Bard of Valiant

Whatever RPG rules you choose, it’s really all about the dungeons and the dragons, isn’t it? In 2007 we visited Slovenia and got a full dose of both. Slovenia is just south of Austria, across the Alps. The alpine scenery is fantastic, with an emphasis on the fantasy. Walking up the valley to Predjama castle, tucked into a cave at the base of a massive cliff, is awe-inspiring. It’s hard not to start creating your own narratives on the approach: A dwarven stronghold, the lair of a particularly successful band of assassins, a reclusive wizard’s retreat. The actual history — the tale of a sort of Slovenian Robin Hood, a knight named Erazem Lueger — is good enough to use as is.

Caves are a big part of the draw of the Karst region in northwestern Slovenia. Škocjan Caves is a famous limestone complex with a bridge to rival the bridge of Khazad-dûm in Moria, and underground chambers over 100 meters deep! Looking up at a writhing mass of bats on the ceiling, or peering at the bobbing lights crossing the bridge in the distance, we truly felt that we were in the Underdark. As a UNESCO World Heritage site, photography is strictly limited within the caves, but there are a lot of images of the interior that are a quick web-search away. Check it out!

Ljubljana, the capitol of Slovenia, has a dragon atop a castle for its coat of arms. Dragon statues and images dot the city, and a cool castle sits atop the hill overlooking the river. According to legend, Jason (the captain of the Argonauts) is believed to be the founder of the city. While the dragon bridge is a product of the early 20^th century, it is still an inspiring sight for RPGers. The central library also seemed to have a fantasy flair. Looking at a nearby statue, I couldn’t help but see a spell caster getting ready to unleash some arcane power on a hapless minion.

The Alps have their own magic, and the ravines that are carved by the fast-flowing mountain streams are a great place to find it. Triglav National Park was particularly cool (especially on a hot summer day). I can imagine elven settlements tucked away in deep groves that can only be approached through treacherous ravines.

Hiking into castle-guarded valleys, or exploring dark limestone caverns, swinging two-handed swords, or examining dragon physiology, could all be highlights of any adventurer’s day in a fantasy realm. Slovenia offers a taste of those adventures, and inspiration for anyone interested in creating their own.