100 rooms · levels 1–18
A narrow trail leads westward through gentle rolling hills. The bottom of the hills have been cleared to create grasslands, leaving the tops covered with a thick green mantle of trees. A herd of cattle grazes contentedly in the meadow. The trail leads west, and to the east is another large meadow.
The trail zigzags to the west going past lush green fields. Fat, contented cattle graze in the lowlands. High above in the gentle breezes of the valley, a red-tailed hawk spirals vigilantly in the air, ever aware of potential prey moving about in the meadow. Nearby the trail, a small stream gurgles softly through the grass.
The trail now heads east and west through the gentle sloping hills. To the north is a wooden corral with a built-in chute. During branding season, this is a busy place, but now the corral sits empty and abandoned except for the flies. The cattle seem to avoid this area leaving the grass to grow thicker along the fence.
The trail leads primarily north from the east here. A stream bed is over-grown with brambles. It appears to be semi-dry. Most of the water has run off and a small trickle barely flows down the middle. The few puddles that exist are rapidly being consumed by the animals that live in this valley. Beneath a shady willow tree, there is a tepid pool that is breeding mosquitoes and tadpoles. To the north, a log crosses the creek-bed leading to what appears to be a large meadow.
A large wooden log has been placed across the span of the ditch between the meadow and the road. The log is so old, it seems almost petrified. There is no decay on it, and the bark feels rock-hard to the touch. Raspberry brambles grow profusely in the ditch, and a slightly-sour smell comes from beneath the log. A lush green meadow grows to the west of the log, and a well-cared for road leads east into a small village.
The trail leads up into a lush meadow. The air is refreshing and blows cool and crisp. Its pureness revitalizes even the most weary of travelers. The lime-green grass is thick, and sprinkled with a fragile, yellow flower. The buttercup lifts its head to behold the sun, following it with its head as the sun moves along its heavenly path. Bees swoop down to drink the buttery-honey nectar from the sweet dewy blossoms.
A small deer starts at the entrance of beings into its meadow and scampers off to the east. The meadow stretches from the west to the north and a trail leads to east through the grass. There is a heady scent of buttercups, mustard and grass mixed in with the fresh meadow air. To the south, a dried creek-bed is filled with blackberry brambles. Occasionally a rustling can be heard coming from beneath the brush.
The trail meanders through the tall grass and heads to the north through the meadow. A dense thicket blocks the way south and to the east is the start of a dense forest. The air is cool and sweet here. The trees of the forest shield the area in their shadows.
The trail meanders through the tall grass leading south through the meadow. Plants and shrubs grow thick, giving way to dense woods to the east. To the north sits a small white farmhouse. The slope of the hill going this way is rocky and it doesn't look like it would be safe to travel upon. To the west, the grass thins out to a thick blanket of lime-colored grass.
The meadow stretches out in all directions here. Far to the northeast, there is a small farmhouse nestled in the corner of the meadow between the forest and some hills. To the north, it looks as though someone has tried to tame the meadow into a plowed field. The grass grows thick and tall to the east, and the lime-green blanket spotted with yellow flowers grows lush to the south and west. A meadowlark lands on a nearby reed, warbling its joyous tune to the world.
The meadow stretches out to the north and east from here. The thick, green blanket of grass is dotted with tiny yellow buttercups. Bees swoop down to drink the buttery-honey nectar from the sweet dewy blossoms. The air is refreshing and blows cool and crisp. Its pureness revitalizes even the most weary of travelers.
The grass in the northwest end of the meadow is sparser than the rest. Part of the earth to the east is overturned and the smell of soil lingers in the air. A small farmhouse sits off in the distance to the east. A plume of white smoke peacefully drifts out of the chimney. A log is decaying to the west, blocking the entrance to a dense forest. Big black carpenter ants carve out weird designs in the bark.
This large field seems to support the farmhouse to the east. Part of the field has been plowed under. A vegetable garden is close to the house, and a scarecrow has been hung on a post in an attempt to scare away animals and birds. From the looks of the garden, it doesn't seem to be working very well. The farmhouse is a small, white and brown two-story building, with what looks like an attic and a cellar. Wood is stacked on one side in preparation for a long, cold winter. Pretty red and pink geraniums add their splashes of color in the window sills of the house. To the north is a river.
The inside of the farmhouse is cool and quiet. The table is set, and food is cooking on the hearth. The house is full of items that any good independent farmer needs. Even though there is not that much room in the house, everything has its place and the interior is kept neat and tidy.
The inside of the ditch is hot and humid. Flies buzz around the center and the scratchy raspberry vines grow thick up the sides of the ditch. A sour smell hangs in the air, making it difficult to breathe deeply. A dung beetle burrows into a soft mound. Directly under the log, out of sight of the road and meadow, the vines seem to grow askew, and some of the leaves are overturned.
A ladder leads down into the cool recesses of the earth from the trap door at the ditch. The wood of the ladder is old and worn. The walls of the vertical tunnel are smooth, and seem to have recently been cleaned. The supports for the ladder are made of bronze, and shine like new. Overhead, a tangle of brambles and vines hangs thick across the opening. There is an unobtrusive plaque embedded in the wall.
A ladder leads down into the cool recesses of the earth from the trap door at the ditch. The wood of the ladder is old and worn. The walls of the vertical tunnel are smooth, and seem to have recently been cleaned. The supports for the ladder are made of bronze, and shine like new. The way seems to get more dark as one descends.
Dug out of the soft soil under the meadow, this small antechamber has a damp and earthy smell. Wooden columns stand in the four corners of the room, supporting a wooden-planked ceiling. The columns are rough and splintery, seeming to have been hewn by a stone ax. The ceiling bows a bit in the center under the weight of the topsoil, but seems sturdy enough. A ladder leads back up to the surface, and to the west, a hallway has been tunneled out of the rocky soil.
Within the cool earth, a tunneled hallway has been carved. It heads west from a ladder, which leads up into a vertical tunnel above. Wooden columns are arranged every few yards, supporting the wooden ceiling. The walls have been sealed with mud, and painted a deep, dark gray. The dirt floor is hard-packed and solid.
The carved tunneled hallway leads on to the north where it appears to end into a small room. Wooden columns are arranged every few yards, supporting the wooden ceiling. The walls have been sealed with mud, and painted a deep, dark gray. The dirt floor is hard-packed and solid.
The dark hallway leads north and south. To the north, torches light a large room that looks to be a guard post. A small darkened room sits off to the east, and there can be heard the sound of whimpering coming from it. The dim lighting makes the tunnel somber and depressing.
The small alcove seems to be a natural opening within the tunnel. The rock walls make it impossible to tunnel any further in this direction. The floor is rough granite, and it would be uncomfortable to sit on for long. Some shackles are mounted within the walls. This appears to be a place to bring trespassers and prisoners and keep them until The Colonel is ready to interrogate them.
This small antechamber has a damp and earthy smell. Wooden columns stand in the four corners of the room, supporting a wooden-planked ceiling. The columns are rough and splintery, seeming to have been hewn by a stone ax. The ceiling bows a bit in the center under the weight of the topsoil, but seems sturdy enough. A large wooden door blocks the way west. It appears bolted and locked. There are occasional sounds of what seems to be combat coming from behind the door.
The room is immense, and stretches for so long, that the other end of the room can barely be seen. The ceiling is arched, and formed out of natural stone. Flat slate rocks have been pieced together, forming the floor. Mortar has been poured between the cracks, forming a flat surface. Several doors line the sides of the chamber. The floor is outlined with black chalk marks. Linear in design, these marks must serve some purpose and bear a closer look.
The large room stretches out to the east and west here. Doors lead off into other rooms to the north and south. Large chandeliers light the interior of the chamber nicely. The slate floor has been pieced together so that there are no seams, creating a smooth, flat surface. Markings of several rectangles have been chalked in white on the floor. In the center of the room is a moveable rack that holds some training swords, training vests, chest pads and leather helmets.
This section of the room seems cluttered, but on closer inspection, all is organized in a strange manner. Hay bales make an area of large steps. Chains hang from a large metal platform, with rings on the end of them, just high enough to suspend a bugbear off the floor, if he was hanging from his arms. A rope is suspended from the ceiling. Some small barrels have been cut in half, and are sitting on the floor, open end up. The south wall is very natural and has some hand and footholds molded into it, making it possible to climb there. All of these items and more create a large obstacle course that some privates and cadets are trying to navigate. The course seems extremely rigorous and difficult.
This is a fairly large, square room. Several rows of shelves are arranged over the back two-thirds of the room, leaving the front area clear. A counter has been built, and there is a small wooden tray with something written in charcoal on the side sitting to one side. A wooden structure with multiple compartments has been built into the wall, and each compartment holds a few sheets of paper. The room is brightly lit by candles and torches.
The door opens up revealing a storage closet filled with all sorts of training aids. Some thin, long mats are rolled up in the corner, and thicker, square mats are stacked up to one side. A rickety shelf holds a bag of chalk, some cans of gray, black and red paint, and some brushes. Other odds and ends clutter the floor and the rest of the shelves in the closet.
This is a large, narrow, long room with low ceiling. It stretches out to the west, and back to the south is the training area. Single beds are set up with the foot-end to the center of the room. A plain, wooden chest sits at the end of each bed. There is a small aisle between the beds, wide enough for four bugbears to stand side-by-side. The ceiling is low, and has a thin film of soot on it from the torches that light the room. There is a wooden cabinet between every-other bed, that serves as a closet for the two bugbears sharing that space.
The long, narrow room ends here. Single rows of beds, each with a wooden chest at their foot, line the walls. Between the beds is a wooden cabinet, that most likely serves as a closet. A wooden partition barely gives enough privacy for anyone using the privy at the far end of the room. The low-hanging ceiling has a thin film of smoke residue from the torches that light the room. For the most part, the air in this underground establishment seems well-ventilated.
This long, narrow room serves as the barracks for the bugbear cadets. It looks to be divided into sleeping areas that four cadets share. Each area holds two bunk-cots, with a closet in the center of them, that four cadets share. The cots are made up with clean, tight corners, and even a copper piece can be bounced off the clean, gray-woolen blankets. The floor is spotless. A few sconces are hung on the walls keeping the room dimly lit.
The long, narrow room of the barracks ends here. Cots line the walls, and are double-bunked to save space. A single cabinet acts as a closet between each cot. It appears that the cots are sectionalized into living areas, and that the four bugbears sharing the cots also share only the one closet between them. Each cot is immaculately made up, with fresh sharp corners on the clean, thin, gray woolen blankets. The floor is spotless. The room is not brightly lit, and only a few sconces line the walls.
A short hallway bends around a corner, heading north and east. It looks hand-dug from the surrounding earth. The walls have been plastered with mud, and painted a deep gray. The roof of the hallway is supported by rough, wooden beams. A low rumbling can be heard coming from the north. There is a symbol on the wall, painted in bright red.
This is obviously a guard post, designed to keep intruders, along with unauthorized personnel, out of the main section of the academy. The same symbol that can be seen on the wall to the south is painted here on the large, iron door. The room is small, square, and utilitarian. It can easily be defended by two guards. An alarm system hangs on a rope by the door, to alert the rest of the bugbear clan of intruders. There is no easy retreat from this position.
This is the southern end of what is obviously a Great Hall. The great hall stretches out to the north as far as the eye can see. The ceiling is tall, and reinforced with wooden beams and carved-rock columns. Several bugbears are training to fight with swords, back-to-back, so they can protect their flanks. Others are learning how not to break the battle line, charging and retreating as a unit. Several lieutenants are barking orders, and yelling at the slower-witted bugbears that can't quite seem to get the hang of this. A large iron door sits in the wall to the south.
The great hall stretches north and south. It is magnificent in both its size and function. The hall could fit an entire army of bugbears for assembly very easily. Sounds echo noisily within the hall, and there is much activity here. Nearby, bugbears have formed into groups, and are practicing sword battle-tactics. Judging from their uniforms, these are also ranked corporals. It becomes obvious that these creatures take their military training very seriously. A fairly-wide archway graces the west wall, and two double doors are set into the east wall.
This hall is huge and built well beneath the surface of the world. The ceiling is tall, and reinforced with wooden beams and carved-rock columns. Sounds echo noisily within the hall, and there is much activity here. It appears that this is the room where advanced military tactics are taught, along with advanced sword fighting and even ballistics and archery. Nearby, in front of a bunch of wooden stools is a chalkboard, upon which a battle plan is being drawn and discussed.
This huge room is built well beneath the surface of the world. The hall continues north and south. The ceiling is tall, and reinforced with wooden beams and carved-rock columns. Sounds echo noisily within the hall, and there is much activity here. It appears that this is the room where advanced military tactics are taught, along with advanced sword fighting and even ballistics and archery. Further back in the hall, the sounds of swords can be heard. At the far end, some bugbears are practicing with bows and arrows.
The great hall stretches north and south. Nearby, bugbears have formed into groups, and are practicing ballistic battle-tactics. Others are learning how not to break the battle line, charging and retreating as a unit. Several lieutenants are barking orders, and yelling at the slower-witted bugbears that can't quite seem to get the hang of this.
The northern end of the great hall is filled with activity. A squadron of bugbears is practicing archery, drawing a bead on human-shaped targets propped up against hay bales on the northern wall. Others are training in running, dropping and crawling along the floor, while they throw small bags of sand at both stationary and moving targets. Still others are training with lances. There is a large set of double doors in the north wall, and the great hall extends to the south.
This is obviously a guard post, designed to keep intruders, along with unauthorized personnel, out of this section of the academy. A symbol is painted here on the large, iron door. The room is small, square, and utilitarian. It can easily be defended by two guards. An alarm system hangs on a rope by the door, to alert the rest of the bugbear clan of intruders. A hallway leads off to the east.
The small chamber is very quiet. The same symbol that was marked in other areas of the academy is etched in gold on the northern wall, instead of being painted in red and black. The double doors to the south are made of iron. There is another passage way leading down. There is a sign on the wall next to the passage.
The underground tunnels end in an intersection in this short hallway. The ceiling is lower here than in the rest of the tunnels. Looking up, there is a false ceiling that looks like it could be rigged to collapse on intruders. The trap has been disabled, as the bugbears figure that there is no danger of their little outpost being discovered. To the east, there is an opening to a dark room. A sour, stale, dank smell disgustingly drifts from there.
This room is the officer's latrine. There is a tiled area set aside with a drain for brief showers. Though from the typical smell emanating from the bugbears, it is obvious that the showers are anything but effective. Several wooden toilets are built over some holes that lead down into an underground sump. While it appears to deal with waste magically, the smell is still sick and disgusting here.
The hallway bends to the north and east here. It is smaller than the main hallway leading into the academy, and the ceiling is much lower here. There are wooden arches every few feet, supporting the wooden planks that keep the dense dirt ceiling in place. Dingy glass globes that are filled with a glowing substance seem to provide adequate light here
The hallway splits into a T-intersection here. To the south is a long hallway that leads into the officer's quarters. The ceiling is a bit higher here than at other places in the hallway. The floor is made of flat rock, pressed into the soft, dense soil. The hallway is brighter lit, having balls of light suspended from ceiling. To the east is a large, well-lit room
This room is relatively sparse except for a huge wooden desk that faces the door. Behind the desk is the largest bugbear in this academy. He seems to successfully intimidate the rest of the bugbears here. Behind him is a large, reinforced metal box with a large lock on it. A poster hangs on the north wall and a bulletin board sits to the south. A pile of papers is stuffed in an organized fashion in some drawers.
The long hallway leads mainly north and south along this area of the academy. To the east and west are doorways that lead into the officer's quarters. The ceiling is a bit higher here than at other places in the hallway. The floor is made of flat rock, pressed into the soft, dense soil. The hallway is brighter lit, having balls of light suspended from the ceiling.
These hollowed rooms serve as the officer's quarters. They are sectionalized, and offer a minimum amount of privacy. Digging out rooms underground is an expensive and time-consuming operation, therefore the officers are asked to make some personal sacrifices for the good of the cause. Rooming together is one such sacrifice. On the wall over the door, is a painted slogan which emphasizes the bugbear's philosophy. Scribbled on the wall is an addendum which says, Death to Sinclair!
These hollowed rooms serve as the officer's quarters. They are sectionalized, and offer a minimum amount of privacy. Digging out rooms underground is an expensive and time-consuming operation, therefore the officers are asked to make some personal sacrifices for the good of the cause. Rooming together is one such sacrifice. On the wall over the door, is a painted slogan which emphasizes the bugbear's philosophy. Scribbled on the wall is an addendum which says, Death to Sinclair!
The long hallway leads mainly north and south along this area of the academy. To the east and west are doorways that lead into the officer's quarters. The ceiling is a bit higher here than at other places in the hallway. The floor is made of flat rock, pressed into the soft, dense soil. The hallway is brighter lit, having balls of light suspended from the ceiling.
These hollowed rooms serve as the officer's quarters. They are sectionalized, and offer a minimum amount of privacy. Digging out rooms underground is an expensive and time-consuming operation, therefore the officers are asked to make some personal sacrifices for the good of the cause. Rooming together is one such sacrifice. On the wall over the door, is a painted slogan which emphasizes the bugbear's philosophy. Scribbled on the wall is an addendum which says, Death to Sinclair!
These hollowed rooms serve as the officer's quarters. They are sectionalized, and offer a minimum amount of privacy. Digging out rooms underground is an expensive and time-consuming operation, therefore the officers are asked to make some personal sacrifices for the good of the cause. Rooming together is one such sacrifice. On the wall over the door, is a painted slogan which emphasizes the bugbear's philosophy. Scribbled on the wall is an addendum which says, Death to Sinclair!
The hallway splits into a T-intersection here. To the north is a long hallway that leads into the officer's quarters. The ceiling is a bit higher here than at other places in the hallway. The floor is made of flat rock, pressed into the soft, dense soil. The hallway is brighter lit, having balls of light suspended from ceiling. To the east is a small, dark room.
The door opens up revealing a storage closet filled with all sorts of training aids. Some thin, long mats are rolled up in the corner, and thicker, square mats are stacked up to one side. A rickety shelf holds a bag of chalk, some cans of gray, black and red paint, and some brushes. Other odds and ends clutter the floor and the rest of the shelves in the closet.
The short hallway leads to the east and west here between the officer's quarters and the great hall. It is smaller than the main hallway leading into the academy, and the ceiling is much lower here. There are wooden arches every few feet, supporting the wooden planks that keep the dense dirt ceiling in place. Dingy glass globes that are filled with a glowing substance seem to provide adequate light here.
The corridor is very wide, enough to withstand a charge of bugbears if they had to run through here quickly. A faint, almost rancid smell, like sour milk, drifts through the corridor from the west. The ceiling is dug out from under a large growth of trees. The exposed roots intertwine, creating a sturdy enough canopy. Some of the roots hang down into the passage. Small rocks are held tightly within the roots, though every once in a while, one crashes to the floor. The walls are made of packed dirt, with shale and rock layered between.
Large, long wooden tables stand lengthwise down this long hall. Made out of pine, the tables are rough, and thick, long splinters stick out of the surface. The splintery wooden benches that sit along side the tables look hard and uncomfortable. The floor seems to be cleaner in some places, than in others. Remnants of a recent food fight remain on the wall and ceiling of this long, cavernous hall. The walls are lit by sconces, and several ugly chandeliers, made out of wood and torches hang by ropes from the ceiling. The hall stretches out to the north and south, where small doorways can be seen in the far walls. To the east, is a wide corridor leading out to the main area of the academy.
The north end of the dining hall has a few wooden tables lined with uncomfortable benches set up in the room's center. Along the walls, are several tables set up for a buffet-style service. Rough, pounded metal plates are haphazardly stacked up on one end, along with some wooden spoons and three-tined forks. A few cast iron pots are set up to hold the evening's slop. There is a small hallway to the north, and the dining hall continues to the south.
This short hallway is well-lit. A large hall sits to the south, and a bright room is off to the east. A stone slab serves as a door to a room to the north. The floor, walls and ceiling of this hallway are immaculate. They have been plastered with clean mud and then whitewashed.
The door opens up into a dark, hollowed out alcove. It may serve as a storage closet, but at the present, it is empty. Something slimy slithers off in the darkness as soon as the door is opened.
The glare from the white walls and floors of the room is blinding for a moment. Everything is so spotless. One could even eat off the floor if it became necessary. A large cooking area is set against one wall. Smoke and steam are magically carried away through a vent. Big metal pots glisten on the fire. Every once in a while, a stray odor drifts from the pots. It smells delicious... for slop. To the north is a dark opening that is usually covered by a stone slab. The slab has been set aside so that the cook has easy access into that room. To the south is another dark room that smells pretty grim.
A stone slab can be moved aside and the room opens to reveal a huge pantry. The larder is stocked full of dried-goods, sacks of flour and rations. There are rows of bottled liquids and jars full of preserved fruit and vegetables. Huge sealed barrels containing water are stacked three high against the back wall. It is hard to tell how deep the barrels go. It seems that the bugbears are prepared to stay underground for a long, long time.
A faint sickly-sweet smell permeates this room. The stone floor is stained a dark brown and the stone walls are splashed with a dark reddish-brown substance. On closer inspection, if one really wanted to look closely, the splotches are dried blood. In the back of the room, sharp, gleaming silver hooks hang from the ceiling. The carcasses of several cows and other animals not readily identifiable hang dressed out, ready for carving. In the center of the room is a huge wooden block table. Stuck in the table are an assortment of very sharp knives.
The south end of the dining hall is much cleaner, and more comfortable than the rest of the hall. The wooden tables have been sanded smooth, and the benches are covered with leather pads. This must be where the officers sit. In one corner, a long, narrow table has been set up with serving dishes and plates. The tables are set with place settings and place mats for the officers. Drinking glasses, made from a lower grade glass are also on the table with water pitchers.
This seems to be a short hallway between the dining hall and some other rooms. It is dank and musty here. A stone slab serves as a door in the southern wall and there is a wooden door set into the earth to the east. The dining hall is to the north.
The door opens up into a dark, hollowed out alcove. It may serve as a storage closet, but at the present, it is empty. Something slimy slithers off in the darkness as soon as the door is opened.
A hollowed-out area serves as a closet. Brooms and mops are neatly laid out, lining one solid-rock wall of the closet. Buckets are neatly lined up on the other side. Each bucket holds a scrub brush, a cloth-rag and a bar of soap. A green fungus lights the inside of the room.
The long hallway stretches east and west. It is tall enough for even the tallest bugbear to pass through quite comfortably. The architectural design seems almost too good to have been done by bugbears. Perhaps whoever designed this academy wanted only the best for his troops. Judging from the wear marks on stone-laid floor, the hallway is also wide enough to fit at least three large bugbears side by side
The hallway continues east and west. Thick beams of wood brace the gray stone walls in large criss-cross patterns. Bright lights are suspended from the ceiling. The austere hallway gives the impression that it is leading up to something, or someone, important.
The hallway bends from the west to the south, taking on a more pompous and showy nature. Thick brocades of rich, burgundy velvet hang on the walls. In the eastern wall is a large statue of a bugbear in military armor. He looks fierce and mean, and his eyes seem to follow you no matter where you stand.
The long corridor stretches out north and south. To the east is a large wooden door with a large, easy-to-read sign on the doorway indicating that this is the recruitment center. To the west, some portraits are hung on the wall of some early-history bugbear military heroes. On the side of the door is a large symbol.
This large, austere room stretches out to the east. The cold, stone floors are spotless. On the walls are a number of posters bearing slogans such as "Be A Bugbear! Join the Bugbear Army!" and "Train Now For Your Future... For Your Young Bugbear's Future". At this first station new recruits are getting sorted out and are standing in lines in their skivvies. To the north is a line waiting to see the doctor.
Blushing and stammering recruits try to stand at attention while a comely bugbear nurse takes their temperature, blood pressure and other vitals. It is hard to imagine that these blushing, giggling young bugbears will ever turn into the lean, hard fighting machines seen practicing in other areas of the academy. To the north is a sign that has a big eye on it.
This room is divided into two sections. A pretty young bugbear nurse tests recruits vision by making them look at a chart on the wall. As most of these bugbears can't read, the wall chart has pictures on it. If the bugbears fail this test, they go wait on the other side of the room for the Eye Doctor to examine them. More than one bugbear has been rejected for poor eyesight. It seems as though The General frowns upon friendly fire from his archers.
A gnarled old bugbear gruffly puts on a glove as he prepares to inspect a young recruit. If the recruits were nervous before, they are positively frightened here. Behind a curtain a bugbear is told to turn his head and cough. The cough turns into a frightened squeal and then becomes a strangled cry of pain. The Doctor looks at you and says, NEXT!
The room continues to the east and west. Bright-colored posters with pictures of new cadets being heroes cover the walls. The pictures don't seem to have any of the blood, gore and horror that is normally associated with war. If anything, the posters give the idea that war is fun, and being a bugbear soldier is a good way to get female bugbears to mate. To the north, shivering recruits are being requisitioned uniforms. Somehow, the glamour of joining the army seems to be fading.
A starched looking bugbear hands out dull brown uniforms. He doesn't seem to pay too much attention to sizes. Some bugbears are struggling to get into shirts that are yards too small for them, while others swim in the dull brown material. The attendant snarls when the recruits try to exchange sizes with him, so they end up trading with each other. This system appears to work out for most of the bugbears.
The recruitment center stretches out to the west. Dozens of recruits stand for hours in line to get inspected, vaccinated, tested, and dressed. The glamour of joining the army has long since faded at this point. Any bugbear that speaks out is quickly pummeled by a recruitment officer, so the chances of mutiny are kept to a minimum. Here, the bugbears are joking about getting scalped, but the fun seems to stop when a young recruit steps from the barber shop to the north. His skull has been shaven completely bald, and there are a few scratches of red from where the razor nicked him. The look on his face is one of absolute horror.
There is no joking in this room. The room is pretty quiet save for the sound of a razor scraping fur and a few whimpers and moans of a bugbear mourning his looks. From an outsider perspective, it is difficult to think of anything being done to make a bugbear look worse, however, shaving their head does seem to make them look really horrible. The barber is unsympathetic as he continues to shave head after head. His assistant barely has time to sweep the floor between recruits.
The corridor stretches out north and south. To the east is a large picture of a bloody battle scene. Bugbears are fighting elves in a dirty war with ambushes and sneak attacks. The carnage is brutal and the elven body count is high. Below the picture is a brief synopsis of the battle. On the western wall is a picture of a distinguished-looking bugbear general named Stonewall Hackson.
This room seems to serve as the front office of someone very important in the bugbear ranks. A desk where a secretary sits has a sign on it that reads "Out to Lunch". Plush carpeting covers the stone floor and very nice chandeliers hang from the ceiling. The office leads to the east.
This room seems to serve as a parlor area. A sofa lines the north wall and several chairs are set to either side of it. On the south wall, hangs an elegant velvet curtain with the same symbol that seems to dominate the walls in this academy.
Several partitions are set up here to make individual cubicles. These offices seem as if they were just set up. No one has yet been working here. Or maybe they always look that way.
The large circular room is carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor. A round table in the center of the room to the west is covered with a large map, and several bugbears are strategizing a massive battle plan.
The room opens up into a circular area, carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor. A round table in the center of the room is covered with a large map, and several bugbears are strategizing a massive battle plan.
The large circular room is carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor. A round table in the center of the room to the east is covered with a large map, and several bugbears are strategizing a massive battle plan.
The large circular room is carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor.
The large circular room is carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor. To the south, there is a corridor that leads to another room. A lingering scent of pine and incense fills the air here.
The large circular room is carved out of the earth and rock. The floor is covered with wooden planks and the domed ceiling is supported by arches attached to large granite columns. Each column is painted with one aspect of the triangle. The entire symbol is painted on the floor.
This rectangle-shaped room is long. Nice oaken planks tile the floor. The walls are sealed with a thick, clear substance. The ceiling is supported by black-rock columns. A crude tapestry of Meadowcreek and the nearby temple hangs on the wall. The red and black candles that adorn a chandelier light the room. Several sticks of incense burn in holders attached to the walls, filling the room with their sickly-sweet odor.
This room is extremely overwhelming. A sphere has been hollowed out in the earth. A triangle bisects the floor horizontally, lying flat to create a stable floor. Its base stretches out wide from the southern door and decreases to a point to the north. At one point is a rope, and at the third is nothing but a stone wall. Beneath the floor, the remaining space is set with numerous wooden spikes, all arranged up. A few bugbear bodies lie bent and broken on the spikes, their faces contorted with fear, hate and horror. One of the bodies still twitches as its owner begs for a quicker, less painful death. At the apex of the room, one of the largest, meanest, darkest bugbears ever seen sits on a throne of gold.
This room pulses with a mystical energy. Magic runes glow on the floor and walls for those able to see such arcane things. Scrolls clutter the top of a small desk at one side of the room. An old, soft blanket lies crumpled on a small cot at the other end of the room. In the center of the room, a table sits covered with vials, bowls, utensils, and other magic paraphernalia.
The closet is even more disorganized than the room that it is attached to. Black and red wizard's robes lie crumpled on the floor. A few boxes are haphazardly stacked. Their lids are open, and their contents are spilling out. Some paper and sawdust packing material is spread out on the floor. There are several red and black pointed wizard hats hanging on posts. In a small alcove, there is a nice set of red and black silk robes, hat and silk slippers It looks like even the wizard must look his best when presented to the troops.
The General's Quarters are lavish, but functional. A cast-iron frame holds a soft, down-filled mattress that makes up the double bed in one corner. Above the bed, are crude drawings of a bugbear family. A medal is hung on the wooden frame of the picture of the largest male bugbear. There is also a small plaque that hangs between them. A thick afghan, made of the skins of many rabbits, covers the bed. There are plush chairs around a small sitting table, that has several books on war and battle tactics on it. They are covered with bugbear fur. The floor is clean and the rest of the room is kept neat and tidy.
An ornate dress uniform sits on a wooden dummy, taking up most of the closet. Medals hang from its lapel, and ornate brass fittings and buttons cover most of its surface. The brown and gold colors of the uniform blend well together, making it a very nice outfit, especially for a bugbear. Several other uniforms are hung neatly in rows inside the closet. Matching boots and belts are set up tidily to one side. A large chest is pushed up against the wall just inside the door.
The long corridor stretches far to the north leading through what seems to be a museum or memorial hallway. To the east is a large door that leads into some plush rooms. To the west is a portrait of the largest, ugliest, meanest bugbear ever to have the audacity to live. There is a small caption beneath the painting. It lists a number of victories and only one defeat. However, the name appears to have been scratched out.
The long corridor stretches north and south. A history in bugbear armor and weapons is displayed in this portion of the corridor. Needless to say, this is a very short section. Scarred shields, torn leather armor and dented metal helms are displayed in cases. Each of the pieces is marked with tags of the battles from which they were recovered. One helmet is still encrusted with dried blood... a dire warning for bugbears who tend to underestimate the power of a well-swung mace.
The long corridor stretches north and south. Paintings of famous bugbear battles and military leaders adorn the walls. The walls themselves have been painted a dark wine-red, the better to show off some of the pictures. To the west hangs a rather large painting of a very big bugbear leading a mighty army across the realms. He is riding a strange, huge beast with wrinkled gray skin and huge ears. In the army's wake is a path of death and destruction. On the opposite wall there is a slight alcove. A clean, new rope hangs between two polished silver poles. Behind the rope is a large iron statue of the bugbear and his warbeast.
The long corridor stretches out north and south. To the west hangs a painting of a small bugbear unit surrounded by an army of giants. The bugbears are valiantly trying to defend their position on a small hill, but the overwhelming number and military might of the giants makes the outcome of the battle obvious. There is a small bronze memorial plaque beneath the painting which reads, "Custard's First... and Last Stand". To the east is a picture of a very young bugbear, which one can assume is the poor Lt. Custard. It appears The General wants to make a point by including this bit of history on his impressionable young bugbear corps.