Function: Hidden production, crime, forbidden craft, deeper faith
Tone: Claustrophobic, intimate, dangerous
Truth: Everything here exists because someone powerful needs it
MICRO-LAYOUT (SHADOW LAYER)
[VISIBLE BAZAAR ABOVE]
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┌──────────┼──────────┐
│ │ │
[FOUNDry ROW] [SHADOW VEINS] [FORGE TEMPLES]
│ │ │
│ [HIDDEN CELLS] │
│ │ │
└──────[SUB-LANES]────┘
BUILDINGS & LOCATIONS
Building: Foundry Row – Private production district
Short: Where custom work happens
Long Description:
A tightly packed cluster of specialized forges operating outside the official furnace system. Each foundry is privately owned, heavily guarded, and produces highly specific outputs — experimental alloys, illegal weapon modifications, and contract-bound creations.
Shop: Redslag Forge – Illegal alloy production
Short: Weapons that shouldn’t exist
Shop Type: Custom weapons, corrupted metals
- Pricing: Expensive → Extreme
- Rarity: Very High
Long Description:
The forge burns darker than the others. The metal here seems to absorb light rather than reflect it. Items produced here often carry side effects.
Vendor:
- Ghorin Blackvein | Dwarf | Male | 143 | Artificer 6 | obsessed with unstable metals | S:15 D:10 C:16 I:15 W:11 CH:8
Shop: Veinsplice Workshop – Flesh-metal integration
Short: The line is gone
Shop Type: Illegal augmentations, experimental grafts
- Pricing: Extreme
- Rarity: Unique
Long Description:
Hidden behind three false doors. Clients leave changed — sometimes improved, sometimes… functional.
Vendor:
- Drassa Vell | Human | Female | 39 | Artificer 7 | morally detached | S:9 D:12 C:11 I:18 W:10 CH:13
Building: The Shadow Veins – Underground passage network
Short: The city’s hidden arteries
Long Description:
A web of narrow corridors beneath the bazaar. Some are mapped. Most are not. Movement here is fast, silent, and often unseen.
Group: Veinwalkers
Couriers, thieves, and messengers who navigate the tunnels without light.
Building: Sub-Lanes – Hidden streets
Short: The “other” city
Long Description:
Low-ceiling corridors between buildings, accessible only through concealed entrances. Deals here are faster, cheaper, and far more dangerous.
Building: The Broken Anvil – Ruined forge turned meeting ground
Short: Neutral ground
Long Description:
Once a legitimate forge, now abandoned and repurposed as a meeting point for those who don’t trust official spaces.
Group: Free Operators
Independent agents, mercenaries, and brokers.
TEMPLES (EXPANDED FAITH LAYER)
Building: The Deep Forge Sanctum – Inner temple
Short: Faith beneath the surface
Long Description:
A subterranean extension of the Ember Chapel. Here, forging becomes ritual sacrifice — metal is mixed with blood, memory, and intent.
Faction: Inner Disciples of Karamnoun – Secret doctrine
They believe true metal requires suffering.
Notable:
- Varkun the Listener | Dwarf | Male | 172 | Cleric 8 | hears “voices” in molten metal | S:13 D:9 C:15 I:14 W:17 CH:10
Building: Shrine of the Bound Flame
Short: Controlled chaos worship
Long Description:
A shrine dedicated to containing destructive forces. Followers believe fire must be chained, not released.
Who is there:
- Elira Thenn | Human | Female | 35 | Cleric 5 | mediator between chaos and control | S:10 D:11 C:12 I:13 W:16 CH:14
Building: The Hollow Furnace – Forbidden temple
Short: Faith gone wrong
Long Description:
A decommissioned furnace converted into a hidden temple. No flame burns here — only residual heat and whispers.
Faction: The Unshaped – Heretical believers
They reject structure, worship raw transformation.
Notable:
- Koen Vrin | Human | Male | 42 | Warlock 6 | bound to unknown force | S:11 D:13 C:12 I:14 W:10 CH:17
SPECIALIZED FOUNDRIES
Building: Chaincore Assembly
Short: Restraint engineering
Long Description:
Produces advanced chain systems:
- anti-magic restraints
- reinforced binding gear
Vendor:
- Brakkov Steelhand | Dwarf | Male | 520 | Artisan | precise and unforgiving | S:16 D:9 C:15 I:13 W:12 CH:8
Core Service
Anti-Magic Restraints & Reinforced Binding Systems
Designed for:
- Spellcasters
- Shapechangers
- Enhanced beings
- “Things that should not be held—but must be”
Pricing Model
| Tier | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Basic | 500 – 1,500 gp | Open |
| Reinforced | 2,000 – 6,000 gp | Restricted |
| Inquisitorial | 7,000 – 15,000 gp | Licensed only |
| Black Vault | 20,000+ gp | Off-record |
Extras:
- Custom fit: +25%
- Emergency override rune: +500 gp
- Silent operation (no sound): +300 gp
Catalogue (Playable Gear)
1. ⛓️ Iron Null Shackles (Basic)
Effect:
- Restrained condition
- Spellcasting requires DC 15 CON check or fails
Pro: Cheap, reliable
Con: Doesn’t stop high-level casters
2. 🔗 Runebound Chains (Reinforced)
Effect:
- Target is Restrained
- Cannot cast spells above level 3
- Concentration automatically broken each round
Pro: Strong anti-caster control
Con: Requires attunement by handler
3. 🧷 Spine-Lock Harness (Reinforced)
Effect:
- Immobilizes torso + limbs
- Disadvantage on all STR/DEX checks
- No somatic spell components possible
Pro: Excellent for transport
Con: Slow to apply (1 minute)
4. 🔒 Null Collar (Inquisitorial)
Effect:
- Silences wearer (no verbal components)
- Spellcasting DC +5 penalty
- Suppresses magical effects (like Rage, wild shape partially)
Pro: Compact, subtle
Con: Doesn’t fully suppress innate abilities
5. ⚙️ Magebreaker Manacles (Inquisitorial)
Effect:
- Target cannot cast spells
- Spell slots locked (cannot be used)
- Magical items fail while worn
Pro: Hard shutdown
Con: Requires recharge (1/day downtime ritual)
6. 🕳️ Void Cage (Black Vault Tier)
Effect:
- Creates localized anti-magic field (10 ft)
- Target cannot teleport, transform, or cast
- Outside magic cannot affect inside
Pro: Absolute containment
Con: Extremely expensive + immobile
7. 🧠 Thought-Latch Helm (Black Vault)
Effect:
- Blocks verbal & mental spellcasting
- Prevents telepathy, charm, domination
Pro: Stops psionics / mind magic
Con: Causes long-term INT/WIS degradation
Application Mechanics
Applying Restraints
STR (Athletics) or DEX (Sleight of Hand) vs target STR/DEX
- Success → restrained
- Fail → target resists
- Critical fail → counterattack opportunity
Breaking Free
Each turn:
STR check vs item DC
| Tier | DC |
|---|---|
| Basic | 13 |
| Reinforced | 16 |
| Inquisitorial | 18 |
| Black Vault | 20+ |
Anti-Magic Interaction System
If restrained target attempts magic:
Roll Spellcasting Ability vs Suppression DC
| Gear | DC |
|---|---|
| Shackles | 15 |
| Chains | 17 |
| Collar | 18 |
| Magebreaker | Auto-fail |
| Void Cage | Impossible |
Failure / Stress System
Each time a powerful entity is restrained:
- Roll 1d20
- On 1–3 → strain event
Examples:
- Chain cracks
- Rune flickers
- Magic surge
- Target mutates partially
Building: Emberflow Lab
Short: Fuel experimentation
Long Description:
Develops volatile fuel compounds used in furnaces and fouskanemi engines.
Vendor:
- Hest Varin | Human | Male | 44 | Alchemist | unstable personality | S:9 D:10 C:11 I:17 W:12 CH:11
Building: Resonance Forge
Short: Sound-based metallurgy
Long Description:
Uses vibration and sound to shape metal. Products carry unusual properties.
Vendor:
- Thalric Dune | Dwarf | Male | 160 | Artificer 7 | believes sound is divine | S:12 D:10 C:14 I:16 W:13 CH:9
FACTIONS (SHADOW LAYER)
faction: Veinwalkers – Underground network
Fast, efficient, invisible movement.
Notable:
- SlUX “No-Step” | Human | Male | 28 | Rogue 5 | never heard approaching | S:10 D:18 C:11 I:13 W:12 CH:11
faction: The Unshaped – Heretical cult
Reject structure, embrace transformation.
faction: Free Operators – Independent actors
No allegiance. Only contracts.
GROUPS IN MOTION
Group: Flesh Traders
Deal in:
- body modifications
- rare biological materials
Parasite Boutique
“Power that breathes with you… and sometimes instead of you.”
Proprietor
Name: Kelisra Yenn
Race: Veyr’Dhal (Drow)
Sex: Female
Age: 312
Class: Warlock (Great Old One) 11 / Rogue 3
Notes:
- Calm, surgical, never raises voice
- Treats bodies like investment portfolios
- Slightly jealous of “natural perfection” types (yes, that includes your pretty little murder-princesses)
Ability Scores:
S:10 D:16 C:14 I:18 W:15 CH:20
Personality Hooks
- Calls customers “hosts”
- Never lies—just omits critical survival details
- Keeps a “failed hosts” journal (names still whispering)
Core Service: 🧬 Symbiotic Implants 🧬
Each parasite is:
- Semi-sentient
- Bound via ritual (not fully controllable)
- Scales with host… or consumes them
Pricing Model
| Tier | Cost | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Minor | 1,500 – 3,000 gp | Open |
| Advanced | 4,000 – 9,000 gp | Restricted |
| Elite | 10,000+ gp | Invitation only |
Extra Costs:
- Installation ritual: 500 gp
- Stabilization serum (monthly): 100–300 gp
- Removal (if possible): 2x original cost
🧪 Parasite Catalogue (Playable)
1. 🕷️ Veilcrawler Symbiote (Minor)
Effect:
- Advantage on Stealth checks
- Can cling to walls (Spider Climb 1 min / long rest)
Con:
- Sunlight sensitivity while active
- Occasional twitching → disadvantage on Persuasion
Hidden Risk (DM):
- On failed WIS save (DC 13): urges to isolate from group
2. 🫀 Crimson Leech (Advanced)
Effect:
- Heal 1d6 HP on killing blow (once/turn)
- Advantage on CON saves vs exhaustion
Con:
- Must feed daily (blood) or take 2d6 damage
- Heals less if starving
Hidden Risk:
- After 3 days unfed → attempts control (WIS DC 15)
3. 👁️ Oracle Worm (Advanced)
Effect:
- +2 to Perception
- Once/day: advantage on any roll (reaction prediction)
Con:
- Random whispers → disadvantage on concentration checks
- Sleep disturbed (no full rest 1/long rest)
Hidden Risk:
- On nat 1 → DM injects false vision
4. 🐍 Venom Spine (Elite)
Effect:
- Bonus action: poison attack (2d6)
- Immunity to poison
Con:
- Daily toxin purge required
- On fail → poisoned condition
Hidden Risk:
- Critical failure → self-envenomation
5. 🧠 Mindcoil Entity (Elite)
Effect:
- Advantage on INT/CHA checks
- Can telepathically communicate (30 ft)
Con:
- Disadvantage on WIS saves
- Emotional detachment from allies
Hidden Risk:
- On prolonged use → alignment drift
Installation Mechanics
(Playable)
Procedure:
- 1 hour ritual + invasive surgery
- Roll:
CON Save (DC based on tier)
| Tier | DC |
|---|---|
| Minor | 12 |
| Advanced | 15 |
| Elite | 18 |
Outcomes:
- Success: Full integration
- Fail: Gain 1 level exhaustion + unstable bond
- Critical Fail: Parasite partially rejects → DM complication
🔁 Stability System (Core Loop)
Each long rest:
Roll 1d20 + CON vs Stability DC
| Tier | DC |
|---|---|
| Minor | 10 |
| Advanced | 13 |
| Elite | 16 |
Results:
- Success → stable
- Fail → minor side effect
- Fail by 5+ → parasite asserts will
Parasite Takeover
(When things go wrong)
Trigger:
- 3 failed stability checks
- Starvation (for feeding parasites)
- Magical interference
Effect:
- Temporary control (1–3 rounds)
- DM dictates behavior aligned with parasite nature
Group: Contract Killers
Operate quietly. Paid through intermediaries.
Group: Forge Initiates
Young apprentices exposed to deeper rituals.
🎲 ENCOUNTER MATRIX
| Trigger | Event |
|---|---|
| Seek rare augment | Directed to Veinsplice |
| Follow someone | Enter Shadow Veins |
| Ask about Furnace V | Silence or misdirection |
| Enter Hollow Furnace | Psychological pressure |
| Deal with wrong faction | Marked for tracking |
HIDDEN CONNECTIONS
- Veinsplice ↔ Emberflow Lab → shared materials
- Deep Forge Sanctum ↔ Furnace V → unknown ritual link
- Unshaped ↔ Shadow Veins → hidden access
- Free Operators ↔ Port smugglers → external contracts
