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!
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!
The stables in Cross Tree are located directly across from the Cross Tree Inn. The building itself has seen better days and looks to be in disrepair. A low stone wall surrounds the courtyard, and some chickens can be seen running about. Despite the state of the building, the actual stables appear to be well kept and orderly. It’s clear that the proprietor is taking care of things.
Enough travelers pass through to keep the operation worthwhile for its owner. However, she is new to the town and inherited the property after it had been allowed to go downhill for several years.
The stables. Created with Campaign Cartographer 3+, Dungeons of Schley symbol set.
Taryn Keen is a young human woman who appears to be in her mid-twenties. She has green eyes and auburn hair that falls below her shoulders. Taryn bears a tattoo of a black dragon, just below her collar bone, on her left side. Under normal circumstances, she dresses quite plainly in wool breeches with a linen shirt.
Having inherited the stables from her uncle Benjamin, Taryn has only been in town for a little over a year. She grew up in a large city to the west, where she spent her youth working in her father’s stables.
An adventurer in his younger days, Benjamin Keen had owned the stables in Cross Tree for over 25 years, until he went missing 2 years ago. Townsfolk claim that he had an unhealthy fixation on legends of a lost city somewhere in the vicinity of Cross Tree.
The Village of Cross Tree. Made with Campaign Cartographer 3+, Cities of Schley symbol set.
Rather than operate and take care of his business, Benjamin was known to wander off into the woods for days at time. It is believed that he was obsessed with finding the lost city. On one such expedition, Benjamin failed to return.
When it was clear that the stablemaster was not likely to come back, word was sent to the family and Taryn arrived within the year. Having had a good deal of previous experience, she set about to putting things back in shape. The house itself still needs work but she is getting there.
Besides boarding, Taryn grooms the animals left in her charge and provides medical attention as necessary. She supplements her income by caring for the other beasts of burden and livestock around the town. Her rates would be considered modest compared to whatever is standard in your game. While her operation is too small to carry equestrian equipment, Astolpho & Gina at the mercantile, carry all the basics.
1st Floor
The eastern portion of the ground floor is comprised of Taryn’s living quarters, while the room to the west is what she uses as an office.
2nd Floor
In addition to Taryn’s bedchamber, the 2nd floor consists of a meeting room. While not generally accessible to the public, she may invite the PCs up here for counsel, or to discuss future plans.
Plot Hooks & Encounters
As previously mentioned, Taryn’s uncle Benjamin went missing 2 years ago. What the other residents of Cross Tree are not aware of is that fact that Taryn’s father Adam also vanished around the same time.
• Knowing that both her father and uncle had been adventurers in their youth. Taryn suspects that the legend of a lost city was what lured Benjamin here. It is reasonable to think that she might attempt to hire the party to find out what became of them.
• While out on a ride two weeks ago, Taryn discovered some stone tablets with odd runes on them. She might hire the party to travel to the nearest city and try to decipher them.
• Adam Keen owned a cabin located 3 days west of Cross Tree. Taryn has not been there since she was a young girl. However, she faintly remembers that he kept journals there, detailing his exploits. If she trusts the party, she may give them directions to the cabin and ask them to go retrieve the journals. Obviously, with this and any of the other previous tasks, she would be willing to share any resulting bounty.
• Finally, if the party is simply in need of funds and willing to put in some hard work, there is plenty to be done. Taryn would certainly be willing to hire party members to clean the stables or assist with the process of fixing up her living quarters.
Closing Notes
That will do it for this week’s entry from the town of Cross Tree. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. If there is anything you would like to see added to the village or you require any tweaks to the maps, let me know in the comments. Until my next post, I hope you have great adventures and a great week!
A worn sign above this 2-story oak structure reads “All Manner of Goods”. Easily one of the largest buildings in this settlement, this is clearly a general store. Two short staircases head up to a wooden deck that is home to an assortment of crates & barrels. Just beyond, two doors lead into the establishment.
The mercantile is owned and run by Astolpho Fuchs and his wife Gina. The store is quite large for a settlement the size of Cross Tree. Characters with above average perception will likely surmise that the place must survive due to the extra business brought in by travelers passing through.
The mercantile. Maps created with Campaign Cartographer 3+ using the Dungeons of Schley symbol set.
Astolpho & Gina Fuchs
Astolpho Fuchs. Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art @ Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games. http://www.fatgoblingames.com
Astolpho is a fit man of roughly 50 years of age. He has black hair, with a neatly trimmed beard & mustache that is starting to show patches of gray. His clothing consists of a simple tunic, woolen breeches, and soft leather boots.
Gina is the same age as her husband, though she appears roughly 5 years younger. She has shoulder length flaxen hair and peaceful green eyes. A sturdy woman, Gina nearly matches Astolpho’s 6’ and she is clearly no stranger to manual labor. A simple linen dress in earthen tones would be her typical attire.
The pair came to Cross Tree 12 years ago. Having been through the area earlier, they came to “get away from it all” and create a new life in this tranquil setting. Unbeknownst to the other inhabitants of the town, the couple are in hiding. Gina was the eldest daughter of a wealthy merchant family in a large city and Astolpho was a member of the thieves’ guild. Already madly in love when the guild decided to target Gina’s family, Astolpho couldn’t stand idly by.
The pair turned the tables on the criminal organization by tipping off the city watch. In the ensuing chaos, they plundered the guild’s coffers and rode off into the night. Knowing that they could never dare return home, the couple eloped and didn’t look back.
They spent years traveling but ultimately settled on Cross Tree as a destination. They have enough wealth to live their lives comfortably, but the store allows them to blend in. As previously mentioned, the store is a bit too large for such a small settlement, but Gina suggested that storing some of their wealth in excess goods rather than gold coins might be prudent.
1st Floor
The village of Cross Tree
The western side of the ground floor is open to the public and contains all the common trade goods, crafting supplies, and tools that might be required by the citizens of Cross Tree. The items would all be priced in a typical manner to what the PCs would expect to find in a large city. This will probably stand out to some characters, since prices in remote areas like this can often be steep.
While arms and armor would not be in great demand in Cross Tree (save for perhaps arrows), the couple do stock quite an array of these items behind the counter. If the PCs inquire about items of this nature, there will be an 80% chance that they stock any common item that might be available based on the game system you are using.
I run a low fantasy game, where magic items are quite rare. That said, if you happen to have the type of campaign where PCs need a place to stock up on potions, scrolls, and the occasional magical armaments, I suppose you could add those to the stock on hand as well.
2nd Floor
The 2nd floor of the mercantile consists of Gina & Astolpho’s residence. While not generally accessible to the public, they may invite the PCs up here for counsel or to discuss future plans.
Plot Hooks & Encounters
As previously mentioned, the couple are on the run. Should anyone from their past find them, it could mean their end. They are rather guarded but if the couple gets to know the party, they may open up to them.
Parties stopping in Cross Tree along the way to somewhere else may be provided information about their destination. Both have traveled extensively and are willing to provide trusted PCs with tips about the workings of nearby larger cities.
Someone from the Thieves’ guild may come looking for the pair and they may need to enlist aid.
Astolpho may receive word that an acquaintance from his underworld days is in trouble. Unable to help himself, he may hire the party to assist.
Gina may approach the party and offer to hire them to transport some valuable merchandise to another settlement.
Possibly Astolpho chose to settle in Cross Tree because he had heard rumors of an ancient lost city hidden away within the depths of the forest. Legends claim that there are fabulous treasures there.
Conclusion
That will close the book on another location in the village of Cross Tree. My laptop bit the dust a couple weeks back and it’s been a comedy of errors shopping for a new device. It’s good to be up and running again. Thanks for taking the time to stop by and I hope you have a great week. Good gaming!
The Ruined Tower. Created with Campaign Cartographer Dungeons of Schley symbol set.
A trail in the northeast corner of the village winds through the woods. Atop a short climb, the remnants of a tower can be seen. Having once stood 50 or 60 feet in height, the upper levels have collapsed over time. The second floor of the structure appears to be somewhat intact, though a large gap can be seen in the wall.
Rubble is strewn about the base of the tower and more can be seen littered out into the forest. Ahead, a wisp of smoke escapes from between two double doors that rest slightly ajar.
The Village of Cross Tree.
The tower itself predates the town of Cross Tree by over 100 years and none of the locals, aside from possible Nicodemus (see below), have any recollection of who built it. Characters with any type of architectural knowledge will easily be able to identify that this structure is from another time.
In my own game, the tower represents one of the last standing traces of a previous civilization. Deep within the outlying forest, there are cave entrances that lead into still accessible areas of this ancient settlement. Swallowed up by the earth itself, a lost city waits to be rediscovered. I will explore some of these locations once the rest of Cross Tree has been covered.
If this doesn’t work for your game, the tower could have an entirely different background. The idea here is to simply give you some interesting locations for your players to visit, without you having to do a lot of work.
PCs exploring the area around the tower will find all manner of debris. Some of this is from the collapse of the upper floors of the tower. The rest consists of odds and ends brought here by the tower’s sole inhabitant.
Unless the party is purposely attempting to be stealthy, the double doors to the tower will swing open enough for a frail figure to emerge.
Nicodemus
With a soft creak, the tower’s doors swing open and a frail old man appears. Fairly tall, though stooped a bit, he walks with the help of an oak staff. His tawny skin appears leathery and wrinkled, as if from years of exposure. Pulling back the hood of his stained maroon robe, his long white hair and beard make for quite a sight.
“Oh heavens! I have visitors it seems” the old fellow mutters, as his eyes dart around and size up the party. “I’ve not seen you people before. Are you lost?”
Nicodemus has lived in the ruined towed for nearly 5 years now. Prior to that he had been a frequent visitor to the area but none of the locals knew too much about him.
The general thinking of the townsfolk is that the tower is not safe for habitation and they are likely right. However, Nicodemus doesn’t interact a great deal with anyone from town. Every so often, Killian from the Cross Tree Inn (location #1) will try to persuade Nicodemus to take up residence at the inn but up to this point these attempts have failed.
Play Nicodemus as a bit mad and a bit mysterious. He exists here as a device for you to feed information or plot hooks to your players. Outside of possibly Leagis (from area #2, the Church) Nicodemus is the only resident who you could really call “worldly”.
He knows a great deal about a great many things but should always be a bit cagey about what he reveals and how he reveals it. Whether Nicodemus actually has any magical abilities is largely up to the GM. Here are some possible angles for Nicodemus, to allow him to fit seamlessly into different styles of games.
Perhaps you make him a great mage, having him be the wise mentor who knew the party was fated to show up on his doorstep.
He could be a part-crazed soothsayer who constantly mutters to himself, while reading tea-leaves and tossing chicken bones to foretell the future. Whether charlatan or gifted fortune teller will be up to the party to decide.
Nicodemus could be an arcane dealer of sorts, prepared to sell different potions, charms, or wards to the party.
Possibly he plumbed the depths of a lost city in his prime, only to be left behind by his comrades. Having spent years as the prisoner of some unnamed horror, he is now quite mad.
Regardless of which route you take Nicodemus is a good-natured sort. He will size up the party and if he believes they have good intentions, he will try to help them. That’s not to say that he will necessarily be forthcoming with his help or information. It’s certainly possible that he may speak in riddles or test the PCs in order to ascertain their intentions.
1st Floor
If the party is friendly from the offset, it is likely that Nicodemus will invite the party inside. The double doors open to a chaotic scene and the heavy scent of smoke and incense.
All manner of junk is piled up within the 1st floor of the tower and the old man has a campfire burning away, near a breach in the wall. Any characters with reasonably high skills of perception are likely to notice a mouse (or other small mammal) skittering for cover as the party enters the room.
Despite the clutter and debris, Nicodemus seems to know his way around the mess and is always able to deftly find what he is looking for amongst the rubble, crates, and boxes.
There are drawings and what appear to be maps scrawled with charcoal on the walls. What they depict and whether Nicodemus will discuss them is largely up to the GM. Two desks are arranged on either side of the room. While they are cluttered, it does appear that they have been painstakingly laid out, allowing Nicodemus to focus on his studies. A spiral staircase leads up to the 2nd floor.
2nd Floor
Every bit as cluttered as the first floor, the walls of this section of the tower has been breached to the northeast and southwest. This allows the weather in, along with the occasional bird or bat.
Arriving from the first floor, it will be immediately evident that the stairway going up to the higher reaches of the tower is completely blocked with rubble. Rubble is strewn about on the creaky wooden floor and PCs who are invited up to this level of the tower should be made to feel that the floor could cave in at any time.
Plot Hooks & Encounters
A lot of what Nicodemus has to offer is going to depend on your game, the level of magic in your world, and what role you need him to play within your campaign.
Other townsfolk might direct the party to Nicodemus in order to identify some item they have found or to seek answers about some quest that they are on.
As with Karia from the Cross Tree Inn, Nicodemus may charge a young party with venturing out into the woods to secure certain components for him.
Perhaps he knows of some impending trouble threatening the area and identifies the party as being just the right group to tackle it.
Seeing a yearning for adventure in the party, Nicodemus might share with the party what he know about a lost city, deep within the forest.
Closing Notes
That will do it for this week’s entry from the town of Cross Tree. I appreciate you taking the time to stop by. If there is anything you would like to see added to the village or you require any tweaks to the maps, let me know in the comments. Until my next post, I hope you have great adventures and a great week!
The Church of Cross Tree. Created with Campaign Cartographer Dungeons of Schley symbol set.
This 2-story oak structure is clearly a church. Modest in size and design, this building appears to have been built more recently than most of the other dwellings in town.
To the left of the building, a waist-high hedge neatly frames a small graveyard. The plots and grave markers seem to be well tended. There is a general feeling of peace about the place and the pleasant scent of incense is in the air.
The church of Cross Tree burned to the ground under mysterious circumstances roughly 15 years ago. At the time, it was a largely unused structure, as it had been quite some time since the settlement had been home to any members of the clergy. The site sat vacant for nearly 5 years, until its current inhabitant came to town.
The Village of Cross Tree. Created with Campaign cartographer Cities of Schley symbol set.
Leagis Kormou
Leagis Kormou is a 42-year-old human woman. She has olive skin and long, white hair that trails down nearly to her waist. While she has a stern brow and piercing green eyes, there is a sense of peace about the woman that is disarming to guests.
Leagis Kormou. Art by: Daniel Comerci – danielcomerci.com.
It will immediately be clear to PCs that Leagis is not originally from this area. In my game she hails from a chain of islands far to the south, though select her place of origin based on what works for your campaign setting. Leagis is a priestess of a nature deity. If your world lacks a divine being who happens to be focused on nature, any good-aligned god or goddess should suffice.
The cleric spent her youth traveling the world, possibly even clocking in some time as an adventurer. As the years passed, she found herself more focused on her religion and wanting to settle down. Cross Tree provided a logical place to put down roots. Nestled deep withing the forest, Leagis can commune with nature while also sharing her faith with her modest flock.
Arriving in town roughly 10 years ago, Leagis began restoring the old burned church structure on her own. As the days passed, other townsfolk would come to lend a hand. Often they would work together by day and then take part in her fellowship and break bread together in the evening. Some of the materials for the new church were brought from the ruined tower to the northeast of town.
Whether Leagis possesses any magical abilities from her deity will be left to the GM’s discretion. It is certainly possible that she may have the ability to casts lower level spells. However, I would suggest drawing the line at allowing her to have the power to raise the dead or even heal very serious afflictions.
The priestess is very welcoming to outsiders and will certainly be curious about their travels. Having travelled extensively herself, Leagis may be able to share information with the party about areas far from Cross Tree.
1st Floor
The nave and sanctuary take up most of the 1st floor of the church. Both are decorated simply, in woodland colors. Both the pews and altar are fashioned from downed oaks found in the forest.
Close to the entrance are two storage closets. Tools are kept here for tending the graveyard, as well as decorations for different festivals throughout the year. Leagis also keeps a small office on the first floor.
2nd Floor
The 2nd floor of the church consists of Leagis’s residence. While not generally accessible to the public, she may invite the PCs up here for counsel or to discuss future plans.
Plot Hooks & Encounters
As previously mentioned, Leagis has travelled extensively. She should provide you a good tool for disseminating information to your PCs. It is also possible that she may have use for their help herself.
Parties stopping in Cross Tree along the way to somewhere else, may be provided information about their destination.
As a priestess of a nature deity, Leagis may enlist the help of the party to investigate some strange goings-on within the forest. Perhaps some strange malady is affecting local wildlife or a queer blight is killing off vegetation.
Leagis recently buried a traveler who died while staying at the Cross Tree Inn. The man’s only personal effects were a strange metallic device and a map to a location that would take two days to travel to from here. The cleric may enlist the party’s help in learning more about the map and the device.
From her traveling days, Leagis may be aware that there is rumored to be an ancient lost city hidden away within the depths of the forest.
Conclusion
That will conclude another post about the town of Cross Tree. Until I write again, I thank you for reading and hope that you may find yourself enjoying a game soon. Cheers
The smell of roasted meat emanates from this inviting two-story wooden building. Facing the structure, a pair of worn double-doors welcome weary travelers on the right. To the left, a low wall partitions off a courtyard, where barrels of ale are stored, and a couple chickens run about aimlessly.
A sign bearing the name “Cross Tree Inn” hangs above the entrance. The sign itself depicts a curious scene of ghostly figures circled around a large oak tree. The inn is both the geographical and social center of the village. Especially during the evening, it is likely some of the other residents will be found in the common room, enjoying a meal or tankard of ale.
The Cross Tree Inn. Created using Campaign Cartographer “Dungeons of Schley” symbol set.
Killian Merric
Killian Merric. Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Art @ Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games. http://www.fatgoblingames.com.
The proprietor is a stout man named Killian Merric. At 50 years of age, Killian was raised in a large city but relocated to Cross Tree and inherited the Inn from his uncle Tobyn. That was 20 years ago and Killian has been running the place ever since.
Killian stands 6’2” tall and weighs roughly 280lbs. His dark hair, beard, and bushy eyebrows. are starting to give way to a good deal of gray. The large man dresses simply, wearing cotton breeches and a plain tunic, On most days he’ll also be wearing an apron, adorned with splashes and dashes of whatever happens to be on the menu that day.
Nearly always sporting a grin, the innkeeper is nothing if not hospitable. Killian will greet guests warmly and take an interest in their adventures. He knows a fair bit about the local area and is generally willing to share information with travelers, if he feels that they have good intentions. For information he may lack, Killian is certainly well acquainted with the citizens of Cross Tree and able to suggest someone else who may be able to help.
The innkeeper loves a good tune. Any customer who happens to break out in song or play an instrument while visiting the inn is likely to be rewarded with a complimentary meal. If it’s particularly good, it wouldn’t be unheard of for Killian to take off his apron and dance a little jig in the middle of the dining room.
Despite being a fairly large fellow, Killian has no practical combat experience.
Killian keeps a simple room for himself at the inn. While he has had various employees over the years, his niece Karia is currently his only employee.
Karia Merric is a young woman of 25. After the passing of her mother, two years ago, she relocated to Cross Tree and has been helping her uncle Killian manage the inn. A no-nonsense woman, Karia usually keeps her blonde hair pulled back and wears simple, woolen dresses.
While she adores her uncle, Karia was also interested in relocated to Cross Tree due to it being nestled in the wilderness. She has been studying herbalism for a number of years and her move has allowed her to pursue this passion. When not serving drinks or helping out at the inn, Karia spends her time collecting specimens in the forest and furthering her studies.
Like her uncle, Karia is quite friendly. However, her mind is often occupied, thinking about different tinctures and ointments. She may not be outwardly chatty, though if any travelers come by with obvious wounds or ailments, she will immediately offer to help. Depending on the rules system you are using, I would allow Karia to at least provide some basic healing to injured party members.
If any travelers happen to come through town and mention having a background in herbalism or another similar skill, Karia will be fascinated and try to gain as much knowledge from them as possible.
Cross Tree Inn 2nd level.
Food, Drink, & Lodging
You can assume that pricing for food, drink, and lodging will run on the lower end of what is typical in your game system. Killian is a wonderful cook and accommodating host but this is a modest operation. Highlights of the inn’s menu include flapjacks with locally made maple syrup, a fabulous “restoring” stew, and roasted potato wedges.
Killian has 4 modest rooms for rent. Three of these have a single bed, while one has two. However, a simple sleeping cot can be added to any of the single rooms if it becomes necessary to house more guests. While he wouldn’t rent out his own 2nd floor room, on occasion Killian will allow cots in the common areas upstairs, to accommodate extra guests. Obviously, this would be offered at a reduced rate.
Location of the Cross Tree Inn within the Village of Cross Tree.
Legend of the Cross Tree
As the Cross Tree Inn is the first stop for weary travelers, Killian will often be asked about the name of the town. On such occasions, he will be more than happy to pull up a chair and share the tale.
“Perhaps you saw the old Cross Tree as you made your way into town. Just west of here, across from the church stands an ancient oak tree, with a cross burned into the side of its trunk.”
“Many, many years ago, long before this wee village was founded, another settlement existed here. There are still traces that can easily be seen. Just northeast, tucked back in the woods, stands a ruined tower. Old Nicodemus dwells there now, though the gods know that Karia and I try to get him to come stay with us. There are bits of some other structures still standing out in the woods if you explore a bit, then there is the Cross Tree itself.”
“The legend tells that those who lived here before were a superstitious lot. For reasons lost to time, they believed that some of their number were practitioners of dark magics. They deemed these poor folk to be witches and doomed them to a horrible fate. The accused were tied to the great oak, with arms outstretched and burned alive. The cross you see burned into the tree is said to be the result of many such executions.”
“Now, I don’t want to be putting a scare in you good folks. However, many around here claim that the poor souls who lost their lives like this still roam these parts at night. Oh, I know that ghost tales like these are often the fare of simple country folk. Just don’t let it be said that I didn’t warn you, if you hear something go bump in the night.”
Whether there is anything to this legend or whether it is a simple folktale is up to you. Go with what works for your game. However, it certainly wouldn’t hurt to drop in little bits to keep your players on edge. The inn is an old building, so there will certainly be strange creaks from the floorboards or the occasional cold draft.
Plot Hooks & Encounters
If you already have plans for future adventures, it should be easy enough to drop in any plot hooks while the PCs are visiting the Cross Tree Inn. There is a message board in the common room and Killian, Karia, or any of the other townsfolk could be used to reach out to the party and ask for their assistance.
Left to their own, both Killian & Karia have a few tasks that they might approach a party of travelers for help with.
Killian might offer the party a fair price to go on a hunt for a day and try to bring back a stag or wild boar.
Karia might hire the party to help her locate certain herbs or mushrooms, only available in the deepest part of the forest.
It’s rare that the innkeeper has the ability to make the trip to a city. If Killian gets to know the party well or they stop at the inn frequently, he may hire them to bring back certain spices or ingredients.
Conclusion
That concludes my first entry for the Village of Cross Tree. Coming up next week we’ll pay a visit to the church. Due to the number of maps, I’ve opted to include the color versions with all labels and grids. As always, if you find something that would be useful for your own game but you’d like the labels removed (or changed) or might prefer a black and white version for more of an old-school feel, just leave me a message in the comments and I’ll hook you up.
That’s all for now. Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!
The village of Cross Tree lies deep within the Carrowmar forest, not far from the Khared Draz mountains. Settled along the banks of Pine Creek, this hamlet is a blend of the old and new, where ancient ruins still hold secrets of a bygone era.
The Village of Cross Tree. Created using Campaign Cartographer SS5 Cities of Schley Style.
On their approach to the village, keen-eyed travelers may notice the remnants of a once-greater settlement, long since reclaimed by nature. Even within the settlement itself, a ruined tower stands as a reminder of the past.
Cross Tree was once a bustling destination for travelers. However, modern routes through the mountain passes have caused the number of visitors to dwindle. Few pass through the village these days, save for the occasional hunter, trapper, or eccentric adventurer.
Reduced at one point to nothing more than a roadside stop for weary travelers, the village has come into its own over the past 30 years. It’s now a quiet, self-sufficient community inhabited with an assortment of colorful characters. Nestled in this wild landscape, Cross Tree makes a perfect locale for striking out in search of adventure
Village with no labels or grid.
Setting the Stage
For the first time in the past few years, I don’t have a regular gaming group. I’ve decided to take the time that I would have spent prepping for weekly sessions and instead pour it into creating something to share.
The Village of Cross Tree is going to be the first step in this process. Every adventure needs a place to start and I’ve created the village with that in mind. Cross Tree is more than just a spot on a map—it’s a living, breathing place where a community has taken root and grown. My intention is for this to be somewhere for stories to unfold and characters to develop for their first few adventures.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll delve into the heart of Cross Tree, sharing details about the key locations and the unique inhabitants that give this village its charm. I will aim to provide just enough detail to allow GMs to easily paint a picture of the village, while also leaving plenty of room for customization. Moving on from that, I’ll expand to some encounters and possibly even full adventures that each have their start from the Village of Cross Tree.
I’ll be basing things loosely on the old Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia from 1991. This single hardcover book consolidated rules from the Basic, Expert, Companion, and Master boxed sets. I will note that despite utilizing the Rules Cyclopedia, I’m not an OSR purist by any means. I will deviate from RAW liberally, both in creating new creatures and in mechanics for encounters. That said, everything should be easy enough to convert to pretty much any system of your choice. If you’re the type of person who is reading TTRPG blogs, I don’t think you’ll have any trouble.
While Cross Tree is a location in my own campaign world, I’ve tried to create it generically enough that GMs could fit it into just about any published or homegrown setting. For instance, if you happened to be running a game in Mystara, the village should fit nicely within the Grand Duchy of Karameikos (probably somewhere north of Kelvin). The main features for the location that will be required would be a wooded region, relatively close to mountains, and more than a single day’s travel from any settlements to the east or west.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope you have a great weekend!
I’ve already started adding to the Village of Cross Tree. If you’d like to see more, go here.
The X-Files was a groundbreaking American TV series that premiered in 1993 and continued until 2002 (later seasons were released in 2016 and 2018.) Created by Chris Carter, the show explores the world of unsolved paranormal cases and government conspiracies. The story follows two FBI agents, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully, played by David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson. Mulder believes in the paranormal, while Scully is a skeptic and a scientist. Their contrasting beliefs form the backbone of the series, as they work together on “X-Files”, mysterious cases ranging from the truth behind alien existence to government cover-ups.
This is my most modern (and probably most mainstream) Idea Chest franchise to date. However, with the main series ending its run in 2002, I suspect a number of readers may have never experienced it. I was in my early 20s when the series started and connected with it right away. While this was very much a modern show, I always felt that there was a lot of good stuff to be mined here. The following are just some of the examples of ideas that I believe could be lifted and dropped into the fantasy TTRPG of your choosing.
Fox Mulder and Dana Scully: The iconic duo that introduced us to a world of conspiracies and the paranormal.
Serving the Dubious Crown: Mulder and Scully work for the US government. However, it’s not long into the series before they start to question the motives of their superiors or perhaps the government itself. Emulating this and creating a campaign where the party serves a kingdom or empire with a murky agenda could be interesting. PCs might be dispatched to investigate arcane anomalies, politically charged missions, or even interdimensional threats.
Over time, the party will likely become aware of the shady side of the government. However, they may need to wait to confront those in power until they have gained enough evidence and influence in the realm to make a difference.
Balancing Myth Arc with Side Quests: The X-Files offered viewers “mythology episodes” mixed in with “monster of the week episodes”. The former touched on the overarching story of alien conspiracy, while the latter tended to be standalone episodes that might explore a cryptid or some other paranormal phenomenon.
Consider having a central myth arc in your campaign that slowly unravels, punctuated by self-contained quests. This structure allows players to enjoy immediate adventures while building towards a larger, more complex narrative.
William B. Davis portrays C.G.B. Spender, a.k.a. The Cigarette Smoking Man, orchestrating things from the shadows.
The Untouchable Puppeteer: The “Cigarette Smoking Man” was the epitome of a shadowy puppet master, weaving plots and plans into the narrative without ever dirtying his hands. A villain like this might be seen in the courts of power, whispering in the ears of kings or leading councils, yet they are never where the blame can be laid. This villain’s machinations are intricate, and their presence is a constant reminder to the players that there are bigger games at play. As your party encounters this figure, let them grapple with the infuriating reality that direct confrontation is impossible, at least for now. Instead, they must unravel the web of deceit, cut the strings of the puppet master, and expose the true nature of the adversary, all while dealing with personal connections that make the quest not just a matter of justice, but of personal closure and revenge.
Mr. X. The enigmatic informant, shrouded in secrecy.
The Dynamic Duo: While most of these ideas would work in a standard game, sometimes a full table just isn’t in the cards. Taking inspiration from Mulder and Scully’s relationship, a campaign with just two players can explore deep character development. One character could be driven by faith or belief in the mystical, while the other relies on logic and evidence. Their differing views would create plenty of role-playing opportunities, especially when their beliefs are challenged by the adventures they undertake.
The Mysterious Benefactor: Both “Deep Throat” and “Mr. X” helped Mulder and Scully with their investigations. However, neither were totally reliable and neither could be fully trusted. Consider introducing NPCs who provide information with their own agendas. These characters can offer crucial insights but leave the party questioning the validity and motives behind the help they receive.
Assistant Director Skinner. The duo’s reluctant ally within the FBI.
The Reluctant Ally: Modeling after Assistant Director Skinner, create an authority figure who navigates the treacherous waters of the government with the party. They can act as a buffer between the players and higher powers, providing support while remaining distant and bound by their duties.
The Eccentric Helpers: The Lone Gunmen are perfect templates for quirky allies who offer assistance with a side of humor. Create a group of street urchins, oddball mages, or eccentric artificers who can aid the party with intelligence, unconventional wisdom, and gadgetry, all while providing comic relief.
The Lone Gunmen. A trio of quirky conspiracy theorists who often provide aid to the protagonists.
Secret Societies and Hidden Agendas: Inspired by the show’s shadowy organizations, introduce secret societies that manipulate events for their own ends. The players could find themselves caught in a web of intrigue, where discerning friend from foe is as challenging as the quests themselves. The NPC who provided invaluable aid to the party two sessions ago may merely be using the PCs as pawns.
Conclusion
Mulder’s iconic motto.
That’ll do it for this week. Are you familiar with the X-Files? Can you think of any good source material that I have missed? Leave a comment if you can and let me know. Thanks for stopping by and don’t forget—The Truth is Out There.
This was an old TSR Hobbies catalog. I can’t recall whether this came packaged in my Holmes Basic set or in the later Moldvay set.
1977 had been a big year already, with the release of Star Wars during the past spring. The summer had been spent running around the neighborhood, shooting imaginary Storm Troopers, and debating the fate of Darth Vader.
It was around Thanksgiving when I became aware of a new animated TV Special. The Hobbitwas coming to television. Now, for those of you much younger than I, you must understand that the late 70s were a much different time. We had cartoons every Saturday morning, without fail. However, aside from the annual Charlie Brown specials and perhaps Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, animated specials were almost unheard of. If you are too young to have lived through this, it’s hard to describe just how odd this was to see on network tv.
Rumors had spread through my school like wildfire. The Hobbit was something totally different. Not only was this a new animated special, but it was a story of wizards, dwarves, elves, and even a dragon! Truly, this was something not to be missed.
I don’t recall what I did wrong. Perhaps I had knocked the gravy over and into my Aunt’s lap during Thanksgiving dinner. At any rate, as luck would have it, I found myself quite grounded for the world television premier of The Hobbit. It was devastating. I was certain that quite possibly; nothing good could come of my life from that day forward. You see, in 1977, there was no streaming, no DVRs (or VCRs for that matter). As a matter of fact, there was a great likelihood that if you missed a show on TV or even a movie in the theater, that you may never have an opportunity to see it again.
During the following week, I was forced to listen to my young friends tells stories about The Hobbit. They would go on and on about the goblins, the spiders, and even some strange thing that they referred to as “Gollum”. I was devastated. Within the span of one year, I had been told that I was too young to have a poster of Farrah Fawcett and now I had missed The Hobbit.
This was the cover to my first version of The Hobbit in the late 1970s.
During the fall of 1978. I came home from school one day to find a paperback book lying on my bed. It was The Hobbit; my parents had purchased me a copy of the novel. While it was certainly quite a bit larger than any book I had read thus far, I was intrigued by the maps and “strange writing” which I found just inside the front cover. I set about reading it right away.
I was hooked immediately. Shortly after finishing The Hobbit, I moved on to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. By the time that these were all finished I was a fantasy junkie, devouring any new novels that I could land my hands on. As I recall, the next up were the Lancer/Ace Conan series with the striking Frank Frazetta covers.
It was some time after that when I heard a couple of my friends talking about some new game. They had been playing this game, with the older kids who lived on the next road over. The details were sketchy but apparently there were hobbits and goblins in it and it was different from any of type of game.
The Holmes Basic D&D boxed set.
The whole thing was terribly confusing and made no sense to me at all. When I asked them about the board, they said there was no board. When I asked if there were cards, they said there were no cards. I was a skeptic, to say the least. Certainly, if a game like this existed, it would have to be listed within the pages of the J.C. Penney Christmas catalog (everything worth having as a child was.) It was not.
Then, one day, my friend and I happened to accompany my mother on a trip to Scrantom’s (a local card & stationary store in Rochester, NY). As we were checking out, I saw a curious looking box, sitting behind the counter. The box was adorned with a picture of a large dragon, sitting on a huge pile of treasure. The words “Dungeons & Dragons” were printed across the top of the box. A look to my buddy confirmed that this was the game he’d been trying to tell me about.
I received that very box for my birthday (this was the Holmes edition Dungeons & Dragons Basic set.) Like a blind man who has never seen, I immediately understood about games without boards. Suddenly, I had the ability to do more than just read fantasy stories; I could create them and watch them unfold before my eyes. The years to follow were filled with all kinds of great gaming memories.
Conclusion
That was how I was introduced to the hobby. However, sticking true to the title of this post, I’m curious about you. What was your gateway to adventure? When were you first exposed to the hobby and what was your first game? I’ve always loved hearing these type of origin stories and I find it fascinating to read about. Drop a comment below and let me know.
That’s all for now. Have a great week and thank you for stopping by. Good gaming!
Talaraska 