Caverns of the Under Realm (Part One)

Barometz Bolt-Hole (#23/31, #357/365)

"This large cavern offers up a rather strange underground scene. A herd of sheep-like creatures, with matted coats and plaintive bleats, are grazing on pallid cave moss, which covers the floor of the cavern in a grass-like sward."

Contents: These lambs are Barometz, the free-living stage of the Vegetable Lamb life-cycle, charged with wandering the uplands and the underworlds, to find new germination points for the plant symbiote whose seed they carry within them, and that will germinate if they die in an appropriate place.

Barometz are considered an excellent food source for inhabitants of the Down Below, and each animal provides enough food for 1-3 Provisions if prepared properly. However, if one is attacked, the rest of the flock will pile in and attack the marauders.

If left alone, the Barometz will placidly graze on the cave moss. It is poisonous for humanoid consumption however, and anyone eating it must lose 1-2 STAMINA points due to nausea.

Stats:

6-36 BAROMETZ, SKILL 4 STAMINA 4, Butt (1 damage). Anyone hit by a Barometz must test their Skill or fall over.

Tree Goose Tunnel (#24/31, #358/365)

"This long tunnel leads ever downwards. At times a strange red bird flies overhead, in either direction, glaring and honking at you almost like some sort of goose."

Contents: At the end of the tunnel is a small cave containing a rock pool, standing by which is a TREE GOOSE TREE. This is a small, strange-looking tree with pale green leaves and very large green pod-like fruits. Flying around it are 4-24 Tree Geese, which, being highly territorial to non-Tree Geese, will attack immediately to protect their tree.

There are 1-6 green pod-like fruits hanging from the tree's branches. Anyone picking them without due care will cause them to 'hatch' into further Tree Geese that will attack immediately.

However, should someone carefullly pick and prepare the Tree Goose fruit (by making two Herb Lore Special Skill rolles), they can use it in combat by throwing the fruit at an enemy. The furious bird will hatch on impact and instantly attack!

The pool contains clear, fresh water that is completely drinkable and free of any contamination.

Stats:

4-24 TREE GEESE, SKILL 6 STAMINA 5, Small Bite. Anyone fighting a Tree Goose must deduct -2 from their Attack Strength during each Attack Round, unless the Goose's STAMINA is reduced to 2 or less, as it then has a broken wing and cannot fly, and thus not have this attack advantage.