Skrellingshald

It is commonly held that the Flan peoples of eastern Oerik were simple tribesmen before the events that led to the Suel and Oeridian migrations. There remain to be explained certain ruins found in the Griff and Corusk Mountains. The massive stone foundations, straight level roads, and flattened or terraced areas of mountainside seem from the proportions of the rarely preserved doorways to be intended for creatures of human size, and it seems unlikely that elves or humanoids would have had the inclination to produce such works. What is more, the occasional jade carvings and green ceramic figurines found both at these sites and occasionally in rivers flowing out of the mountains show a people of Flannish features and dress, and there remain in the Duchy of Tenh and among the Coltens stories of a powerful mountain state of Flannish race. Perhaps the dwarves of the region know more, but if so they show the typical reticence of demi-human races concerning prehistoric events. One of the greatest works of this ancient people, whoever they were, is the mountain known in Flan as Tostenhca, but more commonly known by the name the Suel barbarians gave it, Skrellingshald. It is a place which has been discovered many times, and as often lost again from human knowledge.

Skrellingshald is among the Griff Mountains, but unlike the untamed crags surrounding it its peak is entirely leveled. Perched on this plateau is a city of heroic portions carved from the rock itself. It holds many noble houses, as well as large pyramids and ramps of unknown purpose. There are large water storage tanks, and evidently water was once piped through the entire city. The broad avenues are lined with tall statues of the same greenish-black rock as the mountain and city, all of them showing typical Flannish features (from which trait the name of the city is derived). Some of the dwellings may be three or more stories high, and the interiors contain among other things murals with pigments that are still fresh and scenes that depict the lives of the inhabitants. One block covered with such work was brought to the town of Calbut in the Duchy of Tenh, and exhibited as an example of ancient Flan excel- lence, but it is regarded by some as a clever forgery. Beneath the city and leading downward to various openings on the lower mountain is a series of tunnels. Most of these terminate in terraced regions that must once have been farmers’ fields. The climate of the region must surely have been more pleasant in its heyday, for much of the year the city is wreathed in snow.

For all its enigmatic glory, Skrellingshald might remain relatively obscure were it not for the stories that great treasure might be found there. Indeed it bears some passing resemblance to a land placed by popular legend in the Griff Mountains, where the buildings are (‘roofed in gold.” However, the citadel of Skrellingshald is most certainly not inhabited by any human race, and does not flaunt what treasure it may have so openly. Its inhabitants are reported to be particularly malevolent and cunning kobolds, and perhaps certain diabolic allies, who haunt the tunnels beneath the mountain. The skies of the region are the hunting ground of griffons and gigantic eagles. The city itself is supposedly guarded by its statues. If the city ever had gold roofing it has long since been looted. What remains is a wealth of jade jewelry and statuary scattered throughout the region, and a great store of gold in most unusual form: it is in spheres about the size of a double fist. The troves of gold spheres are to be found somewhere within the pyramids, but it is supposedly unhealthy to meddle with them. Stories have it that those who carry away the spheres contract a horrible wasting and rotting disease.

The citadel is protected not only by its remote position and the ferocious inhabitants. It is surrounded on all sides by deep gorges or high mountains, and the high altitude saps the strength of lowlanders. The weather is chilly and windy in all seasons, and often so cloudy that vision is obscured over distances of more than a few hundred yards. The precise location of the place is not known. Few have sought it out, and those who have returned after finding it are generally reticent. Typical is the case of Hradji Beartooth, a chieftain of the Frost Barbarians, who took a band of men in search of the marvel in 520.

Hradji returned later that year with a diminished following and with a greatly increased wealth which consisted largely of the aforementioned golden spheres. He quite naturally refused to disclose the location of the mountain, as he planned to gather a stronger force for the next season and return with still greater booty. Unfortunately Hradji and the majority of his men died within the year, some of them as soon as they arrived home. What is more, all those who had any prolonged contact with the gold similarly sickened and died. Hradji’s heir disposed of the hoard by trading it to merchant interests in the Great Kingdom, and reputedly the curse still circulates as the coin of that land, although this last may be a tale fabricated to weaken the Emperor’s currency.

In confirmation of Hradji’s story that he had reached Skrellingshald, it is noteworthy that he also brought with him two young griffons and a shield of a pebbly, fire-resistant hide which has since been identified as that of a diabolical creature.

It is rumored that certain of the dwarvish clans of the Griff Mountains know the location of the citadel. Certainly they make use of the roads supposedly produced by Skrellingshald’s constructors, as well as their tunnels and roadside fountains. It would not be surprising to find that they had discovered something of Skrellingshald’s whereabouts.

Notes to the Dungeon Master

The kobolds of Skrellingshald are well prepared to fight off invasions, and to do so with little use of kobold lives. They use missile weapons from a height, and roll down boulders to crush any opposition. Their average intelligence is higher than that of typical kobold tribes, and their shamans and witch doctors are numerous. The chieftain bears a medallion which allows the bearer to summon an ice devil once per year if one intelligent creature is sacrificed. Those who attempt the difficult ascent of the mountain from the outside, or who take an aerial approach, must deal with griffons and white dragons and the uncertain and windy weather (increase all windspeeds around Skrellingshald by 15 miles per hour). The constitution of low-landers drops 2 points at this altitude.

The city is guarded by stone golems (a portion of the statuary) and, if tombs or altars are disturbed, by natural and magical traps and by undead or extraplanar beings. Artwork taken from the city will be of high value if it can be removed, especially in the Duchy of Tenh.

The magical curse of the golden spheres is permanent, but its effects on an individual can be removed with cure disease and remove curse. The chance of success with each of these is equal to the chance of dispel magic against a 12th-level enchantment. The curse affects anyone who owns the golden spheres, or who remains near them for more than four hours. It takes effect as a chronic severe disease of the blood and skin, which strikes within 1d4 weeks and worsens to a terminal case once it has seen full effect as a severe malady.