101 Forgotten Locales - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

101 Forgotten Locales

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
admiral_lourve
Jul 12, 2008 11:57:46 I'll be honest I haven't got 4E, but reguardless, lets make some ruins for your party to find between those points of light. :P

1. Wayot Abbey
This wooden worship-hall has fallen into disrepair since the fall of humanity's empire. Legends state that a bellringer monk of the abbey went mad and sley his fellow clergymen, then cut the ropes holding twenty great bells that he would ring each dawn and dusk. The bells crashed through the weak building and by the twentyth bell the place fell apart. All that is left is a few rotting walls. The bells have since been reclaimed by the Church. Some say they still hear the bells ring on dark nights...

2. Sorrow's Spy-Tower
Like a old bone stuck in the ground, the tower jutts out against it's grim marsh backdrop. The tower was used by a steadfast group of tieflings to watch for incoming dragonborn invasions. Whenever they saw intruders they would light a great torch at the towers peak to warn their masters.
Thing is, no one has told them the war is over, at least two of them live to this day, lighting the torch and firing a few arrows at the passing merchant caravans.

3. Nature's Temple
The building is a odd mix of marble and iron, much of it still stands, but the head of every statue has been removed and all the symbols along the walls have be scatched away. The temple shines a lovely shade of green at noon as moss and blooming mushrooms have taken every inch of the area. It is very difficult to investigate further because a herd of aggressive elephants stomp the flooded grounds. Rare white haired monkeys grow fat on the rich food supply of the temple and many have tried to hunt them for their glimmering hide.

4. The Unfinished Wall
Little is known of the structure, which is around two miles wide and only ten meters tall, except that it is very much unfinished. The stone used to build the wall is sandstone, which is difficult to find in the area. Tiny lettering can be seen on the wall, which depict a great exodus of a dark skinned race from a wood to the place of the wall. Around the wall travelers often find small, stone arrow heads, hammers and combs. Tiny birds have been nesting along the wall, they seem unafraid of people, not moving from their nests unless attacked.
#2
yellowdingo
Jul 13, 2008 8:25:08 5. Thurgood's Inn

All that stands at the crossroads is a Stone well overgrown with weeds. In its heyday it was the location of Thurgood's Inn. Frequented by highwaymen, travelling aristocracy, heroes, and villains. Now the Well and Filled-in cellar are all that mark the once popular establishment.
#3
admiral_lourve
Jul 13, 2008 10:34:08 6. Undine's Bath-house
A once beautiful spa and swimming pool used by the general public of a city now stands empty. Inside the water is stagnant and black, thick with grim and dead flies. The place is always warm, even in deepest winter. It is said a spirit lurks within the waters, dragging anyone that passes to a watery grave. Some claim that if a object made of silver or gold is thrown into one of the pools, the spirit will weave a spell to grant good luck.
#4
admiral_lourve
Jul 15, 2008 12:51:20 7. Packlebind Hills
The overgrown grass of the surrounding hills hide the ruins of a series of small cottages. The Packlebind hamlet died out as the children of the settlers moved to a mining poject some miles away. The brick of the cottages was taken by goblins once the area was emptied. There is a well at the center of the hills that still works, it links to a clean, underground stream.
#5
keltron
Oct 16, 2008 9:59:49 delete
#6
zackal
Oct 16, 2008 20:18:09 9. The Witches' Clockwork Tower Observatory

Originally built to map out the stars, this seemingly abandoned tower rests in a field of thorny weeds. The sound of clockwork can be heard, with gears inside which churn to the rhythm of many opening and closing doors. Those who dare enter find themselves climbing a plethora of shifting staircases, going both up and down, in what appears to be an everchanging maze of traps, trickery, and plenty of mirrors. Atop the tower lie three witches, the current artificers of this clockwork paradise, who simply wish for company to test their delightful traps on.
#7
Taigis
Oct 16, 2008 23:54:40 10. The Buried Monastery

The ancient monastery of Illystil and the neighboring village were judged by the dominant powers in their society and found guilty of an unknown crime. As punishment, an avalanche was cast from the heavens and buried the settlement. However, Illystil took pity on her followers and spared as many as she could. Much of the monastery was protected beneath the mountain of boulders, preserved in a divinely created pocket. Centuries later, a small cave hinting at this unusual history leads to a gap in the monastery's wall. The cave's walls are not the smooth surface of a limestone cavern. Instead, the cave is clearly a gap in the piled and balanced boulders. Another gap leads from the monastery deeper into the hill to the ruins of the village. This pocket is not as well preserved and the boulders balance precariously. Unwise actions could cause a collapse, bringing the rest of the hill down upon the heads of unwary explorers.
#8
anuvrix
Oct 17, 2008 17:04:51 11. A large parade square and a few stone roads are all that remains of the once great city. Largely over grown, these stone paths hide secret passages into the only surviving underground, the lower sections of the mages guild, the palace, the keep, and the prison. Unfortunately it is impossible to tell which one you would be about to enter, as the various tunnels were built from different parts of the city to select locations in other parts. Whe the city was alive and thriving, these tunnels were constructed for means of secret travel by the different factions that controlled each remaining structure.
#9
Taigis
Oct 17, 2008 23:53:44 12. The Elven Graveyard

In a secluded vale of towering trees, the elves place their dead. Elf-sized cocoons bulge from the trunks of the ancient trees. Each cocoon serves as the resting place for mummified elven remains.

13. The Seaside Village

A massive storm erodes the local beach, revealing the remanents of a village lost to a previous storm. The remains of the surprised and unprepared inhabitants of the village can still be found throughout the uncovered structures.

14. Burned-out husk

The burned out husk of a cabin crouches well off the traveled roads and hunters trails. The charred lumber once formed the hideout of a local bandit gang. Little remains but the exterior walls and a hidden cache containing a few weapons and some of the bandits' loot.

15. Dismantled barracks

Just outside a small village lie the remanents of a dismantled barracks. Once housing soldiers from distant land, the skeletal structure is testament to the waning of a once powerful empire. Much of the stone that was once used to build this structure has been cannibalized by the locals to reinforce their houses and shore up their fences.
#10
tusz
Oct 19, 2008 17:17:52 16. The Orcwatch
Sitting atop a ridge overlooking the once orc-infested valleys below, this single stone tower was a watchtower where soldiers would look for signs of a mounting orc army. That army never formed, the orcs were chased further from civilization, and the tower was forgotten. Now all the wooden floors and stairs have rotted away, leaving only the stone husk of the walls. The floor is covered with half-rotten remnants of floor and furniture, though some travelers say that there's more below the empty shell than one would think...
#11
doomsought
Oct 19, 2008 17:57:24 16. The fallen planar vessel
Most mistake it for a mountain, but those who know the history of the world understand that it was once a great and magnificent ship that traveled the planes and flew in the sky. But, upon coming into this plane, the gods of this realm grew angry that such mortals would have power that rivaled their own. One among them stuck out against the travelers. The battle that ensued destroyed both that god and the majority of what was once the greatest race among all the planes. So terrible was the war, that all history before that time, even the names of the travelers and the dead god, are lost.

Some times a party of adventurers will try to find a door into the fallen vessel, those few who succeed come out with artifacts of great power, but also the animosity of the gods.
#12
whip
Oct 22, 2008 21:11:16 17. The hamlet of ashes and tears

Only burnt, razed houses remain of this once cosy hamlet. Impaled skeletons adorning the rims.
The symbol of Yeenoghu scribbled all over the few remaining walls and the old school building mysteriously left intact.
Nothing was left after the Bloody tear gnoll pack passed through this little hamlet...
Nothing except for the old school building and the laughter of the children still echoing in the streets...

18. The forbidden valley

The true name of this lush, tropical valley was forgotten even by the eldest of eladrin.
Now it's just avoided by everyone and circumvented by travellers.
There are no tales of lost gold or magic there, just heat and death.
No reptiles live there or even birds fly over it. Just mosquitos and flies.
Hide

Truth is, the waters in the valley are poisonous to any creature but insects.
#13
Neejix
Oct 24, 2008 14:13:29 19. The Bloodmaw - An ancient temple hidden deep in The Dragonbones, a range of forbidding peaks. Few travelers that enter this area ever return and those that do return with horrific tales of red dragons that jealously guard the ancient place. Most explorers believe the Bloodmaw is either the lair of these vicious beasts or that they are guarding something within it.

20. Icegore Garrison - A ruined dwarven outpost far to the north, where, if rumor is true, the dwarves found an artifact that caused them to murder eachother. Few if any dwarves survived the massacre at Icegore. When asked, most dwarves will not discuss the matter and will turn away from those asking, as if something pains them greatly about hearing of that place.

21. Doom Rock - Most think this is simply a spire of rock but a few sages believe that it is something more--perhaps a tower so ancient and weathered that it is barely recognizable as such any longer. Most travelers avoid the area after hearing stories of strange and sometimes deadly occurrences near this site. They fear the 'doom' that may be brought upon their travels if they camp too close to the site.
#14
doomsought
Oct 24, 2008 17:03:56 22) The Mountain Sea- a large sea, comparable in size to most oceans. The thing about it is that its surface is about a 5000 feet above the rest of the oceans of the world, it is surrounded by mountains except for:
23) The Great falls- where the mountain sea drains into the lower oceans. About 7500 feet wide, and 5000 feet tall, its big.
24) The Eternal Falls- a large portal to the elemental plane of water hovers in the sky, torrents of water fall from it into the Mountain Sea.
25) The End Of The World- a 5 mile diameter portal into the outer planes exists on the seabed on the southern pole of the world. Above it forms a 6 mile Diameter whirlpool, that leaves a 4 mi. Diameter area of the portal visible to any who can fly above.
26) The keepers castle- a massive flying castle over the End Of The World. The size of a small nation, its inhabitants are all powerful magic users (wiz, pally, cleric, swordmage) that keep the elderich power form climbing out of the hole and destroying the world.
#15
Neejix
Oct 24, 2008 17:40:29 Here are some "mobile" locales:

27. The Black Queen - A large airship said to be constructed from bone, with sails made of black dragons' skins, and crewed by unfathomable horrors. Tales of the ship are legend. Recent reports from nearby farms describe something hovering on the horizon that bears a disturbing simliarity to the legends.

28. The Citadel of Hate - The flying fortress of the Bonelord Torak. After the last great war, Torak was banished from the known world. Soon after his defeat, his fortress and all of his elite guard disappeared without a trace. Recently, a malevolent black rock has been seen hanging in the sky.

29. The Storm of Eternity - Sages say there is a storm that travels the lands, never ending, and never changing--only moving from place to place. What the cause of this mass of roiling clouds is remains a complete mystery to all. There are theories about something that lies at the storm's center, a device that is moved around perhaps, or that malevolent creatures such as elementals are the cause of the storm. Whatever the reasons, the storm has appeared on the horizon and appears to be heading slowly towards the city.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 admiral_lourve Jul 12, 2008 11:57:46	I'll be honest I haven't got 4E, but reguardless, lets make some ruins for your party to find between those points of light. :P 1. Wayot Abbey This wooden worship-hall has fallen into disrepair since the fall of humanity's empire. Legends state that a bellringer monk of the abbey went mad and sley his fellow clergymen, then cut the ropes holding twenty great bells that he would ring each dawn and dusk. The bells crashed through the weak building and by the twentyth bell the place fell apart. All that is left is a few rotting walls. The bells have since been reclaimed by the Church. Some say they still hear the bells ring on dark nights... 2. Sorrow's Spy-Tower Like a old bone stuck in the ground, the tower jutts out against it's grim marsh backdrop. The tower was used by a steadfast group of tieflings to watch for incoming dragonborn invasions. Whenever they saw intruders they would light a great torch at the towers peak to warn their masters. Thing is, no one has told them the war is over, at least two of them live to this day, lighting the torch and firing a few arrows at the passing merchant caravans. 3. Nature's Temple The building is a odd mix of marble and iron, much of it still stands, but the head of every statue has been removed and all the symbols along the walls have be scatched away. The temple shines a lovely shade of green at noon as moss and blooming mushrooms have taken every inch of the area. It is very difficult to investigate further because a herd of aggressive elephants stomp the flooded grounds. Rare white haired monkeys grow fat on the rich food supply of the temple and many have tried to hunt them for their glimmering hide. 4. The Unfinished Wall Little is known of the structure, which is around two miles wide and only ten meters tall, except that it is very much unfinished. The stone used to build the wall is sandstone, which is difficult to find in the area. Tiny lettering can be seen on the wall, which depict a great exodus of a dark skinned race from a wood to the place of the wall. Around the wall travelers often find small, stone arrow heads, hammers and combs. Tiny birds have been nesting along the wall, they seem unafraid of people, not moving from their nests unless attacked.
#2 yellowdingo Jul 13, 2008 8:25:08	5. Thurgood's Inn All that stands at the crossroads is a Stone well overgrown with weeds. In its heyday it was the location of Thurgood's Inn. Frequented by highwaymen, travelling aristocracy, heroes, and villains. Now the Well and Filled-in cellar are all that mark the once popular establishment.
#3 admiral_lourve Jul 13, 2008 10:34:08	6. Undine's Bath-house A once beautiful spa and swimming pool used by the general public of a city now stands empty. Inside the water is stagnant and black, thick with grim and dead flies. The place is always warm, even in deepest winter. It is said a spirit lurks within the waters, dragging anyone that passes to a watery grave. Some claim that if a object made of silver or gold is thrown into one of the pools, the spirit will weave a spell to grant good luck.
#4 admiral_lourve Jul 15, 2008 12:51:20	7. Packlebind Hills The overgrown grass of the surrounding hills hide the ruins of a series of small cottages. The Packlebind hamlet died out as the children of the settlers moved to a mining poject some miles away. The brick of the cottages was taken by goblins once the area was emptied. There is a well at the center of the hills that still works, it links to a clean, underground stream.
#5 keltron Oct 16, 2008 9:59:49	delete
#6 zackal Oct 16, 2008 20:18:09	9. The Witches' Clockwork Tower Observatory Originally built to map out the stars, this seemingly abandoned tower rests in a field of thorny weeds. The sound of clockwork can be heard, with gears inside which churn to the rhythm of many opening and closing doors. Those who dare enter find themselves climbing a plethora of shifting staircases, going both up and down, in what appears to be an everchanging maze of traps, trickery, and plenty of mirrors. Atop the tower lie three witches, the current artificers of this clockwork paradise, who simply wish for company to test their delightful traps on.
#7 Taigis Oct 16, 2008 23:54:40	10. The Buried Monastery The ancient monastery of Illystil and the neighboring village were judged by the dominant powers in their society and found guilty of an unknown crime. As punishment, an avalanche was cast from the heavens and buried the settlement. However, Illystil took pity on her followers and spared as many as she could. Much of the monastery was protected beneath the mountain of boulders, preserved in a divinely created pocket. Centuries later, a small cave hinting at this unusual history leads to a gap in the monastery's wall. The cave's walls are not the smooth surface of a limestone cavern. Instead, the cave is clearly a gap in the piled and balanced boulders. Another gap leads from the monastery deeper into the hill to the ruins of the village. This pocket is not as well preserved and the boulders balance precariously. Unwise actions could cause a collapse, bringing the rest of the hill down upon the heads of unwary explorers.
#8 anuvrix Oct 17, 2008 17:04:51	11. A large parade square and a few stone roads are all that remains of the once great city. Largely over grown, these stone paths hide secret passages into the only surviving underground, the lower sections of the mages guild, the palace, the keep, and the prison. Unfortunately it is impossible to tell which one you would be about to enter, as the various tunnels were built from different parts of the city to select locations in other parts. Whe the city was alive and thriving, these tunnels were constructed for means of secret travel by the different factions that controlled each remaining structure.
#9 Taigis Oct 17, 2008 23:53:44	12. The Elven Graveyard In a secluded vale of towering trees, the elves place their dead. Elf-sized cocoons bulge from the trunks of the ancient trees. Each cocoon serves as the resting place for mummified elven remains. 13. The Seaside Village A massive storm erodes the local beach, revealing the remanents of a village lost to a previous storm. The remains of the surprised and unprepared inhabitants of the village can still be found throughout the uncovered structures. 14. Burned-out husk The burned out husk of a cabin crouches well off the traveled roads and hunters trails. The charred lumber once formed the hideout of a local bandit gang. Little remains but the exterior walls and a hidden cache containing a few weapons and some of the bandits' loot. 15. Dismantled barracks Just outside a small village lie the remanents of a dismantled barracks. Once housing soldiers from distant land, the skeletal structure is testament to the waning of a once powerful empire. Much of the stone that was once used to build this structure has been cannibalized by the locals to reinforce their houses and shore up their fences.
#10 tusz Oct 19, 2008 17:17:52	16. The Orcwatch Sitting atop a ridge overlooking the once orc-infested valleys below, this single stone tower was a watchtower where soldiers would look for signs of a mounting orc army. That army never formed, the orcs were chased further from civilization, and the tower was forgotten. Now all the wooden floors and stairs have rotted away, leaving only the stone husk of the walls. The floor is covered with half-rotten remnants of floor and furniture, though some travelers say that there's more below the empty shell than one would think...
#11 doomsought Oct 19, 2008 17:57:24	16. The fallen planar vessel Most mistake it for a mountain, but those who know the history of the world understand that it was once a great and magnificent ship that traveled the planes and flew in the sky. But, upon coming into this plane, the gods of this realm grew angry that such mortals would have power that rivaled their own. One among them stuck out against the travelers. The battle that ensued destroyed both that god and the majority of what was once the greatest race among all the planes. So terrible was the war, that all history before that time, even the names of the travelers and the dead god, are lost. Some times a party of adventurers will try to find a door into the fallen vessel, those few who succeed come out with artifacts of great power, but also the animosity of the gods.
#12 whip Oct 22, 2008 21:11:16	17. The hamlet of ashes and tears Only burnt, razed houses remain of this once cosy hamlet. Impaled skeletons adorning the rims. The symbol of Yeenoghu scribbled all over the few remaining walls and the old school building mysteriously left intact. Nothing was left after the Bloody tear gnoll pack passed through this little hamlet... Nothing except for the old school building and the laughter of the children still echoing in the streets... 18. The forbidden valley The true name of this lush, tropical valley was forgotten even by the eldest of eladrin. Now it's just avoided by everyone and circumvented by travellers. There are no tales of lost gold or magic there, just heat and death. No reptiles live there or even birds fly over it. Just mosquitos and flies. Hide Truth is, the waters in the valley are poisonous to any creature but insects.
#13 Neejix Oct 24, 2008 14:13:29	19. The Bloodmaw - An ancient temple hidden deep in The Dragonbones, a range of forbidding peaks. Few travelers that enter this area ever return and those that do return with horrific tales of red dragons that jealously guard the ancient place. Most explorers believe the Bloodmaw is either the lair of these vicious beasts or that they are guarding something within it. 20. Icegore Garrison - A ruined dwarven outpost far to the north, where, if rumor is true, the dwarves found an artifact that caused them to murder eachother. Few if any dwarves survived the massacre at Icegore. When asked, most dwarves will not discuss the matter and will turn away from those asking, as if something pains them greatly about hearing of that place. 21. Doom Rock - Most think this is simply a spire of rock but a few sages believe that it is something more--perhaps a tower so ancient and weathered that it is barely recognizable as such any longer. Most travelers avoid the area after hearing stories of strange and sometimes deadly occurrences near this site. They fear the 'doom' that may be brought upon their travels if they camp too close to the site.
#14 doomsought Oct 24, 2008 17:03:56	22) The Mountain Sea- a large sea, comparable in size to most oceans. The thing about it is that its surface is about a 5000 feet above the rest of the oceans of the world, it is surrounded by mountains except for: 23) The Great falls- where the mountain sea drains into the lower oceans. About 7500 feet wide, and 5000 feet tall, its big. 24) The Eternal Falls- a large portal to the elemental plane of water hovers in the sky, torrents of water fall from it into the Mountain Sea. 25) The End Of The World- a 5 mile diameter portal into the outer planes exists on the seabed on the southern pole of the world. Above it forms a 6 mile Diameter whirlpool, that leaves a 4 mi. Diameter area of the portal visible to any who can fly above. 26) The keepers castle- a massive flying castle over the End Of The World. The size of a small nation, its inhabitants are all powerful magic users (wiz, pally, cleric, swordmage) that keep the elderich power form climbing out of the hole and destroying the world.
#15 Neejix Oct 24, 2008 17:40:29	Here are some "mobile" locales: 27. The Black Queen - A large airship said to be constructed from bone, with sails made of black dragons' skins, and crewed by unfathomable horrors. Tales of the ship are legend. Recent reports from nearby farms describe something hovering on the horizon that bears a disturbing simliarity to the legends. 28. The Citadel of Hate - The flying fortress of the Bonelord Torak. After the last great war, Torak was banished from the known world. Soon after his defeat, his fortress and all of his elite guard disappeared without a trace. Recently, a malevolent black rock has been seen hanging in the sky. 29. The Storm of Eternity - Sages say there is a storm that travels the lands, never ending, and never changing--only moving from place to place. What the cause of this mass of roiling clouds is remains a complete mystery to all. There are theories about something that lies at the storm's center, a device that is moved around perhaps, or that malevolent creatures such as elementals are the cause of the storm. Whatever the reasons, the storm has appeared on the horizon and appears to be heading slowly towards the city.