I often write boxed text for new in-game events and locations. I find it easier to think through the sights, smells, and other sensations during GM prep and write them out, rather than improv’ing when I’m trying to write a game. Here’s one such moment.
The party was sucked into Nidala, a domain of Ravenloft. When they emerge from the mists of the southern forest, they head north towards the town of Oneire.
You step out of the forest and into the meadow. The sky above you is gray, with drifting, foggy clouds that seem close enough to touch. Tall grass stands still around you, only bending under the weight of the occasional raindrop.
It seems to be perpetually sprinkling as you press forward towards the brown spot to the north that you assume is a town. Mud sticks to your boots occasionally, not enough to slow your pace, just enough to create patches of tan that you will have to tediously scrub off in a river or inn washbasin.
To the west, slate gray mountains loom in the distance. Elsewhere, forest seems to ring this meadow as far as you can see.
Along the trail, you see various smaller villages dotting the landscape. The first, to the west, looks to be a collection of large hide tents. Another, to the east, is thatched in straw, with simple wooden fences visible here and there.
These are plain peasant structures, even simpler than those you encountered in the farmland south of Turo.
As they head north towards the large town, they begin to see more detail:
When you approach the town, you see a few central towers surrounded by clusters of thatched and shingled roofs. They are peeking up above a wooden palisade, well-crafted with simple brown stain, but worn over the years. A large gate stands half-open before you. Outside, there is a woman prepping an old wagon drawn by a single horse, making ready to head off into the meadow.
An encounter in the marketplace
The party enters Oneire, with one of the PCs wearing their lesser amulet of the planes–their ticket out of this world, once it recharges. Unfortunately, in Ravenloft, an artifact that is able to pierce the veil raises concern.
Mother Dolgan is an ancient elven sorceror, shrunken and slow-moving. She’s often helped around by Onesimus, a young half-orc woodsman. She’s something of a seer or shaman to the folks of Oneire, having lived a great long while and seen many odd things in the dark realm of Nidala.
Mother Dolgan is wrapped in a dark shawl, its hem embroidered with an intricate pattern of interlocking triangles in a variety of dark, subdued colors. She is nearly blind, her eyes a featureless milky white, but she has a powerful supernatural sight.
Onesimus carries a woodsman’s axe on his belt, a bow on his back, and a well-maintained set of leather armor. He’s young, in his physical prime, and strong from a life of working with his hands. He’s very protective of Mother Dolgan, and will put himself in front of her if attacked.
The party will encounter her if they walk through the markets of Oneire. She will begin screaming before they see her, perched on Onesimus’s shoulders.
“Foul fiends! You thin the veil here, you bring the churning mists to our peaceful town! You bring strange magic, a beacon-fire for those who seek to destroy it! Out! Out in the name of Belenus!”
Onesimus sets her down and she begins fidgeting. As soon as the PC wearing the amulet is within range, she casts acid splash with advantage. Whether it hits or misses, describe the spell hurtling towards the PC’s neckline, burning away a portion of their cloak and revealing the amulet.
A Perception or Insight check will reveal:
- The town guards begin unsheathing their swords as Mother Dolgan begins yelling.
- Lightning crackles at Mother Dolgan’s fingertips. She is not ready to end this anytime soon.
- Various townsfolk who are armed or carrying improvised weapons begin to nervously reach for their equipment. Some stand in front of unarmed citizens. A few hedge mages seem to be in the crowd, and you see sparks begin to appear at their fingertips as they make ready their spells.
- Onesimus is tapping the axe in the holster in his belt, unsure if things are going to become more dangerous.
- The PC wearing the amulet will note that Mother Dolgan is staring straight at them, specifically just under their collarbone, where the amulet is tucked in their cloak.