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Urban Dressing - Plague Town
Urban Dressing - Plague Town
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U RBAN D RESSING : P L AGUE T OWN
Tired of your towns and cities being boring, bland places in which your PCs show little or no interest? Want to bring them alive with cool,
interesting minor features of note? Then Urban Dressing is for you! Each instalment in the line focuses on a different kind of town and
gives harried GMs the tools to bring such locales to life with interesting and noteworthy features.
This instalment of Urban Dressing presents loads of great details to customise the decadent towns in your campaign. Designed to be used
both during preparation or actual play, Urban Dressing: Decadent Town is an invaluable addition to any GM's armoury!
Design: Josh Vogt Product Identity: All trademarks, registered trademarks, proper
Development: Creighton Broadhurst names (characters, deities, artefacts, places and so on), dialogue,
Editing: Creighton Broadhurst plots, storylines, language, incidents, locations, characters,
Cover Design: Creighton Broadhurst artwork and trade dress are product identity as defined in the
Layout: Creighton Broadhurst Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e) and are not Open
Interior Art: Bradley K McDevitt Content.
Thank you for purchasing Urban Dressing: Plague Town; we Open Content: Except material designated as Product Identity,
hope you enjoy it and that you check out our other fine print and the contents of Urban Dressing: Plague Town are Open Game
PDF products. Content as defined in the Open Gaming License version 1.0a
Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material
Published by Raging Swan Press designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any
November 2014 form without written permission. The moral right of Josh Vogt to
be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in
accordance with the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988.
ragingswan.com ©Raging Swan Press 2014.
[email protected]
Pathfinder is a registered trademark of Paizo Inc., and the
CONTENTS Pathfinder Roleplaying Game and the Pathfinder Roleplaying
Game Compatibility Logo are trademarks of Paizo Inc., and are
Plague Town: Sights & Sounds ..................................................... 2
used under the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Compatibility
Plague Town: Businesses ............................................................. 4
License. See http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/compatibility for
Plague Town: Folk of Interest ...................................................... 6
more information on the compatibility license.
Plague Town: Hooks, Complications & Opportunities ................. 8
Did you Know? ............................................................................. 9
Compatibility with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game requires the
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game from Paizo Inc.. See
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG for more information on the
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game. Paizo Inc. does not guarantee
compatibility, and does not endorse this product.
To learn more about the Open Game License, visit
wizards.com/d20.
PLAGUE TOWN: SIGHTS & SOUNDS
Use this table to generate the sights and sounds the PCs A cart delivering fresh food and water is mobbed
21
experience as they move about the plague town. Some details by people who fight over the smallest scraps.
listed here may not be appropriate for the particular adventure The water in the well is foul and greasy. A nearby
22
or campaign you are running. Ignore such results and simply re‐ bucketful appears to be full of wriggling worms.
roll. Hundreds of crows and ravens perch on the
23
rooftops, eerily silent as they survey the town.
D% Dozens of feral cats roam the streets, gnawing
24
on corpses of people and other animals alike.
A cart trundles by, driven by a man in black
Every other step splashes into puddles of reeking
1 robes. The cart is laden with at least twenty 25
filth, making the ground slick and treacherous.
bloated and stiff corpses.
26 Patches of bloody mud dot the street.
A group of purple‐and‐red robed priests stride
2 through the town, calling upon all to worship an Someone has drawn crude graffiti on numerous
27
obscure goddess of disease. walls, proclaiming the end of the world.
A wooden pyre has numerous bodies stacked A priest in a gaudy robe meanders through town,
3 upon it. Oil is being poured over the mound 28 laying pudgy hands on anyone showing signs of
while a man stands nearby with a torch. illness.
Bodies lie in the street, arms and legs skewed, Guards huddle around the main gains, inspecting
4 29
joints swollen, eyes eaten by the crows. anyone and anything passing by.
A pack of mangy dogs races by, snapping and A young man leans out of a window, froth
5 30
snarling at anyone who gets too close. flecking his lips.
A wailing child sits at a windowsill, apparently A crowd gathers in the town square as a
6 31 supposed witch is tied to stake to be burned for
abandoned.
cursing the land.
A woman stumbles down the street, ragged
7 clothing revealing countless open, weeping sores The criminal chained to the stocks in the centre
32
on her skin. of town looks like he died several days ago.
Several columns of thick, black smoke writhe The death rattle of infected folk sounds through
33
8 above the town, showing where bodies are being the town.
burnt. Evil eye wards are painted in bright colours on all
Every hour on the hour, day and night, the 34 available surfaces, and even on some people’s
9 skin.
temple bells clang, tolling for the dead.
Guards hack at an infected citizen trying to Mummified bodies are laid out on stretchers, like
35
10 scramble over the barricades around the strips of leather left to dry in the sun.
quarantined quarter. Dead beggars have been left to rot on the very
36
Beggars shuffle around you, forming a circle that mats they once huddled on to cry for a few alms.
11 A few prostitutes loiter about, their faces heavily
blocks your path as they reach for food. 37
Soldier use longspears to drive infected people caked with makeup to hide their sores.
12 Dark clouds hang heavy over the town, swirling
to one of the quarantine warehouses.
A pair of dead lovers lie in the street, stiff limbs 38 with odd, almost arcane, patterns no matter
13 which way the wind blows.
locked in a final embrace.
Through a window, a family are visible slumped 39 The stink of rot hangs over the town.
14 Bony cows low from the stockyard pens, their
around a table, dead to the last. 40
One of the guards on the street corner starts eyes glistening with mucus.
15 The fields of crops surrounding the town are
hacking and coughing uncontrollably. 41
A normal‐looking person suddenly keels over and wilting and rotting away.
16 Every torch and lantern lit around town blazes
begins vomiting copious amounts of blood. 42
Several women wrapped in filthy rags hobble by, with unnatural green flames.
17 43 Mad laughter rattles through the air.
making disturbingly squishing noises.
All doors and windows here are boarded up; a From a nearby house, cries tear through the air,
18 44
few are chained shut as well. begging for the release of death.
Screams of the dying soar over the town at all A man kneels in the street, weeping and wailing
19 45
hours, and nothing can drown them out. prayers for mercy and healing.
A surgeon has a patient on a stone slab and is The town temple is packed from wall to wall with
46
20 sawing off an infected limb as the subject shrieks the sick and dying.
in agony. Amidst the muck and mess of the dying, a single
47
clean, smiling person skips along without a care.
2
A mob has gathered in front of the town hall, Several people sit together, singing, their voices
48 76
shouting for the mayor to come and face them. growing weaker.
Wardens stride by, going door‐to‐door as they A line for food and water distribution winds
49 77
take a town census. down the block and around the corner.
A pair of foreign‐looking folk wanders around Those residents who’ve fallen too ill to move are
50
town, taking cryptic notes on all they observe. 78 dragged into a series of large tents on the edge
As night falls, a shadowy person tips a vial of of town and never seen again.
51
unknown contents into a well. Soldiers march down the street, calling out a
79
The evening shadows appear to writhe in a way decree that condemns the town to destruction.
52
that has nothing to do with the setting sun. An army sits outside the town, killing anyone
80
A handful of humanoid figures shamble around who attempts to escape the plague boundaries.
53
the graveyard. Vividly coloured serpents slither throughout the
81
A tent camp stands without the gates; ill people town, emerging from every crack and cranny.
54
are transported there on a daily basis. Strange. It seems when a person contracts the
A painted wagon sits in the middle of a square, 82 disease their shadow suddenly starts pointing in
55
fully ablaze as its owner looks on mournfully. the wrong direction.
A woman sits on a stoop, rocking back and forth Green‐and‐blue blobs of animate slime glop their
56 83
as she tries to nurse her dead child. way through town and onto random people.
Beggars clamber over pile of rotting food, A row of skulls sits in a window, teeth chattering
84
57 grabbing fistfuls of mouldy onions, black as if they’re talking to each other.
potatoes and crumbling gourds. Rows of charred bodies are laid out and stacked
85
The temple priest staggers by, his robes torn to like corded wood.
58
shreds and his gaze distant, unfocused. A woman thrashes in the middle of the street,
86
The body slumped in the street looks like the writhing in the grip of a ferocious fever.
59
flesh has literally melted from its bones. Despite the crowded streets and homes, a
87
A child runs by, looking perfectly healthy except haunting silence lies over the town.
60
for one blackened, withered hand. A beggar raises a hand, and countless tiny insects
88
Bloody footprints chart a clear path from one skitter across his skin like black grains of rice.
61
side of the town to the other before vanishing. Starving citizens have gathered up mounds of
89
A stream of giant squirming maggots roils across dead rats, which they now roast.
62
the path, devouring all dead flesh in their path. Piles of dead birds lie clumped along the ground,
90
A body swollen beyond recognition and covered frail bodies smashed and rotting.
63
in red pustules lies in the street. A pack of rabid wolves lopes along, howling as
91
A group of drunks stagger down the street, they attack anyone who reacts in fear.
64
calling for others to join them in a last revel. People scamper away as a sickly herd of sheep
92
A band of men in yellow masks skulk around moseys through the town, bleating pathetically.
65
town, silently watching everything. A healthy citizen races by, pursued by several
93
A row of bodies has been dipped in tar to stop diseased people wielding swords and axes.
66
the disease that claimed them from spreading. A person lifts their head, revealing they’ve
94
Every other person is weeping bloody tears, chewed their lips off.
67
which track crimson down their cheeks. A dozen sickly folks have cast off their clothes
95
The houses here have been broken into and and now dance naked in the street.
68
looted, leaving not a scrap behind. Practically every wall and post has a set of royal
Enormous clouds of black, buzzing flies swarm 96 orders nailed to it, commanding everyone to
69
the area, trying to crawl into any open orifice. remain indoors until further notice.
The town mayor pauses in his speech and begins Everywhere, painful moans and whimpers
70 97
retching and clutching his stomach. assault the PCs’ ears.
Bloated bodies hang from the gallows, guts Echoes of rattling chains come from the barred
71 98
spilling to the ground beneath. windows of the nearby prison
Those showing plague symptoms have their The baker opens his door and flings rolls of
72 99
foreheads branded with a hot iron. mouldy bread into the street.
A group of chained slaves rush by, chased by A particularly tall, thin figure makes its way down
73
their master who has boils all over his body. 100 the street, clothed in a thick black robe and
A slick merchant has set up a cart where he sells carrying a massive scythe.
74
bottles of supposed cures and preventatives.
White‐robed nuns move quietly through the
75
town, saying prayers and comforting the sick.
3
PLAGUE TOWN: BUSINESSES
Use this table to provide the basic details of businesses the PCs The Pyre (torcher) is the town’s newest business,
31‐32
come across as they explore the plague town. Some may be charging a copper per corpse incinerated.
inappropriate based on the locale’s set up; ignore such results The Grimstones (quarry) is owned by a local
and simply re‐roll. 33‐34 noble and draws in a steady stream of
questionable characters looking for work.
D% Bobber’s (fisher) somehow brings in large, daily
35‐36 hauls of mountain fish from the tiny stream a
Grubs (gravedigger) has hired several strapping
few miles from town.
young assistants to keep up with the demand for
01‐02 Downed (hunter) tends to be closed every other
deep holes in the ground. Mass graves are his
specialty. 37‐38 month as the hunting parties trot off into the
woods to catch game.
Tender Meat (healer) provides healing spells and
03‐04 surgery, though the occasional patient has been Sawduster (carpenter) has been churning out
known to go missing while receiving care. 39‐40 coffins by the cartload rather than its usual
orders of tables, chairs and shelves.
Slivers (ice merchant) delivers blocks of ice
straight to the doorstep weekly. Good for Scattered Ashes (forge) is currently run by the
05‐06 41‐42 blacksmith’s crippled son after the blacksmith
preserving food and keeping bodies from rotting
too quickly. died from a metal spike through the skull.
The Boneyard (necromancer) is run by a quiet The Reeds (market) boasts the finest vendors of
07‐08 sorcerer who works hard to ensure those who 43‐44 dried meats, dried fruits, dried vegetables, dried
die of the plague stay dead. leather and dried herbs.
Madame Ostophly’s Home of Misfortune Whitesheets (inn) has forever failed to live up to
(orphanage) keeps two dozen urchins sheltered its name. The best a guest can hope for are
09‐10 45‐46
and fed...and trained as quite talented faded yellow linens with the occasional
pickpockets. bloodstain.
Clean Beddings (hospice) gives the ill a Drink Before You Die (tavern) has a surprising
11‐12 comfortable place to die, but no one is quite sure 47‐48 variety of ales and liquors, reasonably priced and
what the caretakers do with the bodies. sickeningly potent.
Mother Silifina’s (sick house) is run by a The Scamper (pest handler) is run by the town’s
49‐50
13‐14 generous nun who miraculously appeared in best rat and rodent catcher.
town just days before the first deaths. Dollum’s Doles (granary) has been locked up
The Pens (quarantine) are a death sentence tight ever since the first deaths, and not even the
51‐52
15‐16 comprising several barricaded streets where the biggest bribe is convincing the owner to hand
most severely ill are left to languish. out grain.
Vince’s Vials (alchemist) is currently sold out of The Rickets (stables) holds a handful of the most
17‐18 anything resembling a healing tincture. However, 53‐54 scrawny, wobbly horses you’ve ever seen. The
swiftly lethal poisons are still available. hay is full of weevils.
Wear Their Skins (tanner) is run by a taxidermist The Tinkers (caravan) swing through town every
who likes to work while wearing a bear’s full 55‐56 other month, offering trinkets, toys and treats
19‐20 for cheap.
hide...fur, head, claws and all. He never takes it
off in public. Elebeth’s Heights (church) is overseen by an
Bloody Aprons (butcher) has expanded its 57‐58 elderly priestess who lost several children to a
21‐22 abattoir services to sell a line of dubiously war several decades ago.
ground and seasoned meat pies on the cheap. The Mudyard (graveyard) is a private graveyard
Snippets (barber) lays claim to local fame by 59‐60 for the town’s wealthiest residents. Everyone
23‐24 being able to shave even the shaggiest person else gets an unmarked grave in the woods.
bald in less than a minute. Racketsong (stage) is overseen by a retired bard
Sodden (bathhouse) offers townsfolk and 61‐62 who claims he was once a king’s jester in a royal
25‐26 travellers access to hot water and bronze tubs. court across the sea.
Scrub brushes and soap cost extra. Litterman’s (kennels) breeds and sells some of
The Blocks (guard shacks) are where the guards 63‐64 the finest hounds in the region, ensuring there’s
27‐28 train, cluster and plan on how to keep the plague never a quiet moment within a half‐mile.
contained to the town limits. Stolen Stones (monastery) sits on the hill above
Upcomings (scryer) belongs to a middle‐aged the town and only open its gates to those
65‐66
29‐30 oracle who has been in hiding since she failed to bringing gifts of food or clothing to the monks
foresee the coming deaths. within.
4
Rags fer Sel (ragsmith) is a beggar‐run business, Wards and Wishes (charms) is making brisk
67‐68 exchanging semi‐clean rags for coppers and business, with the proprietor whittling up
85‐86
other seemingly worthless junk. wooden charms from every possible religion just
The Stripline (leather worker) works in in case one actually works.
69‐70 conjunction with local hunters, turning hides into Slashed Ink (lawyer) deals mainly in wills and
supple leather jackets, breeches and boots. 87‐88 estate management...that is assuming any family
Leaky’s (thatcher) has built and patched almost members survive to receive their inheritance.
every roof in town. Don’t mention the owner’s Fetid Fundament (cult) believes rot and filth are
71‐72
name unless you want it to be a self‐fulfilling the inevitable culmination of life and have
89‐90
prophecy. claimed the town’s sewers as their primary place
Luminous Paths (torchlighter) is run by a set of of worship.
73‐74 triplets who patrol the town every night, Slickers (bookie) is now taking bets on how long
91‐92
ensuring all lamps and torches remain lit. any particular townsperson survives the plague.
The Boils (infected camp) was setup downwind Plotts Plots (landowner) sits on the edge of
75‐76 from the town itself and holds nearly a hundred 93‐94 town, the office of a team of surveyors who have
infected souls in its tents and cots. a healthy investment in most town properties.
The Mound (dump) is home to the town’s poor The Chips (mercenaries) have an unofficial office
77‐78 who carve out hollows in the piles of trash and in the local tavern and are happy to do business
95‐96
refuse. when not slobbering drunk or recovering from a
Woolly Wilds (shearer) sells wool clothes spun bar brawl.
79‐80 from the local sheep herds, though business has Easy Sighs (drug den) offers cushioned seats and
been slower since a few lambs went rabid. 97‐98 quiet corners where desperate clients can
Black Threads (tailor) keeps the town clothed in soothe their final hours in a fog of pleasure.
81‐82 more than rags and sometimes offers minor Buy‐Your‐Bones (artist) is marked by numerous
stitching for flesh wounds. 99‐100 sculptures composed entirely of bones from
Meanderings (scholar) holds endless shelves of deceased townsfolk. Commissions accepted.
83‐84 books and scrolls, none of which are available for
actual purchase. Access comes at a premium.
5
PLAGUE TOWN: FOLK OF INTEREST
Use this table to generate the basic details of folk the PCs Hecter Jespar (NE male human commoner 1) has
encounter as they explore the plague town. Use these details as 29‐30 racked up a massive tab at the tavern, hoping
a base from which to portray the NPC. the plague will kill him before he has to pay.
Leita Lox (NE female human commoner 2) is a
D% self‐proclaimed “master pickpocket” despite
31‐32
Erda Atlin (CG female gnome aristocrat 2) has ended up in the stocks a dozen times in the past
been ousted from her estate by a lunatic mob, year. Missing a thumb probably doesn’t help.
01‐02 Medin Didon (CG male human adept 2) has
and traipses around town in a mud‐stained
dress. exhausted himself attempting to summon a
33‐34
Boloft Flon (NG male human commoner 1) is a thunderstorm to wash away the corruption
03‐04 beggar who claims he knows how the plague got consuming the town.
started and will tell for a copper. Edgil Gatrees (CG male gnome adept 1) has a
Kirkel Thomar (LE male dwarf commoner 1) has shock of violet hair and has been spending most
35‐36
05‐06 been selling “plague protection” contracts with a of the last week by the town well, trying to purify
subtle clause clearing him of all liability if it fails. the water.
Dalburn Spuruk (CE male human adept 3) has “Mugs” (LN male dwarf warrior 1) uses a pair of
railed at the townsfolk for years about an tankards as his weapons, so long as they’re
07‐08 37‐38
unknown slight, promising to launch a thousand actually empty. His red beard is usually drenched
curses on their heads. in beer.
Cydra Seredel (N female elf warrior 3) keeps the Willican Frit (LE male human expert 1) lumbers
09‐10 town gates secure even as she’s developed a around the marketplace, haggling any remaining
39‐40
wicked cough that wracks her slim frame. vendors down to desperately low prices before
Pinya Brock (NE female dwarf commoner 1) is a buying up all their wares.
11‐12 stout thug with stony eyes who has turned to Vilfala Silinven (CE male elf aristocrat 1) is a
robbing the ill since they make such easy prey. 41‐42 dapper elf who is charging rent for the nuns
Spunt Tollop (NG, male dwarf warrior 2) is who’ve set up a charity healing house in town.
13‐14 stationed as a guard outside the temple, making Mitanya Sutili (CG female gnome commoner 1)
sure no one causes trouble for the priestess. has been carrying fresh loaves of bread around
43‐44
Karmor Dakanon (CE male half‐orc warrior 1) town, giving them freely so folks can enjoy a
prowls around town, grey eyes and skin blending “last meal.”
15‐16 Jalta Kesad (LG female half‐orc warrior 3) is the
him in with dusky shadows as he lashes out with
random violence at passers‐by. mayor’s bodyguard. With her purple eyes and
45‐46
Cariet Feturn (LE female halfling commoner 2) bright green skin, she’s the only thing standing
has been picking over the corpse piles, keen between him and angry townsfolk.
17‐18 Macon Modiar (N male human adept 3) wanders
green eyes searching for any valuables left on
the bodies. 47‐48 town in a muddy robe, acting as a funeral priest
Fronar Ramgut (N male dwarf aristocrat 2) is and giving people last rites.
quite fat for a dwarf, and has been holed up in Sukkot Quont (NG female half‐orc adept 2)
19‐20 blubbers enormous tears as she casts mind‐
his home, gorging on his extensive food stores 49‐50
and wine cellars. numbing spells on the afflicted, letting them slip
Riro Gai (LG male half‐orc adept 1) uses his away in a semblance of peace.
21‐22 massive strength to keep the main gates secure Ryssa Migorn (NG female human expert 2) is a
against anyone trying to go in or out. slight, white‐haired woman who has turned her
51‐52
Herra Irelist (NG female dwarf commoner 2) runs artistic skills to engraving headstones. She’s
the most popular tavern, keeping the taps currently working on her own.
23‐24 Drinsol Uloth (CE male elf commoner 1) has
flowing until the very end. She’s always got a
smile ready, if a bit gap‐toothed. mutilated himself with a rusty dagger and now
Ieli Jibya (CN female half‐elf expert 2) keeps to 53‐54 runs around trying to bleed on people, wanting
the walls with her crossbow, under orders to to infect as many as possible so they “die with
25‐26 him.”
shoot anyone who attempts to flee the town.
She is merciless. “Tongs” (LE male dwarf expert 2) doesn’t care
Sidorna Gillup (CN female dwarf commoner 2) about the plague. He expects people to keep
belongs to a band of tinkers. She’s missing one 55‐56 paying taxes and will collect them by force, if
27‐28 necessary, employing his namesake as an
eye, while the other has a glass lens strapped
over it. instrument of torture.
6
Vooda Raske (CG male half‐orc commoner 1) Wyeth Thelot (NE male human adept 3) is a
carries around a dolly that looks like himself – wizened old man who enjoys experimenting on
57‐58 89‐90
broad‐shouldered with black dreads – claiming diseased patients to see how far their pain
so long as the toy remains healthy, so will he. thresholds can be pushed.
Rulti Nukks (N female gnome warrior 3) wears Airis Uerthe (CG female human commoner 1) is
patchwork leather and iron armour as she 91‐92 the town’s self‐appointed crier, hollering “All’s
59‐60
challenges random strangers to duels to ward off not well!” every hour of the day.
the boredom of quarantine. Zile Aldra (CE female halfling warrior 2) has a
Tain Phraede (CE male half‐elf adept 1) uses his hobby of killing beggars unfortunate enough to
61‐62 reputation as a seer to tell false fortunes of 93‐94 not scurry out of her path quick enough. Despite
health and recovery (for a price, of course). her size, she wields a broadsword with deadly
Halma Divelst (NE female human warrior 1) has effectiveness.
been taking bribes to sneak infected townsfolk Silco Rindale (NE male elf expert 2) has been
63‐64
beyond the walls...but just kills them and stashes spotted slinking around town, using his thieving
95‐96
the bodies in abandoned homes. skills to slip into abandoned or condemned
Itmar Scrull (NG male human warrior 1) is a homes.
burly, shaggy‐haired man. Recently inducted into Nulfer Senick (N male half‐elf aristocrat 2) has
65‐66
the watch, he remains healthy while his 97‐98 spent the last few days hauling his dead family to
colleagues die off at an alarming rate. the funeral pyre outside of town.
Victon Usdar (LN male human expert 2) has a sad Puthor Fexides (LE male gnome expert 1) owns
look in his grey eyes as he inspects the town in the town graveyard, funded the temple
67‐68 99‐100
the king’s name, determining whether it, and all construction, and has the militia in his pocket.
its residents, should be incinerated. However the plague turns out, he wins.
Rample Krolin (CN male dwarf expert 2) tugs at
69‐70 his braided beard and bemoans his demolitions
skills do little good combating rampant disease.
Nalfa Ardmas (LN female half‐elf aristocrat 3) has
enchanted many a man over the years with her
71‐72
flowing hair and gleaming blue eyes, but most of
her suitors are now dead of the plague.
Liryal Odros (CG female elf commoner 1) is oddly
stout for an elf, and has donated all his previous
73‐74
wealth to the local alchemist to pay for healing
potions to be spread around town.
Wesilt Yabin (N male dwarf commoner 1) is a
75‐76 heavily muscled labourer from the nearby
quarry, now stuck in the quarantine.
“Toddles” (LG female halfling commoner 2) is the
town courier who claims she’s so fast, the plague
77‐78
will never catch her. Her bald head sets her apart
from most other halflings.
Grimil Dasek (CE male gnome adept 1) has wide‐
79‐80 set bronze eyes and enjoys threatening people
with being “cursed” unless he’s paid off.
Kirda Lahone (LG female half‐elf expert 2) has
been using her calm demeanour and animal skills
81‐82
to drive corpse carts around without the horses
being spooked.
Taly Contip (LG female dwarf warrior 1) oversees
the quarantine section, and can be heard
83‐84
bellowing across town for people to remain calm
and stay inside.
Adikt Porgul (NG female half‐orc warrior 2) is a
85‐86 member of the local mercenary band and has a
surprisingly warm singing voice.
Sesma Tibbers (CN female human adept 3)
87‐88 enjoys summoning flames with a waggle of her
slim fingers, mostly using them to roast rats.
7
PLAGUE TOWN: HOOKS, COMPLICATIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Although the PCs may simply “want” to visit the plague town, The PCs receive royal orders to kill any infected
sometimes fate intervenes. Use this table to determine what they encounter without hesitation. They could be
8
opportunities or complications the PCs encounter. drafted into the local militia to do so or specially
hired for the job.
D20 The party are commanded to turn over all healing
A small subsection of the town’s populace – potions, tinctures or spell scrolls for the good of the
9
perhaps a specific race or those dwelling in a town. PCs with healing skills are drafted into the
1 certain place – seem immune to the plague. This local effort to halt the plague’s spread.
seemingly strange occurrence is creating much The local healer begs the party to retrieve a bundle
tension between the well and the infected. 10 of rare herbs from the dangerous wilds outside of
Not an hour after stepping into the town one of the the town.
party is already showing symptoms of the deadly The strongest party member is struck down by
2 vicious symptoms that leave him unable to move or
plague. Of course, this could just be a coincidence 11
or the PC could be genuinely ill. feed himself. If the townsfolk discover, they try to
It doesn’t matter that the PCs arrived weeks after quarantine the entire group.
the plague broke out. Being the only strangers With growing horror, a PC realizes the inn meal
12
around makes them an easy target to blame for the everyone just ate included diseased meat.
3 All mundane attempts at curing the plague have
disease. An unruly mob soon forms and the PCs
must use violence or diplomacy if they wish to failed, leaving only supernatural means as a
13
remain in town. possible cause. As brave adventurers, the local
A disease‐maddened mob has gathered and authorities hope the PCs will save the day,
4 whipped itself into a frenzy. On seeing the party, A father begs you to help his healthy child escape
they attack without mercy. 14 the dying town despite the guards refusing to let
The local priest refuses to give the party any anyone leave. He can offer little, but his thanks.
supernatural protection against the plague unless The party are offered a massive amount of gold to
5 they meet his request for a hefty “donation” to the 15 smuggle a group of sick people out of town and
church coffers. Alternatively, he is desperately past the soldiers beyond the walls.
short of gravediggers… The physician’s essential supplies have been stolen
Among the dozens of bodies piled into a heap, a PC and every day she goes without them means
notices one of the corpses appears to be struggling, 16 dozens more dying. She begs the PCs to either track
trying to crawl out from beneath the mound. This down the thief (who stole them to tend his own
6 family) or to find more herbs from the wilderness.
could be a townsfolk wrongly thought to have died
from the plague, or an undead monstrosity recently The town guard captain has gone mad and has
risen. ordered the militia to slaughter everyone in town,
A squad of soldiers informs the PCs they are within 17 healthy and sick alike. As some begin to carry out
a quarantine area and are not allowed to leave his order, others resist. Chaos quickly descends
7 until the local lord decrees they may do so. Of over the town.
course, the local lord is very unlikely to come down A civilian runs through the streets, screaming that
and hear the PCs’ case. 18 the dead are rising and attacking the living. This
news creates a general panic.
A PC wakes up in the middle of the night right as a
19
rat takes a hefty bite out of his flesh.
All food stores throughout town have been
infected and the town guards are searching all
newcomers for food. Any food they find is
20
confiscated for “the common good.” The
guardsmen look much better fed than the populace
generally.
8
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