d20 Bastion Press Into the Green.pdf

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Introduction

Far too often, the wild places of the world simply appear as

green and tan splotches on a map, ignored and generally

overlooked by adventurers considering these lush forests

and majestic plains as nothing more than obstacles on the

path to greater glory. Into the Green shatters this unfortunate

perception and breathes fresh life into the living wilderness

by introducing players and characters to the wondrous

marvels of the natural world. Instead of viewing the mighty,

ancient trees of a dark forest as mere milestones on a long

journey, this supplement reveals the indigenous inhabitants’

astounding abilities and properties, as well as the silent

dangers invisible to the inexperienced outdoorsman’s naked

eye. The natural world closely safeguards many

forbidden secrets, some beneficial and others

detrimental. Exploration and study reveal

the keys necessary to unlock nature’s

hidden knowledge, and they allow a

greater understanding of the savage

and primeval world surrounding

humanity, which is often taken for

granted. Into the Green provides the

background information necessary to

partake of this revelation.

The first four chapters, Forests,

Jungles, Woods and Plains, describe

the general characteristics of each

habitat before delving into a

thorough discussion of their climate,

native plants and animals, and

environmental hazards. These

sections outline the implications of

severe meteorological events, the

identification and advantageous

uses for many plant and animal

species, as well as unique hazards

endemic to each biome, such as

disease and fire. In addition to

detailing the natural features of

these diverse ecosystems, each

chapter also reveals the monsters

lairing in these places. Abominations

damned to haunt the desolate, lonely

recesses of the wilderness plague the

land in an unnatural state between life

and death, while nature-spawned fey

creatures zealously defend their land

and its indigenous inhabitants.

Sentient plants and animals, products of magical

experiments or evolution gone terribly awry, assume a lofty

position atop the ecological food chain, in essence becoming

part of the natural order.

Chapter Five: New Equipment, catalogs the numerous

items available to enterprising wilderness explorers. The

chapter discusses the uses and properties of mundane items,

such as machetes and primitive life jackets, as well as articles

of clothing and armor and shields fashioned from plant and

animal species. Of course, herbal concoctions and magical

items also comprise an outdoor explorer’s essential toolkit.

The items presented in this chapter can dramatically increase

an explorer’s chances of survival.

Chapter Six: Spells, presents an eclectic magical arsenal

designed to overcome or manipulate the natural world’s

potent forces. Many spells provide protection against the

elements and the wilderness’ dangerous inhabitants, while

others harness the magical energy to unleash devastating

effects in various manifestations. Although most spells are

druid and ranger spells, arcane spells are also well

represented.

The three appendices appearing at the end of the book

provide tables for determining specific plant and animal

frequencies within a particular environment and a random

weather generator for all four ecosystems. Appendix A

provides the costs and effects of natural and monster poisons

mentioned in the book. Appendix B provides random

encounter charts for quick use by DMs. Appendix 3

provides tables to generate weather effects in the terrains

detailed in this book.

Questions?

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please contact us. Many common

questions can be answered by a quick

visit to our message boards, where the

authors of the supplements answer

on an almost daily basis. From our

website, you can also join our mailing

lists, check out our free downloads and

web enhancements, and see the large

number of products (both print and PDF)

that Bastion Press has produced over the

past few years.

Chapter 1: Forests

Few natural wonders eclipse the majestic beauty and allure

of a pristine forest. Plentiful, tall trees bristling with dense

clusters of green leaves reach toward the heavens, providing

alternately sunny and shady reposes for the diverse range

of smaller trees, shrubs, and herbs living beneath their gently

swaying boughs. Sunlight penetrates the openings in the

porous canopy, bathing the forest floor in intermittent beams

of sunshine and shadow. The contrast of light and dark

coalesce into a strange shade of gray, resembling an artist’s

usage of chiaroscuro. Yet, unlike the painter’s static canvas,

the forest’s vibrant colors change constantly. The gray and

green buds of spring quickly mature, giving birth to the

verdant tapestry that swathes the forest for the duration of

the summer. With the arrival of autumn, the greenery

withers and dies, painting the landscape in countless reds

and browns. In the weeks before winter, the forest’s rich

colors fade, as the fallen leaves rapidly decay. Bereft of

foliage, the dark skeletons of the forest’s trees and shrubs

stand out in the snow-covered landscape awaiting the arrival

of spring. Through it all, a myriad of animal and plant life

flourishes in this nourishing, temperate environment.

Unlike most biomes, no particular type of flora rules over

this ecosystem. Towering deciduous trees, hardy shrubs,

perennial herbs, and other varieties of plant life coexist

harmoniously for several reasons. Most importantly, the

forest’s canopy contains numerous gaps and spaces, enabling

sunlight to reach every layer of the forest. Often referred to

as an open-canopy system, the abundance of natural light

penetrating through the forest’s roof supplies ample energy

to its smaller trees and shrubs, allowing them to

photosynthesize normally. In addition, the dead leaves shed

by the forest’s deciduous trees, the plentiful rainfall, and a

temperate climate combine to create a rich, fertile soil capable

of supporting ample plant life without straining the

environment. The resulting dense layer of topsoil provides

adequate support for the extensive root systems of the larger

trees, preventing them from uprooting during storms, while

shielding the forest’s lower layers from torrential rain and

brisk winds.

The forest’s plant life supports countless species of

animals that thrive in the temperate climate. In many

respects, the forest’s plants and animals enjoy a symbiotic

relationship. Pollen-gathering insects, including bees and

wasps, and several species of birds fertilize flowers, while

virtually invisible carrion feeders such as earthworms

transform the forest floor’s decomposing matter into

nourishing soil. Herbivores maintain the forest’s ecological

integrity, quickly devouring invading grasses and weeds,

preventing them from establishing a foothold in the forest.

The presence of plentiful prey naturally attracts predators

that quickly adapt to the hospitable habitat.

Not surprisingly, the forest’s animals, plants, and fertile

soil pique the insatiable appetites of humanoids interested

in exploiting its natural resources. While elves and other

conscientious humanoids endeavor to maintain the forest’s

sanctity by living in unison with its inhabitants,

unscrupulous entrepreneurs view the forest as an open

marketplace teeming with valuables available to them for

the taking. Often motivated by profit or ambition, they

indiscriminately fell the forest’s venerable trees, selling them

as timber, before burning the remaining plants as part of a

deliberate scheme to convert the forest into arable farmland.

In many circumstances, the hasty and ill-conceived plan fails

miserably, as the forest’s wildlife invariably encroaches into

these humanoid-made areas, devouring crops, livestock, and

the occasional settler. Over time, nature slowly reclaims large

tracts of land such harassed settlers abandon, converting

them into woods, a transitory stage between forest and

cultivation. Regardless of this policy’s frequent failure, the

expansion of humanoid settlements into the forests poses

the greatest threat to the enduring survival of the world’s

pristine, deciduous forests.

Climate

Throughout the course of the year, forests experience

divergent temperatures with steady amounts of rainfall.

Because of its seasonal variations, climactic change affects

the forest more dramatically than any other biome. The

weather influences the life cycles of many plants and animals,

prompting trees to shed their leaves and animals to migrate

to warmer areas or hibernate in warm shelters for the

duration of the winter. However, on a positive note, forests

rarely suffer through prolonged periods of drought,

excessive heat, or bitter cold. Animals and plants require

few if any adaptations to survive in the forest’s largely

hospitable and welcoming climate.

Forests experience seasonal climactic changes primarily

as the result of two natural phenomena: variations in oceanic

temperatures and shifting wind patterns in the upper

atmosphere. Most forests are situated near coastal regions

adjacent to oceans or very large lakes. The water temperature

of these massive bodies of water frequently differs

dramatically from the air temperature. The changes in air

temperature result primarily from changes in water

temperature; therefore, water acts as a giant regulator,

adjusting the air temperature in accordance with the

appropriate season. In addition, the steering winds in the

upper atmosphere also shift during the spring and autumn.

These currents of air dictate the paths of most storms, as

well as the movements of opposing air masses. The steering

winds that keep cold air in place during the winter and hot

air in place during the summer alter their course, acting as

another impetus of seasonal change.

On average, forests receive between three and five feet

of rain annually, with precipitation remaining fairly constant

throughout the year. Summers in the forest are usually hot

and humid. Daytime temperatures reach a high of 85 degrees

Fahrenheit, while overnight temperatures drop to a more

comfortable but muggy low of 70 degrees. The late summer

and early autumn sometimes experience a dramatic increase

in rainfall, usually attributable to hurricanes racing up the

nearby coastline and fierce thunderstorms generated by the

high heat and humidity. Autumn’s cool winds usher out

much of the humidity and trigger the defoliation of the

forest’s deciduous trees. Both rainfall and temperatures

remain fairly steady, with daytime highs of 60 degrees and

overnight low temperatures dropping down to 45 degrees.

Fortunately, the winds die down as winter approaches,

although the temperatures rarely exceed the freezing mark.

Daytime highs of 35 degrees and overnight lows of 25

degrees are most common, while snowfall accumulations

generally total in the area of three to four feet for the entire

season. As winter yields to spring, the warm, humid breezes

return and the flowers bud, sparking life back into the forest.

High temperatures reach 65 degrees, while overnight low

temperatures fall to 50 degrees. The increasing humidity

accounts for slightly elevated amounts of rainfall during the

early spring, simultaneously thawing the remaining winter

snow and replenishing the forest’s numerous streams and

rivers.

The forest’s physical structure greatly enhances its ability

to literally weather storms. While high winds and heavy

rains wreak havoc in a jungle or on the open plains, the

forest’s dense tree and shrub growth insulates and shields

its floor, preventing these destructive forces from washing

away soil and uprooting trees. Known as layering, this

natural defense mechanism

maintains the thick tier of rich,

fertile topsoil that gives rise to

the forest’s plentiful flora.

Forests are generally comprised

of five layers: tree layer, small

tree and sapling layer, shrub

zone, herb layer, and the forest

floor.

The tree layer forms the

forest’s uppermost layer and

serves as its canopy. It ranges

from 100 to 200 feet in height,

depending upon the particular

species growing in the area, and

provides the first line of defense

against wind and rain. Although

not as densely packed as a

jungle’s closed canopy, the

forest’s tree layer absorbs

copious amount of water and

significantly diminishes wind

strength. Just below the tree

layer lies the forest’s small tree

and sapling zone, followed by

the shrub zone. The forest’s

smaller trees and burgeoning

saplings form the forest’s second

line of defense against the

elements. Like the tree layer, this

plant tier also absorbs and

disperses rain and wind. The

shrub zone beneath it usually

occupies the strata twenty to thirty feet above the forest floor,

and it provides additional protection against the ravaging

forces of nature. The herb layer comprises the last line of

defense before reaching the forest’s final tier, its floor.

Because of this unique and innovative system, a thirty-five-

mile-per-hour wind buffeting the treetops feels like a crisp

breeze, and a torrential downpour resembles little more than

light rain.

softwood trees, dense shrubs, and vibrant green herbs

harmoniously share this inviting habitat. Despite the

diversity, virtually all of the forest’s plant life is deciduous,

shedding their leaves annually. This common feature shapes

the forest ecology in a number of profound manners. The

thick layer of decaying leaves covering the forest floor

prevents invading grasses from the nearby plains from

taking root. Furthermore, the decomposing plant matter

adds additional depth and enriches the topsoil. However,

the decomposing debris also makes the forest susceptible to

fire, whether manmade or naturally occurring. Despite the

presence of abundant moisture, the forest’s plants

surprisingly offer little resistance to flames, enabling the

roaring fire to engulf vast expanses of the forest rather

quickly. Forests destroyed in this manner usually become

woods for several generations,

until an adjacent forest once

again reclaims the territory as

its own.

Baneberry: The white

berries of this buttercup

offshoot are poisonous, thus

accounting for the deciduous

perennial’s apropos name. A

Wilderness Lore check (DC 12)

informs the character of the

berries’ toxic nature.

Fortunately, ingesting

baneberries almost universally

results in severe abdominal

distress rather than death.

However, the real danger lies in

its pleasant appearance and

remarkably sweet taste,

naturally making them very

enticing to small children and

pets. A character eating a

serving of baneberries must

make a Fortitude save (DC 13)

to shrug off the initial effects of

the poison; otherwise, 2d6 x 10

minutes after ingesting the

baneberries, waves of nausea

overcome the victim. The toxin

nauseates the victim for the next

2d6 minutes, while the poison’s

secondary damage fatigues the

sickened individual for the next

2d4 hours. Young children and small animals that sustain

both initial and secondary damage suffer 1d6 points of

damage in addition to the aforementioned effects. The

baneberry plant stands approximately two feet high and

bears small, feathery white flowers. A single plant produces

five servings or doses of baneberries.

Bearberry: Consistent with its name, black bears love the

taste of the juicy, black berries from this four-foot-tall

deciduous shrub with crinkled green leaves. During the late

summer, the leaves turn a robust shade of auburn and emit

a slightly lemony aroma, making them a popular addition

to many households and decorative baskets. Although

edible, most humanoids do not share the bear’s appreciation

for the tart, fibrous berry. Ascertaining the plant’s identity

Plants

In the absence of any dominant plant variety, an interesting

and diverse flora flourishes in the temperate and moist

environment. Immense hardwood trees, moderately sized

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