The Campaign Builder's Guild

The following thread is based on the discussion thread here.


Because I am lazy, I have yet again stolen blatantly from the  "Build a city thread" on the WOTC boards:

Any poster that wishes to may post a "Chronicle". This is an account of the activities of the town and it's members. A chronicle typically covers a 1 - 3 month period. You may make anything occur that you wish to, but please obey the following guidelines before chronicling:

[spoiler=The 3 Rules]
1) No artifacts. Artifacts are unbelievably rare in the D&D universe. Most adventurers will go their entire careers without ever seeing one.
EXAMPLE RIGHT: Bob buys a periapt of wisdom from the mage
EXAMPLE WRONG: Bob kills the evil mage and pries the Sword of Kas from his dead hands

2) Major events (zombie invasions, dragon razings, disintegration of major characters, etc.) should be proposed, rather than enacted. You would post a "proposition" at the end of your post if you wanted to do something huge with a rough outline of what you wanted to happen. The NEXT poster would then be able to decide if they thought your major even was truly warranted. Thusly, for any event to occur it would have to be seconded, which would hopefully severely reduce (if not eliminate) the need to debate canon.
EXAMPLE RIGHT: Proposition-- I think it would be interesting for Bobville to be raided by a squad of Hobgoblins
EXAMPLE WRONG: Bobville is raided by Hobgoblins and dozens die in the ensuing battle. Also, everyone is now a Vampire.

3) Any poster may preceed the body of his post with the word "STOP". This means that he has taken serious issue with some event posted in the last chronicle. Further posts should not be made directly chronicling the town's events until the issue has been decided as either canon or non-canon. An event can be considered "decided" if three consecutive posts are made in agreement as to whether or not the event is canon excluding the original poster of the event.
EXAMPLE RIGHT:
Poster 1: Everyone is now a Vampire
Poster 2: STOP. That is ridiculous
Poster 3: I agree. The vampire thing is stupid as hell.
Poster 4: I agree. And thats three of us so it's out. Next person can chronicle without it.

EXAMPLE WRONG:
Poster 1: Everyone is now a Vampire
Poster 2: STOP. That is Ridiculous.
Poster 1 again: VAMPIRES ROCK, IT's CANON!
Poster 1 again: It's Canon!
Poster 1 again: It's Canon!
Poster 1 again: OK. Now that everyone's a Vampire........
[/spoiler]

Besides the 3 rules, there are also three guidelines:

[spoiler=On specific characters]
Ok. Here's the thing. D&D is about PC's. It just is. However this thread here is not. If you plan on adding a character you made to the town then problems arise. You see, if you spend a few hours making a character you have already invested effort into him. You feel some sense of ownership to him and that means you want to 'control' him. The problem is that if you control an NPC he is no longer an NPC, he's a PC. This thread is about letting as many people as possible input their ideas and use them to shape the city at large, and if you have a character that you don't want others to control then the thread stops being about Building a City and becomes about your character. If you ever make a character, item, group, or event that you consider to be specifically "yours" then it is likely that you have done something that is not conducive to the continuation of this thread.

EXAMPLE RIGHT: I think the town needs an experienced blacksmith. I'll make a 5th level expert move in this season, I'll say he's a dwarf.
EXAMPLE WRONG: I want to make a town blacksmith. I'll make Gart Stonenose, the 9th level former rogue retiree, the town blacksmith. He'll be a Level 2 fighter/Level 5 Rogue/Level 2 Dwarf Paragon* and he'll have only one eye.
*As a note, multi-classing characters in general is bad. If you want to make a PC that's fine, but there's nothing you can do with a Swashbuckler 2/Elven Paragon 3/Fighter 1 that you can't do with a 6th level Fighter
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=On all characters]
How many stuntmen do you know? How about professional bastketball players? How about astronauts, celebrities, CIA agents, Rap stars, or SWAT commanders? The answer is probably not a lot and the reason I ask is to give you an idea of the general rarity of PCs in the world. You see, in the D20 system, the above mentioned people are the folks you play as PCs, and in the D&D system "Adventurers" are no more common. As such, while it's perfectly acceptable to have people with PC classes move into the town they should not generally be more than 2% of the population. Most should be NPC classes of the appropriate type and when PCs DO come into town they should generally be of the 1st-5th level kind. An arrival of a 10th level PC into town would be like if Ludacris bought a house down the street from you. It's rare.
[/spoiler]
[spoiler=On major events]
Above, I said that "Major Events" should be proposed rather than enacted so I've complied a quick list of Major Events that can be used as guidelines. These are to be used with common sense so if your Satyr invasion only kills 4% of the population then it's still probably not that cool to just do it.

-Any event that kills 5% of the population or more (Zombie invasion)
-The introduction of an individual of equal or higher level than the highest level person in town (King arrives in town)
-The introduction of a "Character" (The Wizard Zell arives in town)
-The introduction of a group or organization (A member of the "Black Thieves Guild" arrives in town)
-Any event which irrevocably changes the way the town will function for the foreseeable future (The Wizard Zell builds an enormous Magic Academy)
-The death or permanent altering of any "Character" in town (The Wizard Zell gets disintegrated in a duel)
-The introduction of any monster or group of monsters which cannot be reasonably defeated by the town (A Black Dragon takes up residence in the nearby hills)
[/spoiler]


You can also choose to post a "Journal". This is basically the thoughts of someone. It can be either a villager in the city or even an antagonist to the city. A journal can be used to create extra flavor or explain something in more detail, but it is not something that carries the city forward.


And there we are. Start posting, first come, first serve. :)

--Prelude--



Para Bay seemed to be the best meeting place to drop off or pick up goods, both traveling inland and out to sea. During the first few hours after a ship came in, it was a busy place with sailors and merchants loading and unloading ships and carts.
It wasn't long after Para Bay was discovered that someone got the idea of setting up a small business there. Elben Milner was the man, a fairly young but skilled cook. Through a loan with a wealthy merchant he got enough money to hire workers to build him a small tavern where he could serve sailors a hot meal and cold ale.
--End of prelude--


Year 1, Month 1

Although some days saw more guests than others, Elben already knew he had made a good investment when he had been open for business for half a month.
At the end of the month, Elben was approached by a man who introduced himself as Jack Ashoff, a merchant. As a merchant, Jack knew that merchants coming to pick up goods from the ships didn't always have the items that sailors were looking for. Jack wanted to set up a general store to provide these items. Elben agreed, thinking that a general store would be better for business.

[spoiler=Para Bay]
TOTAL POPULATION - 1

CHARACTERS-
Elben Milner (3th Expert)

BUILDINGS-
Tavern
[/spoiler]

Note: Jack still needs to build his store, which is why I haven't put him under population yet.

Two maps, with the tavern, road and dig site for upcoming general store. Second map is a closeup of the settled area.

Tavern lies on the north bank of river near the mouth. A coastal road from the southwest flanks the southside of the river until reaching ford to the tavern site location.

Year one, month 2
(Which to the 'VolkGara' (Mountain people), would be the Month of Climbing, in the Fourth Year of the Broken Door)

Doph Genir Veterude, dwarven miner of the Genir family up in the Whiskandir Peaks is on a trip to check the family 'summer mine' in the Snarulo Hills, to make sure no beasts or creatures have taken up residence.  The Snarulo hills are the hills just south of Para Bay.
(He and his brother Venndak Genir Veterude did have to kick out a small groupm of kobolds, but were able to coerce them to leave)

As they come down the backside of Pastavol, the middle Snarulo hill, they note the smoke coming from the Inn, hear the voices of the sailors coming off board on the way to the new inn.

Doph and Venndak stop by and surprise Elben with a visit.  They hate the thin excuse he has by way of ale.  They promise to go back home and bring him some real ale on their way back south to the hills in a few months, if he is interested.  

[spoiler=Clan Veterude]
The clan lives in the Whiskandir peaks to the north.  Mainly Iron and silver can be found there.  The brothers intend on bringing 3 kegs of Gastax XXX and  3 kegs of Island Magic Brew when the Genir family comes to their summer residence.   They do NOT intend on telling the rest of Clan Veterude about the Innon the bay.
This residence of the Genir family is on the seaward side of the middle of the hills to the south of Parabay.[/spoiler]

[spoiler=parabay]
TOTAL POPULATION - 1

CHARACTERS-
Elben Milner (3th Expert)

BUILDINGS-
Tavern

TRADING CONTACTS-
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 2 (cont.)

It was a busy month for Jack.  Having the store built cost a lot of money, and that meant less money for supplies.  He did manage to get enough stock to open quickly, and with the profit from the first wave of merchants any doubts were immediately erased.  He knew this would be a great investment.  Especially if those dwarves followed through on their offer to bring ale.  That would surely increase overall business in this little traveler stop.  The only problem was that food supplies tended to be sporadic.

[spoiler=parabay]
TOTAL POPULATION - 2

CHARACTERS-
Elben Milner (3th Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)

BUILDINGS-
Tavern
General Store

TRADING CONTACTS-
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 2, Last Day of the Month

Brother Aval Mallen, an acolyte of the Grey Brotherhood, in a crisis of faith ran away from his monastery, 3 days on foot southwest of Parabay, hoping to board the next ship destined for his homeland far to the west country. While standing on the rocks at the sea's edge looking out for a coming ship, Aval slipped and fell into the turbulent waters of the cove. He could not swim.

Jack made a dash for him, but the current drew the holy man out to sea. By some miracle a sudden wave lifted the drowning priest and tossed him onto the rocky islet that sits within the cove of Parabay. Brother Aval exclaimed that the watery voice of the Spirit Lady of the Cove, Celanta saved him from drowning but demanded he construct a shrine on the islet to honor her and she protect those settling by the cove. The waters between the islet and the cove shore is shallow enough for a man to wade across chest deep.

Penniless and without a central church for support, Brother Aval asks for donations and help to build a small shrine to Celanta, he does build a crude hovel on the shore nearest the islet, but hopes this is a temporary residence.

 [spoiler Para Bay]TOTAL POPULATION: 3
Elben Milner (3th Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine

TRADING CONTACTS:
None[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month three (second day of the month).

Elben is on the roof of his inn, Finishing the roof on the back rooms he is working on.  He's already finished one hell of a nice outhouse.

He sees a longboat with two banks of oars at the mouth of Para Bay.  He cannot see the flag from here.  He looks around at the two small sailboats on the sand, and her realizes that someone, some country, has spotted Parabay.
The warship turns around at the mouth of the river.  Elben starts whistling the tune to 'A Hot Fire Beats Freezing, a tune he learned years before, and keeps thinking.

[spoiler=Para Bay]
TOTAL POPULATION: 3
Elben Milner (3th Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Expert)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 3, (2nd day of the month, later that same morning)

The Longboat flew the Gules and Argent Eagle of the Duchy of Dernallion on patrol for pirate activity in these waters. The hidden cove appeared to be an ideal spot for pirates to hide, so they were investigating such activity when arriving at Para Bay.

After an initial scare by the new residents of the village by the cove, the incident went without harm, and an eager crew got a day's shore leave to visit the tavern.

Not wishing to claim Dernallion sovereignty, Captain Sir Ragnald Stalart, commander of the Dernallion expedition suggested the allowance of the establishment of a naval wharf to enforce antipiracy in the region, keeping a military presence to disuade use of the cove by such pirates. A supply and portage agreement could be drawn up within the next two months, if the residents agree.

 [spoiler Para Bay]TOTAL POPULATION: 3
Elben Milner (3rd Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan

[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 3
Elben asks Ragnald for some time to think and consults Jack on the matter. Elben knows that Jack is better at economics and making deals, and Jack suggests Elben to make a counteroffer. They accept to have the wharf constructed, but
it will be Elben and Jack in charge of it.

Elben and Jack presents the offer for Ragnald Stalart, and after a bit of offering and counterofferings, Ragnald accepts to have a small wharf built, but left in charge of Elben and Jack. In return, any ship flying the Dernallion colors will get a rebate on food supplies.

As Ragnald leaves he promises to have a ship return with materials and workers to construct the wharf.

Brother Aval Mallen helps Jack and Elben out when needed, both in the stores and with building Elben's rooms, in return for food.

A few ships come in, but besides those it seems like a slow month.

[spoiler=Para Bay]TOTAL POPULATION: 3
Elben Milner (3rd Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
[/spoiler]

Year 1, month 3 (continued)  end of month.
(Which to the 'VolkGara' (Mountain people), would be the Month of Travel, in the Fourth Year of the Broken Door)

The Genir family has been making thier way from the Whiskandir Peaks to the Snarulo Hills, just south of the Para Bay.  There are 11 of them, and they ended moving a little faster than they wanted to, having run into the Kwikson Tribe (mainly goblinoids and some pet rock squirells) up north, maybe 2 days north of Para Bay.  Difficult with the 5 mules, even harder with the small cart with extra beer casks Doph insisted on bringing.
The bad thing was they had to move a lot faster than they wanted to.  
The good thing is the 4 small spears, 4 suits of small, slightly damaged boiled leather armor, and the quartz necklace they managed to aquire.

On day 22, Doph and Venndak leave the family and make a slight detour to visit Elben.  They were able to obtain 3 casks of 'Island Magic', an ale with a touch of rum, and 2 casks of Gastax XXX, a high-alcohol porter (these are big casks, 4' high.  .  Both beers are decently know dwarven recipes, and they know it.  But instead of bargaining too hard with Elben, they ask for preferential trading partner positions.  
After tasting the Gastax XXX, they are all sworn to it.  In a magnanamous mood, Venndak pretty much gives away the spears and leather armor to Jack.

Thinking about the future, Doph and Venndak leave going south, where the rest of the Genir family is setting up Housekeeping in the caves on Pastavol.  Doph needs to ask his grandpappy about that "Island Magic' recipe.
[spoiler=Para Bay]
TOTAL POPULATION: 3
Elben Milner (3rd Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 4, First Week

The Valkalan clan is an extended family of human farmers, 3 brothers with their wives and children have settled on the south bank of the River from the cove site. They have begun building a log cabin home and the start of a barn. Already the crop fields are being platted with the hope of turning the soil by the end of the month - hopefully not too late for a spring planting.

An ongoing corn blight has forced the Valkalan's to the area, searching for healthier soils. Other families near the original Valkalan farm considered joining them for relocation as well.

 [spoiler Para Bay]TOTAL POPULATION: 8
Elben Milner (3rd Expert)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)
Grebir Valkalan (3rd Expert Farmer)
Graden Valkalan (1st Expert) eldest son of Grebir
Nolan Valkalan (2nd Expert)
Halder Valkalan (2nd Expert)

BUILDINGS:
Tavern
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine
Valkalan family farm house

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
Duchy of Dernallion, Office of Naval Affairs


[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 4
After getting word from the Valkalan family that there is soil for everyone, three families join the Valkalans. Two are farmers and one a small family of herders.

Elben finishes his backrooms and opens the doors to his tavern turned inn. He also notes the recent influx of residents and reminds himself to talk to Jack on the subject.


[spoiler Para Bay]TOTAL POPULATION: 21 (15 farmers, 3 herders, Brother Aval Mallen, Elben Milner, Jack Ashoff)

CHARACTERS-
Elben Milner (3rd Commoner)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)
Grebir Valkalan (3rd Commoner)
Graden Valkalan (1st Commoner) eldest son of Grebir
Nolan Valkalan (2nd Commoner)
Halder Valkalan (2nd Commoner)

BUILDINGS:
Inn
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine
4 homes (incl. Valkalan family farm house)

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
Duchy of Dernallion, Office of Naval Affairs
[/spoiler]


Note: I turned the Valkalans into commoners - hope that is alright. I am wondering if Elben shouldn't be a commoner as well? (I changed him).
Also, your total pop. seemed a bit off GP, if all the brothers had wives then there should be more than 8 population. I gave them each wives and 4 children in total.

I've updated the maps. I included the soon-to-come wharf, as well as the Valkalen farmhouse and platted fields. I did forget to include the general store, although you can see the ground breaking just next to the inn.

And you can see the entrance to the Caves of Pastevol in the seaside center of the Snarulo Hills south of the Cove.

Year 1 Month 4 (End of the month)

Captain Sir Ragnald Stalart came back, as he said he would, with supplies for the wharf.  He was only minorly surprised to see the population of this little settlement had increased significantly.  He wondered what other treasures this place may bring as he sat over his pint of Gastax, listening to the cheerful, drunken singing of his men.  "If this place is going to grow any more, and stay together at least, they'll need a leader," he thought to himself.  Slowly sinking to the bottom of his tankard, he held the vision of Elben and Jack in his mind.

[spoiler=Para Bay]
TOTAL POPULATION: 21 (15 farmers, 3 herders, Brother Aval Mallen, Elben Milner, Jack Ashoff)

CHARACTERS-
Elben Milner (3rd Commoner)
Jack Ashoff (2nd Expert)
Brother Aval Mallen (1st Adept)
Grebir Valkalan (3rd Commoner)
Graden Valkalan (1st Commoner) eldest son of Grebir
Nolan Valkalan (2nd Commoner)
Halder Valkalan (2nd Commoner)

BUILDINGS:
Inn
General Store
Small Hovel
Foundation stones of a proposed shrine
4 homes (incl. Valkalan family farm house)
Naval Wharf

TRADING CONTACTS:
Genir Family of Dwarves, Veterude Clan
Duchy of Dernallion, Office of Naval Affairs
[/spoiler]

Year 1, Month 5

The Ceng family arrives, also farmers. In addition to the married couple there is a teenage son, and two young daughters. The family soon endears itself to the residents as their children are talented singers, providing a good deal of entertainment, especially since currently there's little to actually do in town other than work and wander around aimlessly.