 0.

Termite: Termite mounds can be found throughout the grassy outback. Occasionally, giant termites will emerge from caverns in the Forbidden Highlands after heavy rains. These dangerous creatures ar้ cause for alarm and local chameleonman tribes will hunt them down; AC 4, HD 4 (N1), NIV 180' (60'), AT 1 bite, D 2d8, NA 2-8 (4-24), Save F2, ML 7, TT Nil, Int 1, AL N, XP 75.

Wild turkey: Another comnuon element of the chameleon-men's diet; AC 9, HD l/z (S), MV 120' (40'), AT 1 beak, D 1-2, NA 0 (2-12), Save Fl, ML 6, TT Nil, Int 2, ALN,XPS.

Wakaleo: These marsupial lions are rare creatures dwelling in the heavier forested areas. They climb trees and wait, hiding in the leaves, for unsuspecting preys. AC 5, HD 2 + 2 (M), MV 150' (50'), AT 2 claws/1 bite, D ld2/ld2/1d4, NA 1-2 (1-4), Save F1, ML 9, TT Nil, Int 2, AL N, XP 25. Can surprise victims on a roll of 1-4 on a 1d6.

Immortal patrons of Wallara:

Agundji, The Rainbow Serpent.(alias the Great One). Agundji is the chief Immortal of the Wallara pantheon. Chameleon men are an ancient subspecies of dragons, which explains their magical abilities (vanishing and mimicry at higher levels). Most Wallaras honor Agundji as the lord of all creatures and the patron of sky heroes. Agundji's sphere of interest includes the sky, the element of air, colors, and mimicry. Separate individuals occasionally honor other dragons' rulers, de pending on their alignments, local customs, and circumstances. For example, those working in the Forbidden Highlands' mines of opal often are followers of the Sun Dragon. Wallaras know the lesser dragons' rulers as the Sun Spirit, the Moon Spirit, and the Star Spirit. Most chameleon men believe their souls join their Immortal patrons after dying on Mystara.

Sky Heroes: The goal of these servitors of Agundji is to teach the chameleon men stories of their forgotten past. They also act as Agundji's eyes and ears on Mystara in times of trouble. These beings often appear as lonely, walkabout medicine men. They do not reveal who they are and only stay for a limited time with a tribe, from a few weeks to a couple of years at most. They are mortal creatures whose life forces return to the Rainbow Serpent's home plane upon their death. In addition to typical Wallara medicine-man aptitudes, sky heroes have the innate ability to travel between Mystara and Agundji's home plane, once per full moon.

Barramundje, The Mother-(alias Calitha Starbrow). Barramundje's main concern in Wallara remains that of rivers and billabongs in general, and fertility in particular. Her sphere of interest includes the element of water and all that grows, such as trees and grass. Her symbol among Wallara medicine men is a fish. One who harms her forests, abuses the wealth of her rivers and billabongs, and befouls the land runs the risk of being cursed and of becoming a gondaman, a frilled lizard condemned to wander the outback and perish under the hunter's boomerang.

Guwarris: These are Barramundje's spirit servitors. Guwarris sometimes take the shape of a fish, a platypus, or a kvokaburra to watch over rivers and billabongs. Guwarris have the game statistics and abilities of nixies. Medicine men say it is bad luck to disturb waters known to be inhabited by guwarris.

Genjoo, The Crocodile Spirit-(alias Ka). Genjoo's sphere of interest for Wallara lies in the earth, the land, and magical places. Chameleon men say that the rocky outcroppings of the Forbidden Highlands and the olgas, great monoliths dotting the outback, are the scaly warts on Genjoo's back. Great rocks are thought of as places of great magic, and entrances to Genjoo's world. Paintings left by the ancient Wallaras can often be found there. Medicine men who honor Genjoo often come to these places to meditate. Legends also say that when one dies in the jaws of a great saltwater crocodile, it is that Genjoo has claimed one's soul and requested it to become his servitor

Neemes: The neemes are rock spirits, servitors of Genjoo. Their task is to teach chameleon men how to become more attuned to the land and how to protect nature. They are incorporeal and invisible, speaking to the medicine men only through dreams and meditation. Sometimes, they will bring a distressed medicine man's prayers to Genjoo and return with a message.

Chameleon men as PCs.

At 7th level, a chameleon man can dream. Once this ability has been used, it cannot be used again for seven days. The dream allows the chamelevn man to tap into mystical knowledge of Wallara spirits. At the chameleon man's option, the dream can imitate the effects of one of the following clerical spells: speak with animal, speak with the dead, speak with plants, commune, or speak with monsters. Dreaming requires the chameleon man to meditate for 1d6 rounds, plus the time spent communicating. The meditation requires live embers (from a small campfire for example). Dreams cannot be used against hostile creatures unless such creatures are restrained in some manner Medicine Men: Chameleon men ofWallara have their own types of spellcasters, called medicine men. These gifted people are identified at birth by other medicine men. They learn their first spell when they become adults (level 0). Medicine men can cast clerical and druidic spells, but cannot turn undead. In order to cast a spell, medicine men need a small piece of quartz or opal that is consumed when the spell is cast. Supplies of these minerals can usually be acquired in caverns, near great rocks,or in the Forbidden Highlands.They must perform a corroboree (fire ceremony) to recover their spells.