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

Nemesis or Evil Magical Twin - Template

A long time ago but still in this same galaxy, I loved playing the old Prince of Persia computer game. I adored the jumping, running and timing mechanics of the game. There was an enemy you created by going through a mirror, a magic duplicate. That was the inspiration for this monstrous template.

The Nemesis are often created by interaction with an artefact, powerful magical items that seek to protect its presence or influence others. While similar to a curse, it doesn't exactly manifest like one. It doesn't or shouldn't need a player to fail a saving throw, instead it is done by action, setting off a grisly turn of events. The Nemesis has only one objective, ruining the life of its generator.

A Nemesis can be used for a one-shot or specific dungeon. That's why it has the damage reduction and deflection bonuses. It is a perfect mirror of the character (attributes, skills, etc) except for the magic items so they should still be significantly weaker than the base character. While set up as a short-term dungeon foe, another way to use this enemy could be a long-term one. The creature sets out to ruin the PC by committing treasonous acts, not necessarily excessively evil ones so allies will know its not the individual. If you intend to use this type of creature, tone down the AC and damage reduction aspects, as it will have time to properly gear oneself.


Nemesis [Template]

This template can be added to any living Humanoid or Monstrous Humanoid. It happens when
good creatures are touched or affected by evil magics which creates an exact physical duplicate of the creature but it’s an evil, version; existing only to destroy the original creature.

Size and Type: It retains the creature type of the base creature. Do not recalculate hit points, skills, saves or BAB.

Speed: The base creature's speed is increased by 10.

Armor Class: Gains a deflection armor bonus of +4 versus it’s main target, +12 versus all other
creatures. It may have items that are common in an area, so give the creature weapons or items that typical humanoid creatures in a dungeon might have found.

Attack: A Nemesis retains any natural attacks it had before, and gains two natural slam attacks,
both of which are treated as primary natural attacks. If fighting in melee, a Nemesis prefers to
use it's slam attacks.

Size Slam Damage
Small       1d8 + any dmg for high strength
Medium    1d10 + any dmg for high strength
Large       1d12 + any dmg for high strength

Full Attack: A Nemesis fighting without weapons uses both of its slam attacks when making a
full attack, as well as any secondary natural attacks it might have. A Nemesis usually only uses
ranged weapons as part of a full attack.

Special Attacks: A Nemesis retains any special attacks from its base form.

Special Qualities: A Nemesis has the special qualities of the base creature, plus the following
qualities.

-Darkvision out to 60 feet
-Damage reduction 5 /-- against its primary foe
-Damage reduction 20 / -- against all other foes

A Nemesis has near perfect immunity from creatures that are not it’s mimic copy. However, it has a 5/- against it’s original creature.

Frightful Presence (Ex): A Nemesis can radiate an aura of fear within a 50 foot radius around it. The Will saving throw DC for this effect is equal to 10 + the Nemesis' total HD plus any positive Charisma modifiers.  Those who fail the save, do everything reasonable to avoid the creature's presence. If they are unable to leave the presence, they cower, taking no actions against the Nemesis.
It's mimic copy is never affected by its fright ability.

Unique Weakness (Su): Many times a nemesis has a unique, personal weakness due to its own history. A childhood toy, a wedding ring, etc that if confronted with can make them hesitate, causing a -3 penalty to its attack for the next hour. Give a Will DC 18 to avoid this connection. Additional times being confronted by this item will required will save by 2. (DC 16 on the second time, etc.)

Abilities: Adjust from the base creature as follows: Str +4, Con --, Int -2, Wis +2, Cha -2.

Skills: A Nemesis has skill points equal to its base creature despite the changes in it’s ability
scores.

Challenge Rating:As base creature +1

Alignment:Always Neutral Evil or Chaotic Evil. Lawful Creatures will always have a Chaotic
version of themselves, all other creatures have a Neutral Evil mimic.


Dedicated to the my beautiful wife, one day I'll be brave enough to ask if she's the evil twin or not.