Entry 45 - Inis Gallia Wildlands (Part 2)

(Annotated map based on an image provided by Mainframe, developers of Pax Dei)

Journal of Galthir the Cartographer

Entry 45 - Inis Gallia Wildlands (Part 2)

I expect this next portion of the wildlands will take me longer than I'd like to explore. Not because of the danger necessarily, nor am I happy that the most dangerous must necessarily be last, but because it's unlikely that I'll discover anything interesting. The Afon Gallia's surrounds had many interesting points of mystery - stone circles, the fae gate. The last is particularly interesting to me.

I know that Merrie and Kerys have many points of similarity - that they both have living groves of the Giant Trees is the largest and most obvious. And Kerys has many smaller fae stones. Inis Gallia doesn't. So finding a fae gate, especially given the partial nature of the nearest stone circle was a suprise. I'm not expecting more, but I'd be very happy to find my expectations disproven.

I continue my journey from the Southern Highlands of Inis Gallia. I'll head north to the Central Valley via the Long Gallian Road, and complete my explorations there, then head eastward along the Long River Valley, and then turn north, travelling through the Eastern Borderlands.

I do find a minor surprise shortly after I cross the Last Gallian Bridge; a cart track leading south leads to an unusually laid-out Inquistion Camp. From what I can see, incorporates some fragmentary ruins, but the fragements aren't intact enough for shelter, leading to the use of tents. It's an unusal blend, and I might need to examine it more closely with some of the more combative Scions I've met in my travels.

Past that cart track, though all I see are more of the juniper moors I've seen bordering the Afon Gallia. Across the Last Trecassian Bridge, though there is the remnant of an aqueduct; but where it once lead from or too, can't be discovered from the single remaining piece I've found. It might be connected to the ruined Observatory I can see on top of a nearby stone knob overlooking the river.

But it's empty moors from the Trecassian Bridge to the Cat and Mouse Ponds. On the hill between them, I find another bathhouse, this one mostly drained. Just north of the ponds, the Long Gallian Road skirts the edges of an Evergreen Forest, where it meets a cobbled road. Cobbled Roads usually lead somewhere important, but there's nothing marked on the Scout's Map.

It takes me to an isolated holy stone near a pond, at an intersection with a trail leading to the east, and a cart track leading north. That track leads to what appears to be an empty wolf cave, though I can easily here the howls from farther in; I'll return later. Past that the track leads to an Inquisition Camp, near two ponds, Toast and Butter. Which reminds me to eat something.

The trail heads east, and enters the Long Shrouded Forest from the west. I explore it a bit, but according to the map, there's an actual bridge that leads into this section from the east, and I left the Long Gallian Road to explore the trail, so back to the paved road I go.

As I wander eastward and northward, I pass two trails into Nones. The second one has been gated, meaning a Scion has built a dwelling above and around (but not on) the trail. More aware than most, the Scion has placed his market stalls along the trail as it passes through his gate.

Heading back to the Long Gallian Road, I reach a cobbled road heading north across a bridge; I think I'll contemplate the present on the bridge for a while.

The cobbled road leads up into the hills, and eventually, a shrouded forest - in fact, the northeastern portion of the Long Shrouded Forest I approached from the east earlier. Inside this forest, I find a cart track that should lead back to the portion I already partially explored. It does, crossing one of the few fully enfogged bridges I've seen.

Continuing north along the cobbled road I left to cross the Shrouded Bridge, I come across a sunken cabin that has a workcamp. Be careful of the wolves nearby. Oh, and I'm calling the road the Langres Shore Road.

I mmet and take a cart track that leads up onto the Central Valley Bluff. This southern approach is well-guarded by a wolf. Towards the summit of the bluff, the track splits. By the split is another fragment of an ancient aqueduct. Ladle Pond lies between the two tracks, and I need to improve my rations. The down slope track runs past another aqueduct fragment, right next to Ladle Pond. So it seems I've found one source (of probably many) for the aqueducts' water. Not that any flows now. As I continue to follow that downslop track I come across a tower that appears to have been pushed over. The upper surface is surprisingly intact, but the insides below are completely rubble filled. The Inquisitors must be as curious about this as I am, for they have another camp surrounding this ruin.

And at the top of a nearby rise, another ruined bathhouse, in better condition than many, even if the bath itself is mostly drained. From the columns and walls remaining, it appears that these bathhouses might have had a roofed portion, and an open-air portion. Then again, given the cluster of buildings here, this may have been a major settlement with a more extravagant bathhouse. Beyond the bathhouse, the track forks again, leading to two more ruins - a tower and an observatory.

The bluff was the last portion of the Central Valley I needed to survey, so I return, via the Langres Shore Road, to the Lower Long River Bridge. I'll continue my journey from there.

Much of the Long River Valley is as I expected, and travel is fairly swift. This changes when I arrive at the Eastern Shrouded Pines. There are too many wolves here to expend my stamina friviously. And at last, I read the end of the Long Gallian Road at the High Pines Gate. And that is more than enough for now, I'll sit here by the softly singing stone, and relax for a bit.

I wake from a restful doze; the soft song lulled me to sleep. Not something I'd recommend in this area, and the fact that I succumbed shows how much I needed it. Especially given the dangers I'll have in these last portions. Well rested, I retrace my steps back to where the other paved road joins the Long Gallian, and trace its path north.

So, as expected, even the path to a workcamp is frought with danger. The entrance to its track is guarded by a grey bear, and the camp itself is surrounded by wolves. As I write this, I'm currently trapped inside the camp, a sunken cabin, waiting for the wolves to leave, so I can too. A quick burst of speed and I'm free.

The paved road leads to an ancient stone, ivy covered, that thrums, rather than sings. I'm fairly sure that is not a good sign. A track continue beyond the stone, and the road bends sharply away from it. I'll need to confirm it, but the tack should lead into Langres. And it does, in the far eastern evergreens of that valley. I'll call this the Langres Wild Pines Track, for now.

The East Gallia Road leads north through the last bits of the Shrouded Pines, through the mostly untracked Great Eastern Pale, and into the Gallian Curse Roacklands. The portion of the trip I've been most dreading. Those decaying poles, the looping groves, the palimpsest ruins embedded in the rocks. And zebians and ghosts everywhere, threatening the living. Before I manage to reach the blessed safety of a strong holy stone, I do encounter a belltower that does not have a giant chrysalis hanging below it; one of the looping groves has taken root there, and I can see smoke coming up from the base of the tower. The holy stone sings strongly, and is keeping the corruption of these lands away. I actually feel safer here than I did at High Pines Gate.

These southern portions of the Cursed Rocklands are filled with stone outcroppings that look like overgrown sculptures - if rock could grow. In addition to the Three Scholars, I've passed Spearheads, a chess pawn, and others, all close by the paved road. It really does make me think that this portion of the land, at least, might once have been a great city, filled with art. I really must read and pay attention to Theolonious' writings. I know the Arcane University has copies. When I'm done with this journey, maybe I'll stop by and see if they'll let me copy theirs.

There are bears in these Rocklands! Bears! I'm not sure if it was corrupted or not, I was too busy running. I've also seen demonic-looking goats. Considering the grass they must feed on (please let them feed on the grass), their appearance isn't too surprising, really. What's really demonic about the goats is their nighttime call - it sounds like some warhorn from the Hells that can only be sounded by sucking the souls of the damned through it.

I also had a safe opportunity to take a closer look at one of the weeping altars of the Zebians. I thought that the altars were built using stone columns or slabs the Zebians carved from the ground. They are not. (Or at least not here in Inis Gallia.) Instead, they are built from bleached stone sarcophagi. Some of the sarcophagi where open, others were still closed with the effigies still carved on the lids. And from some of the open ones, a foul-smelling substance excreted itself.

But I managed to complete the rest of my journey through the Cursed Rocklands in the day (barely), so I didn't have to here those hell-goats' cries. I stopped by the Smashed Pyre and the Arcane University on my way home, but both were closed for the evening by the time I stopped in.

But now, finally, I am home again!

REFERNCE 32: Inis Gallia Wildlands - The Eastern Half

Wildland Regions =========

The Central River Valley: The large central region of Inis Gallia, with many biomes. The Vitry and Trecassis Rivers flow into the Gallian River here. Marshy with many evergreens.

Central Valley Bluff: A bluff on the north side of the Central Valley, overlooking the Gallian Marsh, just after the Gallian Rift ends.

The Gloomy River Valley: The larger region comprising the Long River Valley and the Eastern Shrouded Pines.

The Long River Valley: The east-west valley bordering Langres and Trecassis. Home to the Gloomy Lake and the Gloomy River. This should be considered a placeholder name, but considering its western border are those shrouded pines, and the eastern edge is shrouded forests, I believe it likely. Update: Based on the actual exploration, this has been renamed. Previously this was the Gloomy River Valley, which now refers to the larger region that includes the Eastern Shrouded Pines as well.

The Eastern Shrouded Pines: The gloomy pine forest east of the Gloomy River Valley, the Great Eastern Pale to the north, and Trecassis to the south. The Eastern Rim Mountains define the eastern border.

The Southern Highlands: Again, a placeholder name, but one strongly suggested by the map.

The Wild Borders: The wild lands that separate the home valleys from the northern and eastern Rim Mountains.

The Eastern Borderlands: A large subregion of the Wild Borders, comprising the Gallian Cursed Rocklands and the Great Eastern Pale.

The Gallian Cursed Rocklands: The single largest biome in Gallia. The Inquisitor markings are disquieting - with the rings and spots, it looks as if the very land is infected with acne and pox. I'm not looking forward to my explorations there. Luckily, that will come later. The Inquistor's map call these the "cursed rocklands"; the name will do for now.

The Great Eastern Pale: A high crest separating the Gallian Cursed Rocklands and Eastern Shrouded Pines. Bordered by the Eastern Rim Mountains and Langres. Though looking at the map, it might be more accurate to say that a portion intrudes into Langres.

Holy Stones ==============

South Gallian Evergreens Stone: A holy stone located just north of the Last Gallian Bridge. Comfortingly, it sings.

Shrouded Hills Stone: A holy stone located near a wolf cave, just below the southern heights of the Long Shrouded Forest.

Nones Road End Stone: A holy stone at the end of a cobbled road in central Nones, just north of the marsh and Trecassian River.

Long Shrouded Stone: A holy stone within the Long Shrouded Forest, near the Shrouded Bridge. Thankfully, still singing strongly.

Lake Langres Stone: A holy stone on the Langres Road by the southwestern end of Lake Langres.

Gallian Bluff Stone: A holy stone near the summit of the Central Valley Bluff.

Lonely River Stone: A holy stone in the empty moors of the Long Gallian Road, between the Lower and Upper Long River Bridges.

Long River Overlook Stone: A holy stone located on the Long River Road, west of the Gallian Cathedral.

Shrouded Pines Stone: A holy stone at the western border of the Eastern Shrouded Pines on the Long Gallian Road.

High Pines Gate: The holy stone by the collapsed border fort at the far eastern end of the Eastern Shrouded Pines.

Eastern Shrouded Pines Stone: A holy stone located on the East Gallian Road, where it meets the Langres Wild Pines Track.

South Rocklands Stone: A strong holy stone located on the East Gallian Road in the southern portion of the Gallian Cursed Roacklands.

Rockland Wolf Stone: Another strong holy stone in the Cursed Rocklands of Inis Gallia. Reached by a track that leads from the East Gallian Road, past a large quarry, to end at a wolf cave.

Rockland Gate: A collapsed border fort in the Gallian Cursed Rocklands. One of the few times you can clearly see the mountains on the far side of the hidden valley that lies behind every gate, collapsed or not.

Central Rocklands Stone: A holy stone, singing clearly, in the center of the Gallian Cursed Rocklands.

North Rocklands Stone: A strong holy stone, north of the East Gallian Road.

Paths ==============

===== Roads

Long Gallian Road: A paved road whose southern end is the Last Gallian Bridge.

West Trecassian River Road: A cobbled road that meets the Long Gallian Road just north of the Lowest Trecassian Bridge, leading into Nones.

Shrouded Hills Spur Road: A cobbled road that leads from the Long Gallian Road to the Shrouded Hills Stone.

Langres Shore Road: A cobbled road that runs along the shore of the Long River nearest Langres, connecting the Afon Gallia Road (just above the Short Marsh Bridge) and the Long Gallian Road (at the Lower Long River Bridge).

Langres Shrouded Road: A cobbled road that heads west from the Lake Langres Stone, and descends into the Long Shrouded Forest, ending at the Langres Shore Road.

East Gallia Road: The paved road that meets the Long Gallia Road in the Eastern Shrouded Pines. It meets the North Gallia Road by the Trumpeter's Ponds.

Rockland Gate Spur Road: A paved road that leads to the Rockland Gate from the East Gallian Road.

===== Tracks

Nones Wildlands Track: A cart track that leads south from the Long Gallian Road into Nones.

Gallian Bluff Track: A track that leads across the Central Valley Bluff, connecting the Afon Gallia and Langres Shore Roads.

Bluff Ruins Track: A track that splits from the Gallian Bluff Track, south of the Gallian Bluff Stone, that leads past, and to, a number of well-preserved Imperial ruins.

Langres Wild Pines Track:

===== Trails

Nones Northwest Guarded Trail: A trail into the Gallian Wildlands from northwest Nones. It passes by a large Inquisition Camp before connecting to the Long Gallian Road.

Nones Road End Trail: A trail that leads north from the Road End Stone into the Wildlands, where it connects with the Long Gallian Road.

Langres Juniper Wild Hills Trail: A long trail leading out of Langres, descending along the juniper moors in the wildlands to connect to the Long Gallian Road.

Trecassian Wild Quarry Trail: A trail that starts in the hawthorn moors of north Trecassis by a small quarry, and crosses into the wild evergreen forests on the other side, ending on the Long Gallian Road.

Trecassian Shrouded Trail: A trail that leads south from the Shrouded Pines Stone into the shrouded forests of Trecassis.

===== Bridges

The Last Gallian Bridge: Located at the northeastern end of the South Gallian Road; the southernmost bridge on the Gallian River.

The Lowest Trecassis Bridge: The bridge at the mouth of the Trecassis River as it flows into the Afon Gallia.

Lower Long River Bridge: A bridge on a cobbled road that crosses the Long River west of the Long Shrouded Forest.

The Shrouded Bridge: A bridge crossing the Long River in the Long Shrouded Forest.

Natural Features ==============

==== Biomes

South Gallian Evergreens: An evergreen forest with portions in both the Central Valley and Southern Highlands. On the west bank of the Afon Gallia, across from Channel Island.

Long Shrouded Forest: The shrouded forest near the mouth of the Long River. It defines the eastern border of the Central Valley.

==== Water Features

Gallian River (Afon Gallia): The central river of Gallia, flowing almost directly north to south.

Trecassian River (Afon Trecassis): The river that flows from Trecassis, through Nones (and its marsh), to join the Afon Gallia, just above where the Adrennes River flows into the Gallian River.

Cat Pond: A large pond in the empty moors to the northwest of Nones. Shaped like a sitting cat.

Mouse Pond: A small pond nearby at the "feet" of the Cat Pond. Resembles a freshly hunted mouse.

Toast Pond: A medium-sized pond in the South Gallian Evergreens.

Butter Pond: A small pond, just south of Toast Pond in the South Gallian Evergreens.

Pestil Pond: A small pond, shaped like a flower pestil. Along the Long Gallian Road, north of Nones.

Leaf Pond: A small pond, near the Pestil Pond, shaped like a flower leaf.

Seed Pond: A small pond, near the Pestil and Leaf Ponds, and smaller than both. Shaped like a seed.

Quarry Tarn: A small pond next to a large quarry in the empty moors along the Long Gallian Road.

Pale Circle Pond: A pond, possibly a tarn, of near-perfect circular shape in the Great Eastern Pale, just west of the East Gallian Road.

The Screaming Ponds: A trio of ponds in the Cursed Rocklands that on the map look like a distorted face, screaming. Also surrounded by those damnable hell-goats.

Rock Island Tarn: A tarn located at the bottom of a very, very, deep and steep pit. Accessible from the south side.

Tusk Pond: A long, pointed pond south of the Rockland Gate Spur Road.m

Rockland Secluded Tarn: A tarn high in the eastern mountains of the Gallian Cursed Rocklands, at the end of a long track.

==== Hills, Mountains, and other Features of Interest

Three Scholar Stones: A stone outcropping visible from the South Rockland Stone, shaped like a seated sage and his students.