securing a map of Frontier Town
He catches up with a rough layout of the town and what is expected of them
The only maps of town are either highly technical surveyors' documents, or hopelessly outdated. A modern map of town is an occasional pet project of this or that resident; perhaps one will be published eventually?
However, you learn that most commercial businesses are clustered around Founder's Square and the south side of town (flanking Main Street), the river runs through the east side of town and many wealthier residential properties are found along its bank, there's a train station under contruction on the northern edge of town, which tends to have more industrial concerns, and the west side of town is where the more affordable residential areas are found.
By chance, you learn that a century ago, this was the site of a village called Desert Knot, and that the climate was hotter and more arid. When the climate changed, the Commonwealth started its first efforts to civilise the area and develop the town. Piplup Oriane was the civil servant charged with many early efforts that proved instrumental in attracting investment and immigration.
a visit to the settlement's local library in search of a map
find a map of the continent
Bear with me.
She takes note of where markets were located, traveling caravans arrived and departed, as well as all the local bars. That last one was especially important. The others would tell her what the market would be for Delver work. Travelers would always be willing to part with coins for guard duty.
Felin isn't taken seriously just yet as an actual combatant, but extra pairs of eyes are always valuable, and she finds some work as light security here and there in town. Delvers seem to be congregating at the
Totally Normal Bulletin Board.
looking for a place to train
There is no formal dojo or anything of the sort to be found in Frontier Town, but there are plenty of secluded areas around for a 'mon to do practice drills, and the scrubland outside of town has weaker wild pokémon who are often up for a fight.
He seeks out an apothecary or doctor’s office to receive treatment for his injury.
Scene.
He eavesdrops on the conversations around him in hopes that he may learn something about this world’s impending “disaster.”
There doesn't appear to be anything obvious that fits. Most folks' concerns are very worldly and ordinary, not the sort of thing a large number of interdimensional heroes would be summoned to deal with. Perhaps whatever's wrong in Forlas is not public knowledge, at least in this part of Luctemar.
She also agrees to meet up with Laura
Let's scene when we're both free.
seeing if Gerome would be interested in another work-for-food deal,
@Namohysip's call.
She happens upon Laura and compares notes about the region and the town.
Laura finds Mhynt a little intimidating, but likes how serious and stable she appears to be. She's happy to stay in touch and trade observations.
Ridley spent his time reading about the setting (and taking notes), with a major focus on the mystery dungeons themselves.
reads Ridley's notes on Mystery Dungeons
Mystery dungeons are quite a large topic. Here is some entry-level information.
- They are also called worldly distortions, cursed places, and sacred places, among others.
- They vary wildly between instances.
- Their interiors change configuration regularly, and are often larger on the inside.
- They produce items with miraculous, possibly-paranatural properties, often called 'dungeon items'.
- They produce 'dungeon gold', a near-massless 'currency' which in small denominations is called Poké, apparently after 'pocket change'.
- They produce a thin layer of iridescent particles called 'dungeon dust', which can be used to imbue objects with special properties, and proof them against elemental attacks.
- They are typically guarded by wild 'mon, "mad" 'mon, or phantasms of 'mon.
- Also, various traps.
- 'Natural' or 'elemental' dungeons, the most common type, are relatively benign and often exist in the interior of wild places.
- 'Ruinous' dungeons sometimes form at the sites of disasters, tragedies, and crimes. They are widely thought of as haunted.
- 'Enigma' dungeons are a controversial category, apparently exhibiting more psychological phenomena.
- Some very minor dungeons are called false, fool's, pseudo, or demi dungeons.
It seems that serious academic study of dungeons is in its infancy, and a lot of older research can be discounted on various counts.
Nova tries to locate a newspaper stand. He looks to see if, indeed, his chance arrival had ended with him in print.
Yeah lmao
She searches for the local library and starts researching human legends, hoping to learn more about past crises, and continues it by trying to find the answer to the question of what the term 'Mystery Dungeon' means in this world. While at it, she figures she might as well begin researching Forlas and it's history, ending her first research session by squeezing in some basic setting information and the founding of Frontier Town.
See elsewhere in this post for info on dungeons and Frontier Town.
Regarding humans:
- Humans are universally considered not native to Forlas.
- The human species as a biological population has never been documented to exist on Forlas.
- Humans are academically contentious, with some writers evidently considering them to be mythical or simply urban legends/cryptids.
- Humans are evidently considered a category of person rather than a species.
- Legends tell of humans coming from other worlds (at most, once in a generation) to save Forlas from various crises.
- Sometimes they return to their worlds, sometimes they fade into obscurity.
- One of the books on humans is signed, not by its author, but by "Jesse Stranger, human".
she looked and asked around for "a place where I can get help for a request," in the hopes she could be pointed in the right direction.
I'm not sure if this is what you're looking for, but some townies may point Isidora to the
Totally Normal Bulletin Board.
She made note of places to visit, including the library, and took it upon herself to intently observe her surroundings eavesdrop on the conversations of the locals to see if she could pick up on any intel.
Odette may learn interesting rumours as they pop up, but right now most gossip is either personal drama, or about the mysterious strangers, like herself.
She decided to poke her head in and ask if they were hiring any performers.
Odette is offered a regular part-time evening gig as a performer, and odd-hours as waitstaff. The former handily covers her basic expenses.
she takes advantage of her illusions to start eavesdropping on some of the locals in a bid to find a bit of work
Bellatrix will easily find various tasks to help out with. The locals respond well to her highly articulate lexis and she will have no trouble ingratiating herself with the local gentlefolk in particular.
he decided to focus on his forbidden passion: hairdressing. So he asked to local barber-surgeons to see if anyone was looking for an apprentice. If he found some available spot, he would take the chance to listen to patrons’ gossip and stories, to keep himself updated on the events of that world.
A local barber-surgeon is willing to hire Silver as an apprentice. It doesn't pay much, but the regulars tend to be wealthier, and they tip well if they're in a good mood. Silver has access to a source of middle- and upper-class gossip, which may pay off in the future. For now, they're mostly gossiping about the mysterious new arrivals, such as himself.
The first thing he looks up is anything about local myths and legends, as well as what the society knows about legendary pokemon.
Legendary pokémon seem to hold various positions, with some being historical folk heroes, others being minor gods, and some being fully mythical fundamental forces of nature, more metaphor than living, breathing being. They typically are referred to with titles, rather than names, and many are called 'saints' rather than gods.
Notable legendaries include:
- The Wandering Light, the traditional patron demigod of the Escarpa. She is said to have been a mortal member of the clan, once.
- The Wishing-Star, who receives offerings in Frontier Town's Sanctum of Wishes. She is a popular patron 'saint' for the kind of person who would trek thousands of miles to make a new life.
- An ancient hero who is said to have prevented the end of the world in the long-ago past. This hero, if they existed, is the subject of so many contradictory myths that it is hard to tell what the likely truth is, but they seem strongly linked to the sun-oriented faith of the region known as Sunward, or Sun's Ward.
- The Two Aeons, conventionally the protectors of habitual travellers and migratory/nomadic species.
- The Sword-Saints, favoured in a country called the Protectorate.
- The Roaming Cyclone, who is not so much worshipped as appeased.
- There appears to be a shrine to a lesser deity called the 'Storm Bringer' a few hours' journey out of town.
The Commonwealth and its colonies don't appear particularly religious.
Al and going to his shop to see if he needs any help. Also asks the local library if they want any help.
Alejandro is more than willing to give odd jobs to Koa and Nip, but can't afford an unskilled apprentice.
The library is willing to give Koa a part time job. A lot of the archival responsibilities are boring, but it's comfortable and reliable, and he's well placed to learn a lot.
reads up on the nearby settlements to find out some basic information about them.
You learn the basics about the key regional settlements. Refer to group knowledge/extant scenes and threads.
any information about crime in the area. In particular about organized crimes, like bandit groups.
You learn that common law tends to trump legal code in the wilds.
You also learn that bandit gangs of varying threat and kind pop up all over the place from time to time, but organised violent crime tends not to be stable long-term, as outlaws are killed or arrested, pay their way into obscurity or legitimacy, or splinter over petty squabbles.
The current local gang of interest is Las Picaras, which you are already familiar with. Their leader, Sonora, is wanted alive, with a bounty of CW$800 last time one was posted for her. Her gang members fetch bounties in the double digits. The gang's crimes are mostly robbery, with their favourite targets being wealthy travellers.
Some publications treat the Escarpa Clan as organised criminals. An unsolved murder from several years ago comes up a lot in these writings, and some authors speculate Sierra Escarpa, the current chieftain, was responsible. A local entrepreneur and industrialist was found in his office, dead of blood loss due to severe throat wounds.
