Gillikin Country
The Gillikin Country occupies the northern quarter of the land of Oz. The Gillikin people prefer the color purple. There is a Good Witch who lives in this country. She does not rule over this land as her counterpart to the south, Glinda, does. It’s possible that she wanders her country, dispensing aid to those in need. But as she’s only one person, it is impossible for her to respond to every trouble that arises. It is in the Gillikin Country that the witch Mombi lived and hid Princess Ozma as the boy Tip. Although Glinda caused Mombi to forget her magic after she had undone Ozma’s transformation, Mombi is still alive and is likely up to no good.
Flathead Mountain
Dorothy knew at once why these mountain people were called Flatheads. Their heads were really flat on top, as if they had been cut off just above the eyes and ears. Also the heads were bald, with no hair on top at all, and the ears were big and stuck straight out, and the noses were small and stubby, while the mouths of the Flatheads were well shaped and not unusual. Their eyes were perhaps their best feature, being large and bright and a deep violet in color.
The costumes of the Flatheads were all made of metals dug from their mountain. Small gold, silver, tin and iron discs, about the size of pennies, and very thin, were cleverly wired together and made to form knee trousers and jackets for the men and skirts and waists for the women. The colored metals were skillfully mixed to form stripes and checks of various sorts, so that the costumes were quite gorgeous and reminded Dorothy of pictures she had seen of Knights of old clothed armor.
Aside from their flat heads, these people were not really bad looking. The men were armed with bows and arrows and had small axes of steel stuck in their metal belts. They wore no hats nor ornaments.
-- Glinda of Oz
Flathead Mountain has a flat headland at its peak, where the Flathead people live. Since the Flatheads have to extra space in their heads to put their brains, each Flathead has a can of brains to keep with them. These were given to the Flatheads by the fairies who transformed Oz in to a fairyland and took pity on the poor, brainless Flatheads. The only way to reach the top of the mountain is through a tunnel carved into the mountain itself. An invisible wall blocks the way to this tunnel, but clever characters can find their way around this wall to go beyond it. Once past this wall, there are many stairs to climb. A flight of ten stairs goes up, then 5 stairs go down. Often, the stairs twist and turn in odd directions. At the top of every flight of ten stairs, a bell rings at the top, alerting the Flatheads to the presence of intruders. As this route is rather long and difficult, the Flatheads have plenty of time to respond to any incursions. They were formerly ruled by a Supreme Dictator, or Su-Dic for short. The Su-Dic was one of the most intelligent of the Flatheads, as he had stolen the canned brains of three other Flatheads. His wife had two additional cans of brains, and both were potent users of magic. Although the Su-Dic was supposedly elected, he made a law that he counted all the votes, ensuring his continued rule over his people. This all changed when the Flatheads declared war on the Skeezers, who lived in the lake near the base of their mountain. Princess Ozma and Dorothy went to try to stop the war and wound up involving many of their friends from the Emerald City and Glinda of the South. Flathead Mountain is now ruled by three Adepts at Magic, who had previously been transformed into fishes and lost in Skeezer Lake. All of the Flatheads also had their cans of brains opened and put into their heads, just like everyone else. Of course, their heads are no longer flat, so they are now called Mountaineers.
Flathead Mountain Characters
All the Mountaineers are now just like normal people, and can be built from just about any template. If the Narrator wishes to set your adventures before the events of “Glinda of Oz”, a Flathead would have the trait “Canned Brains.” This trait is worth -1 point because your can of brains can be stolen or misplaced, rendering you unable to think.
Adventure Hooks
A can of brains has recently turned up. With all the Flatheads having brains in their heads now, who could this can of brains belong to?
Gugu Forest
In the central western part of the Gillikin Country is a great tangle of trees called Gugu Forest. It is the biggest forest in all Oz and stretches miles and miles in every direction--north, south, east and west. Adjoining it on the east side is a range of rugged mountains covered with underbrush and small twisted trees. You can find this place by looking at the Map of the Land of Oz.
Gugu Forest is the home of most of the wild beasts that inhabit Oz. These are seldom disturbed in their leafy haunts because there is no reason why Oz people should go there, except on rare occasions, and most parts of the forest have never been seen by any eyes but the eyes of the beasts who make their home there. The biggest beasts inhabit the great forest, while the smaller ones live mostly in the mountain underbrush at the east.
Now, you must know that there are laws in the forests, as well as in every other place, and these laws are made by the beasts themselves, and are necessary to keep them from fighting and tearing one another to pieces. In Gugu Forest there is a King--an enormous yellow leopard called "Gugu"--after whom the forest is named. And this King has three other beasts to advise him in keeping the laws and maintaining order-- Bru the Bear, Loo the Unicorn and Rango the Gray Ape--who are known as the King's Counselors. All these are fierce and ferocious beasts, and hold their high offices because they are more intelligent and more feared then their fellows.
Gugu Forest Characters
Most characters emerging from the Forest of Gugu will be Large Animals, typically predators, so the purchase of the Deadly Weapon trait is highly appropriate. After the events of The Magic of Oz, it’s likely that Gugu would send emissaries to the Emerald City to prevent such problems from happening again. Such an emissary would likely have Gugu himself or one of his Counselors on their Friends List.
Adventure Hooks
In order to foster relations between the animals and the people of Oz, Gugu and his Counselors are visiting the Emerald City. Is it possible to turn these wary visitors into firm friends?
Loonville
The creatures they beheld were round and ball-like; round in body, round in legs and arms, round in hands and feet and round of head. The only exception to the roundness was a slight hollow on the top of each head, making it saucer-shaped instead of dome-shaped. They wore no clothes on their puffy bodies, nor had they any hair. Their skins were all of a light gray color, and their eyes were mere purple spots. Their noses were as puffy as the rest of them.
--The Tin Woodman of Oz
The Loons of Loonville are made of inflated rubber. They all share the last name of “Loon,” and typically bear a first name that creates an amusing word when combined with the last, such as their King, Bal Loon. The path leading to their village bears a sign reading “All Strangers are Warned not to Follow this Path to Loonville.” Since the Loons are essentially inflated rubber balloons, they are very careful not to burst themselves. There are many dangers to such fragile creatures within their village, making anything from beyond their village a frightening prospect. Any strangers who do not heed the sign are captured and brought to King Bal Loon, who will typically condemn the strangers to be perforated. As this tactic is not as effective on people who are not Loons, one must wonder how long it will take them to find this out.
Loonville Characters
A Loon must take a Weakness to the Common circumstance of being punctured or overinflated, which Incapacitates them, worth a total of -1 point. For this reason, there are rather few Loons willing to venture far beyond the air pumps in their village.
Adventure Hooks
The vine tying King Bal Loon to his throne has come loose! Can you snatch the King out of the sky and return him to his people?
Magic Island
Suddenly the blue-green leaves of the trees changed to a purple hue, and Trot noticed this and said:
"I wonder what made the colors change like that?"
"It's because we have left the Munchkin Country and entered the Gillikin Country," explained the Glass Cat. "Also it's a sign our journey is nearly ended."
The river made a sudden turn, and after the travelers had passed around the bend, they saw that the stream had now become as broad as a small lake, and in the center of the Lake they beheld a little island, not more than fifty feet in extent, either way. Something glittered in the middle of this tiny island, and the Glass Cat paused on the bank and said:
"There is the gold flower-pot containing the Magic Flower, which is very curious and beautiful. If you can get to the island, your task is ended--except to carry the thing home with you."
-- The Magic of Oz
The Magic Island was originally home to the Magic Flower, which flowered a near infinite variety of blooms in sequence. It would bloom roses, then these would vanish and make way for posies, which were quickly replaced by sunflowers, and so on. Should a flower be picked from this plant, it would remain stable, and stay beautiful for quite some time. The Island itself is a trap. Any flesh that touches the island sticks to it. Non-flesh characters are not trapped and may move freely. If a character has an artificial leg, it will not be stuck, but their meat leg will. Anyone trapped on the island will eventually shrink until they disappear. The Magic Flower has since been given as a birthday present to Princess Ozma from Cap’n Bill and Trot. The pair would have been trapped like everyone else if it weren’t for the timely intervention of the Wizard of Oz, who transformed them into honeybees so they could fly away from the island. Although the Magic Flower is no longer on the island to tempt travelers, the trap still exists. Whether anyone would fall into it without the bait is unknown.
Magic Island Characters
The Magic Island has no native population, being so small and barren and trapped, so players may not choose it as a place of origin for their characters or claim any friends from the island. The nearest living creature is the Lonesome Duck, who prides himself on his loneliness.
Adventure Hooks
Ozma has decided to undo the magic of the trapped island. In order to speed things along, she needs to discover exactly what magic was used. The only way to do that is to track down the sorcerer who cast the spell.
Mist Valley
From the top of the hill Ozma and Dorothy looked down into the valley beyond and were surprised to find it filled with a floating mist that was as dense as smoke. Nothing in the valley was visible except these rolling waves of mist, but beyond, on the other side, rose a grassy hill that appeared quite beautiful.
-- Glinda of Oz
The mists of this are so heavy and permanent that they are home to nature fairies of an airy sort. It is likely that some dangers exist in the valley below, but exactly what has never been revealed.
Mist Valley Characters
The primary inhabitants of Mist Valley are Mist Maids. As nature fairies, they are very magical and not appropriate as playable characters. However, they might be able to grant fairy blessings to those who have aided them, or respond to calls for aid from those that they favor. It is possible that there are other people beneath the mists that might decide to undertake an adventure. Exactly what kind of people they are is for the Narrator to decide.
Adventure Hooks
Skeezer Lake
Beyond the palms they discovered a very beautiful scene. Bordered by a green lawn was a great lake fully a mile from shore to shore, the waters of which were exquisitely blue and sparkling, with little wavelets breaking its smooth surface where the breezes touched it. In the center of this lake appeared a lovely island, not of great extent but almost entirely covered by a huge round building with glass walls and a high glass dome which glittered brilliantly in the sunshine. Between the glass building and the edge of the island was no grass, flowers or shrubbery, but only an expanse of highly polished white marble. There were no boats on either shore and no signs of life could be seen anywhere on the island.
-- Glinda of Oz
The Island of the Skeezers is in fact an immense marble pedestal planted into the bed of the lake. The former Queen, Coo-ee-oh, had mastered magic which allowed the entire island to descend to the bottom of the lake in case of attack. Special submersible boats could be used to allow the Skeezers to exit the city while it was submerged. During the aborted war with the Flatheads, the Queen was transformed into a Diamond Swan and promptly forgot her magic. This left her island submerged, and the crew of one of her boats stranded above water. Only the magical knowledge of Glinda, the Wizard of Oz, and a little help from Dorothy were able to unlock the magic of the island and return it to the surface of the lake. Skeezer Island is now ruled by Lady Aurex, who abides by the laws of Oz. They are on good terms with the former Flatheads, now known as the Mountaineers.
Skeezer Characters
Skeezers are not too different from most people of Oz. Having recently heard of the Land of Oz and all of the wonders it contains, it’s possible that some Skeezers are venturing out to explore.
Adventure Hooks
The Wizard needs a diamond feather for his latest magical invention. The only place to get one is from the Diamond Swan, who used to be Queen Coo-ee-oh of the Skeezers. Can you find the Diamond Swan in Skeezer Lake and convince this vain creature to give you one of her feathers?
Queen Aurex made a mistake with the magical machines that raise and lower the island. Now the Skeezers are trapped high above the lake. Can you save them?
Winged Monkeys
The sky was darkened, and a low rumbling sound was heard in the air. There was a rushing of many wings, a great chattering and laughing, and the sun came out of the dark sky to show the Wicked Witch surrounded by a crowd of monkeys, each with a pair of immense and powerful wings on his shoulders.
-- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Although the Winged Monkeys were encountered by Dorothy in the Winkie Country, their true home is in the Gillikin Country. It was there that they offended the sorceress Princess Gayelette, who bound them to the charm of the Golden Cap. Now that this Golden Cap is in the hands of the King of the Winged Monkeys, they may well return to their old stomping grounds. Wherever they settle themselves, it is certain that their prank pulling nature will lead them into trouble.
Winged Monkey characters
With the Narrator’s permission, a player may use the following template to build a Winged Monkey character.
Character Type: Winged Monkey Examples: Basic Skill Size 2 Athletics 2 Awareness 2 Brains 2 Presence 2 Sneaking 2 Wits 1 Optional Skills: None Special Abilities: Flight Customization Notes: A Winged Monkey uses Athletics skill to control their flying ability, so that is an excellent area to spend skill points. Placing the character’s specialty in Athletics (Flying) is also a good choice. A crafty Monkey could invest in Craft: Tricks & Traps to stage more elaborate pranks than their brethren.
Adventure Hooks
Someone has stolen the Golden Cap and is forcing the Winged Monkeys to perform all kinds of wicked mischief. The only way to get the situation under control is to steal it back!
The Winged Monkeys have gone too far this time! Is there any way to put an end to their cruel pranks?
Yoop Castle
Up and down they went for hours, with nothing to relieve the monotony of the landscape, until finally, when they had topped a higher hill than usual, they discovered a cup-shaped valley before them in the center of which stood an enormous castle, built of purple stone. The castle was high and broad and long, but had no turrets and towers. So far as they could see, there was but one small window and one big door on each side of the great building.
Yoop Castle is home to Mrs. Yoop. Mrs. Yoop is a Giant and a Yookoohoo, a specialist in shapechanging magic. She is married to Mr. Yoop, who was captured and imprisoned in the Quadling Country. Having lived alone for so long, and separated from her husband, she is not a very nice person. The doors of Yoop Castle are magically locked and can only be opened by the command of someone wearing the Magic Apron, which was stolen by Woot the Wanderer in order to escape. Mrs. Yoop was in the process of replacing this Apron when she received the form of a Green Monkey, which she had originally given to Woot. Whether she will escape her current form or her castle is unknown.
Yoop Castle characters
The only people to live in the castle are the Yoops, a pair of Giants. It is possible, but unlikely, that this couple has had children. The Narrator should consider carefully if they wish to allow a player to create a Giant character. In order to build a Giant, the player should choose a template, then raise the Size rating to 5 with 2 skill points.
Adventure Hooks
A Green Monkey has been spotted in the area surrounding Yoop Castle! Is this Mrs. Yoop, or has she managed to transfer the shape to some other unfortunate?
Mrs. Yoop has finally managed to regain her form and her freedom! After such a long imprisonment, she is hungry! What can be done to stop her from devouring everything and everyone in her path?