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Erantha Gor & Karrg

A heroquest created by Paul Wade-Williams
Web Adaptation by Nick Eden

 

Note! This is a fan contribution. The information may be contradicted by official material.

My thanks to Russell Cole for writing the original myth (available here) and to my wife for playing an Erantha Gor axe-maiden.

Background

Outline

This heroquest recreates Maran Gor's transformation into Erantha Gor and her subsequent subdual of the Uz race.

Quest Requirements

This heroquest is designed for a follower of Erantha Gor (and possibly Maran Gor). She should have combat abilities in the range of 15W to 5W2 and other abilities relating to Maran Gor/Erantha Gor at 5W or better. Followers may accompany the heroquester. The quest can be undertaken for personal or community gain, but this must be declared in advance.

Myth

Long ago in the age of conquest there lived a race of great lumbering creatures called Gatorgarings. Children of Maran Gor, they would eat anything that grew of the earth and were much hated by the Aldryami for their destruction of many forests. Over time they were hunted and killed by Elf, Beastman, and Man until only a few remained. Maran Gor loved her children and wrought terrible revenge on their attackers. She decided to protect her last children by moving them away from their enemies to new grazing grounds North of her home at Kero Fin. 

Now this was around the time when Karrg was in trouble with his mother for spending too much time with Zorak Zoran. To avoid another beating he had decided to travel and see his cousin Valind in the Rockwood Mountains. They spent long hours boasting of their powers and fame. As they sat on top of the highest mountain swapping stories they spied a herd of massive and strange creatures grazing on grass and bushes on the plains below. Karrg was feeling very cold and fancied a bit of exercise and so challenged Valind to a competition to see who could kill the most of these strange animals.

Now it wasn't long before Maran Gor discovered that her children had been killed and a great rage fell upon her. She renamed herself Erantha Gor and strode into the Rockwood Mountains where she smashed Valind's summer ice palace and cut up many of his people before they could escape north.

Next she turned to Dagori Inkarth killing any Uz she met even beheading one of Kyger Litor's grandchildren with her massive copper axe. Kyger Litor was angry to hear of this as well as being concerned about how to stop this vengeful earth goddess causing more harm. She summoned Karrg and ordered him to go out and sort out this problem he had caused, and then to come straight home afterwards

Karrg eventually came across Erantha Gor at Battle Valley where she was resting next to a heap of defeated Uz champions. At the sight of him she charged yelling a terrifying scream, which nearly knocked Karrg from his feet. They fought long and hard with Karrg only barely able to defend himself against her furious blows. She did not even stop when day came and so they carried on fighting for a further two nights. Eventually they both drew back exhausted and collapsed to the ground.

Karrg spoke to Erantha Gor who he could see was readying herself for another attack and asked what it would take for her to stop attacking his people. She said that there were peoples who had angered her even more than the Uz and that if he could bring her the head of a god of each she would leave the Uz to enact her vengeance elsewhere.

Karrg knew that he should go back and check with his mother, but also knew that he must act now or risk further harm to his people. So off he went on his quest to make peace with Erantha Gor.

Eventually he returned to Erantha Gor who was much please with his sack of heads and agreed to leave the Uz alone as long as they showed her the respect she disserved. Karrg forever remembered Maran Gor's fury and understood the power and terror of the dark earth.

Quest Details

Members of the local Maran Gor temple are likely to provide Extraordinary Support, whereas other clan members provide Ordinary support. The individual Narrator may choose to role-play the quester's attempts to gain of support or take the above as fact.

Preparations for this quest can include the following ritual. The ritual requires a successful simple Mythology of Maran Gor test in order to gain the collective bonus and individual ability checks (as noted) to gain specific bonuses. The ritual takes two hours to perform. The ritual should really take place on Bloody Axe Day (Clay Day, Disorder Week, Darkness Season), the high holy day for Erantha Gor (+20). Supporters gather at the local Maran Gor and accompany the ritual by banging axes on their shields.

Maran Takes Up the Axe

• Jar of woad
• Gourd of Uz blood to dye her hair
• Large copper axe named 'Ground Tearer' (Close Combat 17) (+1)
• Uz skull or skin
• Signal horn carved from quakebeast bone (Quakebeast Affinity 14) (+1)
• Uz tongue named 'Parley' (Speak Darktongue) (+1)
• Cloak dyed brown on one side and red on the other
• Model palace shaped from a single block of ice
• Mace called 'Ice Breaker'
• Bag containing a scream (Terrifying Appearance 14) (+1)
• A clod of earth from the tula

The unnumbered elements of this ritual give a collective +1 bonus.

Stations

Station 1: Entering the God Plane

The quester enters the god plane through the Maran Gor temple and, if successful, appears just south of Kero Fin. When she enters the god plane she will be Maran Gor.

Cross over to the God Plane [10W3]: Mythology of Maran Gor, ritual bonus, location bonuses, time bonus

Failure to cross over ends the quest before it has even begun, much to the bitter disappointment of those present.

Station 2: Moving the Quakebeasts

Long ago in the age of conquest there lived a race of great lumbering creatures called Gatorgarings. Children of Maran Gor, they would eat anything that grew of the earth and were much hated by the Aldryami for their destruction of many forests. Over time they were hunted and killed by Elf, Beastman, and Man until only a few remained. Maran Gor loved her children and wrought terrible revenge on their attackers. She decided to protect her last children by moving them away from their enemies to new grazing grounds north of her home at Kero Fin. 

Herds of quakebeasts of all shapes, sizes, and dietary requirements roam the planes south of Kero Fin. Many skeletons, hunted by Beastmen, Aldryami, and Men lie scattered across the rolling plains, their flesh taken for food or left to rot in Yelm's gaze. Unwilling to let her children be hunted to extinction, Maran Gor lead her children northwards, to the safety of Kero Fin.

Herd Quakebeasts [10W]: Control Quakebeast -3, Herding -5, Know Herd Animal -10

There is no carryover associated with this station. If the quester fails to move any quakebeasts north, then those already living in the region will fall prey to Karrg and Valind.

Station 3: Become Erantha Gor

Now this was around the time when Karrg was in trouble with his mother for spending too much time with Zorak Zoran. To avoid another beating he had decided to travel and see his cousin Valind in the Rockwood Mountains. They spent long hours boasting of their powers and fame. As they sat on top of the highest mountain swapping stories they spied a herd of massive and strange creatures grazing on grass and bushes on the plains below. Karrg was feeling very cold and fancied a bit of exercise and so challenged Valind to a competition to see who could kill the most of these strange animals.

Now it wasn't long before Maran Gor discovered that her children had been killed and a great rage fell upon her. She renamed herself Erantha Gor…

Satisfied that her children were safe, Maran returned to her cave. Only a short time passed before an earth daimon informed her that the quakebeasts she lead to safety have been slaughtered by Karrg and Valind. In a blind rage, Maran Gor took up her axe, dyed her hair red, and became Erantha Gor, the Bloody Axe.

Become Erantha Gor [15W]: Devotee to Erantha Gor, Angry -3, Short Temper, -5, Hate Trolls -5

So long as there is any level of Victory, the devotee's aspect on the god plane changes from that of Maran Gor to Erantha Gor. Any Defeat at this Station ends the quest; the quester has failed to transform into Erantha Gor, negating the remainder of the heroquest.

Station 4: Valind's Summer Palace

...and strode into the Rockwood Mountains where she smashed Valind's summer ice palace and cut up many of his people before they could escape North.

Erantha Gor travelled north into the Dragonspine Mountains to one of Valind's ice palaces. In a furious rage she smashed down the walls and slaughtered the occupants that failed to flee to safety.

Smash Valind's Ice Palace [5W2]: Earth Making Affinity, Strong, Close Combat -3, Angry -10

Station 5: Dagori Inkarth

Next she turned to Dagori Inkarth killing any Uz she met even beheading one of Kyger Litor's grandchildren with her massive copper axe. Kyger Litor was angry to hear of this as well as being concerned about how to stop this vengeful earth goddess causing more harm. She summoned Karrg and ordered him to go out and sort out this problem he had caused, and then to come straight home afterwards.

With Valind suitably shamed for his part in the quakebeast hunt, Erantha Gor turned her attentions to Dagori Inkarth, an ancestral troll home. Many champions came forward to halt her progress, including one of Kyger Litor's own grandchildren, but all fell to her axe.

Slaughter Troll Champions [10W2, +100 AP]: Close Combat, Axe Combat Affinity, Hate Trolls -5

This should be run as an extended contest between the quester and the troll horde, whose collective AP are included above. Followers of the heroquester may assist at this Station. Even if the hero is defeated at this Station this quest can continue; she will have killed several trolls during the encounter, even if forced to retreat. Any Wound penalties will carry forward to subsequent Stations, however.

Station 6: The Battle with Karrg

Karrg eventually came across Erantha Gor at Battle Valley where she was resting next to a heap of defeated Uz champions. At the sight of him she charged yelling a terrifying scream, which nearly knocked Karrg from his feet. They fought long and hard with Karrg only barely able to defend himself against her furious blows. She did not even stop when day came and so they carried on fighting for a further two nights. Eventually they both drew back exhausted and collapsed to the ground.

Karrg himself finally approached Erantha Gor, who was drenched in Uz blood and sat atop a pile of Uz bodies. Without warning, Erantha Gor attacked, her scream momentarily stunning Karrg.

Fight Karrg to a Standstill [5W2]: Close Combat, Axe Combat Affinity, Hate Trolls -5

This is also an extended contest, but only between the quester and Karrg (represented an Uz performing a Karrg heroquest). Although not a requirement for successfully completing the Station, the quester should begin the contest with either Terrifying Shout or a similar ability. Failure to do so raises Karrg's ability to 15W2.

Once either the quester or Karrg reach half their starting AP, the quester must try to overcome her fatigue and continue the fight. This is a simple contest. 

Continue Fight When Tired [3W]: Endurance, Relentless -3, Push Self -5, Stubborn -10

On any Victory, the quester may continue the fight, which now lasts until the bitter end. If the hero suffers any level of Defeat she cannot continue the fight and must flee, ending the heroquest at this Station.

Station 7: Karrg's Offer

Karrg spoke to Erantha Gor who he could see was readying herself for another attack and asked what it would take for her to stop attacking his people. She said that there were peoples who had angered her even more than the Uz and that if he could bring her the head of a god of each she would leave the Uz to enact her vengeance elsewhere.

Karrg knew that he should go back and check with his mother, but also knew that he must act now or risk further harm to his people. So off he went on his quest to make peace with Erantha Gor.

Karrg, exhausted from the lengthy battle, called for a truce, and asked Erantha Gor what would make her stop her attack on his people. Although Erantha Gor named traditional enemies, the quester is limited to naming one enemy, whether that is a specific race (such as Aldryami) or an individual clan (such as the Green Clay Clan). This Station really comes into its own if the quester is working from the community and wishes to make trolls attack a rival clan. There is no carryover associated with this particular Station.

Station 8: Karrg's Peace Offerings

Eventually he returned to Erantha Gor who was much please with his sack of heads and agreed to leave the Uz alone as long as they showed her the respect she disserved. Karrg forever remembered Maran Gor's fury and understood the power and terror of the dark earth.

Eventually Karrg returned and offered many sacks of heads to Erantha Gor to appease her bloodlust. Satisfied with Karrg's offer, Erantha Gor withdrew, leaving the Uz to count their blessings and respect the power of the dark earth.

Judge Karrg's Peace Token [2W]: Evaluate Foe, Know (race) -5, Relationship to (Clan) -5, Evaluate Value of Goods -15

Regardless of Victory or Defeat level, the pact is sealed (it may be a poor deal, but it's still a deal) and the quester may now leave the completed quest.

Station 9: Exiting the God Plane

With the quest over, the hero is free to leave the god plane.

Exit from the God Plane [10W2]; Mythology of Maran Gor

Carryover points may be used to aid in exiting the god plane. The quester appears in her local Maran Gor temple, covered in Uz blood.

Results of the Quest

Carryover Table

Station Benefits

The questers gains benefits (or penalties) for completing certain Stations. These are permanent changes unless otherwise noted.

Become Erantha Gor: The hero's transformation into Erantha Gor gives her a closer insight into her god's mind. She gains a +1 to Devotee of Erantha Gor if the Station was successfully completed with at least a major Victory.

Battle with Karrg (2): If her hero managed to continue the fight against Karrg she gains an ability called Tireless in Combat at 12 (or Easily Fatigued if the Station was failed on the contest to remain fighting).

Completing the Quest: If the quest was completed with any level of Victory, the hero can either gain +2 to Axe Fighting or Axe & Shield Fighting or +1 Axe Combat Affinity.

Individual Benefits

If the quest was undertaken for personal gain, the heroquester may gain one of the benefits listed below. Should the quest have been a failure, the quester must still select from the list, but changes all benefits to penalties. All benefits last according to the chart on p.39 of the Narrator's Guide.

• Improve Axe Fighting or Axe & Shield Fighting by 2 points per level of Victory
• Spend HP equal to the final carryover on abilities to become a godtalker (i.e. from the godtalker occupation). If the hero fails the quest and chooses this option she must buy down any relationship to her temple and her Devotee to Maran Gor by as many points as possible.
• Improve Axe Combat Affinity by 2 points per level of Victory.
• Start an ability called Respected by Trolls at 12 (Mocked by Trolls if the quest failed).

Community Benefits

If the quest was undertaken on behalf of the community, the quester must select one of the benefits described below. Should the quest have been a failure, the quester must still select from the list, but changes all benefits to penalties. All benefits last according to the chart on p.39 of the Narrator's Guide.

• Improve Axe Fighting or Axe & Shield Fighting by 2 points per Victory level for all clan members.
• Cause the trolls to attack the foe named in Station 7, the severity of their raid being dependent on the Victory level (the trolls attack the clan if the quest fails, possibly generating a new adventure).
• Start an ability called Subdue Troll at 12 (Submissive to Troll if the quest failed).