Dungeon Master Adventure Pack 01 Thegrinningfrog
Dungeon Master Adventure Pack 01 Thegrinningfrog
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Some artwork © Grim Press, used with permission. Pack series created by www.thegrinningfrog.com
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Art Pg 11 ‘Tyrone Makay’ © Bob Greyvenstein
Some artwork copyright Daniel F. Walthall, used
with permission. (Black and white stock art such as
on page 10)
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Curtis Long, Fishmonger ................................... 17 Guard Geese ............................................................... 32
CONTENTS
Laymon Barrock, Bell Master ........................... 18 City Magic .................................................................. 33
Dungeon Master’s Adventure Pack ............................ 1
Merek of the Vale, Brewer ............................... 18 Helm of Ghostly Vision, Minor .............................. 33
DM Advice – How to Build a City in Fifteen Minutes 2
Female City NPCs ...................................................... 19 Helm of Ghostly Vision, Major .............................. 33
City Story Hooks ......................................................... 4
Ellyn Pagella, Runner ........................................ 19 Helm of Ghostly Vision, Superior.......................... 33
City Organisations ...................................................... 6
Banda Dee, Bouncer ......................................... 19 Eternal Soldier .......................................................34
The Angle Gods....................................................... 6
Crystal Le Fray, Furrier...................................... 20 Instant Barrier, Stone ...........................................34
Brotherhood of the Bell ......................................... 8
Sarath Cildraner, Hunter .................................. 20 Safe Home Bracelets.............................................34
Tyrone Makay, Mercenary ................................ 11
Verna Bullroarer, Archery Master ..................... 21 Morton Rings ........................................................ 35
Quick City NPCs.......................................................... 12
Silvia Horton, Landowner ................................. 21 City Festivals and Events .......................................... 36
NPC Format............................................................ 12
Lerissa Gelbane, Falconer ................................ 22 Bells of the Day .................................................... 36
Male City NPCs ........................................................... 13
Koti, Healer ....................................................... 22 Annual Street Race ............................................... 37
Timmy McFarlawn, Errand Boy......................... 13
Millicent Tythe, Seamstress ............................. 23 City Trinkets and Treasures ..................................... 38
Simon Trubeborn, Stone Mason’s Apprentice 13
Freya Von Ist, Cleric .......................................... 23 City Locations ........................................................... 39
Svengard Copperbelt, Master Stone Mason ... 14
Zentha Zyldan, Wizard ..................................... 24 The Bell Tower of St Magren ............................... 39
Peter Mulgrove II, Cartwright .......................... 14
Sibyl Ragon, Artisan ......................................... 24 Things to See .............................................................43
Bregan, Butcher ................................................ 15
Random Encounters by a City Well .......................... 25 Next Time ................................................................. 44
Apo Delamont, Merchant ................................. 15
The Adventure Council ............................................. 29 thegrinningfrog.com ................................................ 44
Jarel Dragour, Grover........................................ 16
City Creatures ............................................................ 30
Subtle Morning Gift, Entertainer ...................... 16
Brick Gargoyle ...................................................... 30
Alba Ironfist, Mill Owner ................................... 17
Sewer Crocodile ............................................................31
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thinking that I hadn’t created enough of a sense of USING THE PACK
DUNGEON MASTER’S ADVENTURE urgency.
PACK That’s as maybe, but I had to suddenly create an inn, Each section is set within the theme for the
an innkeeper, and some details relating to their publication, and some of the sections might have
INTRODUCTION deliveries. Luckily, I had The Tower Inn and Billy the references which stretch across them. For example,
ex-mercenary innkeeper on standby. there might be an NPC whose job is at a location
It’s a tough gig being a Dungeon Master. You go to listed under Locations, and they might work for one
great efforts to create the world that the players’ And that’s half the thinking behind the DMAP. It’s a of the Organisations outlined.
characters move through and examine, and then, quick point of reference, all themed around a
location, that you can draw down on as and when In other words, the pack contains pre-woven,
bless them, they do like to look under the rock that
needed. interlocking story strands already designed to be
you haven’t prepared for!
incorporated easily into your gameplay to enhance
It happened to me recently. The adventure had been Or … refer to it before the sessions and use the and deepen your gaming group’s adventures.
building to a specific point for months. The players content as a framework to populate your world.
were whisked off to board a boat, with the plan that Take the organisations outlined and build them into FINAL WORD
they would immediately set sail and go tangle with your own campaign. Use the new creatures to
the insane, multi-eyed, floating eyeball that was surprise the players when they were expecting Roleplay games are fabulous things and can bring
building a machine to breach the dimensional walls something from one of the published monster out the absolute best in people. I, and the team at
leading to its home plane, wherein lay an army of his manuals or other publications. Use the story hooks The Grinning Frog, sincerely hope that this
kin poised to invade the mortal realm. Time to get as inspiration for the next plot twist. publication enhances your game play and provides
moving, right? Wrong. hours of fun and harrowing adventures!
You have practically everything you need in here;
The players decided that they were too beaten up to there are story hooks, organisations, NPCs, And to all those members of DMAP+ we look
rush straight off on their adventure and insisted, creatures, items to find, magic items, and locations, forward to chatting with you in the exclusive
despite being instructed otherwise by a super high- all of which follow the theme of the month. Discord server!
level NPC, that they would at least rest overnight. Think of them as the ingredients you need to make Have a great time!
Why? They wanted to check into the local inn to see your great story feast, all in one convenient
if there was any news about their recent purchases Stephen Hart,
document.
from a magic-supplying merchant! Chief Wordsmith
Good luck with your creative cooking – I sincerely
Not what I had expected, and if you are a DM you hope your players, and you, enjoy it!
are no doubt nodding in agreement - and perhaps
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buildings thrown together as space and material come into here and then be broken down and
DM ADVICE – HOW TO BUILD A allowed. This would represent middle- and higher- distributed onwards.
CITY IN FIFTEEN MINUTES income housing, although you could split those over
Individual landmark places to plot down somewhere
two areas if you really wanted.
would also be:
Traditionally, roleplay adventures have taken place
Slum area – there are always poor people who can’t
deep underground in the dark recesses of dungeons • Shrines and Churches – you could have a
or won’t better themselves. They work the jobs no
long forgotten and now haunted by creatures of the religious sector, but I tend to scatter these
one else wants and live where they can. (For my
dark. The overhead city was a place marker only. around as is needed, based on the story or
home campaigns I have adopted the slang name of
Somewhere to fit the dungeon into, or a refuge the players’ requests.
‘The Narrows’ for such locations – taken from the
after the adventures underground.
Gotham TV show, and very appropriate I think.) • Taverns – whilst there will be lots of them, I
That thinking is now pleasantly old-fashioned. If you like to limit the named ones to just a couple.
Castle or Palace – someone is in charge, whether a
consider the worlds of Pathfinder or Dungeons and I tend to present a posh one and a more
municipal city government, or a single monarchy or
Dragons, they are both replete with thriving cities of common one. The party then decide which
lord. They live somewhere big – the Castle or Palace
legend. But sometimes those great cities, well one they like to hang out in.
in the city.
documented and outlined though they might be,
• City Library / Archive - always good for the
aren’t what you want. They don’t fit your idea of a Walls – a lot like the Middle Ages, the fantasy world
party to do their research in.
city, or they are just so full of ideas, story hooks and isn’t safe. Walls keep the city safe and provide focus
complex NPCs that it’s overwhelming for a new DM. • Guard Headquarters – a good focal point in
points for encounters – the city gate, the river,
(And even experienced ones!) secret doors in and out … case the party need the authorities or get
on the wrong side of them!
Sometimes what you need to do is build your own Merchants Space – people have been buying, selling • Mage Tower – not something you’d actually
city. Something that is exactly fit for your mythology and trading goods since the dawn of time. For
find in a medieval city, but in a fantasy one –
and your adventures. Yet, that in itself can be tough. practical and logistical reasons, merchants tend to
How do you build a whole city? And, once built, how oh yes! The wizards here make great NPCs.
gather in a localised area. Personally, I’m fond of a
do you populate it? It’s a daunting task. merchants square or row which I can then populate • Graveyards – over time, the main graveyard
with all (or almost all) of my planned NPCs who sell would move outside of a walled city.
My suggestion would be to start slow and start
or provide a service. This includes such people as:
simple. Sketch out the city with the broadest of Now, this might all sound like a lot, but let me show
strokes, and then populate one street or square Builders Quarter – this is where the blacksmiths and you a very simple way to build your first city in
with places your party is likely to want to visit. stonemasons ply their trade and where many items moments!
are finished before being moved to the locations
Consider the following locations:
where they will be installed. Likely to be near city
Dock Area - all medieval cities were built around, or gates and/or the docks for easy access to supplies
near to, water. Without water, there is no life. coming in, as well as to the outside for occasions of
Delivering heavy goods – stone, wood or even transporting things outside of the city itself.
foodstuffs -– was very often done by river. That
Warehouse District – when everything has to be
creates a dock area.
moved manually, the shortest route is preferred.
Housing District - you need to have a housing The Warehouse District is likely to be near the dock
district. In medieval cities, unlike nowadays, this or other access to the outside. Bulk shipments will
would have been a ramshackle collection of
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Step One – City Shape This is an approximation only, so be relaxed about Choose freely from the remaining four squares to
your measurements and the fit. That said, the more place the Merchants Space and Housing District.
Draw a
of a square you can get, the better. This gives you two empty squares to either leave for
shape that
now, designate as something different, or extend
is roughly Step Three – Create the Sectors
one of the above sectors into. In fact, you will note
square in
Now, divide the square (relatively accurately) into a that sector 3 is almost non-existent, just because of
shape but
nine-square grid as you can see here, and number the way I drew the shape. That’s fine. It creates a
with some
the squares. Hopefully, you can see the map is natural, organic shape to the city which is realistic.
in and out
beginning to come together already! You want irregular sector sizes.
bits!
1 2 3 Final Step – Plot landmarks
This
amorphous Go back to the list I mentioned and randomly pick
blob then locations for the landmark buildings. You don’t have
forms the to list all of them, but I would recommend at least
extent of 4 5 6 the Mage Tower and Taverns. And, as simply as
your city. Imagine that a large wall encircles it, and that, you have a city drafted out!
congratulations! You have the outline of your first
city!
Step Two – Define the Shape 7 8 9
Now, the
trick is to
plot the
various
sectors onto
it quickly
and easily. Step Four – Plot the Sectors
To do this, Choose one of the corner squares (square
let’s draw a numbered 1, 3, 7 or 9). The square you have chosen
square that is for the Dock. Now work through these
extends instructions:
beyond the
city The diagonally opposite corner is the Palace location
boundaries. - because they want to be as far away from the
It should touch on two sides, and if it’s larger on the docks as possible!
other two that’s fine. You do a square because you In the three adjacent squares to the docks place the
are going to grid the city in a second. Slums, the Builders Quarter and the Warehouse
You can do this in a software package, or simply District in any order you like.
draw a square approximately around the city shape.
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7. A talking black cat has been encountered 12. A trade delegation has arrived in town
CITY STORY HOOKS by several people in the city. Apparently, from a rival city. Whilst tensions are high,
Story Hooks it appears, asks some questions regarding it is hoped that a trade deal might be
‘the Crown of Ozymandias’, and vanishes struck at last.
1. A new martial arts school is opening; the again. Ozymandias was a great ruler many
opening ceremony is a combat 13. A wanted woman, Lysinda the Fang, is on
years ago, and legends state that his
competition. The winner is awarded a the run, having broken out of jail. She is
crown had magical powers. Accounts vary
magic staff. Unarmed combat only. The wanted on multiple counts of murder. It is
as to what those powers were. No one
contest takes place in one week’s time. rumoured that in fact she is a werewolf.
has seen the crown for centuries, and his
2. A new shrine to a local sun war god is burial location is much debated. 14. The royal gardens are holding an open
being opened at the weekend. The day next week to celebrate the successful
8. A large reward has been offered by one
authorities are worried that followers of growing of some rare fruits by their head
of the local merchant houses for the
the god may cause mayhem while gardener.
‘arrest and seizure’ of a band of
celebrating its opening. adventurers who closely resemble the 15. A magic helmet has been stolen from the
3. The biggest annual cattle market is due to players’ party (although it isn’t them). city armoury. A large reward is being
take place next week. The place is going offered for its return. No details of its
9. A street gang named the Sea Cats has
to be full of merchants and out-of-town magical properties are being given, but
risen to prominence recently, and the
visitors. apparently it was the personal property
authorities want their activities stopped.
of the guard captain and kept securely
4. Strange tracks have been spotted across They specialise in kidnapping and
locked away.
town. It looks like something has been blackmail operations. Their base of
climbing out of the waterways and operations is rumoured to be down near 16. A low-life contact has word that a
walking through the streets after dark. the docks. mysterious collector known only as
Ambrose would like to hire a team to
5. A caravan has arrived in town, reputedly 10. The naming day for the youngest princess
steal a certain magical portrait for him.
with a rare animal of unknown origins of the ruling family is happening a month
The job needs to be done within the
hidden in a covered tent. There is a lot of from today. Large scale street
month.
gossip as to what the creature might be. celebrations are being planned; extra
security is being hired to ensure the day 17. People are saying that one of the statues
6. A series of daring robberies have been passes peacefully. of a winged Valkyrie in the Temple of
occurring all across the city. In each case, Speed has come to life and flown away.
fortified and high towers were seemingly 11. A wanted assassin, known as Nightingale,
effortlessly entered and items were is rumoured to be in town for an 18. The local lord is granting audience to
stolen, yet no alarms were set off and no assassination. A large reward has been anyone with a grievance or complaint. It
guards saw a thing. The authorities are offered for their capture. A healer named is expected that there will be some
baffled. Gulliver is reputed to know the identity of contentious scenes and that there might
Nightingale, but he has gone missing. be a need for an independent team to
investigate claims and accusations made.
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19. Cellars across the city have been
mysteriously ransacked overnight. It only
seems to happen once per cellar – almost
as if the culprits are looking for
something. What’s puzzling is that many
of these cellars were guarded, with
locked doors. Only small sewer entrances
led into many of the rooms. The
Merchants Guild is willing to pay to have
this investigated and the trouble stopped.
20. The controversial statue of Prince Tarbutt
the Bloody has been erected in the new
public gardens. Dissidents are threatening
to tear it down ahead of next week’s
official opening ceremony of the gardens.
In an attempt to keep matters calm, a
neutral party is being recruited to guard
the statue until the opening ceremony.
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CITY ORGANISATIONS
INTRODUCTION THE ANGLE GODS What the owners hadn’t counted on, however, was
the politician’s aide who was accompanying him,
Cities are the centre for commerce, even in the City based • Criminal affiliations • Builders and ostensibly fetching him drinks and generally
quasi-medieval worlds that most fantasy games are crafts organisation assisting him. The aide was a young but high-level
set in. Hence, it seems to me that they offer the wizard and detected the magics being used to
History
opportunity for the characters to encounter, and be influence the roulette table. The ensuing events are
challenged by, more formal structures of power and A shady organisation with criminal connections, the unknown to all save those who were there, but The
authority than you will typically find deep in a Angle Gods arose from the lower docks and Yellow Lantern exploded and burnt to the ground
dungeon or in wilderness locations. manufacturing district during the Austerity Riots that night in a magic maelstrom.
two decades ago. Since that time, and despite the
I think one interesting possibility is that these Of the sixty or so staff and guests, only the
social changes and continual fluctuations in gang
organisations don’t necessarily have to be direct politician, his aide, the cleric, Hargrad, and their
leadership in the city, the Angle Gods have been
adversaries. Rather, they could be in the roulette dealer made it out alive. The story goes,
remarkably persistent and successful. Observers
background and interacted with, without being the recounted in hushed whispers by onlookers, that
note that this is likely because they don’t take an
main ‘villains’ of the piece. Perhaps they are a the dealer started to run but died from a massive
active part in any criminal activities; they merely
nemesis who’s always in the background, or an heart attack. (Brought on by a magical missile to the
‘assist’. Or, as they would put it, ‘We don’t do crime;
undesirable tradesperson who you often have heart, some folks say.) The story then goes that the
we build to order.’
dealings with, regardless of their shady reputation. politician wanted Hargrad silenced so he wouldn’t
The possibilities are endless … Their other favourite phrase, which crops up in tell the truth of what occurred that fateful night. But
graffiti in the city, is ‘Builders are blind’. Many see due to his nature, the cleric interceded, shocked at
this as their unofficial motto. the multiple fatalities already that night.
The phrase stems from their earliest days, when a An argument ensued which began to escalate, all
dwarven craftsman named Hargrad The Hammer, the while Hargrad insisting he had ‘Seen nuffin’. I
down on his luck, gambled all he had on red in The didn’t see nuffin’.’ All parties knew it was only a
Yellow Lantern casino. Unknown to Hargrad, the matter of minutes before the authorities arrived on
odds of winning at The Yellow Lantern are not what scene to investigate the still raging fire. And, indeed,
they are supposed to be, and for the fourth it was the sound of the alarm bells being rung that
consecutive spin the ball landed on black. abruptly brought the argument to a halt. The cleric
and the politician were seen to shake hands, whilst a
Luck is fickle, however, and whilst Hargrad was
visibly shocked and shaken Hargrad was dragged
about to lose more than his money, in fact he gained
into the shadows by the politician’s aide.
his future. The reason for this was that next to
Hargrad at the table, and also betting on red, was an Hargrad was later found by the city guards, lying
upcoming young politician, and a senior member of unconscious and dangerously close to the ruins of
the local clergy. The casino owners had been asked The Yellow Lantern, his cloak smouldering, with
to ensure that those two people didn’t fare too well multiple broken ribs and his eyes burnt from his
that night, hence the unusual run against the odds head.
on the table.
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The healers say that only his dwarf constitution Comprising around thirty members at any one time, Publicly, Freyna puts up with this, as his absences
enabled him to survive. Those who know him better the organisation has four ruling committee seats. don’t seem to be harmful to the organisation;
say it was his desire for revenge that kept his heart privately, she allows it because he now knows
Chief Builder
beating. enough about the organisation and their clients
Responsible for the whole of the organisation and that, if he wanted to, he could make things very
Once he recovered from his injuries, Hargrad ended
directing its activities. difficult for a lot of important people. He’s also very
up working the docks, organising and advising on
good at his job, and she doesn’t really have anyone
the order of construction for some new ships and Currently: Freyna van Locke, middle-aged female
suitable to replace him. Good staff are so hard to
container vessels. Not all these vessels were being dwarf
find …
put to legitimate use, and it was there that the Has caused public praise, but private misgivings
Angle Gods took an interest in Hargrad. amongst members, through a low-cost home Logistics Lord
‘A blind man sees nuffin’, can’t tell nuffin’,’ was construction scheme she has started in one of the A title that was given as a joke to the first holder of
Hargrad’s position, and consequently he became poorest parts of the city. At times she has deployed the position, and it stuck. The holder of this position
more and more involved in their activities. With his up to 20% of the organisation’s resources to build is responsible for getting constructed items to
brilliantly devious mind, the products of the Angle low rent properties for the poorest people. The purchasers (often discretely) and for purchasing the
Gods became more and more successful, and almost public love her for this, but many members of the necessary raw materials.
without meaning to they moved ever further into organisation feel this draws too much attention and
Currently: Tord Karlsson, adult male dwarf
the shadowy world of organised crime, eventually results in uncomfortable questions being asked
becoming the ‘go-to’ organisation for when regarding the financial arrangements of the Angle Quiet and bookish, he has a real love of numbers
something ‘unusual’ needed to be built – for Gods and how they can afford such generosity. and organisation. He has little patience for disorder
whatever purpose. and uncertainty. He frequently butts heads with
She is the only current committee member who
Varlug the Quartermaster, who he sees as sloppy
Activities actually met Hargrad, and there are rumours that
and disorganised. Tord transferred into this role
they were lovers.
Will build anything for anyone without any questions following the last quartermaster’s demise … he died
asked. Never getting directly involved in the use of Entryway Chief in a bar fight; the killer was never identified or
their devices has made them immune from The first contact point between the organisation caught.
prosecution. After all, that torture rack might have and clients. Quartermaster and Warehouse Overseer
been wanted for pleasure, not pain; or that carriage
with secret compartments is probably for the Currently: Roberto Graff, adult male human Responsible for stock and inventory levels, as well
buyer’s wine collection, not contraband. They just Flamboyant and charismatic, he has a knack for as storage and production.
build as requested and, after all, ‘Builders are blind’. charming the most difficult of clients. His is a Currently: Varlug Grimm, adult male half-orc
Significant People popular and welcome face at most of the nobility’s
Brutally efficient in his management style (some
dinner parties, although there are rumours that he
The organisation is made up of a loose collection of would just say brutal), the warehouse has never
came to the city five years ago to escape a murky
master craftworkers, builders, and constructors of been as efficient as under his direction. That said, he
past. Roughly once a year he takes a leave of
every kind. They can make any structure, construct, struggles with the quartermaster side of the role,
absence for around a month. No one knows where
or mechanical artefact. Since the beginning of the which brings him into frequent conflict with Tord.
he goes during these months, and the stories he
organisation, wizards have been banned from Varlug was appointed less than a year ago by Freyna
tells as to where he has been vary.
joining, however they will take wizards as clients herself, after Tord became Logistics Lord.
(for an increased commission).
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BROTHERHOOD OF THE BELL History a percentage of the annual donations to the prize
money for the winner of the annual city race.
The history of the Brotherhood is indistinguishable
More than just timekeepers, the Brotherhood of the from the history of the Bell Tower which is It’s an unusual system, but one that is designed to
Bell have become the official archivists for the city. maintained by them. Originally, there was a watch prevent bias and control from any one party. There
Records of births, deaths, marriages, and business tower built where the current Bell Tower now are those that say the bias is simply subtler, and that
dealings are all recorded here. The five year census stands. It was there to provide advance warning those people or organisations who donate more
is run and recorded by them, and as such they are a against invading forces. As the city grew, the generously have their records written in a more
vital part of the socio-political machine that governs watchers on the walls began to sound handbells to positive way and more promptly, but that is just
the city. support their alarm shouts and cries. When the speculation for the current administration … in the
original tower was destroyed in a fierce battle past, there have been occasions where this was
against an army of goblins, a decision was made to proven to be true, but there have been no official
build a Bell Tower. complaints for the duration of the current Bell
Master’s tenure.
The current tower is the third such tower to stand
on the spot, and long-standing bets have been Activities
placed on when (and what) will destroy this one.
The first soldiers maintained the ringing of the bells
When the pacification of the surrounding areas
with military precision, and whilst history might
meant that the defensive properties of the Bell
recognise their archiving and record-keeping as
Tower were less important, the Brotherhood of the
being the Brotherhood’s greatest contributions to
Bell was formed from retiring and injured soldiers
civilisation, the Bells of the Day shape the very life of
who had stood watch on the parapet.
the city and have done now for decades.
They were tasked with observing and recording the
The Brotherhood have two official functions, both
events of the city. The basis of this was that it
laid down by royal decree and separately enshrined
followed on nicely from what they had been doing
in city civil governments. This dual recognition came
before and also kept a band of hardened soldiers in
about due to the changing forces of power
work, when normally they would have been
controlling the city over the years.
pensioned off and might have got up to trouble in
the drinking holes of the city. These functions are: they must ring the Bells of the
Day to ensure the formal functioning of the city, and
The soldiers, perhaps realising the second of those
they must also record and archive all matters of
two facts, made a point of being quite brilliant at
importance that occur within the city walls. Matters
their jobs. Thanks to their methodical approach and
arising outside of the walls may be recorded, but
record-keeping, several major crimes and one
only if they impact directly on the city.
invasion were detected and dealt with. From that
point forward, the Brotherhood began its slow rise As the city has grown, districts have added smaller
to where it is today. bell towers, manned by volunteers who sound the
bells when the main Bell Tower tolls.
The organisation is now funded by donations from
both the city authorities and the people. In return,
the Brotherhood, out of long-held tradition, donate
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Structure Chief Archivist She chased off the urchins and started to tutor the
boy; he was eight at the time. As soon as he turned
Responsible for major/confidential projects and co-
Bell Master ten, he became the youngest scribe on the payroll,
ordinating the archivists’ activities. Also responsible
and by fourteen he was appointed the youngest
on a day-to-day basis for the managing the
archivist in the history of the Brotherhood. Still
operations of the Brotherhood. In many ways this
Chief Archivist socially awkward and uncomfortable with
role is identical to the Bell Master position, simply
languages, he has a brilliant mind for mathematics,
with the public speaking and figurehead aspect
and the capacity to decipher the most obscure
removed.
Archivist Archivist Archivist maths or financial records.
Currently: Fi Angrom
He is not very good with people, and there is a
A middle-aged female dwarf, with flame red hair to continual issue with his inability to get his counter
Counter Scribes Scribes Scribes
match her fiery temper. Strict and rulebook scribes to complete their tasks on time. Shy and
orientated, the newly developed attitude of the Bell naturally hesitant, he finds dealing with his counter
Significant People Master is an ever-increasing frustration to her. She is scribes extremely stressful. If he didn’t have the
considering going to the authorities and lodging a support from Fi, the work would probably never get
Bell Master
complaint, but at this point doesn’t have any finished.
In charge of the Brotherhood – activities include the evidence of misconduct. (She doesn’t know about
hiring and firing of staff. The position is publicly Alan DeMont
his drug taking.)
voted for after candidates have obtained twelve Seventy-five-year-old male human, standing over six
Archivist
nominations from property-owning individuals. feet tall, with thin features. He has been with the
(How much property they own doesn’t matter, but Responsible for standard or small research, in Brotherhood since he was twenty. He absolutely
they must own some.) Once elected, the successful addition to the collection and recording of projects. loves his job and is extremely good at it, being
candidate holds the position for twelve years. Sometimes put in charge of teams of counters. naturally methodical and meticulous. Sadly, his
health is failing, although he has managed to hide
Currently: Laymon Barrock Currently: Franco Baines, Alan DeMont, Breeze
this from his colleagues so far. He now finds the cold
Once a formal and traditional man, he has mellowed Franco Baines air of the archive cellars to be troubling his lungs, so
a lot over the last few years. The deaths of several he is trying to spend more time working in the
Still in his teens, he lives with his mum and aunt in
good friends, due to natural causes, has made him lounge area.
one of the poor neighbourhoods nearer the eastern
consider the fragility of life and his serious
city gate. Human male with charcoal dark skin. By A quiet individual, he has never aspired to a more
demeaner.
chance, Fi saw him being taunted in the street by a senior position and has been content to stay in his
Since last year, he has developed a taste for a mild gang of urchins. They were posing puzzles to him current role for nearly five decades. He has an
psychedelic drug which he occasional dabbles with and laughing at his inherent frustration when he excellent memory and knows the location of most
to help pass the time. In efforts to liven up his rather couldn’t work them out. She then heard his documents off the top of his head. Despite it being
dull existence, he recently changed the marker point explanations of what was wrong with the puzzles against regulations, Fi made Alan a spare copy of the
for the Dawn Bell to be rung, and he is plotting (the urchins weren’t bright enough to create secure archive key to help speed up workflow.
similar mundane changes. puzzles that were correct), and she recognised that
under the stumbling, shy exterior lurked a brilliant
mind.
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Elegant Breeze at Dawn (Goes by ‘Breeze’) Scribes
An adult cat woman, she has short orange fur These are independent people who work on a
striped with dark honey-coloured zig-zag lines, and project-by-project basis. Anyone in the city can
dark honey ringlets around her amber cat eyes. volunteer to become a scribe. They are then
interviewed and tested by Fi or Lamon before being
From a race not known for its love of static jobs or
approved.
record-keeping, she takes real pleasure in her job as
an archivist. She significantly prefers the bell-ringing Their job is to collate the raw data and physical
and working with her scribes to the job of archiving copies of scrolls, books and parchments, prior to
and filing documents. Indeed, her filing is not them being catalogued, ordered and processed by
perfect, and Fi is continually having to encourage the archivists.
her to be more diligent and pay greater attention.
Some people do it for fun or out of a sense of civic
She does excel with the bell-ringing however, and duty, but most do it for the modest wages that they
tolls the bells on the majority of days, and almost get paid.
every time there is a special occasion. Sometimes
she gets carried away, and Lamon has had to Security
practically drag her off the bell ropes to end a
Over the years, different attempts have been made
sequence of bell rings before now.
to provide security to the organisation and at the
Unknown to her fellow Brotherhood members, she same time maintain its independence. The
has built up quite a reputation for herself as a somewhat unconventional solution that is currently
gambler in the less salubrious parts of town. She has in operation is that a mercenary third party is hired
had a bad run recently, and whilst winning well in
and paid for by both the local authorities and local
card games, she has lost her winnings – and more
lords – through a fund specifically set aside for this.
besides – on several ill-advised side bets. To cover
her finances, she has started to take bribes to alter They are housed in buildings directly outside the
records and to make sure that certain historical front gate and can clearly hear the guard geese
records are ‘lost forever’.
should they sound the alarm. Additionally, as soon
She swore to her girlfriend (a cat girl who works as any of the magical defences are triggered
behind the bar in one of the gambling dens) that she (including the gargoyles), an alarm sounds in this
was finished with games of chance, but despite this building.
she has gambled and lost several times since. Too
deep in her addictive state, she seems unable to This body of people typically numbers no more than
realise that she has a real problem and that she is four, but it has proven enough to keep the
rapidly spinning out of control. Brotherhood safe over recent years.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race
0 Tyrone Makay, Mercenary Adult, Human
Physical Description Has close-cropped black hair and ebony skin. A handsome man,
he is in excellent physical shape and stands with authority and confidence.
Character Further Details
Calm, measured and even-handed, he A military man through and through, he
seldom loses his temper. He is a good joined up at an early age and progressed
listener and likes to let other people go through the ranks before deciding, after a
first so that he can get the measure of disastrous mission, that he wanted more
them. Should he find someone control of what fights he got involved in.
unpleasant or boorish, he will simply Since then, his reputation as a man who
make his excuses and end the gets the job done with the minimum of
conversation. He is not one to waste casualties and fuss has made him highly
time with people he doesn’t like. sought after.
Self-educated, he is a lover of history, and
particularly enjoys reading historical
biographies. He believes you can minimise
your future mistakes by learning from the
past.
Items or Clothing Wields a broad-handled long sword that he won in a duel with a
prince from Unisia. The prince and he duelled for an hour before Tyrone disarmed
him and then refused to take his life. In return, he has been given an honorary guard
title in the prince’s household guard and was presented with the prince’s own
sword.
Occupation Mercenary – his current assignment is head of protection duty for the
Brotherhood of the Bell. As part of his pay he negotiated access to their archives
and spends many afternoons there reading old battle reports and histories.
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Similarly, if you are introducing them as ‘the And clearly, if that happens, then their sexuality is
QUICK CITY NPCS barmaid’, then that’s their job, not whatever is going to be relevant!
written in their profile. Perhaps the profile job is a
INTRODUCTION prior one, or something they aspire to be instead.
And on the broader point of inclusivity, anyone
properly involved in the gaming community will
What I think you need from an NPC is an individual Note that not all the items are necessarily being know that inclusivity is lacking. There are frequent
who can be physically described, engaged with by carried by the NPCs. Some items will be at their posts on social media from individuals feeling left
the characters, and who, if interrogated, has a little homes or elsewhere. out or sidelined because they feel underrepresented
depth. That’s all, really. To that end, Quick NPCs are in RPG material for a wide variety of reasons. The
designed to be easily and smoothly dropped into I have physically described the NPCs from the
situation is better than it was five years ago, and
your adventure world. perspective of a standard individual of their race,
better still than when I got into the hobby thirty odd
e.g. the average height for human males is
years ago, but clearly it isn’t quite where it should be
NPC FORMAT approximately 5’10’’. Tall and short are referenced
yet.
from the average standpoint for their race. Similarly,
Each NPC is described in a table which outlines their when it comes to their weight or build, that is taken The Grinning Frog commits to making every effort to
various traits. The number section (#) is there simply from an ‘average healthy individual’ perspective. present characters reflecting all sexualities and
to help you keep track of who you have used, or as orientations. We will also present individuals with
Where a dimension of the person is NOT mentioned,
an easy reference in your DM notes. You could also disabilities, both physical and mental, along with
e.g. height, weight etc., you can assume that
use the numbers to randomly generate the identity ensuring we reflect the wonderful ethnicities and
dimension is ‘average’ for that person.
of the just-encountered or just-to-be-encountered looks of the real world and project them into our
NPC by rolling a suitable die and consulting the OPEN LOCATION amazing RPG ones.
relevant table.
Whilst doing the above, we will strive to portray
The next three sections (Name and Occupation; Age To keep options open, I don’t mention specific
everyone as an individual and not a label, with the
and Race; Physical Description) contain information locations or language skills. ‘Foreign’ is a relative
aim that everyone can find someone they can relate
that will, most likely, be readily observable by the concept after all, so interpret ‘foreign lands’ and
to in these pages.
characters. other such phrases as suits the situation at hand.
Treat the details presented as the quick starting Should you ever feel that we have written
The next two sections (Character; Further Details) points that you need to easily run an NPC character, something that does not reflect well on a group of
contain progressively more ‘hidden’ or lesser-known and amend and alter them freely to suit your people, then contact us and we will review it.
information. Working with the information in these situation and game. It might be that such characters make some people
sections will easily enable you to create roleplay
uncomfortable. Well, this is a game of imagination,
moments and character depth. SEXUALITY AND INCLUSIVITY and just as I advocate you change any of the NPCs to
The two rows underneath the main entries provide It is a rare occurrence in my gaming experience that better fit your game and story situation, feel free to
additional character flavour and context to the the sexual orientation of an NPC is relevant. Now, I alter the nature of the NPCs to suit you. Here at The
individual. I believe this information is the most accept that might just be me and my gaming groups. Grinning Frog, we strive to help all Dungeon and
optional of everything presented, so do feel Perhaps rather than fighting/protecting/stealing Games Masters have a more positive gaming
completely free to kit the NPC out with other items from NPCs (which is what happens in my games) experience. Take what we provide in that spirit and
as serves your story line. everyone else is busy getting … intimate with them! adapt it to suit your needs and preferences.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race
MALE CITY NPCS
2 Simon Trubeborn, Stone Mason’s Teen, Human
# Name and Occupation Age and Race Apprentice
1 Timmy McFarlawn, Errand Boy Young, Human Physical Description Short, lean and firm bodied, he is almost always dusty and
Physical Description Has unruly red hair that he is constantly pushing away from dirty from his stonecutting duties. Has a short dark beard which gives his round
his face. Short for his age, with long gangly limbs, he moves clumsily with little face more definition.
grace. Character Further Details
Character Further Details Positive and friendly with a strong A simple soul, he truly feels that he has
Youthfully eager and enthusiastic, he is With six elder siblings, he dreams of handshake. He is always willing to found his life’s calling both in cutting
always curious about newcomers to uncovering some great magic item greet newcomers warmly. Not terribly stone and in working for Svengard
the city, although he is bashful when that will make him super special and bright, he struggles to keep up with (male NPC #3) who he absolutely
he actually meets any foreign visitors important. Doted on by his sisters, he conversations, and his contributions worships. Lives with his mother in the
or strangers. wants to be taken more seriously by are typically very obvious and same small cottage that he was born
his brothers. straightforward. He is better in, just outside the city walls. His father
discussing practical matters than died from a fever when he was young.
Items or Clothing Has a slingshot that he found in an alley. The wood is a anything more esoteric.
brilliant green and seems to glow from within. He is convinced it is magical (it is)
but has as yet been unable to unlock any of its powers. Items or Clothing Always dresses in the same set of dusty overalls and wears a
thick leather belt that once belonged to his father. Unknown to him, the belt
Occupation Errand boy – does a range of basic chores for a number of the shops magically enhances his strength (which has helped with the stonecutting). He
in the market place. wears it because it was his father’s, and despite rarely cleaning his overalls, he
cleans and oils the belt daily after work.
Occupation Stone Mason’s Apprentice – this was a hard-to-win position, and
many candidates with strong credentials put themselves forward. He had none
of that but won the competition, and the job, through ‘natural feeling for stone’
as Svengard commented at the time. He works hard and is happy in his work.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
3 Svengard Copperbelt, Master Stone Adult, Dwarf 4 Peter Mulgrove II, Cartwright Adult, Human
Mason
Physical Description Tall and almond-skinned, with a gleaming bald head,
Physical Description Short and broad, with curly blond hair, a long blonde beard hooked nose, and deep-set, black eyes.
tied into two plaits, and bright blue, deep-set eyes.
Character Further Details
Character Further Details
Always happy to greet newcomers to A businessman through and through,
Loud and boisterous, he loves a good Unlike many of his kin, he has no the city, he can be a great source of he sees all new acquaintances as
party about as much as he loves interest in mines or underground local knowledge. He knows most of potential customers. Raised by his
stonecutting (and he really loves spaces; rather he finds wonder and the other merchants in town and many mother with the mindset of always
stonecutting). glory in building under the open sky. of the local noble families. When bettering himself and his lot in life, he
From a long line of stone masons, he addressing a group, he tends to focus works hard to fulfil that aspiration.
grew up breathing in stone dust, and on the most affluent-looking individual Unfortunately, due to his drive to do
some joke that if you cut him in half his to speak with. well, he can be dismissive of people
core would be chiselled marble. who appear poor.
Items or Clothing Has a dwarven drafting set that has been in his family for Items or Clothing Has a magic lathe that was enchanted by a grateful mage
eight generations. client for speedy delivery of a new carriage. He uses it on all the carriages he
builds – it never dulls, and it cuts through the hardest wood knots like a knife
Occupation Master Stone Mason – celebrated far and wide as one of the best
through butter.
stonecutters of the current age. Has a real knack for making stonework look
delicate and refined, without it losing any of its strength. His bridges are a Occupation Cartwright – makes the finest carts and carriages in the kingdom (at
marvel of engineering. Recently took on Simon (Male NPC #2) as his apprentice, least that is what he would say). Currently, business is particularly good, with a
much to the shock of his dwarven clan. He claims, rightly so, that the boy has strong back order list for his newest enclosed horse-drawn carriage.
natural talent, and he is training him hard in the craft of stonecutting.
“The trick with stonecutting, like any craft, is you have to feel it. Not just in your hands,
but in your bones. Feel the creation, coax it, breath it into life. And that’s what the boy
has. See that? Nice, isn’t it? Not my work, his. It’s a marvel, ain’t it?”
Svengard Copperbelt, Master Stone Mason
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
5 Bregan, Butcher Adult, Half-Orc 6 Apo Delamont, Merchant Adult, Half-Elf
Physical Description Green-skinned, tall, broad-shouldered and well-built, he is Physical Description Slender, with fine features, delicate feminine hands and a
an imposing sight. A permanent scowl, broken fangs, hooded eyes and poor symmetrical face framed by short dark hair. His eyes have an intelligent but
communication skills do little to make him less unsettling to strangers. slightly guarded look to them. Walks with a slight limp from a childhood
accident.
Character Further Details
Character Further Details
At best monosyllabic when he meets Having grown up on the streets, with
newcomers, he seldom starts a fairly brutal discrimination due to his Outwardly friendly and approachable, Born a woman, once puberty hit he
conversation unless prompted. Refers mixed race, he carries a chip on his but slightly cynical about life generally realised that this did not fit his true
to himself in the third person when he shoulder. His one friend is the local and doesn’t particularly like wizards of identity. After leaving home, he made
speaks. (‘Bregan doesn’t like you,’ cleric Freya (female NPC #10). In many any type. the decision to live and dress as a man.
etc.) ways he sees her as the mother he Has had a long on-off relationship with
never had. Happiest when he is a female half-elf, Crystal Le Fray
working, he also enjoys his once a (female NPC #3). They are currently
week visit to see Freya at her temple. together but having a difficult time
due to her drinking problem.
Items or Clothing Wears a platinum amulet with a lion’s head on it which was
given to him by Freya many years ago. It is worth a small fortune; the last time a Items or Clothing Carries a short, black ash walking cane, which he doesn’t
gang tried to steal it from him they were cleaning up the blood from the fight really need but does lean on when tired.
for days afterwards. [Unknown to him or Freya (although she suspects) the
Occupation Merchant – has a warehouse in the south of the city, from which his
amulet has magical properties protecting the wearer when fighting.]
goods are shipped out. He trades in almost anything legal (he is quite particular
Occupation Butcher – struggling with anger management in his youth, he was about that) and usually has the most mundane items in stock. In the same way
helped to channel his inner rage by being made to work for the local butcher as he won’t trade in illegal goods, he also won’t trade in anything magical (for
who had him carve up the meat carcasses. Manifesting a natural talent for it, he reasons he keeps to himself.)
eventually took over the butcher’s shop and now runs it with startling efficiency.
Some people tell dark stories about exactly what meat he carves up, and the
phrase ‘chop-shop’ is sometimes used in a very dark way – although never to his
face.
Name His name was given to him by Freya when she first met him, so he is
named after one of the long-dead heroes of the city. His childhood names were
all derogatory, and she wanted to help him leave them in his past, hence his new
name.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
7 Jarel Dragour, Grover Middle-aged, 8 Subtle Morning Gift, Entertainer Middle-aged, Cat
Human Person
Physical Description Fat-bellied, with scruffy, receding brown hair and big fat Physical Description Has short golden-brown fur with brown rosette patterns.
arms, he’s a big man who easily fills a normal-sized doorway. Sparkling amber cat eyes peer out at the world with a natural inquisitiveness.
Lithe and thin, he wears a simple brown tunic and linen trousers.
Character Further Details
Character Further Details
Loud and gregarious, he’s a chatty His mother was a baker, and his dad
individual who is always willing to stop was a chef. Whilst he didn’t inherit any Quiet and watchful, he will typically Grew up in an orphanage run by
and chat with people he knows, or of their talent at cooking, he did wait for a conversation to turn to clerics. From them, he learned a rigid
who might buy from him, whilst at the inherit their love of food – hence his foreign lands and exotic places before sense of right and wrong. As a result,
same time shouting at his staff to size and career choice. Married for all getting involved. Knows the city he declined the seductive calling of a
work faster. He hails from a distant of his adult life to the same individual, streets very well and is willing to act as life of crime, even though his natural
region of the land and has an eastern he buys him flowers every week. a guide – for suitable payment. abilities would have made him an
accent, despite having lived in the city excellent thief, and instead he became
for over twenty years. an entertainer.
Items or Clothing Wears a gold locket on a chain around his large neck. Inside, Items or Clothing Was left on the doorstep of the orphanage when a baby, with
on the left is a miniature painting of his parents, and on the other side is a a slender silver bracelet engraved with a stylised symbol of what looks like a
picture of his husband. cat’s paw surrounded by a crescent moon. To date, he has not been able to
identify what this relates to. Wears the bracelet at all times.
Occupation Grocer - aided by his love of food, he manages to procure excellent
quality produce for his store. Charges more than his competitors, but his Occupation Entertainer – gymnast and juggler mostly. Enjoys the praise and
customers recognise the quality they are buying. adoration more than the financial return and doesn’t in fact spend much money
on himself. Has an interest in one day trying to locate his birth parents or tracing
back to his homeland, and he is saving money towards that end.
Name Named by the clerics, but in the cat people style. Goes by Subtle for
strangers, but his friends call him Gift.
“The Sapphire Club, you ask? Why yes, I know it well. Performed on the stage a few times. Good tippers
at the Sapphire Club, and speaking of which, if I’m to interrupt my busy day to guide you there, then a
small tip of appreciation would be just dandy – think of it as a gift more than payment, if you prefer.”
Subtle Morning Gift, Entertainer
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
9 Alba Ironfist, Mill Owner Middle-aged, Half- 10 Curtis Long, Fishmonger Middle-aged,
Goliath Human
Physical Description Completely bald, with a permanent frown, brown eyes, Physical Description Large, balding and fat-bellied, he waddles when he walks.
long limbs and a pronounced limp. Small eyes peer out from a puffy face.
Character Further Details Character Further Details
Shy and reserved, he stays out of A gentle soul, he has struggled to find Food is his favourite topic of Deeply religious, he alienates people
conversations unless he has to get his place in life, with most people who conversation, and he is always eating – quickly with his preachy nature. Lives
involved. Plain speaking, he has quite a meet him expecting him to be a tough, whether snacking or eating a full meal. in a small house, just inside the city
simple view of the world. fighter type, towering as he does over Other than that, he tends to condemn walls, with six cats. He had seven, but
the average human. Instead, he is a most activities that people tend to one just died.
quiet and mellow soul. enjoy – drinking, fornication, gambling,
etc.
Items or Clothing He cares little for material things but has a pet pig named
Gorgon that he dotes on. Items or Clothing Has what he believes is a genuine holy relic on a shelf in his
living room. (It isn’t a relic, but it has healing properties, which, unknown to him,
Occupation Mill owner – he worked for the previous owner so diligently and
have saved him from two heart attacks so far.)
loyally that when the previous owner died, he was left the mill in the will. He
now runs it with kindness and respect for his workers, all of whom adore him. Occupation Fishmonger – people joke that he’d make more money if he didn’t
eat so much of his own product.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
10 Laymon Barrock, Bell Master Old, Human 10 Merek of the Vale, Brewer Wise, Human
Physical Description Tall, with cropped, white hair, he is always seen out Physical Description Once a large man, age has shrunken him. Shuffling when he
dressed in his formal Bell Master robes (red with gold trim) and chain of office. walks, with a stooped back and laboured breathing, he travels little now under
his own power. When outside his mansion, he has a palanquin carried by four
Character Further Details
men to convey him about (he dislikes horses). In his mansion he is wheeled
A naturally seriously minded man, he The older he gets, the more relaxed he about by his servants in a chair specially made for him.
has started to mellow in his old age is getting about routine, discipline, and
Character Further Details
and is enjoying playing against his even theology. This is the real reason
‘stern and serious’ reputation. This the time of the Dawn Bell has been Prone to emotional outbursts, a A driven individual, he set out to be
often manifests itself as playing changed recently. (See Bells of the Day conversation with him is an rich and successful and has achieved
practical jokes on people or telling later in this publication.) He just unpredictable thing. As age has that goal. He did some morally, and
colourful stories and wisecracks. thought it would be fun to mess with wasted his body, his voice is now thin legally, questionable things to get to
historians by finding a middle time! and reedy. In conversation he very where he is now, and his conscience
often changes topic in mid flow and keeps him awake at night. His fourth
Items or Clothing The official robes that he wears have a secret inner pocket, in
can have trouble telling current events wife just died from natural causes (the
which he is now keeping a small supply of Red Vine Weed (a chewing tobacco
from historical ones. magistrate ruled), but some people
known for its mildly psychedelic inducing properties). When bored (often at
are talking about the fact that his first
formal events), he has the habit of taking some of the tobacco.
and third wives also died in similar
Occupation Bell Master – he holds the position for another five years but is circumstances. He is estranged from
seriously considering finishing early. his only son (from his third wife), and
the son refuses to speak to him.
Items or Clothing Has a painting on his study wall, that his second wife painted,
of him delivering wine on his first royal contract. He loves the picture and will sit
and look at it for hours.
Occupation Brewer – started as an apprentice with a different brewery and
then, many years ago, left to start up his own place. Since then, it has been a
long hard struggle to get to the place where he is today – the head of a
successful brewery selling throughout the region and exporting overseas. When
he dies, he will leave a considerable sum of money and a profitable business in
his will. As to who that is made out to, no one knows.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race
FEMALE CITY NPCS
2 Banda Dee, Bouncer Teen, Dwarf
# Name and Occupation Age and Race
Physical Description Squat and muscular, with a shaved head and multiple nose
1 Ellyn Pagella, Runner Young, Elf and ear piercings. Dresses in a tatty leather tunic adorned with metal studs.
Physical Description Has short, bright blonde hair, hazel eyes and a calm face. Character Further Details
Cocks her head to one side when listening.
Monosyllabic and unresponsive, most Stormed out of her ancestral home a
Character Further Details of the time she can become very year ago and now lives in shared
Says little but watches people intently Almost totally deaf, she gets by outspoken about the right to choose accommodation in one of the poorer
when they are speaking. through reading lips and the your own life and why ‘old-fashioned, parts of town. This (and shaving her
occasional use of her amulet. hierarchical establishments are head) was in protest at the arranged
Desperately wanting to be ‘normal’, holding back the advance of marriage her parents had set up. They
she is reluctant to tell people about civilisation’. are still waiting for her to return. She is
her disability. adamant that isn’t happening,
although she does miss her brothers.
Items or Clothing Wears a red ruby pendant that provides her with the ability to
hear for five minutes. Once used, it takes roughly an hour for it to recharge. The Items or Clothing Has a small painting of her three brothers that she carries with
mage Zentha (Female NPC #11) made it for her and is working on an upgraded her in a leather wrap.
version that will last for longer between recharges. Occupation Bouncer – whilst only young (for a dwarf), her forceful manner and
Occupation Runner – works mostly for the Wizards Guild and delivers books, dwarven physiology has made her an entirely competent member of the
scrolls and ingredients around the city as required. Quite fancies becoming a security detail at the Sapphire Stag Club, a slightly dubious (but legal) gambling
long-distance courier or messenger when older. club.
“Um, you agree, right? You go out and fight things, save people, make a difference. Right? That’s what is
needed. Not more of the same. Not more tradition saying I can’t get a job until I ‘come of age’, whatever
that means. Not more priests droning on about stuff they only half believe in. New stuff. New change.
That’s what we need. You agree, right?”
Banda Dee, Bouncer
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
3 Crystal Le Fray, Furrier Adult, Half-Elf 4 Sarath Cildraner, Hunter Adult,
Dragonborn
Physical Description Lithe and toned, she moves with grace. Her waist-long hair
is usually tied in a single ponytail, and her green eyes are deep and thoughtful. Physical Description Small bronze scales patterned with golden flecks cover her
large frame. Her obsidian black eyes are deep set into an angled face, and she
Character Further Details
has a ridge of short, golden-tipped scales running from the middle of her
Forward and uncompromising, she is Uncharacteristically ‘rough’ for forehead, over her head and down to her neck. When angered or tense, these
direct in her views and cares little if someone with elf heritage, she cares rise up.
people don’t like them. Has little little that people are often shocked by
Character Further Details
patience for waffle and would rather her directness. Has had a fairly lengthy
someone get to the point. Fond of a off-on relationship with Apo Delamont Speaking with a slurred, muffled style When young, her family were
drink, she will put up with ‘stuffy [Male #6 on this list]. Unknown to him, of speech, upon first meeting her ambushed by trolls when crossing a
boring people’ if they are buying. Can she recently got very drunk with many people mistake her for river. Her parents were killed, and she
get a little unpredictable after a drink – Sarath (Female #4 on this list) and they unintelligent or disabled in some lay at death’s door before being found
sometimes argumentative, sometimes spent the night together. She isn’t fashion. Her inciteful comments and totally by chance by Freya (female NPC
flirty. sure if she wants to see her again. observations tend to correct that #10). Whilst in every other way she
flawed impression quickly enough. Up recovered fully, her throat was
Items or Clothing Loves her boots and has a good selection of knee- and thigh-
for almost any challenge, she often permanently damaged, hence her
high boots – mostly elven made.
makes the point that ‘I’m living for slurred speech. She also has an abiding
Occupation Furrier – prepares the furs that hunters bring in for resale. three’, before embarking on some hatred for trolls and all their kin.
risky undertaking. (A remark she
Open to romantic and casual
doesn’t always fully explain at the
relationships with any sort of
time.)
individual, she most recently slept with
Crystal Le Fray (Female NPC #3) and is
keen to see her again.
Items or Clothing Her parents were writers, and she has a collection of their
journals and books which she treasures.
Occupation Hunter – totally fearless, she will hunt any game and has been
employed to hunt down and eradicate a wide range of vicious creatures and
monsters over the years. Some observers say that her fearlessness is
dangerously close to recklessness.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
5 Verna Bullroarer, Archery Master Adult, Halfling 6 Silvia Horton, Landowner Adult, Human
Physical Description Has broad shoulders, muscular arms and a firm body. Her Physical Description A large, soft-bodied woman, she has dyed blonde hair worn
hair is dyed blue, and she wears an eyepatch over her left eye. tied back in a ponytail.
Character Further Details Character Further Details
Crude and vulgar, she has no sense of She travelled a lot when younger and Warm and friendly, she is welcoming Her parents were open-minded and
proper decorum or etiquette. She has a real love of the sea. The story, as to all humans but openly unpleasant to cosmopolitan individuals, but for some
finds most halflings dull and boring she tells it, is that she lost her eye and non-humans. reason their daughter has become
and spends the majority of her time learned to shoot during a year spent bigoted and narrow-minded when it
down in various sailors taverns by the with a band of pirates operating out of comes to other species. She believes,
docks. the southern archipelago. As the and will say it, that civilised cities like
archipelago is considered by most to this one should only be for humans.
be more myth than fact, few believe
Items or Clothing Carries a whistle and concealed dagger ‘in case any of those
this story. No one can argue that she
freaks try anything’.
has a deadly aim, however, and people
point out that she had to have learned Occupation Landowner – her large properties (parts of the city and areas
her skills somewhere! beyond) mean that she is important enough, and wealthy enough, to be able to
vocalise her opinions without being shut out. Some within the city – movers and
Items or Clothing Wears a necklace of a hammer inside a pentagram, which she
shakers – would like to see her leave and find a more human-centric city to live
claims is a symbol of the pirate clan she was with. She refuses to say what they
in.
were called, however.
Occupation Archery Master – winner of the annual archery competition for six
years running, she now tutors anyone who wants to hire her on all aspects of
archery. Also on contract to train the city guard.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
7 Lerissa Gelbane, Falconer Middle-aged, 8 Koti, Healer Middle-aged, Half-
Devilfolk Orc
Physical Description Fine horns curl and twist up from her forehead, and her jet Physical Description Her left hand and arm are heavily scarred, although usually
black hair hangs straight to her shoulders. She has a short tail edged with bone this is hidden by the long-sleeved, flowing robes that she habitually wears.
barbs, and her eyes are red-rimmed with burning orange pupils. Lightly green-skinned, she has piercing red eyes and bushy black hair.
Character Further Details Character Further Details
Quick witted, with a sarcastic streak, Having faced much bigotry in her life, She comes over as absent-minded, as Almost the entire orc clan she was
she can be both hilariously funny and she has found peace and acceptance she often stops in the middle of raised in was wiped out in a short but
devastatingly cutting with her humour. working with her birds of prey. Single sentences and has a habit of looking brutal series of battles with a
after a messy break-up, she is around, rather than at the person she neighbouring dark elf colony. She was
emotionally on edge and more prone is speaking to. She often also talks out found by some rangers, wandering the
to cutting sarcasm than humour loud to herself. last battlefield in a state of shock but
currently. still tending to the wounded. They
brought her to the city, where she has
Items or Clothing Wears an ornate tail cap made of fine copper and brass, which
lived ever since.
tinkles when she moves (unless she chooses to hold her tail still.)
Items or Clothing Pinned to her robes is a platinum Freedom of the City medal,
Occupation Falconer – considered by everyone in the know as hands down the
given in recognition of her healing services to the city.
finest falconer in the region.
Occupation Healer – given her heritage, this seemed like an unusual occupation,
but her critics were silenced when she saved a whole city quarter during the
Great Summer Fever five years ago by identifying the fever’s source.
“You know what this is all about? It’s trust. The bird trusts that I will do what I promise when
it does what I want. And I trust it will come back to me, and only me, after it’s left my hand.
That’s what it’s about. Trust. You know, that thing you don’t get from other people.”
Lerissa Gelbane, Falconer
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
9 Millicent Tythe, Seamstress Middle-aged, 10 Freya Von Ist, Cleric Middle-aged,
Human Human
Physical Description Tall, with wide hips, she wears her greying blonde hair Physical Description With the figure of a woman ten years younger, thanks to a
coiled up in a back bun and has both ears pierced. gruelling exercise regime, her real age shows in the lines on her face and some
grey amidst her curly blonde hair. An eye patch covers her left eye, and a
Character Further Details
patchwork of scars extends over her left cheek.
A very motherly individual, she can be A genuinely warm individual, she is
Character Further Details
quite shocked by adventurers’ tales also a proud mother of four children –
and the dangers described. Her eldest two girls and two boys. The father is Guarded but friendly with strangers, she She has a genuinely kind heart which has
boy has just been promoted to captain overseas on a trade mission at the likes to evaluate newcomers before been sorely tested over the years – both
in the city guard, a fact she tends to moment. He is due back in a couple of opening up to them. Once she has in what she has seen and in what has
work into most conversations. months. judged that they are good people, she is happened to her. She now takes the
happy to offer help and advice. view that the universe is a harsh place,
Items or Clothing Has a series of family paintings in her house, made every year and the job of a morally good person is
since her youngest child was born. In the evening, she likes to pour a drink and She has no time for bigots or bullies and
to make it a little less harsh. It was
walk through the house looking at the pictures. has no hesitation or fear in confronting
thoughts like that which inspired her to
them.
step in and help the butcher Bregan
Occupation Seamstress – takes individual commissions as well as having
(Male NPC #5) years ago when he was a
ongoing contracts with various city organisations. Has a team of junior
source of much trouble on the city
seamstresses, to whom she outsources some of the work.
streets. She saw a wronged soul who
didn’t know how to cope and made it a
mission to help him. Over the years, this
has blossomed into a deep affection for
him. Her greatest worry is who will look
after him when she dies.
Items or Clothing Whilst she no longer dresses in the armour that she wore when on
active field duty, she still wears her weapon belt, from which hangs her sacred
mace. Blessed by divine powers, it has the ability to cast a light upon command and
is enhanced for combat, dealing extra damage against fiends and the undead.
Occupation Healer; Cleric; Keeper of the Sacred Records – after being grievously
wounded on a campaign against a demon prince, she was transferred to this internal
role, something she hated and railed against for months. Having finally accepted her
new post, she is meticulous in recording the lives and deaths of the members of her
order. She also gets involved in the analysis of magical items that are uncovered,
and there are rumours that she slips out of the city on occasion to help some of the
exploration teams in person.
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# Name and Occupation Age and Race # Name and Occupation Age and Race
11 Zentha Zyldan, Wizard Old, Dark Elf 12 Sibyl Ragon, Artisan Wise, Human
Physical Description Wispy, grey hair frames a wrinkled and aged-dark face. Has Physical Description Pale-skinned and incredibly thin, she looks like a strong
deep-set, intelligent eyes, a prominent nose and full lips. breeze might knock her over. For all that, she still paints every day, although her
works are getting smaller and smaller as she gets older. Wears a selection of
Character Further Details
colourful scarves to hide the fact that she is losing her hair.
Speaks with a quiet sing-song voice Having dedicated her considerably
Character Further Details
which she never raises. Any irritation long life to bettering her mind and
she displays over the perceived learning, all she say can about magic is She uses a lot of metaphors when A contented soul, she feels she has
stupidity of people she expresses that she has no time for ‘muscle- talking, and she is very visually lived a full and successful life. Has
through frowning, tutting or shaking bound fools’ or ‘ignorant fools who descriptive when she speaks. always been excited by art, and her
her head (she does this a lot). wouldn’t know which way to hold a greatest wish is to die with a
staff’, as she often expresses. paintbrush in her hand as she finishes
Obsessive in her quest for magical off her final masterpiece. She has
knowledge, her one, more already made provision in her will that
conventional, indulgence is a weekly her last painting be given to the city
visit to the Arbour Tearooms, where gallery in recognition of all the support
she enjoys a quiet cup of tea and a and help they have given her over the
cake. years. The one thing she hasn’t
painted that she would have liked to is
Items or Clothing Carries, or, nowadays, more leans on, a polished, ebony staff,
a live dragon. (She has painted some
inscribed in silver with magic runes of strength, healing and protection.
from corpses.)
Occupation Wizard – once an active traveller and adventurer, she now spends
Items or Clothing Has a small wooden hand harp that she plays prior to every
most of her time conducting magical research in her home library. She has
painting session. She claims it gets her in the zone. What she doesn’t realise is
amassed a considerable number of magical books over her life. She has been
that, years ago, it was enhanced magically to create a zone of tranquillity around
known to hire people to go and locate magic books, artefacts and even
it. The zone lasts for ten minutes after the instrument has been played.
ingredients to further her work.
Occupation Artisan – painting and sculpting are her specialities. Very successful
– she is regarded as the greatest painter to ever come from the city, and one of
the better sculptors (but not the best).
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Die Roll
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS BY A CITY WELL
1 – the coin vanishes into the depths of the well and, as the
The well is old – very old. No one locally knows the significance of the coats of compulsion fades away, an echoing voice says, ‘Cheapskate – you’ve
arms that adorn the five sides of it, and the sages and learned scholars don’t agree. got more money than this.’ A battered piece of worthless metal
Different families are attached to it, and different legends. So, a mystery – unused, fades into existence on the lip of the well.
unwanted, but never cleared away. That is the well the players find themselves
standing next to. 2 – the coin vanished into the depths of the well, clanging and
clattering as it falls. As the sound fades away, so does the
Die Roll Encounter compulsion, and two coins, identical to the one thrown, appear on
the lip of the well.
One As the characters stand there, each one of them, in turn, gets an
overwhelming urge to throw a coin into the fountain. It could be any 3 – the coin vanishes into the depths of the well, sparkling and
coin, but the feeling is overwhelmingly powerful. winking in the light as it falls. Soundlessly it vanishes, but so does the
compulsion, and an echoing voice says, ‘Thank you; generosity
DM Notes should be rewarded’. 1d6+2 coins identical to the one thrown into
Players can either acquiesce to this compulsion or fight it. To fight it, the well appear around the edge of the well.
they need to make a high will save to enable themselves to have the 4-6 – the coin flies through the air and bursts into flame as it
willpower to walk over ten feet from the well, at which point, the descends into the depths. The compulsion fades as a chuckling voice
compulsion fades. echoes up from the depths and says, ‘Tasty, thank you.’ As it finishes
(You could complicate matters by having a minus to the saving throw speaking, a gem worth ten times the thrown coin appears on the
for each person who agrees to toss a coin in. In other words, the edge of the well.
more people who agree to do it, the harder it is for the others to
Two As the party stand near the well, cries for help can be heard coming
resist! A fact that might lead to some neat roleplaying.)
up from the depths. The voice sounds like it belongs to a small child.
For each character who throws a coin into the well, roll on the If the party go over and look down into the well, they see nothing.
following table, factoring in these modifiers. Note that the The well is about twenty feet deep and pitch dark at the bottom.
compulsion is such that, once someone decides to throw a coin in,
DM Notes
they are unable to do so until everyone who is going to throw one
has chosen which coin. They are not able to change their decision The sound of lapping water can be heard. Should they lower down a
afterwards. light, they see a horde of small brown creatures, with long fangs and
claws, clustered around a raggedy doll. As soon as the light
(Again, a variation to this is not letting the players know they are
illuminates them, they scream in high-pitched tones and dart away
unable to change coins, and treating whatever coins they ultimately
through small holes in the base of the well wall. The doll is left
throw in as if they were of the original type they had picked.)
behind. Should the doll be retrieved, it is found to have traces of
• Bronze coin – minus one fresh blood on it and it has been torn as if by many claws.
• Silver coin – no modifier
Three A man, extremely well-dressed in a tall hat and with a black cane, is
• Gold coin – plus one observed to be seated on the edge of the well looking down. He
• Platinum coin – plus two notices he is being watched and raises a hand in greeting.
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‘Well met. It has been some time since I have seen a party of your … well! The children rush to the edge of the well and are beside
calibre. Whence go you from here?’ themselves with grief over the loss of their hoop.
DM Notes DM Notes
Should the party tell him, he replies, tipping his hat at them. I can’t help myself but mention that potentially there is some pick-
pocketing going on whilst this drama unfolds – mostly, though, I was
‘Good luck then, but let me give you some advice: never tell a stranger
just thinking how the characters, tooled up for fighting and
where you are going next.’
dungeoneering, fare when their mission is – retrieve a child’s hoop
He then turns and walks away down the street, fading out of from the bottom of a well!
existence as he goes.
And, yes, you could make it a ball if you wanted.
Should the party decline, he replies, tipping his hat at them.
Five A strange scuffling noise emanates from the well, getting louder and
‘Fair enough; you don’t know me from Adam, after all. Very discreet. louder. Abruptly, a cloud of bats bursts out from the mouth of the
Very clever.’ well, flies around the players, momentarily blinding them, before
He then turns and walks away down the street, fading out of dashing off down the street…
existence as he goes. etc.
Should the party ask who he is, he replies: DM Notes Develop this dialogue and encounter as you wish!
‘I’m the Well Man, of course. Great things, wells. Good places for
contemplation. Just don’t fall into one. So, where are you going?’ Six A sibilant whispering comes from the well. It echoes and builds on
itself, getting louder and louder, although no words can be made
Repeat the above responses – any other questions aimed at the Well out.
Man, and he will smile enigmatically and fade away.
DM Notes
Should the party ask him for help, e.g. ‘We aren’t sure where to go
next. Can you help?’, he replies: Should the party walk off, ignoring it, an explosion of watery
ectoplasm blasts out from the well and rains down on them. Having
‘Tell me your story and I will see if I can help.’ He will then listen, walked away, they only get a little touch however, and the remainder
without providing any answers until they have finished. Should they fades away almost as soon as it hits the ground.
be looking for a location in the city, then he will direct them. If their
next place to go would be outside the city, he suggests going to the Should the party approach, the noise intensifies, and moments
city gates as a start. before they reach the well edge, an explosion of watery ectoplasm
blasts out from the well and rains down on them. Due to their
He then tips his hat at them and fades out, saying: proximity, they get soaked by the gunk, and high-pitched laughter
‘You could also try tossing a coin in the well. Sometimes it pays for can be heard in the air. The plasma fades away fairly quickly, but the
itself.’ At this point you can go to number two above, if you wish. giggling continues in the background whilst the party is within 10ft.
of the well.
Four As the party stand talking by the well, a couple of youngsters come
running down the street rolling a hoop with a stick. It bounces off Should the party have a cleric or similar religious individual, they
the foot of one of the players and arches perfectly – right down the might be able to commune with the spirit who means them no harm,
but who lives within the well structure itself. It is a composite of the
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spirits of the people who have died, either deliberately or
accidentally, by falling into the well. It can provide some information
on the city in ‘ye olden days’, but it is an imperfect spirit and a single
jumbled piece of information is all that is obtainable.
It could also be banished/exorcised temporarily, however it isn’t
doing any real harm, and the locals know better than to approach
the well when it makes the noise – they also find it amusing to watch
newcomers get splattered!
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Eight An old lady is gazing down into an old well. She sees the party and
beckons them over, saying, in a posh accent, ‘Could you help get
Princess up? She’s being very naughty.’
DM Notes
Should the party ignore her, be rude, or decline, then she fixes them
with an icy stare and mutters something under her breath about ‘the
youth of today’. She also takes careful note of who they are.
(It might be fun for her to turn up later as an NPC who won’t be too
friendly with the party after this.)
Should the party agree, then they can see a pair of eyes looking up
from deep in the well. The well itself has long ago dried up, and the
bottom appears to be filled with twigs, fallen branches and general
rubbish. Getting down to where the creature is will be dirty and
difficult – the well is about 50ft deep.
Additionally, Princess is actually a dragonling (not a cat, as one might
have expected). She’s also a bit snappy and will likely bite the person
reaching her. At the first sign of aggression to her, the woman will
start shrieking and panicking about ‘poor Princess’, and Princess will
fly up to her owner (she’s not stuck; she’s just being difficult) and
hide under her arm. This is one spoilt brat of a dragonling.
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Thus, a group of magi, ex-adventurers
This is a world of fantastic beasts and and philosophers set out the aims for the
incredible sights. For those few lucky and
THE ADVENTURE COUNCIL Adventure Council and began a work of
brave enough to venture forth, there are research and exploration that has
wonders to behold, sights to marvel at and continued ever since …
experiences to live.
Yet, we can’t all be adventurers. Some of us
HAL AND ROGER
must stay behind, till the fields, gather the The newest recruits to the adventure
crops, build the cities. Life demands, and council, Hal and Roger, are brothers,
we must provide. bonded by birth, and now through the
So, this council exists to bring those trials, tribulations and experiences of
wonders and sights back to the cities and their adventures around the world
to the people less able to adventure. cataloguing and exploring the myriad
forms of life they encounter.
We will dedicate our lives to exploring,
finding and uncovering the wonders of the Roger is a couple of years younger, sees
world. We will then bring back stories, life less seriously, and is more prone to
pictures and specimens to ensure that the outbursts of wonder at what they
wonders of the world are accessible by all. encounter.
We will respect this world and do no harm As the older brother, Hal see himself as
in our exploring or gathering. We will seek the one responsible not just for his and
out, and hire, good-hearted individuals to his brother’s safety, but also for the
help us in our work. We will never stop positive outcome of the mission.
exploring, never stop adventuring. Together they are fearless in their
The Adventure Council Charter exploring, and throughout these
publications will both recount different
parts of their adventures from their own
perspectives.
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CITY CREATURES BRICK GARGOYLE brick wall, brick column or pile of
bricks. This makes them effective
Infused with elemental magic, guard creatures, as they are
I think that Hal likes cities a bit this brick sculpture animates and often ignored by intruders until
more than me. I find them comes to life. Magi we talked with they start to get pummelled by
confusing, and with too many debated if it is a construct or a the gargoyle!
people. Give me the great outdoors living creature. The reality is
and the mysteries of the green any Slightly less durable than ‘real’
that it seems somewhere in
day. However, we did find some gargoyles, these also lack the
interesting creatures in the last
between, and that depends on the
innate malice and cruelty of the
couple of cities we were in, so I magic behind its creation.
originals, although they will
guess it’s worth recording them. One mage we talked with said brutally smash intruders if that
Roger that the less specialised mages is what they have been
tend to produce versions that are commanded to do.
closer to constructs in style and
Typically imprinted with their
form, whilst the more ‘elemental’
owner’s image in their small
in training produce more ‘real’
minds, they are slow to follow
creatures.
instructions from anyone else and
In either case, they are less are limited in their independent
limber than their more traditional reasoning.
stone brethren but have some
Another argument, some magi
unusual abilities to compensate.
said, as to why they make good
Whilst brick gargoyles cannot fly, guards!
they have the ability to change
their shape to look like a regular
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SEWER CROCODILE results in these creatures exhibiting
Roger told me he was starting to jot
strange and almost random abilities, the
down some notes on the creatures It was the landlord of the Two Chimney most common of which is a breath
he’d seen in the last couple of cities Inn that first confirmed that these weapon that seems almost like a magical
we went through. It’s a good idea. amazing creatures were real. Good belch as much as a proper breath
Easy to think creatures only exist in friends with the local chief mage, he’d weapon! The type of magic that gets
the wild, when you get whole witnessed them for himself, and later on I burped up varies, but it has been reported
ecosystems unique to cities. I think I was able to prevail upon him to show me. as including acid, fire, cold and lightning.
will start with the sewer crocodiles. I’d heard the rumour, of course. It is not unusual for the same individual
Hal Everyone has. Whether they were creature to belch forth a different effect
thrown out of a magical laboratory, or each time it attacks, such is their random
they found their way into the sewers from nature.
the wilderness, all cities have legends and
They live amongst the muck and
rumours of creatures living deep in the
droppings of the world and universally
sewers. I mean, I’ve met some people who
stink. Luckily, this makes it hard for
even go so far as to say this is a reason not
them to sneak up on anyone outside of the
to have sewers, but frankly those people
sewers but also has the effect of
are, and I’m sorry to say it, but they are
overcoming some people’s senses and thus
just idiots!
leaving them open to attack.
Living underground amidst the discarded
The lesson is – when it stinks, back away!
wastes of cities in which magic is practised
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GUARD GEESE however they are still effective at spotting
intruders and raising the alarm.
A much less smelly creature than the
Acutely aware of what is happening
sewer crocodiles are guard geese. We
around their nesting site, they will run
were confronted by a pair of these when
towards intruders, honking and hissing
we went to visit the Brotherhood of the
loudly. A noise almost guaranteed to
Bell. Widely excitable, they make quite a
wake the sleepiest of guards!
racket.
Should the intruders not turn and leave,
I understand, from my conversations
then they guard geese will continue to flap
with the Brotherhood, that these are
and shriek, and if that is not successful,
often encountered in pairs or even flocks.
then they will resort to pecking attacks.
They are trained and domesticated fowl
Whilst individually not a threat, when
that are excellent, not at repelling
encountered in flocks these small attacks
intruders, but at alerting other guards as
mount up!
to the intrusion!
A clever and natural defence. I think I
They are a commoner’s version of the
will send a note back home and purchase
Capitol Geese bred in larger cities under
a pair or two.
royal decree to protect castle grounds.
These guard geese might not have the
Hal
enlarged size of their Capitol Geese kin,
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CITY MAGIC HELM OF GHOSTLY VISION, MAJOR HELM OF GHOSTLY VISION, SUPERIOR
Magic grottos, fairy rings, deep mysterious woods – Wondrous item, very rare Wondrous item, legendary
these are the stuff of traditional magic, but the dark A helm, or sometimes circlet, which can provide a An ornate, intricately carved and engraved helm,
and narrow city streets are home to their own kind deeper glimpse into the past than the minor version. which can pierce the veil of time to an incredible
of magic, and indeed one of the items listed relates Highly coveted by investigators of all sorts. degree. Examples of these helms are so rare they are
to home … spoken of as legendary items each with their own
When worn, this device attunes itself to the wearer
name – The Helm of Gealzebur, The Vision of St
HELM OF GHOSTLY VISION, MINOR and can be activated with only a thought. It grants
Martinus and The Justice Bringer, to name but three.
the wearer a vision of past events out to a 300ft
Wondrous item, rare range in the open but is blocked by solid walls. When worn, this device attunes itself to the wearer
A helm, or sometimes circlet, which can provide a and can be activated with only a thought. It grants
The wearer can review events up to a month prior to
fascinating glimpse into the past. Highly coveted by the wearer a vision of past events out to a 400ft
the present time.
investigators of all sorts. range in the open but is blocked by solid walls.
They see past events as a series of ghostly images
When worn, this device attunes itself to the wearer The wearer can review events up to three months
featuring people moving about. The wearer can
and can be activated with only a thought. It grants prior to the present time.
‘rewind’ to any point in time within the reach of the
the wearer a vision of past events out to a 150ft helm and then ‘play forward’ from that point to They see past events as a series of ghostly images
range in the open but is blocked by solid walls. observe events in the right order. featuring people moving about. The wearer can
The wearer can review events up to a week prior to ‘rewind’ to any point in time within the reach of the
They can see but not hear events, and only from the
the present time. helm and then ‘play forward’ from that point to
perspective that they were standing when they
observe events in the right order.
They see past events as a series of ghostly images activated the helm.
featuring people moving about. The wearer can They can see but not hear events, and only from the
The power lasts for twenty minutes before needing
‘rewind’ to any point in time within the reach of the perspective that they were standing when they
to recharge for forty-eight hours.
helm and then ‘play forward’ from that point to activated the helm.
observe events in the right order. The power lasts for thirty minutes before needing to
They can see but not hear events, and only from the recharge for seventy-two hours.
perspective that they were standing when they
activated the helm.
The power lasts for ten minutes before needing to
recharge for twenty-four hours.
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ETERNAL SOLDIER INSTANT BARRIER, STONE SAFE HOME BRACELETS
Wondrous item, uncommon Wondrous item, uncommon Wondrous item, uncommon, consumable
A small tin model of a soldier in a military uniform, Created by city wizards, this was in response to the Cities are not the safest places on earth – although
with a large drum hanging from its shoulders wooden instant barrier that was first created by druid city dwellers would argue that the countryside isn’t
(sometimes a golden trumpet or even bagpipes). mages. Seeking inspiration for a strong barrier, the any better. Whatever the case, years ago, when an up-
Whilst incapable of fighting, these are useful items to city wizards drew inspiration from the buildings they and-coming country wizard first moved to the city
guard locations when a real guard is unavailable. saw daily, built from brick and stone. with his wife, he was shocked by what he saw as
random lawlessness and casual violence. To ensure
When placed on the ground and activated, the This comes in the form of a large stone or brick.
that he and his wife would be safe, he crafted a pair of
soldier grows to twelve inches tall and animates. When activated and placed on the ground, a barrier,
these bracelets for each of them. When his wife had
The soldier can be set a password then given a basic 10 feet wide and tall and one foot thick, instantly
to use hers to escape a mugging, word of them
patrol route up to 200 feet in length. Moving at a appears, centred on the brick and orientated as the
spread, and it became one of his most requested
pace of five feet per turn, the soldier will pace out user wishes. The barrier last for 1d8+2 hours (unless
items.
the patrol route. Should the solider detect anyone, it dismissed) and has the consistency of a solid stone
challenges them and asks for the password. Should wall. When they are pressed together, and the activation
the wrong password, or no password, be provided, word is said, the wearer is instantly transported to a
The barrier stands upright as if it was part of a
the soldier immediately starts to play its music predesignated location. The location can be no more
continuous wall, and as such cannot be knocked
loudly to alert its owner. than five miles from the wearer. If they are outside
over. Should there not be a clear 10x10 distance in
that range, the bracelets simply do not function. The
The guard has the same awareness as a human which to deploy it, then the wall expands to fill the
wearer arrives at their designated spot naked – no
guard, and the magic lasts space available, even if the space is of an irregular
items worn or carried are transferred with them
for eight hours, at which shape. (In a tunnel, for example, it will shape itself
save for the bracelets. (This is to prevent thieves
time the soldier shrinks to to the shape of the tunnel, if smaller than 10 x 10, or
using them to aid in their robberies!)
its normal size and simply create a 10 x 10 wall in the middle of a larger
becomes dormant. It tunnel.) Once used, the bracelets must be left in the
recharges after six hours. designated location to recharge for a week.
The user can dismiss it at any time by tapping on the
As a small automaton, it is barrier and uttering the counter activation word.
vulnerable to being
If the barrier is not destroyed, then it reforms into
smashed and has the same
its originating stone or brick at the end of the time
resistance to damage that
and can be reused after recharging for 24 hours.
you would expect from a
small metal figurine.
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MORTON RINGS fate, if he could get this right, fame and fortune was spent in ways that their partners approved of …
would be his. and thus he became the infamous wizard Morton …
Named after their original creator, the infamous And thus, Morton Rings were forged. Take the Base Ring
wizard Morton Le Coup, these rings provide the social
elite with what they need – magical protection and The idea was simple, as all the best ideas are. He’d
abilities, whilst looking spectacular and being able to make the magic items in two halves. Those halves,
match the fashions of the hour. when apart, would be dormant, but when together
they would harness their inherent power.
At the time of creating these rings, Morton was just
another wizard trying to make his name. Arriving in In itself, the idea was not revolutionary, but what
the city with the last of his inheritance, he had only a Morton did was take the most fashionable jewellery
few months of money left. Through a lucky encounter item of the day – rings – and split them in half.
in a tavern, he managed to get invited to a royal ball. The metal ‘ring’ would have the bulk of the magical Add this season’s gem colour
At the ball, his out-of-fashion clothes and dated grounding and runes. But the finishing piece would be
jewellery (last season’s colour) made him a laughing the gems that adorned the rings. Those would be
stock. Embarrassed, and drunk, he vowed publicly he designed to clip or screw into the ring – and thus they
would design jewellery that would always stay in could be swapped out. Red rubies when the Scarlett
fashion, and that he would present the queen herself Queens were in fashion and the city ladies wore
with such an item by the end of the High Season. nothing but red; emeralds when the Forest Queens
gayly walked the streets and green was everywhere,
His boastful challenge was taken up by the current and so on.
court magician, and a wager was laid down – for a
sum far in excess of what he owned. He drunkenly Ladies and gents would purchase the base ring and = Fashionable magic item
accepted the bet and spent the rest of the night in a this season’s colour of gem. They would then
wine-soaked blur. purchase more as the seasons shifted and fashions
changed. Certain powers key into specific gems more easily,
The next day, when he’d sobered up, he cursed his
recklessness. However, short of leaving the city and As each gem was tailored to their owner, this meant so typically the powers available for each gem type
fleeing, there was no way out of his predicament. He’d spending time with the rich and the powerful. And were as follows:
have to do what he’d bragged he was capable of – the Morton realised, knowing he had some charm, that Emerald – resist or detect poison
problem was, the half idea that he’d had, which had this could only lead to the deepening of his relations
with his clients … and it is there that the tale gets Sapphire – water breathing or water repellent
prompted his boast, was lost in the drunken mists of
murky. powers (the wearer never need worry about their
the night before …
nice clothes getting wet from rain or spilled wine!)
Days turned into weeks, and then into months, and Yes, Morton presented the queen with a ring and a
selection of gems (spending the last of his funds to do Rose Quartz – has seductive powers and can protect
the end of the High Season was approaching – as was
so), and she was pleased and wore the ring. And the wearer or let them harness their natural charms
ruin, and confinement in debtors prison. And then, a
where the queen leads, others follow. So business was and project them towards the person they desire
chance conversation with a flower girl in the street
brought his idea back. In a heart-stopping moment, he good. But Morton was a young man, with a young Diamond – protective powers against attack
had the answer – not only would prison not be his man’s appetites. Not all of his time with his clients
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BELLS OF THE DAY previously. (Thus ensuring everyone arose a little bit
CITY FESTIVALS AND EVENTS earlier, note the historians.)
The Bell Tower of St Magren is a focal point in the
INTRODUCTION city, and standing as it does, at the highest point in
To counter this, the then Bell Master ruled that the
sun had to reach the top of the stone. Subsequent
Cities are busy living entities, and events are the city, it has a commanding view over the Bell Masters have not kept this ruling, and some rule
constantly going on in the different districts. Even surrounding streets and out further past the walls to the bells be rung when the sun strikes the bottom
the biggest event, in this case an annual street race, the countryside beyond. edge of the dawn stone. Currently, a midpoint is
won’t reach every part of the city, and some unlucky Every day of the year (except for one), five bells are being used, with the sun needing to touch a scratch
serf will have to go about their normal day rung from the tower. These regulate city life, as all on the obsidian before the bells are rung. Some
regardless of the big event happening elsewhere. institutions and most individuals co-ordinate their people suspect this is the current Bell Master simply
This means that you, the Dungeon Master, are free activities either at the point of the bell or at a fixed exhorting his authority to get some attention.
to have what might for the characters seem like a time after – e.g. ‘Let’s meet in Lion Square one hour
big event occur without anyone else in the city really As the dawn stone notion was introduced to create
after the Noon Bell.’ Or ‘Let’s be up with the Dawn uniformity in the city, whatever the ruling is, it is
batting an eyelid! Bell and we will have time to prepare for the day.’ respected by the population.
You can also have background routines that happen Name of the Bell Time Sounded
every day and that are seamlessly woven into the The Midnight Bell is, however, more contentious. It
fabric of the city, such as the Bells of the Day … Dawn Bell When the sun comes up originated during the Orc Conflicts sixty years ago
and was a means to ensure that the guard at night
When the sun hits a certain stayed alert and awake. Many people point out that
Morning Bell
point on the Bell Tower there was an early bell rung (roughly 4am), which
Noon Bell Midday was subsequently abolished once the orc threat
diminished. Accordingly, they argue, the Midnight
When the sun hits a certain Bell could also be done away with, and honest
Dusk Bell
point on the Bell Tower citizens could sleep more easily.
Midnight Bell At midnight The more traditionally minded citizens don’t seem
to mind, and some point out the various times when
the Midnight Bell has roused the guard and helped
The ‘certain point’ on the tower has been adjusted save the city.
slightly over the history of the tower – most notably
when, during the Dragon Conflict, a red dragon
torched the Bell Tower and half of it was destroyed!
Upon rebuilding, the exact correct position of the
dawn stone (a polished black square of obsidian)
was hotly debated. Finally, after much discussion
amongst the builders (with input from the local
Merchants Guild), it was placed slightly lower than
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ANNUAL STREET RACE
The origins are lost in time, but for as long as anyone
can remember, on the middle day of the year, a
street race is held. Running from the southern city
gate to the Bell Tower of St Magren, the winner wins
a silver cup engraved with the letters: P-U-S-H. The
matching letters can be found inside the Bell Tower
with their meaning – Push Until Success Happens.
The race is open to all willing participants and runs a
winding route through most of the city. Along with
the cup comes a prize purse. The value of the purse
varies, as it is a percentage of the donations to the
Brotherhood of the Bell over the past year. It can be
a life-changing amount of money, especially for
commoners, and the race is very popular. Members
of the city guard and the armed forces are not
permitted to take part.
The course length is roughly ten miles, but the exact
course varies from year to year.
A lot of bets get placed on the race, and the fame
that comes from placing in the top three can bring
considerable rewards. There is a winner’s gala held
in the evening after the race which the first three
race finishers are required to attend and at which
they are celebrated for their successes.
Four years ago, this was used as an opportunity to
try to assassinate a young prince who had come
third. As the assassins knew exactly where he would
be sitting that evening, they laid a magic trap under
his chair. This was inadvertently triggered by a drunk
guest at the gala who sat in the wrong seat.
Needless to say, the prince was saved from a grim
fate – the same cannot, sadly, be said of the guest.
Since then, the evening gala is held in a different
location each year, with a secret seating plan!
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2 A small, lined bag with a powder puff inside. 12 A pale pink, pristine handkerchief made from
CITY TRINKETS AND TREASURES The inside of the bag is coated with fine, the finest silk.
white makeup residue.
INTRODUCTION 13 A battered hand harp with poorly tuned
3 A small pack of crushed and ground strings. [Someone with a musical
These are all ‘things’ obtainable from riffling peppermint leaves. (Could be made into background will realise that after some
through a stolen bag, searching a cupboard, or peppermint tea) renovation this will be perfectly functional.]
frisking a body … these aren’t huge items or super-
powerful artefacts. It’s much more about finding a 4 A heavy, iron door key with worn teeth. 14 Cooked chicken leg covered in breadcrumbs
‘curiosity’ that might be cleverly used by an and wrapped in paper.
5 A crystal vial of enhanced holy water.
enterprising player. [Suitable religious knowledge would show 15 A battered, steel hip flask, half-full of a dark
And no, they don’t all have a hidden secret. that, on an attack, this would deal extra amber-coloured liquid. (When tasted, it is
Sometimes a pack of tea leaves is just a pack of tea damage to undead and infernal creatures. It clear it is good whiskey.) [A connoiseur will
leaves, but given that I’ve seen a polished stone be can also be poured in a circle approximately identify it as twenty-year-old dwarven
given to a young child as payment (bribery) to get five feet in diameter which will, for five whiskey - the good stuff!]
them talking, it’s really all about the ingenuity of the minutes, create an impassable barrier to
16 Broken writing quill made from a long golden
players to work with what they find. minor undead or infernal creatures.]
feather
Items in the list are presented in this format: 6 An 8-inch long pair of retractors (for holding
17 Claw hammer with a dirty, worn leather
body cavities or wounds open).
Text outside of brackets is information that the handle.
character receives simply from finding the item. 7 A slip of black parchment, written on in silver
18 A scratched and scuffed, but usable,
glowing ink, offering ‘Exotic pleasures for
(Inside round brackets is information that requires hardened steel shuriken.
the discerning adventurer. Ask for Sasha’. On
some degree of investigation before it’s known.) the reverse is a drawing of a stag’s skull. 19 Single pearl-drop earring in a gold setting.
[Anything in square brackets is at the DM’s discretion] [Someone with strong knowledge of
8 A small, flat, black rock with fine mineral
treasure or pearls will recognise this as a
Trinkets and Treasures veins running through it. Approximately an
flawless pearl. As a pair, would have been
inch and a half in diameter, the rock feels
# Item worth a fortune. Even a single earring like
warm in the hand. [Good magical or nature
this has significant value.]
1 A folded and slightly grubby piece of knowledge will identify this as lava stone
parchment with a crudely drawn road map from the elemental plane.] 20 Parchment with a crude diagram of a chest
showing the local Merchants Quarter, with a of drawers with some rough measurements
9 Folded, green fabric, pointed archer’s cap.
number of the merchants’ shops highlighted drawn on - several are crossed out. There
(Missing the usual feather).
– including the jeweller, the armourer, and appears to be two compartments marked as
one of the more expensive ‘exotic items’ 10 A small string of beautiful, polished worry ‘hidden’.
shops. beads with an internal lustre.
11 Handful of corks with a wire enclosed for
stopping up bottles.
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Parts of the current Bell Tower were constructed
CITY LOCATIONS over 200 years ago, whilst other parts are more
recent additions and expansions.
INTRODUCTION
Over the years, the defensive advantage of being
Cities are rife with locations. Whatever you can able to see the nearby countryside has diminished,
imagine can exist – secret clubs, dark back alleys due to the growth of outlying habitations and the
ruled by gangs, fighting pits, merchants’ shops, establishment of the viewing towers on the
warehouses, stables, and docks to bring in goods. northern and eastern hills. As a cultural touchstone,
You can have sinister chapels secreted away however, no other building in the city can boast the
worshipping dark or forgotten gods, or soaring same importance as the Bell Tower. To be married in
cathedrals where the new gods are openly revered. the courtyard, or to propose at the top of the bell
You can have slums for the poor, and mansions, stairs, is as significant a location as you can get in
with their own private grounds and security, for the the city – no matter how magnificent the new
rich. cathedral is!
The lists are endless. The trick with a roleplay game The Bell Tower is home to the Brotherhood of the
is, I think, to create the impression of a city, without Bell, who, despite the name, do welcome females to
having the players suddenly wanting to go visit a their ranks, and there are some ongoing discussions
place you haven’t fleshed out yet. Just because you about changing the name – Guild of the Bell being
list a university doesn’t mean they could or should the most popular alternative.
go there. (But we know they likely will, don’t we?!).
They maintain the property as well; the Bell Master Locations
So, my recommendation would be to mention lives on the site, and the Brotherhood are
mostly only what you want them to be interested in. responsible for tolling the Bells of the Day. Outside
Or have a few buildings on standby to drop in if 1. The perimeter fence is solidly made of wood
needed. Speaking of which … are those bells that I that is painted a dark reddish-brown. It can
can hear? be scaled reasonably easily.
2. The courtyard itself is made of hard-packed
THE BELL TOWER OF ST MAGREN earth which is swept twice a week to keep it
A tower has stood on the spot of the current Bell clean and tidy. Ornate flowerpots dot the
Tower for as long as records go back. As the highest edges of the fence, and the plants are
point within the city walls, it was a natural spot to maintained by the Brotherhood. A large elm
build such a structure, and it provided extensive tree, planted in the early years of the tower,
views over the surrounding countryside – something grows in the south-west corner. Two guard
that was made of great use of during the early years, geese live in the courtyard; they are
whilst the city was under almost constant attack affectionately known by the Brotherhood as
from a variety of enemies – orcs, dark elves and Sid and Nancy.
goblins, to name just three. 3. The four-storey Bell Tower stands slightly
off-centre in the courtyard. With four
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double doors that open to the bell-ringing with two armchairs with side tables. Old, nearby. Windows with shutters provide natural light
area, it was designed for the operation of worn rugs cover the floor, and the fireplace on this floor.
the bells to be visible to onlookers and is usually on. Despite its mismatching
10. The stairs lead up to a comfortable lounge,
guests. (An important factor, given how furniture, this room has a comfortable feel
with a stuffed leather couch and two
often the bells are rung as part of official to it. The desks tend to be piled high with
armchairs facing each other over a low
ceremonies.). ongoing work.
wooden table. Various historical books and
A narrow walkway runs up from the open 6. A small toilet and wash basin.
scrolls can be found on the table and left
ground level to the fourth floor, on which 7. Stairs lead down to the first archive level
lying on the couch, occasionally on the floor
the bell is hung. An exhausting climb, but from here.
too. A large and much-used, floor-standing
the view from the top is incredible, and to 8. The Bell Master’s private office. This is
candelabra stands in the south-east corner.
announce your betrothal vows at the top of sparsely decorated, although the redwood
The candles in it are half burnt down. A
the tower is a much-pursued dream of many table is new – a recent gift from the
silver-plated tinder box hangs from a hook
couples. The top floor of the tower is open, Merchants Guild. Traditionally, the Bell
at the back of the candelabra.
with a guard rail running around the edge. Master works on the most sensitive
11. The Bell Master’s bedroom. Several amateur
The bell hangs in the middle, and the path archiving and research projects, and as such
watercolour paintings of landscapes in
around it is a narrow three feet wide. Four the desk is usually buried under a pile of
cheap frames hang on the walls over the
standing points exist, one in the middle of parchments, scrolls and books. This room is
bed. The artist’s signature reads ‘Stringer’.
each side, where the path widens to five kept locked when the Bell Master is out.
The bed is comfortable and neatly made. At
feet. The bells are not rung when someone Only he has the key to it. The stairs in the
the foot of the bed is a locked chest, inside
is at the top, as the sound is so loud it can north-west corner go up to the first floor.
of which are a collection of private scrolls,
disorientate a person, with the danger that 9. A general storage room used to house
200 gold pieces and a magical dagger that
they will fall. mundane items such as coal, wood and
animates and attacks anyone attempting to
tools. The door is locked and the more
take the other items from the chest.
valuable items, such as tools are kept in
It can be stopped by saying the phrase ‘Biter
Ground Floor locked chests.
be still’. This phrase is only known to the Bell
The general area for the Brotherhood to work, eat Master. If stilled, the attack phrase is ‘Biter
and be on duty to ring the bells. Candelabra, attack’. Should the blade be contained in
fireplaces and windows provide the light on this some fashioned, then studied magically, the
level. The windows have wooden shutters which are control phrases can be identified.
closed at night. 12. The bathroom shows signs of having real
4. A small but well-equipped kitchen, in which money spent on it, with decorative tiled
the majority of the meals are prepared by walls and a solid marble floor. A clawfoot
one of the Brotherhood. bath stands in the north-west corner, and
5. A working lounge room that doubles as a there are a toilet and washbasin against the
First Floor northern wall.
dining room. A long wooden table is set up
before the fireplace, with a bench on either This floor is given over to the Bell Master, the only 13. The Bell Master’s private study. This has a
side. Several individual chairs and writing member of the order to live in the Bell Tower. The padded wooden chair sitting in front of a
desks are dotted around the room, along other members have subsidised accommodation well-worn desk which is covered with
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scrolls, papers and writing supplies. Two
large bookcases cover the eastern wall and
contain a seemingly random collection of
manuscripts and records. They are, in fact,
research documents for the last dozen or so
projects that the Bell Master has been
working on – he hasn’t got around to filing
them back in the archives yet. If
investigated, it will be found that some of
the papers and records have been written
using an unknown cypher.
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The chests can be lock-picked relatively
easily, or the locks can be smashed,
although that will take a little more effort.
Failing to pick the lock or smash it triggers a
poison gas trap which causes the hair and
skin of anyone caught in the 5 x 5 gas burst
to turn bright purple. This lasts for a week.
Sub Level One Sub Level Two The city guards know that purple skin
Lighting on this level is provided by enclosed oil As on the first level, lighting is provided by enclosed indicates a failed thievery attempt of an
lanterns which hang at intervals from the walls and oil lanterns which hang at intervals from the walls official building (other official organisations
ceilings. At least one is kept burning at all times, and and ceilings. Unlike the level above, however, lights use this trap method) and will pursue and
the others are lit as is required. The floor was once a are only lit when needed (a contributing factor to detain any affected individuals.
finely laid wooden floor, but over the years it has why people leave records upstairs rather than filing
become worn and rough in areas of high traffic. them properly). Both rooms have the same rough
flagstones on the floor.
14. Covering the entire space of the building
above, this is the original archive space used The entrance to this level is also kept locked. Each
by the Brotherhood to store the records librarian has a key to the door, and there is a spare
they hold. It has long since been filled to the kept in the kitchen drawer.
brim, and now the stairs lead on downwards
15. General archive space, this has the same
to the next sub level. The door to the first
wooden shelves as on the first level,
level has a lock, but it’s usually left
although they are not quite as full as the
unlocked.
shelves above. It will be a few years before
The space is entirely filled with shelves of
the archive needs to be extended
parchments, books and scrolls. Everything is
downwards again, although there are plans
filed in a complicated but effective system,
to do so. (These plans can be found in the
which is only truly understood by the
Bell Master’s study on the first floor.)
Brotherhood – a security measure designed
16. With a heavy, metal sliding door which is
by the second Bell Master hundreds of years
kept locked, this is where the most sensitive
ago. Thanks to human error and laziness,
records are kept and filed. Only the Bell
not everything is filed exactly where it
Master and Chief Archivist have keys for this
should be, and sometimes records destined
door and the chests inside the room. The
for the secure archive on the level below are
shelves here are tightly packed, and four
left on this level.
locked chests sit against the walls. They
contain more records, many of which have
been written in a cypher known only to the
Bell Master and Chief Archivist.
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bucket of water over the man. She then 10. A foreboding hangman’s noose and scaffold
THINGS TO SEE slams the shutters shut as the man stands has been erected in a small park to the right
Sometimes, rather than interacting with something, silently in shock. of the party. The construction looks new
it pays to have a scene that the players can have 6. Up ahead, gargoyles can be seen running and unused, although several crows are
described to them. Something that builds depth of around the top of the local church. They already perched on the hanging arm.
location and reinforces the adventure’s theme. appear to be chasing something small – 11. A crude rendition of a three-pointed crown
possibly a cat or a rat. has been painted on the wall in white paint.
1. You see a small, malnourished street urchin 7. A loud fanfare starts up from a city square The paint is still wet and dripping slightly.
pickpocket a coin purse from an to the party’s left. A crown has gathered 12. A pair of peacocks fly overhead, cawing
overweight, bejewelled merchant. She around a set of stocks, and the party can loudly to each other before landing on a
realises you saw her and darts down a hear a couple of old women talking. ‘Oh, distant mage’s tower and transforming into
narrow alley opposite you. they must be bringing her out soon’ and ‘Did what appears, at this distance, to be a man
2. A faded poster on a wall advertises a chariot you hear what she did? Scandalous!’ and woman in multicoloured cloaks. They
race that occurred last year. The party will 8. A group of half-orc labourers are heaving a descend into the tower and out of sight.
have heard about it as, controversially, large stone statue of a rearing dragon up
undead horses were allowed to be used by a onto its plinth. They
local lich. The losing teams said this was are struggling with
unfair, as they tire more slowly than mortal the weight, and it
steeds. looks like it might fall.
3. A handsome man can be seen shouting at a The foreman, a
woman sitting on a bench some distance hobgoblin, is shouting
away. Suddenly he removes a ring and at them frantically.
throws it at her feet, before storming off. 9. The party see a pack
She looks at his retreating figure in shock, of scrawny, dirty
before bursting into tears, leaving the ring street dogs run down
untouched on the floor. an alley up ahead. The
4. A gang of young street urchins run past, lead dog has a long
laughing and giggling. They are chasing a string of sausages
dark-skinned girl with curly hair who is in the trailing from its
lead and rolling a hoop along the road with mouth. A sweating,
a stick. overweight halfling
5. Down a side street, a young man can be wearing a soiled
seen, apparently pleading with a buxom apron chases after
woman who is leaning out of a second- them, panting and
storey window. Abruptly, she disappears wheezing.
inside, only to return a moment later to tip a
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That’s all for now, folks!
Whether you kicked back and
read it for fun, or studied it with
your campaigns in mind, we
trust you found the experience
inspiring and, above all,
entertaining!
On the next page you will find a
sneak peek at next month’s issue!
Until then, keep safe and enjoy
your gaming!
Stephen Hart
@thegrinningfrog
PS Do remember to recommend
us to your gaming friends!
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Dungeon Master’s Adventure Pack 01 | Version 1.0 | © thegrinningfrog.com
NEXT TIME
The wild, storm-tossed coastal regions are where we
are heading. Meet the crew of the pirate vessel
Pandora – scum of the seas, or heroes of the people,
depending on who you ask. And beware, because
the Deeplings are coming – vile, corrupted beings,
swimming up from the depths and transforming …
walking onto the land and hiding as one of us but
with only murder and hate in their hearts.
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Dungeon Master’s Adventure Pack 01 | Version 1.0 | © thegrinningfrog.com
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Dungeon Master’s Adventure Pack 01 | Version 1.0 | © thegrinningfrog.com