Quarga Zar (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

In April 2011, there was an "A-Z Challenge" among old school RPG (and other) bloggers. The idea was that every day of that month one would post an entry inspired by a letter of the alphabet, and in that manner cover all 26 letters in order.
I duly took part, resolving to focus on the fantastic old RuneQuest campaign setting Griffin Mountain, but only got up to P before my various character flaws (laziness, drunkenness, short attention span, etc) got the upper hand and thus on the 19th of the month I threw in the towel.
However, I regret nothing finished. Plus, the Griffin Mountain entries are among the most popular of my blog. (Though, admittedly, that ain't really saying much.) Thus will I begin again in a desultory fashion, and will gradually claw my way to Z.

However, the bugger about starting back up with Q is that Griffin Mountain as written does not have much for that letter. It is rather lacking in "Queens," for instance, though now that I think about it perhaps I should start a Google+ Circle for those.

Quarga Zar is a mistress race Troll and Kyger Litor Rune Priestess. She is accompanied by six of her Trollkin children. Any party of non-Troll adventurers will find her aloof and haughty. She in fact only speak to non-Trolls via her eldest daughter.
In all my various Griffin Mountain based campaigns, I can't recall ever having a party meet Quarga Zar and her happy little band. Luck of the dice, I suppose.

Praxenia (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

King Skilfil Heartpiercer of Dykene keeps three concubines. The youngest of the three, Praxenia, was born a Lunar citizen. She can tell a convincing story of life's vicissitudes and how she ended up in Dykene, but in reality she is a Lunar plant. Unfortunately Skilfil has proven to be rather malleable in her hands, and her influence is beginning to grow in the royal court. Praxenia reports back to Marusa, the Priestess of Jalakeel the Witch in Elkoi (mentioned here).

Orlanthi (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

The Windsword is a legendary magical weapon found somewhere in the depths of the Elder Wilds, probably within Griffin Mountain itself. And apart from any player characters that may decide to hunt for this wondrous weapon, there are a couple of Orlanthi groups searching the region for hints of its whereabouts.

The first of these is led by the Wind Lord Torath Manover, and consist of the following folks: Torath himself is an older (30) warrior who has been in Balazar for some time now. The local Balazarings like him well enough, and he has even participated in a few Great Hunts. Apart from searching for the Windsword, he is vehemently anti-Lunar, and may well lead an attack on the garrison at Ellkoi these days.
With him is Throggar Giant-Baiter, a young Barbarian and Orlanth Priest, Lyson of Swenson, a Sartarite townie, Eucleia Stormfollower, an illegitimate daughter of Skilfil Heartpiercer of Dykene, and Raveena, ex of Apple Lane in Sartar.

Leading the second Orlanth group is the young Rune Priestess, Pay Surney. She is not a natural leader, being indecisive and not exactly of authoritative mien. But not being a good leader is not the same as being a pushover in a conflict, as many have found to their cost. With Pay are: Frettrick Vonvest of Sartar, a rich Sartarite noble, Andretta Wolfheim, incredibly charismatic and competent with the sword both, Dalfar Skyseeker, an aventurous youngster, and Harkenseye, who seems to aspire to being a walking arsenal.

Both groups may be found just about anywhere in Balazar or the Elder Wilds. Of the three citadels, they probably spend most time in Trilus, where there is a respectable Lightbringers Temple.

"No Pigs" Edict of Trilus (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

By far the majority of indigenous Balazarings are hunter-gatherers. However, there is a large minority who live in the citadels and earn their livelihood as pig herders. In Elkoi and Dykene, the pig herders live and rear their animals within the walls of the city, on the opposite end to the royal compounds.

In Trilus, however, it is a different story. King Yalaring Monsterslayer, the first of his dynasty, was a mere 21 years old when he seized the throne. He is a hunter through and through, indeed a winner of the Great Hunt before becoming King. And he is rather prejudiced against domesticated animals, and those who tend them. However, he does recognise the vital role that pigs play in the diet and economy of the citadel of Trilus, so rather than chuck them out altogether, he has banned them from the staying within the walls.

Thus it is that that the pig tenders of Trilus live with their animals in a flimsy stockade outside the citadel. Which may prove a bit of a bugger for them if there is ever a war, as the stockade is not much protection at all.

Maps (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

I find myself in the same position as I did around this time last week - tired, muscles aching after the gym, and still needing to do my bloody blog entry in this April A-Z thingy. So it's photo time again, this time one of the maps that come with the campaign book.

Area around the citadel of Trilus

Area around Dykene

The Elder Wilds. Lots o' open space to play with.

Where Hen Cik hangs out

Balazar

Lunar Pavilion at Elkoi (A-Z of Griffin Mountain)

Elkoi is the westernmost of the three Balazar citadels, and one on the furthest outposts of the Lunar Empire. It was only recently occupied by Lunar forces, and the inhabitants are not enamored with their new overlords. Nor is acculturation yet taking place to any large extent, although there is now a small amount of agriculture in the area around Elkoi. (Thus the advent of Elkoi Beer.)

Like the ancient Romans in our own world, the Lunars tolerate indigenous religions. Thus Elkoi is home to a temple of Yelmalio (which also has shrines to Found-Child and Balazar), and a Hero Shrine to Elkoi himself. But the Lunar state religion is also being introduced, and its focal point is a very large pavilion that is under construction just outside the northern walls of the citadel proper, and right next to garrison's barracks.

The interior will be sumptuous when it is finished, quite unlike anything else found in Balazar. There will be seven separate chapels, each dedicated to one of the Seven Mothers deities. Comfortable living quarters for the clergy will be located right next to the pavilion. When finished, the whole thing will be far and away the largest and most impressive temple complex in Balazar.

While the locals be impressed enough to come round to the Lunar way? I have my doubts, and perhaps this may lie more with the personalities involved than with any stonework. Luckily the first Seven Mothers Priestess to make Elkoi her home, Elecora Kindtongue, is a kind and gracious old lady, much beloved by all. Unfortunately the next one was Marusa, nicknamed the Shrew and a Priestess of Jalakeel the Witch, a completely different prospect altogether.

King's Inn (A - Z of Griffin Mountain)

There are no major characters, geographical locations, etc. in the Griffin Mountain campaign book that begin with K. So here are a few minor ones:

The King's Inn is the only boarding house in the city of Elkoi. It is a pleasingly homely place, though getting a cheap room is often difficult due to the overflow of Lunar troops billeted there. The grub to be had is bread and pork, and, of course, Elkoi Beer flows freely.
The owner is a chap by the name of Moraring Broom. He was a pig tender before getting a job at the inn, then had the good fortune of inheriting the whole business after the childless and alcoholic old owner broke his neck in a drunken fall. His pig tending ways behind him, Moraring now sports a paunch and much flashy clothing. He's a pleasant sort, though.

Turning to the citadel of Dykene, Karazar is the young son and heir to the throne of his father, Skilfil Heartpiercer. He's a bookish young lad of 10, more interested in learning than the arts of fighting and leadership. This does not sit overly well with his father.

Finally another giant. Karl the Midget is so called because he is a mere four meters tall, and will not be growing any taller. (Unless a Dispel Magic 4 spell is cast upon him, but Karl doesn't know that.) This sad state of affairs is the result of a curse placed upon him by a shaman, after Karl clumsily disturbed his mediation.
This has made him bitter and petulant, and he will be hostile if encountered. Usually he hangs out with his buddies Red Rockhammer and Tiny Treekicker, and the three of them delight in fucking shit up and generally being belligerent assholes.