Hacking and Programming

I sat down to file some serial numbers off of a set of hacking rules for CyberGLoG and ended up with both Hacking AND Programming rules. Before I set into that though, a few things have changed, terminology wise in CyberGLoG (I really need a better name), namely those who were Hackers who used Programs are now Console Jockeys using Wares. 

Console Jockey - A Combat Programmer who uses a CyberDeck to perform illicit activities using Wares. 

CyberDeck - Homemade, military grade supercomputer compacted down into a small square meter. 

CyberSpace - The realm digital. Most often experienced in modern day through the usage of Augmented Reality, which blends Cyber and Meat space. 

Hacking - Using social exploits and knowledge of digital exploits to access data and systems uninvited. Requires the Hacker’s full attention and is not advisable during combat operations.

Jocking - The act a Console Jockey performs when executing Wares. Much like the job it’s named after, it has a very high risk of debilitating or life-threatening injuries.

Programming - Writing and compiling programs. Can only be done during down time between missions.

Programs - Mostly called Apps nowadays. These are compiled code used to perform legitimate operations on a computer

Wares - Modern day WMDs that force devices to operate in potentially unexpected ways, usually against the operator’s will. Specifically made to be used in combat.

Computer, Device, and System will probably be used interchangeably, despite the obvious differences, because I am a monster.

Hacking for Beginners

Anyone with a pair of fingerless gloves and access to a device with an interface can hack. If you want it to be useful, it should also be connected to a relevant network. Some devices, like a computer, will most likely have an interface via keyboard and monitor. Other devices, such as a card scanner, will need additional devices to act as an interface, such as a Skeleton Passkey.

You can avoid the following mess if you’ve got the correct username/password combination for the terminal. Hackers typically trade usernames/passwords as a sort of second hand currency. Find someone who claims to have what you need, then pay their price. Or do the favor they need.

The rules (which were stolen from Warren, who stole them from Ava, who stole them from Telcanter) are rather simple: Select the correct hacking actions - composed of Crack, Hack, and Smack -  in order. Each terminal requires all three actions, and no action is repeated. 

• Crack is the brute forcing to discover passwords.

• Hack is console commands jammed in where they shouldn’t be. 

• Smack is exactly what it sounds like: You haul off and smack the system. 

Should the Hacker select a wrong action, they’ll be met with an error message. Should a wrong action be selected again, the terminal locks down and becomes unusable. 

Depending on the level of devices security rating (1-4; assume 1 if not stated) you may be required to repeat the process. 

If you insist on hacking while in combat, each guess takes a turn and requires your full attention. Leaving the terminal restarts the process and may trigger security. 

Before you begin Hacking, you’re allowed an Intelligence test: 

On a Success you eliminate one option for the first action as incorrect. 

Succeeding by 5 or more reveals the first correct action. 

Critical success and you immediately gain access

On a Failure you gain no insight or advantage to the situation. 

On Critical Failure, the terminal locks immediately.  

Now, mind you, just because you’ve hacked a device connected to a network doesn’t mean you’ll be able to make it do anything you want. A door access panel isn’t going to be able to control local cameras. It’s going to open, close, lock, and unlock the door. The console in the security room, however, will be able to control both. It’ll also have a higher security rating and pesky guards who will take offense to you being there. 

Making a device do what it shouldn’t is what Wares are for. 

So What Can You Do?

There are a few generic actions you can perform, though as said, not all of them will be applicable all the time. Performing them takes about a turn, besides Upload and Download, which are variable based on size of data be transferred 

1. Download - You move queried information from the local drive to your portable that you’ve inserted. 

2. Query - Ask a question and get an answer to the best of the system’s knowledge.

3. Sabotage - You out right break it, causing an alarm. 

4. Suppression - You turn a specified system off for as long as you are at the terminal.

5. Upload - You transfer data from a connected portable drive to the local drive of the system. 

6. Use - You use the system as it was intended. Leaving the terminal at this point causes it to continuously run the last command given. 

Security

Typically, people don’t like it when you hack their devices and start touching their stuff. Which is why Security will eventually step in. Usually violently. With guns. For murder.

Programming

Hubris
“It’s too complicated and probably won’t be used.” Wise and probably true feedback. Wise and probably true feedback I’ve chosen to ignore. 

A program, simply, is a series of commands written and stored into a file, which are then executed when the computer is instructed to RUN the file. 

Why, though? In a setting with both hacking and Wares, why have a programming system? It’s simple really: 

1. Shut up. 

2. It sounded fun - A primary reason I do most things. 

3. Programs don’t require Processing Dice - They’re significantly weaker than Wares, but once executed they don’t require additional resources. 

4. Programs don’t require attention - They’re not as adaptive as hacking, but once executed the user can walk away without continued need for input. 

5. Gives the players an additional chance to do something unexpected - See point 2. Sorry about point 1. 

Writing a program takes anywhere from a few hours to a few days, including the testing and debugging. 

Anyone with a computer and enough time on their hands can code a program, though Console Jockeys are just better at it. 

When writing a program you, the player, will actually need to sit down and write out the program’s instructions (seen below) and hand a copy over to GM for approval or suggestions for possible altering. You then have a discussion with the GM over how long generation of the code will take - probably one command line per hour. 

Executing

A program must be on a device in order to be executed on it, meaning if you want to run a program on a device you’ve just hacked, you’re going to need to Upload it first. 

If executing a program on your own device, it functions without issue. 

If executing on a foreign device, you’ll need to roll (d20) to see if the computer understands the program. There is a 70% (14) chance the program of a non-Console Jockey will operate. For Console Jockey’s the odds improve by 5% (+1) for every template taken. 

Should a 20 be rolled, then the computer crashes trying to figure out the code. 

On a simple failure, however, the program just doesn’t run. 

ABASIC

You won’t be using just any old programming language for all this, instead you’ll be using the most modern and versatile language available to modern man: ABASIC (Advanced Beginner's All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code). Well, a severe abstraction thereof. The following is a list of commands available to you. Defining new commands is possible, however you’ll need to write a supporting program for it, as well as fist fight the General Manager (or ask nicely). 

ACCESS <directory> - Moves the computer into the specified directory, to continue working. 

BREAK - A command for interrupting whatever the system is doing. 

CLS - A command that clears the screen of the terminal. Useless for our games of pretend, but it exists. If you want it. 

CONNECT <address> - Connects to the remote terminal at the designated address, which is most likely now waiting for an account and password. 

COPY FROM <source> TO <target> - Copies a file from source location/account to target location/account. 

DELETE FILE - Erases the specified file. 

DIM - Declares a variable.

DISCONNECT - Opposite of CONNECT. Immediately severs the connection to the remote terminal. Any logged in account remains logged in and unusable until logged off. 

ELSE - Paired with IF…THEN. If the condition for the IF…THEN is not met, then this code executes. Must be ended with ENDIF 

ELSEIF - Paired with IF…THEN. If the condition of the first IF…THEN is not met, then checks for another condition to execute other code. Must be ended with ENDIF. 

END - The last command of a program. Tells the computer to stop what it is doing and without it, the computer will sit and wait forever for more commands. 

ENDIF - Informs the computer that the IF block structure is over. 

FOR <condition> - A loop command that causes the computer to repeat a set of commands until the defined condition is met. FOR loops execute a certain number of times. Loops must end with a NEXT command, or else the computer will only run the loop once and move on. 

FUNCTION - Defines the start of a function, in case you want to get crafty with your programming. 

GOTO <line number> - Moves the computer’s attention to the designated line number. 

 IF…THEN - The command following THEN is executed if and only if the condition in IF is met. Otherwise the computer ignores the section. Can be combined with ELSEIF…THEN and ELSE to form block structures that must end with ENDIF

INPUT - Accepts data input from either a terminal or specified file. 

LIST - Lists the contents of the current account or folder. 

LOAD - Loads data from the computer for use by the program. 

LOGON <account> - Inputs the account name to a remote terminal. 

LOGOFF - Opposite of LOGON. Logs out of the current account.  

NEXT - Designates the end of a loop. It tells the system to increment its counter and return to the top of the loop in order to repeat the process. 

PASSWORD <password> - Inputs the account’s password to a remote terminal. 

PATH - Moves a specified file along the defined path. Mostly used to (attempt to) through off any monitoring entities.

PRINT <string> - Prints the defined string to the display. 

REM - Designates a remark or note in the code. Not interpreted by the computer, but it makes it easier for humans to read. In case you forget what a section of code is doing. 

RUN <program> - Runs the specified program. 

SAVE <location> - Stores the currently loaded data onto the local drive as a file with the designated filename and location. 

SEARCH <query> - Queries a file or database for data related to the defined query.  

SLEEP - Causes the program to pause, waiting until the user presses a key. 

SORT <condition> - Used to sort the contents of a file or database by the specified condition. 

TRACE - Used to determine the path back to the terminal where the program originated. 

UNTIL <condition> -  A loop command that causes the computer to repeat a set of commands until the defined condition is met. UNTIL loops execute until its conditions have been met. Loops must end with a NEXT command, or else the computer will only run the loop once and move on.

WAIT <time> - Causes the system to wait for the designated time before continuing. 

WHILE <condition> -  A loop command that causes the computer to repeat a set of commands until the defined condition is met. WHILE loops execute until its condition is no longer true. Loops must end with a NEXT command, or else the computer will only run the loop once and move on.

WRITE <destination> <message> - Writes the message to the destination location. Should no destination be specified, the command defaults to the console. 

Comparisons

Used in conditions to determine if a specified instance is true. Technically not needed for what we're doing, but it looks cooler. 

            =    equal to 

            is    equal to

            <>  not equal to 

            !=   not equal to 

            >    greater than

            <    lesser than

            >=  greater than or equal to 

            <=  less than or equal to 

Examples

Waits three hours, connects to a remote computer, enters account log on data, then loads the data to local and saves, before deleting the remote version and logging out. 

WAIT 3 HOURS

CONNECT 126.02.1475.6512

LOGON admin

PASSWORD PetiteConnard69420

LOAD ./McGugginFile.txt

SAVE TO D:/Home/StolenFiles/McGuffinFile.txt

DELETE FILE ./McGuffinFile.txt

LOGOFF

DISCONNECT

IF…THEN example to show what a block structure looks like. 

IF var = 1 THEN PRINT “Example 1”

ELSEIF var = 2 THEN PRINT “Example 2”

ELSE DELETE FILE *.*

ENDIF

Closing Thoughts

It's too complicated and probably won't be used. But! It gives the players another way of interacting with the world in a meaningful manner, beyond describing a room for a third time or combat. Which is good.

"But won't they become too powerful?" ...For what? Also, that's kind of the message. Besides, I'm not above handing characters nuclear warheads. What are they going to break? A fake city? Capitalism? Nothing the next cancer ridden character party won't get paid to run through.

And, once again I ask, if Google Drive and Blogspot are owned by the same goddamn company, WHY do the interfaces not work with each other when copy/pasting? It's insane. Madness. Obnoxious. 

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The Eye of Monoc

I wrote an adventure and slapped it on Itch because Google's analytics have failed me. Give it a look and leave feedback. Or don't, I guess. It'd be really cool of you if you would though. 

 The Eye of Monoc

The people of Garrigill have a slight cultist problem… 

Namely, the group that has taken to camping around the ancient hilltop site used by the worshippers of Monoc, god of Knowledge and Insight, before the god was forgotten about.  The location still bears the statue dedicated to the one-eyed god and, should the mad ravings of the followers encountered in town be believed, the god has returned and once again bestoys gifts unto its followers. 

Sounds great, right?

Weeelllll...the cultists have kidnapped a few of the towns folk. The town, understandably, would like them back. If only there were brave adventurers around to fix the situation.

Featuring art by Evlyn Monreau and map by Watabou’s Village Generator 

Originally written for the GLoG, but conversion to your favorite system is easy enough. 

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Elven Hacker

While the True Elves sing the physical world into existence, your ancestors lost that ability when they descended into this world. You though, with research, practice, and a little luck, have found a way to mimic the lost ability - but for the digital domain. 

While you’re referred to as a “Hacker,” you don’t really know technology any better than the average nobody. You don’t really need to, as you can simply ask devices to work for you. What’s RAM? A male sheep. And cookies are the things you eat. Why’s everyone always yelling about them?

Elven Hacker

Requirement: Elven template A

1. Digital Song, Perceive the Realm Digital, +2 Songs

2. Network Step, +2 Songs

3. The Road Goes Ever On, +2 Songs

Digital Song

Whereas your elven cousins in the real world are able to sing the physical world into existence, you are able to alter the digital world through your song. Your songs mimic the abilities of a Hackers Warez, and you'll be choosing from the same list for now. Gain a number of song dice equal to your Elven Hacker Templates.  These work/are just like the standard GLoG Magic Dice: Whenever you roll 4-6 on the song dice, you lose that dice until refreshed the next day.  

Faults and Snowcrashes still apply and are detailed at the bottom. I should rename them something singing related, but I won’t. I know nothing about singing. 

You need no gear to perform these songs, but you obviously need to be able to speak. 

Perceive the Realm Digital

You are a creature of the physical realm, able to gaze down into the digital. This sounds cooler than it actually is. Basically what this means is you are able to perceive AR without additional gear or implants. Big annoying advertisements, roaming AI, device HUDs - all are visible to you. 

Also, you’re able to speak with devices. You just do that now. All the time, if you want. Devices usually have an attitude based on their purpose, however, and for unfamiliar devices you’ll need to make a vibe check (reaction check) to see if they’re even remotely friendly. 

Network Step

As an Elf, you’re able to step up briefly into the True World to short cut your way across the Physical World. As an Elf Hacker, once per session you’re able to step down briefly into the Digital World to shortcut your way across the Physical World, moving 1 node per template across a network you have access to. 

The Road Goes Ever On

Should you (when you) die, make one final Charisma check. On a success your personality gets embedded on a nearby device, and you can rewrite as an AI bound to that device. Think along the lines of “Really Good Dog” but more “Really Good Gun” or “Really Good Vizzy.” If you succeed by 10 or more, you get to choose the device. If you fail, well, you’re finally free of this nonsense. 

Faults

1. Wrong Lyrics - Dice only return to your pool on a 1-2 for 24 hours.

2. Forgotten Lyrics - Cannot sing anymore songs for 1d6 rounds while remembering the proper lyrics. .

3. Headache - You suffer 1d6 damage from severe headaches.  

4. Intrusive Thought - A stray thought keeps distracting you. Lose a song slot for 24 hours.

5. A Bit Flat - Whatever you just sang was horrible. Just awful. You’re now Deaf for 1d6 rounds.

6. You Look Silly Doing It - Take 1d6 Charisma damage

Snowcrash

1. Talking Fast - It worked for Sid McCray, maybe it’ll work for you. You can not speak for 72 hours.

2. Better Make it a Full Week - You can not speak for 1 week. 

3. Bit Your Tongue - Well, it was more of a chomp than a bite. Mute permanently. 

4. Wait, What? - You completely forget the words to the song you just sung, and will need to relearn it.  

5. Monster of Your Own Design - You’ve sung something horrible into existence. A powerful AI has been created and immediately gone rogue. And it hates you. So. Very. Much. 

6. Terrifying Visions- I don’t know how you done it, but you sung yourself back into the True World. Don’t worry though, you return 24 hours later at the same location, dripping with DMT and incoherently blathering about the terrible fractal visions you saw.  You’ll never sing again out of pure terror. 

Learning Songs

Where Hackers can simply purchase new Warez (or trade favors), in order to learn a song you’re going to have to do some research and practice. Spend a number of days equal to the number of songs you know + 1 in study, spending 1000 Soviet Ruble (the new currency standard) a day for beer, drugs, and broken electronics, afterwhich make a Charisma check. A successful check means a successfully learned song, with every additional 1000 Ruble spent providing a +1 to the check. 

Song::Befuddle

Device is unable to record new data to memory for [sum] minutes. Save negates. 

Song::Blind

Visual sensors on a device fail for [sum] minutes. Save negates. 

Song::Charm

Device treats you as an approved user for [sum] minutes. Save negates. 

Song::Deafen

Audio sensors on a device fail for [sum] minutes. Save negates. 

Song::Loop

Device (usually a camera) replays the last [dice] rounds as output until reset. Save negates. 

Song::Summon Digital Assistant 

You are able to bind an AI to your service for [Sum] days. 

The assistant acts independently, however it will always follow your commands to the best of its ability and you are able to instantly communicate with it when within 100 ft of it. It’s not exactly telepathy, but it might as well be. With concentration, you may experience any sensory data the assistant is experiencing, however this does leave you, yourself, effectively blind and deaf for the duration. Also, when within 100ft of you, the assistant can use any song you know, based on the highest dice rolled: 1-2, 1 song dice; 3-4, 2 song dice; 5-6, 3 song dice. 

The assistant stays around until destroyed or dismissed, however it does not count against your follower limit. You can’t have more than one assistant at a time. 

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Werberth: A Miserable Little Setting

 

When it comes to projects, I got three major hurtles: starting, doing, and finishing. Indecision, you see. Wracked with it. 

Anyway, I made a map. Filled it full of random features, random place names. Really making it up as I went, grabbing words out of a thesaurus as I went, all in an attempt to get over the hemming and hawing I seem prone to...and it seems to have taken on a theme of decay and ruin. I neither know why, nor what that says about my headspace at the moment.

Is this anything? I don't know.  

The Map

The Places

Northern Cordillera  

A mountain range. To the North. Yeah, the names here are gonna be along those lines. On the surface it's a land of Mountain Giants, Rock Trolls, and Frost Thralls. Below it's a realm of World Sap, Dwarven Ghosts, and Neitherlings. 

Fjallhiem 

Capital of Mountain Giants and the remains of their kingdom. Full of twisting Halls and feral giants guarding corroded and tarnished treasures of a forgotten empire. 

Last Grotto

Once the home of the Maggot King, now just a tomb full of dwarven ghosts and eldritch machinery reaching deep into the greasy earth. 

Vestigial Forest

A thick, ancient forest of black wooded trees littered with spiderwebs and assassin vines, stretching from the coast, out past the Unnamed Lake, and coming to border the Trash Lands. Home to your typical woodland inhabitants (though each and everyone is a bastard), as well as various Trolls, Landwights, and Mistfelled. Dotting the landscape are ruins of an unknown civilization, neither dwaven, giant, or elven. 

Skybound Temple

An open air temple complex, the "rooms" of which are separated by statues so tightly pack together they're effectively walls. While the statues appear vaguely human, closer inspection shows they are clearly not, howeer each and every one bears an expression of awe as they look to the sky. Little is known about the sight, as researchers tend to go missing. This is almost certainly due to the rune of teleportation carved in the exact center, aimed somewhere beyond the stars. 

Arcanum

The first time magic was declared outlawed in Weberth, the more well-to-do magic users struck North along the coast, staying close to the City enough to continue trade, but far enough away to ignore most of the laws they disagreed with. Due to this, the premier University of Magic was established - it probably bares some haughty, hoity toity name - and still operates to this day. While Arcanum does train the majority of War Mages in the Werberth army, you can rest assure their loyalty lies with Arcanum before the Republic. With such a large population of magic users in one location, one would probably be worried of some eldritch, other worldly nonsense probably happening. Well, worry not, because it definitely is. 

Werberth

The city built on the location where Man first arrived at these shores. Essentially the capital of Man's expanse, as contact with the Old World has been lost. The sky hangs heavy with greasy clouds raining soot from the factories burning troll oil. Slums are swollen, overfull of population numbers they were never fit for, easing occasionally as sickness burns through them. Meanwhile, the plutocracy grow fat in their mansions, playing at politics in their corporate republic. 

Kings Ruin

Briefly, just after contact with the Old World was lost, there was a big fight about whether or not another monarchy should be established. The pro-monarchists won this drawn out, and bloody, argument, and built their victory city and new capitol of Kings Run on the shores of the Unnamed Lake. Soon, disease struck the city and as the city fell, so too did the new monarchy. Now, the city lies empty, lifeless, and hollow. 

Plague Spring

When the disease struck, those that carried it were at first rounded up and driven from the city. These exiles eventually settled and founded a city referred to as Plague Spring. They also eventually got better, the sickness clearing just as mysteriously as it came. Unfortunately, the disease had taken a psychological toll on the carriers, which was passed down through the generations. People here tend to shun outsiders and are prone to paranoia. 

Unnamed Lake

I just forgot to name it.

Fort Forlorn

If one referred to it as the farthest reach of the Republic, they would be wrong. Given the population and manpower, the fort is definitely an "over reach." Supply caravans are late and under supplied, if they show up at all. Cannibalism and mutiny have are often a problem. At this point it's a gang of madmen sanctioned by the government to terrorize the local wilderness. Why does the Republic continue to operate this obviously cursed place? It's probably just the nature of crumbling empires to spread their military as widely as possible, continuously throwing money at it, rather than acknowledging the actual, real problems facing the population. 

Flooding Tidewater

A low lying coastal forest, with perpetually water logged ground, which tends to flood every nine and a half months. The effect of this is a permeating smell of mildew and general sense of discomfort in the summer months. Moldmen are said to lurk the woods, spreading their spores as they shamble. 

Brightwood

The only real, organized settlement in the region. The streets are paved, crime is low, the sky is always sunny, and everyone wears a smile near constantly. Who knew dark rituals and mass drugging via the water supply could be so effective? The haute cuisine here is divine (in that it's served in a sacred ritual to the god of Rot and Consumption. Probably cannibalistic. Definitely not healthy.) 

Rotfarm

Once the Moldmen burial grounds, the settlers here have cultivated the mold into an edible harvest. Not great, but edible. Surely there is no side effects from eating sentient mold. Mold covers everything here: the houses, the people, the odd livestock. Everything but new comers, and that doesn't last long. 

The Barricades

A collection of barrier islands separating the mainland from the Haunted Mere. Okay, technically, they're just a sandbar; sand and sediment pilled up and not actually connected to anything. Which explains why a town or camp will go missing occasionally after a seasonal hurricane. Definitely not due to anything coming off the ocean in a mist of spirit light. Phares (lighthouses) and ship wrecks dot the shores. The later almost certainly due to scavengers tying lanterns to horse heads and pretending to be the former. 

Sound Side

One of the only permanent settlements in region, largely due to it being built on the sound, rather than storm ridden waters of the mere. Serves as a smuggling route between Werberth and Arcanum. 

Channel Phares

Twin colossal lighthouses marking the deepest path out into the Haunted Mere. Built before contact was lost with the Old World to guide vessels in, they now serve as cold reminders of what was lost, signaling only to fishing vessels desperate enough to harvest out in the open sea. 

Trash Lands

It's shit. Absolute garbage. The area lacks topsoil and the land is mostly baked clay mixed with salt. What flora does grow there regrets it, what fauna there is no longer fears hell. Rain hardly bothers to fall, and what does is damn near undrinkable, unless collected before reaching the ground. Yet, still, some damn fools attempt to live out here.  

Sallow Tower

The first time magic was outlawed in Werberth, those magic users of lesser status and financial influence couldn't flaunt their presence the way the Well-Too-Dos could. Funny how laws apply to you if you're not an oligarch. Without financial based protection, the lower class magic users had to use distance for protection. Eventually, they came to the Trash Lands and called it "good enough." Soon, a Tower was established, though lacking the refinery of the Arcanum college.   

K

I wonder what the hell this is. 

Missing Mountain

It looks like there should be a mountain here. And there should be. Just there's not. There's a rim, a crater, and huge boulders of bedrock - about a mountain's worth - but no artifacts of an impact or implosion. How do you lose a mountain?

The Forgotten Colliery

Way out in the middle of the windswept, featureless hell impossibly ancient buildings, preserved by the salt and dryness, encircle a shaft reaching miles into the earth to a coal vein. Is the coal vein actually a  desiccated black pudding leviathan? Most likely. Is the coal mine full of ancient machines and forgotten corpses? Definitely. Are the corpses infected by something down there and altered into Coalwights? No. They were already like that. 

Caustic Sea

An inland sea filled with alkaline waters that burns the skin and eyes of any creature not adapted for the environment. I could prattle on about sodium carbonate, but I don't know what that is. Should you choose to sail on it, be aware of the Colossal Salt Crabs and big, fuck-all Squids. 

The Forbidden Charterhouse

IT IS FORBIDDEN. A monetary full of evil clerics fully prepared to teach their evil ways to anyone willing to brave the Caustic Sea. What evil plans are afoot? What forbidden knowledge is to be gained? Is there a difference between clerics and warlocks, other than PR? FORBIDDEN. 

Spoiled Champaign

Someone take this damn thesaurus away from me. An open countryside spanning from the Flooding Tidewater to the Caustic Sea, marred by ancient trenches and pockmarked by artillery craters. Forgotten embattlements from a war with no human participants are being reclaimed by murderous vegetation.  

The Golden Arcology

It's actually made of brass. A mysterious spherical structure of impossibly large size with few outer features, save for shallow window like structures and multiple communication antennae (not that the humans know what these are). Unbeknown to the outside world, the inside is VASTLY larger than the outside, time moves differently within, and the structure is a pleasure dome the elves retreated into to escape the horrors they had created outside.   

Shadow Chateau

At some point some foolish entrepreneur set out into the "empty" wilderness to claim land for growing the last of the grape wine seeds smuggled over from the Old World. Trouble is, the land they claimed was, and still is, haunted. On moonless nights, wights of creatures not exactly human roam the vineyard rows, reliving their final horrific moments. Strangely, this seems to have improved the taste. That or the land soaked in elf blood and chemical weapons that the grapes are grown in. Either way, the family still tends the land, and produce a rather successful wine, widely sought after for it's side effect of bestowing Other Sight for a short while. 

The Gatorlands

Hell, yeah, brother, you're in the Gatorlands now! Swamps as far as you care to roam and not a damn lawman in sight. Some big damn gators though, and cat fish nearly larger than the fan boats you need to get through the place. It certainly don't help that an alchemist once tried brewing what we'd call methamphetamine, only to end up spilling a large portion of it into the swamps. Now them big damn gators gots big damn attitudes and no dang old fear. 

 

Flooded Temple

An ancient step pyramid rises from the murky waters of the mangrove forest, crumbling steps leading up to a temple adorned with murals depicting a night sky with twin moons. There's only ever been the one, though. In the center of the room, a circular stair case descends back down into the pyramid, soon leading to vast flooded sections and an ominous stirring in the water. 

Bogtown

ARRR! What ye be having there, lad? Be it meth? ....can it be? A town built entirely on stilts breaks up the constant fog and Spanish moss laden trees. A town untouched by the law of Werberth, but soaked with strange alchemical agents, as alchemists of ill repute come to apply their trade. Drugs, gambling, whoring, light to mild piracy - all can be found in and around the waters of Bogtown. 

Crypt of the Gatorlords

Is "Gatorlords" one word, or two? I can't read my own handwriting. Either way, a gigantic red rock inselberg pierces the surrounding swamp, surprising any oblivious traveler. On the eastern side of this iron rich monolith a door has been carved by crafty hands, long ago. Large statues of seated figures with alligator heads adorn either side of the open doorway, guarding entry deeper into the temple complex. What secrets lie within, forgotten by time itself? Oh, uh, Gatorlord mysteries. Specifically their crypt. 

Closing

Is this anything? Again, I don't know. I might come back to it when writer's block hits, as it's want to do. I do know I spent much more time on it than expected.  

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