Monthly Archives: June 2024

A Who’s Who for the Village of Cross Tree

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Cross Tree and it’s environs are waiting to be explored. Created with Campaign Cartographer 3+ using the Spectrum Overland symbol set.

My aim when I started this blog was to create bite-sized or modular source material that TTRPG gamemasters could use for inspiration or to help run their games. In pursuit of this, I’ve spent the past couple months creating and populating a starting village named Cross Tree.

Cross Tree is intended to be a simple starting area that can easily be dropped into just about any fantasy setting, while using pretty much any rule set. GMs can use the whole thing as is, or simply pick and choose the elements that work for their game. Others may just lift an NPC or a bit of text that inspires them. I’ve fleshed out several of the most important locations within the village and have turned my eye toward writing some adventures that would use Cross Tree as a home base.

I’ve written previously regarding using a “Who’s Who” as a tool for managing NPCs and places within your campaign. I’ve been doing this for over 40 years and the practice has served me well. I’ve linked the original post above but basically, whenever I create an NPC or location that the players are likely to encounter, I jot down a line or two about them. This not only helps me while we’re at the table but also while I’m putting adventures together.

As I start piecing together my first adventure out of Cross Tree, here’s what I’ve got so far:

Carrowmar Forest – The forest surrounding the Village of Cross Tree, home to various adventures and the location where Karia found an antique suit of armor (see blacksmith).

Cross Tree – An ancient oak located across from the church. This is the tree that the village is named for, due to a cross burned into it. (see the Cross Tree Inn for the story of the tree).

Cross Tree Inn – The inn of the village where many locals and travelers gather. Managed by Killian Merric and his niece Karia.

Fuchs, Astolpho – Owner of the mercantile in Cross Tree. Originally from a large city, he and his wife Gina are in hiding after betraying a thieves’ guild.

Fuchs, Gina – Wife of Astolpho Fuchs, co-owner of the mercantile. They are both in hiding after escaping from a life entangled with a thieves’ guild.

Grenton – A major trade hub to the west of Cross Tree and the original home of Derrick McQuarrie.

Keen, Adam – Father of Taryn Keen, also an adventurer in his youth. Adam vanished around the same time his brother Benjamin did.

Keen, Benjamin – Uncle of Taryn Keen and previous owner of the stables, known for his obsession with the legend of a lost city. He went missing two years ago.

Keen, Taryn – Current owner of the stables, who took over after her uncle Benjamin went missing. She is relatively new to the village and is working to restore the stables.

Kormou, Leagis – The priestess of a nature deity residing in the village church, known for her peaceful demeanor and extensive travels.

McQuarrie, Derrick – The village blacksmith, a skilled craftsman originally from the city of Grenton. He settled in Cross Tree after being hired to work on the village bridge.

Merric, Karia – Niece of Killian Merric, who helps him run the Cross Tree Inn. She is an aspiring herbalist and plays a significant role in the village.

Merric, Killian – The proprietor of the Cross Tree Inn, known for his hospitality and knowledge of the local area.

Nicodemus – A reclusive old man living in the ruined tower. He is mysterious and known to be knowledgeable about many things, possibly magical.

Pine Creek – The small river along which the Village of Cross Tree is settled.

Tinkering around with hexes in true old-school fashion but I’m not quite there yet.

Closing

That will do it for this week. Thank you for taking the time to visit and I hope you have a great week!

For more on the Village of Cross Tree, go here.

For maps & plot hooks, go here.

For my Idea Chest posts, go here.

For some random tables, go here.

Want to help me to compile a list of TTRPG conventions? Click here.

Finally, for a bit about me and some general stuff, this is the spot.

The Blacksmith

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Location #6 on the map of the Village of Cross Tree is the blacksmith.

Rhythmic clanging of metal strikes can be heard as one approaches this simple structure, located just south of the great “Cross Tree” that the village is named for. Situated along the western shore of Pine Creek, a simple living quarters stands at the northern part of the property, with a partially enclosed workshop out front.

Created using Campaign Cartographer 3+ with the Dungeons of Schley symbol set.

Derek McQuarrie

Derek McQuarrie. Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art @ Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games. http://www.fatgoblingames.com

The village blacksmith, Derek McQuarrie, is a man of sturdy build with a rugged beard. He’s a striking fellow of roughly 30 years of age, bearing a long scar down the right side of his face. Well-muscled from years spent plying his trade, initial impressions of the blacksmith would suggest he was quite stern. However, despite his imposing presence, his hands are always extended in welcome to visitors.

Originally contracted by Astolpho Fuchs (see the Mercantile) to produce new supports for the village’s sole bridge, Derek ended up deciding to remain in the village. That was nearly 6 years ago now and the blacksmith has built a comfortable life for himself.

Derek was born in the bustling city of Grenton, a major trade hub situated to the west of Cross Tree. Orphaned at a young age, he took up a role as an apprentice blacksmith. Growing up in the shadow of the forge, Derek learned the trade and mastered the art of shaping metal long before he was fully grown. Cross Tree provided a place where he could establish his own name, free from the competitive pressures of the city.

The village of Cross Tree. Created with Campaign Cartographer 3+ using the Cities of Schley symbol set.

The Blacksmith Shop

A solid oak wall on the eastern side shields the workspace from the wind and provides hanging space for tools and materials. The rest of the shop is open to the elements, supported by sturdy wooden beams that frame the structure. The workshop is cluttered yet organized, with various projects in different stages of completion laid out on worktables.

A stone forge stands along the western wall of the structure and this is where the proprietor can often be found. His actual living quarters are modest but cozy. In the southeast corner, a ladder disappears through a trapdoor to the bedroom above.

Plot Hooks & Encounters

  • Antique Armor: A few weeks ago, Karia Merric (from the Cross Tree Inn) found a suit of armor while wandering through the Carrowmar forest looking for herbs. Upon her return to the village, she mentioned it to Derek and he set out immediately to retrieve it. The armor is quite ornate and fashioned in a style from another age. The blacksmith is curious about its origins and may hire the party to do some research (or perhaps scour the woods for other pieces).

  • Supply Chain Disruption: Derek is facing a shortage of high-quality iron due to disturbances at the local mine (perhaps a strike or a natural disaster). He might hire the party to sort out the troubles at the mine, ensuring that his supply of metal isn’t jeopardized.
  • The Debt: Derek confesses to the party that he’s indebted to a merchant from his past in Grenton due to the initial funding he received to set up his forge in Cross Tree. The merchant has come calling for repayment with interest, and Derek needs help negotiating more favorable terms or finding a way to quickly raise the needed funds.
  • A Rival’s Challenge: A rival blacksmith from a neighboring town has challenged Derek to a crafting competition. Derek needs assistance to gather rare materials scattered throughout the region. Adventurers can help him win the contest, which would not only uphold his reputation but also attract more business to Cross Tree.

Conclusion

That will close the book on another location in the village of Cross Tree. While there are some other notable individuals within the village, I am feeling a call toward adventure. I think next week it will be time to start delving into some adventures that use Cross Tree as a hub. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I hope you have a great week. Good gaming!

For more on the Village of Cross Tree, go here.

For maps & plot hooks, go here.

For my Idea Chest posts, go here.

For some random tables, go here.

Want to help me to compile a list of TTRPG conventions? Click here.

Finally, for a bit about me and some general stuff, this is the spot.