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
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.
14 Taverns
6 Bakers
4 Smiths
4 Tailors
5 Butchers
5 Apothecaries
5 General stores
3 Inns
2 Furniture vendors
2 Jewellers
2 Fletchers/Bowers
1 Captain
2 Lieutenants
4 Sergeants
8 Corporals
67 Constables
1 First Priest
5 Priests
70 Ministers
The Angry Hag
The Boar Content
The Downy Fern
Taverns:
Giant’s Chine
The Broken Shield
The Flog and Molly
The Mason’s Retreat
The Crooked Brook
The Scarlet Queen
The Chancer’s Folly
The Feral Unicorn
The Pipe and Pie
The Captain’s Rigging
The Scythe and Plough
The Copper Tankard
The Wanton Nymph
The Blacksmith’s Arms
Fletchers and Bowers:
Gamlin’s Bows and Strings
To the Point
Smiths:
Grumm’s Blades
Bill Green’s Plate and Chain
Crewstreet Smiths
Blacksmiths of Mesa
Apothecaries:
The Pestle & Mortar
Salves and Ointments
Doctor’s Wares
Willow Bark Province
General Stores:
The Town Supply
Bits and Bobs
Falmer’s Wares
Mesa General Store
Miner’s Essentials
Jewelers:
Balstrom’s Trinkets
Heirlooms and Relics
Butchers:
Korbin’s Meats
Mesa Family Butcher
Shiva’s Shanks
Prime Cuts
The Market Butcher
Bakers:
Brenda’s Buns
Ashtone Bakery
Founding Flours
Tim’s Tarts and Sundries
The Spiced Loaf
The Stonemill
Furniture Store:
White’s Furnishings
Carved Creations
Tailors:
Fineries of Jenton
Blessed Breeches
The Darned Yarn
Feather and Fur
1 Captain:
Lance Chamberwell
2 Lieutenants:
Waylon Bryce
Kurt Malog
4 Sergeants:
Wenfire Sanzin (Halfling)
Gabriel Weston
Gulgram Brommek (Half-Orc)
Milton Henley
8 Corporals:
Sebastien Hewett
Jason Dickinson
Jim Brenton
Shane Mirkwater
67 Constables:
Tom Wakeley
Neddie Blake
Garrett Haden
Vike Sawyer
1 First Priest:
Morgan Dell
5 Priests:
Marvin Burton
Janamin Vinbin (Halfling)
Hayden Millbrough
Aubriana Layden
Patience Greymane
70 Ministers:
Jendrik Torn
Sienna Dulce
Landis Gallo
Alborin Lucien (Half-elf)
Jack Kory
Vernell Meese