Location Type:
Scroll merchant corner
Specific Location:
2. The Scroll Merchant's Corner – Role: A place where scholars and the curious flock to hear and exchange knowledge, scrolls, and news. – Description: A canopied area filled with shelves of scrolls, including religious texts, legal documents, and maps. – Items Inside: Scrolls detailing local trade routes, religious prophecies, and a faded map of the surrounding wilderness.
Main Quest:
Part 4: Tav the Dog's Investigation – Adventure Hook: Tav senses danger as travelers go missing along a trade route he frequents. His owner fears bandits or wild animals, and they set out to investigate. – Challenges: – Tav becomes distracted by enticing scents along the trade route, leading his owner off course and complicating their search. – His fear of fire surfaces when they encounter a campfire, hindering their ability to negotiate with a group of travelers who might provide clues. – Goal: Uncover the truth behind the disappearances and keep his owner safe.
LOCATION SUMMARY
The Scroll Merchant's Corner bustles with life, its canopied area providing shade from the sun. Shelves made of rough-hewn wood stand laden with scrolls, some tied with strings and others left open, revealing the ancient scripts within. Scholars discuss recent interpretations of prophecies, while travelers exchange tales of their journeys. The aromas of raw papyrus and ink mingle with the dust, creating a sense of history. Surrounding the corner, narrow alleyways lead to busy marketplaces, while a path meanders toward the trade route that the dog Tav recognizes.
BASE LOOT
1. A collection of worn clay ink pots, some with remnants of black ink, likely used for writing and drawing on papyrus.
2. Several scrolls depicting legal documents that outline trade agreements between neighboring cities.
3. A well-used wooden quill, its tip still sharp and oiled, perfect for writing or sketching an urgent message.
4. A small, weathered pouch holding dried herbs, potentially used for seasoning or simple remedies.
5. A clay tablet inscribed with a basic map of the local area, with notable landmarks for travelers.
ADDITIONAL LOOT IF 6+
1. A meticulously rolled scroll containing locals' tales of strange sounds heard at night along the trade route.
2. A small basket containing dried fruits that travelers would find essential for long journeys.
3. An empty water skin made of tanned leather, suitable for carrying fresh water during travels.
4. A wooden box with compartments, possibly used to store small valuables or tools related to the scroll trade.
ADDITIONAL LOOT IF 10+
1. An old scroll discussing a route purportedly used by bandits, along with details on how to recognize their hiding spots.
2. A pair of sturdy sandals left behind by a previous scholar, still usable and providing good grip for rough terrains.
3. A faded map featuring a hidden cave near the trade route, rumored to be utilized by travelers seeking shelter.
4. A minor clue: a smudged note revealing instructions for meeting a local guide, mentioned in hushed conversations.
ADDITIONAL LOOT IF 15+
1. A collection of leather-bound scrolls written by renowned scholars, detailing ancient trade practices that offer insight into current trade routes.
2. A set of clay figurines that could serve as barter items, depicting local flora and fauna, appealing to travelers or merchants.
3. Environmental clues, such as footprints near the corner leading toward the narrow alleyways, hinting at recent gatherings of suspicious individuals.
ADDITIONAL LOOT IF 20+
1. A secret compartment behind one of the scroll shelves yielding a stash of valuable coins, possibly left by a desperate traveler.
2. A hidden ledger containing records of missing travelers and notes about suspicious activity along the trade route, providing a strong lead for Tav’s investigation.
ADDITIONAL LOOT IF 22+
1. A concealed chamber behind the merchant's counter holds a forgotten supply of medicinal herbs and bandages, critical for treating injuries.
2. An ancient map hidden within a hollowed-out scroll tube, detailing a forgotten pathway that leads to a settlement shunned by locals due to its bandit reputation.
LOWER WISDOM DISCOVERY
Under a loose stone near the entrance, careful characters with a passive Wisdom of 12 or higher may find a worn-out coin, engraved with a traveler’s message about a nearby bandit hideout.
HIGHER WISDOM DISCOVERY
Especially perceptive characters with a passive Wisdom of 16 or higher might notice an out-of-place scroll on a nearby shelf. Upon closer inspection, it contains cryptic notes alluding to a well-guarded secret related to the missing travelers.
OPTIONAL EVENT
A well-dressed merchant approaches the players, eager to trade information for various provisions. He offers potential hints about the dangers of the trade route but insists on first inspecting their goods or scrolls. Meanwhile, Tav becomes restless with his nose close to the ground, sensing other animals nearby, which could lead to distractions or further clues about the disappearances.
