The city of Bethmoora and I have had a checked past. I had originally thought of her years ago and given her another name. I did a little bit of work on her before I moved on to other things. I even ran a few game sessions set in her. Then I totally forgot about her.
Last fall I picked her up again, fleshed her out some and came up with her new name. I even did up a one shot mini-zine and sent it out to a few unlucky folks. Well, I have stepped out of the GMs chair for a bit and I am thinking of running another game. Of course I start thinking of where to set the game and Bethmoora immediately comes to mind.
The city of Bethmoora is called the Doomed City because everyone knows someday it will no longer exist. You see, it clings to the edge of a massive pit 5,000 feet across at it's widest point. How far down you ask? No one knows, the bottom is shrouded in smoke/fog and constantly moving shadows that weave in and out of recognizable shapes.
Thousands of men-at-arms and brave explorers have entered the pit and never returned. Some have, and they returned with wonders that made them famous, powerful and rich. This of course, draws more to her gaping mouth.
There is a thin trail that winds downward into the pit or you can pay one of the elevators to lower you to certain levels. Be careful how far you go, the dangers are ever more vile, twisted and hungry the deeper into the pit you venture. There are numerous locales set in the pit from the Gold Mines of Mograd to the twisting tunnels of the Hall of the Svirfneblin to the deadly homes of the kobold mines.
Not only are their dangers below, but the city itself is a sweltering pot of vile scum the likes most will never see. Due to the sheer number of transient people that travel through the city one can never be sure who they will come across or if they are friend or foe. Open practice of magic is forbidden (though few follow this 'law'), the law being put into effect after a large portion of the city collapsed during a magical battle. Today a large wedge-shaped gap runs the middle of the city, remnants of that fateful battle.
I find this a very cool idea! A whole city teetering on the edge of an abyss, and all kinds of good excuses for dungeon crawls closely entangled with city life intrigue. Will definitely use this. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it.
DeleteEven think of releasing this an an OSR adventure?
ReplyDeleteI would have to have this all written up in a nice and neat format. Right now it is mostly notes, jumbled thoughts in my head, and a few web documents. My hope it to slowly flesh out the city by doing certain locations and interesting places in the city and deep below and posting them here on the blog.
DeleteThat's my hope anyway.
Neat concepts, but the map doesn't seem to quite match the text. Don't take these as criticism, just questions. Is the wedge that section in the bottom centre of the map? Is the "lake" shore actually this pit, and the docks the elevators? If so, why build fortress walls facing the pit? Or at least, why build thick, reinforced ones? Do the adventurers stay, or leave? Are there any rich noblemen? Where's the temples?
ReplyDeleteSeems rather a large city built solely upon the economy of adventuring, especially when few return.
Morry, I added your questions with answers in the above text. If you have more, keep them coming. I have much of Bethmoora planned in my head but only a little has been written down but I will be happy to share answers to any questions you have.
DeletePerhaps you might use a darker color for the abyss, or simply write on it: "The Pit".
ReplyDeleteSettlements on the edge of an abyss full of horrors are a staple of fantasy adventure gaming, and this one stands a shining example of the trope! I would also love to see a little booklet of setting information detailing a few locations. I look forward to being able to pick this up!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I noticed in your Q&A, you seem to have left a part out: "Additionally, many of the nobles regularly sponsor parties to explore the pit (and receiving a good percentage of the earning from such ventures). The mysterious artifacts, treasure
Also the pit is not the only business in town."
Malum I just noticed your comment, I apologize and have updated the text above to fix the error you spotted.
DeleteThis reminds me greatly of the city of Deepgate from Alan Campbell's books, which i really must go re-read as soon as I finish the latest Scott Lynch.
ReplyDelete