Bryn - 20 Questions
20 questions I use as a DM to initially seed a city. I share this with all my players before entering a city. I treat these as broadly known facts and knowledge. These sorts of things would be known to all players in the game (without a roll) and to most NPCs. These do not represent fine details or current happenings. For example, the local quest board may have a list of lesser criminals who are more recently wanted.
1. What is the deal with my cleric's religion?
Church of the Luminous Cloud is prominent here. This is the non-elf name for the Church Faction, Ahk'Dharasha. Creators of Blood Magic. Unless you're connected to the void cult, you likely got your powers through this Church's magic. Politically powerful due to the resource they control. Preach transcendence via holy insights and evolution. Blood magic is an example of such an evolution.
Cult of Ashema - a secretive and illegal cult devoted to might and oppression. Most cultists use the organization as a stepping stone towards wealth and power. Much like the Void Cult, members form secret alliances. These cultists employ their wealth and connections to bootstrap each to there into positions of power. This cult believes knowledge is the most powerful resource. Cults are considered illegal in the city.
Void Cult - Secret organization that is much like the antithesis to the Cult of Ashema and the Matriarch. The void cult is an organization that uses its collective power and influence to push its members far into society and in turn its own reach. The cult believes transcendence can only be achieved through self-enlightenment. Unnatural evolutions, like blood magic, is dangerous. It is about using ones eyes to elevate their thoughts. This cult believes knowledge is the highest ideal and can be used to unlock greatness. They are unique in that they have access to a source of magical empowerment much like blood magic. It even causes the same sigils/tattoos. What's unique about them is their magic seems to be the only thing that creates wizards and has great practical limitations compared to the Matriarch's blood magic. Cults are considered illegal in the city.
Roach Grove - A druid from the Drach Grove named Sissy Ontario founded this grove. Sissy is a druid for the animals of the city and her influence reaches all corners of the island. The Roach Grove is her Grove in Bryn. The Rat Grove is in Bam and the Cat Grove is in Fallowleaf. These groves are for all the outcast and overlooked creatures of the world, especially those who are stepped on or thought of pests.
TD’s Cult = Lazord and the Cult of JQ. TD knows where their secret hideout is. Tarek Harborlan is a fellow cultist (grave cleric) that TD knows. He travels a lot and is frequently in Bryn. See Tony's future article for more about the cult. Cults are considered illegal in the city.
2. Where can we go to buy standard equipment?
Gromm's Forge - Gromm Oakenkracker is a male dwarf and retired fighter for the Old West Trading Company. He now owns a forge where he makes basic to remarkable equipment. He is known to be a great blacksmith. He is aloof and picky about his jobs. Gromm works for passion and not for coin.
2. Where can we go get plate mail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?
Requires two places to help.
Sissy Onatrio (human, female) and her groves to help design the armor.
Leatherworker or blacksmith to make the armor. Must be mid tier or higher.
Gromm Oakenkracker of Gromm's Forge is a known smith of such tier.
4. Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?
Archmage Reagan Dystart - A female elf archmage who sits on the high council of Ahk'Dharasha/Luminous Cloud. This high council is called The Chorale. Other than the Matriarch she is undoubtedly the most powerful archmage on the council, though her influence is lesser than many. She is known to grant aid and even a wish once in every great while. The Archmage is considered a Lord under the legal code.
5. Who is the greatest warrior in the land?
Constable Grindlethorpe Thinstlespine "The Guppy" - Forest gnome male. 3' in height and 20' in stature, this student of Archmage Reagan Dystart has a reputation that outreaches even his great accomplishments. He is 215 years old and a long history of service for the Chuch of the Luminous Cloud. He is currently in charge of the defense of the city of Bryn as well as other greater security concerns for the Luminous Cloud. The Guppy is considered a Lord under the legal code.
Roid "Heavy Hands" Turlak - A massive, muscular male orc who is promising officer in the Old West Trading Company. His deeds in battle and his raw strength are nearly legendary and many expect him to be the Warden or Constable of a city someday. Heavy Hands travels for duty, but is often found at Gideon's Pit. This gladiator is a famed and frequent champion at the fighting pits.
Gordon "Scrim" Hurst - a muscular humane male with a missing eye who leads the Fel Fists. Legendary rogue captain of the seas who is rarely found on the ocean these days. Frequent gladiator and champion at Gideon's Pit.
6. Who is the richest person in the land?
Individual = Governor Fenton
Place = Matriarch's Treasury (gold), Matriarch's Armory (items), Governor's Armory (items)
7. Where can we go to get some magical healing?
Church of the Luminous Cloud/Ahk'Dharasha
Roach Grove
Tarek Harborlan - though he is a strange guy (human) and not known for this. More of an emergency option
Illegal options - Plati Khulda, Fel Fists, Void Cult, Cult of Ashema, and others
8. Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath?
Roach Grove = some
Church of the Luminous Cloud/Ahk'Dharasha = many to most
Archmage Reagan Dystart = many to most….potentially but incredibly unlikely all
Fabenforth's Fabulous Factory of Fables, Thaumaturgy & More = many to most
9. Is there a magic guild my PC belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?
Church of the Luminous Cloud/Ahk'Dharasha. This Church researches strange magicks, machines, and other inventions. Different sects of the church are responsible for different types of magic and needs for society/the Church
Illegal options - Plati Khulda, Fel Fists, Void Cult, Cult of Ashema, and others
Help from a archmage or other high magic user (many exist in the city)
10. Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?
Herbalist - Roach Grove + Sissy Ontario
Alchemist, Artificer & "more" - Fabenforth's Fabulous Factory of Fables, Thaumaturgy & More - Stan Fabenforth (elderly gnome male) with his adoptive daughters Hattie Nottingham (satyr female) and Sarah Freewood (lightfoot halfling female)
11. Where can I hire mercenaries?
The Fel Fists - led by Gordon "Scrim" Hurst - A human male with a missing eye who leads an elite band of mercenaries and smugglers. Fabled (and retired) sea captain. The mercenaries are capable on land and sea. Tend to be against the establishment. Long time rank fillers of the rebellious forces, so therefore decent relationships with the Plati Khulda and Void Cult. Fel Fists ranks are filled with elite assassin's who tend to be warlocks. Officers in the Fel Fists are often warlocks too.
Plati Khulda - contracts and other thieves' guild needs
12. Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?
All those blessed with blood magic are tracked - People who have the markings (tattoos) of empowerment are known and tracked by the Church and Company. There are two presumed sources - the Church or Void Cult.
Follow the city's legal code. It is written out and can be handed out
No use of weapons or magic in officially sanctioned holy zones (e.g. Luminous Cloud temples and Roach Grove)
Taverns, inns, and many shops often have patrons check all weapons and magic items.
13. Which way to the nearest tavern?
Rusty Pick - A short walk from the docks, the air always smells heavy of salt and fish. There are fewer taverns in all of Bryn in worse shape. The tavern offers lodging, gemstones, and fishing expeditions. It serves a limited selection (and strong) selection of beers, grogs, and liquors.
14. What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
Frost Worms
Undead Frost Giants
Worm Mage has a contract out for them - Dead or Alive
Dimensional Shamblers
Cloaker
Swarms of Cranium Rats
Bodak
15. Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
Void Cult + Plati Khulda v. Luminous Cloud/Ahk'Dharasha + Old West Trading Company
Void Cult v. Cult of Ashema
Fel Fists v. Plati Khulda (more like a rivalry)
Lords/Court political intrigue
16. How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
Gideon's Pit - A grand coliseum built in honor of the legendary Ébed warrior, Gideon. Official gladiator fights are hosted here. Grudges can also be settled here (and before an excited audience).
17. Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
Cult of Ashema
Void Cult
Conspiring Lords
Cult of JQ
18. What is there to eat around here?
Plant primary based. Blood magic helps with farming. Vegetables and fruits are the stables within the city walls of Bryn.
Meat = monster meat and whatever is caught from the ocean. Fallowleaf catches lots of fish.
Luxury = domesticated meats, like pig, chicken, goat, cow, etc. Meat from the giant crabs of Fallowleaf is considered a fine delicacy.
Famous local dishes = Spicy fried artichokes, Boku-Turso (Fish Skrillé, exotic fish cuisine), Tzideen Goulash (tangy sauerkraut and turnip gravy stew)
19. Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for? (known and talked about broadly)
Smote - A legendary maul. The first weapon made from the great anvil below the High Temple of the Chorale
The Sunken Workshop - A lost ancient workshop
20. Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?
Water = Bokrug. An ancient and fabled sea lizard never seen (and survived). It slumbered beyond the Everlasting Reef until awoken about a year ago.
Land = Zahak. Also known as "the Void." An ancient dragon fabled to be the son of the slumbering great wyrm, Malthor. Lives somewhere in the Wyrm Peaks.
