Editing Wilderlands Hex Crawl IV (section)

==Rumors==

===Krazandol, City of Dwarves, City of Dragons===
The PCs have been given very credible information that Hex 4801 is the location of the legendary Krazandol, City of Dwarves, City of Dragons. This city was once the capitol of a dwarf-kingdom renowned throughout the Wilderlands for its iron, gold, silver, and, more importantly, mithril. The wealth of this city grew so great that the greed of the Dragons of Banzot waxed, and in a multi-day battle, the dragons drove out the dwarves.

Today, a dozen red dragons are still said to inhabit the ruined city, which is located far underground. The dragons are said to be young. The oddly specific report on the hoard still held by the remaining dragons states that the treasure consists of:

*799 platinum pieces
*101,512 gold pieces
*a potion of long life (halts aging for 1d6x10 years)
*a wand of summon monster IV
*a necklace of adaptation
*an ioun stone
*a python rod
*the helmet of Sabbekt
*numerous fine weapons, suits of armor, and jewels

The worth of some of these items is clear. Others, although impressive by the sound of them, defy specific analysis; their particulars seem to have been lost in the mists of time. The Shielding Mountains surrounding Krazandol are said to be very dangerous indeed, and dotted with minor fortifications and ruined citadels. "Godhaters," whatever they may be, are said to have inhabited these mountains before ever the dwarves ruled here. Today, aside from various monsters and humanoids, hardy dwarves and hardened prospectors may be encountered in the Shielding Mountains, risking life and limb in the quest for gemstones, precious metal, and iron ore.

[https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797082-Recruitment-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20768725#post20768725 original post]

===Rumors from Mors the Merchant===
*There is said to be well-paying work for adventurers to the south of here (Hex 4804) at Wyrmwatch Library. I heard this news from a halfling who is cousin to Ganholt Wersley, the chief book-buyer there. 
*I have also heard that to the south, near the coast, there is good trading to be had at Orcholding. I myself would fain shun that place, trusting not the orc-kind.
*From the east, beyond the Ruling River and the Lysthen Marches, I have heard tidings from Shardwood Castle. There is talk of incursions by strange, foreign giants. This sounds like ominous news to me, but perhaps a small band of adventurers might find profit? The demand for scouts and protectors is likely high.
*We ourselves have recently passed through Marshwatch Stronghold and before that through Nimbortan in the Golden Hills. The farmers there are fearful, for giant insects have slain livestock and guard animals. Like enough, it will not be long before they take a human life. Much as giant crabs are to be feared, so too are giant insects, I say.

===Cidin-Kazar===
*A pirate ship has washed up on the coast somewhere between Fairlea and Orcholding.

*A few gnomes talk about how some kinsfolk of theirs have likely been kidnapped by goblins, and strategize about how to go about hiring honest mercenaries to help them find and recover their missing relatives. 

*A gnome loudly claims that while prospecting for sapphires in the Igomar Hills, he found a cavern from whence issues a deep voice which talked, speaking prophecies and also giving him advice which led him to great personal enrichment and success. The response to this claim ranges from politely dubious to openly scornful.

*It is said that young adults hereabouts have been sneaking off into the hills to fight each other, sometimes to the death. This madness or trend, whichever it may be, is said to have sprung up from a desire to emulate bandied-about tales of the great gladiators said to dwell in the City-State and in Viridistan. One of the dwarves at this table finds the tale too sensationalistic, and avers that any injuries, deaths, or disappearances are merely the result of youths absconding into the wild places to engage in revelry, and then killing each other in their cups or falling victim to misadventure in the throes of the lotus-trance.

===Minor Rumours===
*I bear a coded message from the great Nordre of Thunderhold, and I must deliver it to Kanthor the Hearty, Chief of Uriah-Kazar, else I am forsworn! [https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797230-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20776336#post20776336 original post]

*"Perhaps you would be willing to travel to the nearby outpost of Thanestomb? There are vile rumors of traitors and treachery there, and even of dwarves sworn to Chaos. I fear that sending my own folk to root out the source of these rumors will prove fruitless." [https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797230-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20817554#post20817554 original post]

*"I do, however, have other missions for you, if you are interested. Firstly, I need men of enterprise and competence to bear a message to Cidin-Kazar, nearby to Orad Mountain. Alternately, I need persons to venture to Kirilith on an errand of peril. [https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797230-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20865629#post20865629 original post]

*"We worked on contract, paid by Rider of Rontagin, out of Kirilith. He paid us a small retainer to disguise ourselves as orcs, waylay travelers, and incite fear. Most of our pay came from the loot we took from our victims." [https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797230-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20905455#post20905455 original post]

*Gnomestead has a ziggurat filled with two dozen stirges that plague the villagers.  It has a corpulent merchant bemoaning the lack of fighting men for hire.  It has woodsmen recovering from an encounter with unfriendly orcs at the edge of the Dragon Wood. [https://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?797230-B-X-D-amp-D-Wilderlands-Hex-Crawl-IV&p=20944480#post20944480 original post]