Being a description
of the Places and Items contained within the Valley of Eodon at
the time of the Recent Visit of the Avatar.
The History
of Eodon
Three hundred
million years ago, a meteorite struck the single large landmass
on the third planet of a small yellow star, striking the earth inside
a deep river valley. The meteorite was composed of a strange, dense
black substance, not entirely in phase with the universe containing
it. In another world, a stone of this type was called a moonstone.
Within the valley
a species of dromaeosaur was evolving, slowly changing in physical
shape to a form less deadly, but with a compensation unique in the
reptilian kingdom then extant. Over a considerable period of time
the evolutionary process continued, the individuals becoming less
and less formidable as individual hunters, but learning to cooperate
and hunt together to improve their efficiency at survival. The tools
they learned to make more than compensated for the loss of natural
weapons. The saurians had made the step from non-sentient animals
to true reasoning, intelligent beings. They began to call themselves
the Kotl.
Over time, the
wise men and shamans of the Kotl learned to manipulate the energies
of the black stone which lay in the valley they called. They designed
machines to draw power from it and constructed a vast underground
city, with automatons to perform menial tasks. They had no idea
of the price that might be charged for their actions...
As power was
drawn by the Kotl machines from out of the black stone, it became
unstable. The otherworldly energies, capable of warping space and
time to create gateways, were slowly released without focus, spreading
over the entire valley. Inside the field of energies, time accelerated,
sending the region hurtling faster into the future, creating a time
capsule, a relic of a time millions of years before. And failing
to recognise the significance of their actions, the Kotl continued
to draw power from the stone.
Finally the
energies drawn by the Kotl reached the limits that the stone could
supply. Made lazy by reliance on their machines, the Kotl decided
there were not enough automatons to provide the service they desired.
To rectify this lack, their scientists used the energies of the
stone to mutate and breed a species of giant ants, intending to
utilise their industrious nature as servants. However their plans
went awry, as the ants, which they had named the Myrmidex, retained
the ants warlike disposition, and fled the city, taking with them
the black stone which provided the city's power. While the generators
could draw power from the stone from a great distance, the Myrmidex
now blocked any further access to the stone.
Still desiring
menial labour, the Kotl sent an explorer named Katalkotl outside
the valley. Katalkotl found a species of intelligent mammals, and
brought several tribes to the city to act as servants. While the
humans acted as servants for a short period, eventually they also
rebelled and left to live out their lives in the valley above the
city.
The Kotl continued
their lives in their underground city, until the last blow was struck
against them. The Myrmidex returned, and despite the best efforts
of the Kotl, drove their creators from their underground city. The
fleeing Kotl sealed the city, but retained a key, which could be
used to open the entrance should a return become possible. Over
time, the Kotl regressed to the same level as their former servants,
becoming the Sakkhra, just one more tribe in the valley.
Over the years,
the tribes clashed and battled, not realising that the Myrmidex
were slowly becoming stronger and more numerous. The events of the
past became mere legends, and faded from the memories of all but
a few tribesmen.
Time passed,
until small fragments of a strange substance were discovered in
a Central American archaeological dig. A geologist named Johann
Spector examined them, and accidentally triggered a Moongate, transporting
himself and one of his assistants into the Valley. Spector, by using
the small fragments of the black stone, was able to enter the Kotl
city, and study the mechanisms therein. Unbeknownst to him however,
the radiation was affecting his mind. Soon Spector was a megalomaniac,
intent upon his plans to conquer the world, using the Myrmidex as
his army. He had discovered a means of rendering himself and whoever
else he chose invulnerable, concentrating energy from the city into
a force field about him.
The tampering
of Spector caused greater instability in the black stone. The shifting
energies attracted attention from several unexpected sources. The
entity Xorinia, always desirous of obtaining new information, sent
Wisp units to observe the apparently imminent destruction of a world
by the energies of the black stone. And the King of a distant reality,
foreseeing the danger to the world of his birth, sent a warning
to his land's greatest champion, the Avatar.
Items Rare
and Commonplace within the Valley
Within the Valley
of Eodon, objects that are commonplace within the modern world can
be invaluable, particularly if they are modern weapons. However
there are many items peculiar to the Valley which are equally valuable
ore useful to an adventurer.
The Currency
of the Tribes
There are only
a few people willing to trade with the other tribes. In general,
barter is the most common means of exchange of goods, but the nearest
equivalent to a currency is with the exchange of emeralds, mainly
used by the Nahuatla.
The Totems
and Offerings of the People
The Shamans
of the tribes can call upon the various spirits which dwell within
the valley by using specific rituals and making specific offerings.
While the totems that the Shaman with the party can call upon are
known, it is harder to know where to obtain the offerings when the
Shaman's supplies are exhausted.
Fortunately
Kunaro, the Shaman of the Pindiro, will trade five flax for enough
of any offering to allow a ritual to be performed once.
The Natural
Resources of Eodon
There are many
naturally occurring substances or items that are easy to collect
and use within the Valley. They can be used for a variety of useful
tasks, both at the low level of technology available within the
valley, and for improvising both modern tools and weaponry.
Clay:
The simple substance of Clay can be turned by the simple application
of great heat into a hard ceramic, the first artificial substance
known to have been produced by primitive man. It can be shaped into
pots which can be hardened by placing them into an oven or lava.
Clay is obtained by using a digging stick while standing on the
bank of a river or pond.
Branches:
A branch has several uses. By wrapping a strip of tarred cloth about
it, a branch can be transformed into an effective torch. Alternately,
the branch can be placed into a hot fire or lava, and reduced to
Charcoal, which is used to make gunpowder.
Sulphur:
This yellow chemical naturally occurs in mineral springs in the
volcanic southeast region of the Valley. It can be obtained by passing
the spring waters through a fine mesh, separating the hot liquid
from the desired element. Sulphur is needed as a component of gunpowder.
Potassium
Nitrate: This chemical is an essential component of gunpowder.
It is found in some caves, as part of beautiful, naturally occurring
mineral gardens. Both Professor Rafkin and Dr. Spector have the
knowledge to determine which of the many chemicals is the correct
one to collect.
Bamboo Sticks:
The iron hard bamboo found to the east of the Nahuatla city of Tichticatl
is hard to obtain. The bamboo plant must be seriously attacked with
a sharp weapon before a stick can be separated from the plant. Once
separated however, the stick can be modified to serve as the barrel
of a crude flintlock rifle.
Flax:
The common Yucca plant is the source of this valuable raw material.
Flax can be traded for spirit offerings, or it can be turned into
cloth by the use of a loom.
Tar:
Tar can be found in tar pits to the south of the Kurak village,
in close proximity to Rafkin's laboratory. It can be collected and
moved about in metal buckets, which are located in the lab. The
tar is used on cloth strips to produce tarred strips, which are
vital components in the construction of both torches and grenades.
Hide Mats:
By using a knife on any slain mammal, it is possible to cut it up
for food. However, if the slain animal is a Sabre-Toothed Tiger,
a beautiful hide can be obtained. This hide can be used to construct
a huge drum.
Relics of an
Elder People
The ancient
Kotl created many devices in their heyday. Below are described the
surviving devices of significance to the quest. Most of these devices
can only be found in the ancient Kotl city north of the Great Mesa.
The Automatons:
Three basic designs of these robots have survived. The simplest
was the Argent Sergeant, which could act as a servant. During the
fall of the Kotl City, they were programmed to attack any intruder
indiscriminately. The second type, designed specifically for defence,
was the Robosaurus. These dangerous machines were based on the Allosaurus
in body shape and size.
The final surviving
automaton was Yunapotli. This sentient machine was programmed to
guard the doors of the city. During the evacuation from the city,
the automaton's head was severed and taken into the Valley above.
The automaton's secondary brain was also lost in the valley. This
independent automaton was the only control capable of opening the
main doors into the city.
The Locater:
The Locater was a device used to align the power generators of the
city upon the black stone from which they drew their power. Even
after the stone was stolen by the Myrmidex, this machine allowed
the exact direction of the stone to be calculated.
Black Staves:
The Black Staff was the best weapon that the Kotl devised during
the final war against the Myrmidex. While it is a poor weapon when
used against any other foe, when turned against the Myrmidex it
fires bolts of lethal energy. The Staff also acts as a Myrmidex
proximity locater, as the tip glows when Myrmidex were close to
it.
Kotl Shields:
These shield, while heavier than those available in the valley above,
provide very good protection, especially against the Myrmidex.
The Generators:
The main generators of the Kotl city still draw power from the black
stone. They resemble great ruby crystals projecting from the city
floors. They are in the east of the city.
Gas Canisters:
The gas canisters are another product of the weapons research against
the Myrmidex. When used they release a gas toxic only to the Myrmidex
in an area several paces around the point of release, depending
on the physical constraints about the area. They are heavy and bulky.
Crystals:
The Healing crystals are one of the benevolent creations of the
Kotl. When used they completely heal any injuries or poisoning that
the target suffers from. Unfortunately they are quite heavy.
The Giant
Crystal: When the Kotl abandoned their underground city and
sealed the passageway leading to it, they retained a key, which
when used correctly would reopen the passage. The Giant Crystal
was to be placed within a focus device placed on a mesa above the
entrance to the city, where it would focus the noon light on a receptor
below, causing the door to open.
Items Improvised
From Available Resources
Using the knowledge
of science and technology available in the outside world, the natural
materials available in the Valley of Eodon can easily be combined
to produce weapons or tools which are startlingly effective.
Bandages:
The comparatively simple bandage was unknown in the Valley until
the introduction of scissors. By cutting the cloth made from flax,
the resulting cloth strips are invaluable for binding injuries sustained
in combat.
Torches:
The torch is a simple tool and weapon, with the advantage that it
also provides light. It can be used to burn webs as well as enemies.
Torches are made by simply breaking a branch off a tree, and wrapping
a strip of cloth, which has been dipped in molten tar, around it.
Gunpowder:
A very unstable form of this substance is made by mixing equal proportions
of Potassium Nitrate, Sulphur, and Charcoal in a mortar. The gunpowder
can be used to make crude grenades or to load the simple flintlocks
constructed in the Valley.
Flintlocks:
This primitive rifle can be constructed from a bamboo stick. When
loaded with a charge of gunpowder, pulling the trigger causes it
to fire a small stone like a bullet. Unfortunately, the single shot
flintlock must be separately reloaded after every shot. Despite
this disadvantage, the flintlock is still one of the most effective
weapons available in the Valley of Eodon.
Grenades:
The grenade was the most effective area affecting weapon in the
Valley. Constructed by filling a hard clay pot with five charges
of gunpowder, then sealing the top with a tarred strip of cloth,
the grenade could be placed and ignited, or thrown, counting on
the unstable gunpowder detonating upon impact. The power of the
detonation is such that it can fell the tallest trees or blast aside
the heaviest boulders.
Native Weapons
& Armour
The native tribesmen
of the Valley of Eodon have a variety of useful weapons designed
for both hunting and combat. They also have armour designed for
protection during the same endeavours. The most useful and effective
of these weapons and types of armour are listed here.
Obsidian
Swords: The obsidian sword is the most effective native close
combat weapon. They can be purchased in Tichticatl, or found on
bodies in the Spider Cave.
Spears:
A spear can be both thrown and used in close quarters combat. It
is relatively common in the Valley.
Atl-atls:
The atl-atl is a simple spear thrower, increasing both the range
and damage caused by a spear.
Bow and Arrows:
The bow and arrow is useful as it adds a distance component to the
armament of a party. In a combat against some of the larger predators
this can mean the difference between life and death.
Spear of
Shamap: This weapon is the invention of an insane Disquiqui
warrior. Produced by attaching a flask of the substance Plachta
to a spear, this weapon can be thrown to act as a tranquilliser
against any living creature in the Valley - even a Tyrannosaurus
Rex. The Disquiqui actually drink the Plachta for refreshment!
Leather Armour:
Readily found in the Valley, leather armour is the best protection
available for combat.
Stegosaurs
Shields: This is the best shield available to the natives. They
are made from the bony back plate of a stegosaurs.
Native Tools
of Value
The Valley's
native people have some tools and items of great value to any explorer.
Some of these are listed below.
Digging Stick:
The digging stick can be used to obtain wet clay from the banks
of rivers, streams and ponds.
Vines:
By tying a vine to a convenient solid object, it is possible to
construct an easy exit from holes leading into the underground tunnels
of the Myrmidex.
Turtle Bait:
Using the turtle bait often attracts the attention of the large
turtles of the Urali swamps. Once they have been coaxed within reach
they can be ridden to provide water transport. Turtle bait can be
obtained from the mad Urali shaman Topuru.
Mortars and
Grinding Stones: Either one of these is required by the natives
to grind corn into flour. For an explorer, they are more useful
to grind up the chemical components of gunpowder.
Modern Weapons
& Tools
With the arrival
of modern technological humans in the Valley of Eodon, new weapons
and tools have become available. These can be extremely handy in
an awkward situation, whether in combat or exploration.
Fire Axe:
This tool is a fairly useful two-handed weapon. However it is not
much more effective in combat than a similar native axe. The primary
use of it is to cut down the oldest and largest trees, a task beyond
any native tools. There is a fire axe stored in Professor Rafkin's
lab.
Fire Extinguisher:
The fire extinguisher is another weapon of some use, being a fairly
effective club. Like the fire axe however, it has a useful function
far beyond its utilisation as a weapon. By directing the fire extinguisher
onto lava, it can harden the molten rock sufficiently to allow a
fairly rapid transit across it. There is a fire extinguisher stored
in Professor Rafkin's lab.
Metal Hammer:
A metal hammer is useful for chipping hard rocks with a minimum
of effort. They are found in several places, including the laboratory.
Magnesium
Strips: For a moment, an ignited magnesium strip can cause a
brilliant light. This is very useful. There are some magnesium strips
stored in the laboratory.
Scissors:
This handy tool can be used to cut cloth into strips for bandages.
They are found in the lab or in Rafkin's possessions.
Sieve:
Found with the scissors, the sieve is used to separate Sulphur from
the murky waters of the Valley's sulphur springs.
Metal Buckets:
No native container is available that can contain heated tar. The
metal buckets found in the laboratory perform this task quite satisfactorily.
Modern Hunting
Rifle & Ammunition: This is the best weapon in the entire
Valley of Eodon. It has sufficient power to injure any opponent
short of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. There are rifles and ammo in Segallion's
cache in the old Pindiro village, Rafkin's laboratory, and the Spider
Cave. There is additional ammunition in the possession of Fritz,
Spector's former assistant.
Camera:
In a situation where a bright light is required, in the absence
of the magnesium strips, the flash of a camera is useful. In addition,
the camera records events for later reference.
The Traders
of Eodon
Other than the
aforementioned Pindiro shaman Kunaro, there are two people in the
Valley of Eodon who are willing to trade. Both are Nahuatla, and
can be found in the city of Tichticatl.
Atlipacta:
This woman is the best maker of native weaponry and armour in the
entire Valley. She accepts Emeralds in exchange for her stock.
Bows: 2 Emeralds
each
Arrows: 1 Emerald per 12 arrows
Obsidian Knives: 1 Emerald each
Obsidian Swords: 3 Emeralds each
Leather Armour: 3 Emeralds each
Leather Shields: 1 Emerald each
Paxaptamac:
Paxaptamac is a practitioner of the ancient craft of using feathers
for clothing and decoration. Due to the recent completion of a major
project, he is short of stock and will give 1 Emerald for every
10 parrot feathers he is given.
The Valley
of Eodon
The Valley of
Eodon is a large region, with it's own self-contained ecosystem.
On the following page there is an annotated map (3.1), showing the
valley as a whole. Following this is the Key to the Notations. After
the map and key there are further notes about specific locations.
Travel about
the valley is simplified somewhat by the existence of Teleporter
Pads, bridges, and roads, which loosely connect the various regions
of the Valley together. Despite these amenities however, the cliffs,
mesas, dense jungle growth and numerous waterways often make direct
travel between any two points difficult.
Some of the
Valley's wildlife also lurks near the roads or in specific areas
within the valley. While most of these travel hazards can be dispatched,
possibly with some difficulty, it is simplest to avoid an area occupied
by a Tyrannosaurus Rex. The presence of an entrance to the Myrmidex
tunnels can also make an area risky to travel through.
The Map of
Eodon
The Key to
Eodon
