More of the Tasiri Campaign
So, I am looking at this in terms of how it fits into the villages of Highwich and Hollowcross. There are a few buildings in Highwich that have the square shape, but only two in Hollowcross, one of which I made a guard tower. So of the buildings in Highwich that fit, they are all listed as basic residences of various trades. I mean, it fits, since they are 'typical dwellings', but there's not a lot I can really do with any of them. So, it's a bit of a disappointment, although this map will do for any of them should it become necessary in the game.
Instead, I'll move on to the next map, which is this one:
This one's a full-blown city. And one that has taken a beating. Like the map of Hollowcross, the outer buildings are basically ruined, and there are stone walls between the various ruins that serve as a city wall. A part of me is tempted to just make this a ruined city, but the interior part of the city has no ruins, so I'll just say they've had the crap beaten out of them from various attackers.
So, the trusty fantasy name generator came up with Daalfield, which I like. So this town (it's not big enough to be a city) of Daalfield is a town under siege. How much of a siege? Well, judging by the amount of ruins, I'd say it has been one hell of a siege. It's like the outer buildings were once the inner buildings.
Okay, so who has been beating the snot out of Daalfield's outer rim? It seems a bit much for even full tribes of goblins to do that much damage, so this will be the work of something tougher. Not a dragon, because the whole city would be rubble. But ogres are pretty tough, and a band of ogres taking orders from a high-level wizard would certainly have a better chance of doing that kind of damage. It also gives a feeling of eventual hopelessness; the city has been reduced to what it is now, and the defenders are trying to hold off the inevitable if the ogres aren't stopped.
Alright, we have a rough idea of what's going on; the question now is: Why? What is this wizard after that requires him to send ogres to pummel Daalfield? Is there something in the town that he wants? If so, why the brute force approach when stealth might suffice? Is it just for the joy of terrorizing people? Is it revenge for a town that mistreated him in some way?
There are quite a few unnumbered buildings here; the original 20-line Legend will suffice to populate Daalfield. Let's see what we have.
1. The Town Square; it's a mustering location for the town's militia for when the ogres come calling.
2. Blacksmith. He specializes in armor.
3. Guardhouse. Always watching the approach to the gate.
4. Gate. The only visible way into the town; it is guarded at all times by a squad of six soldiers.
5. Barracks. There are several buildings here that serve as barracks for the militia.
6. Last Stand. A bitter battle was fought here, costing the lives of several townsmen, but their valiant defense bought enough time to bring a superior force in to wipe out the attackers.
7. Storage. Mostly foodstuffs.
8. Town Park. Lined with trees, there is a pool here that serves as an emergency water supply.
9. Mayor's Home.
10. Postern. Secret exit for defenders to sally out and take opponents from behind.
11. Temple of Heironeous.
12. Lists. Horses are trained here.
13. Blacksmith. Weaponmaker.
14. Wizard's tower. This building goes up three stories.
15. Temple of Pelor. Small, but very well defended.
16. Alchemist.
17. Storehouse.
18. Yet another storehouse.
19. Recently-repaired wall section. The last assault was brutal and nearly led to the city being overrun.
20. Guard Tower.
Now that I think about it, Daalfield reminds me a bit of Phlan, the city from the original Pool of Radiance computer game way back in the 1980s. The city had been nearly overrun by monsters of various types, and the party's goal was to retake various sections of the city in order to help the city rebuild. So a similar idea would make Daalfield less of a hopeless cause. I'll have to think about it.
So far, though, the small bit of info I've got on Tasiri is that it's a setting under siege. I thought having Highwich be a border town would be exciting until I looked closer at the other maps and realized how much worse off they are. Highwich is behind the lines in comparison.
Alright, time to move on; next up I'll start on the Ruins.
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