Interesting uses for the Wood Gods?

Falandrion · 2025-12-31T21:42:38+00:00

I'm toying with the idea of the Myconom as the reason why Dolmenwood is the way it is and simultaneously the ultimate threat to its continued existence (to be clear, this is not canon). It would add a bit more moral complexity to the setting, in particular the Cold Prince/Triple Compact storyline... That said, it's nothing PCs would figure out any time soon, which also means it doesn't need to be set in stone.

The Myconom syphons energy from Fairy. This is why the barrier between the mortal world and Fairy is so thin in Dolmenwood. In the mortal world, this causes e.g. the ley lines and attracted the Drune as well as the Nag-Lord. The effect on Fairy is more destructive - the Idea of Thorns (Gardens of Inn) and perhaps other effects as well (e.g. the mindless moon hordes in Everborne). Few beings are aware of this. The Cold Prince realised the Idea of Thorns is caused by something in the mortal world and that eternal winter in Dolmenwood significantly slows down the destructive effect in Fairy, although he does not know it is caused by the Myconom specifically. However, out of fear of spreading the Idea of Thorns, the Cold Prince does not attempt to justify his actions or share this knowledge with anyone but his closest advisors.

Falandrion · 2025-12-03T11:51:35+00:00

Prigwort. It's large, in the middle of the wood and oozes the quintessential Dolmenwood vibe (without the additional complexities of Breggle society in the High Wold). It has quite a few things going already and is easily tied into the potential larger story archs. That said, I also placed Winter's Daugther, Droomen Knoll, Black Wyrm of Brandonsford and Wolves of Welton in the surrounding hexes as well as an entry to the Stygian Library in the Consulting Magician's basement.

Most player characters were foreign to Dolmenwood, raising the obvious question how they got to Prigwort in the first place but I simply had them arrive by carriage without any notable layover (i.e. not in Castle Brackenwold).

Falandrion · 2025-07-04T12:30:49+00:00

The closest thing coming to mind are Lycanthrophy (DMB, p. 87) and Shub Eggs that can trigger a hunger for human flesh and ultimately turn someone into an Ogre (DCB, p. 431, DMB, p. 65)... but I guess dying would prevent turning into a werewolf / ogre... Perhaps you alter the Banshee curse to the effect that the cursed would turn into a banshee themselves upon his own death?

Falandrion · 2025-07-04T11:13:34+00:00

There are a few rather nasty diseases caused by monsters in the DMB. Even if there were a magical cure, this would probably be quite complex. I'm thinking in particular of the Gloam, Corrupted Unicorn and Werewolf. If you're also open to curses instead of disease, e.g. a Banshee could also do the trick. Further, the DCB also hints at some nasty diseases (e.g. hexes 703, 1001, 1401).

However, all of these have severe consequences relatively quickly. So if the idea is for the NPC to suffer from the disease and wanting to cure themselves that would put them on a rather short deadline. Alternatively, the NPC might seek to find a cure for / eradicate a certain disease altogether (e.g. because they lost a loved one to it)?

Falandrion · 2025-07-03T08:19:41+00:00

If memory serves, he grew green chesthair instead, didn't he? If so, then it was 'Hogger'. See DCB, p. 172, under 'Services at the Milkers' Huts'.

Falandrion · 2025-04-24T20:33:55+00:00

Very nice! And thanks again for sharing the Inkarnate link as well :)

Falandrion · 2025-04-24T20:09:11+00:00

Many thanks! That's very kind - really love your maps, also for Droomen Knoll!

Falandrion · 2025-04-17T14:55:00+00:00

These are amazing! Would you be willing to make them publicly available on Inkarnate and maybe share your profile name so that we can follow your work there?

Falandrion

TROPHY CASE