DMs Only: The Float

Woldwide Deliveries

Also see much info on the Crimson Shields DM page

Level Descriptions

Gold Level

What do you find at Professor Nightshade's Taxidermy Shop? Well, certainly there are a wide range of fish mounted on plaques, the odd monster or two or three in natural poses, and a range of interesting pelts and skeletons, but the good Professor is most famous for his dioramas of taxidermy mice, rats, lizards, turtles, cats, and dogs, dressed in the fashions of the day, placed in elaborate sets that act out famous moments in Wold History.

I would not be at all surprised to see very affordable dioramas of ...

... masked mice watching a Mask Day celebration

.. turtles playing the parts of the valiant heroes who fought the massive lake-vines raised by the Fey King to swamp the Float during the events of the Dark Fae Rising. (especially showing the Float cantilevered 30 degrees off true as the vines try to tip over the city)

... depictions of the gods and godesses of the Wold, posed for display and veneration in the homes of Float burgers and bourgeoisie.

The above might well have been crafted in the Professor's studio by apprentices and journeymen. There will likely be a few masterpieces by the Professor himself, depicting especially notable miracles or catastrophes. The Death of Domi (played by a small dog) at the hands of Marteus (played by a dire rat) during the Year Of Ascension is a masterwork that is simply not for sale. The Death of King Claudia (a cat) is another such, especially meaningful since it is rumored that the Professor was in Plateau City at the time of that event. One masterwork that is on sale (though quite expensive) is a tableau of The Death Of Parnoth At The Hands Of The Emerald Dragon Heroes (The green dragon is a giant lizard with bat wings cleverly affixed, and the dragons are all represented as sparrows).

DMs, feel free to invent scenarios. Historically accurate ones are best, but feel free to improvise. "Mere facts must not stand in the way of Art," as Professor Nightshade often says.

Note that the shop will buy the odd monster corpse or pelt, but only those in good shape. Usually that means magically preserved.

Also, the shop has a strong "No Sapients" policy, and simply does not deal in creatures or remains with Intelligence 3 and higher. The policy is clearly stated on discreet signage in the shop, and gently mentioned if the topic arises. Any who insist are shown to the exit.

Law Enforcement In The Big Float

Open Air and Gold Levels -- these are the levels of the rich and powerful. Those who can afford the teleport fees come here for tourism. Safety of visitors is paramount, and the city guard is watchful, professional, helpful, and present. If you look scruffy or like you do not belong, you are hustled off these levels toot sweet. Guards patrol singly.

Merchant Level -- Higher end shopping for all Floatizens, so long as they look like they have coin to spend. Tradesfolk and merchants do business here. City Guard is just as present as on the Gold Level, but less helpful and more vigilent. Guards patrol in pairs.

Barracks Level -- This is the lowest level frequented by the rich and noble, and they come here when they are "slumming it." The City Guard knows that people need to cut loose sometimes. They don't bother breaking up bar fights or hassling loud drunks. Guards patrol in triads, but security really comes from all the soldiers and guards stationed here. There are individual criminals, but they keep their heads down.

Fence Level -- Pier Row and the docks are well patrolled, because of the traffic in and out of the Float from the docks, and because the city relies so heavily on the fishing fleet for food. Away from the docks, the City Guards does not much care. They investigate reports of murder ... eventually. When they do, they arrive by the squad. The Fence is practically lawless, but since everybody knows everybody, things stay sort of civilized, except when there are gang wars. The worst area is Dagger Point, furthest from the docks. Note that the Giggling Ghost is on Dagger Point -- probably the founder hoped the presence of heroes would tamp down some of the crime. Crook Street is off Dagger Point, and of course you know the Ghost, very well, and you know that the whole reason the local business folk have sponsored you, paid for your warehouse home, and set you up with meals is because they want a Fence-Level adventuring group to help keep the level safer!

Trash Level -- this dark level is the worst place in the Float. City Guards seldom even show up, and when they do, it is by the dozens. There are gangs on the Fence and gangs in the Trash ... Fence gangs keep a low profile, and pretend to be good citizens, using nonlethal weapons because the City Guard does not care so long as nobody dies. Trash gangs rule openly like warlords jostling for territory. They leave bodies in the streets, and nobody does anything about it.

Trash Level

For those who know not the ways of Trash Level - the dark and criminal byways - for those who do not know, Trash Level is everything that the Floating City above is not. There is no magic ceiling here. Everything on Trash Level is dim and indistinct, marred by both the lack of light as well as the ever present dirt and mold. The rundown streets and buildings are lit by torchlight, as well as an inconsistent scattering of continuous flames spells. These spots of light are cast upon the ground and cast upon the walls at various heights upon the multi-story patchwork of makeshift buildings. They are even cast, at places, on the ceiling. Poverty, disease, hunger, and filth are everywhere to be seen. The stench is nauseating. (Fortitude Save vs DC12 or lose your breakfast.)

As one walks along the street they are forced to detour around large wet mounds of garbage that stand in the streets, some higher than the tallest man. Raw sewage runs in what appear to be permanent streams that wind their way amongst the mounds of filth. People lie in the street - some missing limbs. They hold out hands to passersby, begging for coin.

General Notes

No buildings can be over 6 stories to allow a minimum of 5' between the buildings and the "ceiling." Each of the "above water" levels has a magical representation of the "current" sky. It is a Teucri effect. So there is little to no "feeling" of claustrophobia--that is until the DMs choose to mess with that.