bae@fisher.UUCP (Shiva the Destroyer) (12/17/84)
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have prepared the first scenario, even though I have not yet finished
processing all of your characters. I expect to have your finished characters
back to you after I return from my Christmas vacation and finish my exams.
This should occur around January 18th or so.
All of you are starting out in the same area, the newly founded City of
Athron. Everyone settling in the City has been given a government subsidy
of 1000 GP to sustain him/her while he/she gets established. In addition,
everyone is assumed to possess disposable funds equal to his/her level*1000.
If you are multi-classed, you get MEAN(levels)*1500GP.
Initially, everyone is assumed to be just outside the Citadel gate, having
just received his/her dole. Many options are available to you, including
staying at inns, staking out land, and so on, as you will see from the included
background material.
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Athron:
Athron is located inside of the official borders of the Thronland,
60 miles west of the Verbosh river. (This is in the SW region of your
map)
Athron was founded in February, 868 AT, by order of The Dragon Emperor.
It is the centre of an independent duchy, currently under the regency of
Erranwen, an Elven warrior-woman of some note. Erranwen has been appointed
regent until such a time as someone suitable for the post of Duke is found.
All Thron lands have been granted to the Duchy of Athron by The Dragon Emperor.
What the Thron will think of this, of course, is anybody's guess.
Athron is located on a small bluff inside the Thron territories.
There is a natural spring on the bluff, around which is built the
citadel of Athron. The dimensions of the citadel are aproximately
250 yards by 350 yards. The citadel is constructed of earthworks,
but the earthworks are being replaced by stone walls constructed
from stone mined from the quarry which is located at the base of the
bluff. The citadel is reputed to house 2,000 Imperial troops, composed
for the most part of Imperial cavalry. Erranwen rides a huge Red
Dragon as her personal steed.
Around the bluff on which is located the citadel is growing the actual
city of Athron. Currently there are only about 5,000 inhabitants, but
the population is steadily increasing. At the moment, the great part of the
populace is composed of miners and farmers. The miners are working the
quarry, attempting to mine and shape enough stone meet the demands of the
quickly growing city. The farmers are here because every freeman has been
granted as much land as he can till. A smaller part of the populace is
made up of members of the service industries - bowmakers, tanners,
tavern-keepers, etc.
Athron was founded by Imperial edict to serve as a foothold
in the Thron territories. The founders have orders to explore the
area, to map out approaches into the Thron heartland, and to provide
accurate intelligence about the Thron menace. Because of this,
Athron is quickly becoming the adventurers' capitol of the known
world. Many groups, great and small, are interested in settling in
this hitherto undeveloped (by civilized man...) area. Some of these groups
are interested in furthering the growth of the Duchy, some are interested
in grabbing land for themselves, and some are interested in preventing
the discovery of things which they feel should not be brought to the
attention of the Empire. Many individuals are also arriving in the area,
out to grab as much land and treasure as they can.
Because of this influx of adventurers, Athron, and its merchants,
are becoming quite affluent. Many specialized establishments are
opening up, expressly to cater to the adventurers' needs. Almost
anything one wants can be acquired in Athron (although perhaps not legally).
Speaking of legality, the city is currently under the military rule
of the Regent Erranwen. Patrols ride through the city streets regularly.
Punishment is swift and severe for serious offenses, although minor offenses
are punishable by fines or service, being as there is no jail.
Due to the nature of the town, prices for common items are quite
high here, either because the items have to be imported at great cost,
or because the locals have decided to take advantage of the boom-town
economy of the region. Here is a representative list of prices for
such items:
ARMOR
TYPE COST* ARMOR CLASS
Padded 10 8
Leather 15 8
Studded 25 7
Ring 40 7
Scale 75 6
Chain 150 5
Splinted 175 4
Banded 250 4
Plate 500 3
Field Plate 5000 2
Small Shield 5 -1
Small Metal Shield 10 -1
Medium Shield 20 -1
Medium Metal Shield 40 -2
Large Shield 50 -2
Large Metal Shield 100 -2
*custom orders are at +15%
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MISSILE WEAPONS
TYPE COST
Shortbow 40
Shortbow, Composite 200
Longbow 150
Longbow, Composite 400
Strength 16 +500
Strength 17 +1000
Strength 18 +2000
Strength 18 (01-50) +4000
Strength 18 (51-75) +6000
Strength 18 (76-90) +10000
Strength 18 (91-99) +15000
Strength 18 (00) +25000
Strength >18(00) +10000/pt
Crossbow, Light 15
Crossbow, Heavy 50
Arbalest 100
Throwing Axe 5
Throwing Knife 3
Dart 1/2
Shaken 1
Hammer 5
Javelin 2
Spear 10
Arrow, Normal (1) 1/5
Arrow, Strength (1) 5
Arrow, Silver (1) 1
Arrow, Sil, Str (1) 25
Quarrel, Light 1/4
Quarrel, Heavy 1/2
Quarrel, Arbalest 1
Sling Bullets (20) 1
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SHOCK WEAPONS
TYPE COST
Battle Axe 40
Bardiche 20
Bec de Corbin 15
Bill-Guisarme 20
Dagger 5
Fauchard 10
Fauchard-Fork 15
Flail (Footman's) 5
Flail (Horseman's) 10
Fork, Military 5
Glaive 20
Glaive-Guisarme 25
Guisarme 20
Guisarme-Voulge 25
Halberd 28
Hammer, Lucern 36
Hammer 5
Lance 10
Mace (Footman's) 20
Mace (Horseman's) 15
Morning Star 15
Partisan 20
Pick (Footman's) 20
Pick (Horseman's) 15
Pike 8
Ranseur 7
Scimitar 35
Spear 10
Spetum 7
Staff 5
Trident 25
Voulge 15
Bastard Sword 150
Broad Sword 40
Long Sword 60
Short Sword 20
Two-Handed Sword 300
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CLOTHING
TYPE COST
Belt 1/2
Belt Pouch, Large 2
Belt Pouch, Small 1
Boots, High Hard 10
Boots, High Soft 5
Boots, Low Hard 6
Boots, Low Soft 3
Cap 3/4
Cloak 10
Hat 2
Robe 15
Magician's Robe 30
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HERBS
TYPE COST
Belladona, Sprig 1
Frankincense, Pinch 100
Garlic, Bud 1/20
Myrhh, Pinch 20
Wolvesbane, Sprig 2
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LIVESTOCK
TYPE COST
Chicken 1/40
Cow 20
Duck 1/20
Dog, War 100
Dog, Guard 60
Dog, Hunting 40
Dog, Sheep 10
Dog, Cattle 10
Dog, Pet 1
Donkey 20
Goat 5
Hawk, Large 500
Hawk, Small 350
Horse, Draft 60
Horse, Riding 50
Horse, Light War 500
Horse, Medium War 1000
Horse, Heavy War 2000
Horse, Destrier 10000
Mule 40
Ox 30
Pigeon 1/60
Piglet 2
Pig 10
Pony, Riding 30
Pony, War 300
Sheep 5
Songbird 1/20
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TACK
TYPE COST
Barding, Leather 150
Barding, Chain 600
Barding, Plate 1000
Bit & Bridle 5
Harness 5
Saddle 20
Saddle Bags 10
Saddle Blanket 2
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MISC. EQUIPMENT
TYPE COST
Backpack 5
Box, Iron, Lg. 60
Box, Iron, Sm. 25
Candle, Tallow 1/40
Candle, Wax 1/4
Scroll Case, Bone 20
Scroll Case, Leather 10
Chest, Wood, Lg. 10
Chest, Wood, Sm. 5
Lantern, Bullseye 30
Lantern, Hooded 15
Mirror, Lg. Metal 50
Mirror, Sm. Silver 100
Oil, 1 Flask 10
Pole, 5' Iron 20
Quiver 5
Rope, 50' 1
Sack, Lg. 1/10
Sack, Sm. 1/20
Skin, Water/Wine 1
Spike, Iron 1/20
Thieve's Tools 200
Tinder Box 2
Torch 1/40
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PROVISIONS
TYPE COST
Ale, Pint 1/10-1/2
Beer, Pint 1/20-1/4
Food, 1 Meal, Normal 1
Food, 1 Meal, Good 20
Grain, Horse, 1 Day 1/4
Mead, Pint 1/2-1
Rations, Iron, 1 Wk. 20
Rations, 1 Week 10
Wine, Pint 1-100
Wine, Bottle 2-20000
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RELIGIOUS ITEMS
TYPE COST
Beads, Prayer 2
Incense, 1 Stick 8
Holy Symbol 5-100000
Holy Water, Vial 50
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TRANSPORT VEHICLES
TYPE COST
Barge, Small 100
Barge, Large 170
Boat, Small 150
Boat, Long 400
Ship, Merchant, Sm. 10000
Ship, Merchant, Lg. 35000
Ship, Merchant, Spc. +15000
Ship, War, Small 30000
Ship, War, Large 50000
Ship, War, Special +20000
Galley, Small 30000
Galley, Large 60000
Galley, Special +25000
Cart 150
Wagon 400
This is by no means a complete list. Note that these ARE NOT the prices
you are to use when initially outfitting your character, as you are
assumed to be coming from a less-inflationary realm.
Magic Items
-----------
This list purposefully does not include prices for magic items.
This does not indicate that magic items are unavailable for purchase,
just that there is no standard price list for magic items, the pricing
being what the market will bear. Magic IS available, in almost any
variety, quantity, size, shape, colour permutation, and quality. It
is also quite expensive. To give you a point of reference, a Sword +1
retails for ~20,000 GP, an Arrow +1 is ~500 GP, a Potion of Healing
is ~3000 GP, a Ring of Invisibility is ~75,000 GP, a Rod of Absorbtion
is ~400,000 GP, and a Wish is ~1,000,000 GP. Of course, this is all
subject to availability. Special orders for most things ARE accepted,
although the delivery time is quite long, and a good portion of the
purchase price is required of the consumer up front when the order is
placed.
Spell Purchase:
---------------
Spell purchase is a tricky subject. Here is a set of guidlines you can
expect to hold in most cases. These charges represent the minimum
charge you can expect to pay for a spell of any given level. This
will be modified upwards (substantially) for powerful spells.
Level Cost/Cast Cost/Buy Cost/Scroll
----- --------- -------- -----------
1 50 500 100
2 100 1000 200
3 500 2000 500
4 1000 4000 1000
5 2000 8000 2000
6 4000 16000 4000
7 8000 32000 8000
8 16000 64000 16000
9 32000 128000 32000
The Cost/Cast is the cost to have someone cast the spell for you under
safe conditions, i.e. not in an adventuring environment.
The Cost/Buy is the cost to you if you wish to purchase the spell for
your spell books.
The Cost/Scroll is the cost to you if you wish to purchase a copy-protected
scroll for one-time use. The Magician's Guild looks very unfavourably upon
scrollware pirates!
Thron
-----
The Thron are the alleged inhabitants of this region. Every thousand
years or so, the Thron spawn in large numbers, pour forth from the West,
and ravage vast tracts of civilized land. The Thron are insectoid, with
a rigid genetic caste system. All but a few castes are rigidly controlled,
with little or no independent action or initiative permitted. Two of
the most feared castes are quite capable of independent action and decision-
making, so don't be fooled into believing that the Thron are just a mindless
group of giant army ants. Even those castes not capable of independent
thought have enough instinctual reactions that they could be regarded as
being clever, in their area of specialization.
Known Thron Castes
------------------
Commander - military leader. Capable of some independent actions
Sorcerer - magic and technology-using caste. Capable of independent actions
Scout - explorer caste. Capable of independent actions
Warrior - fighting caste. Not independent, relies on Commander.
Worker, Type A - large, heavy-work caste. Not independent.
Worker, Type B - small, light-work caste. Not independent.
Drones - misc. Thron - Not independent.
Little is known about the Thron in their non-spawn state. They may be
completely dormant during this time, they may exists at greatly reduced
numbers, they may exist at full strength. No one knows. No one has any
idea why they pour forth into the West like clockwork - whether due to
population pressure, food supply problems, mass insanity, ???
No one knows where the main Thron stronghols or settlements are. All
That is known about their social life is that they lay eggs, are
organized into tribes, are somewhat intelligent, and eat meat. No one
has ever returned from a scouting mission into the Thron heartland,
although some have skirted it with seeming impunity. The nearest suspected
Thron major settlement is thought to be over 250 miles to the W-NW of
Athron.
Possible Adventuring Opportunities around Athron
------------------------------------------------
There are many things which might attract they eye of the experienced
adventurer to the Athron area.
First of all, there are the Thron. Exploring the lands to the west of
Athron thouroughly, or scouting missions into the Thron heartland could prove
profitable, or deadly. No one knows what sort of things the Thron find dear,
but presumable there is treasure and magic to be had.
Secondly, for years this border region has been the retreat of many
people who found it inconvenient to be along the beaten track. Many
organizations have been rumoured to have bases somewhere in the area, far
away from the prying eye of the Emperor. Thus, there may be fortified
underground defense installations in the area which could be discovered
and subjected to the time-honoured process of inventory and requisition
(read LOOT!). Of course, these places will most likely not be deserted
by their makers....
Third, there is the City itself. Athron is a thieve's paradise, or soon
will be. There is currently no organized Guild, so competition is fierce,
but profits are high. With all of the money flowing into the city, a man
who keeps his eyes open, and his wits about him is bound to come across
boundless opportunities for personal recompense. With the lack of a
selected Duke, and with the city ruled by the Regent, politicing and
intrigue are rampant. It is possible that through skillful
manipulation of events that one could find himself master of the Duchy
of Athron, ruler of all Thron lands (subject, of course, to dispute with
the Thron horde..).
The world is waiting for a bold band to shine forth and take what
is rightfully theirs. Your boldness, skill, and daring will determine
whether you manage to obtain what justly should be yours, whether it is
the mastery of the Duchy, or ownership of a 6x6x3 plot of ground in the
city burial grounds.... if they find anything to bury.
--
Brian A. Ehrmantraut
Ad Maioram Gloriam Hasturi!
UUCP: {allegra, astrovax, princeton, twg} !fisher!bae
BELL: (609) 452-8991 / (609) 734-7761
USnail: 184 Little Hall, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544