[Riff] Welcome to Gehennmoor, aka RNG-Town (Tome Of Adventure Design).
Intro-Squawk:
It’s forever a lament of mine that I’ve been less productive overall where Riffs and other stuff regarding our Tabletop category is concerned.
Without getting into a song and dance (nor requesting invitations to a pity-party, I am okay)… let’s just say a lot of me-facing/life-facing stuff has compounded that.
Additionally, whilst I do appreciate us supporting the Little Guys via our Dicey News updates, I feel long overdue in simply diving in, exploring and just doing some tabletop stuff here.
Not to mention [inconceivably long list of writer/GM hang-ups, for another time] + all-or-nothing/hyper-systemising thinking often have me put off past those initial motivational spurts when it comes to tackling big-picture/longer-form TTRPG pieces.
In short - it’s just too much right now to pull full-on RPG system reviews et al out of a hat. Better to pull back from the precipice of perfectionism-as-procrastination and see what can be done here and now. Which is plenty of fun and interesting stuff, turns out!
Much like the game-master’s itch when it’s been too long been scratches via running games, the writing-goblin in the RPG corner’s been getting restless.
And I welcome it’s fitful cries of impish impatience, and give it a chance for self-expression via today’s article for Tabletop Thursday!
(Pictured below - artists’ impression of that Poor Widdle RPG Gobwin)
Goblin-brain time. It’s time to unleash a new nerdy Riff (our nomenclature for non-review/random articles and essays, off-topic writing etc).
Moreover, it’s high-time I believe I should showcase some actual engagement with a tabletop/hobby title. It’s only fair considering how many reviews we’ve done for albums, gigs and the like after all!
So.
Today we’ll be exploring a freaking fantastic, underrated and stupidly-comprehensive tome I’d picked a physical copy up of late last year. A title I really shooooouuld by rights crack open more often when doing game-master prep, worldbuilding and the like. Honestly? This book is a risky endeavour to explore - left unabated, a cursory search for a relevant table can suck you in for hours in a way traditional core-books and supplements often can’t.
I’m talking specifically about: the Revised Edition of the Tome of Adventure Design, by Matt Finch (published via Mythmere Gaming).
Peep a lil’ sample of the RPG via the gallery below (swipe left/right to view more):
This monolithic beast of a tome (truly is no better word to describe the volume than that) really does trump the myriad of other details-oriented GM/DM generation reference-bibles I’ve used. I’m so, SO glad there was a reprint as finding copies of the prior edition used were… not cheap. At all.
It’s an RPG product and a huge one, so it’s not exactly Mills and Boon airport paperback prices buuuuuut - goddamn is this book worth every red cent. Even the PDF alone is worth coughing up a few shekels for. Truly, this thing’s in a class of its’ own.
The only titles which even come close comparatively, in my opinion, are Shawn Tomkin’s works (Ironsworn, Starforged etc) and Kevin Crawford’s insanely deep/thorough games-as-also-idea-bibles Godbound, Stars Without Number, Worlds Without Number, etc.
Oh, I should mention all of those hyperlinked texts are free, baby. FREE. Definitely support these creators if you take a peek on DriveThruRPG, itch.io, Google etc - I’ve purchased hardcopy texts from both just to support them (plus my ADHD brain gels with physical books much better retention-wise. Everyone wins).
Each of the above titles taken and read, flipped-through etc in isolation or together? Incredible.
Hopefully when time, my immune system and mental health are a bit more conducive I’ll get around to some bigger reviews of these titles. They really deserve it. As does the current Tome.
For now, I decided to do an obligation-free fun exercise = develop the skeleton of a city using the Tome’s city-building section, in a short session of take-it-as-it-lands RNG dice-rolling. I’m a huge fan of doing this and especially with a mindset similar to self-imposing perma-death/iron-man mode in video games. i.e. results must be taken and interpreted as they emerge - no re-rolling!
Pen and paper, physical dice tray and dice, because a) I’m getting tired of screens lately, b) yummy tactile sensory goodness and c) it’s a nice counterpoint to just propping up some PDF screenshots (go check those out yourself - support indie publishers!).
For reference, that’s a coffee-stain on that dice-tray. Don’t get too worried, lol.
Below in the first image I have a rough ‘key’ of sorts, followed by a short gallery of my paper notes taken.
For the notes - my handwriting is best described as ‘blindfolded hieroglyphs after 12 coffees on a good day’, so to tie together the article I’ve got a little summary of the town at the end if my chicken-scratch is a bit reader-unfriendly.
Diamond symbols represent a dice-roll being made (# brackets indicate the numbers rolled). [Numbers-Dot Points] in boxed text represent which section it corresponds to in the book.
(Ibrandul Himself Below, there is a SHIT-TON of sections and sub-sections…the detail in this book is well-ordered but just clinically-insane in overall scale.)
I’m tentatively titling the town Gehennmoor as there’s a decidedly black-metal, sort of necropolis flavour to the place. DnD lovers, send your priests of Kelemvor and Wee Jas here. They’d have a blast and sheesh, might not even come back to the party. Same with herbalists and halfling-weed-lovers, perhaps? You’ll see.
Like many of these generators and our own innate need for pattern-recognition, concept association and forming logical links/verisimilitude - it’s often very surprising how coherent and cogent the elements and themes that emerge from random number-chaos can be.
Gehennmoor represents this quite well, and I really enjoy the flavour of the town. I could see a one-shot or even a full campaign easily being based in/around the place, with lots of cool emergent developments happening. Which is the point of the book, innit!
God-damn do I love me a nice sandbox romp.
‘Nuff Said.
Let’s Roll.
Here’s How We Roll(ed):
FYI - the Dao Empire bit is a reference to fellow ISC staffer Dean’s DnD campaign! More on that below.
Deano, it’s very much not the Swamp of Oblivion, but I can see Shurra and Thurvandel enjoying this town…
I also honestly enjoyed the journey these rolls took me on. Keeping an open mind and an Orc barbarian’s arm-length away from any railroading via mentalising, a cohesive picture of the town became clearer and clearer as I went.
From feeling a little unsure about a town centered on a graveyard to the uncommon-ish nature of the five merchants I decided to roll up for the Merchant’s Quarter, it was very cool to watch random elements like a Sage herbalist shop intertwine with mental imagery of the Temple’s courtyard (surrounding a central cluster of treehouses, focussed on a weeping and wailing/forlorn minor goddess).
Truly surprised pure RNG managed to generate just the right-amount of edgelord-metalhead grimdark vibes I’m a fan of, too.
Nice job, dice!
Now, were you to have skipped the above chicken-scratch, here’s:
[Item, Pamphlet]:
A Wayfarer’s Guide To Gehennmoor.
Credit: Martina Stipan (Link to Profile).
Welcome, Traveller!
We recognise the arduous journey between the mountains and crags that have led to here, Gehennmoor. Our humble but fast-growing edifice to industry, nature and of course, Our Lady Ptosh’esh.
We recognise the Way of The Weeping One as the officially sanctioned form of prayer within our walls, but journeymen and pilgrims of all beliefs are more than welcome to utilise services in the Temple District in service of their own patron. We would ask, however, that if your spiritual needs could reasonably be foreseen as offensive or causing harm to others, that you first discuss this with an Initiate at a nearby Temple or Chaplaincy.
Please note also - it is customary on major shifts in lunar cycle and seasons for The Unchaining to occur, through town. This involves a ceremonial shackling and unshackling of both initiates, acolytes, local townsfolk and interested ex-patriates. Please do not see this as cause for alarm within these walls, as we do not use shackling or manacles for criminal purposes.
Further items of import for prospective entrants:
The Grove:
One of the central tenets of Worship is respect and reverence for the dead, and for instilling in us an appreciation of nature’s enduring stewardship as a force for time immemorial.
For this reason, the Grove occupying the towns’ central quarter is one held in high reverence by locals and treated accordingly.
If entering the Grove, please note that disturbing resting-places, final-rest ceremonies or wanton destruction to the parklands is considered a serious criminal act, and will be subject to swift judgement.
Otherwise, the Grove is often sought by pilgrims, travellers, mercenaries, bards, scholars and more as a place of beauty and natural respite. You may find new insights and a sense of prolonged peace following some time spent in the Grove. Please see noticeboards for local events and ceremonies which happen regularly - fair warning, some of these can be quite lively!
The Temple of Ptosh’esh:
A 1200-year-old structure intertwined amongst the huge ancient, natural boughs of the Elder Trees, the Temple is a huge draw for travellers and locals alike.
A bustling nursery is available to peruse for potential spices, herbs and other botany, as are the gorgeous and well-kempt grounds of the Courtyards. Travellers often remark on the rustic beauty of the Tree-Houses alighting the large oaks encircling the Temple’s outside perimeter.
Please refer to signage for seasonal opening hours, worship times and accessibility. If required, please approach our friendly blue-robed Initiates for further consult, including historical information.
Law:
Credit: Dominik Mayer, via ArtStation
Law is dictated and governed in association between the Merchant’s Council and the Church of Ptosh. As you’ll see around town, some individuals will be adorned with metallic collars. We urge insistence not for undue anxiety in engaging with individuals wearing these devices, which are an arcane deterrent proven to reduce our crime rate by 89% comparative to nearby townships/provinces.
Please do report any suspicious behaviour seen and/or approach our friendly Town Guardsmen. These are individuals well-trained in preventative care and rehabilitation, and can be found either at the Barracks in the Market Square or posted throughout town.
Criminal activity aligns with regional norms, and reasonably-foreseeable behaviour. That is, to treat others with respect and avoid harm. If you feel your cultural custom/behaviour may be at risk of/is targeted unjustly as criminal, please seek either a Temple staff-person or Guardsman to discuss further.
Cuisine:
Credit: ‘Whale Market’ by Demizu Posuka
Drawing from the nearby marshes of the Hallowed Delta, Gehennmoor is known through the provinces for an interesting variety of dishes sourced both by farmhand, woodsman and river-folk alike. The town is enjoying a resurgence of inter-regional cuisines with a growing population, too, so be sure to try some exotic (or even familiar) fare as well!
For a more reasonable budgetary fare, inns commonly serve horse and parsnip shish-kabob (most commonly with locally-made aioli and hot sauces). Perfect for the cooler winter season!
Those with a few more coins to spare can enjoy our famed, award-winning regional delicacy in steamed stingray with cream sauce. A popular export for good reason!
Finally, more adventurous gourmands with an eye for fine dining can enjoy our legendary black caviar dish, often supplanted with fine strips of luscious venison. Please note that due to the interests of conserving woodland populations, the venison may be subject to availability.
Work:
Whilst never intended as a means to dissuage talent from across the realms, it is a known social norm that Gehennese (or ‘Moors’) are given priority with more permanent positions. Being a major goods and industrial trading hub, however, there are numerous contracting agencies, freelancers, local farms/inns/merchants and Temple subsidiaries all seeking short-term or perhaps longer negotiated contracts.
Please refer to local job boards/community noticeboards around town.
Enjoy your stay - May the Weeping Lady bring you much rest and enjoyment during your time with Gehennamoor.
Should you wish to see more of this thread explored, perhaps more of the world built out? Let me know via comments, social media or our email below.
Feel free to use this as a jumping-off point for your own adventures, too!