van Houten Guide to Vorostokov

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If only monster can be considered as important resource for the people, then Vorostokov can be called as a prosper region. Deadly and abundant, the one and only important guide for people who doesn't have time to read the entire stuff of this document is only one.

'Exploit the monster's weakness'

With that in mind, I will explain several monstrosities that roam across the Vostok's region. Bear in mind, that nothing is constant, and the monster that you encountered might already evolved their abilities, just like us human. Maybe, just maybe, that we are not that different with monster...

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Wolves are animal that lives in group, and encounter with the pack group itself is already a threatening moment for local folk with livelihoods depends on exploring the forest deep. Now, imagine the leader of the pack group, is a monstrosity, never ever you imagined before, a cunning and intelligent beast, corrupted and embodiment of Horror itself, leading the voracious wolves.

House of Mel-- called this rare beast as the Worg, and based from their observation, Worg's weakness can be observed from their, ironically, most wonderful parts. The blue-eyes. Stab or pierce it really hard, use silver-weapon if possible, and if the Worg is still alive, finish it as soon as you can. If time is running out, make sure you run as fast as you can from them, since the Worg can bring reinforcement with their majestic howl.

Also, there is growing rumor, but from my analysis and extrapolation, Worg is more often to be seen as closer to the Boyar's Mansion... Maybe I will update this in my next publication.

META

a.) Large Horrors Monstrosity
b.) Damage Resistances = Bludgeoning, Piercing, and Slashing damage from nonmagical weapons that aren't silvered
c.) Weakness = Glowing Eyes
 1. Possible with weapon of slashing or piercing damage
 2. -5 Attack Roll, IF the Attack Hit: Automatically Critical; +10 Damage Modifier (same type with the weapon used)
d.) Special = Majestic Howl
 1. 2d4 Wolves
 2. Appear the next round after the Majestic Howl

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The Forest Abomination

Often reported by the local woodcutter or hunter, the Bear-Treant is an aggressive and wild creature, blended with the forest scenery. No one really knows the true nature of the beast, but from me and Tr--or hypothesis, Bear-Treant was born when wild bear got diffused with the corrupted plant and tree inside the forest.

Traveling merchant or caravan should always be aware when passing by the trail between forest and river, as this creature is often seen in this type of area. Due to its half-nature similar to plant, fire is very effective to hurt this beast. There is also an occasion where the beast ignore everything when there are number of fish scattered in front of it, which can also be used to take advantage of it, since a couple of fish can give you the time to finish it or just run away. Last tips though, just make sure you put yourself in a safe distance, since their claw is very deadly.

META

a.) Weakness = Fire-type damage
1. Multiply the damage by two
b.) Weakness = Fish bait
1. Standard Action: Throws couple of fishes
2. Bear-Treant spend their next action to get closer to the fish, and eat it (do nothing)
c.) Special = Barrage of Claw
1. The Bear-Treant makes two claw attacks, if both attacks hit, the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw
2. Failure on the saving throw will result on getting knocked prone and Bear-Treant can make one bite attack against the same target

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Trees Imbued with Evil Spirit

Sometimes disguised as normal dead tree, Dead-Tree Wraith will use this situation for their utmost advantage to surprise you and kill you without you even notice it. I think that is the only good thing for this monster, it will kill you without having you feel the suffering. Although, what will happen next is something that I can't guarantee, since Syp-- told me that she believes the Dead-Tree Wraith appeared when a dead tree is surrounded with evil spirit, thus making this creature as a restless one. With more and more creatures killed and absorbed by this tree, the stronger it will get, and the more unpredictable it become.

Similar with the Bear-Treant, fire will proves as your best friend anytime you encounter this evil spirit. Nevertheless, be very careful with the corrupted nature of this Horrors creature, as well as the horrifying wail that can drops you down real quick. Burn it as fast as you can, or just totally avoid it, that's my only advice.

META

a.) Large Horrors Undead
b.) Weakness = Fire-type damage
1. Multiply the damage by two
c.) Special = Horrifying Wail
1. All other creatures that can hear the wail must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw
2. On a failure, a creature drops to 0 hit points
3. On a success, the creature receives psychic damage

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Troll! Kill it with fire (again)!

Reclusive and solitary creature, Winter Troll, is sometimes spoken by local folk of Vorostokov. Quite famous for the child especially, since this creature is often mentioned to make sure the children stays at home before night. Well, I can confidently say that it is very true. Winter Troll really, really loves, human meat, and it will do anything to be able to obtain it. Worse,hypothetically, it is possible for people who can speak fluently with its language, Giant, can] manipulate or persuade it to do anything with the offer of human sacrifice...

As from now on, I think you already know the drill. Yes, use fire. But this time, don't think that this creature can be easily taken down with only fire. The fire is only here to slow its movement, and stop its regeneration ability. Yes, this creature can heal its wound automatically, and fire or acid is the only way to stop it, thus giving a very faint hope to be able to kill it. In desperate times, you can try to do the heroic feat of pulling one of their largest teeth-fang. It is almost impossible, but if you manage to do so, the shock will immobilize it, and giving enough time for you to run, be careful though, the Winter Troll has a very cold breath that can take your life in a blink of an eye. Yes, please run, do not even attempt to hide, since it can smell blood and human's scent easily.

META

a.) Weakness = Fire-type damage
1. Multiply the damage by two
2. Slowed movement, stopped regeneration
b.) Weakness = Teeth-Fang
1. Standard Action: Pull the largest teeth-fang (Athletics Check at Disadvantage, contested)
2. IF success, Winter-Troll is stunned for 1d4 round
c.) Special = Winter Breath
1. The Winter-Troll exhales an icy blast in a 15-foot cone
2. Each creature in the area must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw
3. Successful save halved the damage

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Spawn of the Blizzard

Nothing can be said much about Arayashka, the only thing that we are quite sure is the creature only appeared during the blizzard phenomenon in Vorostokov. Due to this nature, it is very hard to observe its weakness or even gather more comprehensive information.

Up until this document are published, I can only give you the advice of STAY AWAY from this creature. You don't want to fight this Horror manifestation while the blizzard is happening.

META

None

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Remember to stay alive, remember that maybe there is someone waiting for you to return home safely, and please do remember... that as long as we live, our light of hope will also grows more on more.


This publication of 'van Houten Guide to Monstrosity' of the Vorostokov area was done due to the much support from H---s- o- -elb-nt. The writer express much grateful for all of the data and materials prepared for this guide.

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Vorostokov might not be the place that you really want to visit, unless you're a merchant or just a passing by traveler. Still, for those 'fortunate' people who got the chances to visit this area between Frozen North and Misty Forest, my only suggestion is use it as best as you can. Behind all of the cold gaze of the people and harsh weather, you might find unforgettable experience here. Thus, I hope that this guide can help you enjoy visiting Vostok.

Also, don't forget to bring back some souvenir or two from here.

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Although local people in Vostok can be categorized into various occupations, there are only 2 major professions which is very common in the area, that is the lumberjack and the hunter. Both are heavily dependent on the resources inside the forest, where lumberjack gather most of the important resources for building materials and fuel, while hunter harvest the food and material for clothing.

Lumber camp and hunter posts usually scattered near the forest border, and while there are severals concentrated sites which yield higher number of resources, there are also small scale activities, usually run by the reclusive folks. Even with that difference in mind, both of it still facing the same problem from wild beasts inside the forest, and even worse, the lingering Horror.

Traveling merchant who wants to do business with the local lumber jack or hunter, are often preparing a gift or two to get closer to their business partner. One of the common ways is giving the local people a couple of gold pieces. Although gold pieces are rarely used for the transaction, this one plays a role as a proof of transaction. Thus, person with more possession of gold pieces are regarded as having more experience trading with visiting merchant, giving a special position in comparison with other competitors.

META

a.) Social Encounter: Lumber Jack / Hunter
1. Action = Giving gold pieces (minimum 1, maximum any)
2. Result = +2 Modifier for any CHA-based skill check to that person for the next one hour

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Sign of Civilization

Work is not the only way for the locales to live, in the end of the day, returning to the safety of settlement is much more preferable. In time like this, there are several activities that usually happens in Vostok's settlement, they are trading and visiting tavern.

As previously mentioned, traveling merchant visiting Vostok's region is sometimes become an anticipated moment by the locales. Not only because they can trade their resources with their daily needs, but the traveling merchant also often bring some exotic goods with them. When the adults are engaged with trading, their children are often enough poking around, searching the strange and weird stuffs inside the merchant's caravan. I'll tell you a secret about these traveling merchant, most of them loves play a game of guess. If you find a goods with three different color, try to bargain for it, the merchant will usually gives a challenge for you. Overcome the challenge, and you're good enough to talk with them about more specific stuff.

Tavern is another thing in Vostok, if you visit one in this area, make sure to be not surprised if the situation inside is rather different than in other region, since the tavern in Vostok are usually quiet, and its easy to differentiate locales and traveler from the noise they made in the tavern.

Those who visit Vostok will also faces problem of finding a good place to rest, since tavern here is only serve food, not acting as an inn. At times like these, finding a stable beside the tavern is more than enough compared to sleep outside. Other way is to find a place where you can stay in the locales house, but this one is kind of tricky. The issue is limited house in the area, and most of the house are limited in terms of size. Still, you can try to find one with special way. Be generous and give several silver pieces, while at the same time, entertain the children's of the house owner with any type of performance, and hopefully you will have a warm night.

META

a.) Social Encounter: Traveling Merchant
1. Action = Observe exotic goods
2. Result = +4 Perception checks to identify the content inside merchant's wagon

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Warm Clothes is a Must!

Harsh weather is one of the Vostok's feature. Most of the locales are using two layer of clothing to ensure their body keeps warm, some even use triple layer of clothing! With that said, I really, really suggests to those who wants to visit Vostok to prepare more than one clothing.

Other notable feature from the region is also the day and night time. The day time is rather short, while the night time lasts longer, it is not actually that bad because if you are fortunate enough, you can enjoy the sky night scenery which is wonderful at certain times.

Although night time lasts longer in Vostok and low temperature can be expected, there is also a certain times where the temperature is friendly and very warm (of course the warm definition here is based from the locales). At times like these, you can observe the expression of the people and you should use this to your best advantage, since people are usually more opened and joyful.

Last but not least, avoid the blizzard. I repeat, AVOID THE BLIZZARD.

META

a.) Equipment: 2-Layer of Clothes
1. Location = Any areas inside the Vorostokov
2. Condition = Characer who wears two clothes (i.e. clothes, common 2x; clothes, fine and clothes, traveler's)
3. Result = +2 Constitution Saves for any effect outside of combat encounter
b.) Equipment: 3-Layer of Clothes
1. Location = Any areas inside the Vorostokov
2. Condition = Characer who wears three clothes (i.e. clothes, common 3x; clothes, fine x2 and clothes, traveler's)
3. Result = +4 Constitution Saves for any effect outside of combat encounter

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Sometimes, Story Alone is not Enough

Traveler who visited Vostok, and wants to buy something as a gift or a memento from the region. Worry not, this guide will also give suggestion, based from my experiences, about the best place to buy such thing in several settlements inside the regon. Here are the list:

1.) Vorostokov - Prime Taste Tavern = Snow Cake (limited quantity per day)
2.) Vorostokov - Nomekov Bowyer = Oak-Short Bow (expensive)
3.) Kirinova - Tuyudabic Tannery = Stag-Leather Armor (expensive; might requires pre-order)
4.) Voronina - Ijikust Market = Ikayiat/Fish-shaped Bread
5.) Torgov - Joud Workshop = Wood-based souvenir/gift (OUT OF BUSINESS)
6.) Torgov - Golden Tree Tavern = Onion Ring

META

a.) Stag-Leather Armor = Character who wears this armor gain benefit of wearing one additional clothes

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Vorostokov will be certainly surprises those who visit it in various ways. The people, culture, and nature, are some of the aspects which might become a wonderful experience. Still, never let your guard down, especially with the fact that wilderness surrounding Vorostokov is very dangerous, but fear not, since you can check about it on my other publications of 'van Houten Guide to Monstrosity'. Keep the precious information, keep the experiences, and keep the gifts you got in Vostok back to your home.


This publication of 'van Houten Guide to Monstrosity' of the Vorostokov area was done due to the much support from H---s- o- -elb-nt. The writer express much grateful for all of the data and materials prepared for this guide.