Black Mesa

The adventure nexus:

Founded 610 years ago, the town sits atop a black sandstone mesa; surrounded by smaller buttes and bluffs, and tied together by a network of bridges. Buildings are composed of stone and wood, and given that space is in short supply – generally at least two stories tall. Aside from the few main roads, most of the streets and alleys are very narrow, with a little extra room afforded in the more affluent areas.

Crime has been on the up since the neighbouring civil war ended, but the general mood and outlook of the populace is positive and hopeful.

The Town Guard wear arm bands bearing the town/Oestora’s sigil; they glow brightly and act as an ever-burning torch.

Population: 6,244
79% Human 4,932
1% Half-Orc 62
9% Halfling 561
1% Half-Elf 43
2% Gnome 124
5% Elf 312
3% Dwarf 210

I never claimed to be an artist…

1) Stable and main entrance.
2) Industrial sector.
3) Town centre and market square.
4) Guardhouse and water harvester.
5) Butte of consult.
6) Bosham’s residence.
7) Town store.
8) Temple of Oestora.

Main entrance:
The long, gentle slope encircles the mesa from top to bottom; while not entirely natural, the existing rock formation required only gradual refinement during the town’s formative years.

Industrial sector:
A massive crane towers out over the side of the town, read to accommodate the bulkier materials that would be a struggle up the main entrance. The Engineering guild is based here, as is most of the manufacturing and metallurgy.

Town centre and market square:
The large stone square is lined with shops of every kind, much like the adjoining main roads; the market makes an appearance once a week.

Guardhouse and water harvester:
The water harvester sits above a large metal grate, and has the appearance of a reversed Persian water wheel. The rope-bound buckets leads down to a wheel in an underground stream, and the resulting water pours into a network of pipes to storage tanks located throughout the town. The guardhouse stands next to this important asset, with men always stationed by the high-walled entrance.

Butte of Consult:
The meeting place for the ‘Council of the Seven’, where most of the town’s decisions are made; it stands isolated from the main mesa, and is relatively open. The forum is the most prominent building, surrounded by a large garden dotted with outbuildings. The council consists of:

Lord Vedran Bosham, founding bloodline of Black Mesa.
Morgan Dell, First Cleric of the Church of Oestora.
Valerie Turnbull, counsellor of the Consortium of Merchants.
Lanahris Aldadel (Elf), Luminary of the House of Thaumaturgy.
Inga Shalebreaker (Dwarf), head of Engineer’s Guild.
Lance Chamberwell, Captain of the Town Guard.
Devin Thomas, Mayor.

Bosham’s residence:
The founding family’s residence is by far the largest in the city, and is surrounded by modest gardens and iron railings.

Town Store:
The town keeps a ready supply of essential materials here, for use in construction, repairs, and distribution/sale in times of need; this bluff is well-guarded.

Temple of Oestora:
The town’s main deity (LG), and the only large house of worship. The Town’s sigil is that of Oestora – a broadsword backed by angelic wings.

Merchants, trade, guards and religion:

This is quick list of possible stores, and how many might exist; I don’t anticipate using more than one inn and a couple of merchants. The more unlikely stores such as barbers and dentists will have to be off the cuff.

Black Mesa NPC stat cards:

Black Mesa NPCs