Fertile Plains

The **Fertile Plains** is a region in Ardania for heroes to explore once they have purchased the map to the area from the Map Maker in Mayhew. The plains are a little bit more difficult than the Central Plains, but contains several valuable items. The Fertile Plains lead towards East Cheswick and the Dark Forest.

## Description

“
*The over-sized flora of the Fertile Plains seems to attract creatures that are more dangerous than what is found in the neighbouring Central Plains. Many have taken up residence in the ancient ruins that are scattered and hidden in the region's huge vegetation.*
## Inhabitants

* Hell Bear
* Goblins (all types)
* Rock Golem\*
* Minotaur
* Varg
* Bandit
* Medusa
* Harpy\*
* Greater Harpy\*
* Greater Gorgon\*
* Flowering Strangleweed\*
* Flowering Sporeweed\*
* Daemonwood\*
* Dryad\*

*\*These monsters appear only in special encounters*

## Normal encounters

* 3-6 Bandits
* 3-6 Hell Bears
* 2-4 Medusae
* 4-6 Minotaurs
* 3-6 Vargs
* 2-6 Goblins, 3-6 Goblin Archers, 1-2 Goblin Champions, 1-2 Goblin Priests

## Special encounters

* **Escort the Caravan**: Attacked by either a group of 4-7 Harpies, 4-8 Medusae, 1-2 Greater Gorgon(s) and 1-2 Greater Harpies or 4-8 Minotaurs, 3-5 Dryads, 2-3 Daemonwoods and 1 Rock Golems. The reward is some gold and **two** items. Examples include:
	+ Level 5-6 Weapons (e.g. Axe of Power, Crossbow of Accuracy, Crossbow of Pain, Crusher, Dagger of the Ages, Holy Dagger, Entropy Avenger, Seeker Longbow, Finder Longbow, Hammer of the Fools, Longsword of Flaying, Staff of Smiting)
	+ Enhanced Chain Mail, Medusa Mail, Partial Plate Armor
	+ Forest Cloak, Protective Cloak
	+ Mithril Tower Shield
	+ Skullcap of Self-Improvement, Steel Full Helm
	+ Battle Boots
	+ Rumble Mitts, Spellcasting Gloves
	+ Mithril Bracers, Nevryl Bracers
	+ Nevryl Amulet
	+ Ring of Fortitude
	+ Beard Rings (of types Ballista Beard Ring, Elf Beard Ring, Hammer Beard Ring, Hellbear Beard Ring, Medusa Beard Ring, Minotaur Beard Ring, Ratman Beard Ring, Spider Beard Ring, Varg Beard Ring)

* **Goblin Outpost**: 4-6 Goblins, 2-5 Goblin Archers, 1-2 Goblin Champions, 1-3 Goblin Priests.
	+ *Drops exactly the same items as the Fortress encounter described below*

* **Goblin Fortress**: A battle with 2-6 Goblin Archers, 1-2 Goblin Champions, 1 Goblin Overlords and 2-3 Goblin Priests. Gives:
	+ Level 3 Weapons (e.g. Broad Axe, Chaos Blade-stick, Fighting Staff, Heavy Crossbow, Long Steel Dagger, Longsword, Spiked Mace, War Hammer, Yew Longbow)
	+ Goblin weaponry (e.g. Goblin Overlord Axe, Goblin Champion Longsword, Goblin Champion Mace, Goblin Shortbow)
	+ Banded Armor, Enchanted Loincloth, Steel Chain Mail
	+ Gloves of Deflection
	+ Boots of Evasiveness
	+ Silver Bracers
	+ Goblin Beard Ring

* **Minotaur Army**: A battle versus 8-12 Minotaurs, and upon a victory, leads to a Beard Ring (of types Ballista Beard Ring, Elf Beard Ring, Hammer Beard Ring, Hellbear Beard Ring, Minotaur Beard Ring, Ratman Beard Ring, Shield Beard Ring, Spider Beard Ring, Varg Beard Ring).

* **Rock Golem encounter**: Leads to a battle with two Rock Golems, but gives no special reward.

* **Ruined Altar**: Protected by 2-6 Flowering Strangleweeds, 2-4 Flowering Sporeweeds, 1-3 Daemonwoods, 1-2 Dryads. Dropped items include:
	+ Level 5 Weapons (e.g. Axe of Power, Crossbow of Pain, Crusher, Dagger of the Ages, Entropy Avenger, Hammer of the Fools, Longsword of Flaying, Seeker Longbow, Staff of Smiting)
	+ Banded Armor of Sneaking, Mithril Breastplate +4, Steel Chain Mail
	+ Protective Cloak
	+ Spiked Iron Small Shield
	+ Bandanna of Thought Stimulation, Headband of Prescience, Iron Skull Cap
	+ Belt of Balance, Mithril Belt
	+ Boots of Evasiveness, Silverhide Boots
	+ Gloves of Deflection, Silver Varg Gloves
	+ Bracers of Defilement, Mithril Bracers, Silver Bracers
	+ Amulet of the Berserker, Neckband of Smiting
	+ Jewel of Fiery Doom, Shadow Gem, Wand of Lightning Storm
	+ Elixir of Health

* **Ruined Shrine**: Protected by 4-8 Medusae and 1-2 Greater Gorgons, or 4-8 Harpies and 1-2 Greater Harpies. Doesn't always drop items, and sometimes drops Junk. Possible item drops include:
	+ Level 4 Weapons (e.g. Battle Axe, Composite Longbow, Excellent Crossbow, Fine Steel Longsword, Heavy War Hammer, Lead-Filled Mace, Mithril Dagger, Spiked Staff, Ultra Chaos Blade-stick )
	+ Chaos Armor, Iron Chain Mail, Leather Scale Mail, Medusa Mail, Wizards Robe
	+ Spiked Iron Small Shield
	+ Belt of Tenacity, Mithril Belt
	+ Boots of Evasiveness, Silverhide Boots
	+ Gloves of Deflection, Silver Varg Gloves
	+ Mithril Bracers, Silver Bracers
	+ Entropic Circle
	+ Jewel of the Gorgon
	+ Medusa Beard Ring
	+ Gold Cache
	+ The following junk, all of which are required for The Gnome Collector Part II: Broken Mirror, Dead Squirrel, Leaky Hose, Torn Saddle, Wrecked Plough, and Worn Hat

## Routes and Sub-locations

* East Cheswick (2 turns)
* Wizard Tower (2 turns) (requires rumour)
* Central Plains (2 turns)