Dramidj Ocean

Date: Thu, 29 Apr 99 12:28PM PDT
From: Stéphane Tanguay Add To Address Book Add To Junk
To: GREYTALK@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
Subject: [GREYTALK] Dramidj Ocean

Hello Greytalkers !

Being in the process of writing a text about the Dramidj Ocean, I thought some of you could be interested in what I have collected, as far as canonical references go. Unfortunately, the write-up will be done in french.

:-p

Hope this help !

Stéphane Tanguay (stanguay@francomm.com)
Les Fauconniers Gris (ggf@netultra.net)

DRAMIDJ OCEAN

Sources:

From the Ashes, Atlas (FTAA)
From the Ashes, Reference Card (FTARC)

Greyhawk Adventures (GA)
Greyhawk: the Adventure Begins (GAB)
Player's Guide to Greyhawk (PGG)
World of Greyhawk, Catalogue (WOGC)
World of Greyhawk, Folio (WOGF)
World of Greyhawk, Glossography (WOGG)

…its [Dramidj Ocean] warm currents tend to moderate the climate of lands which border it, to a degree similar to several latitudes further south. (WOGF,5) (WOGC,5)

…the northern parts of the plains [of the Paynims] are held by the more civilized states bordering the Dramidj Ocean (WOGF,14) (WOGC,31)

…[Tiger nomads roam from] the Dramidj Ocean to…(WOGF,17) (WOGC,38)

The lands of the Sultan [of Zeif] strech from the Dramidj to…(WOGF,19)(WOGC,43)

The warm currents of the Dramidj make the land [Zeif] very rich…(WOGF,19)(WOGC,43)

This body of water continues far westward. Warm currents from this direction sweep past Zeif and Ekbir and turn northward. In winter this ocean is cloaked in great fog layers, and huge chunks of ice move on its waters as if they were ghost ships. (WOGF,20) (WOGC,47)

The Tuflik empties into the Dramidj Ocean (WOGF,26) (WOG,54)

The…Burneal Forest stretch…from just beyond the shore of the Dramidj Ocean to…(WOGF,21) (WOGC,56)

…ships [from Ekbir] which plied their trade across the Dramidj Ocean. (FTAA,25)

…the richly fertile lands [of Zeif] along the coast, warmed by the currents of the southern Dramidj. (FTAA,44)

The deep blue waters of this great sea stretch far to the west beyond the reach of the mapmaker. Where the warm currents that enrich the coastlands of Zeif and Ekbir flow northward, the collision with the colder waters generates great fogs and icebergs that have been seen as far as south as Ekbir during spring, suggesting the presence of great ices floes in uncharted northern areas. Among the usual seaman’s tales of monsters and terrors od the deep, stories of aquatic deadly puddings that cling to the hulls of ships and rot them away from underneath while slowing passage are not to be taken lightly. (FTAA, 49)

Sailors from Zeif and Ekbir explore the Dramidj Ocean to the west. (PGG,6)

The Dramidj Ocean, the Yatils, Lake Quag, the Vesve Forest and the lands of Iuz form the borders of the Bitter North…(PGG,6)

An execption to the above are those regions adjacent to the Dramidj Ocean, which is known for its unusually warm currents….Fog is common here as cold air from the north passes over the warm sea. Icebergs are often shrouded in fog. (PGG,8)

…[Baklunish fleeing Baklunish-Suloise wars] moving north along the Dramidj Ocean…(PGG,9)

…[The tall tale of] the beast that several centuries ago splashed in the Dramidj Ocean to spare Ekbir and the Tiger Nomads from a severe drought. (PGG,47)

Icebergs (island of ice) seen in the Dramidj Ocean and the Icy Sea undoubtedly once broke off from the fringes of this artic land. (GAB,10)

The fourth and last of Oerth's great oceans, usually called the Dramidj Ocean, abuts part of the northen continent of High Boros, merging with the Solnor and almost encircling the artic wastes. Some cartographers believe the Icy Sea is part of this great circumpolar ocean and not part of the Solnor. (GAB,12)

The Dramidj Ocean narrrows and reaches down through this land [Baklunish Basin], cradling countless islands and strange societieson its shore. The climate here is thought to range from temperate to hot, as the Dramidj Ocean is so warm itslef. (GAB,12)

…the shores of the mysterious Dramidj Ocean…(GAB,14)

…the Baklunish states look westward across the Dramidj Ocean. Ships from Zeif and Ekbir now reportedly cruise the lenght and breadth of this sea, exploring the many island and establishing communicatin with a group of old cities and kingdoms on the far western shores of the ocean. Some ships are said to have gone farther west to search for new realms beyond. (GAB,38)

Specific encounter table (WOGG,15)

01-05 Men, Buccaneers
06-25 Men, Merchants
26-30 Men, Patrol
31-35 Men, Pirates
36-40 Men, raiders (Galley-type craft)
41-00 Standard encounters tables (DMG1, 182+)

(FTARC11)

01-10 Iceberg
11-15 Aquatic deadly pudding
16-25 Men, Buccaneers/Pirates
26-35 Men, Merchant Sailors
36-40 Men, Sailors (Patrol)
41-00 Standard encounters tables (MC5)

Adventures locales

The City Beyond the Gate (DR100, 45): R. Moore suggest, in his Greydex, that the island with the gate could be located in the Dramidj.

Points of interest

Pinnacles of Azor'alq (GA, 89)

The Pinnacles of Azor'alq have haunted Bakluni legend for upwards of 3,000 years. They have been variously described as the ancient dwellings of the gods, the protruding spires of a titanic drowned city, the monumental tombs of the near­mythical First Dynasty of the Bakluni, and the nesting place of phoenixes, rocs, or the Dramidj Ocean's numerous dragons. The epic hero for whom they are named is said to sleep there with his paladins. The last royal house of the Bakluni Empire is said to have fled here from the Invoked Devastation. The Cup and Talisman of Al'Akbar is rumored to reside here. Such a wealth of speculation betokens the fact that few have seen the Pinnacles even at a distance, and (perhaps significantly) fewer still report
any close approach or landing. Mariners regard a sighting of the Pinnacles as an ill omen and will rarely so much as speak of them, and then only when ashore.

It would appear from accounts that the Pinnacles are no more than 50 leagues from the mainland, somewhere in the angle of the Dramidj between Ekbir and Zeif. They are less frequently found than one would think, but this is perhaps accounted for by their being away from the regular shipping lanes, and by the dense fogs peculiar to the Dramidj. Indeed, the Pinnacles are often concealed by banks of fog even when those waters are otherwise clear. Perhaps this is because of the unusual warmth of the waters in their immediate vicinity, and the peculiar calm that seems to envelop the region. Certainly that is what the merchant captains believe; they stay well away from fog banks even on the open ocean, and most vessels carry oars for the express purpose of rapidly removing themselves from regions in which they might be becalmed.

The Pinnacles themselves are massive spires no less than 40 in number (some say 100), in an irregular cluster, none more than two miles from its nearest neighbor. They are perhaps a quarter mile in diameter at the base, circular in cross­section, and rise steeply upward in a regular series of cliffs.. How far they extend downward into the ocean is unknown, but their height above the water is in excess of 1,000 feet. The lower portions are clothed in forests, including massive coniferous trees which are themselves sometimes more than 200 feet tall. These are mixed with lesser trees, some of which cling to the cliffs, and a wealth of lesser ferns, mosses, and flowers. Above these is a cloud­forest of odd fleshy­leaf plants and rare orchids. This fragrant and silent realm contrasts with the highest levels, which are raucous and white­stained with innumerable sea birds; puffins, eider, albatrosses, and others less recognizable. On rare clear days, the Pinnacles may be marked at some distance by the plume of feathered life above them.

The Pinnacles seldom offer an easy landing. Broad though they may be, the shelves between cliffs are seldom conveniently near sea level. In most cases a landing party must climb tens or hundreds of feet upwards from the sea. The difficulty of the terrain, and the mists, numerous waterfalls, and thick vegetation at first conceal the fact that the Pinnacles are not natural formations, or even shaped ones, but are composed of titanic blocks. On rare occasions one encounters openings leading to the interior of these constructions. There is no report of what may be found if one ascends or descends the broad stairways leading away from these bat­haunted cave mouths, or rather doorways.

Whatever else dwells among the pinnacles, it is certain that dragons of all sorts and sizes make their home there, from tiny varieties that sport among the beautiful and unique birds of the forests to huge coiled reptiles.

Notes for the Dungeon Master

Golden, faerie, pseudo­, silver, and mist dragons are all appropriate residents. Rocs, giant eagles, and a phoenix or two may also be included. These live in relative harmony, foraging outward for fish, whales, or even for food on the mainland. All are concerned that no rumor of the Pinnacles reach the outside world, and will either strand or kill intruders (depending on alignment and circumstances) if they possibly can. Treasures to be found include not only the precious things gathered by the intelligent inhabitants but also certain orchids and birds­of­paradise. Some of the latter have been bred by the longer­lived dragons and are regarded as personal property. The guardians and treasures of the interior should be powerful (possibly undead), and the exterior inhabitants do not wish them to be disturbed. The
isle may have human inhabitants.