Category Archives: Fantasy Locations

Delmara, Forest-side Hamlet

Standing alongside a trade route is the small hamlet of Delmara. The ancient deciduous forest that edges the city provides the inhabitants with the material for housing, fuel, and trade. Carpenters, wainwrights, and shipwrights favor the ancient hardwood trees in the area, providing most of the 300 denizens with a valuable commodity for barter. Those in Delmara who are not foresters rely upon farms for their sustenance, selling their excess nuts, fruits, vegetables, and livestock at markets. Even though the hamlet is small, it’s situated upon a heavily traveled trade road, bringing many merchants to the settlement. In turn, Delmara’s solitary inn is quite successful and is a favored gathering point at sunset. Not even Bede Trowbryde, Delmara’s mayor, is immune to the appeal of the Forest Nymph Inn.

Although the fertile ground makes the land surrounding Delmara perfect for farming, its rich soil lacks an abundance of stone. Over the years, many people have attempted to dig a stone quarry, but each attempt has failed as there’s seldom enough stone for the construction of more than one or two buildings. The majority of the structures in the settlement are wattle and daub buildings. These are constructed of woven strips of oak, covered with a mud and straw plaster to insulate against the cold weather.

Delmara Forest

Spanning for miles around the hamlet are the tall, brooding hardwood trees of the Delmara Forest. Bards sing songs about this ancient woodland, and the resilient trees. The songs recount a history of a forest imbued with magical properties, tended and farmed by Elves. The Delmara Forest in these songs is often called the Bowood Forest, as it’s told that for centuries elves used the trees to make beautiful and powerful bows. Most folk in Delmara consider this nothing more than a folktale. Certainly many bowyers have attempted to construct bows from the hardwood of the trees, but none have succeeded, as the wood either cannot be bent or snaps during shaping.

Darkwater Swamp

Just north of Delmara is the foreboding Darkwater Swamp. This place is avoided by all of the inhabitants of the hamlet. Both animals and people have lost their lives in this treacherous region. Many folk believe that the swamp is not natural, that it’s a living thing itself. It’s said that it often calls to those who wander within its sight, luring them into its watery clutches with familiar voices. Or its fetid stench is replaced by an alluring smell of food that leads animals to a watery grave. At night, for those who dare to look, lights are often seen floating over the black waters, dancing about as though they were alive. All who visit Delmara are warned away from the Darkwater Swamp.

The Hamlet

Pushcart Market: Just off the road, north of the Forest Nymph Inn, is where the local farmers gather each day with their pushcarts. In this small, mobile market, fresh fruits and vegetables are sold. Salted and smoked meat is also offered. While the hamlet is small, the market sees much traffic, as all of the locals, and some travelers, frequent the spot for food. On occasion, a traveling caravan that offers cloth, spices, pottery, and other rare products joins the farmers. By noon each day, the pushcarts vanish as quickly as they appeared, only to return again on the morrow.

Church: One of the few buildings to be constructed of stone is Delmara’s church. In the early years of the hamlet, the cleric Cernay Avers arrived, and with his newly acquired flock, constructed the church. Believing the daub and wattle building did not properly serve his deity, Cernay convinced his sect to rebuild the church in stone. It’s become an emblem of Delmara’s staunch and steadfast devotion. Many travelers who encounter Cernay find him a trifle over zealous. The locals tend to overlook his determined attitude.

Cernay Avers, Cleric: Agility 2D+1, melee combat 4D+1, Coordination 2D, throwing 2D+2, Physique 2D, Intellect 3D, cultures 4D, reading/writing 3D+1, scholar 3D+1, speaking 3D+1, Acumen 3D, search 3D+1, Charisma 3D, mettle 4D, Miracles 2D, divination 3D, favor 2D+1, strife 2D+2. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 2. Body Points: 16/Wound levels: 3. Disadvantages: Devotion (R3), to religion; Employed (R2), must follow sect’s regulations. Equipment: robes; coins; pouches containing holy symbols; mace (damage +1D+1).

Bede Trowbryde’s House: Opposite the Fang River from the church stands Delmara’s second stone building, the mayor’s house. When the building was first erected, the intention was to make it the abode of the elected mayor. As it happens, Bede Trowbryde has been the elected mayor for 20 years. Most of the people in the ham let now simply refer to the dwelling as the “Trowbyrde House” or “Bede’s House.” Because of the stone and mortar used, the building stands two stories high, and is quite comfortable compared to many of the smaller residences in Delmara.

Bede Trowbryde, Mayor: Agility 2D, riding 2D+1, Coordination 2D, sleight of hand 2D+2, Physique 2D, running 2D+1, Intellect 2D, cultures 3D, reading/writing 2D+2, scholar 3D, speaking 3D, trading 4D, Acumen 2D, hide 2D+1, streetwise 4D, search 3D, Charisma 3D, bluff3D+2, charm 4D, persuasion 3D+1. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 1. Body Points: 16/Wound levels: 3. Advantages: Authority (R2), mayor. Equipment: fine clothes; cloak; hat; pouch with coins.

Inachon’s Point, Coastal City

Perched on the side of a coastal mountain is the seaport city of Inachon’s Point. For over 200 years, the city has served as a coastal beacon with its towering lighthouse. Inachon’s Point is a free city-state, ruled by a six-member governing council and an Assembly of 500 citizens, legislating for a population of nearly 100,000.

Decades before the city’s founding, it served as a base for pirate fleet that scoured the coastal cities, plundering every place encountered. But all residents of the now thriving trade and port city agree that the ugly history is behind them.

Defended by massive stones walls, a rocky outcrop, and the sea, this maritime settlement is well protected — which was part of the appeal for the original pirate base. Visitors to the city find plenty of soldiers patrolling the streets and docks. While all are welcome to enter the magnificent city, those who disrupt business or cause civil unrest are dealt with severely.

From a distance, the brilliant white houses of lime and sandstone catch the sun, making Inachon’s Point shine like a gem. Even at night, its lighthouse blazes, warning ships of the shallows and welcoming them to a delightful haven. Merchant ships, caravans, and traders all descend upon the thriving city each day. Spices, textiles, precious metals, gems, and common and rare items are all to be found within its time-worn walls.

The Port

When the city’s location existed as a pirate base, a lonely, ramshackle pier served all the ships that ventured into port. But after the pirates were forced from their stronghold, the newly formed Assembly constructed a marina that extends for nearly one mile. This mammoth undertaking has served Inachon’s Point well. It allows over 100 ships to dock and load or unload cargo. Like most other areas of the city, soldiers patrol it. Damage to the harbor would be catastrophic for the city’s economy. All those who threaten this important part of the city are executed for the crime.

The Bazaar

Located near the port is the open-air bazaar where merchants sell, trade, and barter all manner of goods. Day and evening, the bazaar bustles with traffic, its narrow cobblestone streets so crowded that simply moving from one end to another is time consuming. During the hot afternoons, many of the merchants hang rugs above their stalls, offering shade to their customers in the hopes of selling more wares. Lamps and candles guide the customers once the sun sets, while the enormous flames from the lighthouse add an eerie cast to the area. But all business ends at midnight: Even the profitable merchants need to rest.

Heroes who venture into the maze of merchant stalls and pushcarts are likely to find most anything they could need. The air is redolent with the sweet and spicy smells of cooking food, the calls of hawkers, and the consistent buzz of amazed customers. Unless a player’s character is familiar with the bazaar or has a guide, he must make either a Moderate streetwise or a Difficult search attempt to find a particular merchant during the day. The difficulty increases by +5 at night.

If a hero is in search of a particularly rare item (such as a well-crafted weapon, poison or exotic materials for spells), increase the difficulty by +10 during the day and +15 during the night. A guide familiar with the twisting streets of the bazaar can reduce the difficulty by 10, but an incompetent one can make things worse!

The prices in the bazaar vary from day to day. A gamemaster might change the location or price each day, or require a player’s character to haggle over prices — the more unusual the item, the greater the cost. Some items have such high prices that heroes might have to work for the merchant before the fee is met. Many merchants in the city hire daring adventurers to seek out extraordinary things to resell.

Kasen the Merchant

For the entire 40 years of his life, Kasen has lived in the city of Inachon’s Point. From outer appearances, he is a moderately successful spice merchant — but this is deceiving. During the years of toiling at his stationary wagon, Kasen has acquired a vast amount of wealth. He has also purchased stalls for family members who, while not as successful as he, have done well for themselves. Although Kasen has much experience, this is not the secret of his success. Rather, he sells unusual potions and incense that possess nearly magical qualities. His years of working in the bazaar have provided him with numerous contacts from distant shores, and the amazing qualities of his product have made him a favorite among warriors and wizards. His goal is to one day sell his stall and move to a large house above the city. To

protect his investment, he sleeps in a caravan wagon in the bazaar, and he has hired two guards, who never leave his side.

Because of Kasen’s renown, many potential customers seek him. Trying to get Kasen to part with some of his special stock requires a suitable (and successful) interaction attempt, greased by an appropriate monetary off ering. Th e merchant response much better to charm than anything else.

Agility 3D: dodge 3D+2, stealth 4D Coordination 3D Physique 2D: running 2D+1 Intellect 3D+1: reading/writing 3D+2, scholar 4D+1, speaking 3D+2, trading 5D Acumen 3D: hide 4D, search 3D+1, survival 3D+2, tracking 3D+1 Charisma 3D+2: charm 4D, persuasion 4D Strength Damage: 1D Move: 10 Fate Points: 1 Character Points: 5 Body Points: 21 Wound levels: 4 Disadvantages: Devotion (R2), spends much time searching for new plants and herbs, and pays little attention to local events; Employed (R3), driven to work until he can earn enough money to quit the business Special Abilities Uncanny Aptitude (R1), has a natural sense about plants — can select herbs and mix them into incense and potions that have astounding properties Advantages Contacts (2), has many contacts from various lands who supply him with rare plants and herbs Equipment: fi ne clothes; keys; pouch bulging with coins

Kasen’s Potions and Incense

Dragon’s Kiss (Moderate price diffi culty/5 gold): Rubbing this pungent concoction upon wounds hastens the healing process (+2 bonus to two healing totals). Th e mixture must be kept dry at all times; otherwise, its healing properties are lost. Th ere’s enough in one packet for two uses.

Adrik Incense (Moderate price diffi culty/4 gold): Burning this incense while performing any Intellect skill adds a +2 bonus to all related totals for one round. Each stick of incense provides one use.

Dried Lion Flower Tea (Moderate price diffi culty/5 gold): Brewing this tea and consuming adds 2 to stamina totals for two hours. Th e dry tea is sold in silk packs with enough for a single use.

Guards

Nevest, Guard: Agility 4D, melee combat 5D, Coordination 3D, Physique 4D, stamina 4D+2, Intellect 2D, Acumen 3D, streetwise 3D+2, search 3D+1, Charisma 2D, intimidation 2D+1. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 2D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 0. Body Points: 17/Wound levels: 2. Equipment: ring mail armor (Armor Value +1D+1); long sword (damage +2D+2).

Cire, Guard: Agility 3D, fi ghting 4D, melee combat 4D, Coordination 3D, Physique 4D, stamina 4D+2, Intellect 2D, Acumen 3D, streetwise 4D, Charisma 3D, intimidation 3D+1. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 2D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 0. Body Points: 17/Wound levels: 2. Equipment: ring mail armor (Armor Value +1D+1); long sword (damage +2D+2).

The Scar

Nearly at sea level, running along the outskirts of the bazaar is Inachon’s slum quarter. Th is district of the city is the oldest, and it looks its age. Scattered throughout the ramshackle neighborhoods are the occasional stone buildings, but for the most part, the structures are comprised of rotting wood. Age and the damp wind have conspired to destroy many of the once beautiful residences and stores.

Gathered in this neighborhood are the laborers who load and unload cargo. Th ere are far more people then there are jobs, so each morning thousands of the Scar’s denizens trot to the docks, each waiting in line, hoping to be selected for work. Th e pay is low and the work is hard. But desperate people work for desperate wages.

Fane’s Tavern

Sitting among the myriad rows of unassuming buildings in the Scar is a shuttered shack that has served as tavern and secret guild house for decades. Although history tells that the pirates who once called Inachon’s Point home are long dead, it isn’t the case. On the contrary, the pirates have simply adapted. When sailing the seas and stealing gold and jewelry became too risky, many of the former seamen traded their sea legs for walking boots — soft-soled walking boots.

On the surface, Fane’s appears nothing more than a rats’ nest of a tavern. All respectable citizens of Inachon’s Point avoid the despicable site. But underneath its haggard façade is the gathering place for the city’s thieves. Beneath the fl oor of the tavern is the cellar where meetings, plans, and territories are discussed. Th e descendents of the forgotten pirates do not limit themselves to stealing from wealthy houses. They help themselves to cargo on the docks — bribing soldiers to watch the stars while barrels and crates vanish into the night. Th ey also smuggle cargo into the city, avoiding tariff s and taxes, allowing them to resell it to merchants on the cheap. Th is is accomplished by a series of smugglers’ coves that pepper the coastline, with a maze of tunnels leading beneath the city. Th e members of this exalted guild are sensitive about freelancers.

Any thief who attempts to practice her trade inside the city is certainly going to encounter a member of the guild. Such an event is only a matter of time. When this happens, the “scab” thief is given the option to join the guild, usually by performing several jobs that are both risky and profi table, or the thief is told to leave the city. If one or the other option is not accepted, the members of the guild are ruthless in remedying the situation.

Fane, Tavern Owner

Fane is a spry man in his mid-fi fties, with dark hair streaked with gray. He is rotund, friendly, and unimposing. Underneath this friendly exterior is the head of the thieves’ guild, and a ruthless criminal. Although he no longer practices his trade, he does train and guide the members of his guild. He assures their interests are protected by eliminating any other guilds that vie for power, and by preventing any outside thieves from working the city.

Any new customer who enters Fane’s business is carefully scrutinized. Unable to resist practicing his art to some degree, Fane greets all new faces with a warm smile, while patting them down for money and belongings. He never steals anything; he just sizes up his prey. He doesn’t’ want to draw any attention to the tavern by having a client accuse him or one of his customers of theft. Once he knows the “worth” of a person, later that night he sends out one of his guildsmen to acquire the goods.

Besides being the leader of the largest underground business in Inachon’s Point, he is also a useful source for rumors and information. Heroes who manage to befriend him fi nd him a useful ally for garnering secrets, gossip, and news.

Agility 3D: dodge 3D+1, fi ghting 3D+1, melee combat 3D+1, stealth 4D Coordination 4D: lockpicking 4D+2, sleight of hand 5D, throwing 4D+1 Physique 2D: lifting 2D+1, stamina 2D+2 Intellect 3D: reading/writing 3D+1, speaking 3D+1 Acumen 3D: hide 4D+2, search 3D+2, streetwise 3D+1, tracking 4D Charisma 3D: bluff 3D+2, charm 3D+1, intimidation 4D, mettle 4D+2 Strength Damage: 1D Move: 10 Fate Points: 1 Character Points: 2 Body Points: 21 Wound levels: 4 Disadvantages: Enemy (R1), detested by other guilds attempting to move into the city; Enemy (R2), harassed by local authorities Advantages Authority (R2), respected leader of the local thieves’ guild Special Abilities none Equipment: lockpicking tools; long sword (damage +2D+2); soft leather vest (worn beneath a jerkin; Armor Value +2); dagger (damage +1D)

Typical Guild Member

Agility 3D, fi ghting 3D+1, melee 3D+1, Coordination 4D, lockpicking 4D+1, sleight of hand 5D, Physique 3D, Intellect 2D, Acumen 3D, hide 3+1, streetwise 4D, search 3D+2, Charisma 3D, bluff 3D+1, charm 3D+1. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 1. Body Points: 14/ Wound levels: 2. Equipment: clothes; cloak; basic lockpicking tools; dagger (damage +1D).

High Town

Sprouting from the mountainside upon which the city’s lighthouse rests are numerous residences, each growing larger as they move upward. Th is quarter of the city is where the money lives. It can be seen in the limestone-plastered houses, and the mansions lining the cobblestone streets. Groomed gardens and spraying fountains are common fare for this neighborhood. Few residents walk the streets, preferring to ride in carriages. Every morning, there’s a great exodus from High Town as the servants plod down to the bazaar to purchase food and daily necessities. Unlike the lower levels of the city, this is the land of successful merchants, bankers, politicians, and city offi cials.

Phylo Duran’s Library

Standing tall among the stone buildings of High Town is the city’s only library. Funded and erected by one of the city’s most eccentric citizens, it serves as a research library for Inachon’s Point scholars. It’s visited by people from hundreds of miles away and across the sea.

While the library’s oblong, eight-story exterior is rather bland, it’s one of the tallest buildings in the city. From the port and from the city gates, the bright white library stands out among the surrounding buildings.

Besides being a library with a vast collection of manuscripts, it’s also the residence of Phylo Duran. His private rooms can be found on the highest fl oor. On warm days, he stands upon the fl at roof, either reading in the sunlight or gazing at the horizon.

Even though Phylo is a lighthearted man, he doesn’t let everyone peruse his collection of tomes. Heroes longing to gain entrance to this large and unusual library must fi rst persuade Phylo. A hero that succeeds through charm or bluff is welcomed into the library. If she fails, she must return on another day, and Phylo adds a +2 bonus to his opposed mettle total. For each failure, another bonus accumulates.

Another approach is to engage Phylo in a scholarly debate. Again the player’s character makes an opposed roll against Phylo, both using their scholar skills. If the player’s character wins, the librarian is stumped and invites the character into the library for further discussion.

The last alternative is the use of a letter of reference. The persuasion or reading/writing total used to craft the letter must beat Phylo’s reading/writing roll by fi ve points, as he’s always careful to examine a letter of reference closely to make sure it isn’t a forgery.

Phylo Duran, Librarian

The somewhat eccentric librarian lacks good interpersonal skills. He spends much of his time with books, which seldom speak back. The endless years of one-way conversations has made Phylo a bibliophile and an introvert. He is lanky, gray haired, and 55 years old. He tends to overdress and is seldom seen without a book in hand. The truth is Phylo feels awkward without the heft of a volume of lore to balance him. When engaged in conversation, he occasionally turns away and commences reading from whatever book he is toting around. He is very imaginative, so sometimes when an idea is lodged in his head, he tends to stare into the distance, pondering whatever thought has captured his fancy.

The peculiar librarian is a diffi cult man to befriend. Even if a hero manages to charm him, this only lasts for a few hours, after which, Phylo grows weary of the person’s presence and requests her to leave. The only sure method of gaining the man’s favor is by entering into a debate with him or by presenting him with an interesting manuscript. Because of his vast collection, the character’s scholar roll must beat Phylo’s scholar total, with a +5 modifi er to the librarian’s total. If this succeeds, the hero has gained a lifelong friend.

Agility 3D: climbing 3D+2 Coordination 2D Physique 2D: lifting 2D+2, stamina 3D Intellect 4D: cultures 5D, reading/writing 6D+2, scholar 6D, speaking 4D+1 Acumen 4D: investigation 5D, search 4D+2 Charisma 3D: bluff 3D+1, intimidation 3D+2, mettle 4D, persuasion 3D+1 Strength Damage: 1D Move: 10 Fate Points: 1 Character Points: 6 Body Points: 21 Wound levels: 4 Disadvantages: Employed (R2), dedication to the library and Inachon’s Point prevents venturing from the town; Hindrance: Intellectual Snob (R1), +1 to charm, persuasion, and speaking diffi culties; Quirk (R2), loathes ignorance and anyone less knowledgeable than he (which is most everyone) Advantages Patron (R3), the ruling council of Inachon’s Point pays for the funds the library, its employees, and new acquisitions Equipment: mismatched clothes; keys; cloth bookmarks

The Library

1. Entry Hall: Th is is the main entrance to the library. The door is made of oak with iron rivets hammered into the wood to strengthen it (Toughness of 3D). Most of High Town’s residences consider this an unnecessary security measure that only reduces the beauty of the neighborhood. However, it does make the door much more diffi cult to smash. (Picking the lock has a diffi culty of 22.) Also located in this hallway is a trapdoor, which leads to the cellar. The door is normally locked and has a diffi culty of 15 to successfully be picked. The cellar stores mostly food and wine.

2. Common Library: Shelves stacked with books, scrolls, and loose paper clutters this room. In the center is a reading table, and a fi replace is set into the eastern wall. A tall ladder leans against each shelf, providing access to the higher texts in the room. In the northeast corner is an iron spiral staircase leading to the next level. Performing a search in this room with a diffi culty of 15 reveals the majority of volumes on the shelves are historical and probably only of interest to local scholars. (Exceptionally high totals may reveal a hidden book of obscure and valuable signifi cance.)

3. Rare Collection: Th is smaller room off the entrance hall is designed for private study. It also has a collection of unusual manuscripts, many of which discuss legendary beasts and magical practices. Heroes who use search have a diffi culty of 10 to fi nding some of Phylo’s personal notes.

4. Second-Level Hallway: The spiral stairs that lead to this level continue upward, all the way to the top level. Locked and set in the eastern walls of this hallway are two doors. The locks on both doors have a diffi culty of 15.

5. Forbidden Volumes: Th is library only Phylo and his most trusted associates may enter. It contains several volumes of works that would prove dangerous in the wrong hands. Rumor of this precious library has reached ears as far as the Scar — Fane has even heard of them but has not devised a method of acquiring them that won’t result in his capture. If asked, Phylo simply claims that this room is storage. A successful opposed roll of bluff against Phylo’s bluff allows a hero to discern that Phylo is fi bbing about the room.

6. Storage Room: Th is is a storage room. Inside are several crates of bound manuscripts and barrels of scrolls that Phylo hasn’t inspected yet. After he scans them, he places them in the proper location in the library.

The Scroll of the Lost City

Secreted away in Phylo’s library is a lengthy scroll that describes a lost city located deep within a desert. The unknown author of the manuscript describes the city as being covered by a sandstorm, and all of its occupants smothered in their homes. While the document itself is no more than one century old, the knowledge it contains dates back several centuries. There are enough clues in the book that a character, through careful examination, could fi gure out where the lost city is.

Additionally, scattered throughout its pages are also spell fragments. With some months of study, a player’s character can piece together these fragments and form entire spells.

The Point

Nearly 1,000 meters above the city, at the highest point of the stony mountain, rests Inachon’s lighthouse. It’s guarded day and, as it’s the guiding beacon for those who journey to the city. As night approaches, one guard carries a torch, climbing a spiraling staircase, to the stone summit. There he ignites the wood that burns until morning. Each morning, the guards clear the summit and restock the wood so the lighthouse has fuel for the next night.

Typical Lighthouse Guard: Agility 3D+2, fi ghting 4D+2, melee combat 4D+2, Coordination 2D, Physique 3D+1, running 3D+2, stamina 4D+2, Charisma 3D, intimidation 3D+1, Intellect 2D+1, Acumen 3D+2, investigation 4D, streetwise 4D. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 2D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 0. Body Points: 15/Wound levels: 2. Equipment: chain mail armor (Armor Value +2D); halberd (damage +3D); pouch of food and water.

Smugglers’ Tunnels

Staggered along the coast on both sides of the city’s port are numerous smugglers’ tunnels. When Inachon’s Point served as a pirate base, these subterranean routes were often used to transport material and people in and out of the city. Although most people have forgotten them, Fane and his gang have not. Th ieves regularly use them to haul cargo in small boats to and from ships anchored off the coast. Forming a vast network beneath the city, it’s possible to exit at most any place, providing the person navigating the tunnels knows her way around. The tunnels require a Diffi culty navigation roll to get through. A roll can be made once per hour. A failure means that the hero spends another hour searching the tunnels for an exit. To fi nd a specifi c exit from the tunnels, one other than the one that was used to enter the tunnels, the diffi culty increases by +5. The gamemaster should add modifi ers if the hero is in a hurry or is traveling without a light.

The tunnels themselves are rugged and fi lled with water. In most areas, the water is only waist high, but in other locations, it requires swimming or the use of a boat to pass through. Unless a hero has experience in the tunnels, there’s no way of knowing which passages contain which depth of water.

Kiselton, Riverside Town

Nestled upon the banks of the Durbin River is the town of Kiselton. With a population of over 1,000, it’s a booming trade center that relies upon its salt mines as a chief source of revenue. Like most settlements of its size, Kiselton has a ruling council and a mayor to perform the civic duties, such as appointing a sheriff, negotiating trade agreements, and collecting the taxes required to maintain the town’s dock, roads, defensive walls, and government buildings. Over the years, Kiselton has done well, attracting laborers to work in the mine for wages seldom seen in smaller villages or warrens. Along with the opportunity for greater earnings comes a broad range of entertainment, attracting more residents with a variety of talents to the riverside town. Its ease of access makes it a popular stopping place for travelers, caravans, and various touring merchants.

The Salt Mines

Located northwest of Kiselton is the vast series of underground salt mines that have brought the town its rapid growth and wealth. Each year, several tons of salt are pulled from the earth and sold to smaller and larger cities, near and far. Although the work is wretched and dangerous, it’s the lifeblood this thriving riverside settlement. The recent deaths of miners have forced Mayor Garvin Belot to place city guards inside and outside the mines. No one in Kiselton is sure what or who is killing the workers, but the talk in the taverns is that a monster is lurking about, feeding upon warm flesh.

Such rumors do not sit well with the mayor, or the ruling council. At every opportunity, all town officials deny claims of monsters; instead, they place the blame on rogues, claiming that soon a band of brave souls will arrive and offer to rid the town of the “bandits.” These so-called heroes are the true perpetrators, and the members of the council anticipate their arrival.

Rumors of War

Perhaps council members have hired ruffians in an attempt to oust the firmly planted mayor. Or maybe they hired toughs, but there’s also a monster prowling about. However, should the players’ characters hear the rumors and offer to help, the mayor doesn’t hesitant to have the sheriff arrest them, and he proclaims he has captured the villains responsible for the deaths, hoping to keep the favor of the people.

The Town

With wealth often comes a fear of losing that wealth. As Kiselton started to prosper, one of the first undertakings of the ruling council was to construct defensive walls around the town, leaving only the riverfront open.

Each wall has a guarded gate, which is normally open during daylight hours. During the night, the gates are closed, though the guards remain. Gaining entry to the town is much more difficult at night, as the guards carefully inspect all who wish to enter.

Here are a few of the locations with the town, but there’s plenty of other places that weren’t visited during a visit not too long ago. As things hardly ever change in these little places, it’s likely that other visitors will find the sights familiar from these descriptions.

Locations in Kiselton

1. Government House (Mayor’s Abode): This luxurious manor was one of the first town structures to be erected. Beautifully tended, old hardwood trees surround the structure, providing plenty of shade for the three flagstone patios situated on the north, west, and south sides of the building. Standing two stories, constructed of stone and mortar, the Government House is the location for council meetings and trade negotiations with merchants and emissaries from neighboring cities.

Garvin Belot, Mayor: Agility 2D, dodge 3D, stealth 3D, Coordination 2D, lockpicking 2D+1, Physique 2D, Intellect 2D, cultures 2D+1, reading/writing 2D+1, scholar 3D+2, speaking 3D+1, trading 3D+2, Acumen 2D, hide 3D, streetwise 4D, Charisma 4D, bluff 4D+1, charm 4D+1, persuasion 4D+1. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 2. Body Points: 16/Wound levels: 3. Advantages: Authority (R2), mayor. Equipment: clothes; coins; keys to Government House.

2.Temple:Kiselton’s temple rivals the Government House in size and beauty. Entirely built at the cost of the temple’s followers, it’s another of town’s prominent structures. Not only does it serve as a house of worship for the locals, it also provides boarding for its growing number of clergy. Presently, the temple houses 15 priests, but it’s capable of rooming twice that number.

Ladira Almer, Head Priestess: Agility3D,fighting 3D+1,meleecombat4D,Coordination2D,Physique2D, Intellect 3D+1, cultures 3D+2, reading/writing 3D+2, scholar 4D, speaking 4D, Acumen 3D, search 3D+1, Charisma 3D, mettle 4D+2, Miracles 2D, divination 2D+2, favor 4D, strife 4D. Move: 10. Strength Dam age: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 2. Body Points: 16/Wound levels: 3. Disadvantages: Devotion (R3), to religion;Employed(R3),must follow sect’s regulations. Advantages: Authority(R1), religious leader; Equipment (R1), special holy symbol. Equipment: robes; holy symbol (provides +2 bonus to divination, favor and strife skill totals); quarterstaff (damage +1D+2).

Typical Acolyte: Agility 2D, melee combat 3D, Coordination 2D, Physique 3D, Intellect 3D, cultures 3D+1, reading/writing 3D+1, speaking 3D+1, Acumen 3D, investigation 3D+2, Charisma 3D, mettle 3D+1, Miracles 1D, divination 2D, favor 2D+1, strife 2D+2. Move: 10. Strength Damage: 2D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 2. Body Points: 11/ Wound levels: 2. Disadvantages: Devotion (R1), to religion; Employed (R1), must follow sect’s regulations. Equipment: robes; holy symbol; quarterstaff (damage +1D+2).

3. Durbin River Inn: This inn existed years before the city walls were erected around Kiselton.

It’s a favorite haunt of the riverboat crews and road weary travelers. Its sturdy wooden frame stands three-stories high, and it has 20 rooms, varying from cramped and windowless on the lower floors to large and brightly lighted on the top floor. As with most settlements, the local inn is a locus of rumors, gossip, and shady deals.

Renting a room at the Durbin River Inn varies in price with the quality of the room. Cramped, single bed rentals are Very Easy (10 copper pieces), while large two- and three- bed suites are Moderate (four gold pieces). Jurin is not fastidious when it comes to cleaning the cheaper rooms. Dust and discarded material are included in the low-budget rentals, and the bedding is crawling with lice. These extra amenities are not found in the upper, more expensive suites.

Jurin Coram, Inn Keeper: Agility 2D, riding 2D+2, Coordination 2D, Physique 2D, stamina 3D+1, Intellect 2D, cultures 2D+1, trading 4D, Acumen 2D, streetwise 3D+2, search 4D, Charisma 3D, bluff 4D, charm 3D+1, persuasion 3D+1, . Move: 10. Strength Damage: 1D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 2. Body Points: 16/Wound levels: 3. Equipment: clothes; pipe; small knife (damage +2).

Ori Swifthand, Inn Regular: Agility 3D, riding 3D+1, Coordination 4D, lockpicking 4D+1, sleight of hand 4D+1, throwing 4D+1, Physique 3D, Intellect 2D+1, cultures 2D+2, Acumen 2D+2, hide 4D+1, streetwise 4D+2, search 3D, Charisma 3D, bluff 3D+2, charm 3D+1. Move:10. Strength Damage: 2D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 1. Body Points: 19/Wound levels: 3. Disadvantages: Enemy (R1), suspected of being a foot pad and watched carefully by the mayor. Equipment: clothes; cloak; bag of pepper (+1 to difficulties for animals using track); lockpicking tools (+1D to lockpicking rolls); throwing dagger (damage+1D); stiletto (damage +1D); soft leather boots (+1 to stealth totals).

4. Dock: While commerce is readily conducted by road, it’s much easier by water. Th is is truer when transporting heavy loads of salt. While many of the neighboring settlements haul the precious mineral by horse, along the rutted roads leading to and from Kiselton, the larger cities use riverboats, carrying vast cargoes of salt to be resold to even more distant locations. As a result, the dock has become an essential part of the town’s economic success. It’s not difficult to hitch a ride on one of the riverboats — for a small fee paid to the captain, naturally.

Typical Dock Worker: Agility 3D, fighting 4D, melee seaport city of Inachon’s Point. For over 200 years, the combat 4D, Coordination 2D, pilotry 3D+1, Physique 4D, lifting 5D, running 4D+1, stamina 5D, Intellect 3D, Acumen 3D, gambling 3D+1, hide 4D, streetwise 4D, Charisma 3D, bluff 3D+2. Strength Damage: 3D. Fate Points: 0. Character Points: 0. Body Points: 12/Wound levels: 2. Equipment: clothes; small knife (damage +2); heavy garments (Armor Value +1)

Rumors

All who spend an evening at the inn are likely to hear numerous rumors. The Game Master can use the following table for determining random rumors, deciding which is true and which are not. Amend the table to suit the needs of an existing adventure, if desired.

1. A clandestine band of thieves practices their trade in town. They identify each other and communicate through secret gestures.

2. The mayor is planning on expanding the dock. The ruling council had a private meeting. They intend to purchase the houses along the river before announcing the plan, so that they can buy the property at a low price.

3. The priestess at the temple is an excellent healer. It’s said she came here from a distant city, hiding from the elders of her order for a crime she committed.

4. Monsters did not kill the mine workers! The mine foreman had them murdered to slow the production of salt. The foremen have been secretly mining it and selling on their own.

5. The mines run deep into the earth. Something has been disturbed there, something that should not have been awakened.

6. The bard Selwyn of Burch knows many histories of Kiselton and the local lands. Often he visits the inn, regaling customers with forgotten tales and delightful songs.