Yellow Spiderhend Cliff (Prismatic Wasteland's Map Bandwagon)

I'm hopping on Prismatic Wasteland Map Bandwagon! I considered writing a theory post, but then I saw the incredible Amanda Lee Franck art and just had to key it up as an adventure site. Hope you enjoy!!

WELCOME TO YELLOW SPIDERHEND CLIFF!! It's the party central of the eastern Graskin range; people come from MILES around to try the psychedelics & experience first hand the Manning of the Cliff!!

From every approach, you hear YSC before you see it; digironken strings and throaty spiderhend bass echo for miles in every direction. Upon arrival, travelers are met by the Spiderhend; fur covered, four armed creatures with catseye pupils and a ridiculous tolerance for psychedelics of all kinds. They heap fluorescent flowers upon the necks of all those who arrive and welcome them into YSC (after the steep entrance fee is paid - consider it whatever a cow costs in your world).

1 Fulcrum (thrumming, breezy, posh): Bar, packed with people especially at sunset. Band makes it almost impossible to converse. Yellow Beet Stout enhances and makes more enjoyable sight, sound and touch, and while you can get it at any bar is YSC, Fulcrum claims to have made it first. Most people could buy a farm for the cost of a night out here.

2 Gendamerie Station (vomit, queues, lookouts): Local law enforcement, appointed as a sh*t detail for the honor guard of the Duke of Graskin. Mostly serves as a drunk tank, and smells that way too. Each morning, lines of tourists complaining about lost property, lost significant others, and lost dignity. Constant presence of Gendamerie watching over the main areas.

3 Welcome Center (flashing lights, smiles, pamphlets): Funded by the church of Veed. Draws most of the first-timers just as they enter. Countless orange-and-green clad greeters; “what decadence brings you to the cliff?” Pamphlets are maps, a list of dates for the Manning of the Cliffs (only occurs on prime numbered dates), Veed propaganda, and big ads for 1 Fulcrum and 8 the Spa. Sell entry tickets for  Manning of the Cliffs contestants.

4 House of Tears (black-clad, somber, necromantic): For its somber name, fairly tame building of old wood. All the attendants and most of the guests wear traditional mourning clothes. The typical brew, wilversod, allows one to commune with the ghost of a deceased person, with greater clarity the closer the relationship. However, they’ve been accused of necromancy, which is a capital offense in the Iron Empire.

5 Jim’s (Outdoor, smoky, subdued): Jim is the name of a vigorous spiderhend bartender, a lovably rambunctious labrador, a tree and a bar. Jim serves drinks at tables in the shadow of Jim, including real alcohol (this is the only place you can get it in YSC), while Jim nips at his heals. It’s also common to take the edge off with Jimweed; a smokeable product grown from Jim (the tree) and dried by Jim (the person) that relaxes and slows reflexes. More locals than tourists at Jim's.

6 The Gate (distracted, crowded, art): The Gate is attended by Undergrounders, white-clad Spiderhend who dance with censers of Palymiriya. Most who inhale its fumes find themselves losing track of what they meant to do, and doing whatever is in front of them instead. The ground outside the Gate is strewn with paints, building blocks, stitching and other artistic pursuits, along with countless Palymiriya-addled visitors making do with what they find.

 

7 Power House (Coal, Kavfei, Artists): While the power house literally produces power for the whole complex through its steam generators, it also serves a secondary function. Kavfei increases concentration, and allegedly, creativity, and is the home of countless starving, tortured artists working their way to their next breakthrough. 

8 The Spa (steam, redlights, empathetic): The steam baths rest at a standard 105 degrees. Light is reduced to the dull red of the coals, and most here are taking Red Beet Stout. It is said that this drink can link the minds of those taking it in the same physical area, as long as those people are relaxed. Common fourth date location.

9 Craggy Spider (chalky, sweaty, charitable): A climbing gym started by four time Manning of the Cliff champion Randolph Starka. Drug-free zone, with complimentary memberships for those in recovery from various addictions. Also regularly takes up collections for those who cannot work. Site of the Manning of the Cliff; at noon on prime numbered dates (the 2nd, 3rd 5th etc of each month), the crane lets a group of ten people down the cliffs surrounding YSC. First to climb back up wins; anyone who fails to keep pace with the sun usually dies.

10 East Ground Retreat (Velvet, declining, great food): A hotel, extending fourteen stories down into the earth (with no 13th floor, of course). The decor is frankly outdated, but in a cozy way. The restaurant, Yellow King, is funded and owned by Maximilliano Weaston, who also oversees all petty crime in YSC.

PEOPLE YOU MEET ON VACATION

Randolph Starks (jacked Spiderhend, swollen shoulder): it's rare to attempt the Manning of the Cliffs more than three times. Not only does Randolph make it on a monthly basis, he has won it five times.  On his last climb, he pulled a muscle in his shoulder and nearly didn't make it back up. He is filled with terror at the prospect of ever making the climb again. Wants: to get his shoulder back to full capacity. To not feel terrified when he climbs. Fear: that his next climb will be his last. Job: take him climbing and *gasps* belay him. Can't tell anyone, but in exchange he'll treat you to a night out at Fulcrum.

Maximiliano Weaston (Spiderhend, edgelord, mascara, annoyingly clever): great family, the best school, wonderful community, and he has turned his life into one big fuck you to all of it. Runs all the petty crime in YSC, mostly by offering small jobs to tourists who want to experience the darker side of life. Recently the Gendemarie have been cracking down. Wants: to piss off his parents. To neutralize the Gendemarie captain. Fears: human connection. Losing the status he worked hard to earn. Jobs: petty theft (breaking into hotel rooms during the day) to prove their chops. Then, wants to discredit or otherwise eliminate Droth ven Depmaa.

Jim (Spiderhend, bearded, in withdrawal): Owned Jim's for some twenty years; is planning on twenty more. But, has never dated, and now Heidi (a spiderhend spinster) has caught his eye. But, she won't date him unless he's clean of Jimweed (not a moral objection; she just can't stand the smell). Wants: more beer to sell at Jim's, because he's almost out. To quit Jimweed. Fears: his dog, Jim, dying. Himself dying alone. Jobs: escort him a day and a night into the Graskin range to trade with the Qualadj-Jaman tribe for more beer. Take a few shifts at Jim's so he can be away from the Jimweed.

Droth ven Depmaa (human, greasy, world-weary): decorated calvary officer, accomplished duelist, object of countless debutant's affections, and because he laughed at a joke told by the Duke of Graskin's wife, he's been captain here for six long years. Wants: To do a good job, because that is its own reward. To be anywhere else, because this place sucks. Fears: being left here. Growing old, or ugly, or being a failure. Job: pays for every petty criminal caught. Also pays for evidence Maximiliano is behind the crime here.

MeeMaw Honey (female dwarf, wrinkled, tattooed): No filter & lots of opinions. "Honey, you don't want to wear that outside." When her husband died, she came to YSC in a jewel-inset dress that's two sizes too small to party until her heart goes out. Wants: to make it to all the major bars in YSC, and then die partying once she has done so. Fears: spiders. Other than that, not much! Quests: escort her through a wild night. She will insist the party try all the hallucinogenics available. Reward is getting named in her will. GM's choice how helpful that actually is.

Tyr Sigenoths (silver clad, scheming, human noble): Younger brother of a minor Duke, here escorting the Duke's son on his Bachelor party. Frankly the son sucks, and the world would be better without him. At least, that's what Tyr thinks. Wants: his nephew to experience an "accident", and to parlay his brothers grief into a dukedom for himself. Fears: being embarrassed. Jobs: kill his nephew. Won't put it quite so crassly, but still. Has a ton of cash to offer for it too. Alternatively, serve as the kids bodyguard but do a bad job.

ENCOUNTER TABLE d6

1 naked 45 yr old orc carrying an easel and some paints. BEGS the party to let him paint a caricature of them. He's off his rocker on Palymiriya (6 The Gate). Poops himself mid-interaction. Fights if they refuse the caricature, offers a scroll of Banishment with a caricature of a wizard painted on it if they say yes. You don't want to know how he was carrying it.

2 Spiderhend child in rags begging for copper. Two of his buddies wait in the wings to pickpocket the party. They work for Maximiliano and report good marks to him, as well as running to his enforcers if they get into trouble.

3 d4+1 Church of Veed missionaries preaching about the dangers of sinful hallucinogenics. “See that statue! And that one! Veed is all of them, and me, and you! Would you deface your own face? Neither would Veed!” 1-in-6 chance one of the missionaries is actually on psychedelics themselves.

4 Two artists from 7 Power House have fallen in love with Anamarentha Bylos, the beautiful daughter of a wealthy family. Ask the party to oversee their duel for her hand (which is semi-legal). 

5 Incoming! Worgan Mallen, a drunk country bumpkin from the Green Hills, throws a chair off the roof of Fulcrum. 1-in-6 it hits a party member. He tries to run away, as he is already out of jail on bail.

6 a crowd picks the strongest PC and begins chanting their name. They won’t leave it alone until that PC signs up for the Manning of the Cliffs at 3 Welcome Center.

Hope you enjoyed! Go check out the bandwagon and make one yourself!!