Present Setting - Garrison Springs is the edge of the desert, and is bordering on being a steppe / foothills. It gets more rainwater than the surrounding desertscape. The town is named after the two most distinguishing features - there are hot springs, and the town is surrounded by a large wall. The architecture involves narrow streets and high buildings, made of adobe bricks and granite. The town is notable for gambling, prostitution, mining, and ranching. It's the sort of place people live in by necessity as opposed to choice. Still, there's a few sprawling villas, indicating that despite the bleak, harsh life, a few people have struck it rich. As it stands, the mountain passes are completely impassable until the spring thaw.
Relative Timing/Location - Outside the wall, out of sight of the guards. Mid-day. It's overcast and you can see a storm cresting over the mountain, indicating that there might just be some water coming down today.
Notable NPC's - The Viscount of Garrison, the Guard Captain, the Agent of Ragras, the Warden, the Rancher, the Bank Owner, and the Hangin' Justice of the Peace.
Other Details - There are several Plot Rails in this town. Also, there's a surprisingly secure prison up the mountains, where convicts are drained of their mana and forced to mine. The spies in the group have been disposed of, and the rest of the former bandits, upon receiving coin, have made binding pledges to remain loyal to the party. Despite the party's lack of authority to actually do so, many of the party's minions consider themselves apprentice Adventurers, a rumor that the party quietly encourages to keep morale up.
It is okay to split the party here. It's a big town, there's lots to do.
***
"Well, here we are," Nathalie (the witch, obviously) shrugged, gesturing to the towering wall. "Home sweet home. If you can call this place sweet. I don't."
Another shrug.
"But, you can make a living here. Now, before we go in, we need a plan. I'm going to see the Agent, assuming one of you lot cares to accompany me. I suggest you give the company permission to engage in celebratory festivities, since they're going to spend that gold you gave them whether or not you give them permission."
A dry chuckle.
"Anything you'd like to ask me before we proceed?"
At the moment, the road was empty, although a few local settlers were lounging in the shade, as well as a few others slowly making their way up to the city to sell their labor or buy vitals.
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Topic: Adventuring Party, Act 1: A Tale Of Two Hamlets (Read 37603 times)