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GMSteve 01-02-05, 09:26 AM

Just got the Sharn book for Christmas and starting up a new campaign set in the city (we get books a little later here in Japan). I searched the last few pages, and did not see anything similar to the topic of Additional Locations, so I thought I would start one. Inspired by the recent dragon article on ranged monks, I started a tradition based on ranged monks for Sharn. I think it would be great if others had other locations in Sharn that they have added. I know I will be posting some more in the near future. But first, here is the Sunlight Shaft Hall. I was also inspired by the use of bridges and the idea that over time some bridges might become obselete, or just so full of buildings to not even be a bridge anymore. The long narrow nature of a bridge helps give these monks a place to train with their shuriken in the crowded city. Middle Northedge – High Hope – Shaft of Sunlight Hall Near the long bridge that connects the District of High Hope to Tradefair in the Central Plateau lies the narrow but long Shaft of Sunlight Hall, a monastic hall dedicated to the Sovereign Lady of the Sun, Dol Arrah. The Hall sits on a small bridge connecting two towers. The Hall is dedicated to the teachings of the Ul Rah sutras. Written quite recently by the master of the Order Gillos of Sharn (LG male human monk 6/adept 1), the Sutras expound up the strength and honor of the Lady. He drew his inspiration from the small shafts of sunlight that managed to penetrate into his small abode when he lived in Lower Dura. They brought him hope in the days of hard toil and darkness that he faced. Gillos is not arrogant enough to believe that the Sutra’s are divinely inspired, but some of his followers do. They are short proverbs that simply tell one how to live in the tenets of Dol Arrah, and stress tenets of honorable combat and self-sacrifice. The sutra also contains short instructions guiding the novice in the ways of defending themselves and the style of the Sunlight Shaft. It is one of the few monastic traditions that stress ranged combat as well as unarmed combat, focusing on the light weight shuriken. Usually followers of this style use circular style shuriken that look like minature suns, with a bit of copper decoration at the center. The hall is situated on a bridge between two of the towers in High Hope. Gone out of use, since the tower on one side of the bridge sealed up the entrance at its end of the bridge, Gillos with the aid of donations was able to secure the lease for part of the bridge closest to the sealed entranced. which he then turned into the Hall. The Hall is nearly 20 feet wide, and 80 feet long. The entrance room or reflecting room is a small room, strewn with gravel that glitters like gold when sunlight enters the room through two large windows on either side, there is a momument to Dol Arrah here carved in yellow stone, soft simple block-like style. There is a small bench in front of it, with the sutra scroll laying upon it, so that people may enter and reflect on Dol Arrah if they wish. Leading from the welcoming room is the practice hall, which is almost 60 feet long. Gillos wanted a bridge structure so that those who studied would have a long enough area to practice their ranged weapons. The floors are covered in soft reed mats, and windows are spaced evenly. The room has a few skylights which gives it a airy and light filled feeling. Off from the Practice Hall are four balconies. One of them is open and is the meditation space. Where devotees can come and medidate on the sutras and their own inner reflections. It has grass planted, and is like a small garden, complete with the bubbling pool gravity feed from a cistern ontop of the reflecting room. It faces the sun most of the day, and allows those studying at the hall a place to be with the hope giving sun of Dol Arrah. One of the other balconies is the eating hall where the monks meet to break bread with each other, while the other two that are away from the sun are store rooms. Next to the Practice is the dormitory, spilt up into a dozen small cells where the monks sleep. Each monk has their own cell, and currently 3 of them are empty. For the most part the Monks including the aging Gillos live at the hall. Those who are not studying at the hall are allowed access only to the reflecting room, and a group of PCs who want to talk to Gillos will meet him there. There is always a candle burning in the reflecting room, and the main door is always open. Besides Gillos who stays in the Hall for the most part all of the time, there are usually 2 or 3 other monks (1st or 2nd Level) at the Hall. The Hall can be used in a game if one of the PCs is seeking monk training. Or if there is a monk who follows the Sovereign Host, they may request to stay the night in one of the cells or simply a place to rest and meditate or practice. Gillos will not sell healing services, or any divine magic, but if the reaction can be changed to Helpful he will grant them for free or if the characters are followers of Dol Arrah or monks of the Sovereign Host. Gillos is very knowledgeable about the followers of the Mockery, their sworn enemies. Additionally Gillos is on good terms with Aerela Tal of the Citadel of the Sun (Hope’s Peak). Aerela or Gillos may request the PCs help with some mission or quest. Or perhaps one of the monks of the hall is corrupt and perpuates a crime that leads to back to the hall. PCs who wish to be a monk of the Sunlight Shaft, should concentrate on the skills of jump, balance and tumble. They should use shuriken, and the feats they choose should be stunning strike, and deflect arrows, as well as trip. These allow the monks to disengage from combat to allow them to use their ranged weapons. Some monks also learn quick draw and flurry with the sai. Gillos of Sharn – A thin shaven hair man, wearing poor faded clothing, but with bright blue eyes. His face shows both wisdom and age with usually a knowing smile. He has a small gold sun pendant around his neck on a leather thong. His presence seems to light up the room that he is in. Staring Attitude:Friendly Modifiers: Follower of Dol Arrah (+2), Monk (not Mockery) +2; Priest of Dol Arrah (+4), Priest of Sovereign Host (+2), Follower of Mockery (-4), Monk of Mockery (-5) If Hostile – Dimisses the characters without listening to them. Neutralizes them if necessary and turns them over to the watch. Will call for aid from any students in the Hall. Notifies Aerela Tal in the Citadel. If Unfriendly – Refuses to help the characters, but listens to what they have to say. Suggest that they should go elsewhere. Will not ask them to leave the reflecting room, but will bar them from going anyfurther. If Indifferent – Offers to answer any questions on the faith, and listens to what they have to say, but politely asks them not to involve his hall in their affairs if asked for more direct help. If Friendly – Will provide information and advice as the party wishes. If Helpful – Will provide sanctuary for the party at the hall, allows them use of the training hall, and will give what aid he can including divine magic. If the party can convince him that their business is of a religious nature will offer the services of one of his monks (1st or 2nd level) to help the party.