Cold Stones Keep
"In my explorations I have discovered an old ruined keep. These are always the words kind of landmarks since they attract foul monsters and are often haunted as well..."
"...Its stones are of basalt, but felt exceptionally cold to the touch. The design was very basic: high outer walls, two towers, a gate-house, a bailey, well, and two levels of aboveground chambers with a dungeon beneath..."
"...I expected the dungeon to be completely flooded, but the swollen door leading down had allowed minimal seepage. There was a strong acrid odor in the air, which I considered a bad omen. I got as far as the first room before deciding to let the place molder in peace..."
"The keep appears to be sinking into the marsh. Water from adjacent bogs fills parts of the bailey to a depth of about three inches. Years from now I wouldn't be surprised to find the entire thing under water. I pray I make it back there before then, and hope to find Fiend's Embrace still hidden within."— Zarlag's Notes on the Cold Stone Keep
Ghoul Bridge
"This bridge was so conspicuously out of place that it demanded investigation. I spent a fortnight here with a group of dwarf stonemasons. During the first day, nearly a dozen lacedons sprang from the water and attacked us. As well as accomplished stonemasons, the dwarves were seasoned fighters and they slew the creatures with ease. The lacedon attacks continued daily, however. When not defending ourselves the dwarves and I determined that the bridge is approximately 1,000 years old..."
"...The dwarves say it may be the dark artifice of necromantic mystics of a bygone age. The designs and decorative relief are so weathered that none of us could guess as what they originally were. What we assumed were humanoid busts along the rails were to eroded to place."— Zarlag's Notes on the Ghoul Bridge
The Hunger
"The plant life in this region seems strangely twisted and malevolent. I presume the cause is of a particularly powerful fiendish item, perhaps even an actual fiend, may be hidden somewhere within this tangled region. On all my attempts to explore this place, however, twisted and hateful treants manage to turn me away with constant assaults."— Zarlag's Notes on The Hunger
Lost Army
"This large, low hill served as an encampment for a group of mercenaries that became lost in the marshes many years ago. They froze to death in their sleep, and now their spirits haunt this hill, which remains littered to this day with their ice-encrusted bodies. I plan to avoid this area on all future excursions and outings."— Zarlag's Notes on the Lost Army
The Mud Field
"This is a miserable quagmire of bubbling mud, heated by numerous hot springs. On clear days, you can just see an intriguing ring of stone menhirs in the center of the mud field, yet I have never been brave enough to enter the quagmire to investigate since the mud is infested with strange humanoid frog-like monsters."— Zarlag's Notes on The Mud Field
Potion Maker's Hovel
"I heard rumors from the gnolls that there was a woman many miles to the north-west of my hut who crafted potions for sale. The Bitter Plains are just about the oddest place to run a business in, so I was intrigued. After a week of travel I arrived at her hovel..."
"...Within the branches of the largest tree in the area perched a multileveled hut. I had to hack my way through thick undergrowth to get to the island the tree juts from. There, I was confronted by a most unpleasant old crone. She was off-putting at first, but seemed to warm to some well-placed flattery. Her name is Slurrozh..."
"...She was not much for conversation, but I learned that she is a cleric of some sort. Because of the ruins and other sites adventures come to explore are often sunk below the waters of the marsh, she sells many potions of water breathing and water waling. I bought one myself..."
"..I would like to have learned more about her, but Slurrozh grew impatient with me when it became clear I wasn't all that interested in her wares. She told me to leave unless I had more things to buy. She had a look in her eye that told me my visit was at an end one way or the other, so I took my leave."— Zarlag's Notes on Slurrozh, the Potion Maker's Hovel
Zarlag's Hut
This is where Zarlag lived for several years. There is mention to his notes of a barbarian named Krudin who sometimes helped with physical labor (chopping firewood, fighting off monsters, and repairing the hut) and lived nearby, although Krudin's home is not marked on the map, or known by Zarlag.
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