Basically it will be a classic D&D adventure, taking place in secluded valley, where good aligned forest creatures (unicorns, treants, pixies etc.) and noble folk (elves, gnomes) are threatened by evil sorcerer. Vally will be very specific place (twin towers at entrance, rock arch etc...) as I plan to re-introduce it in later, Dark Sun, campaign, but in devastated, degenerated, demolished state.
So, basically this first, tutorial adventure will be set during Green Age/ Age of Magic. What I need, is list of cities that flourished then. Bodach and Weaverly are first to come to my mind. Also Guistneal and Tyr, as it was named oldest or one of oldest cities (but I imagine it as lowly, small town, located near obsolete mine, full with seedy citizens and lo-life characters).
Do we know other cities of old? If so, where should I look for information about them (for example, of what was Bodach known for?).
I do like the idea of Green Age Tyr being a little backwoods ****-hole mining camp that nobody more than ten miles away has ever heard of, though.
So Tyr can be made to look like anything you like if you set your inital campaign in the past.
Arkhold is described in the latest DDI short story based on Dark Sun. It involves time travel through a ritual, where the protagonist projects herself into the sea port of old. I suggest checking it out.
Arkhold is described in the latest DDI short story based on Dark Sun. ... I suggest checking it out.
That would be the story I linked to, of course. ;)
Thank for your replies, unfortunately story is only for DDI subscriptions now, so if you are kind to describe Arkhold for me?
Ah, I hadn't realised it was subscribers-only. There's actually not much description of the city itself in the story anyway:
Ahead, Jisanne stared at the thriving city. The fortress
of a forgotten order of ancient knights sat atop
the highest point overlooking the blue harbor. People
had gathered down at the docks to welcome the sailing
ship. A few ambitious traders even took small
boats out to meet the Horizon Finder, hoping to strike
a sweet deal with Captain Hurunn before he came to
the quay.
...
As the carrack tied up to a long stone quay, Jisanne
saw the colorful market stalls full of fresh fruit. Musicians
played instruments, their competing tunes a
raucous clash of sounds.
...
Jisanne got to her feet and looked off the starboard
bow to see the beautiful harbor city of Arkhold with
its whitewashed buildings on the hills, the large marketplace
down by the docks, the colorful sails of small
fishing boats.
There are also sea serpents in the water near the city, but they're no threat if you dump your catch of fish for them.
@Commieclone: I'm looking for a city that was once great, now is ruin and almost forgotten. For sure it one of Seven cities won't fit, as they are known to my players. I want that introduction adventure to be unconnected with campaign, at least at first sight. Contrast of once verdant valley, once green and flourishing with life and barren, devastated and ruined will greater, if not visible on first sight and if players themselves will connect the dots.
EDIT: I just finished story. Actually, I'm not a fan of "RPG literature", I translated and read to many bad books (been working with Black Library) but "Oasis of Blood" was very good. It plays on notes, that are especially close to me, and has particular feeling I want to achieve with Dark Sun game.