Today's edition of #WestMarchesWednesday is about establishing the lore and legends for your sandbox.
It's important that your world feel lived-in, and have established lore explaining 'rules' of magic and how your world works, in order to help your players feel like they understand their characters' perceptions. In order to do this, you can scatter scrolls and books through the world, as well as using your Lore Cards to give "common" knowledge. You can use these to give out some little hints for some of your hidden secrets. As an example, some lore volumes about Saint Ushada can be found below: The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol i When the Fourth Blight came, many hearts failed And those who would guard Armagh's gates quailed For Darkspawn did despoil and ravage And their attacks were fierce and savage. Only Ushada would stand and fight And alone she fought, all through the night When dawn did come, the city still stood And this act sealed Ushada's sainthood. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol ii She gathered the hearty and the brave For their redemption did they much crave Four more souls set out to seek vengeance And soon they each had become legends. Tailam, bold Jayk, Fanra, and Geretht Each became trusted, and their comp'ny cherish'd But little she knew, one'd be her doom And perished they all in the Blight's gloom. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol iii On Hastline Summit they made their stand Their army slaughtered on blood-soaked land The Mageking's terrors would spell their end And 'gainst such evil none could defend. Bold Jayk died first, was split asunder Then Fanra, tricked into a blunder. Tailam, Geretht, and last Ushada With backs to back and sundered armour. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol iv The last three stood 'gainst the countless horde Then by an Ogre, Geretht was gored Curs'd Tailem fled, left blessed Saint And though she fought hard, ignored her feint. On Griffons' wings the Wardens arrived And 'twas thought Ushada could survive The Mageking though, he sought out her death And last the Saint breathed her final breath. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol v The Saint's dear sword, like blazing bright light, Carved through his armour, wounded with spite. The Mageking did flee, harmed and aggrieved The Wardens through his army they cleaved. They found her body, unmarred by wound They built a great pyre, and she was consumed The Saint's legacy speaks to bravery And battle against Darkspawn unsav'ry. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol vi For each o' the comrades was built a tomb And her Chant was sung so none could assume. Her relics buried wi' those she did trust So her bequests could not be unjust. Her helm with Jayk, to Tailem her belt To Fanra her cuirass, a gift heartfelt. Geretht's tomb encompass'd her shield And for the Saint all bells they pealed. The Chant of Saint Ushada, vol vii The Saint's blade Sunblaze, never was found And hearsay tells that there in the ground It waits for one who can bring it back For evil forces have noticed its lack. The Mageking's armour knows well its bite And at its touch he will know true fright Those who would seek when darkest wind blows Should be pilgrims and search out the Rose. It's lengthy to write this much stuff, but can give your players history to read through and search for clues. With the above seven volumes (pro tip, don't make them rhyme if you want to make it easier to write. Why did I do this to myself?), we establish that Saint Ushada had four companions, and each is buried with a piece of her gear, which can be claimed by adventurers looking to grab some high-level stuff, as well as laying clues for the dagger Sunblaze. This also establishes where her final battle occurred, at Hastline Summit, which is a location which probably doesn't "pop up on the map" until your adventurers know that it's important. Hope this gives some ideas! Also posted on Game Masters Stash on 12 February 2020. Comments are closed.
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