Thursday, August 31, 2023

Marching From Menace; Dudboso Forest

A sprawling woodland that blankets the western side of Rafs Island. This ancient forest is a place of great natural beauty and untamed wilderness. Towering trees, dense undergrowth, and winding trails create an enchanting atmosphere. Within the depths of the Dudboso Forest, adventurers may encounter elusive creatures, hidden groves, and ancient ruins, adding an element of mystery and adventure to the island.

Dudboso Forest Region

The Dudboso Forest is a sprawling, ancient woodland on the western side of Rafs Island. It is a place of natural beauty, untamed wilderness, and mystery.

Terrain Forest

Threats - Bandits, Feral Stric Bands

Heartland

There are no shortages in natural resources or wonders to bolster your citizens' imagination and mood in a kingdom established in Dudboso.

Kingdom Ability Boost - Culture

Tapping the Dudboso Forest

Green

Region

Prerequisites: You are occupying one of the Dudboso Forest hexes and possess both a Hero Point and Green Devotion

Action Cost 1 Hero Point

You channel primal energy from the Surging and waning of life under the forest's canopy, manifesting as a green aura that is directed into one of three effects.

The forest manifests the effect at the end of the actions needed for the desired effect.

You recover an expended spell slot this slot can only cast a spell with the Green devotion trait
Calm a hostile creature
you surge with the essence of the land; until the end of your next turn you are one size category larger and you receive a +1 circumstance bonus on Strength and Constitution checks.

Creatures of the Dudboso

Basic Creatures

Creature	Source	Traits	Level
Giant Centipede	Bestiary pg 61	Green, Animal	-1
Raven	Bestiary 2 pg. 221	Black, Animal	-1
Viper	Bestiary pg. 302	Green, Animal	-1
Badger	Bestiary 2 pg. 32	Green, Animal	0
Dream Spider	Bestiary 2 pg. 249	Black, Green, Animal	0
Spider Swarm	Bestiary pg. 306	Black, Animal, Swarm	0
Vine Lasher	The Fall of Plaguestone	Green, Plant	0
Ball Python	Bestiary pg. 302	Green, Animal	1st
Hunting Spider	Bestiary pg. 306	Black, Green, Animal	1st
Unkindness of Ravens	Rule Zero	Black, Animal, Swarm	1st
Black Bear	Bestiary 2 pg. 36	Green, Animal	2nd
Blink Dog	Bestiary 2 pg. 40	Blue, Green, Beast	2nd
Bloodlash Bush	The Fall of Plaguestone pg. 62	Red, Green, Plant	2nd

Creature	Source	Traits	Level
Boar	Bestiary pg. 43	Red, Green, Animal	2nd
Giant Badger	Bestiary 2 pg. 32	Green, Animal	2nd
Giant Viper	Bestiary pg 303	Black, Green, Animal	2nd
Centipede Swarm	Bestiary pg 16	Green, Animal, Swarm	3rd
Giant Wasp	Bestiary pg. 324	Green, Animal	3rd
Giant Whiptail Centipede	Bestiary 2 pg. 50	Black, Green, Animal	3rd
Grizzly Bear	Bestiary pg. 40	Green, Animal	3rd
Rust Monster	Bestiary pg 283	Red, Green, Aberration	3rd

Expert Creatures

Creature	Source	Traits	Level
Common Owlbear	Bestiary pg. 259	Green, Animal	4th
Daeodon	Bestiary pg. 43	Red, Green, Animal	4th

People of the Dudboso

Arannian Citizenry- the people of Arann’s settlements, Laborer’s Harvest timber from the forest, hunters forage for additional food and merchants travel among the settlements of Raf’s Island.
Circle of Eight Legs- A loose affiliation of Ettercaps with ties to an ancient circle of Druids bonded to arachnid predators.
Phitan Strix- The Strix on Raf’s Island are connected to the settlement of Phita; this community near Dudboso’s northern shore seeks to maintain its autonomy from the politics of Arann. Outsiders will most likely encounter feral “Harpy” bands of Phitan exiles. These hostile strix are a buffer between Phita and Raf’s prevailing culture, ensuring trespassers feel unwelcome in Phitan territory.
Dudboson Dryads- Vegetative denizens of the forests form loosely bound communities of Leshy and Ghoran that defend the forest.
Naistan Minotaurs- A tribe of Minotaurs from the outskirts of Naista that often hunt in the Dudboso.

Hooks

Group	Quest	Reputation	Reward
Arannian Citizenry	Harpy attacks threaten the lumber trade on Raf’s Island, which is essential to Arann’s economy. Representatives of Arann plead with the adventurers to venture into the Dudboso Forest, where the harpies' lair is believed to be, and end their menace.	Ignored or better	Minor favor to the people of Arann and 10 GP per Adventurer
Arannian Citizenry	Loggers report seeing floating lights and hearing strange music deep in the forest at night. Some believe a coven of green hags has occupied the woods and lured people to their doom.	Liked or Better	Moderate favor to the people of Arann and 50 GP per Adventurer
Arannian Citizenry	After a harsh storm, a massive, ancient treant awakens, angered at the logging taking place in its domain. It begins attacking settlements on the forest's border in retaliation.	Admired or Better	Major favor to the people of Arann and 500 GP per Adventurer
Cartographer’s Guild	An injured ranger wanders into a settlement, recounting how her partner was dragged below by vines in an overgrown ruin while they were searching for a lost artifact. She asks the party to rescue her partner.	Ignored or Better	Minor Favor to the Cartographer’s Guild and 10 GP per Adventurer

Group	Quest	Reputation	Reward
Cartographer’s Guild	A cryptic map indicating the location of the long-lost tomb of an ancient druid king has found its way into the party's hands. They must follow the clues and navigate the forest's perils to find the burial site.	Liked or Better	Moderate Favor to the Cartographer’s Guild and 50 GP per Adventurer
Cartographer’s Guild	A botanist seeks rare ingredient-bearing plants growing in the forest's heart to craft antidotes and medicines. She needs bodyguards and assistants to protect and guide her into the woods.	Liked or Better	Moderate Favor to the Cartographer’s Guild and 50 GP per Adventurer
Phitan Strix	Several adolescent strix have gone missing recently. Traces indicate they have been drawn to the coast, and rumors speak of an ancient creature that spirits away the young.	Liked or Better	Major Favor to the Phitans and 10 GP per adventurer

Landmarks of the Dudboso

The Petrified Circle - A ring of massive petrified trees surrounding an empty circular field. Legends say fey rituals took place here long ago. Strange music and lights are sometimes seen within the circle at night.
Silver Falls - A breathtaking waterfall flowing over a sheer rock face. Misty spray fills the air, and the cascading water glows silver in the moonlight. Tunnels behind the falls lead to caverns rumored to hold lost treasures.
Druid's Henge - Ancient stone monoliths arranged in a ceremonial henge formation. Druidic symbols are carved into the weathered stones, indicating this site's mystical significance.
Temple of the Stars - A ruined structure with a domed roof that perfectly frames the night sky. Intricate astronomical carvings suggest the temple's devotees were astrologers or stargazers.
Dragontooth Ridge - Sharp stone spires rise suddenly from the forest floor like gigantic petrified dragon's teeth. Bizarre mineral deposits in intricate patterns cover the columns, confounding scholars about their origin.

Secrets of the Forest

A grove of treants as old as the forest itself slumber deep within. They awaken when the forest is threatened to protect it.
An ancient green dragon lairs in a hidden Cave.
The ghost of a ranger who failed to stop a catastrophe long ago still roams the woods, seeking to warn interlopers.
A circle of archdruids perform secret rituals to sustain the health and vitality of the forest, drawing on its primal magic.
Underground springs imbue the forest with revitalizing energy and grant visions of the future to those who drink from mystical pools.
A gemstone shard at the forest's heart empowers the plantlife and wildlife, making them stronger, smarter, and sometimes aggressive.
An abandoned watchtower contains portals to fey realms, but they have become unstable and dangerous.
Worshippers of a forgotten nature deity built shrines throughout the forest that still radiate primal power.

Rule Zero