The Thirteen Questions - City Intrigue

The Thirteen Questions

1. Tell me about a church, temple, ashram, etc. in this neighborhood

There are no holy buildings in this city, instead there are obelisks that are dedicated to a particular idea (justice, equality, etc.) Here in the Orag, is the obelisk of Truth. Once a ten-day, they gather to hear sermons from priests, lecturers or others on this or related subjects. Clerics gain a boon if they have a truth based spell memorized. Best place to obtain scrolls or potions in the area.

2. Tell me about a shop that sells standard equipment and one of the shopkeeper's quirks

An'Ram - A Jahlen, former adventurer well recognized for his stake in a multitude of adventuring parties. Is willing to equip or sell at a discount, but only until he hears the parties plans and intents. Some say he has hundreds of maps from his former patrons.

3. Tell me about someone who sells something illicit in this neighborhood

Quenno, a Tenderfoot (Halfling) notorious for his expertise in poisons. Has every recognized antidote in his shop, but its open only once a month for three days, and he never seems to be there. Lawful groups question why nobody has ever tried arresting him.

4. Tell me about a powerful wizard or warlock in this neighborhood

Shirik D'Kamag - Of the Elven Kamag Family. Was sent away for formal schooling, but came back with an understanding of Imps. Rumoured to be able to summon them almost at will, he sends them far and wide on little missions. On at least two occasions has summoned a horde of them for his own purposes.

5. Tell me about a feared warrior who lives in this neighborhood

Bruthos, Minotaur, 9th High Quartermaster. A former beloved gladiator who was ridiculed for cheating, and then came to the backwaters due to banishment. Has helped numerous times in bringing fugitives to justice if they have bounties, but has also been warned for bullying others. A notorious drunkard.

6. Tell me about someone who is wealthy in this neighborhood

Fanyen  D'Kamag - half-elf trader, who was originally an adventurer, but was the lone survivor of an expedition to the Yaross (Islands), who came ashore with a sizable stash. Bought his way onto the city counsel, and has kept a paw in the antiquities trade ever since.

7. Tell me about someone you can go to for help in this neighborhood

City Knights of the Purple Shield.  These former soldiers patrol every area in the city and are comprised of honourable or rich anyway men who survived local port battles. In order to keep their Walking Rights (non-taxation status) they must do two hours of patrol every week. They ensure all laws, customs, and civic duties are adhered to with absolute precision. They are the only ones that can kill someone in non-lawful combat without interference.

8. Tell me about someone somewhere  you can go to for information in this neighborhood

Head Post - A site of a former hangman`s noose, where the formless dead seem to gather. They watch the living, then whisper secrets based on what script is read. Some adventuring groups use this as a way to gather secrets about local dungeons. Others say the undead can inhabit the living to get their revenge by hopping into the would-be heros.

9. Tell me about a gang or criminal organization operating in this neighborhood

Four Fingers - a group that operates throughout the region. They have their spies in virtually every group, cult or order. If you want to know or get a small favour done, they are the ones to go to. Long tolerated, as they don't bother the ruling elites, who use them to spy on the lower classes.

10. Tell me about a pub, club, cabaret, gymnasium, bathhouse, etc. where adventurers hang out

Eye of the Bull: A pub that formerly was a cults HQ which is infused with magical influences, as the trace of magic energies from days or weeks gone by, are apparent to everyone. Strangely, spellcasters glow spectacularly, and even worse, they get drunk within minutes of coming into the Eye. Lots of games are played here, as it is one of the few places where magic cannot influence the outcome. 

and

Dorrine's, the lounge of choice for illusionists, who have been come here to get paid free drinks to change the apparent identity of the customer's to cavort with leisure.

11. Tell me about an ongoing problem in this neighborhood

Sekkets - a vile poisonous snake long thought wiped out in the wild, its venom is a popular mixture when processed as a dreaming potion, a very expensive draught. But these wild snakes seem to be causing the dream madness without the alchemical processing. Dreamists, the official group, who own the rights to the dream potion are upset that citizens are Drezzing without their concoction. But lots of teens and soldiers alike, are coming here for the freebie experience.

12. Tell me about a popular form of entertainment or a popular entertainer in this neighborhood

Darts

13. Tell me about a food or drink that is popular in this neighborhood

Dried Vennth, made from the Venn Bat, one of the local bat species that haunts the neighbourhood. Some say it can turn the hair or face a hot-pink colour if properly prepared.

 Inspired by :
http://talesofthegrotesqueanddungeonesque.blogspot.ca/2017/03/the-neighborhood-game.html

Sylph, Nyssian (Gossamer, Winged, Good-Aligned Humanoids)

The way I created the Sylph is is the opposite of how I handle most beasts. I usually try to scale them down to lower HD levels to introduce them at an earlier point in the story as an (N)PC. If a player wanted to use one, I would just use the Sylph from the PF books - but what is shown here this is the default, for most sylph in my world. They are a happy, energetic people, willing to help fight evil but also to fly around, observe others from afar, play games and music.


Sylph, Nyssian
Medium Sized Fey (Air)

Hit Dice: 5d8+3 (17 hp)
Initiative: +7 (Dex and Imp Initiative)
Speed: 30 ft; Fly 50 ft (good)
AC 17 touch 13, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +4 natural)
Base Atk +2 CMB +0 CMD 13
Melee Rapier +5 (1d6-2) or Shortbow +5 (1d6)
Special Qualities: Invisibility (3 times a day), Spells
Saves: Fort +2, Ref +7, Will +6
Abilities: Str 7, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 11, Wis 14, Cha 17
Skills: Diplomacy +6, Escape Artist +8, Heal +6, Knowledge (local or music) +7, Perception +8, Perform +6 (Wind), Stealth: +8,
Feats: Hover, Imp Initiative, Weapon Finesse
Environment: Any Aerial Location (Towers, Remote Spires or Cloud Isles)
Organization: Solitary or pair
Languages Air Elemental, Avian, Fey, Elf, Dwarf, Common
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Standard
Alignment: Usually Neutral Good
Advancement: By character class  (sorcerer, rogue or ranger)

These elemental spirits of air resemble gossamer winged petite humans, usually dressed in light colours and small pieces of jewelry. Attractive and playful; love to tease and joke with good aligned creatures that they encounter. Often their teasing is a form of subtle way of getting potential allies to come to their help in defending against evil or those who would harm nature or animals. They are a reclusive people, it is a rare and dangerous time when more than a few are ever in the same place at the same time.

They rarely speak out in front of crowds, they usually whisper in the ears of allies, but they do laugh out-loud as they cannot help themselves in moments of glee. More then one falling person of good alignment has been mysteriously rescued by an invisible sylph. The have a great deal of respect of spellcasters, musicians and artists, and will often take an opportunity to reflect on beauty or art.

They have a wonderful relationship with most creatures that reside in mountainous or wild locations, in particular Dwarves, Elves, Jahlen & Phaetox. Always willing to help in times of danger, acting as a scout or warning them of danger. At the same time, they do ask favours, and have at times raised small armies to help them in their tasks.

They are heavily associated with spires - mile high mountains that act similar to islands in the sky. Yet, many do have homes in the cities, near Towers of magic or other crafts. They spend much of their time invisible, and watching children and musicians. They would be a terrific force for good if focused on long range plans, but their interest like their attention span is often compared to a fleeting breeze.

Their gossamer wings are fragile to physical attack - if they take more than 5 points of damage, they are hobbled for the day and cannot fly for the rest of the day.  Normal physical attacks, even to the Sylphs back does not harm the wings, only a deliberate attack. Treat their wings as having a +5 AC deflection bonus in comparison to their regular AC. Spells or magic cannot harm the wings. They regenerate after 8 hours of rest or a cure critical spell is applied to them.

Many mortals believe all Sylph are female, but their numbers are balanced. They are an openly loving species, often getting or being confused with the standard sexual paradigms some mortal creatures seem bound with. They love, just as much as they consume or play or dance, many sylph fornicate without regard, if their partner is a willing one. Other uptight creatures are sometimes confused when a paramour reveals their gender and it is not what they expected.

Combat
Sylphs rarely engage foes directly. Most will try to use their spells to avoid confrontation or to get potential allies to help them. Their two great advantages are their flight and invisibility. The rare sylph that advances in character level, usually does so as either a sorcerer, rogue or ranger.

Energy Resistance: Sylphs have electricity & wind resistance 15. they gain +2 for any new HD or level gained
Abilities:    Gust of Wind, Detect Good (1/charisma bonus)
Featherfall (self or any one other in a 50 ft range), Invisibility (3/day)

A Sylph can remain invisible an unlimited amount of time. If they take an action that would make them noticeable, they remain visible until they get unnoticed for one full minute.

Night Gremlin

This is the gremlin creature inspired by 1984 movie of the same name as opposed to the system version. I've gotten rid of the transformation from cutie to monster, and instead of them multiplying by water, the leader (Primary Gremlin) is able to summon others of their kind.

Night Gremlin

Size/Type: Small Outsider (Native, Shadow)
Hit Dice: 13 hp (2d10+4 con)
Initiative: +3 (+3 Dex)
Speed: 20 ft
Armor Class: 16 (+3 Dex, +1 size, +2 Natural), touch 13, flat-footed 12
Base Atk +2           CMB +2           CMD 15
Full Attack: Bite +5 (1d2/18-20) or 2 Claws +4 (1d4)
Space/Reach: 5 ft/5
Special Attacks: Summoning A, Primary Master
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Darkvision 60ft, Light Sensitivity, Vulnerability to Sunlight
Saves: Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +0
Abilities: Str 10, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 10*
Skills: Climb, +3, Disable Device, +5, Escape Artist, +4, Perception, +4,  Stealth +7
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Multi-Attack
Environment: Plane of Shadow, Underground, any Urban
Alignment: Chaotic Evil
Organization: Gang (5-20), Throng (21-40), Cult (41-140)
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: Half

Primary Gremlin: Gremlin society revolves around a leader, called the Primary Gremlin, which are usually the first to arrive via teleport, Only the Primary Gremlin can summon their kin, he also makes sure that all other Gremlins follow his command. As long as the Gremlins are well fed, his pack will follow his orders. If the Primary Gremlin is killed, the tribe scatters. There is always only one primary, if others come to the location at the same time they either fight or accept his leadership. There are no elections in Night Gremlin society, the pack follows a leader or they destroy each other thru in-fighting. The Primary Gremlin is normally at least 2 HD above their common-kin.

Summon Night Gremlin A: 1/day they can summon 1d4 of their kin, if they roll 4, they roll 1d3 and continue adding if they max the dice.

Light Sensitivity: In places of natural light, they suffer from -2 on attacks and saving throws

Vulnerability to Sunlight: They take a cumulative -1 dmg for every round in direct sunlight. Taking -2 on the second round, then -3 dmg, etc. When they reach 0 hp by sunlight they explode, inflicting 1d3 dmg/HD (Reflex DC 10+HD) to creatures within 10 feet. Night Gremlins can not be raised from the dead.


Night Gremlins are small sized abhorrent outsiders from another plane. They usually arrive by hitching a ride on summoning spells as extras, passengers when other beings are summoned, they ride along. They have green-blackish scaled skin, large ears, with sharp claws and teeth. All Night Gremlins are male, and no females of their kind have ever been seen on mortal planes - experts are unsure how they propagate their kin. Not seen as threatening, except if they are apart of their Cults which can grow to enormous size if the right conditions appear.

Annoying more than anything at the start, as the majority are low level that can be easily eliminated.
Their Cult needs a leader, and it can increase in size quickly if a single gremlin is able to establish dominance. If they have the food supply, they can grow their numbers quickly and overwhelm locations. But if they are hassled by personality or other conflicts, they are stuck in the single digits, and no Primary Gremlin emerges.

While intelligent, night gremlins are creatures of passion - they can spend days planning intricate strategy, and execute half the plan, but then lose themselves in a fit of jolly, bursting into laughter, or attacking one of their kin for failing a simple execution. Fortunately, they are limited due to their weakness to sunlight, unless they are deep underground or somewhere their foes cannot use the light to devastate them,

HD Advancement: Gain 6 skill points, 2 attribute points & 1d10 hp/HD

3 HD - Increase Natural Weapon Damage (1d4/1d6); Feat; Short teleport (20 ft)
4 HD - Increase Natural Weapon Damage (1d6/1d8), +1 Natural AC
5 HD - Increase Threat Range (+2), Summon Brethren B, Feat
6 HD - Increase Dexterity +4, Short teleport (100 ft); +1 Natural AC
7 HD - Increase Natural Weapon Damage (1d8/1d10), Summon Brethren C
8 HD - Increase Threat Range (+2); +1 Natural AC; Feat
9 HD - Increase Dexterity +4, Short teleport (500 ft); +1 Natural AC
10 HD - Increase Natural Weapon Damage (1d10/2d6) , Summon Brethren D; +1 Natural AC, Feat

Summon Brethren A: 1/day they can summon 1d4 of their kin, if they roll 4, they roll 1d3 and continue adding if they max the dice
Summon Brethren B: 1/day they can summon 1d6 of their kin, if they roll 6, they roll 1d3 and  continue adding if they max the dice
Summon Brethren C: 2/day they can summon 1d8 of their kin, if they roll 8, they roll 1d4 and continue adding if they max the dice
Summon Brethren D: 3/day they can summon 1d12 of their kin, if they roll 12, they roll 1d6 and continue adding if they max the dice

Short teleport - They can do this 1+constitution bonus per day.

Cupid - small angelic figures

These small angelic figures inhabit temples and places that serve alcohol. Their main task is to find people willing to take on holy tasks, but they have a weakness for supporting lonely hearts into finding mates. While not confirmed, many believe that children can see them, even if they invisible.

Cupid                CR 4
CG* Small outsider (native)
Init +3; Senses Darkvision 60 ft, low-light vision; Perception +16

DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 14, flat-footed 13 (+3 Natural, +3 Dex, +1 size)
HP 32hp (5d8+10 con)
Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +3
DR 10/magic;

OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., Fly 50 ft. (Good)
Melee: Unarmed
Ranged +3 shortbow +10  (1d4)

STATISTICS
Str 8, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 13, Wis 8, Cha 17
Base Atk +2; CMB +2; CMD 15
Feats Point-Blank, Precise shot, weapon focus (short bow)
Skills: Bluff +11, Fly +25, Knowledge (Religion)+15, Perception +16, Sense motive +14

Languages Common, Elven, Faerie.

ECOLOGY
Environment Obelisk (Non-Evil)
Organization solitary, pair, heart (4-7)
Treasure Usually Silver Coins or chocolate hearts

SPECIAL ABILITIES

Bonus to Emotion Based Spells: Gain +1 per their HD to any spells that affect emotions

Invisibility (Sp) Can turn invisible five times a day. Each time they shoot an arrow, they become visible until they re-use this ability.

Possess Other (Sp) A cupid's official task is to seek mortals to do missions for their heavenly patrons. They determine which of the faithful can best accomplish a task and then try to steer them back to their patron's temple. The most used method is to possess them for short periods of time (10-20 minutes.)

Enchanted Arrows (Sp)  They are armed with magical short bows that shoot arrows that can either damage the flesh or the heart.  A cupid can utilize 2+Cha Bonus magic arrows every day, created when the arrow is knocked.  Those struck by a cupid’s arrow are struck as if by a spell-like ability at a caster level equal to the cupid’s Hit Dice. All saves are Charisma based.

Some of the varieties of cupid’s magic arrows are:

Dream - Fall into a deep slumber for 10-60 minutes, Will DC 14

Love - Fall for the nearest person they are looking at, having a -5 to suggestions (or polite requests) made by the same person for the next 24 hours, Will DC 17

Misery - Lose all interest in any positive interaction, wishing to imbibe alcohol or similar substances for the next 20-200 minutes, Will DC 15


Cupids are small angelic spirits best known for helping lovers find their mates but they have many magical skills.  They are found in many temples or small pubs looking to help the faithful in tasks. When flirting about a city, they will often use their magic to help out various causes.  They are rumored to have many other arrows with emotion affecting magics. While their primary job is not to make mortals fall romantically for each other, they have a weakness for lonely people and try to make them happy.

They have a very strong affection for children and will usually take time to play with or inspire them to engage in artistic endeavors. It is often said that children can see through a Cupid's invisibility.

Oddly, they have a changing alignment, it teeters between neutral and good, dedicated and free. Despite this they have free reign in many good temples as they are rarely seen as a misaligned force.  

Sameel's Sugar Shack

Someone was running a mini-contest on one of the boards about magical locations. I remember starting this and couldn't hack down all the details I wanted at the time...but here it is.

Sameel's Sugar Shack

An infamous sugar shop well known for sweets and a unique tasting experience has recently come back on the market. Plain looking store in a rough area of any city. It is always busy as its customer base is very loyal and protective of their favored sweet shop.

Exquisite furnaces and cold-boxes, all custom made for this shop, as well as a sitting area for up to twelve patrons at a time.  There are larger room upstairs but they are not available for rental anymore. The current workers are unsure but some older patrons say that these rooms were rented out in other worlds, and when they would enter the rooms they would then be able to come to this location.  It is not known if these still work, if these legends are true, or if one could visit other worlds through it any longer. **

Scattered through-out every foot in the interior of the building are stones and quasi-precious gemstones from many differing worlds.  They are arranged so they appear to be candies in various decorative patterns such as a child riding a tricycle, teddy-bear, carousel, etc along the wall in configuration with the stones.  The rumored sugar faeries are real and entertain the little ones and protect the shop. Anyone that even appears to threaten the shop finds themselves outside, hung over and usually tied up within three rounds - the sugar faeries protect this shop as their own.

Anytime food or drink is imbibed in this room (even if not prepared at the shop), there is a 2% chance that they are filled with an overpowering and magical taste. There is a 20% chance if the food is prepared and eaten at the shop. It was said that the original owner Sameel could make the number rise to 50%, and pre-determine the taste. The current owner, named Sameel as well is the third or fourth generation of his family that runs the sugar shack.

Most patrons come for the lovely candies and experiencing the sugar faeries that are rumored to lair in the building. The price is 2 nobles (silver pieces), and both the child and adult get their pick. Children get any ten pieces and adults get two non-special flavored pieces.

For those willingly to pay more 150 crowns (gold pieces), they can pick out some special flavors and roll 2d10. They can have only two picks. If they pay 500 crowns, they can chose one piece from selection 3-12 and get a bucket flavoured candy piece.

Customers can only come to the Sugar Shack once every 50 days or once a month, if they try to come back they are unable to purchase the sweetest types.  Only those who purchase the sweet magic can use them.

Roll 2d10 - Sweetest Flavor Types

2 - 3. Desert's Dry Sand: taste of sand fills ones mouth; +7 on exhaustion or dehydration checks for the next 48 hours

3. Sour: filled with vinegar, your teeth feel like they are about to fall out; +5 on poison saving throws

4. Salty: you begin to feel the power of the salty ocean, you can breathe underwater for 2-12 rounds

5. Metalic: your mouth feels and tastes like its filling with cold metallic coins; 50% chance to avoid critical hits for the next 24 hours

6. Bitter: sharp bitter stinging; +4 on saving throws on charm spells and effects, always get a second save the following round if you fail the first but no bonus

7. Cheesy: strong bad ale; you feel `happy drunk` for an hour, but smell really bad for the next twenty-four hours; +6 on charm saving throws for 24 hours

8. Disgusting: taste of ooze fills the nose; +5 on perception checks to notice items in dungeons or other dark places for the next six hours

9. Deathly: taste of sand from a crypt; +3 on all necromancy saving throws for the next 24 hours

10.super tangy drops:  sharp sour taste, 2 invisible sugar faeries come and tease you, taking things away in jest - they stay with you for 12 hours. They will make you invisible if any threats appear.

11. Sticky Cloudiness: cotton candy - 85% you start to float a foot or more, 15% you are completely weightless, strong winds will carry you away

12. Heavenly: divine taste of euphoria; +5 on the first saving throw made in the twenty-four hours, +2 to any others in the same period

13  - 19: Bucket taste, almost metallic but it is a long lasting flavor; adds 1d3 temporary hit points for the next 24 hours

20 Roll 2d6 - they get two pieces lumped together for the price of one, the duration of that type is doubled.


** The legend is true, visitors from other worlds used to come when Sameel's father ran the shop. They would come not for the sweets but the cages that could hold any beast which is the lower defunct areas. These cages would remove the magic from any large-sized creature or smaller if they were imprisoned for 1000 days.  The cages no longer work, and nobody is quite sure of what happened.