Stone Run

Basic Information

A Stone Run, Stone River, Stone Stream, or Stone Sea is a geological feature comprised of large collections of boulders, rocks, or shattered rocks in close proximity. Most are formed by glaciation or cycles of freezing and melting temperatures during an ice age. As the various names imply, the stones may be left so closely together, often in long thick lines, as to look like a river of rocks. There's generally no debris or pebbles left between the larger rocks of a genuine stone run. The lighter stuff is all washed or eroded away over the ages, so all you'll see is big hefty rocks.

The Falkland Islands feature several large and noteworthy stone runs.

Sources

Bibliography

1. Edinburgh Geologist

2. Wikipedia

Game and Story Use

• Unusual stone formations like this are likely to be rife with Elemental energies and magic. This may be a help to stone-flying wizards or other magic-users, or may make them the breeding grounds of earth elementals. This could provide color and flavor to the local magic, or be the reason for a pilgrimage or expedition.
• Giants will no doubt find such places useful for picking up good missile weapons. Siege Engineers might feel the same. Despite the ready supply of building materials, you'd be a fool to build a castle too near a stone run.
• Such areas may be a valuable source of tool-building resources for the Neanderthal or other inhabitants of an ice age.
• A fight scene or battle set about a stone run would be physically demanding. Difficult terrain. Lots of climbing or balance checks. A never-ending supply of improvised weapons. Good cover. Could be fun.