Bubble Hills

An idyllic, untouched expanse of forested green hills and mountains that make up the northwest of River Country. Protected by the Druids of Quort, an ancient order of quortles and bogrils that patrol the land, the hills are a wild untamed place that folks should tread lightly despite their apparent tranquil beauty.

modifiers

• -1 Travel Checks
• +2 Wandering Intruder Chance

wandering intruders

##### bubble hills

• 1. Spindlestriders
• 2. Dracopillar
• 3. Guardvarks
• 4. River Goblin
• 5. Wriggling Snarps
• 6. Werewolf

what's there

BIG CRICK SPRINGS

Nestled in a small green valley to the north of Bubbletop are hundreds of natural hot springs and geysers.

• GUARDVARKS are tunneling out the hills near a quortle village, causing dangerous landslides.
• Old Predictability is a famous geyser that shoots nigh on a mile into the air every thirty minutes. The water comes out hot as soup but lands half frozen.
• RIVER GOBLINS lurk in the backwaters and are rumored to snatch up adventurers who venture out to collect resources or look for food.
• An old RYZOPHANT (L5-C) has taken up residence in a large, natural spring called Golden Pool. The critter is called Uzrok by local quortles and given a wide berth.

BUBBLEWOOD

A forest of coniferous trees spread across the Bubble Hills, teeming with woodland life.

• The SPINDLESTRIDERS native to the area are skittish and defensive ever since a group of poachers moved in and set up camp.
• An angry DRACOPILLAR (L5-G) called Fwoosh risks starting a forest fire by burping fire into the trees. Someone stole the critter's larvae and she is beside herself with worry and frustration.
• A pack of WRIGGLING SNARPS have come down from the mountains and wandered dangerously close to local villages.

rumors

• Starving MOOSHWIMBLES are searching for food after a mysterious pollutant killed off all of the algae in their favorite watering hole.
• Poachers threaten the local wildlife in Bubblewood and the Druids of Quort need help.
• A giant RYZOPHANT called Uzrok terrorizes the hotsprings.

PRINCESS WINNOW

Princess of the Druids of Quort, she is highly attuned to the natural world, and roams the Bubble Hills with her BOGRILLIAN TORTOISE mount and pet OWLIGATOR. She considers it her birthright to protect the land from enterprising corporations and the River Barony.

• Traits: Regal, wary of city folk, deeply passionate.
• Motivation: Protect nature, specifically the Bubble Hills.

SISTER SORREL

Herbalist and healer providing wellness checks to the local animals of the Bubble Hills. She often aids travelers in need as well, though tends to prioritize animals if the travelers seem unsavory.

• Traits: Socially awkward, reclusive, genuine.
• Motivation: Care for animals when no one else will.

BROTHER BORGNEEN

A portly bogril with a perpetual smile who loves visitors to the Bubble Hills, although his fellow Druids rarely share the same sentiment. Borgneen always sees the good in folks and wants to believe people will do what's right in the end.

• Traits: Cheerful, optimist, enamored by city folk.
• Motivation: Relate to outsiders and promote the importance of the natural world to them, so they'll get a better appreciation of the work done by the Druids of Quort.

quests

POACHED EGGS

A DRACOPILLAR (L3-B) is rampaging throughout Bubblewood, burping fire onto the trees. If not checked, the critter will start a forest fire. Worse, the Druids of Quort believe the DRACOPILLAR was provoked by city-folk, likely poaching her larvae to sell in Capstan as a River Baron's pet. Prevent the DRACOPILLAR from starting a forest fire and run those no-good poachers out of the Bubble Hills.

• The hunters are a group called the Land Sharks from the Quagmash (p164).

THE HILLS HAVE PIES

Someone has been feeding pies to the GUARDVARKS (L3-G) in the hills surrounding Big Crick Springs and now they've gathered in numbers looking for more food. The critters are burrowing in the hills and causing dangerous landslides that threaten the folks living near the famous geyser, Old Predictability. Get those GUARDVARKS to move on to greener pastures and catch whoever is feeding them pie.

• A KOBOLD (L5-B) named Patsy is feeding the pies to the GUARDVARKS (L3-B) because she's bored and just discovered the art of baking. She is offended by any accusations initially, but can be persuaded to use her baking powers for good.

THE NORTHERN WOLVES

Princess Winnow is deeply concerned about WEREWOLVES invading the hills, and word from Bubbletop confirms her fears (see quest Wolves in the Water (p188). The WEREWOLVES must be stopped, but fighting them all together would be nigh impossible. Winnow suggests drawing them out and isolating them one on one. Or perhaps devise a way to drive them back north.

• There are 6 WEREWOLVES that come from the steep, jagged mountains called Drastica, north of the Mucklands. They are nomadic, searching for a new land to feed upon its life and corrupt its beauty. They have already encroached upon Bubbletop.
• HEROIC TITLE ACHIEVEMENT: Defeat or drive away the WEREWOLVES from the Mucklands.
• Vanguard of the Druid Princess•. Princess Winnow is smitten with the PC for their heroic courage. The PC and their allies are always welcome in the Bubble Hills, and the Princess will provide aid up to 15 Hexes away.