My campaign is about to start up this Sunday and I have developed a town named Taelor to start everything off in. I am using the FR setting.
Here is what I have so far:
Taelor - Small Town
Conventional; AL NG;
1,500 gp limit; Assets 49,000 gp.
Population 1,148; Mixed (human 74%, dwarf 10%, half-elf 7%, elf 3%, Halfling 3%, gnome 2%, half-orc 1%).
Authority: Mayor Dresin Jorrul.
The small town of Taelor is mainly a farming town that helps to support Soubar. There are 12 farming families that live around Soubar; 5 referred to as high farmers and the other 7 as lesser farmers. Wheat is the primary crop grown on these farms. Taelor also has various buildings located around town: a large 3-story inn (Misty Blades), blacksmith, carpenter, stone mason, general store (Yorin’s Goods), healer, mayor’s house, constable/jail, three churches and shops/homes of other locals.
The blacksmith (Alric) is a well-known weaponsmith that specializes in masterwork weapons. Many traders from Soubar and even Triel (southeast of Soubar) come to Taelor just to purchase weapons made by Alric. There isn’t another weaponsmith for at least 100 miles that can forge as well as him. What makes Alric specifically extraordinary is that he is also known as one of the kindest men. Alric and his wife Bellen have taken in over a dozen orphans in the 20 years they have been married. Out of all the orphan’s, most have either grown into adulthood or were taken by another family to raise. At this time, Alric and Bellen have 3 children under their care: Rola (6), Dazelle (4), and Holden (1).
Not only is Alric a great weaponsmith and kind person, but he is also the wealthiest in Taelor. Thru Alric’s kindness, the town has been well equipped for defense if ever a need arose. He also donates money to the various churches and other groups in Taelor. By no means is Alric greedy with his prosperity.
Gakk, a half-orc, was raised from an infant to adulthood via Alric and Bellen and much the rest of Taelor. For a Half-orc, Gakk took after Alric. He is kind and gentle and always willing to lend a hand. The other people in the town can’t even recall one instance Gakk got into some sort of trouble. Gakk recently returned to Taelor from Soubar, where he went to for training to become a paladin. Gakk was away for a little over 2 years, but he returned about a month ago spreading the word of Torm. Alric was so pleased with Gakk that he is currently funding the construction of a new church in town dedicated to Torm.
The churches currently in town are dedicated to Kelemvor, Dumathoin, and Chauntea. The followers of Kelemvor act as the healers for the sick and they give the last rites to those that die. The town is well stocked with healing potions of all types thanks to Alric’s funds and the works of the Kelemvor healers. The Dumathoin church doubles as an outpost for the Shield Dwarves that have a mine a few days away to the NE. Thanks to this group, Alric always has the materials on hand to do his smithing. There is a small community of Shield Dwarves in Taelor and they feel very comfortable here and add to the kind atmosphere. There are only a couple followers of Chauntea in Taelor, but the rest of Taelor prays to Chauntea quite often. Without Chauntea’s continual blessings of great harvests, Soubar would not be able to survive the way it has. Because of this, donations made to Chauntea are regular. The temple to Chauntea is not a building but more of a shrine, yet it has the highest peak in the whole town. The last mayor even passed a law that no building in town could rise above it. There is a beautiful garden under and around the temple that is tended by the followers of Chauntea, this being their only duty.
With all the good around Taelor, this town is not perfect. The farming families are always arguing over land. Though there has never been a battle over such a thing, the heated arguments drive the other locals away. After all, who wants to be around when one of the Taelor farmer’s want to get something off their mind. Each farming family has their own mill located near their farms. They also each have 1 or more homes in Taelor (depending on the size of their families).
There is currently a wooden wall built around most of Taelor. There is an opening for the Main Road that passes thru Taelor from Soubar to Boareskyr Bridge. There are also watch towers stationed at both these places. There are two other openings for smaller roads leading in and out of Taelor. There have been talks about a new wall being built around Taelor that will be made out of stone. Mayor Dresin brought that up at the last town meeting and the word is that it will begin once the church of Torm has been completed. Alric has announced that he will donate half the costs for the new wall and Mayor Dresin said he’ll have to raise taxes a little till the completion of the wall. All in attendance were in agreement though since taxes are rather low anyhow. The wall will be built about a quarter of a mile outside the current wall which will allow for expansion of the town. It will begin in about two months to the north with a new gate.
There is a small Halfling village called Hargrove Hovel located to the NE of Taelor. It is made up primarily of strongheart Halflings, but it also has a strong population of gnomes and a small variety of other races. The people from Hargrove appear in Taelor on a regular basis for trading and visiting of friends and family. Not much is really known about Hargrove, but the wine and mead from there has become the preferred taste for all Taelor. One strongheart Halfling named Hommel comes to Taelor on a weekly basis to do odd jobs around town. Hommel is a carpenter, but not much is really known of him. The rumors around town regarding Hommel is that he no longer lives in Hargrove and instead took up residence in the forest between Hargrove and Taelor.
A few weeks ago, a man named Parkus arrived in town and began doing odd jobs around town for free. He said his works were in the name of Lathander. Parkus has been very helpful, even if not very skilled with his help. One of the elder widowers, Mr. Rollin, was down on his luck and didn’t have much money to fix his roof so he allowed Parkus to fix it. He actually did a good job of it and Mr. Rollin allowed him to move into a spare bedroom while he stayed in Taelor. A few days after that, word got around that Mr. Rollin’s sold Parkus his garage. Parkus then helped a known drunk in town to sober up, which no one could ever accomplish before that. Arthur began working with Parkus on the restoration of the old garage and word got around that it was being turned into a shelter/community center. A few more people around town joined in with the work. The old garage is starting to look new again and much different. Parkus has made a major change to Taelor and he is much respected. Parkus turned the project over to Arthur and the others. They think the project should be completed within a month or so. Arthur mentioned that a shrine will be built near the shelter and both will be dedicated to Lathander.
At the beginning of each month, a guard patrol from Soubar stops in Taelor and leave the following day for a visit to the Boareskyr Bridge. They usually come back the day after and stop for another night. The reason for this trip is to clean up any criminal activity occurring around the bridge. Brigands and Highwayman have been becoming a more common occurrence around the bridge the last year or so. Course, they never seem to come close to Taelor which is fine by the local townsfolk. On the way back to Soubar, the captain of the guard patrol will usually collect monthly taxes from the mayor. No one complains much of the taxes since they aren’t that bad and most feel it is worth that little extra protection from Soubar.
Taelor was built around a main road going west to east (Boareskyr Bridge to Soubar). This road is still Main Road. There is also a lesser road (or path) going south out of Taelor that leads around the east of The Troll Claws (hills) towards Baulders Gate. Most travelers come via the Main Road from either west or east. Usually someone heading west on the Main Road mentions that they are heading to Waterdeep.
The city of Soubar is located 15 miles to the east; roughly 4 to 8 hours.
The Boareskyr Bridge is located 20 miles to the west; roughly 5 to 10 hours.
The small town of Oakhurst is located 20 miles northwest of the Boareskyr Bridge; roughly 5 to 10 hours.
Flamerule 16th, 1372 DR
--A well-known merchant arrives in Taelor sometime in the evening. His name is Sayner. Sayner passes thru Taelor about every 4 to 6 months and stays for 4 to 10 days. During this time, he trades with the people of Taelor, tells wonderous stories for those willing to listen and performs (sings & plays instruments) at the Misty Blades. Sayner is human and looks to be around 40 years with a little graying in hair and well-trimmed beard.
--Sayner usually arrives in town with 3-6 others whom act as his guards.
--It is widely known that Sayner travels from Soubar to Waterdeep to Baulder’s Gate to Scornubel and back to Soubar.
Flamerule 17th
--Sayner has set up shop in his normal place outside of the Misty Blades. It is almost 8am in the morning.
--The Midsummer festival is only 13 days away and will be held for two days this year because of Shieldmeet. Shieldmeet occurs every four years and the day right away Midsummer.
The goal of the campaign will be to have the players join up with Sayner as his guards. This will take them from town to town on their journey towards Waterdeep. They will find adventure in nearly every town along the way. I am hoping to get them to around level 12 before reaching Waterdeep by going thru Sunless Citadel, The Forge, a web module, the 7th level wotc module, the 10th level wotch module, and then on to the CoTSQ.
Suggestions? Advice? Comments?
I've DM'd before, but I have been enjoying the posts on this board so I figured why not post and see the responses I get.
Thanks in advance.
Here is what I have so far:
Taelor - Small Town
Conventional; AL NG;
1,500 gp limit; Assets 49,000 gp.
Population 1,148; Mixed (human 74%, dwarf 10%, half-elf 7%, elf 3%, Halfling 3%, gnome 2%, half-orc 1%).
Authority: Mayor Dresin Jorrul.
The small town of Taelor is mainly a farming town that helps to support Soubar. There are 12 farming families that live around Soubar; 5 referred to as high farmers and the other 7 as lesser farmers. Wheat is the primary crop grown on these farms. Taelor also has various buildings located around town: a large 3-story inn (Misty Blades), blacksmith, carpenter, stone mason, general store (Yorin’s Goods), healer, mayor’s house, constable/jail, three churches and shops/homes of other locals.
The blacksmith (Alric) is a well-known weaponsmith that specializes in masterwork weapons. Many traders from Soubar and even Triel (southeast of Soubar) come to Taelor just to purchase weapons made by Alric. There isn’t another weaponsmith for at least 100 miles that can forge as well as him. What makes Alric specifically extraordinary is that he is also known as one of the kindest men. Alric and his wife Bellen have taken in over a dozen orphans in the 20 years they have been married. Out of all the orphan’s, most have either grown into adulthood or were taken by another family to raise. At this time, Alric and Bellen have 3 children under their care: Rola (6), Dazelle (4), and Holden (1).
Not only is Alric a great weaponsmith and kind person, but he is also the wealthiest in Taelor. Thru Alric’s kindness, the town has been well equipped for defense if ever a need arose. He also donates money to the various churches and other groups in Taelor. By no means is Alric greedy with his prosperity.
Gakk, a half-orc, was raised from an infant to adulthood via Alric and Bellen and much the rest of Taelor. For a Half-orc, Gakk took after Alric. He is kind and gentle and always willing to lend a hand. The other people in the town can’t even recall one instance Gakk got into some sort of trouble. Gakk recently returned to Taelor from Soubar, where he went to for training to become a paladin. Gakk was away for a little over 2 years, but he returned about a month ago spreading the word of Torm. Alric was so pleased with Gakk that he is currently funding the construction of a new church in town dedicated to Torm.
The churches currently in town are dedicated to Kelemvor, Dumathoin, and Chauntea. The followers of Kelemvor act as the healers for the sick and they give the last rites to those that die. The town is well stocked with healing potions of all types thanks to Alric’s funds and the works of the Kelemvor healers. The Dumathoin church doubles as an outpost for the Shield Dwarves that have a mine a few days away to the NE. Thanks to this group, Alric always has the materials on hand to do his smithing. There is a small community of Shield Dwarves in Taelor and they feel very comfortable here and add to the kind atmosphere. There are only a couple followers of Chauntea in Taelor, but the rest of Taelor prays to Chauntea quite often. Without Chauntea’s continual blessings of great harvests, Soubar would not be able to survive the way it has. Because of this, donations made to Chauntea are regular. The temple to Chauntea is not a building but more of a shrine, yet it has the highest peak in the whole town. The last mayor even passed a law that no building in town could rise above it. There is a beautiful garden under and around the temple that is tended by the followers of Chauntea, this being their only duty.
With all the good around Taelor, this town is not perfect. The farming families are always arguing over land. Though there has never been a battle over such a thing, the heated arguments drive the other locals away. After all, who wants to be around when one of the Taelor farmer’s want to get something off their mind. Each farming family has their own mill located near their farms. They also each have 1 or more homes in Taelor (depending on the size of their families).
There is currently a wooden wall built around most of Taelor. There is an opening for the Main Road that passes thru Taelor from Soubar to Boareskyr Bridge. There are also watch towers stationed at both these places. There are two other openings for smaller roads leading in and out of Taelor. There have been talks about a new wall being built around Taelor that will be made out of stone. Mayor Dresin brought that up at the last town meeting and the word is that it will begin once the church of Torm has been completed. Alric has announced that he will donate half the costs for the new wall and Mayor Dresin said he’ll have to raise taxes a little till the completion of the wall. All in attendance were in agreement though since taxes are rather low anyhow. The wall will be built about a quarter of a mile outside the current wall which will allow for expansion of the town. It will begin in about two months to the north with a new gate.
There is a small Halfling village called Hargrove Hovel located to the NE of Taelor. It is made up primarily of strongheart Halflings, but it also has a strong population of gnomes and a small variety of other races. The people from Hargrove appear in Taelor on a regular basis for trading and visiting of friends and family. Not much is really known about Hargrove, but the wine and mead from there has become the preferred taste for all Taelor. One strongheart Halfling named Hommel comes to Taelor on a weekly basis to do odd jobs around town. Hommel is a carpenter, but not much is really known of him. The rumors around town regarding Hommel is that he no longer lives in Hargrove and instead took up residence in the forest between Hargrove and Taelor.
A few weeks ago, a man named Parkus arrived in town and began doing odd jobs around town for free. He said his works were in the name of Lathander. Parkus has been very helpful, even if not very skilled with his help. One of the elder widowers, Mr. Rollin, was down on his luck and didn’t have much money to fix his roof so he allowed Parkus to fix it. He actually did a good job of it and Mr. Rollin allowed him to move into a spare bedroom while he stayed in Taelor. A few days after that, word got around that Mr. Rollin’s sold Parkus his garage. Parkus then helped a known drunk in town to sober up, which no one could ever accomplish before that. Arthur began working with Parkus on the restoration of the old garage and word got around that it was being turned into a shelter/community center. A few more people around town joined in with the work. The old garage is starting to look new again and much different. Parkus has made a major change to Taelor and he is much respected. Parkus turned the project over to Arthur and the others. They think the project should be completed within a month or so. Arthur mentioned that a shrine will be built near the shelter and both will be dedicated to Lathander.
At the beginning of each month, a guard patrol from Soubar stops in Taelor and leave the following day for a visit to the Boareskyr Bridge. They usually come back the day after and stop for another night. The reason for this trip is to clean up any criminal activity occurring around the bridge. Brigands and Highwayman have been becoming a more common occurrence around the bridge the last year or so. Course, they never seem to come close to Taelor which is fine by the local townsfolk. On the way back to Soubar, the captain of the guard patrol will usually collect monthly taxes from the mayor. No one complains much of the taxes since they aren’t that bad and most feel it is worth that little extra protection from Soubar.
Taelor was built around a main road going west to east (Boareskyr Bridge to Soubar). This road is still Main Road. There is also a lesser road (or path) going south out of Taelor that leads around the east of The Troll Claws (hills) towards Baulders Gate. Most travelers come via the Main Road from either west or east. Usually someone heading west on the Main Road mentions that they are heading to Waterdeep.
The city of Soubar is located 15 miles to the east; roughly 4 to 8 hours.
The Boareskyr Bridge is located 20 miles to the west; roughly 5 to 10 hours.
The small town of Oakhurst is located 20 miles northwest of the Boareskyr Bridge; roughly 5 to 10 hours.
Flamerule 16th, 1372 DR
--A well-known merchant arrives in Taelor sometime in the evening. His name is Sayner. Sayner passes thru Taelor about every 4 to 6 months and stays for 4 to 10 days. During this time, he trades with the people of Taelor, tells wonderous stories for those willing to listen and performs (sings & plays instruments) at the Misty Blades. Sayner is human and looks to be around 40 years with a little graying in hair and well-trimmed beard.
--Sayner usually arrives in town with 3-6 others whom act as his guards.
--It is widely known that Sayner travels from Soubar to Waterdeep to Baulder’s Gate to Scornubel and back to Soubar.
Flamerule 17th
--Sayner has set up shop in his normal place outside of the Misty Blades. It is almost 8am in the morning.
--The Midsummer festival is only 13 days away and will be held for two days this year because of Shieldmeet. Shieldmeet occurs every four years and the day right away Midsummer.
The goal of the campaign will be to have the players join up with Sayner as his guards. This will take them from town to town on their journey towards Waterdeep. They will find adventure in nearly every town along the way. I am hoping to get them to around level 12 before reaching Waterdeep by going thru Sunless Citadel, The Forge, a web module, the 7th level wotc module, the 10th level wotch module, and then on to the CoTSQ.
Suggestions? Advice? Comments?
I've DM'd before, but I have been enjoying the posts on this board so I figured why not post and see the responses I get.
Thanks in advance.
