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M A S Q U E R A D E A T A G L A N C E

Ruler:TheSilentQueenGovernment:AutocracyPopulation:112(90humans,8halflings,6gnomes,8others)NotableFolks:HerGracetheSilentQueena.k.a.theSlumbering

CaptainAbsintheMorell (location10),The Jester,QueenofMasquerade,LymphaniaJade(location4)

Alignments:CN,N,NELanguages:CommonQualities:Insular,prosperous,touristattractionCorruption: +0; Crime: -1; Economy: +2; Law: +1; Lore: +0;

Society:+0Danger: 0;Disadvantage: Plagued (hidden) (the usual plagued

modifiersonlyapplyifMasquerade’ssecretisdiscovered)

M A R K E T P L A C E

Resources&Industry:EntertainmentBaseValue:500gp;PurchaseLimit:2,500gp;Spellcasting:4th;

MinorItems:2d4;MediumItems:1d4;MajorItems–

Masqueradeisafloatingvillage—orperhapsmoreappropriatelya floating theatre—populatedmostly by people suffering fromleprosy,whobeartheirafflictionsecretlybehindcolourfulmasksand costumes. These poor suffering soulswere drawn in yearsgonebyto thesanctuaryofferedbythevisionary leadershipoftheSilentQueen,butfrequentattacksdrovethemeverfurtherfrom civilisation. In time, when the colony was swollen byafflicted actors and artists, the Silent Queen took them on apilgrimageby river. Topay theirway the colonyputon shows,their poor corrupted bodies hidden behind festival masks, thesmiles of audiences replacing the looks of horror the afflictedusuallygarner.Sincethenthetroupehassailedgreatriversandcoastlines, bringing joy, but sometimes—when their secret isdiscovered—bringingfearandforcingthetroupetohastilymoveonorfacedestruction. In truth, the Silent Queen began her sanctuary to provideherselfwithamplefood,herownleprousformhavingdrivenheraway from her family and aristocratic friends. She became abeacontothosesimilarlyafflicted.Intime,though,shegrewtopityandthenlovethesufferingfolkshebroughtintoher“care”.Afteroneparticularlybestialattackwhen,bloatedwithhunger,sheslewherloverandfriendBarrusMarramshesworeanoathnevertoconsumehumanbloodagain. Thatwasoveracenturyago,butherfasthascomeatgreatpersonalcost—nowlittlemorethanatissueofskinatopfragilebones she perpetually lurks in her shrouded bedchamber,whispering instructions through thepublic leaderof thecolonyLymphania Jade, her only one allowed in her presence. The

villagers,fearandtrusttheSilentQueeninequalmeasure;sheisanight-terror,abeaconandbogyman.Althoughonlythecaptainknows her secret, her hermit-like behaviour has birthed athousandtalesandstories. Whentheycanaffordto,thetroupepaysforone(ormore)of theirnumber to receivea removedisease. TheSilentQueenannounces the next lucky recipient and great festivity ensues.Sadly, thisapproachhas led to jealousyand,on twooccasions,mysterious disappearances. There are also times wheresalvation becomes an obsession, with groups or individualsseekingtoacceleratetheir fundraisingtopayforcures. Ifcuresfail,retributionisoftensought. Masquerade’s three boats become one when the showdocks,thevesselsjoinedtogetherbyropesandboardwalks.Theshow—often known as the “Night Theatre”—only opens oncethesunhasgonedown.Shadowsanddarknessaregoodtohidethingsin,afterall.

V I L L A G E L O R E

A PC making a Knowledge (geography) or Knowledge (local)check may know something about Masquerade. A successfulcheckgainsalltheinformationrevealedbyalesserresult. DC10:Masqueradeisafloatingvillagewhichpliesitscurioustrade up and down broad rivers and sheltered coasts. Thecuriouslyattiredlocalsputonplaysandcomedies. DC20:Masquerade’sactorshavegreattalentandtheirplaysare not to be missed; the floating village is like some strangefairylandandonlyeverstaysforafewdaysbeforemovingon. DC 30: Occasionally the village ups and leaves in an awfulhurryfornoclearreason.

W H I S P E R S & R U M O U R S

A PC can use Diplomacy to gather information aboutMasquerade and its surroundings. This takes 1d4 hours andrequires a DC 10 check. A PC gains one additional rumour foreach5pointsbywhichthecheckresultexceedsDC10.Usethetablebelow,todeterminewhichrumour(s)thePClearns.

D6 RUMOUR

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BrambleHammlin,playwrightandactor,wasbornintoanoblefamilybutwascastoutbyjealousrelatives.Henow wanders with the Masquerade in exile. He’s adifficultperson,pronetotantrums.

3-4 Masquerade’scaptain,theJester,isafierceladyknownforherpoisonouslashingtongue.

5-6 Thelocalsmakefurtivereferencesto“herbelow”andareineitheraweorfeartowhoeverherbelowis.

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N O T A B L E L O C A T I O N S A T A G L A N C E

Masquerade’s three boats have several locations of interest toadventuringtypes.

1. TheSingingCrookedBridge:VisitorsenterMasqueradebytheswayingropebridge.

2. Great Theatre & Pit: Garish temporary home of the maineventsonMasquerade,spiritualhomeofBrambleHammlin.

3. Museum & Warehouse: Part shop, part exhibition, localssupplement their income with tat, fakes and the occasionalgenuinetreasurehere.

4. Leaning Fore-tower & Comedia: Tumbling clowns andacrobats play this stage for comedic value supported bypeculiarlytalentedanimals.

5. The Port Morality Play Barge: Lesser side-stage wherenewcomersplytheirartsinsimplemoralityplays.

6. TheGrinningGargoyleDoor:Theonlyentrancebelow-decks,this locked door keeps curious visitors away from the mostafflictedvillagers.

7. Upper Hold & Quarters: Village meeting place, eating anddrinking commune and home to the general populace, thisconfusing maze of tiny homes lurks immediately below themaindeckofMasquerade’slargestvessel.

8. Infirmary & Lower Hold: Here those with more advancedleprosy are given succour by a trio of devoted nuns,themselvesbearinganadvancedformoftheaffliction.

9. ForeCaptain’sChambers:Thepubliccaptain’schamber,whichleadsdirectlytothatoftheSilentQueen.TheelectedleaderofMasquerade—known as the Jester—spends what little sparetimeshehashere.

10. The True Captain’s Penance: Daylight never enters the trueleader’s cot—it would destroy her if it did. The Jester is heronlyvisitor.

11. Trade Barge: Here trade goods are held—the captain hasalwayshadaneyeforabargainandtradeopportunity.

12. Storage Hold Barge: The main hold is used to storeMasquerade’ssetsandpropsbetweenshows.