#Dungeon23 Writing Challenge
Though I’m ill-equipped for it in terms of talent or time, I’m going to try Sean McCoy’s #Dungeon23 Writing Challenge. You can read the full details on their site, but in summary, it encourages creators to create “A dungeon room a day, every day, for 2023.” I only learned of it today, so while doing some household chores, I thought about what sort of theme or inspiration might give me personally enough scale and I think I’ll take the wise words of Brandes Stoddard to heart, “I’m taking it as a chance to use a bunch of the ideas I’ve had sitting around, to find problems with them and improve them.”.
So my “mega dungeon” will be something from one of my many idea journals which regularly get ignored in dusty corners of Google Drive…
The City of Tesserae is an sprawling urban plane made of city blocks from far-flung realms and realities. This incongruous patchwork city literally changes with the turn of a corner, and passing from one to another can be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other, or as challenging as invoking the old magic. The path between them is not always stable or direct, with some shifting or drifting according to whim or some inscrutable design, but none is ever an island and no one has ever come upon a city gate or wall leading “beyond” the city.
I’ll be documenting my progress here on my blog as well as on my private peer Discord and on Mastodon (because peer pressure / shame is a great motivator, grin). For each city block I will try to include one or more of the following:
- A simple generated map for inspiration
- Some environmental descriptors
- A few featured structures
- An encounter worthy feature or “hook”
- A “quirk” unique to this block
Conclusion:
I’m thinking it is time to bring my participation in the #dungeon23 exercise to an end. It has been interesting experiment. At first, there was creative inertia; plenty of ideas but hesitance about sharing them. After a while, this fell away and I got comfortable just writing down stuff to get it out of my head. I felt this actually helped with creativity and energy in other, unrelated, projects. But I think I may have turned a corner, where its stopping me from taking advantage of that extra creativity and energy. Don’t worry thought, the concepts and creations that resulted will find a good home in games and perhaps even a unified product.
Day 101
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A large barracks style building made of red clay brick here is surrounded by a relatively open set of garden lots and a few small orchards. Individuals in simple, identical outfits can be seen quietly going about various tasks and labors on the grounds and sometimes through the large translucent windows of the building. They do not speak to passersby and rarely even seem aware of them. They seem unable or unwilling to leave the confines of this area, and outsiders are unable to enter. The products of their labor such as food crops, simple manufactured materials, and whatnot can be found outside this area on a schedule that only seems to make sense to the local merchants who collect and sell it in the numerous shops that line the adjoining block.
Day 100
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This small complex of newer buildings is built up around a multi-storied inn & tavern that is obviously much older but well maintained. Generations of owners have always made it a practice to sketch or paint a likeness of travelers and display them on the walls, so that now there are thousands adorning every vertical surface. Locals jest that no matter where you’re from, you’ll find a face that you recognize if you look long enough. A stable outside occasionally has a variety of mounts for sale, some bred locally, others taken in barter or to cover debts from travelers.
Day 099
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This neighborhood enjoys several open areas unlike some of its more densely packed neighbors. In these, numerous linden trees grow showing obvious signs of active and healthy coppicing. Beneath them, the peculiar seasons here coax frequent blossoming of blue bells. Shops featuring all manner of artistic and practical carpentry are a specialty in this neighborhood. One of the larger buildings here features a style of theater employing only puppet actors, supplemented by other clever mechanisms. The very young and new arrivals to this area are occasionally stricken a local pox, though while rarely causing serious illness, can leave the afflicted with a life long green hue and other curious side effects.
Day 098
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Under normal circumstances the streets and alleys of this neighborhood might easily confuse a visitor, but further disorienting are the abstract patterns of graffiti regularly defacing many of the walls and buildings. These are inevitable removed after a few days by who knows, only to be replaced with new ones under cover of night. In one of the lower courtyards, the area has been converted to a water garden featuring lilies and a community of turtles, used for food and particularly intricately patterned shells for divination and jewelry making. Numerous mundane businesses and residences make up the remaining majority of the neighborhood.
Day 097
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A large lot here always seems to be producing a bountiful crop of sugar beets, stock for a few sheds dedicated to molasses processing, giving the neighborhood its perpetually lingering aroma. Further down the street a row of middle class residences share a garden lot, the ends of which are a small pub and a general goods store. On some evenings a rag man can be seen making his way up and down the street leading a small mule cart. It is unclear where he comes or goes to, but he is known to be an excellent source of rumor and lore, even regarding things well beyond this neighborhood.
Day 096
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The style and materials of buildings here is fairly consistent, there is obvious evidence of frequent renovation, repair and expansion over a long period. The residents seem to be primarily composed of multiple, extended, long-established families, though of late some new arrivals have joined the community. A popular establishment is a large tavern that is open nearly 24 hours, with patrons often engaged in all manner of games of chance and skill, although no gambling is permitted. The smallest block here is home to a solitary figure that collects and recasts metals of all sorts. Peculiarly, there is no evidence of a chimney or forge on the premises. Lastly, a healer of remarkable skill resides here, with a deep, if somewhat off-putting fascination with anatomy that they are eager to share with visitors.
Day 095
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A oily haze hangs in the air over this neighborhood, and coats most surfaces. The residents have a sallow complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Almost all are employed in some aspect of the brewing and alchemy industry, and there are several shops catering to every step of those processes, from raw ingredients, to processed components as well as final creations. A few older members of the craft even train and take on apprenticeships for a fee. However, the waters around this neighborhood are a dire sight. Shallow channels and gutters dump run-off and waste from this industry directly into the water way, and several warnings are posted about entering or imbibing the waters. Docks that once supported small fishing boats, are abandoned and rotting. Occasionally, folk claim to see strange phenomena and things moving in the opaque waters.
Day 094
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A collection of buildings constructed from recycled stone forms this community. The soil here is dark and rich, presumably the accumulated silt of countess annual deposits from the nearby waterway. From these a few small, but productive gardens stock a local green grocer. In a small plaza, a partly buried cupola of ancient stone stands alone. Within is a single large bell, a heavy patina obscuring its original design. Despite popular attempts, it resists any attempts to be rung.
Day 093
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From without this neighborhood appears to be little more than a modest collection of humble residences and a few stores offering basic goods & supplies, but this ring of building hides a secret. Accessible through one of a few walk-through stores, or a narrow ally in the shade of a large walnut tree, is a butterfly garden. The vegetation within enjoys a pleasant micro-climate that offers a rotation of blooming flowers almost year round. An elderly man tends this space. It is said that if one of the butterflies here willingly lands on a visitor, the gardener can discern some fortune, fate or insight from the pattern on its wings.
Day 092
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Chickens seem to range freely all around this neighborhood in prodigious numbers, and it is not unusual to find a freshly laid egg in flowerpots, buckets and even unattended boots left out. A few dairy cows graze contentedly in the large plaza of wild grasses and trees. A combination inn and tavern of a size disproportionate to the neighborhood rises three stories, and boasts a fireplace of some antiquity, around which the structure is said to have been built. Other features of note include a skilled chocolatier and a cobbler of fine footwear.
Day 091
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A consistent architecture runs throughout this well-kept neighborhood, suggesting it was built in a short or stable period. One of the courtyards is filled to bursting with salvage from various sources, but mostly the remains of housing fixtures, and furnishings. Browsing is welcome, but only the owner seems to the know the extent of the collection and organizational “system” used. A tattoo artist of exceptional skill also plies her trade in this neighborhood, and many maintain that some of her finest work is magical in nature. Finally, a self-styled seer offers magical messaging services which can even cross into other tessera proving one has something from the destination, no older than a month, which is consumed in the process.
Day 090
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A fine estate occupies the edge of this neighborhood. Its grounds are pristinely kept and boast numerous statues of fantastic and terrible beasts. A large transparent dome can be just be seen from ground level, under which there are hints of greenery and moving forms. An exclusive club of self-labeled gentlemen “monster hunters” gathers here regularly for lectures, regaling recent events and displaying their recent acquisitions. The smaller buildings nearby are residences of common folks, some that work directly for the club, while others in related businesses, such as a pair of rival taxidermists, an apothecary, a master trap smith, and others.
Day 089
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A small dam forms a mill pond to power a watermill that borders the canal in this neighborhood. This structure has seen better days though, and the locals seem to be struggling to maintain it, let alone restore broken feature and improve it. Many of the nearby buildings are dormitory style housing designed for a large number of people, but few are fully occupied now and many have been modified to house families and small home businesses. A large general supply serves the community’s basic needs, but variety is limited. The locals accept most valuable coinage, but also circulate their own local currency in the form of curious ceramic tokens.
Day 088
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The Knot is a patchwork collection of building styles and materials, clustered tightly together. Some are so close that upper stories lean against each other leaving tunnel-like alleys beneath them. Some residents have taken advantage of this to create elevated walkways and corridors. Despite its apparently squalor, the Knot is remarkably self-sufficient, with even complicated goods and services being undertaken piecemeal in tiny shops, backrooms and homes. Rooftop gardens, fish ponds and other creative means are employed to help keep the numerous mouths fed. Although the inhabitants are obviously a far-flung lot, anyone staying here long enough, eventually finds themselves fluent in and favoring the peculiar sing-song pidgin of The Knot, which is unusually resistant to translation otherwise.
Day 087
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The remains of a tall wall and watchtowers shades this neighborhood. A curious briny line along its rim runs its entire length, well above the tops of any of the buildings below. Each building here appears to have been carved from a solid piece of a porous stone, without mortar or joints, although fixtures such as windows, shutters and doors have been fitted at some point after their construction. The ground is a mix of sand and finely crushed shell. The inhabitants are a varied lot, sharing little in the way of common culture. Only a few tentative business have started up, and these focus mostly on immediate needs of the community.
Day 086
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These hulking, multi-storied blocks of black stone face inwards upon themselves, with only a few small, barred windows to the outside world. The remains of the perimeter wall surrounding them have parapets facing inwards, instantly telling observers that this was a place meant to keep its “inhabitants” within. While the waterway appears to be an obvious flaw in this design, a closer look reveals it is foul and opaque with hints of unnatural things occasionally moving within it. The current inhabitants have closed this prison to outsiders and it is unclear what they have made of its interior.
Day 085
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The buildings of this neighborhood are little better than shanties; constructed of salvaged wood, stone, tarp and even cobbles pried from the single muddle street that divides the two rows of buildings. Most are residences and flops, but a few sell basic manual mining and prospecting gear, or assay & refine valuable gemstones. The upper road is essentially a pair of wagon ruts that serves as a boundary with a low bluff riddled with shafts barely large enough to allow a man to crawl. From these, semi-precious gems and bits of crystals are extracted, providing a meager income and great danger from collapse and other subterranean dangers.
Day 084
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A large channel along the border of this neighborhood is a wet/dry dock. Although obviously purpose built for some intensive ship building, it now services whatever ships find their way into the strange waters between tessera. The buildings closest are dedicated to various naval repair and fabrication crafts such as carpentry, sails, rigging, smithing and so forth. A mostly intact tower that looms over the exit is home to a mysterious figure that locals claim is an enchanter or “weather witch”. Further from the dock, one will find residences, lodging, and mundane services, but it also hosts a crafter of spyglasses and a cartographer whose stock has grown to include maps of many unknown and (presumably) inaccessible lands.
Day 083
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Plumes of steam emerge from the fountain and most of the buildings in this neighborhood; testament to the heat of the waters that flow beneath the ground here. Although unpalatable, they are reputed to have healing properties. As a result bathhouses have been built or retrofitted to take advantage of this phenomena, for those with the coin. For the most humble, soaking ones feet in the fountain is the best that can be hoped for. The presence of the remains of ancient plumbing and irrigation suggest that the waters were once mundane, but no one alive recalls when that might have been. The few grates that may access the below grounds, have long ago been rusted and encrusted with minerals.
Day 082
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This small collection of buildings enjoys a rather idyllic location next to a canal lined with greenery. The narrow “lock” bridge is best suited for foot traffic, but a small carriage or cart might be able to cross slowly with care. Visitors will notice a variety and multitude of small animals moving freely throughout the area; from common urban creatures to those more common in a woodland. Only the absence of any cats seems conspicuous. The inhabitants are not unfriendly, but perhaps a bit curt and dull. Businesses are few, and most feature only a small front room for wares, with most of their area dedicated to private rooms and areas.
Day 081
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The majority of the buildings in this area are heavily boarded up from the outside, even chimneys and vents are blocked. A few show traces of burnt incense, candle stubs, iron nails and salt around their perimeters. As one moves to the outskirts, some of the buildings are open and occupied, but it is unclear if these have been re-open, or simply not closed up yet. The residents are a grim lot, and hesitant to communicate with outsiders. Curiously, the green space here shows signs of attempted tilling but has obviously been abandoned, and is now choked with weeds and brush.
Day 080
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All that remains of this neighborhood are the outlines of buildings and pulverized stonework, no piece larger than a man’s fist. Either some terrible calamity or relentless destruction was visited upon it at some point. A few shifted piles of rubble suggest that some minor attempts have been made to investigate for answers or valuables, it does not appear that either have been found. A washer woman that operates out of a canvas tent on the far side of the waterway claims that sometimes, from certain angles one can see a phantom image of this place when it was intact, but she also believes that troll-folk live under the nearby bridges, and neither of these things have been been proved.
Day 079
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This frontage of residences and buildings wraps partially around an orchard compose of various fragrant, leafy shrubs. The tips of these are frequently harvested by the locals, ensuring that only tender green growth are present The harvest is prepared to create a variety of teas, from mundane to ones that claim extraordinary properties. Shops based around this industry include vendors of tea accessories, tea blends, tea houses, and so forth. Although the grove appears unguarded, they have apparently never been successfully pilfered. Doors and shutters facing the grove almost all feature a pair of glaring eye motif painted on them.
Day 078
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Unlike other neighborhoods which seem to have an indistinct, ephemeral border with their neighbors, here there is a fine crack or closed fissure that runs the entire perimeter. At certain times, in absolutely darkness, visitors have claimed to see a golden light emerging from it. Another unique feature is that every creature here has a magical or supernatural “knack” of some sort. These are very minor, akin to a minor cantrip, but seem to require no magical training and only minor exertion. No one seems to be quite sure why this is the case, and if questioned about their past, they will briefly get a far away look, before claiming no memory of their origins.
Day 077
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This neighborhood appears to have been “plucked” from a specialized district. In the lower portion, numerous waterproof pits in the ground can be found for the scouring of raw wool or dying the finished product. Nearby buildings are equipped with basic mechanisms to efficiently card and spin large volumes of the resulting material. Nearly every home has a resident skilled in knitting or weaving on looms of various size and complexity. While some of their output is obviously for utilitarian needs, there are several true artisans capable of producing the highest quality products, including fine tapestries, exquisite rugs and so forth, suitable for enchantment.
Day 076
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The light in this neighborhood has a peculiar quality to it; never harsh, but instead possessing a golden quality one associates with the lengthening days of Autumn. Among the offerings here are an artisanal brewer who creates “signature” intoxicants for affluent customers, a painting supply shop & small gallery, a gambling hall, and a fortune teller. After a short time, astute visitors will notice that no living thing here has a shadow. New arrivals lingering more than a day, notice their own shadows slowly becoming more and more translucent, and disappearing entirely eventually. In most cases, these return after a time consistently spent away from this neighborhood.
Day 075
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At first blush, this neighborhood appears one of the more mundane that visitors will discover in Tesserae. Its businesses are modest and somewhat mundane, serving the everyday needs of the locals with few offerings for the adventurous or powerful. An empty lot in the lower portion contains a rubble heap; the remains of large structure that was pulled or fell down at some point, and many of the stones show signs of great force and fire. All about the neighborhood, can be found smooth stones that fit comfortable in a person’s hand. Each bears a unique, simple carving or pictograph. Locals claim these have always been here, turning up in garden beds and other overlooked places. They have since taken to making their own and leaving them for others to find. So much so, that it can be difficult to discern “originals”.
Day 074
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The large building here appears to have once been a barracks and training center for a state military, but after its arrival in Tesserae it has evolved into a more diversified training center for the fighting arts. There are lodgings for students, mostly young men whose families have enrolled them. Additionally, lessons can be procured in the form of group courses, and for the more affluent, individual trainer/mentors. The nearby clearing is the site of sparring, training and displays, and onlookers are a frequent sight. As one might expect, the neighborhood boasts several businesses that support this cornerstone; armor & weapon smiths, medics, stables, etc. The one large tavern found here is known for its genteel atmosphere and low tolerance for ruffians, as many of the trainers and students frequent it.
Day 073
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An open courtyard here serves to host various markets, festivals and events. While none of the stalls and cart spaces are officially permanent, they are in high demand so obtaining one can be difficult without connections. The scent of spicy sausages, smoked meats and jerky waft from the largest permanent structure here, drawing dedicated customers. After a short while, visitors may notice that almost every home and business has at least one wind chime made of shards of broken mirror hanging outside. The largest tree in the small green space is actually hollow and serves as the home of a local hermit, who sells intricately carved acorns.
Day 072
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The ground of this neighborhood is littered with smoking crevices, cracks and pits. These are lined with deposits of colorful, and often pungent minerals. Some are hot & dry, while others are bubbling mud pots. The buildings show marks of scorching as well as acid-like damage. The large empty areas are testaments to structures that did not survive this relentless environment. Many of the residents wear peculiar helmets with thick glass lens and mouthpieces, and anyone not taking similar precautions will eventually suffer deleterious effects if they spent too much time here. Harvesting the materials accumulating around and in these features, seems to be the main industry, as they are in demand for various crafts, industries and works.
Day 071
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The buildings along the row of this neighborhood all share a similar architectural style, and with a few exceptions businesses are located on either end, with residences towards the center. While the area lacks the typical tavern or inn, a small pub serves mostly locals but closes quite early. One can also find a barber, a shoemaker and school of dance. The large wooded area appears wild and dense, rather than the tidy parks seen in most towns. Within is a roofless and ruined chapel of an unknown faith. The remains of bells that have been smashed into many pieces litter the floor. Normally, these might be salvaged for metal, but these are conspicuously untouched. Though not particularly large, visitors often become disoriented and even lost within the woods, with some not emerging for many hours or longer.
Day 070
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The buildings of this neighborhood are of a construction that seems peculiar to most visitors. The current residents claim it was inhabited only by the dead and hideous monsters, parodies of humanoids when they arrived. Metal cables run from building to building, and to tall poles, but their purpose, other than the favored roosts of pigeons is unknown. One of larger buildings in the upper district has a large wooden landing that faces the road it borders. In this road are a pair of metal bars that run its entire length, curving to follow the path but remaining perfectly parallel to each other the entire way. An enterprising local has gathered much of the strange furnishings and freight from the original neighborhood in the large building in the lower district that serves as eclectic warehouse, museum and occasionally, auction house when he thinks he has come across anything particularly interesting or valuable in his cataloging.
Day 069
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Among the residences are a few small businesses; the usual taverns, inns and general supplies & wares. In the courtyard, the proprietor of an aviary can often be seen training various raptors and owls for clients. A medium sized building in the upper quarter houses a museum of engineering mechanisms, complete with working miniatures. Various exotic scents blanket the lower quarter where a chandler concocts all manner of mundane and specialty candles. But the most prominent structure is “The Lodge”. It’s corner and plaque allude to it having been built for a fraternal order of some sort, but these days it hosts lectures and talks on a variety of topics, and eagerly seeks out new ones and orators.
Day 068
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A multi-story building sits amongst a grove of trees of uncanny conformity. The building is constructed of thick, gray stone and while it boasts many windows and gablets, closer examination reveals these are facades of stone and tile. The doors are fashioned in a similar manner. Indeed there is no obvious way to access the building. Some of the other nearby buildings house a small order of monks who frequent the grounds and discourage anyone from approaching the strange structure. Other residents claim to be simple folk, attempting to lead quiet lives and offer no insight into this peculiar situation.
Day 067
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This neighborhood boasts an impressive dock front that must have once seen a great deal traffic in its day. Denied access to the open sea, however, the residents have had to improvise. A system of nets and frames are submerged just below the waterline to grow marine life for food, shells & pearls. Amongst these are racks of edible seaweed which is processed in the sun. A major portion of the businesses here are based on this industry. The remains of large vessels have been beached and are a dwindling source of building materials and other salvage. Naval elements can be seen among the newer and expanded structures. Some of the very oldest members dimly recall the area’s nautical days. The most lucid of these is a man claiming to have been a cabin boy in his youth, but now sells nautical relics and lore from this past.
Day 066
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The aroma of exotic herbs and spices hangs over the entire neighborhood from the various specialist vendors, but is most concentrated along the lower side of the road that leads to the walled gate. The gate itself is something of a peculiarity, as it has been sealed up at some point in the past. So seamless was this, that locals attribute it to an unknown master mason or perhaps magic. To this day it appears pristine and resists magical or mundane attempts to alter it or pass through it. This matters little, since most folk simply walk around to one of the broken sections at the ends of the wall, as evidenced by well-worn footpaths. In the upper section of the neighborhood are residences of varying quality, as well as a music instructor and a master book binder.
Day 065
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The tightly packed buildings of this neighborhood might come across as crowded to some, but are painted in alternating bright colors, which should clash, but somehow come across and remarkably charming and cozy. Several are private and multi-family residences sharing courtyards in the rear, but there are also many business of note, including: taverns and lodgings for various means, a shop specializing in selling small trained animal pets, a scholar who gives private lessons in various topics, specializes in advanced & esoteric mathematics, and a money changer who also identifies and collects unusual coins. At night, another peculiar feature becomes apparent. A small, otherwise unassuming, ground cover plant throughout the neighborhood phosphoresces slightly. Local legend says a retired adventurer brought it back from some forgotten land and it adapted well here.
Day 064
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A large multi-story manor with several large, gabled windows serves here as an orphanage. Its dormitories provide shelter, training and respite for the lost or abandoned children from far-flung locales. While it is a modest organization at the best of times, a stream of small donations from philanthropists and graduates that have done well for themselves, prevents most shortages. Its grounds feature a productive garden and modest play field. A fountain, whose source has dried out some time ago, occasionally produces coins in its dusty residue but superstitious sorts warn against claiming these.
Day 063
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The the buildings of “The Row” all appear very new, and show signs of progressive improvements and enhancements. Indeed, the residents proudly explain that this area was once little more than a section of road; built of excellent materials and to high standards but apparently leading from and to nothing. Taking advantage of open space and the needs of those passing through, a wide variety of shops and services have sprung up, including but not limited to: dungeoneering supplies, a healer’s shrine, a money changer, armor & weapon smiths, a full-service stable, several tea & coffee shops, taverns, short-term lodging, a scribes’ supply shop, a general provisioner, a jeweler, an alchemist and a grocer. Side streets are packed with multi-tenement residences for those residents and families that do not reside above or behind their shops.
Day 062
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The circuit of buildings that composes the upper portion of this neighborhood are primarily residences, but a few cottage industries and shops stand out, such as a fromagerie & butter dairy, a small playhouse with tavern, several garment/clothing specialists, and store for general ware & dry goods. Separated by a wrought-iron fence is a once-fine manor house, now a brooding stone edifice. Supposedly still owned by a noble family, no signs of activity are apparent and most locals give it a wide berth. Daring youths and night owls claims that ghostly music and strange lights can be seen emanating from it on some nights.
Day 061
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A grand structure of precision cut marble overwhelms most visitors when they arrive in this tessera. It is crowned by a dome of segmented and riveted metal plates, upon which time has bestowed a stately patina. The grounds feature dwarf trees which are tended by a single gardener, whose cabin is tucked among the greenery. On most nights and some days, the roof of the great building splits upon, folding back in sections to reveal a large, tubular pipe pointed skywards. If allowed entrance by the inhabitants that live and work within, it is revealed that a complex mechanism allows a single person to adjust and direct the tube to any point in the sky. Within it are a series of scrying glasses and fine mirrors which render heavenly bodies in remarkable detail and clarity. Portions of the interior of the building are dedicated to housing documents of the strange and ever-changing skies that appear overhead since this place came to Tesserae; perhaps even those of the visitors’ if they recall them.
Day 060
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This neighborhood is a tightly-knit collection of structures, primarily small residences and business, or larger buildings subdivided for various uses. All have small windows with heavy shutters. The most striking feature, however, are tall timber poles like the masts of ships that tower above even the tallest of buildings. Between these is strung a web of barbed wire mesh smallest enough to prevent that passage of any creature larger than a medium-sized bird. Some of these poles even have crow’s nest platforms in which occasionally can be seen a residents armed with crossbows. If one can look beyond this strange arrangement, the neighborhood offers numerous charms inside its doors.
Day 059
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A squalid row of uninhabited, slime-slick stone buildings forms a lonely row overlooking a packed earth courtyard bereft of any features or adornment except for a large fountain. The fountain is of an ancient and peculiar stone-craft, its surface bearing traces of carvings which cause the eye to linger uncomfortably upon them. The water itself is of unknown depth as it is murky and seems to churn like dark oil attempting, but always failing to fully separate. No amount of bailing or draining seems to lower the level, and natural and elemental beings alike refuse to enter it. When rains cause the courtyard to become muddy, the next morning multitudes of tracks of unidentifiable creatures can be found in great abundance, with no distinct starting or ending point.
Day 058
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A large temple dominates this neighborhood but it has long ago lost its denominational trappings. No one is even certain what powers were once worshiped here. It has become a “pantheon” for followers of faiths and powers that feel they have lost that connection since arriving in Tesserae. Within, every niche and alcove is home to a makeshift shrine to one of thousands of the lost. It is said that one can find a patron to any dominion if you look long enough. A collection of houses and buildings nearby is populated with folk claiming to be descended from the temple’s original inhabitants, but profess to have abandoned and erased all traces of that period.
Day 057
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A handful of docks upon white stone columns jut out into still, brilliant blue water here, but ships are never seen. Instead, numerous ropes hang over their edge, suspending various shapes in the water. Upon closer examination, items of assorted shapes & sizes hang in the water encrusted with a fine white stone deposit. No life of any kind is seen in the water. The locals claim these waters were once vibrant, but changed at some point, killing all life and making shipping impossible. They now use these properties to preserve things in a stony crust, or create works of stone-like art or reinforce utilitarian goods. The docks are privately owned by a few dozen of them, and outsiders may not make use of them. Their wares and services can be found throughout the neighborhood though.
Day 056
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The sun shines brightly and hot over the knot-work clusters of buildings that form this neighborhood. They are constructed primarily from adobe with rough timber beams jutting out, and flat roof tops only accessible from their interiors where residents perform various domestic activities. While this area offers little in the way of business, a dark blue-gray menhir stands in the center. Its surface is marred with scalloped cavities about the size of a man’s fist. Anything spoken into them is completely muted, whether whispered or shouted. Locals call it the gossip stone, but others use it to vent frustration, sorrow or whisper their dreams. It is rumored that occasionally someone placing an ear to one of the these will hear voices. No amount of magic or research to date has revealed anything more about the purpose or nature of the stone.
Day 055
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A persistent dampness hovers over this neighborhood, and denizens jokingly say that if you go to sleep outside, you’ll wake up covered in moss. The thick green cloak over every roof and exposed surface suggests that they aren’t far from the truth. Most of the buildings here are dual use, with families living above or in the back their stores and workshops. Among these are a woodcarver; particularly talented with likenesses, pickle vendor who claims she can pickle anything, a copper smith who make practical as well as decorative offerings, and a florist selling live plants as well as arrangements. Only one small inn is available for temporary lodgings, mostly an afterthought to the attached public house.
Day 054
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Many of the structures here show the signs of sudden and dramatic damage. Holes of a wide variety of sizes often pass through entire structures regardless of their composition. Most have been repaired with secondary materials, though a few have been converted into features like doors, skylights, windows, and drain holes. The fingerprint of a large crater in the central plaza seems to be the epicenter of this peculiarity, but is has been filled in with debris & rubble and smoothed over with packed earth . No living resident claims to have witnessed this event, but many wild theories abound. The source of many of these is an elderly man that sells small objects pierced by the holes as charms and trinkets. Other offerings here include a noodle shop called the Bowl in the Wall and a leather worker that specializes in custom creations.
Day 053
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A collection of stone buildings compose this neighborhood, most simply built of crudely stacked stones with thatched roofs, but a handful are of somewhat better construction. Among the latter, number an alchemist’s shop, a pawn broker, a seedy tavern and a paddock with goats & chickens. Upon examination the individual stones of all buildings appear to be carved in the likeness of realistic books, with no two being exactly the same. The source of this curiosity becomes clear from the great “wall” that looms over the neighborhood. Unlike defensive structures elsewhere, it appears to have been fashioned with uncanny skill to resemble a tremendous bookshelf, lined with rows of thousands upon thousands of tomes, many of which have been hacked away for building material.
Day 052
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Part of the outer ring of buildings in this neighborhood all share a very peculiar feature; appearing to have been made of in-situ wood covered in the remains of bark. Although apparently long dead, they appear to have been carved from the rim of a tree of truly enormous size. Although heavily supplemented with other materials and later structures, it is a striking feature of the neighborhood. This is further reinforced by the presence of tunnels created from the void of rotted roots, that now serve as cellars and the like. A tavern features prominently among the businesses here, as do a talented luthier, vintners, distillers and brewers.
Day 051
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Many of the structures in this district are built directly against their adjacent neighbor, but with little attention given to architectural style or height, giving them the appearance of a jagged smile when viewed in profile. What they do share is a series of beneath grade tunnels, basements and sub-basements allowing denizens an alternative to street level navigation if they choose. Oddly though, these do not follow the current above ground layout, but rather seem based on some older design. In the lower quarter of the neighborhood, a courtyard is surrounded by a loose stockade. Several times a month, this is occupied by various livestock that will be processed by the businesses that surround it; abattoir, tanners, rendering, etc. The entire operation is comprehensive, self-contained and very efficient.
Day 050
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This quiet neighborhood might be called a residential district in certain parlance. The daytime lighting perpetually gives the impression of a mild autumn, and sunrises and sunsets here linger unnaturally long. The sound of children laughing can be heard in the distance and just around every corner, though strangely, none are ever encountered. The residents are largely homeowners or their domestic servants, but it is not entirely clear how the neighborhood sustains itself. When evening does eventually fall, nights are almost always crisp & clear and the sky shines with an over abundance of stars. Very occasionally, strange motes of light linger outside upper story windows and dance from house to house.
Day 049
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A section of curtain wall bisects this neighborhood, but its details are all but lost under a massive growth of a leafy, impenetrable climbing vine of some sort. The only discernible details that remain are the hint of two towers of some sort along its length. The locals have capitalized on this curiosity, as the starchy runners & roots, and tender shoots are edible and while aggressively harvested by the residents, it seems to make no lasting impact on the foliage. Other endeavors given over to processing this peculiar bounty include basket weaving, pulp for paper, cordage and silage for livestock.
Day 048
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The buildings and structures of this neighborhood appear to have gone unoccupied for some time and are only now being renovated. Two long, narrow buildings have had their mutual dividing wall broken down, so that they now serve as a large communal meeting, feasting and mead hall. Besides residences, the neighborhood features an excellent blacksmith specializing in fine iron weapons, rope makers with a their large winding rigs outdoors, and two competing fortune tellers. The top several feet of the segment of wall bordering this neighborhood toppled down long ago, but what remains is more or less stable. A large relatively, intact section of the wall now hosts an ongoing mural project by the oldest residence, assisted by the youngest, and appears to document a journey from a distant land and various travails and tribulations.
Day 047
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This neighborhood takes the form a long narrow street of tightly packed buildings. Over head, the sky is almost entirely obscured by awnings of many colors and patterns, spanning the width of the street. The vendors themselves are just as curious and colorful; a shop of mechanical toys, a breeder of miniature pets that can fit in a beltpouch, a brewer of personalized beverages, a weaver of portraiture textiles, a crafter of themed music boxes, and so forth. The bridge at the top of the neighborhood features a draw-bridge, which seems to be controlled from somewhere else, rising and lowering to some unseen need or whim. When raised, this road cannot be used to enter or exit this district.
Day 046
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A few tall piers jut out above the shoreline of this salt water harbor. Travel between this district and others that border water is theoretically possible, but navigation is a challenging undertaking. To this end, a dockside monastery houses an order of blind navigators called the “The Tideborne” who offer their services to ships. A large communal warehouse dominates this neighborhood as a testament to the amount of cargo coming and going. Other buildings offer recreation to sailors, traveler & nautical services and short term residence. The lower beach is sandy and upon it can be found numerous empty conch shells after each tide. Locals claim that some of these contain voices and messages from distant shores and times.
Day 045
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All paths to this neighborhood are muddy mires, becoming deeper and more viscous with every step. Just when visitors might be tempted to turn back or risk sinking, they will find a series of timbers and planks covering it; even then, it oozes just beneath like something hungry. The residents go about their day quickly and do not spend a great deal of time outside of buildings. Several of the buildings show signs of subsidence with first floor doors and windows nearly below ground level. This neighborhood is entirely devoid of vermin. Few charms are to be had here; a somber tavern, a general store with basic wares and a curio shop. Many of the residents are employed by a waste collection business, servicing other neighborhoods.
Day 044
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The buildings of this neighborhood have an air of antiquity about them, and most appear to have been repurposed many times; being divided, merged or consolidated. A vendor of exotic, as well as mundane, fungi occupies a particularly stout and squat building, offering his wares on the ground floor, while growing them in (presumably) extensive basements. A tall square tower houses a dovecote. An elderly woman in some sort of tattered livery tends them, claiming that they were once a message service, though these days no outgoing messages ever receive replies, and the only birds that return are strangers and bear messages in peculiar languages from unknown lands.
Day 043
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This small warren is composed of ramshackle shacks and decrepit older buildings leaning perilously into the streets and against one another. The streets are strewn with debris and waste. Aside from the occasional carts vending cheap food or drink passing through, there appear to be no permanent business or industry here, and the denizens seem here only for the shelter and privacy. Most keep to themselves, but ostentatious visitors may find themselves the subject of unwanted attention. A small shrine is tucked away between a few of the buildings that have sprung up around it. Its stone work obviously predates anything else here. What little of its inscriptions that have survived the ravages of time and turmoil suggest that it was dedicated to some power of disease and malady.
Day 042
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The perimeter of this neighborhood is lined with residences and business of a mundane sort; tasteful homes & tenements, cozy taverns, and all the basic daily mundane needs. Each is built one against another, sharing walls. Curiously, none have windows, doors or any means of exit or entrance facing the central area behind them. From above, that area is covered with a perpetual opaque mist. Attempting to pass through this mist only results in the traveler emerging above it again from some other point. The only apparent entrance is a dark & narrow alley through which can be seen distance blurry lights, muted sounds of voices, music & festivity, and the smell of aromatic foods. Passing through, visitors finds themselves in a market of numerous stalls, tents, wagons, etc. It is perpetually night here, but the rows are light by lamps and other light sources. A bewildering variety of goods can be found here. If visitors leave and return, the arrangement will have changed; locations of stalls, new vendors arrived, old vendors gone, and so forth.
Day 041
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A series of private villas compose the majority of this neighborhood. They feature opulent entryways, tile roofs, and porticoed courtyards (peristylium), many of which contain small gardens and water features. Only a single cluster of buildings is not dedicated to residences, and instead host respectable, high-end businesses catering to moneyed folk. A semi-public well stands in the midst of a paved plaza. The well itself features carvings of various fantastic aquatic creatures, while the plaza boasts various small shrines and monuments to the ancestors of residents.
Day 040
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One is immediately assaulted by a flurry of activity upon entering this neighborhood. Denizens move briskly from building to building with scrolls, books, folios and boxes of paper. Within, numerous scribes with abaci and other devices, work feverishly on some project. Each is focused on some small aspect of this project so they are unable to give a comprehensive explanation, even when they can be (briefly) dragged away from their work. The activity continues night and day, with multiple shifts. Only a skeleton “staff” is dedicated to other activities such as the provisioning of the neighborhood and basic functions.
Day 039
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This neighborhood of conservative gray stone buildings is nestled around a tall rectangular bell tower that stands alone, dutifully ringing out the hours with great precision. It even features a mechanical diorama of warriors dispatching a hideous troll. A cozy pub caters mostly to locals, but will not turn away visitors if they are good-mannered and not too disruptive. Local businesses feature locksmiths and manufacturers of various sorts of security devices.
Day 038
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Tucked into the crook between an orphaned city wall, a waterway and a bridge, this neighborhood immediately projects a cozy sense of safety. The upper most collection of buildings contains a waterwheel whose shaft powers a grain mill in the nearest building, as well as more industrial application in the structures further on, such as hammers, lathes, presses and pumps. Further away, the buildings transition into residences and service based businesses. On the far side of the waterway, the bank undercuts a hillside in which are embedded the remains of a variety of strange creatures made of stone. A particularly large example of one was been removed and is featured on the bridge entering the neighborhood.
Day 037
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An impressive segment of city wall stands at the end of this small collection of buildings. It is fully intact with a well-maintained portcullis and doors that appear capable of resisting all but the most determined invaders. The remains of a small platoon of guards that once manned it live in the nearby barracks, and a few still go through the motions though the neighborhood is easily entered from any direction. A smith who specializes in farrier-craft maintains a small shop here and his partner is a talented healer of animals, particularly beasts of burden.
Day 036
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One is immediately struck by the canopy of green which dominates this neighborhood. This only become more remarkable upon closer examination of the variety found here. Many are “productive” varieties, providing prodigious amounts of fruits, nuts, and other, more exotic products. The former of which are processed into dried fruits and liquors in the locally distillery. Obviously, the locals are very productive of their “grove”, and most actually choose to be interred here. Small cutting for propagation are given to honored guests and as presents for important life events.
Day 035
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The buildings in this crowded neighborhood are all multi-storied, and those along the central alley are particularly tall. This gives visitors the impression that the top stories are leaning in, narrowing the view of the sky here. When one does get a clear view of the heavens, one is struck by two peculiarities. The first is that the moon appears substantially larger and brighter, and the second is the presence of a smaller moon orbiting the main one, casting a shadow across its face. Many of the typical and essential trades and services are found here, with the exception of crafters of precious metals such as gold and silver, and the wearing of these is seen as unlucky and gauche.
Day 034
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The waterway that cuts through this neighborhood features steep banks that the residents regularly “mine” for a fine clay found there. Pulleys, ladders and wagons adore the near and far shore, and are in use most days. This supply feeds the active community of potters, brick & tile makers, and sculptors which makes up the majority of the community. The quality and volume of their products is well-known and workshops and vendors are available for almost any application. A small apothecary even offers remedies derived from this clay. Two large, fired clay statues depicting strong workers flank either side the landing of the bridge into this neighborhood.
Day 033
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Signs of affluence are immediately evident upon entering this neighborhood. The streets are regularly cleaned, the structures are in good repair, and its inhabitants are well dressed (though not frivolously). One third of the neighborhood is a collection of bankers, lenders, money-changers and workers of valuable metals and precious gems. Another third appears to be the guild house of a well-trained and well-armed mercenary company. The remainder of the neighborhood are fine residences.
Day 032
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Incongruous as it might seem, this neighborhood appears to be a well-tended and tidy farm. Upon arriving, visitors are soon greeted by a “farmhand” who rarely leaves them unattended. They will proudly, but protectively explain that they are developing novel breeds of plants and animals with desirable traits. These mostly take the form of fast growing, easier to tend, requiring less food and being more resistant to various adversity. Many outsiders are suspicious of the farm, but its residents dismiss this as superstition and close-mindedness.
Day 031
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Immediately upon entering this area, the persistent smell of smoke and burning assaults the senses. Flakes of ash slowly rain down continually, and any untended surface accumulates a thin layer in a day or so. The residents seem consigned to constantly sweeping and disposing of the material, pressing it into blocks of cinder for construction or sending it away for agriculture (as little grows here). Occasionally, particularly large drifts will accumulate if not dealt with, which the locals consider unlucky, if not malignant.
Day 030
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This hub shaped neighborhood benefits from being a crossroads of sorts for whichever neighborhoods are currently connected to it. Its denizens pride themselves on the ability to adapt to whatever novelty arrives from realms beyond, and are quick to find a way to benefit from them if possible. Many of the businesses here support or facilitate travel and transportation. On special holidays, the outer ring street is shut down to general traffic and hosts various sorts of foot races, of speed, agility, obstacles, etc with honors and prizes for the winners.
Day 029
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The ruins of a keep dominate this neighborhood and a substantial portion of its structure, walls and towers are still intact. Several openings, both original and as a result of damage, have been bricked up with newer stonework. The few that remain are secured by strong, locked grates which the leaders of this community can unlock for a fee or if sufficient reason is given. It is known that extensive underground structures lay beneath the keep. The residents themselves have made an attraction and likelihood of sorts of these features, and deal in the needs of daring sorts that would brave them.
Day 028
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At first blush this neighborhood appears nothing more than an idyllic, if somewhat mundane community. It boasts a healthy mix of essential businesses, services and tidy residences, but no particular industry or specialty stands outs. Its residents are friendly and approachable, though not particularly knowledgeable about the phenomena of Tesserae or other esoteric topics. The only oddity a keen observer might eventually notice is the presence of numerous, discrete tiny doors, windows and miniature functional features set at ground level. None of these appear to be in use by any creature and seem completely mundane to casual inspection.
Day 027
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A body of salt water laps against a sandy shore in this tessera. The only substantial structure is the first floor or two of a ruined tower and the remains of a curtain wall attached to it. A few dubious looking floating docks jut out into the water, constructed from scrap lumber and debris. These waters do experience tides, however, and when they are at their lowest, stone paving and steps are visible at the point furthest from shore, but the seafloor drops off quickly beyond that point. Occasionally, a visitor will erect a small shanty from drift wood and scraps of tarpaulin, but none seem to stay or last long here.
Day 026
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Although most of the establishments of this neighborhood seem given over to entertainment, food, drink and other diversions, they do not face outward to the street traffic than encircles it. Instead, they face inward to a large, pleasant grassy courtyard. When the weather is mild, tables and seating are available outside each. Sunset is particularly popular with visitors as, peculiarly, the western view is always different, featuring some distant or alien world. Occasionally, someone in the gathering will recognize the vista, but it is as likely to be the past or future of that land, as the present they would recognize.
Day 025
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A fast-flowing canal borders this neighborhood, crossed by an arched stone bridge large enough to accommodate two wagons side by side. Half way across, a small toll house can be found, but it is no longer officially manned, instead being the residence of a odd sage that petitions anyone crossing. Along the bank, are several laundries who use the canal for their business, while drying takes place along the wall behind them. The far wall of the neighborhood is almost completely covered in a long, flowing bas-relief. It portrays a bewildering diverse number of scenes, including battles, calamities, celestial bodies, and more. Unfortunately, at several point is has been obscured by windows and doorways cut in to it at some point.
Day 024
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The large building that dominates this neighborhood has all the architectural hallmarks of having been a temple or monument of sort, but any symbols, engravings or dedications have been thoroughly eradicated at some point. Now it appears to be a rendering factory for oil and wax, issuing forth a pungent greasy smoke day and night. Almost all the locals here are secretive folk that avoid visitors, dealing with outsiders only through a handful of outsider vendors. Nonetheless, the copious amounts of wax and fuel oil they produce is in high demand. The entire neighborhood, and the factory in particular, are occasionally wracked with quakes of minor to moderate strength.
Day 023
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The cobbles and surfaces of this neighborhood are slick with damp moss, slime and mildew almost without exception. Few of its buildings boast chimneys, and those that do issue forth a dark oily smoke. Its inhabitants are a morose folk that spend most of their time fishing or foraging along the substantial stretch of coast that wraps around the neighborhood, and are disinclined to interact with visitors. While the waters here are gray and murky, occasionally the barest outlines of a large, fallen statue can be seen from the furthest point of the docks.
Day 022
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This neighborhood is built on an offset grid that suggest an attempt at city planning, but the varying size and construction of its structures seem to contradict any such plan. Twenty-two of these buildings are permanent residences or shops occupied by a single person each. These stand apart because these individuals never leave the neighborhood and, indeed, seem incapable of doing so. The rest the buildings are open for occupancy by anyone who wishes to take up residence. However, only an additional fifty-six people can occupy the neighborhood at any given time. Once this number is reached, the neighborhood cannot be entered by any known means from the outside. Non-permanent residents may leave at any time, but even if they choose to remain, they eventually wake up in other neighborhoods after a time and the neighborhood becomes accessible again for a time.
Day 021
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Although this neighborhood seems forever in dusk and darkness, large windows spill warm light out of each of the smaller buildings and streetlamps leave no room for gloom. Each is a tavern, pub, coffee or tea house, or some other venue for gathering with unique themes and clientele. An overwhelming sense of hospitality, creativity and ingenuity seems to percolate from each and it is hard not to get caught up in these moods, even during a brief visit here. A multi-storied structure at the lower end is a theater house of surprising capacity for its size, which never lack for plays, lectures and concerts.
Day 020
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A somber pallor lingers over this neighborhood, and more often than not a low, clinging fog persists well into the afternoon. Most of the businesses in this area seem to serve funerary rites, and the residents are well-versed in an astonishing range of them from commonplace to obscure; various forms of preservation, sky burial, cremation, water, internment, and many more. While there are no graveyards due to space constraints, an extensive warren of catacombs is available to those who have no place in their own neighborhoods. While some of these services can be quite expensive depending on the pomp and ceremony, many humbler means are available. Unclaimed deceased consigned here are held for a short time before being considered forfeit and likenesses are posted for possible survivors to identify.
Day 019
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Although now partitioned and modified, it is clear that all the buildings of this neighborhood were part of some grander structure of a stately architecture at some point in the very near past. Its occupants are almost entirely students, instructors and support staff of an educational institution. The youngest of the original students are now in their late teens, but the institution has found new life, taking on students from visitors and other neighborhoods. A small library and lecture hall stands at the top of the neighborhood, and a sports field of some sort is encircled by the “horseshoe” of the other buildings. Both remain active, and many events at both are open to the public for a small admission.
Day 018
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This neighborhood surrounds a town square which is given over to regular markets, traders and stalls, alternating between a collection of unique day shift and night shift vendors. The remains of the current wall of a fort or castle, and single one of its tower loom over this square and the various small buildings here. While the former is in poor condition, the later is intact and rumored to be inhabited by a “wizard”. It features a solid door of some dark metal, to which are often affixed posters and bounties, reputably by the unseen occupant. Some are simple requests for provisions and supplies, but others are more esoteric; all end up being paid in some manner.
Day 017
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The larger buildings in this neighborhood house stables serving various carts, wagons and a few carriage services. Their drivers are very well versed regarding peculiarities of the routes connecting the various neighborhoods and charge a premium for their services. In the lower quarter of this neighborhood a shallow tidal bank ebbs and flows, regularly exposing odd bits and debris, making it a favorite haunt of mudlarks. Between them can be found a few souls plying a trade in crab pots and the collection of shellfish, which find their way into the pots of traveling food carts serving this and other neighborhoods.
Day 016
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The residents of this neighborhood have a haggard look about them and avoid making eye contact with visitors. Regardless of age or condition, everyone seems to be working intently on crafting various bits and bobs. It is unclear what these are, as they have no obvious purpose or function, but each is subjected to intense scrutiny before completion. It is unclear what becomes of these, as they are not traded and the neighborhood rarely engages in commerce with others. Visitors are not permitted entrance to any residences, and discouraged from entering any of the work spaces.
Day 015
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Compared to the stranger neighborhoods one encounters in Tesserae, this one seems positively mundane. While still diverse and vibrant, the residents seem to have an easy going, c’est la vie approach to the occasional unusual events and visitors which pass through. In fact, some might say they are unnervingly unflappable in the face of their situation. A few of the structures are multi-family homes, interspersed with medium-sized businesses and owner/occupant smaller ventures. The area features a particularly skilled baker, a beautician capable of serving an impression variety of clientele, and a glassblower whose open front shop allows passersby to observe all aspects of her craft.
Day 014
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A small section of riverfront borders this neighborhood, and from the right angle a spectral ship of some sort can be seen hovering just at the edge of this tessera. Although it seems intent on dock, it never quite makes it to shore. The strangeness continues in the neighborhood proper, where the buildings possess a spectral quality. Ghostly residents can be seen going to and fro, performing mundane daily tasks, seemingly oblivious to outsiders. While it seems impossible to interact with them, at certain times, powerful enough displays of magic or emotion seem to cause them to pause and stare in the direction of the source, but they quickly return to their activities.
Day 013
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The upper section of this neighborhood seems to have been built on top of the foundation and outer corners walls of a much larger rectangular structure of some sort. The stone work of which is conspicuously larger and of distinctively different stone, than the shops and residences that used it for their starting point. The “courtyard” is only visible from the narrow gaps between the buildings that share it, but glimpses reveal a large circular pit or well of some sort. Other than these curiosities, the neighborhood seems unremarkable; composed of small thermopolia style eateries, basic wares, modest artisans and a stable.
Day 012
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A large multi-storied building serves as the main focus of this block. Its entrance is lined with classical columns and a pair of stone lions. Within lays a sprawling library. The smashed remains of curious small clockwork devices lay about, and the works on the numerous shelves are decrepit with decay; the slightly handling reduces them to dust. From deeper within curious scratching and clicking noises emanate day and night. Although the surrounding buildings serve as homes and small, unrelated shops of late-comers, they avoid “the library” and will not discuss it.
Day 011
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This neighborhood bears all the hallmarks of once being a thriving shipping district at some point in its past but those days are gone. The hoists that once loaded and unloaded ships are now use to dismantle the remains of ships and their cargo, for while ships no longer sail to and from these docks, wreckage from strange shores wash up irregularly here, and so the locals have turned to recycling and repurposing what they find. Most are bulk goods are resold to wholesale merchants and builders, but one-offs and oddities to tempt curious customers can be found in the smaller shops that in-fill the warehouses of this neighborhood.
Day 010
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Crossing the threshold of this neighborhood, sounds become muffled and flat, and colors fade to shades of gray. While this doesn’t seem to affect spell-craft or voice activated effects, it is definitely pronounced and disconcerting enough to impact hearing, detection and mood. The exception is a randomly wandering cone of “light” emanating from “the lighthouse”, a spire like tower that stands as a lone building in the lower portion of this neighborhood. In its “illumination” color and sound function normally, though they can feel particularly vibrant to those who have been under the effects of this neighborhood for any extended amount of time. The building from which it emanates has no obvious signs of ingress anywhere on its surface, and no one recalls ever having seen anyone enter or exit it.
Day 009
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These two clusters of buildings loom higher than typically seen in architecture of their style, with each successive floor being more haphazard and perilous than the one before. Even so, a new floor is always under slow but steady construction. The inhabitants seem to be in some rivalry though neither can explain the origin of this feud. The quality and quantity of materials is running thin though, and pilfering from each other and adjacent neighborhoods seems to be on the rise.
Day 008
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Upon entering this neighborhood, visitors will slowly become aware of instrumental music playing softly in the background at all times. Its point of origin is indiscernible, and while often only an indistinct and minor distraction, it will swell, taking on the mood and theme of particularly dramatic events. The natives of this neighborhood seem largely unaware of this phenomena, but close observation shows that they move in time with this music. Outsiders claim that the phenomena seems to follow particularly noteworthy denizens even beyond its borders. In all other ways, the neighborhood seems unremarkable except that it is more self-sufficient and idyllic that most neighborhoods.
Day 007
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Approaching this neighborhood, cobbles give way to bare earth, and finally to a rich-plowed soil. A few well-kept residences house an extended farming family, lodging for seasonal workers, livestock and storage & processing of crops. An old hazel tree of uncommon size looms over one end of the field. While this neighborhood might seem like easy pickings to opportunistic visitors, many are the would-be thieves or vermin that have been found battered, bruised and senseless in its shadow come morning. Depending on the season, younger members of the operation can be found running a small stand of produce, beverages, and other farm goods.
Day 006
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The perimeter of this outwardly drab ring of houses, shops and structures is cross-crossed with the footprints of various types of people, as well as a few animals. This is quite evident since each set of tracks is in color, some quite vibrant. With little effort, they can be traced to a narrow alley which pierces the ring of buildings. Gaining access reveals a large community of dyers operating within. Large soaking pits dot the central area, an drying lines stretch above, coloring any light that filters down in brilliant stain glass patterns. Some dyes and components can be purchased here as well, the latter of which are useful in the creation of exotic inks.
Day 005
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The neighborhood is silent, and even the air barely moves. A series of chalked marks on the cobblestones seem to suggest that visitors follow specific paths when passing through this area. All the buildings are boarded or bricked up from the outside, and the handful of sewer/drainage grates appear to have been welded shut or covered with heavy slabs of stone. Despite all of this and absence of any obvious denizens or vermin, visitors cannot help but get the impression that they are being watched.
Day 004
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This collection of buildings features an octagonal fountain. The fountain appears to be fed from a clean, strong source and its level rarely dips. Locals obviously draw water from it and a mismatched trough also sits nearby for horses and other animals. The neighborhood features several small garden lots and window boxes, but the most impressive feature is a “greenhouse” adjoined to an herbalist’s shop.
Day 003
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The remains of a large monumental building of some sort dominate this block. While some have speculated it was a temple to some unknown god or faith, any identifying markings are absent and portions of it show signs of being defaced either by intent or time. The courtyard is home to the stumps of several large trees which were obviously cut down some time ago, but stubbornly regrow as coppice wood, providing a minor source of firewood for those without other means. The “monument” is now home to a colony of crows and occasional itinerants who take shelter within. These crows have learned snippets of intelligible speak and can be a source of lore, rumor or, some say, even prophecy on occasion. The smaller buildings in the shadow of the monument are much newer, and are the residences and shops of masons, stonecutters and sculptors who are slowly dismantling the building and its foundation as a source of fine marble.
Day 002
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The buildings of this block are almost universally built of brine-bleached lapboard and any windows facing the waterfront remain cloudy regardless of rain or cleaning. The docks appear ready to receive a few medium or even large vessels, but only a handful of smaller skiffs are typically present. An opaque mist hangs over the water at the edge of this block and any vessel or creature that passes through either emerges at the waterfront of another block of Tesserae or is returned to this one. The buildings here appear mainly dedicated to warehousing but there is also a small fish market open most mornings, and shops specializing in the crafting and repair of various nautical gear. Once a month, on the New Moon, the residents make small paper boats and cast them adrift, each with its own candle. Unlike other vessels, creatures and jetsam, these never seem to return from the mists or turn up at other waterfronts in Tesserae.
Day 001
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Most of the buildings in this block seem to have been built in a consistent style of hewn stone for their first floors, and timber for any upper stories. A few of the smaller structures, however, are less sturdy affairs of wattle. Astride the triangular building is a windmill to power the processing of various grains into grist and flour. Keen observers will note that when engaged it turns at a constant rate regardless of the presence, absence or strength of the prevailing wind. The small street which bisects this block is often blocked by residents playing a game they call pétanque. Other buildings in this block include several multi-tenant residences, two larger private houses, a dry goods store and mediocre smith capable of creating or repairing passable common items of iron or other common metals.
Photo Credit: Wiki Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic, Nic McPhee
City Generator: https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator
Neighborhood Generator: https://watabou.github.io/neighbourhood/
