Uncover the secrets beneath the walls of Jericho, a city rich in history and mystery.
AREA OVERVIEW
Name: Jericho
Region: Canaan, situated near the Jordan River and flanked by the hills of Judea.
Jericho, known as the “City of Palms,” is a bustling, fortified town characterized by its strong walls and vibrant market. The distinct sound of merchant calls fills the streets as traders from various regions sell their goods. The town is surrounded by fertile land, allowing for abundant agriculture, fostering a close-knit community focused on resilience in the face of Canaanite threats. The air is filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and spices, hinting at the culture that thrives here, despite the looming tension of impending conquest.
QUEST CONNECTION
The players arrive in Jericho during the tense prelude to the Israelites’ march around the city walls. Their mission is to gather intel and supplies vital for the coming siege. Understanding the city’s dynamics, relationships, and secrets will be crucial for the next phase of their quest to capture Jericho.
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Jericho’s Wall:
- Role in the community: The fortified wall is a symbol of defense against invaders, yet it also represents division.
- Description: A towering structure made of sun-baked bricks, with guard towers positioned at intervals, allowing for visibility and defense.
- Items Inside: Hidden passageways, discarded weapons, and ancient inscriptions depicting the history of Jericho.
- Marketplace of Jericho:
- Role in the community: The heart of commerce and social life, where local gossip and news converge.
- Description: A vibrant area filled with colorful stalls, merchants selling goods from spices to textiles.
- Items Inside: Dried herbs, pottery, textiles, and local delicacies.
- Spring of Elisha:
- Role in the community: Vital water source, considered sacred and used for healing.
- Description: A clear spring surrounded by palm trees, providing water to the residents of Jericho.
- Items Inside: Healing herbs, sacred stones, and encampment supplies.
BUILDINGS
- Inn of the Pilgrim:
- Owner: Miriam, a middle-aged widow known for her generous hospitality.
- Description: A warm, welcoming inn with rustic wooden beams and a bustling common room filled with travelers.
- Items Inside: Spare beds, blankets, a small library of scrolls, and a map of the region.
- Temple of Jericho:
- Owner: Priest Eliab, a revered figure in the community.
- Description: A modest temple adorned with altars and sacred artifacts, where locals come to offer prayers.
- Items Inside: Sacred scrolls, incense, and ritual tools.
- Blacksmith’s Forge:
- Owner: Zimri, a robust, skilled blacksmith with a fierce reputation.
- Description: A bustling forge filled with the sounds of clanging metal and the smell of smoke.
- Items Inside: Weapons, armor pieces, and repair tools.
NPCS
- Name: Miriam
Occupation: Innkeeper
Description: A kind-hearted widow who offers refuge to travelers. Her knowledge of the city and its people is invaluable.
Dialogue Example: “Ah, brave souls! You seek to know Jericho, do you? Listen well, for the walls may hold secrets you dare not imagine.” - Name: Eliab
Occupation: Priest
Description: A wise and aged priest who knows the lore of Jericho and the prophecies concerning its fate.
Dialogue Example: “The walls of Jericho will not stand forever—our fate is intertwined with that of these very stones.” - Name: Zimri
Occupation: Blacksmith
Description: A burly man with a fiery temper, skilled in crafting weapons and armor.
Dialogue Example: “You need strong iron to break a stronghold. But beware, the secrets of this city lie deeper than the earth!”
QUEST ITEMS
- Item: Scroll of Prophecy
Location: Found in the Temple of Jericho, hidden amongst common scrolls.
Importance: Reveals hints about the fate of Jericho’s walls and the method of attacking them. - Item: Healing Herbs
Location: Gathered from the Spring of Elisha.
Importance: Vital for healing party members during the coming siege. - Item: Map of Jericho
Location: Available at the Inn of the Pilgrim, but requires convincing Miriam to part with it.
Importance: Essential for strategizing the attack route around the city.
MARKET
- Merchant: Asher the Spice Trader
- Goods: Spices (20 shekels), Dried Fruits (15 shekels), Herbal Remedies (30 shekels), Wine (25 shekels), and Pottery (10 shekels).
- Merchant: Leah the Weaver
- Goods: Textiles (25 shekels), Fine Clothes (50 shekels), Blankets (30 shekels).
- Merchant: Nethaniel the Smith
- Goods: Simple Weapons (75 shekels), Shields (40 shekels), Metal Tools (20 shekels).
SECRETS AND DISCOVERIES
- Discovery: Hidden Passageway
Method to Find: Players must roll a d20 and achieve a 17 or higher on a perception check while exploring near the city walls.
Relation to Plot: This passageway may provide a tactical advantage during the siege. - Discovery: Forgotten Prophecy Inscription
Method to Find: Players must roll a d20 and achieve a 15 or higher on an investigation check while examining the Temple’s walls.
Relation to Plot: This inscription could offer insights into the city’s weaknesses. - Discovery: Local Gossip
Method to Find: Players must roll a d20 and achieve a 12 or higher on a charisma check when interacting with locals in the marketplace.
Relation to Plot: Reveals potential allies or informants that can help during the siege.
QUEST LEADS
- Rumors of hidden passages around Jericho’s walls circulate among the townsfolk.
- Miriam, the innkeeper, hints at a precious artifact that could be key to the siege.
- A mysterious merchant speaks of a weapon forged to break down impenetrable walls, rumored to be hidden in a nearby cave.
- Eliab the Priest has been seen discussing unusual rituals with a group of locals; players may want to investigate further.
- Local children speak of strange sounds emanating from the wall at night—an event that may hold significance.
ENCOUNTERS
- As the players navigate the marketplace, they witness a brawl break out between rival merchants, drawing a crowd and revealing hidden alliances.
- A group of local children approaches the players, sharing gossip and offering to lead them to the Spring of Elisha in exchange for a small rewarding gift.
- Players encounter a weary traveler claiming to have seen a vision about Jericho’s fate. His strange behavior could hint at underlying truths.
