Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Dark Secret At Fort Gunnison! (tone: pokemon episode title)

Gunnison

On abandoned battlements, the howl of the wind mingles with spectral cries. Lost in battles long forgotten, widows and widower mourn for love to return. Among the ruins, mediums and mystics work to lay the dead to rest.

But not all here is dead and sad. There are those who press on, too stubborn to be abandoned. In the marshes of the old river delta lives a community of ghost story aficionados, crock wrestlers, and the bravest folk in the whole region. Life is simple here. And though there is no route to bring visitors, the locals know all roads lead here in the end.

Starting Out

An elderly woman affectionately nicknamed Bobbi Yaga tells tales of adventure and spooky ghosts to children at the abandoned Masque de Theatre. Those brave enough to visit her cabin near the mangroves may receive their first starter legamon from among her swamp-dwelling friends.

Old Graveyard 

A fog shrouded cemetery on the mounds above Gunnison, dotted with crumbling tombstones and sinking crypts. The air hums with energy and spirits are restless.

  • Weathered Bell Tower - A stone tower where a bell hangs from the time of Ft. Gunnison. The building it was attached to burned to the ground many years past. Wade’s Blakraven is here shouting LENORE, LENORE. If disturbed, it will summon a flock of Blakrow.
  • Mausoleum - An ornate mausoleum sits atop the mound behind the bell tower. “Elias Thorn 19?? - ???4 ??? ???E MERCY ON MY ENEMIES, CAUSE I WO??”. The heavy metal door is almost closed. Spirits of fallen soldiers will do all they can to deny anyone entrance. See below for interior.
  • Lenore’s Tomb - A gravestone marked No Name. New grass grows on top where Bobbi dug up the coffin and replaced it. Within is a small body wrapped in burial cloth. The hands hold a plain glass orb, a cheap crystal ball.

Wade Halloway - often seen only by the flicker of lantern light, with a wide-brimmed hat casting shadows over his tall slim features. Wants to find the tomb of Lenore before Cassidy stumbles into it since he believes it contains a Shrimron Orb. He is secretly a Watcher and would summon Shrimron to banish humans from this land.

  • Plant a fake treasure map in a crypt in the Old Graveyard to throw Cassidy off.
  • Sabotage Esmerelda’s patrol route by collapsing the bridge into the graveyard. 

Mangrove Swamps

Flooded mangrove trees hide a myriad of legamon. Poison and dark types especially thrive among the deep shadows of the swamp.

  • Bobbi Yaga’s Cabin - despite moss dangling from the awnings and porch rail, it is quite cozy on the inside. She has a small fire going and kettle on. A shelf with books and scrolls also holds a pillow with “crystal ball.” This mother-of-pearl egg is the Shrimron egg.
  • Silas Hermitary - Bug ridden and leaking. Vials and bottles line the shelves. Jars with pickled parts seem to stare back at the viewer. 
  • Hidden Glade - A twinned pair of mangroves circle the glade with their roots creating a clearing. A patch of ground rises from the murk and grows swampblooms. There are large tracks dragging from the grass into the water. Bobbi feeds a Crocolith here on full moons.

Bobbi Yaga - hunched woman with kind eyes and love for spooky stories. She tells tales to the children about the Goblinger named No Name to scare them away from the mangroves at night. She restraints Silas on his worst nights lest he be tormented alone. She secretly hides the Shrimron Orb from Lenore’s tomb under a cloth on a pillow in her cabin and pretends it is a crystal ball.

  • Collect some swamp blossoms for Silas, he’s running low and I need him to make some balm
  • Bobbi is taking the children out into the swamp at night to tell them the stories of Ft. Gunnison. Come out for protection and spooky effect!
  • Silas is out of control. He’s getting stronger and broke out of his cabin. Help me find him! Track Silas to the old fort and bring him back.

Silas Moore - haggard and dirty, nevertheless kind and intelligent. He was a traveling alchemist hoping to become the very best but was struck with a curse while exploring Ft. Gunnison that has cost him his memory and sanity. Now he creates some simple potions for money and lives in the swamp so his nightly howls disturb no one. Wants to be cured, but is in no shape to seek it. He makes a joint balm for Bobbi Yaga in return for her company during fits of madness.

  • Collect spirit blooms from the graveyard without causing too much of a ruckus. I need them for my treatments.
  • Search the graveyard for clues about the Ft. Something there caused me to get cursed… I just can’t remember what.
  • Investigate the strange radio frequency Silas picks up at night.

Abandoned Streets

A false front row of buildings that has fallen into disrepair, the east side covered in algae and moss.

  • Masque de Theatre - Abandoned now, when the moon shines the stage is illuminated perfectly. A Dormanaut haunts the rafters, but enjoys the theatrics performed here by Bobbi’s troupe.
  • The Waxing Crescent Saloon - An old saloon Cassidy has made her temporary home. Bottles of spirits line shelves behind the counter. The sign creaks in the wind at night.

Cassidy Flint - bright eye’d and energetic, her mane of red hair and bush jacket are hard to miss. She’s in Gunnison with a treasure map she bought at an auction that shows an X at the Old Graveyard. She was searching crypts until she notices Wade snooping around, now she stakes out at night near the graveyard to watch him search.

  • Help her with the spirits tonight at the graveyard so she can find out what Wade is up to.
  • A particularly ornery spirit has been haunting the saloon since she dug up their grave. She can’t go near the site until the grave is repaired.
  • Tell Esmerelda Cassidy will be at the graveyards tonight, she’s going to the swamp!

Esmerelda Reed - bookish and brave, she dresses in the old style of a mediator between this world and the next. Once married to Silas, she wants to solve his curse so he remembers their love once again. Her investigation has been on pause since the spirits have become much more restless. She blames Cassidy’s jaunts through the graveyard. 

  • Esmerelda is sure a powerful spirit has been disturbed by Cassidy. Help her complete a sealing ritual at the Mausoleum
  • Chart a Route to Ft. Gunnison so travel is safer.
  • Go to Ft. Gunnison to solve the curse of Silas!

The MAUSOLEUM 

Entrance Chamber - A sealed stone door requires players to solve a riddle inscribed on it: “Speak my title to pass, defender of old.” (Answer: “Fort Keeper” or “Captain”.)

Echo Hall - Silas’ wails reverberate here if it is evening. d8 Spirits in the form of young children are agitated if so and attack.

Captain’s Vault - A spectral of Captain Elias Thorn challenges players to a duel, but with a twist! The spectre uses ghost/dragon type moves as if he was a legamon! If defeated, the Captain bows graciously and points to a sconce on the wall that opens a treasure compartment with a dog tag that raises the power of Ghost type moves.

FT GUNNISON

Team Hadron has moved into the abandoned swamp fort and are taking advantage of its spooky reputation to remain hidden. They broadcast an agitating frequency from a radio antenna they have mounted to the fort’s western tower to observe the effect on legamon.

The fort stands on an island just past the mangroves where the Gunnison river used to empty into the sea. Spirits moan and wail and their cries are carried into town in the night air. 

There are four towers connected with battlements, a central quartyard, and a cellar with a dark past.

  • Eastern Tower - A crumbling watchpost facing the sea. A Team Hadron Nick is watching the stars on top of what is left of the battlement. He has dinner ready, but hasn’t eaten yet. He has a Scorceptic in a Link at his waist.
  • Northern Tower - A wooden door off the hinges reveals an armory. Racks that once held muskets line the walls with helmets and shields. A rusted musket sits abandoned on the floor. Not good for hitting a target, but might go off.
  • Western Tower - Within is an elaborate control room with metal terminals, dials, and readouts. Dr. Vex Harrow sits behind a console with a microphone, monologuing into it. On the roof sits an antenna array with thick cables leading to the room below. A Toxspider weaves its web around the array.
  • Southern Tower - A pile of rubble where the fort was once breached.
  • Courtyard - Reeds grow in the sandy courtyard between the towers. A Porsume rummages for food and Team Hadron Alex patrols the battlements above. A double door leads below into the cellar.
  • Cellar - A dark flooded basement resembling a cave. A Shaderagon makes its lair here. This is Elias’ terribly old partner. The powerful radio signal had driven it nearly mad. Defeating the monster or ending the broadcasts and giving it Elias’ dog tag will end Silas’ curse.



Sunday, July 6, 2025

d6 dangerous badasses and a sad spell

Two speed-run prompts from @ https://nothicseye.blogspot.com/2025/07/g-l-u-g-u-s-t-2-0-2-5.html

Kill them with sadness:

Weep, ye rich men! - roll [dice] effects to be inflicted on one target richer than you.

  1. Garments motheaten, visible poverty inflicted upon them

  2. Gold and silver cankered, their metallic wealth turns to rust monsters for ever 100c in value

  3. Wepan of Labourers, those you have defrauded know your location like they know directions to their mother’s house.

  4. Fattened for Slaughter, whosoever slays the target gains ownership of their property

  5. Judgement of the Just, if afflicted with 4 effects, they are also afflicted with the enmity of God.


87 words

Random Encounter Table: Dangerous Badass About To Be Executed (think Zoro's introduction in One Piece)

  1. Brabados - Barrel chested pirate dilettante who forgets to loot in favor of violence. Wants to find the worst criminal in your setting and knock his teeth in to prove he’s worse. About to be “blown from a gun” off the starboard side of the Dragoness.

  2. Sister Eilish - Sickly ole woman in black gown and veil. She runs the smuggling ring Copperheads and her customers end up in countries, careers, positions of power all over the world. Wants a favor to call in every tower. She is about to be executed by firing squad

  3. Robert, the Lord - Ruddy and long-limbed knight who killed his King for the hand of his niece. His own army has strung him up to be hanged. Wants to live his days tending goats and watching his sword rust on the mantle.

  4. Godefroy of the Land - Dwarvish crusader who led his armies to reconquer the Holy Rock of Zultani. His forces weakened by surface air, his captors shall have him quartered at dawn. Wants to move the Rock to its original home under the mountains.

  5. Leon Cz Olgoz - Slight, dark eyed man famed for killing the Prince of Roy, Duchess of Maydel, and General Alexandre III Burgermeister with a single parcel of dynamite. He is about to be beheaded. Wants to explode several more members of the nobility.

  6. Wrake - A wandering swordsman clothed in a long duster with spurred boots. He has spent years searching for the number one head band and having lost, the number 2 head band will pass to you. Wants to avenge his father’s death.


262 Words

Monday, June 30, 2025

The End Of The Line (Wyico)

 Wyico 

Where the rolling plains give way to the foothills of the Wystone Mountains is the end of the line. Ranchers and miners vie for limited rail cars to haul their goods to market in the industrial hub of Utico or the shipyards of Cingo where they may find purchase on further shores.

The shadowed hand of Team Hadron reaches here even as the sheriff and law abiding citizens struggle to make Wyico an honest town. The rail depot dominates the daily rhythms of the town and leisure and pleasure are found at Kitty’s Pur Saloon.

Starting Out

Among his many duties, Festus Hagen is responsible for connecting strays and pet legamon with their first trainer.

Local Events

  1. Saloon Brawl! Ranchers called the miners dust bunnies again, break it up!
  2. Tracks are out! Clear the tracks before the next train come in.
  3. Earl has been jumped and is healing in bed. Keep the peace while he gets back on his feet.
  4. Buck saw a rare legamon lose a brawl with an Aurox, you might be able to catch it if you’re quick
  5. Stampede! Redirect the rush or the town will be flattened!
  6. Night on the Ghost Train! A spectral train arrives at midnight once a year. 

Gym - Kitty Russell and her partner Purrlip take all challengers at the PLACE.

Iron Rail Freight Depot

Looping tracks surround a handful of brick buildings. Morning, Noon, and Evening a new train arrives stirring the town into a frenzy, once the cars are full it leaves and the opportunity it represents goes with it.

  • Freight House - Barrels of grain, wine, liquor rest here most likely destined for service in the saloon. Crates of ore struggle to contain their heavy contents. 50% chance each ore crate contains smuggled relics. One crate of dynamite sits here waiting for a wagon ride to the mines in Bostone. A winch mounted to the rafters hovers silently over the goods. 50% chance Festus is patrolling.
  • Loading Platform - An overhead crane on rails rests creaks over a partially filled train car. A crate of ore hoisted overhead. A raised platform allows men and cattle to walk on and off cars easily.
  • Coal Shed - A mid sized warehouse filled with coal and “milk” collected from herds of Calferrous. The flammable “milk” is used as fuel for the train engines in a pinch. Warning signs indicate the tremendous fire hazard. 
  • Stock Yards - Huge pens packed tightly with Calferrous on the way to Utico for milking. A series of smaller pens houses 1d6 Bull Aurox.

Buck Thompson - Rugged cowboy with chaps and confidence. More and more rail cars are being filled with ore rather than cattle which cuts into his well being. Wants to buy up land in the mountains to push back on Jedediah, but doesn’t know what he’s getting into.

  • The numbers aren’t adding up. See what these cars filled with “grain and supplies” are actually filled with.
  • Someone is riling up the cattle at night. Hide in the stock yard and find out who.
  • Collapse the cave mouth on Route 770 to stop the ore shipments for a season.

Festus Haggen - Hunched deputy with tobacco stained mouth. Loves having a position of authority too much and imagines he’s the one extorting Jedediah for bribes rather than being manipulated by him. Wants to woo Kitty Russell with money but Sheriff Earl won’t approve of the bribes.

  • A crate full of relic’s broke and Earl is set to inspect the rail depot today. Stall him!
  • Guard the freight house for me tonight, I have a hot date!
  • Lose a battle against me in front of Kitty!

Silas’ Estate

 A luxury manor house in the colonial style. Sitting in foothills overlooking Wyico. 

  • Stables - A pair of exotic mounts are pampered by Head Groom Ainsley. Dahlia, an imported Raptorminate once won the Prix St. George in dressage. Waltz of Stars, an Ibectrix is being gentled for racing. 
  • Insectarium - Glass domed greenhouse for showing off his rare insects. Despite the must more expensive stables, this is the pride of the Silas’ Estate. A fountain is surrounded by half a dozen trees. Insects include Magnifly, Badibug, and Shinobug.
  • The Manor - Colonial porch, spacious rooms, servants quarters. Silas’ wife spends her time on the upper balcony watching the trains come and go. Threatening notes are left in her chair on the balcony in the middle of the night.

Silas McAllister - The Iron Rail Freight Depot Chief looks every bit the part with slicked hair, knee length tailcoat and long slick moustache. He is concerned only with lining his pockets, but is forced to prioritize ore shipments over cattle due to ominous threats he receives by letter once a fortnight. His wife is losing sleep over it. He is owed a significant sum by Kitty Russell.

  • Find out who is sending threats by carrier Blakrow every other Sunday evening.
  • Find out who is cooking the books and diverting power from the lines.
  • A herd of Calferrous has gotten loose and is blocking the tracks! They’ll derail the next train if they aren’t cleared out.

The Strip

A row of false front wooden buildings on wide dirt road opposite the Freight Depot that dominates the town

  • Sheriff’s Office - A single room with two desks, one bare and one a mess. Behind them is a single floor to ceiling cage divided in two. One half has dried legamon droppings. A rifle hangs on the wall. Earl Thompson is here with his partner Goblinger
  • The Well - An ancient well discovered by settlers reaches cool water year round. Massive pavers surround the well with strange symbols on them.
  • Kitty’s Pur Saloon - Large false front saloon with a purring Nyaan sign. Busy with ranch hands, miners on leave, and rail yard employees in between trains. 

Kitty Russell - Feathered hat, red dress and sharp eyes. Sole Proprietor of Kitty’s Pur Saloon. She wants to pay off her debt for the saloon to Silas, but is having trouble, so tries to stay on his good side. She wouldn’t mind if her affection toward Earl Thompson was noticed either.

  • Swap out the Deed to the saloon with another that extends the term another ten years. It’s in Silas’ safe. Don’t get caught!
  • Lure Festus to the saloon after hours so Kitty can get info from him about the smuggling racket.
  • The varmints are getting out of hand. Clear out the cellar of Scorceptic.

Earl Thompson - Long duster coat and badge. His grey mustache makes him identifiable from quite a ways. Wants to keep peace between the forces in town. Currently oblivious Team Hadron is smuggling artifacts right under his nose, but thinks Katty is up to something.

  • Festus is up to something. Track him for a day, but don’t let him see you.
  • Festus is getting bribed by Jedediah. Find proof in Jedediah’s ledger.
  • Find out who burned down Silas’ stable.

Jedediah Stone - Scarred cheek, dusty vest, and always carrying his pixaxe. He’s the nephew of powerful a Hadron gangster in Utico and is smuggling artifacts from the mines with his shipments. He pays Festus off for insurance. Wants to run Buck out of business so he can move ore more quickly and monopolize the railroad. He’s also pressuring Silas with terrifying notes to his wife.

  • Derail a shipment of cattle. Buck is hogging too many of the cars
  • Make Silas understand the stakes. Burn down his stable.
  • Earl is getting too close. Help Festus put an end to him.


INVISIBILITY rules, spells, scenario

Merry GLOGmas to you @inconspicuousal Invisible creatures push the limit of what most rule sets can handle and get handwaved wit...