Hanging Glacier of Alisedran
| Hanging Glacier of Alisedran | |
|---|---|
| Geopolitical | |
| Region: | Corusk Mountains (approx. hex J-16) |
| Authority: | None |
| Resources: | Magical shards from the glacier |
| Demographics | |
| Inhabitants: | Trapped monsters |
The Hanging Glacier of Alisedran is an unusual magical site in the northeastern Flanaess, about 120 miles east of Knujde, in the southern Corusk Mountains.[1] It is a glacier caught in statis, stopped in motion as it cascades in shattered pieces, as it flows overthe brink of a cliff.
Description
[edit | edit source]The Hanging Glacier of Alisedran is a fast-moving glacier which abruptly stops at a cliff. The glacier shattered into floating shards of ice, supernaturally suspended motionless in the air over a 2,000-foot drop.
The site is considered holy by the clergy of Telchur
History
[edit | edit source]In 113 CY, the eccentric scholar Alisedran explored deep into the Corusk Mountains and documented a bizarre phenomenon in his book On Sledge and Horseback to the Barbarians of the North. His unbelievable claims were dismissed during his lifetime, but the account is true.
Local tribal lore confirmed periodic monster outbreaks about every 20 years, matching Alisedran’s theory that the floating ice briefly collapses, falls, melts in the river below, and releases the trapped monsters. Although local tribesfolk believed the glacier housed a curse or evil spirit, the truth is more complex: beneath the glacier lies a portal to another Prime Material world, enchanted to block the entry of the goddess Loviatar.[2][note 1]. The seal is imperfect, allowing her priests to send summoned creatures through, accounting for the periodic eruptions.
Resources
[edit | edit source]The shards contain perfectly pure water, ideal for potions, and those which are made with it are always well-crafted and never go wrong when being brewed. Among the shards are light blue ice pieces holding miniature cold-dwelling monsters (such as yetis, remorhaz, winter wolves, and ice toads). When melted, a fully grown monster emerged alive; one such test killed three of Alisedran’s companions.
A rarer type of shard are one-inch blue cubes of “solid air.” When crushed, they replicated the effects of an airy water spell, a lifesaving discovery Alisedran tested when thrown overboard by pirates.
Finally, intelligent cold-dwelling monsters (not frost giants) feel magically compelled to leave treasures and trophies at the hanging glacier, creating rich treasure hoards and possibly additional strange magical effects.[2]
Rumors and Legends
[edit | edit source] | This section contains content from the Living Greyhawk organized-play campaign. |
One of Mak Thuum Ngatha's nine tentacles is beneath the Hanging Glacier and is worshiped as the "Frost Worm" by a group of cultists led by Tarja Arjotta (Male, Human (Suel) Cleric).[3]
References
[edit | edit source]Notes
[edit | edit source]- ↑ Loviatar is mentioned in From the Ashes Atlas of the Flanaes", referring to the IRL deity from Finnish mythology. Loviatar is also a deity of Suffering and Pain in the "Forgotten Realms" campaign setting, but differs from the Finnish version.
Dragon Magazine #191, pg. 68 Dragon Magazine #248, pg. 90
Citation
[edit | edit source]- ↑ World of Greyhawk Fantasy Game Setting (1983), Darlene map .
- ↑ a b From the Ashes (1992), p.67, Atlas.
- ↑ The Hanging Glacier (RPGA; 2006), pg.18-20
Bibliography
[edit | edit source]- Miller, Andy. "The Oeridian Lesser Gods, part III: Telchur and Rudd". Dragon #265. Renton, WA: Wizards of the Coast, Nov 1999.
- Sargent, Carl. Ivid the Undying. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1995. Published online. PDF by William Allman with maps. Original RTF archived:Wizards.com. WGR7 or WGRx
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alisedran, Hanging Glacier of | Geographical feature | Mountainous, | Dragon magazine #191 | 68 |
| Alisedran, Hanging Glacier of | Geographical feature | Mountainous, | Dragon magazine #243 | 90 |
| Alisedran, Hanging Glacier of | Geographical feature | Mountainous, | Dragon magazine #265 | 58 |
| Alisedran, Hanging Glacier of | Geographical feature | Mountainous, | From the Ashes: Atlas of the Flanaess | 67 |
| Alisedran, Hanging Glacier of | Geographical feature | Mountainous, | WGR4 The Marklands | 93 |