Hexcrawl25 - Region A

Region A Notes, Started 1 Jan 2025

Overview

I took inspiration from many low level RPG starting areas I've played in MMO's (e.g. EQ2, WoW, Guild Wars 2, etc.). The main features of this hex are the Village of Riverbend, the Russet Ridge Mountains, and the Umbervale Wood with the mysterious Swordmaiden's Lake and source of the Grand Patina River. Riverbend's economy is driven by the Brackenstone Mine at the base of the mountains, and bandits hide out in the wood.

Current Notes — Region A Notes Handwritten

Sub-Hex A-1

High Level Description

Forest passage to Brackstone Mine (TODO: Details Card #1-A1)

Crossroads between the mine, the Village of Riverbend, and the western lands (TBD)

Mid Level Description

Bandits from (A6) someetimes ambush travelers, especially wealthy looking ones who are passing through (generally not from Riverbend)

Low Level Desciption

A murder of very smart crows makes its home here and causes mischief

Sometimes a traveling salesperson plies their wares here-- they look dangerous, and the bandits leave them be

Sub-Hex A-2

High Level Description

Brackenstone Mine main entrance

Foothills of the Russet Ridge Mountains

Northern edge of the Umbervale Wood

Mid Level Description

Contains mostly copper and iron, but some tin, silver, gold, platinum, and trace amounts of mithril and gems

Owned by a wealthy family in Riverbend

Poor working conditions

Low Level Desciption

Mine is home to a Mycanoid colony, curious and aquisitive

Mine is haunted by ghosts of miners who died here (seeking closure and justice)

Sub-Hex A-3

High Level Description

Road to the Western Lands (tbd)
Southern edge of the Umbervale Wood
Outskirts of Riverbend's plains and farmland

Mid Level Description

Plains are good hunting grounds for pheasant and boar
Travelers and hunters often camp here
Bandits do not target here out fear of village response

Low Level Description

A large boar matriarch roams here (quills, resistant to piercing, don't start nothin' won't be nothin')

Sub-Hex A-4

High Level Description

Village of Riverbend (TODO: Details Card #2-A4)

Mid Level Description

Economy dependent on Brackenstone Mine
Governed by elected council and Burgomeister, but ultimately controlled by farm and mine owners
Copper and bronze crafting (best in realm), a mithril artisan, low tier jewelry artisan, and farms specializing in feedstock

Low Level Description

Copper Crown Inn and Tavern
General goods store
Town Hall
Hunter's Lodge
Stables
Artisan shops
Town's guard
Town Square
Farmer's Market
Humble Library
Humble Shrine

Sub-Hex A-5

High Level Description

Southern edge of the Umbervale Wood
Outskirts of the Riverbend plains and farmland
A bend of the Grand Patina River
Outskirts of the Umberfen Bog

Mid Level Description

Bandits sometimes forage and hunt here, but leave town folk alone mostly
Prime hunting area for Riverbend Hunting Lodge

Low Level Description

Wild cockatrice roam the plains here, in addition to boar and pheasant
A large constrictor snake makes its home at the plains / swamp transition

Sub-Hex A-6

High Level Description

Deepest area of the Umbervale Wood
Swordmaiden's Lake**, bed by snowmelt from the Russet Ridge Mountains
Foothills have a few caves, some connected, othes isolated

Mid Level Description

Swordmaiden's Lake, (TODO: Details Card #3-A6)
Bandit Cave Hideout, (TODO: Details Card #4-A6)

Low Level Description

A mischievious nymph lives in the lake and guards a +1 sword. She has started an Arthurian rumor to lure adventurers for the lulz
The bandit leader is fearsome but not the final shot caller (that's someone in the Riverbend gentry)
The bandits stay away from the nymph and mainly target adventurers who quest for the sword

Sub-Hex A-7

High Level Description

Mountain forest transition

Mid Level Description

Small miner's camp and smelting operation, (TODO: Details Card #5-A7)

Low Level Description

An owlbear nests in the forest here
Large goats in the mountains are preyed upon by cougars