Chapter 5: Bridgemoor: Difference between revisions

[[Cloven Lands Playtest Material|[back to Cloven Lands playtest material]]]

== The Meritocracy ==

===== '''Honorifics''' =====

Each tier possesses a specific title, or honorific.

'''Meritocrat''' - Meritocrat

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|Rumors are rife with corruption among Bridgemoor Meritocrats and increasing tension between the current Bridgemoor [[Knight]]-Commander and the Meritocratic Senate, especially with Governor Arinwin. It is whispered that the tensions may be building to a militant conflict.

While the bridge itself is safe, details on the Underbridge, a massive series of sewers and puzzling waterways, lies beneath the city, and is filled with danger, forgotten folk, and even deadly, dangerous cults.

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|The Underbridge Cult is only gaining power within Bridgemoor despite the iron fist of its local [[guard]], the Bridge Knights. Incursions of Inferno fiends are far-too common within the market places, and the people are growing restless.

With this fear, scholars and dissidents are rising, challenging the Meritocracy and actively protesting the Bridge Knights. Between it all, the governance of the city is struggling, and foreign (and may even local) powers are starting to circle, gaining interest in exploiting the unrest.

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===== '''How Large is Bridgemoor?''' =====

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==== '''Academics''' ====

Smaller schools are common amongst the residential districts of the city, funded by individual Meritocrats, often to find talented youth and weed out those meant for more provincial careers. Despite intentions, this leads to even the poorest of Bridgemoor’s citizens being able to read, making way for some strange, if not fascinating, advancements in technology.

'''University Graduate.''' Graduates from the Meritocratium gain the option to renounce their previous citizenship and become official Bridgemoor citizens.

'''Laborer.''' Ten years as a laborer grants an individual the ability to take a citizen test on basic principles of Bridgemoor. If passed, they are granted citizenship.  

==== '''Kendartown Locations''' ====

'''Kenmoor Market.''' While it pales in comparison to the city markets, the Kenmoor stalls are a strip of small merchants with semi-permanent stations that offer basic [[equipment]] and goods at a 20% discount from their standard prices. This market is unregulated, though, and there’s a 50% chance that the purchased goods are defective in some way. Food can be spoiled, [[weapons]] deal less [[damage]], or armor pieces can offer less protection. This is where farmers and small-time Kendarian traders often end up.  

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If adventurers are interested they can work for Antara. She will hire them as mercenaries and adventurers can track Denrats [[Goodwill]], but will only consider hiring them if they have at least +5 Social or +5 Underworld Goodwill. Adversely, if an adventurer possesses at least -3 Bridge Knight Goodwill, she’ll be more inclined to hire them.  

==== '''Gaining and Losing Goodwill''' ====

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''Arcane lamps mark the stone ground of the bridge as the city of Bridgemoor is never without activity. Between endless travelers and persistent merchants, the song of Eastbridge is one of pioneering spirit: wealth and ambition, a buzz of excitement and the clink of coin amongst heated debates and excited conversations.''  

==== '''Tollgate''' ====

The Eastbridge Markets are heavily patrolled and theft is dealt with harshly. Magistrate tax collectors also make weekly inspections here, checking writs of sales, and cataloging goods. Successful merchants are levied with an additional 5% sales tax for profitable weeks, but are exempt for monthly property taxes.

The following are events that can occur within the markets. Combat encounters are incredibly rare here, as any violence is usually thwarted by the unyielding presence of Bridge Knight patrols. Quick combats of less than two rounds can escape notice, so long as no civilians report it.

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'''26-50.''' 1 item of Essence 15 or lower.

These items last for 30 days and are considered sold by the end. You can use MCG chapter 7 for a list of potential items.

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This particular outpost is run by Efelias Starseeker, a [[Raedeen]], who tends to be rather hands-on in the Fixer’s activities. Efelias or one of their fixers can be contracted to [[divine]] information within the city, so long as it does not interfere with, or directly influence or affect, any meritocratic, Bridge Knight, or magisterial business.

===== '''Bridge Keep Inventory''' =====

The Keep is well stocked with armor, available at a discount. Players can purchase medium or heavy armor from Madrik for 75% of its normal value. This armor is branded with the sigil of the Bridge Knights, though, and while wearing it the player acts as if they possessed the Goodwill, positive or negative, of the Bridge Knights with whoever they are dealing.

'''Available Medium Armor'''

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As a deputy, there are multiple ways to gain Militant and Bridge Knights Goodwill, and ways to lose it. You may decided to extend these bonuses and penalties to other occupational categories as well, such as resolving a local dispute leading to +1 Militant and Mercantile Goodwill.

* Attacking a Bridge Knight: -10 Goodwill

Beneath the keep are a series of cell blocks built into the Underbridge and sealed off from the sewers. These cells house hundreds of prisoners and fall under the purview of the Bridge Knights. They descend several levels deep, and are warded from both Divining magic and from teleportation. Prisoners here are treated with basic dignity—they are fed and aren’t beaten, but many don’t see the sun until the end of their sentence. For some, in the deepest [[darkness]], this means they never taste fresh air again.

While pleasant, a majority of citizens pass through the courtyard because it shaves an entire hour off of travel between East and Westbridge. With as many folk as it sees, this makes the courtyard a common gathering place, where cultures collide and ideas spread in the shadow of the three major institutions of the city. Mercantile efforts are disallowed within, but over time several cafes and day-time lounges have sprung up, nestled between the small wooded grounds and constructed lakes, allowing a bit of nature to seep into the urban landscape. Many lobbyists and concerned citizens will spend their days waiting in the yard, hoping to catch a Meritocrat out for lunch.  

As one of the few “wild” places on the Moorian surface, there are some rare events that can occur within the gardens. Use these if you’d like to give your players new interactions in the city.

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==== '''Major NPCs''' ====

'''Senisalia Corifax.''' As the Magister Superior, Senisalia is one of the most important officials in Bridgemoor. She is a tall, thin dragonfolk with severe features, her scales red and sharp. She has delicate wings and curled horns. Senisalia has devoted five decades of her life to the magistrate, having tried thousands of cases, and is considered incorruptible. With a fearless reputation, she is unpopular amongst the Meritocrats, as she is as likely to bring charges against them as a criminal, but holds the favor of the people and several key Premiers, making her unimpeachable. She is ultimately fair, eschewing morality in favor of the law, and makes it a point not to interfere with politics. Not only a legal talent, Senisalia started her career as a Bridge Knight, having ascended to the rank of captain before becoming a magister.

The university oversees thousands of students at any given time. Unlike most of the city, it welcomes non-citizens, allowing them to live in local dormitories and espouses an egalitarian approach to its acceptance. Still, there’s an obvious classist disparity, as only those with money can afford to pay tuition and keep up with a full class load. Those that graduate find an immense number of doors open to them, as the respect and skills that come with a degree are highly valued within Bridgemoor and beyond.

'''Arcane.''' INT/Arcana of 15+

'''Civil.''' INT/History 13+

If successful, the player becomes an official [[student]] of the Meritocratium and gains +2 Goodwill with the Academic occupation. To make progress as a student, a player must attend classes for 8 hours every 7 days for an entire semester. There are 12 semesters in a year, each consisting of 30 days, and a student must pay 250 sc per semester they attend, with the first one included in their entry tuition. A player may choose not to attend a semester and keep their status as a student, but they must still pay the fees even though they do not advance that semester.

A player must succeed 2 out of 4 checks to complete a semester. If failed, the player loses 1 Goodwill from the Academic occupation, and if they fail 3 semesters in a row, they lose their student status. Failing a single semester nets no benefits, and must be taken again. If a player passes a check by double the target, this counts as 2 successes, and they may pass the semester early.  

As an Arcane student, a player needs to make an INT/Arcana check to complete a semester. For each successfully completed, the player learns either 1 Arcane cantrip or spell or may increase their Arcana skill by 1. Arcane classes are more expensive and cost 500 sc per semester.

After completing 4 semesters, a player learns two arcane cantrips of their choice. INT is their magic attribute for these cantrips.

After completing 12 semesters, a player is awarded with an Arcane degree, gains a +1 to their INT, +5 Goodwill with the Academic occupation, and becomes eligible to teach at the university or become a Meritocrat.

As a scholarly student, a player makes rolls based on the skill they used to pass their exam. This includes the CHA or AWR options. For every semester completed, the player may add +1 to a skill depending on their chosen field:

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While there is no official academic tag for talents, the following all qualify. These can all be found via the ''Core Rulebook,'' chapter 5, “Skill Stack”.

'''Talents:''' Astronomer, Biologist, Calligrapher, Careful Appraiser, Cartographer, Chemist, Eavesdropper, Economist, Empathic, Engineer, Forgery, Geographer, Gossipper, Historian, Intelligent, Jack of all Trades, Knowledgeable, Lawyer, Medic, Persuasive, Politician.

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If a player graduates from the Meritocratium, or possesses at least +10 Goodwill with the Academic occupation, they may put on a guest lecture once every 30 days. To do this, a player must spend at least 4 hours at the university, and may roll any skill they possess at least 5 points in, and has an academic application. For instance, a character may not use DEX/Sneaking, but may use INT/Religion, despite it not being taught. The results depend on the following checks:

Only a total of 5 Goodwill can be gained as a lecturer, and if a player gains that much Goodwill they may take 1 rank in the [[Archivist]] profession.

Within the foundations of Bridgemoor lies the Underbridge: a series of complex waterways, storage spaces, and basins. While the city has turned the majority of this massive space into sewers, there are hundreds of storehouses and open spaces that provide refuge away from prying eyes, creating an environment of mystery and ever changing demographics. Rumors of cults, ne'er-do-wells, and even entire “secret districts” run rampant about the Underbridge, with just  as many liable to be true as are false.

The Underbridge sewer is a vast, complex series of cauldrons, waterways, and basins that run the full length and breath of Bridgemoor. Many consider it to be an engineering marvel, a feat of civil ingenuity few civilizations accomplish in their history.  Hundreds of sewer ways connect to drains and Arcane-infused copper pipes that whisk water to every part of the city, making such feats as indoor plumbing, bathhouses, and urban wells a common sight.  

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While the Underbridge Sewers are a grand marvel, they also smell terrible. Facilitating the waste of thousands of tightly packed humanoids leads to nausea-inspiring heights. If players spend more than a hour in the sewers or fall/enter the sewage, they must make a DC 8 END check or become Sickened until they can breath fresh or, or the condition is cured via a spell. This DC is modified, increasing by 1 per hour players have spent in the sewers.

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While navigating the endless sewer corridors, the players come upon a small, empty storage room, the iron-joints of its doors gnawed off. Inside the room are piles of refuse and rotting food liberated from trash cast-aside from above the bridge, along with 10 '''Dire Rats'''. These rats are sitting in a circle around a massive [[Dire Rat]], one that can speak. This rat refers to herself as Queen Ratina, and is content with her small kingdom of rats within the Underbridge. She is rather regal, and will ask players if they wish to pay tribute to the Rat Queen.

Players can donate currency, items, or food to satisfy Ratina.  

Queen Ratina has the stats of a '''[[Druid]] (Greater)''', and if attacked, she and her subjects will scatter into burrowed holes into the foundations.

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''Helm, Rare, Essence 30''

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Amidst the roving sewage of the sewers the occasional item goes missing. While traveling the depths, the party comes across a strangely vibrant glint with an exposed water way. Beneath the muck and grime, something shines within.  

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In a distant corridor the sounds of a husky, bellowing voice echoes off the earthen stone in the form of a terribly out of tune melody. Should players explore this, they’ll come across what appears to be a creature risen out of the sewage. Created from stray Arcane magics imbued into the Underbridge’s foundations, the source of the voice is a fondly named Excrement Elemental, or has they like to call themselves: Mordecai. Mordecai is friendly, and has nothing but respect for humanoids that traverse the sewers, as they envy the adventurers’ intrepid spirit.

If necessary, Mordecai has the stats of a '''[[Water Elemental]]''', only they deal toxic damage in place of cold. Mordecai can be met multiple times.

A strange, squawking cry rebounds from the stone stones; shrill, it pierces the eeriness of the sewer with a curious tone. The flickering shadow of a massive, winged creature appears at the edge of the light, its harrowing gait approaching ever faster. As it nears, the full form of the beast manifests. No larger than a cat, the creature’s feathers are disheveled and dismayed, its wings flapping in anticipation of its approach while the elongated rat-like tail flickers behind its thin frame.

While traveling the sewers, if this event is rolled again, the heroes will stumble upon the nest naturally. They may rest here safely, protected by the gryphons if they helped the stray.

A series of flickering flames in the distance alerts the heroes to the presence of some forgotten dregs of society. Within one of the freshwater basins an assortment of dozens of urchins, maybe even hundreds, have set up a series of lean-tos, tents, cookfires, and wall-mounted torches for light, using the city’s waste and trash to get by. The urchins use the basin for their water and occasionally venture into the streets of Westbridge to steal, forage, and search for others that may be lost above-bridge. Most of the children here share the same story: either they were separated from their parents during a toll crossing, or were left behind after an arrest or Underbridge Cult attack.

The colony is led by fraternal twins, Spicket and Widget, a human brother-sister pair that take no nonsense and are strangely good at what they do. Spicket, the brother, has the stats of a '''[[Physician]]''' (with +1 INT and rolls INT/Medicine at +10), and Widget, the fiercely protective sister, has the stats of a '''[[Hex Witch]]''' (both from ''CC,'' chapter 4, “NPCs”), though she keeps her powers a secret. They will be suspicious of the heroes at first, as they are of all adults, but CHA or INT checks of 15+ will convince them to allow the heroes access to the colony. Once in, there is a fair amount the heroes can do here. If it becomes necessary, use '''Thug''' or '''Bandit''' stats for random urchins.

If the heroes wish, they can aid the colony in a myriad of ways.

'''Foodstuffs.''' Heroes can give the urchins rations or meals. For every 5 portions (or days) worth of food they give, they’ll gain +1 Goodwill with the Urchin Colony.  

The urchins do not want to be saved—they’re doing just fine in the sewers—but they appreciate aid when they can get it. If the heroes foster Goodwill, they can use this as a resource to call on the colony for aid, trading Goodwill for certain favors both usable in the sewer and above-bridge. See the Urchin Colony Goodwill table for exchanges, and Goodwill is cashed in with either Spicket or Widget.

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Within the colony, the heroes can find Bramblepatch, an auspicious [[Bhrunai]] 10-year old and merchant extraordinaire. If the heroes spend 2 of their Urchin Colony Goodwill, Bramblepatch will open up their store. Bramblepatch sells all basic equipment (no weapons, armor, or food) at 50% of its normal value, and has the stats of a '''[[Dwarf]] Navigator''' (''CC'', chapter 4, “NPCs”) with a +2  to their AWR. More importantly, though, Bramblepatch will offer their black market goods. When heroes open the black market, have them roll a d100. Bramblepatch will have the following available depending on the roll, which refreshes on spending Goodwill every 24 hours:

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'''Writ of Credit.''' Bramblepatch doesn’t know the value of the writ. On purchase, you or the adventurers roll 5d10 then multiply the result by 10 for the value (in sc) of the writ.  

If players wish, they can reveal the location of the colony to city officials. The Bridge Knights, Magistrate, Meritocrats, and Trade Consortium will be interested in this information. Reporting the colony grants the heroes +3 Goodwill with that organization and removes the urchins from the event list, as most scatter. Doing this removes any Urchin Goodwill, and if an adventure possesses a poppet doll from Widget, it will explode in a purple [[mist]].

The sewers are prone to strange events from stray Arcane magics borne into its foundations to random extraplanar visitors. This can manifest in any number of ways, and the following options are provided for you, as the MythCrafter, to develop and create your own. Use any number of the below suggestions for prompts:

'''The Sewer Knight.''' Above-bridge may be ruled by the Bridge Knights, but the sewers are the domain of Ser Bartholomew of Bridigins. Ser Bartholomew is a strangely intelligent '''[[Gretchling]]''' (''CC'', “Gretchlings”). He possesses an INT of 2 and a STR of 4, wields a Hero’s Standard (''Mythcrafter’s Guide,'' chapter 7, “Magic Item Codex”) and wears a suit of gilded plate. Bartholomew believes in righteousness, and vows to aid those deemed worthy (he is a ranking Vigilant, somehow). If poor Bartholomew is killed, his standard becomes mundane, as its powers were born only of his fervent goodness.

If you roll for combat you can use the following for prepared encounters. These are suggestions, and may need adjustment depending on the strength of the party and number of players. Difficulty is based around a party of 4, with levels ranging between 4-8.  

From individuals chased from the city into the sewers, to mages dabbling in the profane, occult encounters are rare but are known to happen within the sewers. These encounters are '''difficult''' due to their strange natures.

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Maybe the most common incursion within the sewers. Rats, spiders, and other vermin thrive in the waste-filled Underbridge.

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Many criminals escape to and live in the Underbridge while cultists are a common inhabitant. They’ll often ambush anyone they can in the darkness in an effort to gain an upper hand.

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<nowiki>*</nowiki>Use the stats of a Bridge Knight.

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!Party Level

<nowiki>*</nowiki>Corrupted Gretchlings use standard '''Gretchling''' stats, but are under the control of the fiendish Gratchen, making them hostile.  

A strange and mysterious section of the Underbridge, the Rust Gate lies between four central water basins beneath Westbridge. These basins are empty, and no pipes or waterways feed into them, as if intentionally designed to be separate. The gate itself is a massive constructed wrought from iron and covered in Arcane wards and runes. It is impenetrable by spells, divination, or teleportation, and physical attempts to breach it result in an equal degree of force blown back at the offender. No scholar or mage in the known history of Bridgemoor has been able to open the gate, and no one living has any clue to its purpose.  

The gate can be used for any number of encounters. Anyone that spends more than 24 hours here, though, must make CHA checks or slowly lose their mind. Any spells or items that protect against [[Psionic Spells|Psionic spells]] will remove the need for these rolls. The DC starts at 5, then increases by 1 for each day spent within sight of the gate. The DC decreases by 1 for every 24 hours spent away from the gate.

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Whenever an adventurer fails a CHA check by the gate, they temporarily decrease their INT by 2 and increase their AWR by 1. Should their INT drop to -4, the adventurer becomes incapable of coherent speech and their WILL defense becomes 0. They will refuse to leave the gate then, and if they remain in the gate’s presence, they will become a '''[[Hungering Shade]]''' in 1d6+1 days.  

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=== Westbridge ===

==== '''Temple District''' ====

Smaller than any major city district, this one consists of four compounds that all face a large, public square, where more religious inclined merchants, denizens, and organizations set up during day-time hours.  

The Moorian Temple of Vigil is less militant than many of its kind. Due to its contract with the city, Vigil paladins and other warriors are given less creedence to operate within the city walls, making this construction a more serious place of worship. The temple itself is a white-stone construct, four stories tall and has a slew of support buildings for local [[clergy]] and worship shrines for Celestials and Avatars. It keeps a modest wealth, not nearly as well funded as other Vigilant centers, but perhaps more earnest in spirit.  

Here, adventurers can liaison with the more benevolent forces of the divine. If they possess +5 Religious Goodwill in Bridgemoor, they can rest safely at the temple for free. Otherwise, Saphira will allow an adventurer to join the ranks of the Vigilant. There are no requirements for service. On joining, an adventurer will feel a divine influence about their person and can begin to accrue Vigilant Goodwill.  

This Goodwill is earned even if there is no one around to witness the act.

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The temple possesses 1d10+5 scrolls at any time. These scrolls refresh every 15 days and can be any Divine spell of an SPC cost of 15 or less. Whenever you roll to refresh scrolls, you or your players can roll a d100. If the result is 50 or higher, the temple will have 1d8 extra scrolls of an SPC cost of 25 or less.

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A purely militant compound, the order has managed to convince Bridgemoor to allow it to operate within its walls, if only by the grace of Governor Arinwin. The Bridge Knights are vocal opponents of the order, and it possesses little to no authority, only allowed to act as independent mercenary guards for those that seek out its services—meaning order members cannot [[intervene]] in violent confrontation, lest they suffer legal consequences. Still, the order persists, if mostly for their interest in snuffing out the Underbridge Cult and other occultic activities in the surrounding areas.  

The ranking chapter member is Sera Nessacourias Elian, an elven [[Paladin]] of an iron will and a fervent adherence to her beliefs. She has incurred several fines levied from the Magistrate due to illegal interference, but refuses to budge on her stances, making her rather popular with the Westbridge locals. Players can speak to Nessacourias to join the Darkscourge.

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“From this day, upon my life, I pledge my sword, my soul, my worth, to seek out those that spread the vile curse of chaos and will see their misdeeds brought to an end. I will be the beacon in the night, the [[terror]] of ill intent, forever and for always, I will be the scourge of the dark.”

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This Goodwill requires at least one witness to the act, or for the deeds to be reported to an order member.

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|One hero may advance to the next rank of the Knight profession. This cannot advance Knight beyond rank 3.

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The House of Alms is run by Sorrowstone, an elder Bhrunai of immense patience and empathy. Sorrowstone has dedicated much of his life to caring for the sick and can be seen among the ranks of his physicians and healers, helping where he can despite his aging hands.  

Players can receive healing at the house, donate to help the people of Bridgemoor, or work as a physician themselves.

'''Work.''' The House of Alms is always looking for individuals to help. If an adventurer wishes to, they can spend blocks of 8 hours aiding those at the house. They can choose to work for pay or donate their time. When doing either, they roll an INT/Medicine check, with results depending on their roll:

'''Skill Check of Less Than 13'''

'''Skill Check of 13'''

'''Skill Check of 18'''

'''Skill Check of 25+'''

'''Shrineyard.''' The courtyard of the temple district, the Shrineyard is where small religious delegations set up small, mobile shrines and preach their various doctrines to their Moorian flocks. During day-time hours, the yard is active with priests and preachers, clergy, and other such individuals hoping to bring peace or recruit for their divines. This is also a common spot for beggars to frequent, begging for alms while relying on the more generous spirit of their religious neighbors.  

These markets are less prone to Bridge Knight patrols and given less attention by magistrate officials. They get by with only monthly inspections to check writs of sales, catalog goods, and to levy a 3% sales tax on profitable merchants for every 30 days of income. Theft and less scrupulous behavior occurs more often in Westbridge than in other districts, but it is still not considered to be rampant.    

The following are events that can occur within the markets. Combat encounters are rare here, as Darkscourge members and Bridge Knights are never too far from trouble. Combats of less than four rounds can escape notice, so long as no civilians report it.

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|Skirmish!

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Adventurers can also report the urchin and turn them over to authorities, earning  +1 Mercantile and Militant Goodwill.  

'''Flash Sale.''' The markets are flooded with customers today, leading to steep discounts. Any goods purchased from the Western Markets are done so at a 20% additional discount for the next 8 hours.

You may have Darkscourge or Bridge Knights show up to aid players if the skirmish is too dangerous.

Instead, on a difficult or higher encounter, you may have a Darkscourge Paladin (or Nessacourias herself) approach the adventures and offer to have them join the order, bypassing the fee and combat test.

The Grove is run by Gaspard Greenwright, a human druid with sharp, severe features and a calm disposition. He has the stats of a '''[[Druid (Greater)]]''' (CC, chapter 4, “NPCs”).

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The Grove possesses 1d4+3 scrolls at any time. These scrolls refresh every 7 days and can be any Primal spell of an SPC cost of 10 or less. Whenever you roll to refresh scrolls, you or your players can roll a d100. If the result is 50 or higher, The Grove will have 1d4 extra scrolls of an SPC cost of 30 or less.

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Citizens can purchase weapons and armor directly from the forge, an honor only available to non-citizens with express permission from a Meritocrat. Equipment purchased here is done so at its base base cost, but is of superior quality. Weapons, even though they are mundane, grant a +1 bonus to attacks, and armor reduces speed by 5 ft. less and has its minimum STR requirement lowered by 1. Shields (except for tower, which possess the armor benefit) gain +1 to their Physical [[Resistance]].

The Bridge Knights keep a tight and close eye on the operations, going so far as to run daily patrols around the mine’s exterior. While undoubtedly they do this to prevent theft or malfeasance, practicing vigilance so close to the chasm is necessary—as one never knows what might crawl its way out of the depths. Only the most secure Bridge Knights are authorized to watch the mines, as there are thousands of sc worth of material carted to the surface daily, and the temptation can be too much for some.

The compound possesses its own walls and is set up like a small fort, complete with a barracks, armory, and granary. It acts as the seat of power in Nalatown, with Karak assuming his position as a local “governor”, employing anywhere between 50 to 60 Bridge Knights in its regular garrison. While Karak can be abusive in his power, he does retain order, and does not actively harass locals—so long as they stay in line, and ensures that mercantile traffic is well protected.

|A Tad Bit Unhinged

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Heroes can turn in the merchant and supply for +2 Militant (or Bridge Knight) Goodwill, +1 Aristocratic Goodwill, and -3 Mercantile Goodwill. Additionally, an adventurer may spend 3 Urchin Colony Goodwill to call upon a nearby ally to “liberate” some of the material. Roll 5d10 and multiply the result by 10 in this case for the “acquired” Avadrium.

Helping the individual nets +3 Social (or Bridgemoor Commoner) Goodwill. If combat occurs, heroes suffer -3 Goodwill with the Bridge Knights and an additional +1 Aristocratic Goodwill. If any of the heroes is a deputy, magistrate, or Meritocrat, DCs are reduced by 5.

Moorian inns are a common sight, with most of them positioned in some proximity to the central road that runs from tollgate to tollgate. They are always packed, full of travelers and merchants making the day-long trek across the city, and are a great place to rest, eat, and trade information. Such inns are a wealth of culture, ideas, and information, with constant passers-by and locals looking to network.

'''Theft.''' Desperate locals and enterprising thieves haunt Moorian inns for a quick score. There’s a 20% chance (roll on a d100) that adventurers staying in a non-luxury room are robbed while Taking a Rest. If this occurs, thieves can be caught or noticed with 13+ AWR checks. If failed, the targeted adventurer loses 10% of their carried currency. You can ignore this mechanic if it proves too troublesome or irritating for your table.

'''Whisper Network.''' Within the Moorian inns exists a group of linked information brokers. Bartenders, merchants, or otherwise shady individuals, the whisper network is a paradoxically known quantity that no one knows anything about. The network takes coin in exchange for information, and seems to know a little about everything, if not a lot about anything. On entering an inn, roll a d100. On a 50 or higher, that inn will have a Whisperer informant, identified by a small marking nearby of a dagger kept within a raised hood. This symbol can be sussed out with DC 15+ AWR checks.

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!Cost

'''Skill Check of 13'''

'''Skill Check of 18'''

'''Skill Check of 25+'''

An adventurer can only earn as much as +5 Social Goodwill, and cannot earn any money at the same in more than twice every 7 days. If that much Goodwill is earned, that adventurer may take their first rank in the Entertainer profession, or advance their current rank to a maximum of rank 3.

==== '''Toll Stations''' ====

==== '''Moor Blocks''' ====

City blocks in Bridgemoor are tightly knight, inner city communities. These residential blocks are stacked, apartment-like housing that can go as high as four or five stories, with dozens to hundreds of people living in each. Many have their own small economies, keeping shops and taverns and artisans contained within, and can even form their own subcultures depending on who settles there. Some even foster community gardens or raise livestock, each able to thrive as a small hamlet within the city at large. Multiple blocks are usually under the purview of a junior magistrate that becomes an essential community member, sometimes even acting as a liaison to the Bureaucracy.