Crossing - Brainstorming

[DM Quietus]

Standard information :

Deities : Considered widely as an annexed portion of Vaeles, officially Crossing's patron deity is the evil Twin. Being as small as it is, however, there is no established temple, only individual shrines in the few homes that exist here.

Location : In the northeastern portion of the continent. It is at the north end of a week-long trading route that leads to Vaeles, and like its parent city, sits on the eastern side of the Volaes. A ferry service is provided to take travellers westward, across the Volaes, to continue the trading route that leads to Lanestown. North of Crossing is the Veil, a lower section of land which is constantly shrouded in thick fog, and considered too dangerous to explore for the average person. Far to the East of the city is the north end of the Kommal Woods, where it grows thin and meets the foot of the mountains.

Laws : Being the small town it is, Crossing has little crime to deal with. That being said, there is at all times a contingent of guards from Vaeles present in Crossing, and should anyone be caught breaking the laws of Vaeles within the smaller city's limits, they are taken into custody and sentenced "back home". This contingent of guards also serves as a monster patrol of sorts, keeping the citizens safe from the occasional wandering creatures that get too close for comfort.

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Why does this town exist? What properties of the location caused it to spring into existence?

Is it at a crossroads? That would make sense, given the name. If it is, what roads?

How do the people get by? Do they grow crops themselves? Do they make all their income off of the inn?

[DM Quietus]

It is essentially the halfway mark of the travel to Lanestown, via the northeastern roads. Those roads came into existence when tensions began to rise between Vaeles (or more specifically, their Mage's Guild) and Port Cigomenta (they hate arcane magic). Also, there's the risk of Wyverns and Dinosaurs along the southern routes - really, it comes down to whether the caravan in question is in good standing with the Barbarians who tame said Dinosaurs or not.

Also, as it's slightly more accessible to Vaeles (a tenday by foot, but horses would half that), and Vaeles needs to maintain a trade route to the other major cities, it's essentially an annex of Vaeles itself. And you're right, I didn't really explain the name; Crossing does, in fact, have a *real* name. It's just forgotten, because the place is little more than a support system for a ferry service that runs back and forth across a slender northern section of the Volaes. Everyone used to refer to it at "the crossing", and that eventually just kind of.. stuck. Humans are lazy that way.

The residents get by with a combination of food bought from travelling salesmen and prepared at the Inn, traded to get enough profit to keep the place running smoothly. Some crops are grown there, but in such a small town, it'd be difficult to get enough crops raised any given period of time to completely support itself - mostly it would be staples such as potatoes and onions. There are also effectively rations in town, but strictly under the control of the half-dozen mounted Vaeles guardsmen that are present at all times. Essentially, around six Fighter-types of level 1-3, all with the Spirited Charge feat and warhorses. Fully capable of handling MOST threats.. but anything actually serious and prepared for that combination would be trouble. It's just that Crossing isn't valuable enough for anyone to bother.

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I have to say, it's really impressive how fully characterized almost everything about your setting seems. Nothing seems like a cardboard cutout.

[DM Quietus]

I try to avoid that, but throwing ideas back and forth like this does help. There's a LOT I know about the world, that I simply take for granted and don't describe in these. Having someone who knows very little about it reading over what I write and asking questions helps point out those weak points, so thank you.