Topic: Crowdsourcing an Adventure Path?

[bpowell]

Well the darker side of the professions might be provided by the Quaidu refugees present in small numbers.  Of course, they would be transient (staying only a few months) mostly because the Jameri tend to show then the town gate if they stay too long.

-BP

[egdcltd]

Looking at the towns nearest it (Tepentor and Rapata) the racial mix is mostly Jameri with Haid coming the next most populace. In the larger town there are some Elves, so one or two making there way here might not be beyons imagination (if there was a reason for them to move here).

-BP

I think there are enough elves in Xa-ar, or have been, that having at least a few in the immediate area, or even in the town, is plausible.

Perhaps not in town proper, but just outside.  This is due to the differences in world view of the mortal and immortal.  The elf(ves) would see the mortals scurrying around and doing "busy work".  So they live outside of town and come in just to trade (when needed).

-BP

It would also be possible for any elves to belong to the Order of the Thorn, and they could be used to introduce that organisation. Erlini elves, or rather the local Jaimani-Elf subgroup of that type, would seem to be the most likely. They are also less likely to dwell in a town in general than Loar elves are.

[Arc]

A nice comprehensive list. The only things I can think of immediately are probably subsections of the existing. Such as Getting There (both by road and by sea), Groups (Loremasters, Four Roses etc. even if they are only briefly covered by saying there aren't any) Health, Food, Education, Entertainment and Crime. Also perhaps Adventure Hooks attached to certain locations and NPCs; these being areas for GMs to develop themselves if desired.

Thx! I added those to the list.

[Arc]

The paved (Old Kingdom) road allows for the easy of getting these goods to the "big cities".
-BP

If I'm not completely mistaken, the majestic old kingdom road ends in Rapata, but this road could very well still be paved. Just not as big and well made as the old kingdom one.

[bpowell]

Ooops, you are right.  The map does show it ending in Rapata.  If we want this on the Old Kingdom road we would have to forget the coastal village.  Any votes?  I still think the road between to larger towns would be as well traveled as any in the area.

-BP

[egdcltd]

The map shows a dirt road. These can often be fine most of the time for travel, and there are enough settlements further west for it to be well travelled. However, it could turn into a mud trap in adverse conditions.

Not sure of the precise dates off the top of my head, but after Britain lost the Roman roads, most of the major routes weren't that good until probably the 18th or 19th centuries. So dirt roads don't mean a lack of travel, and most of the settlements will be reachable by boat as well.

[bpowell]

And crime?!?!  In our peaceful berg?  Nonsense...just pay the ...tax.  I would not want to have to ask a few of my Quaidu associates to ensure the collection of the tax.  You do like you ears in their current position?  And any more talk of crime and I will have your legs broken. 

In all seriousness, would you see the town able to afford a Sheriff a a few deputies (say 5-6).  The pay might be as little as a place to stay (in someones home) and hot meals.  But it would be a drain on the economy of the town, but might help in commerce.  I see the sheriff as a fighter and the deputies more or less untrained amateurs.

-BP

[egdcltd]

I think most of the crime between locals would be fairly minor, with various assaults and arguments over payments being the most common. However, travellers might be involved in something more serious. A single part-time law officer with some equally part-time enforcers would be common in a medieval village; here, payment for a full-time sheriff and some deputies could come from trade income. Or, to add some potential corruption, from fines levied. A sheriff could be a former soldier or mercenary; such types often retired to run farms and inns and could easily choose a sheriff's job as well.

[Arc]

I could see a sherif in town, but likely it would be somebody's second job or something. Maybe an ex. mercenary who has returned home or something...

[bpowell]

I could see a sherif in town, but likely it would be somebody's second job or something. Maybe an ex. mercenary who has returned home or something...

Maybe a person that was born in town went off to find his way and has returned after being wounded.

-BP

[egdcltd]

The various local and global powers that operate in the area, and how likely I think they are to be in the settlement.

Only if passing through:

Loremaster
Navigators
Priests Arnak
Ulor

May have people:

Brotherhood of the Four Roses
Order of the Elder
The Winter Light

Do have people:

Cult of the Blue Dragon
Sisters of Ginh Tarn

Unlikely, but possible:

The Alliance
Other trade organisations from Eidolon, Rhakhaan and independent

[bpowell]

Here are my thoughts on the issue mentioned above.  I will giv ethe likelyhood I see of the factions being represented.

Loremaster - So improbable as to be impossible
Navigators - Very rare, but the is an obelisk hidden in the area some place near Rapata
Priests Arnak - Very rare, but might be passing through
Ulor -  Some of the Quaidu refugees could be Ulor spies.  And raids could happen.

May have people:

Brotherhood of the Four Roses - Again, just passing through hardly registering the town
Order of the Elder - Perhaps, if something special is uncovered
The Winter Light - There are members in Rapata, so maybe

Do have people:

Cult of the Blue Dragon - Local healer and priest
Sisters of Ginh Tarn - Midwife, living in the Inn currently

Unlikely, but possible:

The Alliance
Other trade organisations from Eidolon, Rhakhaan and independent

[bpowell]

Unlikely, but possible:

The Alliance
Other trade organisations from Eidolon, Rhakhaan and independent

Left off my comments about the later.  I see those as being in Rapata.  If one is in the village it is after a few adventures and they are brought here to broker a deal.

-BP

[egdcltd]

With the Loremasters and Navigators, the place is on the main road to further west, so Navigators could be escorting a party west (or east again) and Loremasters could also be passing through going west, or east. In either case, they aren't likely to be there longer than a night. The Four Roses and the Elder are respectively Quaidu and Elven influenced. It's slightly possible that any of either race in the area might be affiliated in some way.

The settlement probably isn't large enough for the trading organisations, but the Intani Traders might be the most likely.

[bpowell]

With the Loremasters and Navigators, the place is on the main road to further west, so Navigators could be escorting a party west (or east again) and Loremasters could also be passing through going west, or east. In either case, they aren't likely to be there longer than a night. The Four Roses and the Elder are respectively Quaidu and Elven influenced. It's slightly possible that any of either race in the area might be affiliated in some way.

The settlement probably isn't large enough for the trading organisations, but the Intani Traders might be the most likely.

I can see some influence of the Four Roses in town, but as I mentioned in an earlier post, I thin the locals would give the boot to the influence (and the Quaidu) as soon as possible.  But the influence my be ongoing as you kick one spy out another takes his/her place.  The Elder would be more subtle with the agent being deep in the shadows.

Just where is the Navigator's obelisk?  i cannot find it on the map.

-BP

[egdcltd]

For the Four Roses, I would think a mild adherent would be more likely than an outright spy. Elder operates more openly, so if there is anyone in the order, locals will probably know about it. It's only what it is actually after that is hidden.

The Obelisk is on the Rapata town map (p.53).

[bpowell]

I thought there was another one someplace in Xa-ar in a unused valley.  Of course, I am most likely wrong.  With the cost of one of these mites one would not be left unused.

-BP

[egdcltd]

I thought there was another one someplace in Xa-ar in a unused valley.  Of course, I am most likely wrong.  With the cost of one of these mites one would not be left unused.

-BP

I thought I'd read a reference to the one in Rapata being in a valley above the time, but I can't find the reference.

[Arc]

I think it's important to build some of the local/global influences in this adventure, even if it's a minion's minion's minion. This will help us give this adventure a SW flavour rather than just being a generic fantasy village/adventure. My thoughts on the local/global influences:

Loremaster: I can very well see a Loremaster pass through from time to time. Now the people in town might not even know the person to be a Loremaster. Niko Verano (the junior Loremaster of the area) is an excellent choice. This is what TKA says of him: "A Lotana Bard, Niko is unusually tall for his people, and in fact there is some Loar Elf blood in his ancestry, which would also explain his relatively youthful appearance for a man of almost fifty years. Unlike Vena— who values her solitude—Niko is a gregarious fellow with many friends in the area. He has an apartment in Rapata, but frequently travels west throughout Xa-ar. He does meet with his elder Loremaster Vena on a fairly regular basis to review the situation in the region." I can see him as a traveling bard visiting the town a few times a year on his travels.

Navigator: Only when a wealthy trade caravan passes through (or some other wealthy individual/group). Maybe once per year.

Priest Arnak: As said, only passing through.

Ulor: I personally see the influence of Ulor and the Quaidu as greater than just a nuisances that can be kicked out of town whenever needed. Many larger and better equipped towns have not been able to rid themselves of them, so why is this town any different? The Quaidu are big, strong, trained and well armed so I think the town would have a hard time just kicking them out. On the contrary I think the town would run the risk of being held hostage by the Quaidu minority. This could lead to interesting adventure once the PC's gain a bit of experience. With the recent influx of Quaidu, I could very well see one of them being an informant to the 4 Roses.

Order of the Elder: One of the elven inhabitants could be a member?

The Winter Light: Maybe one of the Lotana inhabitants (or his/her relative who has moved in) is a member currently recruiting more people to join the fight against the Quaidu settlers?

Cult of the Blue Dragon: I don't see the cult being present unless there is a significant (more than a couple of families) Lotana presence in town. The Cult is more active further west (there is nothing beyond Rapata).

Sisters of Ginh Tarn: I think we have settled for the midwife.

The Alliance and other Trade Organisations: Not yet at least...

[egdcltd]

Although the Cult of the Blue Dragon's influence is stronger in the west than the east, it's plausible that there could be a temple in the settlement, especially if it is mostly Lotana. Plus, some sort of religious personage is needed (for one thing, they could have an acolyte, or potential PC), and the Cult would seem to be a better regional choice than something like the United Orhan Church (although Iloura is an option).