This is the Arth component of the Random Villages thread. These are not so random, but the named ones and with a smattering of real randoms

Awhile ago I started a small list of random villages...I think many turned out to be plots, but thought I would throw them out here for fun.

Everyone has their own take on what roleplaying games truly are. This is mine.

This is more an overview of the subject, than a complete article. As one of my PCs had pottery in background, I tried to research it a bit, but given up after seeing way too much data.

Falconry or Hawking is the sport of hunting with a trained bird of prey, usually a hawk or falcon. It has been practiced by a number of cultures through out the centuries.

Within the chest of a wizardly tool, there beats a Shard heart, deeming the master a fool.

The elven race epitomizes the most noble traits to be found among the children of the gods, in keeping with their mythic status as the first-born and most beloved of the creative forces that gave rise to our world.

So we poor benighted mortals guilessly believe,subjugated by the awe that holds us in thrall of these dazzling beings that exude perfection. But rob an elf of his exquisite beauty,and what do you see in the depths of his soul? Does the inside reflect the unflawed sublimity of the surface? Perhaps not...

This is the tale of how Princess Amber liberated Vallermoore from it's mad Queen.

History is full of interesting and exotic people who can help to populate your world. They can help illuminate the range of what people think is possible for your world (or you can consider them PCs run by players not in your game).

Most of the people who 'spell components' really don't know anything about magic. Components are used as tools, symbols to help focus the concentration and associations for the spell caster. Rarely is anything 'consumed' in the casting, unless it is a sacrifice or burned.

You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?

The little things matter.

They are the menace of the borderlands, travelling with their herds paths they used for millenia, and razing any signs of civilization in the process. When the winter is especially harsh or the summer unusually dry, they descend upon the heartlands of kingdoms like a plague, more a natural disaster than an enemy.

Whether in pencil-and-paper, or on the computer (Baldur's Gate, Icewind Dale), we've been plagued by the gnome stereotype of foolish inventor and chaotic law-infringing businessman. I guess it's time to change that. I've decided to throw a bone: help me make the gnomes a race worth featuring in an RPG.

Steamery is a type of learning, like Magery and Lettery (Magic of Written words, Scholarly works), akin to Alchemy which combined elements of the two. It is considered a type of magic, the use of the four basic elements to produce 'magical' power.

The Kythrythe are a different kind of people. Given their worship of the Insect God Kythrellemen, they are more than just Humans. These people, except for their eyes, will be normal people at first glance. Some might be quite big or small or graceful, but they look like people. At second glance you will notice their small antena peeking out from their hair. Every now and again, you will see one that has been "blessed" by the God and granted "Marks of the God", insect like physical abilities.

On Zetacron, the nature goddess Gaia did not create the elves, but wished to claim them as Her own (it seemed fitting to her, somehow, that elves should be bound to Nature). Thus, she used her divine powers to create a bond between Herself and the elves.

Magic is a strange power, that can be harnessed (or not?), but never fully understood. Magic should be unique. Magic could be REALLY unique on this one world...

It is said that dwarves have problems with using magic (maybe they cannot cast spells at all). This is an attempt to create a distinctly dwarwen school of magic. The way you use it is of course yours.

The Tired Traveler's Tavern Guide (new with alliteration) is the beginning of a compilation of taverns and tavern resources for travelers of all realms, should as they need a place to rest or munch. Whether you need a fully-fledged tavern with history and a table map, or just a name to get you started, this should get you off on the right foot.