Archive for February, 2013

Lets look at another type of location generation: the Traveler.   There are lots of travelers on the road these days. Perhaps its a traveling merchant, or a dignitary, or a messenger. Perhaps it’s a god or dragon in human form. Maybe a gypsy or a caravan; traveling circus or conmen.  Perhaps it’s a mercenary who’s lost returning from a botched job. Maybe its a tax collector with a load of cash. Perhaps there’s rumors of highwaymen. They could be on foot, horseback, wagon, or something more unique. How are they dressed- rich, poor, strange? Are they pale, tanned, barbaric, civilized, filthy? any religious markings?

During your travels, you run across [fellow travelers/a fellow traveler] [heading the same way/the other way/at a crossroad/stopped by the road]. From the look of their clothing, you’d guess they are [a beggar/merchant/adventurer/dignitary/messenger/etc]. A careful eye picks up [thievescant/a holy symbol/a noble’s ring].   Their general attitude seems to be [jovial/hurried/upset/scared/demoralized].

When they see you they [don’t seem to care/become nervous/cautious/defensive/hostile]. They appear [mildy/hardly/overly] [unconcerned/paranoid/protective] of their possessions.The traveler[s] look [exhausted], [unuse/use] to the dangers of travel. [He/She/They] appear to have been on the road [for some time/for merely hours/for days] and are [close/far/near] their destination. The [cart/horse/caravan/wagon] that they’re traveling with seems [worn/new/expensive].

I just realized that a “spoiler” section would be a cool addition- DM notes that are hidden by default.

So what else can our locationGenerator describe? How about an object. A simple object is something that you could pick up and take with you. Perhaps as small as a glowing grain of sand on a dark deserted Highway, or as large as broken cart.

So, what kind of objects are you likely to find? perhaps something mundane or magical, common or creepy. A toy, instrument, book, tool? What about a cheese wheel or loaf of moldy bread? A weapon, armor, or simply dung. Whats it’s condition, and who was a likely owner? was it stolen? hidden or otherwise packaged? Is someone missing it or looking for it, or was it tossed because it was broken, or even cursed. Is the object intrinsically valuable, or worthless. Does it show signs of wear? what color and texture is it?

During your travels, you stumble across a [new/old/pristine/worn/damaged] [book] [hidden/visible] [along the side of the road/off the beaten path/in the middle of the road]. Something about the book makes you feel [disturbed/estatic/cautious/amused].  The [book] looks vaguely [elvish/orcish/human], and the wear suggests it  [has/hasn’t] [been here a while/had many owners]. A design is on the cover showing a dragon eating a mushroom and is written in a [familiar/unfamiliar] [script/language]. Browsing through it, it appears to be a [history] book. The [book] appears incredibly valuable. You have no idea why this object was left here; perhaps it was [left behind by a thief/accidentally dropped/purposefully dropped/dropped in a panic/cursed].

During your travels you stumble across a[n axe/ sword/ mace] on the road. Something about the weapon leads you to think it’s [seen too many battles.] The weapon appears [pristine/rusted/worn/well maintained] and [well crafted/poorly crafted].

During your travels, you stumble across a worn bag in the middle of the road. Inside you find a damaged book…

And this one will require a lot of variation for each type of object.

So what else can our locationGenerator describe? How about a trail.

There are many types of trails you can stumble upon- a trail of destruction, a trail of blood, of slime; perhaps a bandit left a trail of coins or breadcrumbs.  Are there foot prints, hoofprints, sled tracks, moose tracks? Is it an animal, a humanoid, a machine or a monster? is the weather affecting it? how old is it? Is it dangerous? what makes it interesting? where does it go? where did it come from?

During your travels, you stumble across a [strange/odd/visible] trail [joining/crossing/splitting from] your path. The trail seems to be [footprints/tracks/dragmarks] made in [ mud/blood/slime/gravel/].

The trail may have been made by a [wild animal/traveler/monster] several [minutes/hours/days/weeks] ago and is [untouched/worn] by the weather. You sense [danger/foreboding/serenity/nothing/magic] while studying the trail. The trail appears to run [directionA] to [directionB], leading [to/from/towards] a [mound/hill/cave/swamp/forest/field/settlement].

Stories tell of a [hated/beloved/legendary/unknown] [monster/beast/pixie] that may be responsible for the trail, and investigation may well lead to [reward/riches/derision/death].

Lets look at the third type of location generation: the Sculpture.

What type of sculpture is it, a statue? relief carving? stone, wood, metal? lifelike or abstract? is the artist unknown, minor or famous? how big is it? how do the locals feel about it? what is the lore related to it? Does it have any type of power?

 

During your travels, you stumble across a [small/medium/large] [stone/granite/wood/oak] [carving//engraving/statue] of a [creature/human/elf/orc/man]. The details were carved with a [measured/experienced/crude] hand. You’d estimate that is is potentially [days/weeks/years/decades/centuries] old from the wear and weathering and appears to be in [excellent/average/poor] condition.

A careful study of the artwork reveals [minor/no/copious] text in an [unknown/ancient/connom/recognizable] language. It appears to have been created by a[n unknown/renown/famous] artist named [name] who is [native/foreign] to the region. It is said to represent [bullshit artsy stuff].

Locals are [aware of/familiar with/unfamiliar with/oblivious of] the sculpture, however those who see it view it with [distrust/trepidation/reverence].Local lore says this area was used for [sacrifices/prayers], of which the sculpture played [no/a major/a minor] role. Some even say that the statue [contains/lacks] power over [the weather/crops/evil] often attributed to it.

As you approach, you see [recent/ancient/no] signs of life.

It is [noon/evening/midnight]. The air is [cold and thin/humid/hot/sticky]. [Grey/White/Purple/Dark/Ominous] clouds [streak/cover] the sky [in the distance/overhead]