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.

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.