So inspiration has struck me. Or perhaps the fever has gripped and tweaked my mind. (Seriously, sinus infection is kicking my ass.) But anyways I was reading Justin Isaac's "Halls of the Nephilim" blog. He has a series of posts about Portsmaw. Which is a fantastical americana mash up of his home town of Portsmouth, Ohio. I love the combination of fantasy and americana Justin is doing. It really interests and amuses me. Not unlike Wampus Country by Erik Jensen.
So it struck me. Why not do the same thing for the little village I grew up in? I have a ton of ideas. I do know a bit of the villages history. Doesn't hurt my grandmother wrote a book about the history of the village. But I wanted a way to fill in even more. So I thought about Jack Shears 13 questions. Having read it recently. Then thought, well I should use 20 quick campaign questions by Jeff Rients as well. Between those two thought generators and my own fevered (literally) mind should be able to bang out something very cool.
So without further adu,
Jacks Thirteen Questions
The Church of Celestial Light is the largest church in the village. Run by the Reverend Thoth James. It always puts on a chicken BBQ on The Great War Memorial Day, and sponsors dinners and activities throughout the year.
Tell me about a shop that sells standard equipment and one of the shopkeeper's quirks
Wolfsdale Hardware sells everything from frying pans, to shovels, to muskets. The owner Bill Strohs is a former tradesman that worked in the Capital. Always seen with a mug of lager. But no matter how many he drinks, he never seems drunk.
Tell me about someone who sells something illicit in this neighborhood
Looking for Halfling Leaf, "magic" mushrooms, or alchemical irregularities? Oliver Gretch is your gnome. TYpically can be found milling around the picnic tables by the dam, and drinking in "Frederick the Greats" bar.
Tell me about a powerful wizard, sorcerer, or warlock in this neighborhood
Formerly that would have been Tisdale Hull. But he died ten years ago. He is still seen occasionally. As his corpse rouses itself from its mausoleum, and visits the village. While mostly harmless. He has a tendency to tell people they are doing something the wrong way. Then explaining the way it should be done ad nauseum.
His son Trenton Hull is probably the most powerful in the village. Though no where the level that his father was.
Tell me about a feared warrior who lives in this neighborhood
Bart "Breaker" Barrs. Rumored to have been magically joined with a bear at birth. He is a giant brute of a man. Veteran of the Toledo Skirmishes. He is a merc for hire. Carrying a ridiculously large musket, and a zweihander sword given to him by his grandfather.
Tell me about someone who is wealthy in this neighborhood
Corner Bronson owns most of the town. One of the genuinely friendliest people that you will meet. Always ready to help those in need. Seems to find a job in his little empire for anyone that asks. A deacon in the Church of the Celestial Light, and the mayor of Wolfsdale. Never seems to have been the victim of a theft or housebreaking. Secrets seem to hide somewhere.
Tell me about someone you can go to for help in this neighborhood
Warden Casement, is the Warden assigned to the village by the king. While pledged to protect the kingdom. Helps the right wrong doings in the village.
Tell me about someone you can go to for information in this neighborhood
Stu knows everything going on in the village. A professedly homeless dwarf that wanders about the village, with a group of seemingly stray dogs. A minor wizard, he sees, and hears things through his surely omnipresent dogs.
Tell me about a gang or criminal organization operating in this neighborhood
The only visible criminal element would be the river rats. But in truth they are only concerned with using illegal alchemicals, and halfling leaf. The real criminal syndicate in the village is the Horseshoe Club. Using the front of the horseshoe tournament league, they are a large producers, and distributor of illegal alchemicals in mid Michigoomy.
Tell me about a pub, club, cabaret, gymnasium, bathhouse, etc. where adventurers hang out
"Frederick the Greats" Bar, is the only place that serves alcohol in the village. Depending on the day it can be sleepy, or a rousing party. The Horseshoe Club typically holds court nightly at the back round table. The bar features a large outdoor patio, with a wood fired oven. Known for their pig in a blanket appetisers.
Tell me about an ongoing problem in this neighborhood
The elf tribe up river is growing angry about the numerous alchemical stills they keep finding on their land. Blaming the village, they may soon be roused to be more proactive in their protection of their lands.
Tell me about a popular form of entertainment or a popular entertainer in this neighborhood
Card games can be found in the bar, and in the villages restaurant. Of course a game of horseshoes can be found every afternoon at the Lions pitch.
Tell me about a food or drink that is popular in this neighborhood
Lager brewed in the village by the Ten Penny Brewery, is the most popular. Food wise the village is known for its chicken BBQ.
Jeffs Twenty Questions
What is the deal with my cleric's religion?
Their are many churches are the area. Clerics are never called clerics here though. Always Preacher, Reverend, or Minister. The biggest is the church of the Celestial Light. Others include the Temple of the Immersed, The Independent Sovereign Souls, and the Brotherhood of Briars.
Where can we go to buy standard equipment?
The Wolfsdale Hardware, is the best place. Kraigs Emporium specialises more in food stuffs, but has the occasional find. KC's corner store has good selection of alcohol, legal alchemicals, tobacco, and very common items.
Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?
Not in town. Your best bet would be to seek out the Good Brothers that live just outside of the village. They custom forge all kinds of devices and equipment at their metal forge.
Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?
See above
Who is the greatest warrior in the land?
See above
Who is the richest person in the land?
See above
Where can we go to get some magical healing?
Any of the churches can help, though the price/task they ask of varies.
Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath?
As before, any of the churches can help, though the price/task they ask of varies. But the only religious group that will deal with death is the Brotherhood of Briars. Though you might not care for their price. Nor the taint that comes with it.
Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?
No guild per se exists here in Wolfsdale. But an informal club known as the Blue Lanterns meets at the library twice a month. Most members are lower level casters.
Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?
No one place exists. But you can typically can be pointed in the right direction of one, by someone at the Bar, Restaurant, or Barbershop.
Where can I hire mercenaries?
Definitely at "Frederick the Greats" Bar.
Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?
No not really. If found using dangerous magic, or brandishing weapons in the village, one might find themselves on the wrong end of a vigilant committee led by the warden.
Which way to the nearest tavern?
Frederick the Greats is the only bar in town. At least it is after the Sunset Saloon just outside of the village burned down mysteriously last year.
What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
Giant Muskrats have been beginning to hassle boat traffic on the river as of late. The Kobold den in Potters Hole have been seen again lately. Surely they are up to no good. Rumors of mutated animals have been filtering in from the countryside.
Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
The Toledo Skirmishes have started heating up again.
How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
Not in Wolfsdale, but you could definitely find that kind of thing in the Capital city to the north.
Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
Lots. The Horseshoe Club, the River Rats, and certainly the Brotherhood of the Briar is involved in something unsavory.
What is there to eat around here?
Claimed to be the best Chicken BBQ in the state.
Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?
Its claimed that the villages founder Issac Wolf was buried with his wood axe. The axe is claimed to posses great powers. Different powers depending on who is telling the story. Unfortunately the founder was buried in a secret location. Which has never been divulged by the family. Who has since died off, with no heirs.
Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?
That would be four or five leagues to the south west. A great red dragon resides in the city Chartucky. But why would you want to kill, and/or rob the leader and savior of that city?
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