trentonjoe
Explorer
This is the last of my Northern Sea Islands.
Please feel free to offer any suggetsions.
THis is long ( about 4 pages single spaced)
Whale Bone Tribe
Geography
The Whale Bone Tribe lives on a small island in the Artic part of the northern sea almost 15 miles north of the Arctic Elf Island of Sh’te’av. The island itself is nearly circular with a diameter of almost 6 miles. On the northern side of the island there is a small harbor that measures 200 feet across. This harbor extends into the island one half of a mile. The human village of 200 is around the inner border of this harbor. The rest of the island is a frozen waste; the ground is frozen except for a few months of the year.
Weather
The climate of Whale Bone Island is artic. The winters are long and the land of the island is almost devoid of vegetation. Only in the few short summer months does the frozen tundra of island melt and wild grasses and weeds grow.
The sheer coldness of the weather often protects the island form the savage storms that rack the southern islands but a large, wet storm is not unheard of. Unbelievably, no matter how cold it gets the inner harbor of the island never freezes.
Economy
The Whale Bone tribe is completely dependent on the success of its whaling boats. The island has two boats, the IceBreaker and the Frozen Harpoon, that make two voyages a year. These boats are equipped with special harpoon ballistae that make the killing of the large sea creatures possible. The Whale Bones are outstanding shots with their ballistae and many of the intelligent aquatic races both recognize and respect this fact. If the boats can return with 2 whales a year the tribe has no problem sustaining itself. When three are caught it is considered a prosperous year.
The Whale Bones are efficient people. They use the whale meat for food, the skin for linens, the bones for tools and weapons, the blubber for oil, and even use the whale blood for ink. It takes about a month for a whale to be “dressed” after it returned to port.
To augment their diet the people of Whale Bone islands also fish in the inner harbor and harvest oysters, scallops, and mussels. The Whale Bones also keep a large “seaweed” garden on the eastern potion of the island. In the summer months, wild berries grow on the thawed tundra. These berries are considered a delicacy in the northern islands and make excellent wine and jam.
A small segment of the population also works as the “collectors”. These people, usually adult males who for one reason or another are not suitable for the life of sea, take daily walks around the island to see what the sea washed up. The tow most valuable commodities they find are driftwood and shells suitable for the diviners’ shell magic (see below).
The Whale Bone people are excellent whalers but limited in their ability to trade. Ninety percent of their trade is down with the Arctic Elves to the south. The elves offer reasonable prices and can supply the Whale Bones with worked metal, wood for repair, grains and other foodstuffs in exchange for their excess whale products and wild berry wines and jam. On occasion, the “boat people” of the south will wonder into the harbor of Whale Bone Island and trade other “exotics” for fresh food and water.
Religion and Magic
The people of Whale Bone Island are both dependent and proficient with magic. There are two groups of magic wielders on the island: the mystics who revere the oracle, and the clerics of Gildas. Both groups are friendly towards each other but there may be some conflict between individual members.
The mystics are arcane spell casters who specialize in divination. There are currently 7 mystics: Heathcliff (human male Diviner 9) the head of the cabal, 2 experienced mystics (human male/female Diviner 4-5), and four apprentices (human m/f Diviner 1). Due to the rarity of paper and ink, the mystics utilize “shell magic”. They study and prepare spells as normal wizards but instead of spell books they inscribe their spells on shells that they frequently wear around their necks as jewelry. These “spell shell necklaces” also can be used as any material component for an arcane spell.
The mystics are also responsible for magical protection and protection for the whaling boats. Each whaling boat carries a mystic on its trip. The mystics often predict good hunting spots and offer aid in the event of an attack by a sea creature.
The mystics also communicate with an ancient, highly intelligent, clam like creature, Wide Mouth. Wide Mouth has the ability to predict storms, sahuagin attacks, and whale patterns for the Whale Bone people. It is considered a right of passage when an acolyte mystic first makes mental contact with Wide Mouth.
The other group is made of the cleric of Gildas. These clerics worship the aspect of sea and life with the sea in her portfolio. While the elves of Sh’te’av see Gildas as the supplier of life and have a druidical view of her, the priests of Whale Bone Island think of her as the supplier of opportunity. Gildas provides them with the sea and all its resources.
The clerics of Gildas are very involved with the whaling industry. They make sure that the whales are killed quickly and that none of their body is wasted for the whales are gifts form Gildas and not to be expected. Tristine (human female priest of Gildas 6) is the head of the church and keeps detailed records and maps of where whales were caught and attacks by sea creatures occurred. It is not required but often times an acolyte priest will accompany the whaling trips to gain first hand experience of the sea. Many of the more experienced priests are seasoned boatmen.
There are 11 members of the priesthood: Tristine and 4 other full priests, along with 6 new acolytes.
Government
As would be expected from a small island there is no formal government. Heathcliff, Tristine, and the two boat captains form a council when needed.
History
The mystics tell a story that has a land of long ago, filled with giant islands of trees and grass. These islands were the homes of thousand of human, elves, and even the mythical dwarves and gnomes. These lands were long ago and destroyed when the quakes hit. Only the strongest humans survived when the world began to sink. The strong ones swam and swam until they came to Whale Bone Island. The mystics say Wide Mouth called to them and told them to stop. In the ensuing years Wide Mouth taught them the secret of shell magic and the tricks of boat making and whaling.
Rumors-
- Some say the mystics are crazy. Curtis, a full priest of Gildas, tells those in his confidence that Wide Mouth is a demon that uses his powers to control the mystics.
- Underneath the inner harbor is portal of some sort. Where it leads is unknown but the heat coming form it is what keeps the harbor from freezing.
- Sea elves are not to be trusted. Some help but others are found working with the sahuagin.
- The sight of the giant whale is always a sign of good luck.
Game Mechanics:
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Ballista)
The fishermen of Whale Bone Island are skilled with the use of ballista.
Benefit: When using a ballista you may add your BAB to your attack roll.
Normal: Ballista attacks are straight attack rolls modified only by range.
Diviners of Whale Bone Island
To be trained as a wizard on Whale Bone Island the PC must become a Diviner. At 1st level they get the Eschew Material Component feat instead of Scribe Scroll. The Diviner must his/her shell necklace to use this feat though. At 4th level the Diviner can also use the necklace to cast Whispering Wind but the recipient must be either the head of the Diviner cabal or Wide Mouth.
Ship Wall Oil
The sailors also create”goo” out of whale blubber that they spread on the outside of their whaleboats. This “goo” adds +10 to the DC of any climb checks on the outside of the boat. It is particularly effective against sahuagin attacks.
Please feel free to offer any suggetsions.
THis is long ( about 4 pages single spaced)
Whale Bone Tribe
Geography
The Whale Bone Tribe lives on a small island in the Artic part of the northern sea almost 15 miles north of the Arctic Elf Island of Sh’te’av. The island itself is nearly circular with a diameter of almost 6 miles. On the northern side of the island there is a small harbor that measures 200 feet across. This harbor extends into the island one half of a mile. The human village of 200 is around the inner border of this harbor. The rest of the island is a frozen waste; the ground is frozen except for a few months of the year.
Weather
The climate of Whale Bone Island is artic. The winters are long and the land of the island is almost devoid of vegetation. Only in the few short summer months does the frozen tundra of island melt and wild grasses and weeds grow.
The sheer coldness of the weather often protects the island form the savage storms that rack the southern islands but a large, wet storm is not unheard of. Unbelievably, no matter how cold it gets the inner harbor of the island never freezes.
Economy
The Whale Bone tribe is completely dependent on the success of its whaling boats. The island has two boats, the IceBreaker and the Frozen Harpoon, that make two voyages a year. These boats are equipped with special harpoon ballistae that make the killing of the large sea creatures possible. The Whale Bones are outstanding shots with their ballistae and many of the intelligent aquatic races both recognize and respect this fact. If the boats can return with 2 whales a year the tribe has no problem sustaining itself. When three are caught it is considered a prosperous year.
The Whale Bones are efficient people. They use the whale meat for food, the skin for linens, the bones for tools and weapons, the blubber for oil, and even use the whale blood for ink. It takes about a month for a whale to be “dressed” after it returned to port.
To augment their diet the people of Whale Bone islands also fish in the inner harbor and harvest oysters, scallops, and mussels. The Whale Bones also keep a large “seaweed” garden on the eastern potion of the island. In the summer months, wild berries grow on the thawed tundra. These berries are considered a delicacy in the northern islands and make excellent wine and jam.
A small segment of the population also works as the “collectors”. These people, usually adult males who for one reason or another are not suitable for the life of sea, take daily walks around the island to see what the sea washed up. The tow most valuable commodities they find are driftwood and shells suitable for the diviners’ shell magic (see below).
The Whale Bone people are excellent whalers but limited in their ability to trade. Ninety percent of their trade is down with the Arctic Elves to the south. The elves offer reasonable prices and can supply the Whale Bones with worked metal, wood for repair, grains and other foodstuffs in exchange for their excess whale products and wild berry wines and jam. On occasion, the “boat people” of the south will wonder into the harbor of Whale Bone Island and trade other “exotics” for fresh food and water.
Religion and Magic
The people of Whale Bone Island are both dependent and proficient with magic. There are two groups of magic wielders on the island: the mystics who revere the oracle, and the clerics of Gildas. Both groups are friendly towards each other but there may be some conflict between individual members.
The mystics are arcane spell casters who specialize in divination. There are currently 7 mystics: Heathcliff (human male Diviner 9) the head of the cabal, 2 experienced mystics (human male/female Diviner 4-5), and four apprentices (human m/f Diviner 1). Due to the rarity of paper and ink, the mystics utilize “shell magic”. They study and prepare spells as normal wizards but instead of spell books they inscribe their spells on shells that they frequently wear around their necks as jewelry. These “spell shell necklaces” also can be used as any material component for an arcane spell.
The mystics are also responsible for magical protection and protection for the whaling boats. Each whaling boat carries a mystic on its trip. The mystics often predict good hunting spots and offer aid in the event of an attack by a sea creature.
The mystics also communicate with an ancient, highly intelligent, clam like creature, Wide Mouth. Wide Mouth has the ability to predict storms, sahuagin attacks, and whale patterns for the Whale Bone people. It is considered a right of passage when an acolyte mystic first makes mental contact with Wide Mouth.
The other group is made of the cleric of Gildas. These clerics worship the aspect of sea and life with the sea in her portfolio. While the elves of Sh’te’av see Gildas as the supplier of life and have a druidical view of her, the priests of Whale Bone Island think of her as the supplier of opportunity. Gildas provides them with the sea and all its resources.
The clerics of Gildas are very involved with the whaling industry. They make sure that the whales are killed quickly and that none of their body is wasted for the whales are gifts form Gildas and not to be expected. Tristine (human female priest of Gildas 6) is the head of the church and keeps detailed records and maps of where whales were caught and attacks by sea creatures occurred. It is not required but often times an acolyte priest will accompany the whaling trips to gain first hand experience of the sea. Many of the more experienced priests are seasoned boatmen.
There are 11 members of the priesthood: Tristine and 4 other full priests, along with 6 new acolytes.
Government
As would be expected from a small island there is no formal government. Heathcliff, Tristine, and the two boat captains form a council when needed.
History
The mystics tell a story that has a land of long ago, filled with giant islands of trees and grass. These islands were the homes of thousand of human, elves, and even the mythical dwarves and gnomes. These lands were long ago and destroyed when the quakes hit. Only the strongest humans survived when the world began to sink. The strong ones swam and swam until they came to Whale Bone Island. The mystics say Wide Mouth called to them and told them to stop. In the ensuing years Wide Mouth taught them the secret of shell magic and the tricks of boat making and whaling.
Rumors-
- Some say the mystics are crazy. Curtis, a full priest of Gildas, tells those in his confidence that Wide Mouth is a demon that uses his powers to control the mystics.
- Underneath the inner harbor is portal of some sort. Where it leads is unknown but the heat coming form it is what keeps the harbor from freezing.
- Sea elves are not to be trusted. Some help but others are found working with the sahuagin.
- The sight of the giant whale is always a sign of good luck.
Game Mechanics:
Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Ballista)
The fishermen of Whale Bone Island are skilled with the use of ballista.
Benefit: When using a ballista you may add your BAB to your attack roll.
Normal: Ballista attacks are straight attack rolls modified only by range.
Diviners of Whale Bone Island
To be trained as a wizard on Whale Bone Island the PC must become a Diviner. At 1st level they get the Eschew Material Component feat instead of Scribe Scroll. The Diviner must his/her shell necklace to use this feat though. At 4th level the Diviner can also use the necklace to cast Whispering Wind but the recipient must be either the head of the Diviner cabal or Wide Mouth.
Ship Wall Oil
The sailors also create”goo” out of whale blubber that they spread on the outside of their whaleboats. This “goo” adds +10 to the DC of any climb checks on the outside of the boat. It is particularly effective against sahuagin attacks.
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