Messageboard Golem
First Post
"Heed, and be wiser—and walk accordingly" is a long-time proverb of Loona that the visitor would do well to follow. Loona, Port of Intrigue, while ideal for use with the Dungeons and Dragons setting: the Kingdoms of Kalamar, is of broad use to DMs running any medieval or pirate-based campaign. Loona, the port town of the City of Geanavue, rests along the western coast of Reanaaria Bay in eastern Tellene, the world of the Kingdoms of Kalamar. Since Loona has its own web of politics and alliances, this work contains many cross-references between entries (for example, it mentions certain allies or enemies such as swords-for-hire or street gangs within entries for merchant guilds). Therefore, we recommend that the reader make extensive use of the very complete index/glossary found at the end of the book while reading the various entries.
This book is organized as follows.
Chapter One sets forth a general overview of Loona and much background information that will help when reading the later chapters. It helps to have a copy of the map handy when reading certain of the location entries in Chapter One (and later chapters, for that matter).
Chapter Two provides greater detail about the town from architecture and lighting to the various districts and specific landmarks.
Chapter Three discusses the shipping industry and especially the harbor and port.
Chapter Four covers in-depth the various power factions, from the Master of Loona to gangs and assassins.
Chapter Five gives a general overview of the lands and hamlets around Loona and Geanavue.
The Appendices cover NPC stats and details, encounters (and encounter tables), new items, new creatures and a list of Reanaarese names for use in-game.
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LIFE IN Loona (a little bit o' text from Chapter 1)
Visitor's Views
A middle-aged Geanavese crafter recently described Loona as “a ramshackle, lawless chaos where sailors brawl, rats scuttle, and no respectable person would want to enter - or dare to, without a large and capable bodyguard.” Others have called the town “a den of thieves” and “a large refuse pit where wizards blast warehouses to flames and swordsmen leap from arriving ships to hack a clear space for docking. Then beasts and sinister sorcerers from afar pour out, soon to slither like gliding snakes into our fair city. These words aptly describe the general Geanavese view of Loona. The collective opinion is colorful, extreme - and not all that far from the truth.
Loona offers both warehouses in which cheap and unusual wares can be had, and a safe meeting ground where spies, gossips and thieves can deliver valuable information and stolen items to others, who pass such things on to persons willing to pay. Many Geanavese consider "their" port to be a place of fish and lawlessness—that and the destination of a smooth, superbly built, road linking Loona and Geanavue.
Although technically the port and territory of the wealthy city of Geanavue, the rule of law in Loona oft extends only as far as the point of a sword. Fortunately, when things get too far out of hand, the Fists (Geanavue's army) may be called in to restore order and the authority of Lord Haar of Geana.
While horror stories of the town may keep honest folk from the streets of Loona, it draws those interested in illicit activities, or those who seek excitement and danger, like moths to flame. Fortunately for the port merchants, there is never a shortage of thrill-seeking Geanavese (particularly youths) on Loonan streets. Most Geanavese, however, have either never visited the port town (though it often serves them as the colorful cradle of frequent "can you believe the latest?" street gossip), or travel there only in large, armed bands from Geanavue to a fortified countryside inn. They then dare venture into the port itself only for midday shopping or for an evening of revelry. Such entertainment consists of the usual drinking, brawling (with the fortunate being the spectator instead of the combatant), courting, hiring escorts or watching others enjoying such pursuits, and spectacles (watching dancing creatures, naked men and women wrestling each other or various beasts, and seeing "weird sights from afar"). Many street performers, whose songs and jests are daringly disrespectful of Geanavese life, nobility and authority, also call the city home.
Mists and Mystery
By day, Loona is often shrouded in patchy mists, with a brisk onshore breeze bringing in wave after wave of obscuring vapor rather than clearing the air for the sunlight to beat down. Loonans are used to the gloom and everything being dripping wet—though that does not stop a variety of rots and fungi from afflicting the skin (particularly of the feet) of many longtime residents.
As one nears the Dock District, the reek of rotting fish hangs in the air. Along with the mists and continual dampness that hangs in the air, comes the pungent odor of mildew, while the foul smell of dung often wafts up from Low Town. The acclimated locals seem impervious to the odors.
Though little more than 2,000 souls claim permanent residence here, this number nearly doubles during the busy season. The population count tends to fluctuate due to numerous murders and many con men hastily leaving town for greener pastures. Although Geanavue and the Master of Loona attempt to make the town more inhabitable, a wicked, lawless reputation clings to this small, crowded port.
The folk of Loona are known as Loonans. Some older writings refer to them as “Lounar,” but calling a person from Loona a “Loon” is regarded as a serious insult. They tend to be a rough, hardy, blunt but cheerful lot. Many have shady pasts and very questionable present careers.
Surprisingly, some long-term residents have seen thirty summers or more in Loona. Such peoples are the keepers of Loona's nefarious history, and there is never a shortage of colorful tales floating about the port. When winter storms howl in off Reanaaria Bay, the yarns are told and retold wherever ale is sold and wherever there are eager ears to listen. The tales grow whenever an inspired tongue passes them on, and if all the legends were collected they could easily fill volume upon volume of books with real and imagined deeds. Not all the tales are wistful tales of adventures past, however. A stranger arriving in town today could learn much by listening for the facts hidden in the roaring pirate yarns currently being passed around Loona. Lurking in the tales are descriptions of legendary cutthroats, sounds (and smells) encountered on adventure and warnings of who is most likely to slip a blade into an unwary back (that, unfortunately, is just about everyone in Loona) and more importantly, when they are most likely to do so.
Some Truths — and Perils
Although Loona is a dangerous, lawless place to live, it is not the open, ongoing brawl many Geanavese believe it to be. It is true that there is usually no one forcibly keeping the peace in town, except inside their own building or trade-yard (and then used mainly just to guard against fire, wholesale property destruction, "gang-swarm" thefts and loss of trade). However, most of the locals take care not to molest visiting "herds of customers," particularly Geanavese, for fear of ending the generous supply of easily duped spenders, or provoking a violent and thorough scouring-out of the port by the Fists.
Loonans soon learn where in the port to go when, and when to hide or to hear and see nothing. Even the most bloodthirsty pirates—when they are sober—see the value of keeping sheep-like fellow citizens around to hide among, if nothing else, and of citizens who can be frightened into hiding captives, goods or persons on the run are a valuable resource.
On the other hand, gangs can strike swiftly and mercilessly—especially when an outlander is found wandering alone. Gang murders are all too common, with brazen assailants waylaying their victims at midday in busy streets. Some assassins prefer to stage brawls to stab their victims, while others prefer the more tried and true method of dumping a bucket of human waste, harbor water, or fire-ash on the head of a passerby from a catwalk or balcony. Once their target is temporarily hindered, a waiting gang of thugs rushes from a cellar or alley to snatch the choking, temporarily blinded victim, slit his throat, and strip him of all valuables, leaving a naked corpse behind. Women of beauty thus taken are often gagged, hooded, bound and kept alive for sale. They may be sleep-drugged for easy storage and display to slavers, and only awakened after being sold and carried far away from Loona.
Folk dwelling in the port town protect themselves with house-traps and membership in "leagues" (common defensive pacts between small numbers of neighbors and adjacent shopkeepers). Those who can afford it, however, hire bodyguards - a business ever hungry for more adventurers and warriors looking for work. Of course, the great equalizer in close-quarters street encounters is the "sting." A "sting" is the local slang term for a hand crossbow firing sleep drug-tipped bolts. Many Loonans bear stings, knives or needle-like hairpins poisoned with a substance (rarely found outside Loona) known as “ooraau” (See Appendix C: New Toxins and Alchemical Substances).
This book is organized as follows.
Chapter One sets forth a general overview of Loona and much background information that will help when reading the later chapters. It helps to have a copy of the map handy when reading certain of the location entries in Chapter One (and later chapters, for that matter).
Chapter Two provides greater detail about the town from architecture and lighting to the various districts and specific landmarks.
Chapter Three discusses the shipping industry and especially the harbor and port.
Chapter Four covers in-depth the various power factions, from the Master of Loona to gangs and assassins.
Chapter Five gives a general overview of the lands and hamlets around Loona and Geanavue.
The Appendices cover NPC stats and details, encounters (and encounter tables), new items, new creatures and a list of Reanaarese names for use in-game.
=============
LIFE IN Loona (a little bit o' text from Chapter 1)
Visitor's Views
A middle-aged Geanavese crafter recently described Loona as “a ramshackle, lawless chaos where sailors brawl, rats scuttle, and no respectable person would want to enter - or dare to, without a large and capable bodyguard.” Others have called the town “a den of thieves” and “a large refuse pit where wizards blast warehouses to flames and swordsmen leap from arriving ships to hack a clear space for docking. Then beasts and sinister sorcerers from afar pour out, soon to slither like gliding snakes into our fair city. These words aptly describe the general Geanavese view of Loona. The collective opinion is colorful, extreme - and not all that far from the truth.
Loona offers both warehouses in which cheap and unusual wares can be had, and a safe meeting ground where spies, gossips and thieves can deliver valuable information and stolen items to others, who pass such things on to persons willing to pay. Many Geanavese consider "their" port to be a place of fish and lawlessness—that and the destination of a smooth, superbly built, road linking Loona and Geanavue.
Although technically the port and territory of the wealthy city of Geanavue, the rule of law in Loona oft extends only as far as the point of a sword. Fortunately, when things get too far out of hand, the Fists (Geanavue's army) may be called in to restore order and the authority of Lord Haar of Geana.
While horror stories of the town may keep honest folk from the streets of Loona, it draws those interested in illicit activities, or those who seek excitement and danger, like moths to flame. Fortunately for the port merchants, there is never a shortage of thrill-seeking Geanavese (particularly youths) on Loonan streets. Most Geanavese, however, have either never visited the port town (though it often serves them as the colorful cradle of frequent "can you believe the latest?" street gossip), or travel there only in large, armed bands from Geanavue to a fortified countryside inn. They then dare venture into the port itself only for midday shopping or for an evening of revelry. Such entertainment consists of the usual drinking, brawling (with the fortunate being the spectator instead of the combatant), courting, hiring escorts or watching others enjoying such pursuits, and spectacles (watching dancing creatures, naked men and women wrestling each other or various beasts, and seeing "weird sights from afar"). Many street performers, whose songs and jests are daringly disrespectful of Geanavese life, nobility and authority, also call the city home.
Mists and Mystery
By day, Loona is often shrouded in patchy mists, with a brisk onshore breeze bringing in wave after wave of obscuring vapor rather than clearing the air for the sunlight to beat down. Loonans are used to the gloom and everything being dripping wet—though that does not stop a variety of rots and fungi from afflicting the skin (particularly of the feet) of many longtime residents.
As one nears the Dock District, the reek of rotting fish hangs in the air. Along with the mists and continual dampness that hangs in the air, comes the pungent odor of mildew, while the foul smell of dung often wafts up from Low Town. The acclimated locals seem impervious to the odors.
Though little more than 2,000 souls claim permanent residence here, this number nearly doubles during the busy season. The population count tends to fluctuate due to numerous murders and many con men hastily leaving town for greener pastures. Although Geanavue and the Master of Loona attempt to make the town more inhabitable, a wicked, lawless reputation clings to this small, crowded port.
The folk of Loona are known as Loonans. Some older writings refer to them as “Lounar,” but calling a person from Loona a “Loon” is regarded as a serious insult. They tend to be a rough, hardy, blunt but cheerful lot. Many have shady pasts and very questionable present careers.
Surprisingly, some long-term residents have seen thirty summers or more in Loona. Such peoples are the keepers of Loona's nefarious history, and there is never a shortage of colorful tales floating about the port. When winter storms howl in off Reanaaria Bay, the yarns are told and retold wherever ale is sold and wherever there are eager ears to listen. The tales grow whenever an inspired tongue passes them on, and if all the legends were collected they could easily fill volume upon volume of books with real and imagined deeds. Not all the tales are wistful tales of adventures past, however. A stranger arriving in town today could learn much by listening for the facts hidden in the roaring pirate yarns currently being passed around Loona. Lurking in the tales are descriptions of legendary cutthroats, sounds (and smells) encountered on adventure and warnings of who is most likely to slip a blade into an unwary back (that, unfortunately, is just about everyone in Loona) and more importantly, when they are most likely to do so.
Some Truths — and Perils
Although Loona is a dangerous, lawless place to live, it is not the open, ongoing brawl many Geanavese believe it to be. It is true that there is usually no one forcibly keeping the peace in town, except inside their own building or trade-yard (and then used mainly just to guard against fire, wholesale property destruction, "gang-swarm" thefts and loss of trade). However, most of the locals take care not to molest visiting "herds of customers," particularly Geanavese, for fear of ending the generous supply of easily duped spenders, or provoking a violent and thorough scouring-out of the port by the Fists.
Loonans soon learn where in the port to go when, and when to hide or to hear and see nothing. Even the most bloodthirsty pirates—when they are sober—see the value of keeping sheep-like fellow citizens around to hide among, if nothing else, and of citizens who can be frightened into hiding captives, goods or persons on the run are a valuable resource.
On the other hand, gangs can strike swiftly and mercilessly—especially when an outlander is found wandering alone. Gang murders are all too common, with brazen assailants waylaying their victims at midday in busy streets. Some assassins prefer to stage brawls to stab their victims, while others prefer the more tried and true method of dumping a bucket of human waste, harbor water, or fire-ash on the head of a passerby from a catwalk or balcony. Once their target is temporarily hindered, a waiting gang of thugs rushes from a cellar or alley to snatch the choking, temporarily blinded victim, slit his throat, and strip him of all valuables, leaving a naked corpse behind. Women of beauty thus taken are often gagged, hooded, bound and kept alive for sale. They may be sleep-drugged for easy storage and display to slavers, and only awakened after being sold and carried far away from Loona.
Folk dwelling in the port town protect themselves with house-traps and membership in "leagues" (common defensive pacts between small numbers of neighbors and adjacent shopkeepers). Those who can afford it, however, hire bodyguards - a business ever hungry for more adventurers and warriors looking for work. Of course, the great equalizer in close-quarters street encounters is the "sting." A "sting" is the local slang term for a hand crossbow firing sleep drug-tipped bolts. Many Loonans bear stings, knives or needle-like hairpins poisoned with a substance (rarely found outside Loona) known as “ooraau” (See Appendix C: New Toxins and Alchemical Substances).
