The Sandswept City
A work in progress! Edits and changes to come!
One could almost swear the sands drew nearer the way a hunter stalked its prey. It's no wonder travel in the south is difficult these days... Though, surely, someone could brave the sands to see our neighbors to the south?Welcome, adventurers to this one-shot / short adventure set in the world of Malkora!
Preparing for Adventure
The Sandswept City is intended to be an adventure for newer adventurers, something to the effect of a level 1-3 adventure in the terms of D&D5e. The results of this adventure, however, are meant to open up future exploration opportunities for these same players at higher levels later on — if the campaign continues! This is not a combat-focused adventure and may, in fact, include very little depending on player choices. Roleplay and exploration are most prevalent here.Who Will You Be?
The ideal characters for this adventure are explorers, survivalists, mercenaries, and researchers. There is little to no expectation of combat, so characters who do not excel in it will not be a hindrance. These characters should bring with them a curiosity about the dangers of the world, and a desire to help others.Systems?
This adventure is written with no particular game system in mind. Keep in mind, Malkora is, for the most part, devoid of magic users. New adventurers would more than likely not have any exposure to magic at all, let alone the ability to wield it. However, if this adventure hits your table, you are welcome to run it however you like.An expedition through the ever-encroaching Melocazh Barrens!
by Strixxline via Midjourney
Mythical Creatures / Monsters
Mystery / Investigation
Ruins / Ruined Settlements
Cave Exploration
Want Secrets?
Certain articles may have additional secrets for GMs — pick the role that suits you!Seeker — Player Knowledge
Dawnbringer — GM Secrets
Introduction to the Setting
Set in the Kingdom of Arsavela, a land of rolling fields and ample farmland, you find yourself in an agricultural gem of the world. Distinctly non-magical in its landscape, those who reside here are largely unaware that magic exists at all — this may very well be true of your characters as well.
The notable exception is divine magic, typically referred to as "miracles" and "blessings."
The Barrens
It is well-known that Arsavela has always been an ideal land for agriculture, but a threat encroaches from the south, driving many to fear for the future of their lands, both in terms of their livelihoods and their homes. The Melocazh Barrens in Arsavela's south appears to creep northward, scattering sands sometimes as far as the homesteads of the Harvest Belt.
Map of Arsavela by Strixxline
by Strixxline via Midjourney
Welcome to Aurel
This adventure begins in the city of Aurel, nation-state and capitol of the kingdom itself. It's a bustling city, full of life and different wonders, though one could argue it to be far more conservative now than it ever used to be. Tensions in the city have been high since the Alabaster Hand took power in the kingdom. They were fervent worshipers of Atreimus, the Purifier; Aurel has always been a deeply faithful city, but worship of this god has become most prevalent since. People come to this city for a wide breadth of reasons, whether for pilgrimage and worship, tradecraft and business, or even simply for the social life. Most Savelans who reside outside city walls are simple people, farmers living in rural communities.Why Are You Here?
Each player should consider their reasons for being in the city, prior to being hired for their upcoming job. Or, were they not in the city at all? If so, why would they have been scouted for this adventure?
Great job in getting this made in only a week or 2. I love that the end is a no-win encounter, as I think they happen to be wonderful things to include in one shots, especially if those one shots are used for sneaky historical worldbuilding, as this on could be.
Thank you so much! This really was a race to completion, but I think I have the base to something great here! A no-win encounter is a fun thing that I don't see pop up often enough! We're so used to fighting our way through everything and being the strongest thing in the room, but surely there are unbeatable horrors to be found in every world! It's fun to explore how different characters handle situations they realize they can't brute force through. And this absolutely was a way to sneak in some more worldbuilding. Building more connections to concepts that I started writing years ago! :D
Seek a new dawn, in Malkora!
The Feral Sovereign sleeps peacefully, but will return...