163 rooms · levels 40–51
A huge oak tree stands here, climbing for the sky. The forest stretches forever outward under the everpresent red sun. Birds squawk at each other from their high perches among the branches. This tree has lower branches than most of its forest counterparts. Beech forest stretches away to the east and the south.
Large beech trees tower overhead, their branches swaying in the warm summer breeze, and saplings strive upward between them. To the west the trunk of a huge oak rises above all the rest, and to the north the trees grow older and thinner toward the plains. The forest goes on to the east and the south.
This part of the forest is in the shadow of a huge oak tree to the north. Not much undergrowth is covering the forest floor, and it looks comfortable to sit upon. A few small flowers are growing around the edge of this path, their crisp clear scent filling the air briefly, before being ripped away by the northerly breeze. A game path leads west toward the jungle, and the forest goes on to the east and the south.
The beeches here are broad and old, and the forest floor beneath them has been churned by hooves. A well worn game trail leaves toward the east, where the trees change to oak and cedar. The forest continues to the west and the south.
The beeches crowd close together here, and the light under them is dim and green. Tufts of gray fur cling to the bark, and the ground is scattered with gnawed bones. The forest continues to the north, the south and the west.
A path begins here, and heads off to the east, climbing slightly. The path looks well traveled, and shows the tracks of deer, fox, and bear. The trees begin to change, to the east oak and cedar are more common, while to the west beech trees are more common.
The path that begins to the west turns south here and lazily climbs a small rise. Small flowers cover the rise, lending their scent to the musky smell of the densely packed forest. A rabbit skitters off into the undergrowth with a fox in close pursuit.
The path turns at the base of a large oak tree. It continues either eastward or back north into the deep forest. The trees seem less densely packed to the east, and birds can be heard chirping among the branches.
The path runs east-west here, making its way around the vast trees that make up this forest. Deer footprints show clearly in the dirt, where the grass has been worn away. A woodpecker can be heard, industriously hammering away somewhere in the branches far above.
The path turns here, heading either southward into a small glade or westward back toward the heart of the forest. The trees thin out to the south, and the sun shines down onto thick, deep green grass.
A huge red sun hovers at its zenith, basking the beastlands in its eternal light. The air is warm and humid, with an almost tropical feel. Stretching away in all directions is an almost endless forest of beech trees and birches. The air is alive with the sounds of forest creatures. Crickets chirp among the bushes, flies buzz overhead, and snakes hiss at you from the branches above.
Old beeches and birches grow here, their bark scored by long claw marks at the height of a tall man. A hollow beneath the roots of a fallen trunk smells strongly of bear. The forest continues to the north, the south and the west.
The ground slopes gently downward toward the sea, and the trees begin to thin. A slight breeze carries the smell of marsh gas, and the air grows moist. The forest continues to the north and the east; to the south the trees open toward the sound of surf, and to the west lies the edge of a swamp.
The forest trees give way abruptly to a large freshwater swamp that opens up to the south. The air is still and moist, the ground fertile and lush. Swamp reeds and mangroves clutter the small bank, which slopes down into the mist. The forest proper rises to the north and the east, its vast trees stretching up to the sky.
Ferns and low bushes fill the spaces between the trees, and small burrows riddle the soft ground beneath them: a rabbit's warren, perhaps, or several. Beyond the bushes the sea glimmers through the trunks. The forest goes on to the north and the west.
The beech trees grow sparser near the coast, their roots tangled in sandy soil. The sound of breakers comes through the trees from the south, where a beach meets the sea. The forest continues to the north and the east.
The vast forest ends abruptly at a small sandy beach. To the south stretches a vast ocean of a shimmering deep blue-green, upon which no boat has ever sailed and which no mariner has ever charted. The trees come down nearly to the high tide mark on either side, and the forest lies to the north.
The trees are less tightly packed around here, letting more sunlight filter down from above. To the north, the forest appears to end, while to the south the trees become taller and more dense. The trees themselves appear ancient and reach more than one hundred feet into the sky.
The trees thin out here, and the sun throws a myriad of small shadows that flit about at the whim of the breeze. Beyond the last trunks a plain of tall yellow grass rolls away to the north toward distant hills, and far beyond them rise snow-topped mountains. Birds call from deeper in the forest, which grows dense again to the south.
The ground begins to dip downward toward the west, and the trees begin to thin out. A slight breeze blowing in from the south makes the leaves rustle with their own music. A small game path makes its way around the trees, heading westward toward what looks like a dense jungle.
The ground slopes gently upward to the east, and into a large forest containing all manner of trees. The ground is dry underfoot, although threatens to become much softer in the jungle to the west. This area seems to be a border between the jungle and the forest, and neither the jungle or the forest denizens are prepared to claim it as their own. An uneasy quiet has settled over the area as if the world itself is waiting to see who will claim this land for their own.
The heat from the fiery red sun beats downward onto the lush green canopy of a thick jungle. Trees of vast size stretch mightily towards the azure sky. The thick undergrowth blocks vision after a few feet, and above is just a haze. The ground slopes gently upward to the east, and the jungle gives way to a large forest. To the south, the ground gets wetter and the air thicker.
A small stream flows in from the north and winds on through the jungle toward a large swamp. The water is very shallow and quite clear. A small ledge on the western side of the stream has been cleared of plantlife and looks as if frequented by animals often. A game track runs off from this ledge into the jungle to the west, and the jungle thins to the east.
The game track veers sharply to the south here, around the base of a large tree. There are signs of a recent struggle on the ground, and drag marks leading northward into a large copse of trees. The copse is completely enshrouded by vines and it is difficult to see within. To the south the trail seems to curve back towards the small stream that can be heard to the east.
The small game path curves here, either heading northward towards a small copse of trees, or eastward toward a small stream. The trees tower overhead almost blocking out the sun, but also trapping the heat within the jungle.
A small stream flows in from the north, through an impenetrable cluster of vines. The water flows sluggishly into a small bowl, and then off again to the east. Many animals come here to drink from within the jungle, and snakes hang from the lower-level branches above. A small track veers off to the west, into the jungle.
Vast trees stretch upward to almost impossible heights within this hot, wet jungle. A mist flows in from the south, making visibility even more difficult. The heat does little to discourage the industrious insects that flit about in small clouds around the bases of the trees. A small, clear stream flows in from somewhere to the west, and turns lazily southward, into a large swamp.
Large vines cloak the trees with their presence, almost blotting out the sight of bark underneath. Large snakes slither among the vines, seeking out their prey among the deep shadows the jungle canopy provides. A dry stream- bed provides easy passage either uphill to the north, or downward to the south.
A small streambed begins in a cluster of large-leaved plants, and travels downward to the south. Although it is currently dry, it does not appear as if it has been this way for long. The tracks of various animals can be seen along the dry mud banks and it appears that this was once a favorite watering hole of the native animal life. A small game track branches off to the west, following the contours of the land. Northward and eastward the jungle becomes totally impenetrable.
The vast jungle appears to stretch away in all directions, growing thick and impenetrable northward and westward. The ground slopes sharply upward there, as if a hillock or mound is hidden within the jungle's embrace. To the south, a trickle of water can be heard, while a small game track heads around the side of the hill to the east.
A small spring wells out of the ground here and trickles away to the south. The water is cool and clear, as if in defiance to the oppressive heat that surrounds it. The smooth banks show little or no tracks, making it appear that this waterhole is not frequented often. There are drag marks on the western bank of the spring, heading into a clump of densely packed vines.
The dried corpses of many jungle creatures are littered about the ground within this dark copse. The air reeks of death and decay. The inside of this copse has been knitted together by thick strong spiderwebs, indicating that a spider of vast size has made this place its home.
A small patch of clearer, cooler water indicates that a stream flows into the swamp from the northern direction. The clear water is quickly swallowed up by the warmer, brown colored waters of the swamp. A small breeze blows in from the south, causing the swamp mists to eddy and whirl about in intricate patterns. The swamp stretches out to the east and south, while it is possible to walk up the streambed into a large tropical jungle to the north.
The slow moving water is a deep brown color, and very warm. Ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and the like. A large, rotting tree stump bars the way southward, and a slippery bank rises out of the water on the northern side. The swamp goes on to the east and the west.
The swamp stretches out in three directions here, getting deeper to the south. Large ripples in the water, show the paths of creatures swimming below the surface. Whatever they are remains hidden as they seldom appear above the surface, and when they do, all chances of identification are blocked by the thick mist. A large bank looms up out of the mist on the northern side. Its slippery surface is unclimbable and it effectively blocks travel in that direction.
A vast swamp stretches outward in all directions. The entire area is filled with reeds, mangroves, swampgrass, and sticky smelly mud. The water is about three feet deep, riding overtop of the brown mud. A mist rises up from the surface of the water, and forms a large cloud above. The large red sun glowers through the mist, causing everything to look slightly reddish in the eternal daylight.
The swamp water is cooler here, and visibly flows to the south. Small clumps of leaves slowly float by, indicating the presence of jungle, or forest somewhere to the north. A large rotting tree stump blocks passage eastward, but the swamp opens up a bit to the west.
A large cliff face looms up out of the mist on the western side, and the edge of a jungle comes down to meet the swamp on the northern side. Both are sufficient obstacles to halt travel that way. The water becomes rather shallow near the cliff, and the base of it is in shadows. It is possible to walk along the base of the cliff to the south, or head into the deeper parts of the swamp to the east.
Black shadows cloak the cliff face in a darkness as close to night as this place will ever see. The ground slopes gently upward towards the base of the cliff, leaving the water behind about a bodylength from the stark rockface. The cliff appears to be very smooth, almost unnaturally smooth, and climbing is completely out of the question.
The rank smell of rotting vegetation rises up from the sticky mud that covers the swamp floor. The slick water appears almost stagnant. It is amazing that creatures abound here, slipping through the water like arrows through the air. Large snakes pierce through the water in an endless search for the unwary, easy meal. The swamp continues to both the east and north, and what appears to be a large rock formation drifts in and out of view through the eddying red mists.
A large group of mangroves choke the waterways on both sides, leaving a narrow passageway between them. More trees are evident to the east, while the swamp gets slightly shallower to the west. The stillness is shattered suddenly by a loud noise from somewhere southward, and a flock of birds take flight rapidly. What creature caused this is unknown, as the swamp mists close in, as if to keep the swamp's secrets to itself.
The water gets deeper here, making it difficult to wade through. Clumps of mangroves can be seen to the west, and an uprooted tree to the northwest. The croaking of frogs creates a rhythmical backdrop to the splashing of alligators and the hissing of snakes and lizards. Birds fly overhead, the flapping of their wings sounding almost leaden, as if the moisture of the mist has invaded everything.
The water flows sluggishly toward the south, where the swamp meets the sea. The mists part slightly to show a cliff face far to the west, before closing in again. Everything looks gaunt and ghostly in the reddish hue. Large trees tower over you, their branches alive with lizards and other reptiles, basking in the heat.
The swamp reeds are thick and lush here, rustling lightly in the slight breeze. The water is shallower here than elsewhere within the swamp. The reeds shiver suddenly as a lizard bursts forth and dives into the water, causing ripples to run outward into the deeper water.
Murky and damp, the misty swamp stretches out before you in all directions. A huge tree stump is visible westward, the home for many creatures who dwell within the swamp. Large lizards slither over its rotting, slick surface, and many snakes wrap themselves around its upturned roots. The mist rises thickly from the surface of the water, lowering visibility to no more than a few feet.
The murky water flows gently outward into the sea through this delta. The branches of the delta are lined with mangroves and swamp reeds. The water is not deep, although the mud it covers maybe. Out to the east, a large sea can be seen, while to both the north and west, the swamp gets thicker, and murkier. To the south, a small bank rises smoothly from water, making an ideal resting spot in the sun.
The water begins to flow more noticeably to the east, towards a large delta of trees and reeds. The mist hangs thickly around the surface of the water. Large fish nip in and out of the roots of the mangroves, and occasionally a splash of something larger is heard.
A large pool is surrounded on three sides by large, old mangrove trees. It gives the impression of a druidic stone circle, only wetter. The trees are closely packed and block passage in all directions except east, back into the swamp.
A small bank of mud has been cleared of vegetation here. It has a slick shiny surface that slopes gently downward into the still water. Small indentations have been left in the mud by some large creature, indicating that this is a favorite lurking place. The water flows sluggishly northward into a murky delta.
A large clump of reeds have been gathered into a large pile here. The water is very shallow and warm, with no trace of a current. Sticky mud lines the banks of the delta. Flies and mosquitoes hover in clouds above the still, dank water. The heat is oppressive and the air is still. A small track through the mud leads east, toward more open waters.
Freshwater flows slowly out of a small, swampy inlet to the west. The sun beats down on you from above, causing the water to sparkle and shine. The sea changes hue slightly to both the south and the east, showing where the true deep waters lie.
Breakers roll up onto the shore of a large forest to the north. The water is pleasantly warm and rather calm, and teems with life: catfish roam the shallows seeking a meal, and farther out large fish break the surface now and then. A swamp of mangroves can be seen westward along the coast, and the sea stretches off to the east and the south, apparently endless.
The sea stretches out in all directions, calm and warm, its blue-green depths full of fish. The air above shimmers with the heat, and the clouds overhead hang so low that a strong flier could reach them. The water deepens to the south, and the sea stretches back to the west.
The sea is deeper here, and dark shapes glide below the shimmering surface. The water is calm and warm, and full of fish that scatter in silver clouds at any movement. The beach lies back to the west; the open sea stretches to the east and the south.
Out here the sea is a deep, shifting blue, and the water darkens where it plunges beyond the reach of the eye. Schools of fish dart nervously about, wary of hunters. The sea stretches back to the north and the west.
The sea stretches out in all directions, calm and warm. Far below, through the clear water, the sea floor can be seen, with a dark trench opening in it. It would be possible to dive down here. The open water goes on to the north, the east, the south and the west.
The waters here are deep and strangely still, and the surface rises and falls in a slow swell. A great dark shape rests just below, like a reef that breathes. The only way on is back to the north.
The water is indeed warm and clear, and a myriad of ocean life surrounds you. Far below is the ocean floor, covered in coral and seaweed, and a vast dark trench cuts across it. The surface shimmers overhead.
The ocean floor is strewn with chunks of coral and patches of seaweed, where small brightly colored fish search for tidbits. Little light filters down from the surface far above. A large trench opens up to the south, leading down into the darker depths of this vast ocean.
The ocean trench continues southward, downward into darker depths. What lies within cannot be seen. The water is cooler, but still not cold. The trench appears to open outward into a larger bowl of some kind to the south.
The trench stretches outward into a large bowl here. A warm current of water flows in from the northern opening and continues south into the darker recesses of the bowl. The ocean life is sparser here, but still more common than what would be found within any other ocean.
The trench floor is littered with various debris. Large starfish and sea urchins move about over the rocky surface. Small clumps of coral cling to the sides of the natural bowl that the underwater currents have created. The bowl continues southward and westward. A large rock face juts up from the ocean floor on the northern and eastern sides.
The trench stops abruptly here against a large cliff looming up out of the ocean floor. The bowl opens outward to the east, while a large cave opening is visible in the western wall of the trench. No fish approach this opening.
Dark shapes flit among the shadows created by the coral outcrops. Small crabs skitter across the sandy ocean floor, seeking tender morsels to snack upon. Clumps of seaweed sway back and forth in the ocean currents that eddy about in the bottom of this vast trench.
A large cave winds its way into the solid rock of the trench wall. The cave slopes sharply downward, and veers to the south. Small bones of marine animals are scattered among the rocks that make up the floor of this dark tunnel.
The bones of many animals are strewn around in a haphazard form. Among them are the remains of not only marine animals, but some shore dwelling creatures as well. Whatever killed these creatures doesn't appear to have needed to chew much, perhaps they were all swallowed whole. Amongst the wreckage floats a few larger pieces of meat, maybe pieces of whale or similar.
The forest trees give way to a small meadow, where a lush grass grows. The glade is dotted with small flowers, of varying colors and hue. Each flower has a distinct scent, and can be identified from its counterparts. Although the sun still blazes down upon the ground, it looks less angry, and slightly muted.
The flower ridden grass continues to grow unabated here, and yet does not appear to be in danger of becoming long or unkempt in appearance. There is a vague feeling of magic in the air, as if something powerful happened here long ago. Or it could be that something powerful is still happening, just at a slower rate than would be expected.
The trees press in upon the glade from the south and the west. The breeze felt everywhere else in the forest seems to be missing within the glade; the air is still and calm, and cooler than one would expect. A few bluejays hop among the branches of the nearby trees.
The trees close in around the southeastern border of this small glade, but leave a clear pathway heading south. Although many forest animals can be heard in the distance, few appear to be nearby.
A natural path winds its way between the trees, turning either east or north. The path bears the tracks of many creatures, most of them hooved. Nothing seems out of place, but there is a strong feeling of magic in the air.
The forest path turns to run south or west here. The sound of birds calling comes from the east. To the south is a junction in the path; the ground slopes gently down that way, and the trees grow closer together.
The path branches here to run north, south and eastward. The sound of birds calling comes from the east, while the forest grows darker and cooler to the south, whence drifts a strange piping music.
The path makes its way east-west along the side of a small hill. To the west, the path meets up with a north-south running path, while to the east, a large meadow opens up. Birds can be heard singing from within this meadow, and the feeling of magic is stronger within.
The sun shines down brightly onto a well tended meadow within the forest. Many forest creatures dwell here in peace with each other. Deer graze upon the grass while a pair of wolves lie contentedly in the sun watching. A bear shambles into the trees to the east and is gone from sight. A pair of bluejays flit about in the air, their warbles filling the meadow with boisterous song. The meadow stretches outward to both the east and south.
The edge of the meadow curves around gently here, following the natural slope of the ground. Among the grass several kinds of flowers grow side by side. To the south a natural spring wells up, forming a clear pool of sparkling water.
A small shallow stream of cool water flows from a pool to the east and away westward into the forest. Along its banks grow wild lilies, always in flower. The stream is easily crossed, being mere inches deep this close to its source.
A beautiful, crystal clear spring of fresh water wells up from the ground and flows gently off to the west. Small brook trout can be seen languishing within the shallows. Occasionally a deer or rabbit will stop for a drink, then dart off as if startled by its own reflection in the water.
This is the southwestern edge of the large meadow, where the forest begins again and runs unbroken down to the sea. The air is extremely still and cool, though beyond the trees the treetops can be seen swaying gently in the breeze.
This is a much quieter part of the meadow. Even the carousing of the bluejays to the north seems muted. Silver birches make up most of the trees around this edge of the meadow. The trees part to the east, creating a natural avenue, going deeper into the forest.
All sound is muted within this small part of the meadow, causing a peaceful silence. The air is strong with magic and feels crisp and cool. Although the sun is still shining brightly, its glare is dimmed by the trees and small patches of shade are found at the base of each tree.
The trees part once more to create a small natural clearing. The ground is covered in a soft moss, the leaves no traces of passage. A small circle has been created with saplings, giving the appearance of a druidic circle by its nature. The entire grove emits a feeling of peace and harmony, and bids visitors to rest for a while, and forget their cares.
The path continues downhill to the south, or back up to the north. The trees gather closely around the edges of the path, like mute sentries guarding against intrusion. A strange piping music comes from the south, quite close by.
The trees are packed very densely around this meadow, as if to prevent unwanted intrusion. The grass growing here is very short and littered with flowers. The meadow continues to the west for a short distance before the trees begin again, and a path leads north.
The meadow is a little broader here than it is to the east. A small campfire filled with glowing embers burns in the center, carefully tended and seemingly in no need of fuel. A gentle piping music drifts through the air, in total harmony with the peace of the forest that surrounds the meadow.
Plains stretch out for some distance to the north. The ground is covered with a deep yellow grass over three feet tall; it would be easy to hide within it. The grass ripples as the breeze moves north toward the mountains. The edge of the plain runs on to the east and the west, and a path leads south into the forest.
The yellow grass spreads over a flat plain toward mountains on the far horizon. The ground rises to the north into a narrow ridge, and the edge of the plain continues to the east, where a small path cuts into the forest. The forest's tall trees stand close along the plain's southern side.
The grass rolls gently as another gust of wind creeps forth, in patterns that are nearly spellbinding to the eye. Far to the north, herds of animals make their way across the rolling plains. A large forest walls the plain's southern side, and to the west the edge of the plain leads to a small path into it.
A small dirt path runs north and south along a ridge that rises like a fin out of the grasslands. The ground here is higher than the rest of the plain, with a drop eastward down to the lower grass. The path goes on to the north, and to the south it descends to the edge of the forest.
The path continues north-south along the top of the small ridge, which gives a good view of the plains. Out in the middle of the grasslands lies a small oasis where animals stop to drink, and far beyond it the rolling grass gives way to a less hospitable looking desert. Formidable mountains rear up into the sky in the north, with smaller hills before them in the northwest.
Two paths meet here forming a T Intersection. One runs westward into the foothills in that direction, or eastward, down onto the plain. A smaller path veers off to the south, running along a small ridge that rises like a fin out of the grasslands.
A small ridge rises out of the grass just west of here, blocking the view in that direction, and runs northward deeper into the plains. The grass is greener to the north, a sign of water nearby. The plain continues to the east, and to the south it meets the edge of the forest.
Vast rolling grasslands stretch out in all directions, mostly yellow but here and there a bright green or a rustic brown. Game tracks crisscross the grass, which springs back into place behind them. The tracks lead north toward a stand of trees around an oasis, and the plain goes on to the west and the south.
The corridor continues east-west. A long scroll hangs on the northern wall, painted with a tiger, an ox and a monkey in a bamboo grove. The sound of a fountain comes faintly through the wall.
The ridge just west of here runs quite high and cannot be climbed. The grass is long and plentiful, a deep green. To the east a small oasis springs up amid the plain, and game tracks zigzag haphazardly across the grass to the north and the south.
A large pool of water wells up from a natural spring. Some trees gather together on the banks of the pool, creating a small patch of shade in which to linger. The water looks cool and clear, and very inviting. The local populace seem to think this is the case, and use this place as a frequent stop.
The ground slopes gently to the west, where a tree enshrouded oasis has formed upon the plain. A large game track cuts in from the east, and makes its way down to the water's edge to the west. The plains stretch out in all directions, with mountains visible to the north, and nothing but rolling plains in all other directions.
The grass grows thinner and drier here, at the eastern edge of the plains. To the north the land turns to sand and dune, the edge of a desert shimmering in the heat. The plain stretches back to the west toward the oasis.
Vast rolling grasslands stretch out in all directions. Herds have grazed the grass short here, and their tracks crisscross the ground. A path climbs west onto the top of a ridge, and the plains roll on to the north, the east and the south.
Vast rolling plains stretch out almost as far as the eye can see. Far to the north a set of snow covered mountains are visible, while to the south a small oasis is visible. The red sun blazes down upon you through a break in the cloudy sky. The heat is almost unbearable.
Tall grass sways in the warm wind. The plain rises gently to the north toward the foot of the mountains, where a path climbs into a valley, and falls away to the south toward the oasis. More grassland lies to the west.
The plains end here at the foot of snow covered mountains, which have been in view for so long and now rise almost impenetrably above the grass. The grass rolls on to the east and the south, and a valley can be seen cutting into the mountains farther east.
The mountains loom up overhead, stark and impenetrable. The plains spread out to the south, rolling gently down toward the forest and, beyond it, the sea. To the east a small path begins its climb into a valley, and the grass runs on to the west.
A path begins here and cuts northward into a small valley, between two large mountains. A small, dry stream bed comes in from the north, and peters out here. Maybe during the rainy season water flows down from the mountains and on to the plain.
A small path makes its way northward between two mountains and into a small enclosed valley. The mountains close in tightly on both sides, as if protecting the valley from outside interference. The valley turns gently to the north, with the mountains blocking the view of what might lie ahead.
The valley turns eastward, and opens up into a small meadow, trapped between two large mountains. The path leading into this valley becomes paved and heads eastward, over a small bridge, into this meadow. Although there is no water in the stream, it looks as if the bridge is well used, and well made.
A small wooden bridge crosses over a dry stream bed, and connects a paved path to the meadow, or to the valley to the west. The bridge is of a dark, stained wood, with marble and golden ornaments embellishing its excellent craftwork. The path continues eastward, over the bridge and into a strange one story building, made almost entirely of wood.
Large wooden carvings of feathered serpents and ornate oriental style dragons cover the frame of a large, double door, which is open. The door opens out into a small set of corridors running east and north. The inner walls of this building are made up of bamboo and rice paper, and appear to be very flimsy.
A corridor runs north-south, through the outer parts of this building. The corridor is lined with ornate looking vases, standing upon marble pedestals. To the east, a sliding door opens up into the central part of this building, which appears to be open to the sky.
The corridor turns sharply north and west here. Small lanterns are hung at regular intervals along the corridor, giving off a muted light. The floor is of a marble mosaic, well polished and completely spotless. On the southern wall a large painting is hung. It has a beautiful carved frame and looks valuable.
A small fountain sits in the center of this large garden. The garden is surrounded on all sides by a square shaped building. Water trickles from the fountain into a small pool of clear water, which gently flows westward into a small drain. Goldfish flit about in the water, warming themselves in the sun.
A large waterclock sits in the southern part of this garden, the water flowing gently into the fountain nearby. The clock is of polished jade, with streaks of gold and silver running through it. The sun shines down upon the garden with great gusto, creating a warm and pleasant environment to relax in. The building surrounding the garden acts as a windbreak against the breeze, but the fountain appears to keep the temperature cool.
A small section of this garden has been separated from the rest by a low fence. Inside is a set of large rocks, lain out in an intricate pattern. The pattern does not seem to make much sense, but after looking at it for a while, a sense of peace and harmony seems to emanate from it. The trickle of the fountain and the singing of a few small birds are the only noises that penetrate this peaceful surrounding.
Some small shrubs have been set aside here, to grow in a carefully guided manner. Their height seems to be stunted and they appear to be perfect miniatures of their forest counterparts. A small wooden bench is placed beside the fountain. Two small birds are perched on the side of the bench, trilling their happiness to the world.
The corridor continues north-south through this building. Along the walls, at even intervals, are ornate vases, and small stone statues, depicting mostly oriental figures. The corridors are lit with small, rice paper lanterns, that give out a continual light.
The building continues to the east and the south, circling around an enclosed garden. A large painting hangs on the northern wall. The ceiling of this corridor is of shiny, polished wooden beams, neatly interlaced. The sound of a fountain can be heard coming from the southeast.
The corridor heads east-west here, with a door in the southern wall. Small lanterns hang at even intervals, burning brightly. A statue of a large tiger, with its paws outstretched, sits at the base of the northern wall.
The corridor turns either south or west here, circling around the inner garden. There is a large framed painting on the northern wall, and underneath it is a small statue of a dragon. The corridor is dimly lit with small paper lanterns.
A sliding door appears in the eastern wall, flanked by two large statues, carved into the likeness of minotaurs. The door appears to be of flimsy construction, being ornamental rather than functional. The corridor continues to the north and south.
The carved patterns on the walls glow slightly in the flickering light given off by the burning braziers situated in each corner of the room. In the center of each wall is a sliding door, each with a strange oriental symbol above. The floor is of white marble, with a strange pattern etched upon it.
The floor of this room is made up of odd shaped pieces of polished red stone, fitted together like an intricate jigsaw. The walls are of bright, shining marble. Along the eastern wall is a soft, plain mat. The light source of this room is a large, controlled fire, burning in a small pit in the center of the floor. Placed along the walls, on small stands are the skulls of various creatures that General Tiger has killed for his masters.
The room is dimly lit by a small lantern hanging by a gold chain in the center of the room. The floor is a mute brown colored, smooth clay. On small pedestals around the edges of the room sit small intricate devices of unknown purpose or origin. Along the southern wall is a small, low wooden bench.
A large throne sits against the northern wall of this room. The eastern and western walls are hung with valuable tapestries, depicting the exploits of General Ox. The floor is of green marble, and in the center, before the throne, is drawn a blazing gold sun.
A small dirt path makes its way upward into the rolling foothills. The hills are a lush green color, covered in abundant grass. Farther off, the hills give way to a set of impressive looking mountains, covered with snow. The path climbs to the west and descends to the east.
The path turns north-east here, following the contours of the land. It continues to climb up into the hills to the north, while making its way downward onto the plains to the east.
The path climbs upward into the hills to the north, becoming increasingly rocky as it ascends. The view westward is blocked by a ridge jutting outward towards the plains, which the path veers around to the south.
The path turns again here, heading either south, downward towards the plains, or west, upward into the hills. The path becomes more rocky underfoot as the foothills give way to the mountains beyond. The air is colder, with a slight chill to the breeze.
The path turns northward, climbing up a rocky valley, high into the mountains. Looking northward, the tops of the mountains are enshrouded in cloud. Large shapes can be seen flitting through the clouds, but what they are is impossible to tell. A small cave entrance is visible to the west, heading downward into hillside.
The cave is very dark and cold within. Although the walls of this cave appear to be natural, the floor is smooth and swept. A rank odor drifts in from the west, and a dim light can be seen.
The odor is very strong here and it immediately becomes clear as to what is causing it. A family of Trolls have inhabited this cave and made this piece of it their eating area. The remains of a large cat-like creature lies on the ground, slowly rotting.
The cave walls slowly close in here, sealing off the cave. A small pool of water has formed at the base of the southern wall. The water looks fetid and unclean. Bones lie scattered around the floor, and the skin of some unidentifiable animal lies in the middle of the floor.
The hills give way to large, cloud enshrouded mountains to the north. The trail climbs swiftly up the side of a steep valley, and into the colder clime. The lush grass of the hills slowly gives way to tussocks and scrub. Looking far to the south, the forests and jungles of the beastlands can be seen, and beyond that, the sea.
The path gets continually steeper to the north, and the altitude is becoming rather severe. The clouds are almost close enough to touch, and the path disappears among them to the north. Large faces loom out of the clouds, to vanish into swirling mists moments later. The path becomes quite faint, as if its use is rather infrequent.
The path peters out to a stop here, nearing the peak of one of these vast mountains. The clouds swirl around in intricate patterns, controlled by strange eddies and winds created by the high mountains. The peak of the mountain is to the north, although it is so steep as to be unclimbable. It is possible to continue west, around the side of the mountain peak, towards a small saddle between two mountains, or back down the mountain path to the south.
Locked between two large mountains, this small pass does not seem to be frequented often. Snow lies on the ground, and looks like it is of the permanent variety. To the east and west, two huge ice covered peaks loom up into the sky. It is possible to head north, around the side of the western peak, or east, onto the southern side of that mountain peak.
A small plateau extends here for a few hundred feet. The floor of this plateau is clear of snow and debris. Large scuff marks on the rock show that it is frequented by some large clawed creatures often. On its northern side, the ledge drops off suddenly, with a fall of some thousand feet to the mountains below. To the west, a large cavern opens up in the rock face.
A huge natural cavern has been formed within the side of this mountain. The entrance of this cavern opens up to the east, onto a small plateau. Ice stalactites hang down from the ceiling, their tips dripping water onto the smooth rock floor. In the western corner of this cavern, a large pit opens up in the floor. Although the cavern appears natural, the pit does not.
The walls and floor of this pit are extremely smooth. The floor slopes downward to the south, where a tunnel continues. High above you, the cavern can be seen. The air is warmer here, and smells faintly sulphuric. The ice melts rapidly, and the floor is slick with moisture.
The tunnel continues to slope downward to the south. The floor is slick with moisture and treacherous underfoot. The air is quite warm and smells vaguely volcanic. A fog drifts in from the south.
A huge pool of steaming water has formed at the southern base of this cave. The air reeks of sulphur and is thick with a steamy mist. Flickering lights dimly illuminate the eastern and western ends of this large cavern. The bones of several large creatures litter the floor.
This small alcove breaks away eastward from the main cavern, which lies to the west. A small pool of lava has formed near the eastern wall of this cave, creating a warm, misty environment. Reddish lights flicker off the crystalline walls and ceiling, creating an almost hypnotic effect. The carcass of some large creatures lies on the ground in the eastern part of the alcove, awaiting to be eaten.
The large cavern to the east opens outward into an even larger one here. The cavern is full of steam, and is very warm. A large pool of lava bubbles near the center of the cavern. Steam rises upward from the lava and forms a wall of fog to the east, blocking vision in that direction. A small pile of gems lie in a pile near the eastern wall, although not that many to be considered a Dragons Hoard. Perhaps this wily wyrm has hidden its loot elsewhere.
The walls of this small cavern positively glow with a golden light. The reddish hue of the lava to the north flickers off coins and gemstones, creating a myriad of patterns upon the ceiling and walls. The air is positively tropical, but lacks the mists that envelope the rest of the caverns.
The plains begin to die out and the land becomes more inhospitable. Rolling grasslands make way to stark, less inhabited sand dunes, with little grass coverage at all. The heat becomes more intense, and there are noticeably less clouds in the sky. The dunes roll away to the east, and the grassland lies back to the south.
The sun beats down upon the burnt land with no respite of night. What plant life there is is stunted and shriveled, and the heat makes a haze of the air. Sand dunes roll away to the north and the east; the grasslands lie back to the west.
Rocks jut from the sand here, and the shade beneath them is alive with scuttling things. Large tracks cross the dunes, showing that the desert is not as empty as it looks. Dunes rise to the north, and the way back to the edge of the desert lies to the west.
The sun beats down upon a sea of sand, and a dry wind lifts plumes of grit from the crests of the dunes. A wide trail of trampled sand runs to the east, and the dunes fall away to the south.
Huge three-toed footprints, each large enough to bathe in, are pressed deep into the sand among the bones of large beasts. Whatever made them is a hunter, and a big one. The dunes continue to the west and the south.
The forest canopy swirls around you, like being entrapped within a green cloud. Nearing the top of the trees, it is possible to see the sky above. It would be possible, if one could fly, to set forth up into the vast sky above the forest. Otherwise the only way to travel, is back down the tree, to the forest floor below.
Rolling clouds swirl and eddy around. High above the huge red sun shines down from a sky of deep blue. Strong breezes blow in from nearly all directions, in strong contradiction to any natural laws. Huge faces form among the clouds, only to once again become ethereal as a breeze rips the clouds apart. It is almost impossible to see in any direction for any period of time.
Rolling clouds swirl and eddy all around, and huge faces form in them only to be torn apart by the wind. Strong currents of air blow to the north and to the east, and the sky above the great forest lies back to the west.
The clouds part here into a wide, bright hollow of air where great birds wheel and soar on the updrafts. The winds blow back to the west and away to the south, out over the sea.
Rolling clouds swirl and eddy around. High above, the huge red sun shines down from a sky of deep blue, and huge faces form among the clouds only to be ripped apart by the breeze. The winds blow to the east, back toward the sky above the forest, and to the west over the steaming jungle.
Rolling clouds swirl and eddy, lit red by the huge sun above, and the salt smell of the sea rises from below. The winds blow to the north and to the south.
A momentary gap opens up among the clouds to show a fleeting view of the terrain below. An almost endless sea stretches away in all directions, and the sun's reflection on the calm water is almost blinding. Southward the water darkens over some incredibly deep place, perhaps a sea trench, and a misty, dank swamp lies far off in the west. The winds blow back to the north, and it would be possible to drop down to the water.
A momentary gap opens up among the clouds to show a fleeting view of the terrain below. A large tropical jungle lies far below, and through the trees and vines a small spring can be seen welling up in a small clearing. Beyond it, southward, the jungle gives way to a murky looking swamp. The winds blow back to the east, and it would be possible to drop down to the spring.
Banks of white cloud tower on either side like the walls of a canyon, and something vast moves slowly within them. The wind blows steadily to the north, out over the plains, and back to the south toward the forest.
A momentary gap opens up among the clouds to show a fleeting view of the land below. Vast rolling plains stretch away toward the northern mountains, and a small oasis below is the watering hole of the plains' inhabitants. The winds blow on to the east and back to the south over the forest. It would be possible to drop down through the gap.
The clouds thin a little here, and the heat rising from the land below makes the air shudder and bump. A hot dry wind blows to the north, and cooler air flows back to the west over the plains.
A momentary gap opens up among the clouds to show a fleeting view of the terrain below. A huge desert stretches far away eastward, giving way in the west to rolling grasslands. A herd of large four legged creatures can be seen running across the sand; behind them a large carnivorous reptile of some sort is giving chase. The wind blows back to the south, and it would be possible to drop down through the gap.
The corridor runs east-west along the north side of the building. Ornate vases on marble pedestals line the walls, and rice paper lanterns give a soft, steady light.
The corridor runs north-south along the east side of the building. Small stone statues of oriental warriors stand in niches along the wall, each holding a tiny lantern.
The corridor runs east-west along the south side of the building, from the entrance to the west. The polished floor of marble mosaic gleams in the light of small paper lanterns.