Stuff from Jeff's Gameblog

[Author's note: I started this yesterday about noon, it's harder to come up with this stuff than I thought it'd be. Honestly I figured I'd just be copying from the corebook in Numenera but I actually had to come up with a decent amount of content. I still need to come up with the answers to the last two questions as well but it's getting on towards work so I'll have to think of them later.]

So there's a series of questions on an OSR blog, Jeff's Gameblog, wrote up a series of questions designed to help define the immediate play area for a sandbox game. The first part of this entry is so I can answer these questions, I'll be handing out the answers to my players.

What is the deal with my cleric's religion?     You're probably an Amber Priest, a member of the Order of Truth. They're centered in the kingdom of Navarene and are led by the Amber Pope. Their primary tenants are the furthering of civilization through the study of the past worlds and the technology they left behind. While not truly a religion they have found that the people of the Steadfast are more willing to receive their teachings if they cover it religious trappings, even going so far as to establish days of reverence and rituals in the last couple of generations to reinforce this viewpoint. Recently the current Amber Pope, Durranet VI, has called for a crusade against the Gaians of the north who worship various machine intelligences and natural phenomenon as spirits and gods. There is a splinter faction of Amber Priests who view the solidification of the Order of Truth as a religious organization a dangerous straying from their true path and have forsook the Order and the Amber Pope though they keep the title of Amber Priest. These anti-papists have seperated themselves from the Order and tend to keep to themselves.

Where can we go to buy standard equipment?     Most villages will have basic supplies that you can purchase (food, normal clothing, even some very basic weapons and armor) though to get access to the full equipment list you'll have to head to one of the larger towns. To really try to purchase and not just find things like cyphers or artifacts you'll have to go to a major city. I'll be putting out a larger equipment list soon, it'll be from either 2nd edition D&D or Warhammer so there'll be a lack of weird stuff but it'll work for the "normal" stuff.

Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?     Best chance for custom work like that is to head to Stirthal and inquire at the markets there though Thriest is closer and the markets are expansive as well. 

Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?     The matter of the most powerful nano is a some debate. There are two main competitors for the title in Malevich are Saduka the Red who dwells in a shapestone tower near an inactive floating relic at the eastern end of the Voil Chasm. Very secretive, Saduka keeps to himself though strange lights and noises seen from a distance at the relic have convinced the locals that he is consorting with spirits or possibly even demons. The other is Quanon, a being that dwells within the Chasm under Stirthal. Though he may have been human at some point in the past now he can only tenuously hold that distinction having enhanced himself with so many biomechanical parts as to barely even be humanoid any longer.

Who is the greatest warrior in the land?     Polele the Bandit King is the greatest warrior in Malevich, a veteran of the wars common in the kingdom before Yorvic's father managed to solidify his claims to the kingdom.

Who is the richest person in the land?     Though King Yorvic (and thus his regent, Ellabon) arguably own everything within the kingdom and is thus the richest person in the land 

Where can we go to get some magical healing?     Though almost any local clave will have a trained chirurgeon magical healing is not common. Despite this healing elixers from Guran and Qi can be bought in most major towns and all large cities. There are also rumors that Saduka the Red can heal the wounded and it's a well known fact that the Aulifex can do the same at his tower in Kordech.

Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curses, death?     Poison and disease can be healed by most trained chirurgeons. Curses are harder to remove from their targets though the monestary outside of Neverlost can do so and it's said that the Aulifex and Quanon can do so, for a price. Bringing back the dead however is just not possible, but of course there are rumors of it happening.

Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?     The Order of Truth is the most widespread organization with these kinds of resources. There are a number of nanos who are part of the Order, this combined with their mission has given them a wide knowledge base on esoteries and numenera. The Sarracenians are another group though they are specifically concerned with the study and worship of plants and plant like creatures. Many find this odd though it has given them a unique insight into natural processes and many of their members are accomplished healers. Additionally the Gaians, though opposed by the Order of Truth, have a unique perspective on esoteries and numenera that can give them access to knowledge otherwise forgotten or overlooked by others.

Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?     Quanon is a well known expert in the previous aeons and the numenera that they left behind along with being able to repair and recharge almost anything. He'll gladly sell his services for shins though it doesn't come cheap, he is much more willing to trade for numenera. Counselor Rashik, the overseer of Thriest, is also a well known man of learning. He's currently putting most of his effort into turning Thriest into a center of learning and his own knowledge is broad.

Where can I hire mercenaries?     Mercenaries are actually very common in Malevich because of the near constant state of warfare that was common in the kingdom until recently. Most towns have a few mercs hanging around looking for work. If you need more then that getting in touch with Polele would be the best bet as he has access to a large pool of former soldiers at his disposal.

Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?     Most places allow travelers to wear weapons when passing through villages and town even if only grudgingly, recognizing that the wilderness outside civilization is rarely safe or easy to travel through. Even the major cities in Malevich allow individuals to carry most weapons though they usually require peace bonding of some kind.

Which way to the nearest tavern?     Caluec has a small roadhouse since it serves as something of a travel hub for the area. Marqash has a both a tavern and an inn for serve the travelers and soldiers stationed there. Omm lacks a tavern though it does have a roadhouse that serves as one for locals and travelers that're doing more than just passing through. Nulb has a sizable tavern as well. The major cities all have various taverns, inns, bars and roadhouses befitting their nature as major hubs of travel and commerce. 

What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?     Margr are always a problem and many nobles have bounties set on their heads though killing a few won't really earn you any significant recognition. Getting a name for yourself as an abhuman killer would require a truly amazing number of them to be slain by your hand. 

Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?     The recently declared crusade on the Gaians in the north is looking for new soldiers and accomplished warriors like the PCs might stand to make a name for themselves in they so wished. Also there are always tensions and border skirmishes brewing along the borders in Malevich, the barons vieing for control over more land and better territory.

How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?     Yep those are around but the closest one is going to be in Stirthal, Thriest, Neverlost or even father to another city; the smaller towns that're more local can't support that kind of thing.

Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?     Indeed there are, the Convergance is the big one. They're a somewhat dark mirror of the Order of Truth, searching out numenera and the secrets of the past in order to directly benefit themselves and hopefully rule the world one day. The other is the Jagged Dream, a loosely organized group that wants to plunge the entire Ninth World into war and flames.

What is there to eat around here?     Most of the villages herd kescke, large ruminants with long shaggy fur and a curling  plate-like horn growing from their forehead, for their meat, fur and milk. One of the most common crops grown is manoic or manoic root which is used for everything from brewing alcohol to being dried and used as a thickener in soups stews and other foods. The dried flour is also used in the production of bread, cakes and noodles. A few kinds of gourds are also grown. In trade cities a wider variety of fruits,vegetables  and meats are available.

Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?      Yup, I'll let you know when I think of them...

Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?     See the previous answer.