Quote from: DrewIncidentally, does anyone have any thoughts on the Stalls as I described them?

I think it ties the stalls and tower together nicely.  If the observers are predominately academic in outlook, they may not be easy to approach for such services.

Quote from: NicephorusDoes anyone have any thoughts on physical layout?  What's the terrain/climate like?
 
Does anyone have a strong idea where their character is from?  I don't think we need to have one character from each area and I don't think we need to fill roles or niches to an extreme degree.

I didn't choose it - it was a dice roll - but I like being from the whorehouse.

As for climate, I was, for some reason, envisioning something mediterranean.

-clash

Quote from: NicephorusI think it ties the stalls and tower together nicely.  If the observers are predominately academic in outlook, they may not be easy to approach for such services.

Yeah, I like the idea of the Observers being the ones who actually know anything worth a damn, but are too aloof to ever share such knowledge with their social inferiors.

Of course the Charlatan's are only too happy to exploit the situation for all it's worth. A  well-placed stall in the shadows of an observatory is considered almost emblematic of it's holder's divinatory powers, meaning the competition for such spots is fierce and bloody. What makes things worse is that many of these propheteers actually believe their own mythology, lending the marketplace a dangerous and faintly deranged air.

Smiling benignly over this eel pit of cut-price dreams and broken faith is Mr. Deep Pockets, to whom even the most psychotic stall owner remembers to pay his monthly "tax" without fail.

I was definitely envisaging my character as a resident of the Tower Top Observatories, but not as an especially adjusted or integrated member (I'll probably take at least one point of Rivalry within the Observatory, and maybe one point of Affiliation with the Trailblazers).  He's found a calling in life that's at odds with his assigned role.

As for climate, I hadn't really given it consideration, but I like clash's suggestion of Mediterranean, though, strictly speaking, this would necessitate a significant body of water.  Dare we introduce water?  A nice, big sea to cause a fellow's eyes to squint in the mid-day sun might be lovely.

!i!

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaI was definitely envisaging my character as a resident of the Tower Top Observatories, but not as an especially adjusted or integrated member (I'll probably take at least one point of Rivalry within the Observatory, and maybe one point of Affiliation with the Trailblazers).  He's found a calling in life that's at odds with his assigned role.

As for climate, I hadn't really given it consideration, but I like clash's suggestion of Mediterranean, though, strictly speaking, this would necessitate a significant body of water.  Dare we introduce water?  A nice, big sea to cause a fellow's eyes to squint in the mid-day sun might be lovely.

!i!

A sea stretching off into the distance, with tunnels stretching off under it, for who knows how many leagues...

I love it! Dan's already mentioned seas, so we know they are there...

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceI love it! Dan's already mentioned seas, so we know they are there...

Well, you know what seas mean, right?  Pirates Ships (roll #76)!  Sooner or later they'll have to show up.

As long as we're thinking Mediterranean, let's talk construction materials.  Blinding white limestone, almost chalk, might be the most easily quarried matieral, though quarrying deeper renders marble ranging from white to ghostly grey-blue.  Thick, chalky, grey-green mud from the shorelines lends itself to dense green ceramic tiles.  

Chalk, limestone, and marble all being readily eroded materials, the buildings all have a soft, almost organic outline to them from ages of weathering and neglect (though only from the outside, granted).  Woody scrub plants, many heavy with resinous bark and leaves, grow in the cracks in the masonry under the hot sun.

Many portions of the castle feature broad arches, collonades, roofed breezeways, and open courtyards to take advantage of the breezes coming in off the water.

Are we going with the notion of a meteor-fall?  Perhaps the meteor fell near the shoreline of the sea, whereupon the sea poured into the ragged outline of the crater.  Sturdier sections of the castle that weren't flattened by the impact remain in ruins hanging onto the edge of the sea, and broad galleries and corridors open jaggedly onto sun-baked ruins that eventually lead to the sea.

!i!

Quote from: flyingmiceA sea stretching off into the distance, with tunnels stretching off under it, for who knows how many leagues...

The only problem I have with that route is that it might make the tower observers less useful.  Ocean sure.  But underwater tunnels wouldn't be visible from the towers.

If you're happy with the area you've created, then we'll proceed when i'm back properly on Sunday. Giving the area a name would be cool too.

Ok, I'm back. Bit squeezed for time tonight, so i'll post some stuff tomorrow. I presume that you're happy with the area as created so far. I'll put some names to faces and the area in general unless you've got some ideas you want included.

Sounds good to me.

Oh, you're already starting? I thought it was still at least a week away...

Anyway, if there's still time to hop in, I can do it on Monday, most likely. Personally, I wouldn't mind a character who hails from rafters or rooftops, but I'm happy to go along with anything, really.

OK. I've used the random customs & communities tables and reveal the results below. The brief history of the area i extrapolated from these rolls and the info that you have posted in this thread. The problems mentioned below are not the problems created for individual features, they simply arose out of my interpretation of the area to add more flesh to the bones and more possibilty for mischief. Coming up with a few names for the main features would be cool. I'll be posting info about individual features next, along with any problems that you know of about them. If you want any specific stuff mentioned or added, just holler and i'll put it in.

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The Bay of Stars Area – Population approx. 800

Deity: Stonebreaker
Holidays: Mask
Government Type: Authoritarian
Mandates: Bounty (Red Ladies) 5 crowns per head
Customs: Footraces are popular entertainment & Each doorway has a bell attached
Unusual Laws: Burial of the dead forbidden. Must be cremated.

The Bay of Stars area perches on the shore of a tranquil bay and is only part of a larger area of the castle rules over with a firm grip by Baron Darkdirk. The walls of the castle descend to the tide line and although there are some small spaces that folk can squeeze between; access to the surf is almost impossible. The area gained its name from the impressive limestone tower that dominates the headland. The houses, features and colonnades that dominate the region are made from the limestone that forms the bedrock of the promontory upon which the area stands. This has led to some of the problems that plague the area. Some weeks ago, a huge chunk of rock hurtled from the sky, destroying the abodes closest to the sea and turning other buildings into rubble. Since then, a religious cult revering the mysterious deity known simply as Stonebreaker has arisen. These scared folk leave offerings to placate the God, as they saw the destruction as his work. Before the cataclysm, there were pleasant Cliffside tracks that weaved between the clustered buildings and these tracks hosted numerous foot races that attracted athletes from far and wide for the money that was awarded to the winners. Half the course is now in ruins and some of the more mercantile-minded folk of the Bay would love to see it re-opened and re-built; something that would require hard work and accurate engineering to achieve. But the asteroid not only destroyed buildings and the race course – it also uncovered gaping holes in the earth that lay beneath the rubble of the buildings; maws that gape invitingly to the curious. The Trailblazers moved their camp here to take advantage of these uncovered passages.

Due to the wreckage wrought by the asteroid, a new law is in force that forbids burial of the dead, in case their remains should shift and resurface due to further unexpected disasters. Breaking this law is punishable by a month of incarceration in the Baron's prison.

Another mandate that has recently come from the Baron's court has caused other ripples. A bandit group that has plagued another of the Barons lands has had a bounty put on their heads – 5 gold crowns per head. Called the Red Ladies, they are unusual in that the whole group were women. Who knows what they were rebelling against or where they are now?  

A quaint custom of the Bay of Stars is the hanging of bells above each doorway. People soon got fed up with them tinkling the whole time when the door was opened, so now they are simply nailed above the portal. The custom is said to date back to the time when the area was over-run with thieves and ne'er-do-wells, but has persisted and is seen as a lucky charm to ward off thieves.

Another local custom is the holiday of Mask. On the longest day of the year (accurately forecast by the Celestial Philosophers), the residents give each other handcrafted masks that depict jovial faces. A day long festival ensues, with much dancing and drinking. The part of the day that many dread, however, is the time of truth. On this day, each person wearing a mask is permitted to ask one question of whomever they choose – this question must be answered truthfully, thus 'unmasking' a secret. Many folk make arrangements to travel away from the area before the festival of Mask swings around...

Beside the homes of the residents, the arches, colonnades and walkways that criss-cross this crowded part of the Horizon, a number of important features have grown up here. Possibly the first (to take advantage of the high ground on the promontory) was the tower of the Celestial Philosophers, were serious men and women have gathered to search the heavens for portents and to study the night sky. A community soon grew around the tower, both to service it and to take advantage of the pleasant environment. A huge market has grown here, full of honest and dishonest traders (indeed, some of the market-stall holders would have you believe that they are Celestial Philosophers – something which many gullible folk are all too easily convinced of). Where large communities of men gather, invariable another service becomes available sooner or later – that of the oldest profession, and the Bay of Stars has a veritable warren of pleasure houses. Bring in someone to take advantage of both the markets' crime and the money-spinning opportunities that the whorehouses present and it's no surprise that organised crime moved in, in the shape of a large Guild House for the Arm-Breakers. The meteor strike has recently brought a new power player to the area though. On hearing the news of the catastrophe, the Baron has sent nearly all of his Trailblazers here to investigate and take charge of things.

All of these factors have brewed resentments, power struggles and opportunity in equal measure - A recently unearthed document is said to exist that, if true, could change everything. The area that fell into the sea was known as Fallen Shakes and this document is said to contain secrets about the area that lead to great riches.

Quote from: PremierOh, you're already starting? I thought it was still at least a week away...

Anyway, if there's still time to hop in, I can do it on Monday, most likely. Personally, I wouldn't mind a character who hails from rafters or rooftops, but I'm happy to go along with anything, really.

Hey mate. Post what you want to play and we'll see if we can fit it in, but see if it can follow the sort of theme that has already been rustled up.

Quote from: One Horse TownHey mate. Post what you want to play and we'll see if we can fit it in, but see if it can follow the sort of theme that has already been rustled up.

Riff-raff from the rafters and rooftops (say that five times fast) would make a convenient and intriguing segue between the camps below and the tower(s) above.  Premeir has my vote.

!i!

Right, i'm going to be posting more details about the individual features now, along with prominent NPCs and what you know of them. It'll take a while to get them all posted, but once they are, we can get to chargen proper!

Edit: I should note here that everything has been generated randomly, with me fitting the details to this particular area. If you have any comments or questions about anything i post here please ask away!

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The Cobbles - Charlatans Market Stalls

Size: Large (500 yards x 500 yards) Population – approx 250

There are several linked marketplaces in the Bay of Stars. Taken together, they represent a huge, sprawling labyrinth of shaded passages, small open courtyards, small shops and bazaars where colourful characters try to sell their wares – whatever they may be. In recent times, trying to gain entrance to the tower of the Celestial Philosophers has meant running the gauntlet of a crowd of noisy and determined market-sellers, some of whom even claim to know the secrets of the tower!

There isn't much that can't be found in this huge market and a fortnightly visit from a Merchant Caravan keeps stocks high. Many parts of the markets are thronging with shysters, beggars and con artists, whilst others seem to hold only bedraggled children.

Presiding over this disorganised rabble is Master Deep Pockets, a man of infinite charm when dealing with customers, but who has little patience for the sellers in the market if they come to him with hair-brained schemes or get caught doing something they shouldn't. He doesn't suffer fools gladly and those who test his patience might find that his deep pockets hold more than his hands. One such person who has felt his wrath is Mr. Fancypants, a man so filthily dirty that the moniker sort of stuck as a back-handed honorary. Fancypants makes his living by hawking looking glasses that he swears have been made by the Philosophers themselves (when Cog found out about this, he blew a gasket and confronted the unlucky vendor – see Tower-Top Observatories for details on Cog, the head engineer of the tower). Since then, Deep Pockets has on several occasions torn a strip off of Mr. Fancypants in public.

If Deep Pockets is impatient and Fancypants unhygienic, then it's fair to say that the purveyor of 'elixirs both strong and true' (known lovingly as Hollering Jack) has ideas above his station. Known throughout the market as a bootlick of the worst kind with delusions of grandeur, Jack is a common sight near the tower, shouting out his wears in the hope of a sale and he is not above name-dropping in the process.

The complete reverse of Jack is the dour little man who makes a living by selling faulty rattraps to unsuspecting passers-by. Scowl has the manners of the critters that his traps don't catch, but it is often observed that he may have hidden depths – in unguarded moments, he can be seen staring into the middle distance, deep in thought. About what, no one knows.

Of almost equal note is the 'silken garments' stall (dyed lined stretched to breaking point). Mistress Red-Bead, a booming redhead, who runs a brisk business, runs this colourful stall. Her voice caries even further than Hollering Jack's and although pleasant to converse with she has a rather untrustworthy reputation among the stallholders. After all, who knows what she does at that time of night when she's been spotted hurrying along the corridors of the castle?  

Last, but certainly not least, is Mother Twinkle. This rotund lady is the picture of good health, joviality and meticulous organisation. 'Twinkles' Pastries' is a popular destination for many locals (some of whom walk for hours to get a taste of her renowned sweets). Once they've had a taste, they are almost guaranteed to come back for more. Because of this popularity, Mother Twinkle is one of Master Deep Pockets favourites – something that is not lost on many other stallholders.

PC Information

Stat Mods: Reasoning +1, Bearing +1
Skills: Ingratiate 3, Stealth 3, Underworld 2, Haggle 2, Preach 1, Weapon (any one) 1
Special Abilities: Scams 3, Kingpin 2
Status: 1