Area Design Points: An Elmwood Watch's Look & Feel

[dwarvendervish]

"...'Twas the 15th of Eleint in the Year of the Rogue Dragons when our fellowship set foot to the Still Waters, a fine establishment in the seemingly serene hamlet of Elmwood..."

It's been stated that SoZ takes place in 1374 DR, so I think it'd be wise to place the happenings of An Elmwood Watch to 1373. I don't think we need to keep any specific track of time aside from the starting point, but I think it would be feasible to think that the party can wrap things up in Elmwood and head southwest towards Neverwinter (where I think the storyline assumes you come from in SoZ) before the year's end.

Now, what does this have to do with area design? Well, we ought to keep the time of the year in mind while designing areas. When I first started working on the village of Elmwood a while back, I wanted to make it a "fall-ish" area - the leaves of the trees are orange/yellow, but the leaves haven't really fallen yet. All in all, not a great deal of "green" visible.

Thus, my question is: Are you OK with keeping the "fall"-theme for this module? I looked at the Harptosian Calender (i.e. the calendar in Faerun as you probably know.)

Eleint is the equivalent for September. Given that The Moonsea is supposed to be a bit chilly environment (probably akin to Scandinavia from which I scribe these words,) I'd say it'd probably do well for that faded red/orange/yellow/brown look.

I know, I know. Miniscule things that shouldn't really affect anything, but I'm a dork for little things like these and I think that creating the right feel and atmosphere can really add that extra 'oomph' to any module.

[seryn]

I think that sounds great. If anything, the sunny-blue-sky-green-leafed-summer-day type atmosphere seems predominant in the modules I've played (not all that many, to be fair). Integrating the fall colors and even some clouds and rain can give a module a special feel of time and place that makes it stand out and be memorable in a subtle way.

Plus, it's good to point this out early, so if different people end up building different exterior areas, they can all be consistent in their use of autumnal foliage. And to take it even a step further, the shorter daylight hours can be reflected in the module's sunrise/sunset settings, as well as NPCs' clothing choices for the cooler weather.

BTW, I'm not an expert on the different weather patterns within Faerun, so if something I say doesn't jive, just let me know. I realize we want to be appropriate to the geographical area.

[dunniteowl]

I think, when it comes to area lighting & such, dwarvendervish should lead that. Mostly 'cause this is your idea and thus, your vision of the area look should provide a dominant atmosphere. When that is achieved, then you can copy the area lighting parameters and post them here to guide others when they build.

dunniteowl

[dwarvendervish]

Updated the second post, now contains pretty much the full spectrum of areas needed for this module.

[dwarvendervish]

Riiight, here's some new screens. I started working on the Still Waters as I was quite bored with the prospect of doing thesis-related work.

These pictures are quite empty with the props, but it should give you an idea for the general feel.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165621.jpg

There you can see the shrine to Umberlee inside Still Waters. Kinda fitting for the name of the inn too, it just occurred to me now. On the left you can see the inn guestbook that contains the party creation system.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165737.jpg

Since the Moonsea region gets quite cold in the winter, Enrad Daleborn has seen fit to equip Still Waters with a whopping total of 2 fireplaces, some sort of brazier (near which the ale connoisseur can hang out for warmth) and a full set of ovens in the kitchen.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165748.jpg

Green & white be the colors of Elmwood, aye. That should probably be reflected on the clothing of the few guards that might be strolling around.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165753.jpg

I think that the lack of directional light, combined with the warmth of the fire and some of that interior fog makes for a nice, seedy atmosphere.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165805.jpg

Cursed be the worgs and boars! Many a good Elmwoodsian has met their maker in the calves and paws of these beasts.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165849.jpg

Not to forget the bears. Nor the cursed deer who single-hoovedly slew Meldhynus Crell on a dark winter night in 1248 DR (Yes, I figure the beasts should have descriptions that can be examined!)

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...608_165909.jpg

Still Waters also occasionally has a bard of some repute performing there. I figure we should have one on this platform and let the player mess with him. A bard character might get to participate or something.

[seryn]

Nice screenies! I especially like the Umberlee shrine.

[dwarvendervish]

So, as per dunniteowls suggestion, I scrapped the shrine to Umberlee from the tavern.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143554.jpg

What you now got instead is this. Inside what appears to be almost abandoned shack resides one Torlin Squidfood. Named Squidfood by a tavern full of rowdy sailors who were less than impressed by the tale that he was about to share.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143549.jpg

A feeble, stinky and overall worthless human being, old Torlin retired from seafaring after an accident that wrecked the ship he was on, killed the other crew and left Torlin to hang on a piece of wood, hopeful that no beast of the depths take him.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143537.jpg

Torlin was lucky. Almost, for he did have a chance encounter with a particularly murderous squid. Kraken, he would characterize it as, but who would believe a man like Torlin? Nevertheless, that beast left Torlin with one eye.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143434.jpg

Torlin himself found the experience quite moving. To think that HE, of all people was spared by the Bitch Queen of the seas, while many greater men met their doom? The very same deity that he had cursed under his breath many a time while on the waves?

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143422.jpg

Though certainly not wise or disciplined enough to accentuate his newly found spirituality, Torlin saw this as his calling. He took over an abandoned, (very) old building in Elmwood and made it his own place of worship.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143411.jpg

Wandering the seaside, Torlin scavenges constantly. What is left of the numerous shipwrecks that occur frequently he carries inside his shrine.

http://i363.photobucket.com/albums/o...108_143338.jpg

A few more noteworthy servants of Umberlee have passed through Elmwood in the past. Though disgusted with Torlin, they have contributed into making the shrine a more suitable place of worship. Although it defies all logic, it does seem that Umberlee does hold some sort of fondness for this pathetic man. Pity and amusement perhaps?

(Note to self, do remember to check that the statue doesn't collide with the roof structure in future.)

[Lariam]

Loved this little story of Torlin.

Also, digging the idea of Moonsea in the Fall. And the screenies, too - except that for one reason or another the latest batch of them seems so dark I cannot see them very clearly.