(The following material was created by Colin Cookman and released by athas.org in 2000 as a derivative on-line game accessary jointly owned by both Wizards of the Coast and its author.)A small village at the western edge of the Tablelands, sheltered by the foothills of the Ringing Mountains, Powder River Village is defined by a dry barren riverbed that carves its way past the edge of the town. A small-sized village, Powder River has managed to survive in the hostile
Athasian desert for over eighty years, gradually expanding and becoming a stop for the nomads and dune traders of the region.
Powder River sustains itself through trade, selling crafts and goods, and through hunting and gathering amongst the rocky badlands surrounding the village.
Origins/History
Powder River Village was founded almost five generations ago when the Dustback nomad tribe settled down and gave up their ways as hunter-gatherers. The tribe had been a successful one, and its numbers began to swell, and eventually the tribe leaders decided to give up the nomadic life and settle.
After a difficult start, the village managed to take hold, and eventually established itself as a presence in the area. Freemen and a few ex-slaves from Tyr started to trickle in, and soon
Powder River Village became a stop for dune traders.
Six years ago a new danger arose that threatens to wipe Powder River Village off the dune trader's maps. The Tempest Reapers, a tribe of over three hundred bloodthirsty savages, moved into the area southeast of the town and immediately began preying upon the villagers. The town has increasingly been forced to concentrate on defense and repelling the frequent attacks, rather than growing and developing itself. (For more information on the war with the
Reapers, see Outside Relations below.)
Powder River Village became a stop for dune traders.
Six years ago a new danger arose that threatens to wipe Powder River Village off the dune trader's maps. The Tempest Reapers, a tribe of over three hundred bloodthirsty savages, moved into the area southeast of the town and immediately began preying upon the villagers. The town has increasingly been forced to concentrate on defense and repelling the frequent attacks, rather than growing and developing itself. (For more information on the war with the
Reapers, see Outside Relations below.)
Location
Powder River Village is tucked away into the badlands and rocky barrens south of Tyr, and is about two days travel away from the city. A small swatch of clear terrain surrounded by badlands, the village grounds are well defended, thanks to both natural and man-made defenses. The following is a list of key locations and buildings in the village area.
The Bridge - Constructed from old wooden planks scavenged from the desert, this bridge spans the dusty riverbed that gives the village its name. The bridge is usually patrolled by four to six warriors, who also maintain a small campsite on the far side of the bridge for night watch.
Most with something to trade will do their business here, as soon as the guards summon a negotiator from the village to broker the deal; although some more trusted or valued trade partners will be invited into the village to bargain over a sack of broy. When the rare caravan passes by, there is a wide clearing that can serve as a canversai on the far side of the bridge.
The Breakwall - A long high mound of packed sand and rock, the Breakwall guards Powder River Village's vulnerable southwestern flank. Sharpened stakes bristle along the length of the man-made wall, capable of impaling anyone attempting a reckless charge. Some of these stakes have been turned into grisly standards, displaying the skulls and tattered clothing of the Tempest Reapers. Bramblevine grows in patches along the outside edge of the Breakwall, but the villagers take care to keep it from growing over onto the other side. Guard campfires line the wall, and ten warriors keep regular watch. Because of the frequent skirmishes by the raiders, most of the villagers tend to stay away from this area.
Common Grounds - This clearing is located near the center of Powder River Village, and it is here that the tribe has most of its meetings. In the center is a bonfire pit, and woven blankets and mats are sometimes set out around it for meetings. The Common Grounds are used for a wide variety of purposes, and is a popular play area for the village children.
The Fields - To the southwest of the village, past the Field Gate, are the town's croplands. There, the villagers grow a variety of grains and other stable foods. Unfortunately, the fields are separated from the village and are the most vulnerable area in the whole village. Raids by the Tempest Reapers often destroy the fields, forcing the villagers to start over from bare
ground. Irrigation is a crude affair, requiring a bucket line from the well to the fields. Powder River's fields are not nearly fertile enough to sustain the community, but fortunately its hunters
and traders provide enough to keep it going. The villagers hope one day to develop truly successful farmland, but for now they concentrate on maintaining the current village.
Powder River - A broken channel carved into the badlands by water eons ago, Powder River is a dry riverbed filled now with silt and sand. The riverbed is about ten feet deep, but its sides are fairly steep and almost five feet of sand fills the bottom. The villagers occasionally venture down into the riverbed, but a few hidden sinkholes exist, and most stay out of it. Powder River curves up towards the north for a while, then disappears into the mountains. Going south from the village, the riverbed becomes shallower after a few miles, and eventually becomes completely filled with alluvial sands.
The Shieldwall - A large rock outcropping shielding the southern edge of Powder River Village, the Shieldwall is one of the many small foothills of the Ringing Mountains. The Shieldwall is bare rock, dotted by sparse shrubbery and small trees towards the base. The headman of Powder River Village makes his home on the Shieldwall, but the rock is too steep and jagged to climb beyond the point of his dwelling. The Shieldwall continues southwest for a few hundred yards beyond the map, and then ends.
The Divvy Tent - This open tent is constructed of sturdy poles and a heavy canvas roof. Three firepits sit in the center of the divvy shack, with smokeholes above them in the tent. It is here that the tribe stores its meat and food, hanging from hooks and cords attached to the roof. Hunters returning from their task hang the meat here to be cooked or smoked, and then divided amongst the tribe in a communal meal. It is this sharing that gives the divvy shack its name. Because its fields are in such a poor state, Powder River relies heavily on its hunters and
gatherers to sustain its populace; regular hunter-gatherer parties leave every other day to keep the town's food supply in stock.
The Field Gate - A small gatehouse looking south towards the field, this mud-brick building houses up to eight guards. Arrow slits are the only opening on the southern side. The field gate is composed of the same material as the Breakwall; sand rocks, sharpened spikes and brambleweed. A few meters off to one side, a large tree trunk can be rolled forward to block off the Field Gate.
Headman's Dwelling - Carved into the side of the Shield Wall, the Headman's aerie offers a sweeping view out over the village of Powder River. The Headman's home is larger than the other buildings in the village, with two floors and several rooms. Though it could hardly be called luxury, the Headman's dwelling is considerably better furnished than the rest of the village. About half of the Headman's dwelling is actually built into the rock, but the exterior part is furnished from adobe mud-brick. The Headman's dwelling also contains a meeting hall, usually used by the Headman's council. In a crisis, it can be fortified against attackers in the village below.
Overlook Tower - This thirty foot high pinnacle of rock rises up over most of Powder River Village, and serves as a watch post and observation tower for the village. Carved stone steps lead up to the summit, where a small covered crow's nest allows for an unobstructed view of the town below. In case of emergencies, there is a signal firepit at the top of the tower, and two lookouts usually are stationed here.
The Spearhall - A large adobe brick building, the Spearhall's two entrance doors are decorated with four totemic war standards, with spears as the poles. The Spearhall serves as the armory, makeshift barracks, and meeting hall for the warriors and guards of Powder River Village. The Spearhall is also an organization, to which all warriors in the village belong, and all members carry at least one spear to be used at ceremonies. The warriors elect a captain, who leads them in war council and in battle; the current First Spearman is Dukos, a mul warrior who fled to Powder River from Tyr.
Storehouses - These two mud-brick buildings house the tools, dry foodstuffs, and other miscellaneous stores of Powder River Village. Though the doors are not usually locked, the Headman does have a key to do so. One guard watches each storehouse.
Stables - This cleared field is where the people of Powder River Village keep their animals, mostly erdlu and aprigs, plus a few kanks. The village also has five crodlu, usually used by scouts or warriors during special cases. The villagers usually let the erdlu run free during the day, and herd them back into the stables at sundown.
The Well - A trickling pool of water fed from a deep underground spring beneath the Shieldwall, the Well is made of bricks and usually guarded by three warriors. During dry spells, the water may sink down as much as ten feet, but the well has never gone dry in the history of Powder River.
Organization
Powder River Village is still small enough so that it does not experience too much political tension. The leader of the village is known as the Headman, a position based upon leadership and negotiating skills that usually is held by one of the elder males. The Headman controls the village, usually speaks for it in negotiations with outsiders, and directs the actions of the town. The Headman cannot abuse his power, though, because he rules only by the consent of the villagers.
Each Headman determines their own style for managing the village, but most choose to pick a council of advisors to aid them in decision-making and administrative processes. The position of Headman can be held until death, or an unpopular leader could be ousted within months of assuming control. The current Headman is Aiter Budak.
The other major organization in Powder River is the warrior cult of the Spearhall, a brotherhood of all the hunters and warriors in the village. The First Spearman of the Hall is usually the most powerful warrior present, but power rarely equals brute force. Skilled hunters, quick strategists, and wise old gladiators are all good candidates for the leadership of the Spearhall. Although it is technically possibly, the First Spearman is rarely also Headman of the village, simply because
the two duties require too much work to manage them both effectively. The mul Dukos holds the position of First Spearman for now.
Outside Relations
The village of Powder River has thus far managed to both escape the notice of the major powers of the Tablelands and managed to attract the notice of the nomads and stragglers that help add to its ranks. It does conduct moderate trade with Tyrian merchants, selling goods and wares in exchange for food and occasionally iron.
The villagers of Powder River are typically suspicious of outsiders; while dune traders and some nomad bands are welcomed, most others are turned away from the town's walls with curt formality. In fact, the defenses are there for a reason: namely, the Tempest Reapers, a tribe of bandits and savages that operate to the southeast of the town and have made hell for the villagers for the past six years. The raiders' attacks have escalated slowly from the initial small bands of three to five thieves up to whole war parties of fifty or more, charging towards the town wailing like dwarven banshees. Attacks come on a frequent basis, often once a week or more often, and usually ended in a stalemate with a handful of dead on either side. The frequency of these attacks has put the town on a martial edge, always wary of a coming attack. So far, the past four of the Spearhall's leaders have fallen to a raider’s sword.
The tribe and the village have become locked into a blood feud, each side determined to break the other and avenge their fallen dead. Any travelers suspected of being associated with the Reapers are likely to be killed on sight, with little chance for self-defense. Conversely, anyone who has made enemies of the Tempest Reapers can count the village of Powder River as a friend.
Important Residents
- Headman Budak
Male Human Fighter, Neutral Good
Level 2; AC 8 (erdlu leather); Hit Points 10; MV 12
Str 8 Dex 10 Con 13 Int 14 Wis 16 Cha 16
No. of Attacks 1
Damage/Attack: 1d6+1 (ceremonial spear+1)
Psionic Summary: PSP 18; Wild Talent - Empathy
Power Score—16
Attack/ Defense Modes: none / MB
A grizzled old hunter-gatherer, Aiter Budak was born in Powder River Village and is determined to die there as well. Headman Budak can trace his lineage back to the first inhabitants of the village, but his ancestry has little to do with his position as headman of the village. He has held the post for the past five years, since the death of the previous headman at the hands of raiders.
Budak is a pragmatic, stubborn man, but is widely respected for his fairness and wisdom in settling disputes. He didn't ask to be headman, but he didn't turn down the position either. His leadership has not been challenged yet, and Aiter Budak doesn't worry about such things, anyway.
Headman Budak has set three goals for himself, and he is determined to accomplish them. First is to finally defeat the Tempest Raiders and put an end to their threat to his people. He and Dukos, the First Spearman, work together at all opportunities to coordinate the villagers in defense of the town.
Budak's second goal is to improve the farmland of Powder River Village. There are times when the town teeters dangerously with starvation, and even after eighty years it cannot yet be truly considered self-sufficient. Bands of huntergatherers, of which Budak was once a member, still comb the surrounding land, looking for supplements to the town's food supply. The current Headman is determined to change that.
The final goal of Aiter Budak is to finally establish Powder River Village as a fixture in the Tablelands. Its somewhat isolated location has left it off the important maps of the Tablelands, and it has long been overshadowed by the nearby presence of Tyr and the surrounding client villages.
Headman Budak is determined to establish a regular trade route through Powder River. While his goals are all lofty, no one can ever claim that they saw Aiter Budak fail at a task he set his mind to. - Aku the River-Resurrector
Male Human Priest of Water, Chaotic Neutral
Level 7; AC 10; Hit Points 31; MV 12
Str 12 Dex 11 Con 16 Int 8 Wis 14 Cha 7
No. of Attacks: 1
Damage/Attack: 1d6+1 (Carrikal)
Psionic Summary: PSP 62; Wild Talent - Project Force,
Telekinesis
Power Score—44
Attack/ Defense Modes: none / MB, TW, MBk
PLAYER’S OPTION: MTHAC0 17; MAC 10,
[Aku is unaware of his psionic ability.]
Priest Spells (5/3/2/1): major sphere – water; minor sphere –
cosmos
Granted Powers: Ignore water (7 rounds), gate water (1 cubic
feet), quench thirst, resistance to water (+2 saving throws vs.
water), body of water.
A disheveled middle-aged man with crystal blue eyes and tattered robes, Aku the River-Resurrector is a widely recognized figure throughout Powder River. Aku is not a native to the village, but is known and usually makes his home there.
Most villagers consider this unkempt priest of water to be at least half crazed. He has a constant strained quality about him, as though he is just about to burst into action. His voice sometimes takes an unhinged tone, especially whenever someone mentions the river. Aku is not truly deranged, however - he is simply driven.
Aku has made it his life's goal to return Powder River to its ancient glory, to see water flowing between its banks. He has been at it for almost ten years now, and has gotten no further than when he started. He often disappears for weeks at a time, withdrawing up into the mountains where the Powder River gets its source, lost in mediation and prayer. Aku is likely to analyze strangers solely upon their commitment to the element of water, and whether they could help him in his quest.
Aku absolutely refuses to use his powers as a priest to create water. In fact, he only summons his patron element for use in worship ceremonies. If asked, he will mutter that others should “look to the river... look to the river for all your water.”
Aku believes that if enough people turn to the river for their survival, the ancient waters will flow again and his life's quest will be complete. - Dukos, the First Spearman
Male Mul Gladiator, Neutral Good
Level 8; AC 4 (mekillot hide); Hit Points 67; MV 12
Str 19 Dex 15 Con 17 Int 11 Wis 7 Cha 13
No. of Attacks 1
Damage/Attack: 1d6+5 (Iron Lance of the Spearhall [iron
spear+2])
Psionic Summary: PSP 28; Wild Talent - Combat Mind
Power Score—7
Attack/ Defense Modes: none/ TS, TW, MBk
A powerful dark-skinned mul gladiator who escaped the arena of Tyr, Dukos has come to consider Powder River his new home. A year and a half ago, Dukos was elected First Spearman, a role that he accepts with great pride. Though he is reluctant to admit it, Dukos' skills are essentially limited to battle, and so he enjoys having a position in which he feels he can be useful.
Dukos has lasted longer than most other First Spearmen due to his considerable fighting skills and a little bit of luck; the Tempest Reavers never seem to be out in full force when he heads the battle charge, a fact which frustrates him to no end.
He has become obsessed, to the point of sleeplessness, with Larakk, the half-giant leader of the Tempest Reapers. Dukos is determined to vanquish him in mortal combat, and avenge the failures of past Spearmen.
