|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Before I recently got a spark to revisit Curse of the Crimson Throne and begin planning a new campaign, I had spent the past 6 or so months digging into "Ptolus." My wife bought me the Big Book back in 2006 to celebrate my new teaching job, and since then it had been skimmed but not thoroughly read or used.
For our new CotCT campaign, I'll be borrowing elements from Ptolus to create a unique flavor for Korvosa. The biggest departure from Golarion-core will be a more advanced level of technology. It won't be anything on par with Eberron (where I DMed games for many years), but I do want to use its presence as a way to differentiate Korvosans from the Shoanti.
The game will be D&D 4E, and I love the Primal power source as developed by Mike Mearls in "Primal Power"; this will be strongly associated with the Shoanti. I'm not thinking too much about the ripple effect of technology on other areas of Varisia and Golarion, since the campaign will contained to the Adventure Path and I don't plan to continue it past "Crown of Fangs." However, I'm toying with a tech-boom in Cheliax having happened along with the infernal infusion, and Korvosans adopting this technology in an effort to court favor.
So, a sort of 'purity of nature versus the corruption of technology' theme.
Here are my thoughts on using specific parts of Ptolus in Korvosa; please share your own if you've got 'em! Before the campaign starts, I might also revisit "Sharn: City of Towers" and add some things from there, too. I love city books.
GENERAL ELEMENTS, PERSONALITIES, AND PLACES
Firearms and technology (p. 37)--elevate the level of technology to include firearms/black powder, spyglasses, pocket watches, spectacles, printing presses, hot air balloons, and steam engines
Heliothil (p. 46)--mined by the dwarves of Janderhoff and used in the construction of the few existing airships
Noble Houses (p. 87-100)--as appropriate, use these additional details to flesh out the noble families existing in Korvosa
Brotherhood of Redemption (p. 107-108)--a sect of the local Church of Abadar focused on “domesticating” monstrous humanoids and bringing them into the fold of civilization
Keepers of the Veil (p. 119-121)--use additional details for the Church of Pharasma in Gray District
The Shuul (p. 131-133)--borrow elements from these for the Queen’s Physicians
The Vai (p. 139-140)--analogous to the Red Mantis cult
The City Watch (p. 150-153)--use additional details to describe the Korvosan Guard, and add Guardhouses (Watchhouses) and warning bells throughout the city
The Dockmaster’s Tower (p. 172-173)--add both the Dockmaster and Secki to the tower on the Jeggare River between Midland and North Point
The Foundry (p. 186)--analogous to the Ironworks of Old Korvosa, minus the Shuul (GtK p. 30)
The Stockyards (p. 191-192)--analogous to the Horse Shop (GtK p. 14)
Cloud Theater (p. 201)--analogous to Marbledome in the Heights (GtK p. 21)
The Ghostly Minstrel (p. 204)--analogous to the Posh and Turtle, adding a "viewing area" for Old Tom (GtK p. 26)
The Griffon (p. 206)--use map for the Three Rings Tavern (GtK p. 26)
Iridithil’s Home (p. 207-209)--analogous to the Mierani enclave led by Perishial Kalissreavil in South Shore
Darthalis Temester (p. 305)--add him and the Book Wagon to Gold Market in Midland (GtK p. 22)
The Smoke Shop (p. 310)--add to the area near the Dock Trade in North Point (GtK p. 24)
Clock Tower (p. 319)--add to the same area as City Hall in North Point (GtK p. 25)
Secret Hall (p. 332)--add to the Merciless Cliffs near the Temple of Asmodeus; meeting place for Ileosa and the Red Mantis
Temple of Gaen (p. 385-386)--use for the Bank of Abadar (GtK p. 26)
Temple Observatory of the Watcher of the Skies (p. 389-390)--add to the grounds of Theumanexus College in East Shore (GtK p. 13)
The Godsday Festival and Tournament (p. 392-393)--use to flesh out the Founding Festival (p. 36)
MAPS
The Savage Shark (p. 175)--rough tavern near the docks, perhaps near the Old Fishery
Typical Workshops (p. 181)--various shops and businesses throughout the city (smithy, rope maker, wainwright, tannery)
Typical Warehouse (p. 182)--warehouse
The Foundry (p. 186)--use for the Ironworks in Old Korvosa
The Stockyards (p. 192)--use for the Horse Shop in East Shore
Typical Houses (p. 197)--use for smaler houses throughout Korvosa
Typical Store (p. 200, 309, 311, 353)--use for stores throughout the city (bookseller, wine merchant, baker, glassblower, chest shop, beer seller, pipes/tobacco/components, cloak shop, map shop, feed store, lamps & lanterns)
The Ghostly Minstrel (p. 204)--use for the Posh and Turtle in North Point
The Griffon (p. 206)--use for the Three Rings Tavern in North Point
Iridithil’s Home (p. 207)--use for the Mierani enclave in South Shore
North Point Restaurant (p. 214)--use for restaurants in the city
The Onyx Spider (p. 215-216)--use for the Sticky Mermaid in Old Korvosa (GtK p. 29)
St. Gustav’s Chapel (p. 220)--use for a church as needed
The Siege Tower (p. 237)--use for the Grand Cathedral of Pharasma, with the Meeting Hall and Barracks replaced with a sanctuary similar to St. Gustav’s Chapel (p. 220), in Gray district (GtK p. 15)
Swordthrower’s Social Club (p. 300-301)--add to North Point as the de facto headquarters of the Cerulean Society
Open Market (p. 303)--use for Gold Market in Midland (GtK p. 22)
Typical Apartment (p. 336)--use for apartments, especially in Cliffside and Pillar Hill
Typical House (p. 347)--use for larger houses throughout Korvosa
Temple of Gaen (p. 386)--use for the Bank of Abadar (GtK p. 26)
Watcher of the Skies Observatory (p. 390)--add to the grounds of Theumanexus College in East Shore (GtK p. 13)