Hey gang,
I did a sequence of these for my players in an online game and think I'm going to give them out to my regular PnP players as well, since the information is useful and might shove them out of the pattern of saying, "we go into town and eat/sleep/buy something."
Here's the first - You'll note, I switched the comment about the Gar being the best place to eat ("he is wrong") and the Rusty Bucket to fit with how I described them both. Feel free to reverse this, if it better fits your descriptions.
"Taverns & Places to Stay"
The Emporium runs a tavern on the second floor that doubles as a gambling casino. All sorts of games can be played there, though Dragonchess (a complex three-board version of chess incorporating a variety of pieces) is not available here. The food is of middling quality, as is the entertainment. Prices are relatively cheap, though, so you get what you pay for. A Brothel is run on the upper floor where, it is said, you can get anything you want for a price. The lower floor is home to an unusual menagerie that includes a two-headed calf, a gorgeous card-reader who is strangely right most of the time, a terrifically ugly but amazingly dextrous contortionist, and the "wild man" Shag Solomon. Shag is occasionally seen about town and in the casino, wearing noble clothes, a monocle and talking philosophy. Rooms can be rented on the fourth floor, but it is usually not the best place, given that the room next to you might be busy all night if you know what I mean.
Lazare's House is a high-end restaurant that focuses on good quality food and drink and has Dragonchess boards and pieces for rent for a gold piece. Lazare's daughter, Dannath, is a pretty one, and Lazare is quite defensive about her. She's so pretty, in fact, that many whisper that she's not Lazare's by his wife, but rather an elven maiden Lazare was taken with many years ago. She is in her late teens these days... There are no rooms available here.
The Feral Dog - Just like Lazare's is upscale, the Feral Dog is the opposite. Cheap ale, cheaper beer, barfights and bawdy minstrels rule this place, though the ultimate destination is a sunken ring where dogs are fought for gambling purposes. Most of these dogs are skinny, scrawny things that don't stand a chance against the professionals, but that doesn't matter - so long as the dog survives long enough, he makes the split and money can still be made. The Feral Dog is ruled over by a massive half-orc albino with a strange glyph tattooed onto his forehead and his cronies. Anyone stupid enough to spend the night in the Feral Dog deserves to lose everything he has and wake up naked in the square (which sometimes happens).
The Midnight Salute is a cheaper alternative to the brothel on the third floor of the Emporium and is a frequent place to find members of the Garrison when off-duty. It is close to the Spinning Giant and the owner of the Salute, a lady who calls herself The Purple Prose, apparently knows the owner of the Giant. Rooms are not available here to anyone not partaking in the Salute's... goods...
The Spinning Giant - A tavern with a large round tower hanging off one end of the place, it is entered through the painted-on legs of "Flailing Felanore" who was captured long ago and used to dance on the large stage to whatever music was played. Beloved by the people of Diamond Lake, she died during the Red Death plague that struck the area some 20-odd years ago. The Spinning Giant has quite a range of drinks, though the prices are somewhat higher than the rest of town (save Lazare's). The food is not the best, however, since it is usually served to Garrison members who are used to eating rather bland food and think just about anything is better than what they get at chow time. This is a drinking establishment that offers food. There are no rooms.
The Able Carter Coaching Inn - Not really a tavern, this coach house contains a small bar and can provide good quality food to visitors staying in Diamond Lake before going on to other parts in the Cairn Hills. Carriages that embark from this point can carry people to anywhere in the region for a fee. Rooms are also available here, but are slightly more expensive. Again, however, you get what you pay for. The rooms are quiet, single, and come with good goosedown pillows and comforters over a feather bed.
The Rusty Bucket is a decent tavern that tends to draw those of the "middle class" - ie. those who are not working in the mines and can afford more than "chips and beer" for dinner. It is not as good as Lazare's, but not as expensive either. There are no rooms available here. The owner of the Bucket frequently claims that his is the best restaurant in Diamond Lake. He is wrong.
The Hungry Gar is another tavern that focuses more on the mine worker-type clientele, which means their food is cheap, but it is also of cheap quality. The drinks are cheap as well, but everyone knows that they're also watered down. No beds are available here, but drunkards have been known to spend the night on the floor or in a corner on occasion.
Part Two of the Handouts -
"Places of Interest"
There is a lot of information provided in the game writeup that anyone in town would know. I suggest you look through it from time to time - I am working on getting a larger version with the locations numbered so you can find things.
Until then, if you have a question regarding one of the locales, just ask. If you are going to go somewhere, please let me know where. Don't just say, "we find a tavern and..." - which tavern are you going to? The clientele will be different at each, as will the requirements for getting in...
Do not be afraid to have your characters frequent the brothels. It is a common occurrence (though if Breya starts to, things will get a little wierd) and any "diseases" you might get are carefully watched over by the temple of St. Cuthbert, which charges a nominal fee for such services. After all, wouldn't want some sort of terrible "sex-related" thing to rip through town and go ruining the economy, would we?
Note that you can sell gemstones, jewelry and art at Tidwoads.
You can sell or have potions identified at Benazel the Alchemist's place at the Smelting House.
It is said that Allustan will answer questions based on his research for a fee and can identify magical items "just by looking at them for a while" (not that any of you have ever seen a magic item and recognized it for what it was).
Masterwork quality armor can be found at the Osgood Smithy, up to and including anything costing up to 900gp (the limit for any item to be found anywhere within Diamond Lake - anything more than that can be sent off for in the Free City of Greyhawk).
Regular items (rope, tinderboxes, torches, foodstuffs for the road, etc.) can be bought at Tagin's General Store.
Venelle's is the place to go for Masterwork or Mighty ranged weapons.
The Captain's Blade is the place to go for Masterwork swords and other melee weapons.
THERE IS NO MAGIC EMPORIUM IN DIAMOND LAKE. You cannot simply purchase magic items, unless the shop owners happen to have a few (and some of them do). If you wish to purchase magical items later on in the campaign, you will have to find some way to have them shipped from the Free City. The only exceptions to this are potions at Benazel's and scrolls at Allustan's residence.
Part Three of the Handouts
This piece has been reproduced in the "Write Up of Diamond Lake" thread, but goes with the first two.
1. The Emporium – Casino, whorehouse, freak show – very popular, garish & gaudy.
• Run by Zalamandra.
• Shag Solomon (Wildman aristocrat)
• Tom Shingle (misshapen contortionist)
• Ariello Klint (Halfling sorcerer)
• A two-headed calf named Esmerelda, Jr.
• Chezabet, a beautiful card-reading bard.
2. Lazare’s House – Cozy gaming parlor focusing on Dragonchess. Upper class.
• Run by Lazare
• Daughter Dannath
• Khellek the Mage is a frequent attendee
• Chaum Gansworth & Luzanne Parin are regulars
3. The Feral Dog – Very busy, sleazy tavern
• Overseen by a half-orc named Kullen
• Tirra the Half-Elf is a regular
4. Church of St. Cuthbert
• Led by Jierian Wierus, a fiery orator
• Acolyte - Hameneezer
5. Tidwoad’s
• Run by a gnome named Tidwoad, keeps bank vaults, buys/sells gems
• Keeps a Shield Guardian named Festus
• Gnomish visitors frequently lodge upstairs
6. Sheriff’s Office
• Sheriff Cubbin (a boisterous alcoholic)
• Deputy Jamis
• 6 constables
• Local jail
7. General Store
• Run by Tagin (Human)
• Just about anything that isn’t armor or weapons or magical
8. The Hungry Gar
• Restaurant run by Gul Tortikan
9. Jalek’s Flophouse
• Run by a massive, helmeted mute named Golot
• Owned by a fellow named Jalek, who lives near the top of the structure, but is rarely ever seen
• An ancient warehouse turned into housing
10. Smenk Residence
• A sodden old mansion a century past its time
• Owned by Balabar Smenk, owner of four mines in Diamond Mine
• Guarded by three hired guards
• Front door is always open during daylight hours
11. Deepspike Mine
12. Garrison
• Run by Captain Tolliver Trask, an aging, distinguished man
• Chief Cartographer Dietrik Cicaeda can be found here.
• Chief Scout Merris Sandover can be found here
• Lieutenants Dobrun Trent, Mikkela Venderin & Trovost Skunt
• 60 Soldiers
• A chapel of Heieroneous can be found here
i. Valkus Dun – High Priest (tall, handsome)
ii. Velias Childramun - aging priest
iii. Melinde’ – young warrior priestess
13. Lakeside Stables
• Run by Lanch Faraday – portly half-elf
• Does not have the best reputation
14. The Midnight Salute
• House of Ill-Repute
• Run by an elf woman known as “Purple Prose.”
• Less expensive than the Emporium (Area #1)
15. The Spinning Giant
• Tavern with a painting of “Flailing Felanore” – a giantess who was captured 40 years ago
• Contains a decent quality stage
• Home to the local Garrison when off-duty
16. The Captain’s Blade
• Run by Tyrol Ebberly, a severe-looking man who claims to have once been a Watch Captain in Greyhawk.
• Focus on Masterwork melee weapons
17. Venelle’s
• Run by Venelle, a female human ranger
• Built of pine logs
• Focus on Masterwork bows and arrows.
• Can import from Greyhawk
18. Allustan’s Residence
• Home of Allustan, “The smartest man in town.”
• Sage & Wizard
19. Tilgast Residence
• Home to Gelch Tilgast, one of the mine owners
• A beautiful mansion with separate stables inside a stockade wall.
• Wealthy visitors can pay 1gp/day to stable horses
20. Old Piers
• An old sailor named Durskin can ferry folks around in his sloop, called the “Autumn Runner.”
• Also home to the “Harkness” run by a shadowy group called the “Cult of the Green Lady.” – cleaner.
21. Able Carter Coaching Inn
• Hostel (1gp/day)
• Stable (5sp/day)
• Runs a fleet of horse-drawn coaches that can travel the hills.
• Guarded by 4 guards at all times
22. Parrin Residence
• Home of Luzanne Parrin, one of the mine owners
23. Greysmere Covenant
• Home to three dwarven representatives of the stronghold of Greysmere, several days to the south across the Mistmarsh.
• Run by Dulok Blitzhame.
• Councilor Galuth Grobadore
• Councilor Bitris Ruthek
24. Gansworth Residence
• Home to Chaum Gansworth, one of the mine owners
• Memorial Obelisk located outside is dedicated to miners killed in a collapse 70 years ago, that claimed 300 lives.
• Guarded by 5 guards at all times.
25. The Rusty Bucket
• Popular restaurant that used to focus on fish. Green stained-glass windows make for an unusual atmosphere inside.
• Home to three pipers who play regularly
26. Moonmeadow Residence
• Home of Ellival Moonmeadow, the Elven overseer of Diamond Lake’s silver mine.
• Spends most of his time in the company of 6 Gray Elf companions
27. Osgood Smithy
• Run by Manlin Osgood (Human Blacksmith)
• Home of Masterwork armor & household goods
28. Smelting House
• Run by a rarely-seen chief smelter, is the one place in Diamond Mine where all mines have their ore smelted.
• Northwest corner serves as the residence and workshop of Benazel the Alchemist (Potion-maker)
29. Diamond Lake Boneyard
• Overseen by the Cult of the Green Lady, guarded at all times. Rumored to hide a burial plot filled with gold bars that no one has ever found.
30. Neff Manor
• Owned by Governor-Mayor Lanod Neff, sprawling and protected by a wooden stockade wall – home to the political apparatus of Diamond Mine.
31. Dourstone Mine
• Run by Ragnolin Dourstone, one of the mine owners
32. Abandoned Mine
33. Menhirs
• Old stone ring occasionally visited by druids
34. Old Observatory
• Crumbling building that once housed an order of monks obsessed with the heavenly bodies of the nighttime sky.
35. Dourstone Residence
• Home of Ragnolin Dourstone, one of the mine owners.
One last item I've done for my online group and which I will soon reproduce for my PnP crew - I've given nearly all the NPCs in Diamond lake an image, whether it's from the tiny images you can find here on Paizo's site (like the crystal cat I use, only using the human images) or images I've pulled from years of surfing the web.
The general idea is this -
Is Tagin the shop keeper just a set of numbers and the DM's voice, or is he a face you can identify with a type of portrayal the DM offers when you speak to him? Is Venelle attractive, or just normal? Is Luzanne Parrin pretty, or ugly? What does Lord Mayor Lanod Neff look like?
The idea was this - if you only offer images of the major NPCs when the PCs talk to them, smart players might realize that those ARE the important NPCs! Offer them an image of everyone they meet, and suddenly those images might not necessarily give them a clue as to their importance.
After all, it's not like you know when you talk to "Bob the Thug" that he's important to your future... He's just "Bob the Thug!"
Syrinx
Excellent handouts. I'll be giving these out to my players next session. Thanks for posting them!!!
Beldar
I realize of course that I am a late-comer to this thread, but I thought that I should express my gratitude. I think you have done a wonderful job with getting all of this written up Syrinx. I also am planning to use this information in my AOW campaign (which I am going ot be starting very shortly here). Also, may I say that the artwork you've done on your website and DeviantArt is incredible!
Thanks,
Yasha
Syrinx's stuff is here at
http://cyzra.deviantart.com/
Lots of links to other cool artists as well...
also http://fcneko.deviantart.com/gallery/
this is great! I will use this next time I run the Whispering Carin.
On a different but related note - does anyone know where I can find a replacement for the map of diamond lake the came with the original issue?
Anyone have a PDF of this floating about?
I lost mine :(