[World of Greyhawk] Adventures on the river

[Wolfspider]

Well, my players have thrown something of a curve ball at me. They are traveling from Furyondy to the Fellreev forest, and I assumed they would go by land (or perhaps air). No, they decided to travel by river. So they'll be taking the Crystal River to the Ritensa, and then up to the southern part of the Fellreev.

The problem is, I know next to nothing about rivers or river-travel.

For instance, I'm not even sure if they'll be going against the current or not. I think that the Crystal river originates near Chendl, so that part of the journal will be downriver. But what happens when the Crystal intersects the Ritensa? Eeep!

They decided to look to book passage on a Rhennee barge, so that arrangement lends itself to certain adventures. But I'm also looking for more ideas on what kind of adventures are possible on the river--interesting natural hazards, monsters, etc. The second leg of the journey is essentially taking place in a war zone, so there are possibilities there. If anyone knows of any published adventures (d20 or from Dungeon) that take place on a river, I'd love to steal some ideas.

Anyone know of any good maps of a barge? How far would a barge be able to travel in a day?

So, yeah, I have many questions. Any answers?

Thanks!

 

[jefgorbach]

Pretty much any caravan missions could be converted by simply chaning the mule/wagon train to a barge for the first portion of the trip. Having proven themselves capable, the captain will obviously hire them for the second portion thru the warzone; failing that some noble may need escorted or couriers for some item into the warzone (or conversely to retrive some forgotten family heirloom left behind when they fled out)

 

[Shadowdancer]

The second leg of the journey is essentially taking place in a war zone, so there are possibilities there.

Have you seen "Apocalypse Now"?

 

[meomwt]

There's also good oportunities for role-playing with the Rhenee during the voyage.

I had a high-level group take passage with the Rhenee recently, during the voyage I had them take tea with the boat's 'mother' who read their fortunes in the tea leaves.

Gives you a chance to create disquiet and paranoia or plant seeds for future adventures.

 

[Frostmarrow]

There is a free pretty good river adventure for Hollow Earth at Exile Games

Scroll down to River of Death. It's for a world of 1930s Pulp but it should be easy enough to exchange the opposition *apemen and raptors* to something more Greyhawk-friendly.

 

[Wolfspider]

Have you seen "Apocalypse Now"?

Ooooh. Yes, I have.

Wow. Thanks.

The horror. The horror....

 

[Wolfspider]

There's also good oportunities for role-playing with the Rhenee during the voyage.

I had a high-level group take passage with the Rhenee recently, during the voyage I had them take tea with the boat's 'mother' who read their fortunes in the tea leaves.

Gives you a chance to create disquiet and paranoia or plant seeds for future adventures.

Yes, I had thought of the entire fortune telling scenario. Heh heh.

Thanks for all your help.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[grodog]

There's a good article on the Rhenne written by Lance Hawvermale in Living Greyhawk Journal #2:

The Way of the Lake: Lore of the Rhennee Bargefolk
By Lance Hawvermale
Details two new prestige classes for individuals of a Rhenne background: the darkhagard and the vetha. Also included information on the racial origins and traits of the Rhennee as well as a list of current plots involving these wandering bargefolk.

I've seen some Rhenne barges in LG scenarios from time-to-time too. If you can dig up Erik Mona's "As He Lay Dying" scenario, I think there's a barge in there (with some interesting encounters associated with it).

 

[Peni Griffin]

Rivers flow from high ground to low ground, from the interior to the nearest basin, which when it fills overflows and continues to flow along the line of least resistence until it gets to the final basin, the ocean. Looking at a map with terrain features and bearing this simple fact in mind will keep you from getting confused about which way the current is flowing. There's nothing mystical about current. It's all gravity. You deal with gravity daily.

This is your big chance to reread Mark Twain; consider also the work of Arthur Ransome, particularly the Coot Club, and Wind in the Willows. And of course Joeseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness, if you can cope with his prose; if not, Apocalypse Now is close enough for gummit work. The first volume of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials (Northern Lights in Britain, The Golden Compass in the U.S.) includes some scenes with a river-based subculture which might contain inspiration. The River of Green Knowe (L.M. Boston) is evocative but may not have enough action for your game; you might find the concept of the river as liminal space where transformations happen routinely inspirational, however.

I know nothing about Greyhawk. Is this a major trade route? If so, they may be able to book on a large passenger transport and you can have a riverboat adventure! Gamblers, shady ladies, escaping slaves, spies!

 

[diaglo]

There's a good article on the Rhenne written by Lance Hawvermale in Living Greyhawk Journal #2:



I've seen some Rhenne barges in LG scenarios from time-to-time too. If you can dig up Erik Mona's "As He Lay Dying" scenario, I think there's a barge in there (with some interesting encounters associated with it).

one of the 2edADnD adventures had a good scenario in it based on a river/lake. iirc, it was around Hardby

edit: Slavers... i think