Open heath land consisting of low
growing shrub and grasses that can reach about eighteen inches tall, frequently
interspersed with large clumps of gorse growing seven to ten feet high, while on the hill top there are often small thickets consisting
of low growing trees (twenty to thirty feet) surrounded by scrubs and bushes. Some of the low lying areas have poor drainage, which
can lead to wet, spongy patches underfoot and even the occasional area of very
shallow, and muddy, standing water.
It is difficult to move through the foothills away from a path, as the undergrowth and
spongy patches make for really slow going.
Paths are really tracks for shepherds and their flocks, so they
are normally fairly wide and there is rarely any need to walk in single
file. The very few roads are like path but have a single pair of cart track srunning along the
middle, in some places the cart
tracks have been reinforced with stones collected locally, to make a more secure
surface.
The foothills are primarily inhabited by a mix of small burrowing animals, reptiles
and canines. Rabbits and Whistle-pigs are the most common burrowers, but there are also
rumours of Jackelopes and Al’miraj. Lizards skitter around finding the sun where they can and you will the
occasional snake, however, you may also come across the much larger ‘Rock
Reptile’ on occasion. The main predators in the area are small packs
of wild dogs, which make dens in the tickets or the very occasional wolf.
Plants
There is an 'everyday' mixture of small flowers and shrubs but the most important are:
Gorse is the main ‘scrub’ bush, it burns really hot and makes an excellent fire, hardier animals such as mules and sheep can eat it.
Hill Alder grows in and around the thickets and is rarely more than about fifteen
feet tall. Its catkins are edible and
provide an emergency food source during the spring and early summer, they can bee eaten raw, are crunchy and
have a bitter, nutty taste.
Quickthorn is a type of Hawthorn that grows as bushes or small trees up to twenty
five feet tall, which is covered in sharp spikes.
In autumn it produces berries, called haws, which may stay on the tree
through the winter. The berries are
edible, and can even be dried to make a fairly palatable confection.
Crab Apple trees growing to a height of about twenty five feet, and bears a small bitter apple in the autumn. While it can be eaten in small measures (one
or two), greater numbers will cause an upset stomach.
The fruit is also used to make jams and jellies and the wood is good for
smoking food items.
Wicken Trees, a type of Rowan, can grow to about twenty feet tall, and bear
copious berries in autumn. Wicken
berries are very bitter and should not be eaten raw, although if they are cooked for a
few minutes they become safe to eat. The
wood is hard and makes good tool handles, hafts for weapons, short bows and
walking sticks.
Briars have sharp thorns and grow around thickets, in late summer and autumn
they produce edible black berries.
Silverweed is a low growing plant with small yellow flowers that grows in damper areas, its root is edible
raw, but can be difficult to clean. The root is available all year round, but can be
harder to find in winter when the leaves have died back, and is supposed to be good to combat diarrhoea
and in charms against spells.
Coarse Kale is a biennial member of the cabbage family, which grows in leafy stands two
or three feet high. While the leaves are
edible, the most nutritious part is the thick stem that runs along
the middle of the leaf, it can be eaten raw but is quite tough if not cooked. As a biennial, Coarse Kale can be found
all year round, although the leaves tend to die back a bit during the winter and it looks most unappetising.
Animals
Throughout the foothills you will find the normal range of song birds, buzzards, mice, hedgehogs,
lizards etc. However the most interesting are:
Rabbits and Whistle Pigs which are both hunted for meat and skin.
The Furze Cock is a type of grouse that is taken for its meat and feathers.
The Spiny Bush Lizard is about a foot long and feeds on insects and grubs, it makes a half decent bush meal but has no
commercial value.
Jackelopes are slightly larger than normal rabbits and have two small, antelope like, horns
projecting from the top of their head. They
run much faster thana rabbit and it is considered to be bad luck if you
spot one. However, their paws, properly cleaned and mounted,
are considered to bring good luck by
some people.
Al’miraj are large rabbit like creatures, up to four feet in length, with a long
single horn like a unicorn, they can be
quite aggressive, although both its skin and horn can be sold in town.
Rock Reptiles are large lizards, five or
six feet long, which are carnivorous and have been known to attack humans. Rock Reptiles have
grey/brown mottled skin and sometimes appears to be little more than a pile of
rocks as they wait for prey to come close.
Wild Dogs run in small packs of perhaps 10 to 12 creatures.
Wolves are normally alone in this area, but sometimes you may encounter a small pack of half
a dozen of the creatures.
Encounter Table (roll 2d8)
2
- Orcs
3 - Rock Reptile
4 - Goblin
5 - Snake
6 - Al’miraj
7 – Jackelope
8 - Rabbits
9 - Whistle-pig
10 - Furze Cock
11 - Spiny Bush Lizard
12 - Shepherd
13 - Hunter/Trapper
14 - Lone Wolf
15 - Wild Dog Pack
16 - Wolf Pack