Thursday, September 6, 2012

The Coast

The coast is one of the most interesting places to plan, as this is the place where the earth, sky, and sea all meet and is therefore ripe with potential. 

Because my coast is in a shared world, the land that comes betweem whatever the other gm's have set up and the shoreline is going to be miles of flat green grasslands, with little cover, but rich grazing grounds for shepherds and their herds.  The wind continiously blows the high-reaching grass, the smell of the sea is heavy on air, little rivers and creeks frequent the area, and the temperature is mild. There is the potential of drastic weather changes quickly but for the most part this land is very beautiful and easy to cross (depending on how many wandering monster encounters the gm sets up). No one really lives there perminately, by I am sure lords would lay claim to "owning" parts of the coastal plains if there were asked.

On the acutal coast or nestled right by the sea little settlements dot the span with their with their own unique flavors and cultures.  I personally have one village that is addicted to the blood of a tropical fish they must have at all costs, another town living in fear of a sea hag nearby, a floating village living on the reef that drifts when they pull up their weights, and another village in the cliffs. They are all small in population and wealth and not meant to be places the adventures can replenish their supplies beyond the mundane and low level magcial items.  They do allow for plot hooks, flavor, and interesting character interactions along the way though.

 Beyond that, the sea tosses up a variety of debris and the possiblity of wandering upon something interesting is high.  Some examples of what I am including: sea cave, hidden cove, shipwrecks, waterlogged items, carcasses, smashed settlements, washed-up sailor, mermaid, etc. The coast has the most varied types of encounters, and is possibly the most interesting random encounter tables I have rolled up yet. Hopefully the party will feel the same way when they come across the things that have washed up upon the shore


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