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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
 Posted - 09 May 2012 : 21:30:51
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What follows shall be a series of posts dealing with a number of themes relating to orcs and half orcs within the Forgotten Relms. Most notably, the character of Grummsh, Boffenburg, and a few other topics. I shall admit that this is as much or more an argument based on holding certain arguments true, than me following what I know to be correct from the lore. I have done my level best to research as many elements of this before hand and follow them to the utmost. I cannot however, say in all honesty that I’ve not gone astray in some significant manner, due to a lack of information. I am presenting this therefore, for those better informed than myself to consider it, and state if the concept holds. I have done it from the perspective of the character I am going to play, as to hopefully keep it interesting. I mmake no claims to having actually done so.
In the beginning all the gods met and drew lots for the parts of the world in which their representative races would dwell. The human gods drew the lot that allowed humans to dwell where they pleased, in any environment. The elven gods drew the green forests, the dwarven deities drew the high mountains, the gnomish gods the rocky, sunlit hills, and the Halfling gods picked the lot that gave them the fields and meadows. Then many of the assembled gods turned to the orcish gods and laughed loud and long.
All the lots are taken!" they said tauntingly. Where will your people dwell, One-Eye? There is no place left.
There was silence upon the world then, as Gruumsh One-Eye lifted his great iron spear and stretched it over the world. The shaft blotted the sun over a great part of the lands as he spoke:
No! You Lie! You have rigged the drawing of the lots, hoping to cheat me and my followers. But One-Eye never sleeps. One-Eye sees all. There is a place for orcs to dwell... here,
He bellowed, and his spear pierced the mountains, opening a mighty rift and chasms.
And here,
and the spearhead split the hills and made them shake and covered them in dust. "And here!", and the black spear gouged the meadows and made them bare.
There!
Roared He-Who-Watches triumphantly, and his voice carried to the ends of the world.
There is where the orcs shall dwell! There they will survive, and multiply, and grow stronger, and a day will come when they cover the world, and they will slay all of your collective peoples! Orcs shall inherit the world you sought to cheat me of!
What is above is known by many, its exact description varies somewhat, as the elves say there god laughed, but the dwarvan account states that theirs did not. Still, nearly all claim that Gruumsh claimed that the games were rigged, but none believe that this was so. None, save Moradin, who by both dwarvan and Orkish accounts, provided by Thrain Eldolisi and Mauhúr of the Red Eye Clan, did believe that something was a miss in the lot system. I shall admit that I suspect much, and do not know as much as I would like, but still.
Still I have learned much from my time here at the Herald's Holdfast, and while many answers simply spawn more questions, I do have a strong foundation on which I can stand upon. Is it enough to change the mind of a God? Is it enough to alter the nature of reality as so many have known it? Reason is a lever, some say, and with a long enough one I might be able to alter the course of reality itself.
I have found one text, two actually, both written by elves, before the crown wars; that point before the formation of the Drow, and back when Lolth was called Araushnee. Both texts say that she had visions and that she was the wife of Corellon Larethian. There is some indication that he was unfaithful to her, how orkish of him, and that he carried on affairs with other members of the pantheon. The authors of both texts emphasis his affair with one Sehanine Moonbow, which from what I know of her, could have been an enemy of Schar.
Still I would like to very much know what that vision was, as its significance can’t be overstated.
The author’s state t Araushnee had a vision that if it had come to pass would be disastrous for the elves for which she cared. It stated that the orcs would be responsible for this if allowed to have the lands that were their right, and that they would receive if given to them through the drawing. So, she, through cunning had that lot destroyed. How she did it, when she did it, is not stated. That is not of the utmost significance here. What is important is that she Araushnee, Lolth, has been the one responsible for the perspective Gruumsh has held regarding the rest of the races. Could Schar have had a hand to play in this, I suspect that she did. Araushnee was the bride of one that had other lovers, one being a lady of the moon, who is an enemy of the lady of night. Could Schar have whispered words that further turned Araushnee into the spider winch that we all know her of today? My brain says it is uncertain, but my heart says yes.
All this would be easier if I knew what that vision was.
One moment, someone is knocking at my door.
(Reader’s note; there’s more, but I didn’t want this to get to long from the get go. It might already be there. So. Comment away.)
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We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
Edited by - Sightless on 03 Jun 2013 14:10:00
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Fellfire
Master of Realmslore
1965 Posts |
Posted - 10 May 2012 : 20:13:40
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| Can't wait for the next installment, Sightless. |
Misanthorpe
Love is a lie. Only hate endures. Light is blinding. Only in darkness do we see clearly.
"Oh, you think darkness is your ally? You merely adopted the dark. I was born in it, molded by it. I didn't see the light until I was already a man, by then it was nothing to me but.. blinding. The shadows betray you because they belong to me." - Bane The Dark Knight Rises
Green Dragonscale Dice Bag by Crystalsidyll - check it out
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Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 11 May 2012 : 19:12:14
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Nice stuff.
In my own musings, I have it where both Gru-Mass (wild spirit) and Araushnee were dark elves, back in the days before they split from the Fey (which is also when the Elves became divided from the Eladrin). I won't bother repeating myself - I have my thoughts on this subject already spread across many threads.
I think Moradin is an even more ancient power then most realize (more akin to an overpower), and did not ascend to godhood (as I suspect both Corellon and Gruumsh did). I think the division of lands took place on some world other then Toril- probably within the Feywild - and Moradin was wise-enough to foresee the potential for disaster with the Svartalfar (the ancient name for the now-goblinoid dark fey). When the lands were divided, Gruumsh was not invited, because there was already a fey power present - Corellon. It is canon that there were dwarves present in Faerie in ancient times (D&D canon - see Monster Mythology). Also, gnomes are now considered Fey (and rightly so), making that division-of-land story even more likely to have taken place within the Feywild.
It also allows for the universal (D&D) mythos to relate to ALL worlds, not just one, by placing it in the multi-spheric Feywild.
Just some random thoughts of my own - use what you want, or disregard it all. Its all good. 
I also agree with you about Orcs - I think they are poorly depicted. I am the president (and sole-member thus far) of M.I.L.F. - the Monster's International Liberation Front. We provide free legal representation of appearance-challenged individuals who have gotten themselves entangled in human (and demi-human) law. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
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Edited by - Markustay on 12 May 2012 06:26:33 |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2012 : 00:48:37
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(Reader’s note, yes, I know there’s a Baffenburg thread already, but this is part of a larger argument, and the construction of which wouldn’t be as parsimonious, if I split it up. I admit that this is an element for my DMs campaign that he plans to use some of, whether I play or not,how much I don’t know, he does have an account here, so your comments will probably impact it somewhat. With that said the second instalment for your viewing pleasure).
What to say about Baffenburg? That city that fills me with equal parts hope and dread. The place represents the possibility of peace, as well as the possibility of others to meddle in that peace, and it brings us back to the lady of night. This time however, her presence is more straightforward than in the disaster previously mentioned. The question remains however, why? Here we have a more clear cut answer. First let us discuss that ancient jem of interracial prosperity, and how it became to be in the first place. One thing that those that are not Orc in character must understand, is that inter orc clan warfar is commonplace. Many of the orcs sold to the Drow, those that don’t come at the hands of their own raids, come from such an event. Those orcish warlord and chieftans that engage in such a practice have grown, and some continue to grow rich off it. Let us hold this for a moment as we consider that when the town, a small city by some standerds, that later became known as Baffenburg was founded; the great city of Delzoun was no more. Originally the dwarvan settlement was called Gauntlgrym Agqurim , which serves as one of the causes of confusion for many a scholar, both dwarvan & otherwise, in locating the later city to bare that name. By that time Baffenburg was no more, it’s name a distent memory to most of the surface dwellers, but it’s story not entirely lost. For much of it is here, but many of it’s descendents know it’s history too, I have met a few. I shall return to that in a moment.
For those not well versed in history, in -111 DR, the year of Terrible Anger , Delzoun was devastated by countless orc assaults perpetrated by the cleric Gothnerog of Clan Wolf Jaw, which also devastated other Northern settlements. Most educated sorts can tell you that the elves of Iliyanbruen, Rilithar, and Eaerlann uniting that shattered the strength of the orcs and halted their rampage into the High Forest and Dessarin Valley. Indeed, very few histories include the work of Clan Nineshields, and the important role they had in the affair. NineShields in those days was lead by Kurug Nineshields, with Bowug Kr’kri, and Rushnak redtusk, as his closest advisers. In those days, the group was what humankind would call pastoralists; living heavily on heards of cattle, sheep, and pigs, but still doing planting in selected spots during the spring and summer months depending on what ground they happened to live in. While one cannot say they were on friendly terms with the elves, humans, and other races of the northern regions, the relationship was hardly antagonistic.
A live and let live sort of situation, describes it best.
Two sources discuss the actions of Bowug and the clan as a whole: one, not surprisingly orkish, and from the half orc bard Vuugar; and the other being from the lore master Lillian Irralin, in the Kiira Tel Cinnaess Slaugh, or literally, the lore of the peace bringing mud Wallowing Dogs. I find it amusing that orcs are refered to as such, given the fact that so many elves have had dogs for pets. No matter. This elven book created quite an uproar and all but two copies were destroyed, one of which is here, the other in Silver Moon; collecting dust on a shelf somewhere long forgotten no doubt. I shall return to that as well, but I am getting ahead of myself. Back to Nineshields and the matter at hand, Bowug learned of the attacks before the hord reached Sundbarr, and warned them before the orcs attacked, although such a warning didn’t seem to help them over much. The elves took Bowug’s warning more seriously perhaps, or perhaps he had a stronger reputation with the moon elves, his friendship with Bariela Valaromra, could have helped in that regard. In either case, the clan met the advanced host of orcs just a days run southwest of Sundbarr and fought a series of delaying actions until the elves arrived. Kurug, himself, along with many brave orcish warriors gave up the spirit during those engagements. With the orc chord vanquished, the clans fighters greatly diminished, and increasing tensions between the clan and the elves, all lead Bowug to move the clan further a field than before. It was during this movement that he first encountered the dwarves of the settlement of Gauntlgrym Agqurim, later called Baffenburg.
At that time Ongirn Bronanvil served as high protector of the Council and was incharge of the settlements defense. It was in part his fued with the king of Citadel Adbar, after refusing his daughter’s hand to the crown prince of that dwarvan kingdom. As it was Bronanvil’s daughter didn’t want to merry the fellow, and so her father wasn’t going to force her. This of course was only part of a larger problem between Citadel Adbar and the dwarves of Gauntlgrym Agqurim. All of these problems can be summed up with pride and money. As it was the city of Gauntlgrym Agqurim was facing both food shortages and difficulties with fierce compition with their kin in the economic arena. While they didn’t welcome Bowug with open arms, he was an orc after all. His reputation as one that was more interested in letting folks live, than killing them and taking their stuff, meant that the dwarves weren’t going to dismiss him out of hands. To make a long story short, thanks to an orc wizard, the settlement got through one of the longest and harshest winters in the history of the north.
(to be continued)
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We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2012 : 00:59:32
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quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Nice stuff.
In my own musings, I have it where both Gru-Mass (wild spirit) and Araushnee were dark elves, back in the days before they split from the Fey (which is also when the Elves became divided from the Eladrin). I won't bother repeating myself - I have my thoughts on this subject already spread across many threads.
I think Moradin is an even more ancient power then most realize (more akin to an overpower), and did not ascend to godhood (as I suspect both Corellon and Gruumsh did). I think the division of lands took place on some world other then Toril- probably within the Feywild - and Moradin was wise-enough to foresee the potential for disaster with the Svartalfar (the ancient name for the now-goblinoid dark fey). When the lands were divided, Gruumsh was not invited, because there was already a fey power present - Corellon. It is canon that there were dwarves present in Faerie in ancient times (D&D canon - see Monster Mythology). Also, gnomes are now considered Fey (and rightly so), making that division-of-land story in more likely to have taken place within the Feywild.
It also allows for the universal (D&D) mythos to relate to ALL worlds, not just one, by placing it in the multi-spheric Feywild.
Just some random thoughts of my own - use what you want, or disregard it all. Its all good.
I also agree with you about Orcs - I think they are is represented. I am the president (and sole-member thus far) of M.I.L.F. - the Monster's International Liberation Front. We provide free legal representation of appearance-challenged individuals who have gotten themselves entangled in human (and demi-human) law.
There's two angles I'm working on here, both importent. One that everything Ugreth is getting is second hand. He wants to understand what happened, but that's difficult. I'm going to be introducting two thoughts that my DM likes, one that there is a power, Fay in nature that's trying to keep the orcs as they are, and they've been using all sorts of means to keep it that way.
The second, and it's going to take me a while to get there, is the idea that the weave is a conchus being in it's own right, and that the time of troubles, and even the spellplague, were temporary backlashes to the meddling of Mystra in minipulating the development of that conchus being. Lolth, and Schar are both aware that the Weave is alive, but both are going to try and take control of it. One of the goals of the party is to either prevent them from doing this, or prevent them from doing this and try and find a way to link the weave to their own God/ Goddess.
My character's goals will be primarily to see that the weave stays free, to develope as it should on it's own, and try and find out as much about the orcish race and what really happened. Side quests include talking to a lot of Gods. Gruumsh first.
Miner edit, I'm not playing Ugreth, but am definately playing one of Obould's sons. More on that later.
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We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
Edited by - Sightless on 13 May 2012 02:40:42 |
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BEAST
Master of Realmslore
USA
1714 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2012 : 06:35:00
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quote:
Originally posted by Sightless
In the beginning all the gods met and drew lots for the parts of the world in which their representative races would dwell. The human gods drew the lot that allowed humans to dwell where they pleased, in any environment. The elven gods drew the green forests, the dwarven deities drew the high mountains, the gnomish gods the rocky, sunlit hills, and the Halfling gods picked the lot that gave them the fields and meadows. Then many of the assembled gods turned to the orcish gods and laughed loud and long.
All the lots are taken!" they said tauntingly. Where will your people dwell, One-Eye? There is no place left.
There was silence upon the world then, as Gruumsh One-Eye lifted his great iron spear and stretched it over the world. The shaft blotted the sun over a great part of the lands as he spoke:
No! You Lie! You have rigged the drawing of the lots, hoping to cheat me and my followers. But One-Eye never sleeps. One-Eye sees all. There is a place for orcs to dwell... here,
He bellowed, and his spear pierced the mountains, opening a mighty rift and chasms.
And here,
and the spearhead split the hills and made them shake and covered them in dust. "And here!", and the black spear gouged the meadows and made them bare.
There!
Roared He-Who-Watches triumphantly, and his voice carried to the ends of the world.
There is where the orcs shall dwell! There they will survive, and multiply, and grow stronger, and a day will come when they cover the world, and they will slay all of your collective peoples! Orcs shall inherit the world you sought to cheat me of!
What is above is known by many, its exact description varies somewhat, as the elves say there god laughed, but the dwarvan account states that theirs did not. Still, nearly all claim that Gruumsh claimed that the games were rigged, but none believe that this was so. None, save Moradin, who by both dwarvan and Orkish accounts, provided by Thrain Eldolisi and Mauhúr of the Red Eye Clan, did believe that something was a miss in the lot system. I shall admit that I suspect much, and do not know as much as I would like,
I would very much like to know what the vision was.
I'm cornfused. 
Didn't you just quote--right there above--what the vision was? You stated Gruumsh's vision.
I'm guessing that what you are really seeking is a definitive explanation as to what actually happened during the lot-casting ritual--not a retelling of anyone's vision about the ritual, but the actual proceedings, themselves.
What are your sources for the elvish and dwarvish versions of the lot-casting ceremony? I was not aware of any such sources. It was my understanding that the other races attempted to deny that the lot-casting process had ever occurred by remaining silent about it, but their silence actually has the opposite effect, because it fails to speak to what sounds like a very legitimate complaint from Gruumsh and his orcs.
Elsewhere, I have summarized the Delzoun's ascendancy from the Underdark in the South to the North, which almost certainly entailed the mass theft of lands from orcs and other goblinoids. Dwarves hurriedly breeze over the details about the indigenous peoples in these lands, and I found that a striking parallel to the (apparent) silence by the dwarves and other goodly races on the subject of the divine casting of lots.
But maybe I was wrong about that silence, after all. |
"'You don't know my history,' he said dryly."
--Drizzt Do'Urden (The Pirate King, Part 1: Chapter 2)
<"Comprehensive Chronology of R.A. Salvatore Forgotten Realms Works"> |
Edited by - BEAST on 13 May 2012 06:38:58 |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 13 May 2012 : 16:48:13
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He's is refering to Lolth's vision. Sorry that I didn't make that clear, it's kind of a refrain. The the point that binds everything else together, it's her vision that caused the action, perhaps influenced by Schar, that lead to events as we now know them. Think of it this way, if Schar wants for the return of things as they were before creation, distruction in other forms can be served as a means to that end. The orcs are a tool in obtaining constent warfar, or near constent, and through it a means of of optaining a whole host of small goals, which are too numerious to enumeriate here. Lolth herself, would see it as an advantage for herslef, but just in different ways. I'm sure you know what those are, without me stating them.
As for where I discovered the dwarvan and elven references for the story in my first post?
There was a post on the WOTC board, "What was left out of the first Unearthed Arcana, were this, and a few other things were mentioned. I should note, and should have from the get go, the post regarding Baffenburg is my own creation, using what facts I know. I believe that Schar is chiefly responsible for it's distruction, and that it was done in such a manner that the dwarves believe that the orcs had a hand in it. this response alltered the nature of Gruumsh from Lawful evil in character to more chaotic, as he would see all turned against him. He would see the one great attempt at civilization of the orcs, with other races destroyed. You can probably guess where this train of thought is going, and why the counterpoint is so important. The argumentation would explain a change in the orcs as already witnessed, especially with Obould, but in the rise of the kingdom of Many Arrows. Even if the Gods are in part conceptualizations of Ideas, the character of an idea can alter and evolve. |
We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
Edited by - Sightless on 15 Sep 2012 22:04:08 |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2012 : 16:32:44
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Some notes for the Kingdom of many arrows, I’m putting them here for easy access for the moment.
… Hai-Mubaj
Preservers of the Realm, these orcs make up the civil service, are typically well educated, for orcs, and hold such positions as: tax collecter; judges; general overseers, right under the high or low Fhang; record keepers; and teachers. Within this general group are the Nudertog Pamkjani, a druidic circle, responsible for breeding animals to introduce into the wild for the purpose of maintaining the balance of nature against orcish hunters. Many orcs think of them simply breeding animals for the purpose of hunting though, but the group, and the areas designated for their purposes are considered sacred by even the most destructive and barbaric of orcs. They are all considered servents of the “Den Mother”. The other famous and perhaps generally the most feared group belonging to this broad category are Mabajarataus, the holders of the law, or the high judges. I shall mention more on this group later, as there is strangely much lore surrounding them, some of which I cannot readily explain (Allen Dafflebrook, harper agent to Silvermoon).
… The significance of battle or struggle or war, still remains a vital element within orcish culture. For instance a farmer is called a Lutaum Shavorroz, which directly translates to one that struggles with the earth. Indeed, the subschool in orcish education refers to the entire diciplin of agriculture and animal husbandry as Lutaum Shavorroz Dezkjani.
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We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 20 Sep 2012 : 07:08:12
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It was a day like this many years ago,
when the land was covered with snow,
I tell you 'cause it was so.
It was a day like this can’t you see
when the snow covered both land and tree,
and the blood of many flowed free.
But what they say of what ruled the day,
of the forces that clashed and the reason why,
that they say is a lie,
I’ll tell you by and by.
For the elves that know can’t tell you that it was so,
cause their ken have sent their souls to the great beyond,
so that can’t sing their counter song,
and undo the wrong.
Even so their voices still scream
on the flesh that comes from killing the tree,
of what happened to the Orks like me.
It was a day like this many years ago,
when the land was covered with snow,
I’ll tell you cause it was so.
The sky was dark and overcast,
with elves their skin dark and souls of black
came to attack
those whose souls are clean.
Whose souls were clean worshipers supreme
of the moon, who were out to soon worshiping the sinking moon.
On they came moving quiet and fast,
plans most fowl, to attack by an overcast
day and take away many elves. Take them away to their holes and they would see the woods and delves no more.
All for the great Drow whore,
their spider queen.
Who reigns supreme a spider queen sitting in hell,
where no good thing dwells.
Who reigns supreme a spider queen sitting in hell,
where no good thing dwells.
So on they came in a rush weaving the dark wards
as they must putting all to hush and blinding most
To blind the pure ones to the terrible host.
Thus in surprise the pure ones could not cry
and taken so could not fly
and so not doing they would die
and no one would hear their cries.
But fate would not have it so,
because what no one knows
is that Nargarthron, of whom I sing,
great Orkladin,
might to behold had heard of the Drow’s supposed feast
and offered them a great treat
that was the mightiest gen of the Orken ken.
For Nargarthron ears were great and his warriors moved in haste
to place themselves in the shadowed bans
to surprised the dark skinned elf man
and fill his heart with dread
and then to kill them dead.
It was a day like this many years ago,
when the land was covered with snow,
I tell you 'cause it was so.
Now hear me all that you care, of what the orcs dared,
to engage in war against a host of whom all would be scared.
With blades of fury that clash,
Oh thick the blood that was splashed,
With rage I hear the spider winch’s teeth nash.
In that snowy glade,
The price alone orcish kin paid,
something to be remembered to this day.
It was a hard and bitter fight, scending the dark fools to flight.
Many of the boys rose no more,
their bones lay in the snow,
their raiment being made of gore.
It was a day like this many years ago,
when the land was covered with snow,
I’ll tell you cause it was so.
I’ll tell you cause it was so.
I’ll tell you cause it was so.
And now,
Now… now,
Now you know.
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We choose to live a lie, when we see with, & not through the eye.
Every decision, no matter the evidence, is a leap of faith; if it were not, then it wouldn't be a choice at all. |
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Sightless
Senior Scribe
USA
608 Posts |
Posted - 03 Jun 2013 : 03:30:53
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This is a general question regarding technological innovations as they relate to the Kingdom of “Many Arrows, and for all of those individuals related to said topic. If you are one of those individuals, who for ever reason really hate the idea of the Kingdom of “Many arrows,” then please do not coment. If you are one of those people, then I respectfully state that assumes mind control hand pose “This is not the scroll you are looking for, please go about your business, move along, move along.”
No, seriously, I’d like your opinion on the Following:
You wanted me to find out what I could about these marvels you’ve heard about, about orcs moving wagons without oxen, even though they still have oxen teams, and still move some cargo around by that method, the same as everyone else. Well I can tell you a little, having ridden on a couple, and having talked to five different fellows on the subject. Let me begin by saying, that in 1377 DR, the orc scholar, inventer, and Mirhrja Nubarshtaum (1), of the Uzg’netji(2) of Khap’Doraz, Seldatosh of the Red Eye tribe, returned to his position after an extended leave of absence granted to him by Goth’thug Ironfist, Zoturdan (4), of the region at the time. Six months later in the same year, he introduced to that auspicious noble, considered such by even some among the Silver Marches, the plans for what would be later called the Toklundar, or the “land ship”, manned by Rrau Rendas, or “sitting runners.” This device, which was based on a Gnomish invention consists of a series of interconnected wagons, with the head being responsible for pulling the others. The locomotion is made possible by a group of orcs, varying in number from four to eight, depending on the amount of cargo to be moved, who sit and drive a crank with foot peddles, with their feet, for all they are worth. In short, they sit and run, hence their name. Each crank is connected to all the others, unsurprisingly by chains, which in turn drive a series of pistens, that in turn drive a mighty collection of cogs, and springs, all interconnected, which then pushes the great thing along. A team of four, a quad being what they call it, can drive one of these things, pulling three wagons behind it, thirty miles. I’ve seen a team of eight, pull five, and do the same thing. They say that there currently a dozen of these “landships,” currently in operation, with a little more than half working on any given day. Just from what I’ve seen and heard, there’s a state position for the man, excuse me, orc, who runs the whole system, and subordinate positions for every prefecture, and subregion. These things operate in their own section of the King’s Road, and having witnessed several in action, can easily see why. These things move with surprising speed, as fast as a galloping horse, at least, perhaps even a little faster. The problem though isn’t the speed of travel really, but the stopping. Given the number of wagons they pull, the longer it takes for them to stop, or so I’m told. There’s a non-runner that handles the stirring and the breaks, and is trained to repair the things, should anything break down. Only one did so during my stay, and according to what I could find out, they are rather reliable in that regard, but that might also come from the fact that they are checked often. These things are all King’s property and move cargo round for the kingdom, mainly, but citizens can purchase the right to move cargo around on them too. No, I do not know what the going rate is for transport, at least not yet. I do know that they only operate on the King’s road, and so don’t stop at every town and village in the kingdom; this combined with the fact that not everyone wants, or can afford, to move cargo on the things, means that there’s still the normal way. I wouldn’t worry that these thing shall start popping up all over the place, and altering the way business is done. Tomorrow I go to see the capital, and will probably be heading back by the time the pigeon with this note reaches you. I don’t know how much good it’s done you, but you wanted to know, so I found out what I could.
Letter from Abram Hardlow, member of the Silver Marches representatives to the Kingdom of many Arrows, 1380DR, to his sister in law, Marian Liender, recently made Harper.
For you more modern minded folks, I point you to consider the earliest car constructed by Leonardo, only this one has been married to that of a bicycle network. As for running thirty miles, Zulu warriors have done so, quite regularly, both on foot and on bicycle. The combination of the two so married should provide more than enough power, given the presence of the additional pistens.
The question then becomes, does this seem like something that doesn’t belong in the Relms? Is it too sophisticated, given all the other devices present? I should point out, that the orcs didn’t invent the thing, but simply modified someone elses design, in short, they sort of stole someone elses work, added a few improvements, and put the thing to good use, or pretty much followed the model of progress that runs so effectively round here. Oh, please glance at the foot notes placed below, and then let the comments fly, thanks in advance, Sightless.
1. Mirhrja Nubarshtaum: Literally translated means Overseer of the collection of goods,and is the title given to thehead tax collector in a prefecture. It should be noted, that the ‘tax’ of any given region is more often goods, and not coins, and is put to a broader use than simply stuff for the treasury
2. Uzg’netji: literally means prefecture, and is equivelent to the British county.
3. Khap’Doraz: the name means “Open Gate,” and is quite possibly one of the most famous prefectures in the entire kingdom: first, for the fact that it’s capital is “Five Tusks,” or the little Waterdeep,” as many a merchant has called it, more for the feel of the place, even if it doesn’t have a harbor; and second, because many important events in the kingdom’s history have happened here.
4. Zoturdan: “Lord Commander,” in common, the head lord of a prefecture, and a member of the “ High Assembly.”
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Many Arrows related material
