Fellow travelers,

e the hustle and bustle

There’s nothing quite lik
led with marvelous
of a big city. Markets fil
taverns with raucous
imported merchandise, s
ples, libraries of endles
feasts, therapeutic tem bo rs. All
of friendly neigh
knowledge, and crowds
sto ne walls and the watchful
protected by sturdy
portunity awaits for
eye of the city guard. Op
ers at every corner!
brave and clever adventur
gic and wonder.
But the city isn’t just ma
gal goods, abandoned
Warehouses trading ille
us dungeons filled with
backstreets, and dangero kpockets, and gangs
y pic
greedy gamblers, sneak
to no go od . There are plenty of
that are up
indle naive and foolhardy
scoundrels ready to sw
g they’re worth.
adventures for everythin
d
lection of my favorite wil
This guide contains a col g streets and
g the bustlin
sights to see when visitin
eyw ay s of the big city.
unsavory all

– Flik Silverpen

Find more helpful guides at patreon.com/jpcoovert

Flik Silverpen’s Guide to Bustling Streets and Unsavory Alleyways (FSG 24)
by JP Coovert © 2024
First Printing March 2024
Map Crow inspired by Kyle Latino (mapcrowshow.com)

Thank You
Jacie. Scott. Brandon, Kyle, and Bryce.
And all the patrons that helped make this zine real.

Explore videos at youtube.com/jpcoovert and artwork at jpcoovert.com

 Sewer Workers Unite!
It’s a stinky job, but someone’s got to do it.
Strike Who Could Have Conjured
A couple dozen slop-covered goblins the Dreg?
with hastily painted signs march down 1. Dot, owner of the Bot Shop. Maybe one
the crowded street shouting out in of those strange mechanical bots is
unison, “Down with the Dreg!” They leave controlling the Dreg?
a trail of brown stinking sludge behind
them while citizens jump out of the way 2. Mingus, the proprietor of Beacon’s,
holding their noses in disgust as they a lamp shop that sells luminescent
pass. slime in jars. They are cheaper and last
longer than traditional oil lamps, as
The Gutter Gang is usually hidden away long as you feed the slimes your table
from regular citizens. They live happily scraps. Mingus warns customers to
in the city’s sewers, spending their days never flush their slimes.
gleefully destroying the “up-toppers”
waste. No one really knows how the 3. Jinora Oriol, the wizard living in
goblins take care of the sewage. Do the crooked tower. She’s never seen
they burn it? Dissolve it in slime? They without her lumbering gold-armored
definitely don’t eat it, right? It’s better construct guard. Maybe whatever
not to ask. being she trapped inside her guard
has escaped into the sewers?
You might think that some magistrate or
city council would pay the Gutter Gang
a decent amount of gold to handle this
dirty job, but no, the Gutter Gang do it
for free.
That is until the Dreg showed up.
Apparently someone has been dumping
magic sludge into the sewers. It’s
coalesced into a giant monster that
doesn’t take kindly to the goblins’ waste
management efforts.

It only took one member of the Gutter

Gang being swallowed up by the Dreg for
the goblins to throw down their utensils,
leave their underground home behind,
and go on strike.

ith, it
e D re g is n’t dealt w ys to
If th f da
a couple o
only takes out of the sewers
y
find its wa city proper.
in to th e
and
 There Can Be Only One...
Rumor on the streets is there’s a crazed criminal running around the
city at night, breaking all of the swords they can find.

The Rumor Spreads From Starsplitter

1. Two town guards complaining they The truth is, Cliff Doran, a wealthy
have to carry spears instead of their shipping broker, recently purchased
usual long swords. “How is it possible a fancy looking sword from a strange
for someone to break into the armory cloaked merchant on the promise the
and destroy all the swords without blade would shatter any other sword it
anyone noticing?” clashed with.

2. Bondora Ironmold the smithy has What Cliff doesn’t know is the blade he
zero swords for sale. Every day she purchased is a powerful sentient sword
makes a new blade or two, but when called Starsplitter. Every night the
she wakes up the next morning they callous, single-minded blade slips from
have all been shattered into pieces. its sheath and slinks around the city
destroying whatever swords it can find.
3. Old Man Willibald heard a sword fight Starsplitter believes it is the only blade
happening down the side street last worthy of existence and wants to see all
night. When he investigated he saw others destroyed.
two floating swords clashing. When
one shattered, the other floated off in Starsplitter can communicate
the moonlight. “I know most folk think telepathically, levitate, and fight for itself.
my stories are just tall tales, but this It’s dangerously sharp and capable of
time I’m tellin’ the truth!” shattering other blades effortlessly when
the stars shine on it.
4. A notice on the Old Guard’s Bounty,
bounty board.

It’s only a matter of time before

a group of sword wielding
adventurers come face to face with
the vainglorious floating blade.
 Rival Adventurers
They run these streets.

The Crossroad Champs When You Least Expect It

After the adventurers do something These five will attempt to intimidate
nice for someone in the city they the adventurers into “backing off their
are approached by a gang of local turf.” At the threat of violence they will
mercenaries calling themselves, “The slink away, promising to return when the
Crossroad Champs.” adventurers least expect it.

A rag-tag group of opportunistic If the adventurers continue to help

adventures. Expert hirelings, scheming the citizens, the Crossroad Champs
do-gooders, and swindlers of coin. They will sabotage them at every turn. They
are first in line to take advantage of will alert the adventurers adversaries,
citizens in a tough spot. convince shop keepers to charge more,
leave traps where the adventurers rest,
Cassie - Wide, but timid eyes. She stands claim the adventurers rewards before
too close. High-pitched, crackly voice. they can return, and even put up wanted
Carries a damaged short sword. Suffers signs with made up (or actual) crimes.
from fits of uncontrollable, destructive
rage. Any time one of them can cause trouble
from a distance, they will!
Dee Dee - Eyes constantly darting,
observing every detail. Repeats
everything his companions say as a
positive affirmation. Carries a well
polished swort sword.

Ebran - Always wears his hood up

because it makes him look mysterious
and cool. Chuckles at inappropriate
times. Carries a bow that can shoot
around corners.

Grund - Old, slow, and hunched, but

takes no guff. Constantly grumbling
under his breath. Walks on a cane with a
hidden blade inside.

Shcoo - Tallest dwarf you’ve ever seen.

Loud, boisterous voice. Wears silver
dragon scale armor and carries two
fancy long swords. Enjoys flexing his
muscles.
 Unwelcome Guest
Unpaid tolls become upset trolls.
Bridge Troll The New Bridge
There’s a commotion in the market But all that changed with the
square. Jordy’s Tailored Cloaks stall is construction of the the Surecross
completely crushed beneath the weight Bridge. Travelers are simply choosing
of an enormous moldy troll named to cross the more convenient, toll-free
Hrunga. An entire month’s worth of bridge instead. Hrunga has gone weeks
inventory completely ruined! without his favorite snack.

It’s not clear why the troll sat down In an act of desperate protest, the
where he did, but what is clear, Hrunga frustrated troll has to decided crash in
is grumpy and not planning on moving the middle of the busy market from now
any time soon. He has an armful of plum on. The baker, Baxter Warmwell, gave
tarts and is complaining about the the troll an entire rack of his favorite
new Surecross Bridge near the city’s plum tarts in hopes the big lug would
southern gate between bites. move, but no luck.

Hrunga lives under the Moldy Stone Now Hrunga teeters between outright
Bridge further downstream where he anger (slamming his huge fists and
usually collects a reasonable toll from roaring in frustration) and deep sulking
travelers and even acts as an escort depression (collapsing on Jordy’s stall
when the low road floods. Every few and moaning deep haunting sobs).
days he comes into the city to buy as
many of his favorite plum tarts as he can The market vendors can’t offer much, but
carry. will surely give good discounts to anyone
that can help calm the troll before
Hrunga causes further damage.
 Ryba’s Floating Aquarium
Magic fish for sale.
Aquarium What’s For Sale
A barnacle-covered fishing boat hovers Blink Goby - Randomly teleports. Often
above the city’s docks or market square. finds itself out of water and gasping.
“Rare magical fish” is hand painted on
the hull. A rope ladder dangles to the Glimmerfish - Looks like a pile of gold
ground. coins in the water. Has a hidden mouth
with massive sharp teeth that are made
Ryba, a strong looking froglin with a for chomping off fingers.
soft, high-pitched voice is wrapping
ropes and securing knots on the boat. He Jeweled Tetra - Its wavy fins and shiny
welcomes adventurers and is eager to scales shift and change color constantly.
introduce them to all the fish he’s caught Sought after by spellcasters. Feed it
from around the world. a jewel and it will poop out another
random type of gemstone.
A Zephyrfish (floating brass fish that
breaths and swims through air instead Patch Tang - Leave a broken weapon or
of water) drifts around the edge of the piece of amour in it’s bowl and it will be
boat. Ryba explains that “Darleena” is the fully repaired (and soaked through) by
one keeping his ship afloat. She is not for the next morning.
sale.
Quip Snapper - Pokes its mouth out of
the water and shouts an insult. “I can
ese smell you under the water!”
it seems like th
At first glance ge nt
e not intelli Seabass - A boring old seabass. Can you
magical fish ar l have blank,
ey al hear its exasperated sighs?
creatures. Th less
ey es and expression fort
unblinking no ef
ch, but make Spiney Eel - When agitated, it shoots
faces. They wat If an adventure glass-like barbs. Incredibly sharp, but
e.
to communicat their magical fish, easily break when trying to remove from
ca re of
takes good hear the fish’s
voice
flesh.
be gi n to
they will to find
ey will come
in their mind. Th advice givers and Voidfish - Shoots bolts of void energy
llent
fish to be exce that disenchant magical items.
secret keep er s.

Ryba is happ
y
price, but th to negotiate on
e adventure
prove they w rs need to
il
Ryba doesn’t l be good keepers.
ex
who would ca actly trust anyone
rr
dangerous si y a fishbowl into
tuations.
 The Map Crow
A shop after my own heart. If some helpful directions or a spark of
adventure is what you’re after, don’t miss a visit to the Map Crow.

The Flying Tower Some Extra-Special Maps

Resting on one of the less travelled 1. A meticulously rendered map of the
corners in the city is this modest red underground areas of the city.
brick tower with a sturdy wooden perch
protruding near the top. The building 2. A bound collection of blueprints that
shifts and creaks in a slow rhythm, as detail the layout of every inn and
if asleep. It looks like it might be able tavern in the city.
to stand up and walk away. A black and
white hand-painted sign hangs above 3. A strange but somehow familiar
the red door. It reads, “Curiosities of the looking map labeled, “Middle-earth. “
Cartographic Kind.” 4. A sparse desert map that outlines
The interior walls are covered with a safe, but long and winding, path
shelves, jam-packed with dusty maps. through.
Rolled, stacked, or bound, there 5. An incomplete map of the Gloom Tide.
doesn’t appear to be a method to their
organization. There are maps of familiar 6. A second-hand map that leads to a
areas the adventurers have been to and buried treasure in some far off land.
many many more they haven’t.
7. A map that charts the stars above. It
changes as the days pass, same as the
night’s sky.

8. Piles upon piles of “monster lair”

maps.

Crow Cartographer
The proprietor, Kyle, is hunched over a
slanted drafting table scribbling away
at a new map. If and when he notices
customers he remains unendingly
affable. Prone to loud bursts of laughter
and excitement, Kyle graciously displays
his maps with anyone interested. He is
reluctant to sell his original maps but
is more than willing to make a copy for
a fair price. It takes him a day or two to
complete the duplication.
 Dot’s Bot Shop
Whiz bang pop pow!
Futuristic Workshop Bots for Sale
A cacophony of sparks and clanging is Cepo - Slow, shambling, unbalanced bot
ever present in this workshop made that can translate any spoken language.
of mismatched sheets of metal that Not suitable for adventuring.
have been hastily bolted together.
Most citizens avoid Dot’s shop. Not just Jolly - Bipedal bot that beeps and boops.
because of the noise, but the strange All it does is perch on your shoulder.
metallic creatures she makes inside
seem unusual and dangerous (they Kirbe - Spherical bot that can bounce
aren’t… for the most part). and vacuum up small objects.

Dot is small with a child-like demeanor L.E.D. - Rolling bot that produces torch-
that frequently trails off into rambling. like light when the command word,
Her workshop is more about function “lamp” is said out loud.
than a show room with long tables, Mintd - Large, whirring, box-like bot that
tangles of wires, and scattered tools. produces one gold coin a day.
She is happy to sell any of her bots, other Paddy - Small with four spider-like legs.
than the large spherical one covered by a Put this bot on a door handle and it will
cloth tarp in the back corner of her shop. lock it up tight. Dot is unsure how to get
She forbids anyone from looking under the bot to unlock itself.
the tarp (Could it be her next big project?
A war machine? A submarine? Or maybe Rudu - Chirping, cylindrical bot with
a time machine that brought her here wheels. Can record and project a single
from the future?). sentence ghost-like vision.

Swissa - Tiny box-like bot on wheels. Has

retractable scissor, knife, saw, screw, file,
wrench, and feather arms.

Dot’s bots are

Adventurers very expensive.
w
need to pool ill probably
their money
purchase a si to
ngle bot.
 A Friendly Game of Dragoon
A game of dice, chance, and glory. Can you tame the dragon and become its rider?
Backalley Bet
The adventurers are called into a shady side street by a hissing whistle. Greepo, a
slippery looking lizardfolk wants to play a game of dice.

“Just finished a job and got some extra coins burnin’ a hole in my pouch. Care to roll
some bones in a friendly game of Dragoon?” Greepo plays fairly but insists on rolling
the dragon dice as often as possible.

The Rules
Each player buys into the game, creating Once every player has rolled their Ride
the initial pot, the “hoard.” Typically one dice, the game continues around the
gold coin. circle again. On each players’ turn they
can:
One player rolls a d20 (Dragon dice -
rotates players each round). They play “Hold” - Keep their initial roll.
too!
“Run” - Leave the game, losing all coins
Play proceeds around the circle contributed to the pot.
clockwise, starting with the person to
the left of player that rolled the Dragon “Add to the hoard” - Add more money
Dice. to the pot which must be matched by
the other players.
Each player chooses any number of d6’s
(Ride dice) to roll. They add the value of “Ride” - Roll any number of additional
all the dice, trying to get as close to the d6’s (Ride dice), adding the value to
number on the d20 (Dragon dice) without their initial roll.
going over.
The game ends when no one else wants
If a player rolls over the Dragon dice they to “Add to the hoard” or “Ride” anymore.
“offend the dragon” and are out of the The winner takes the pot and “becomes
game. the dragon rider.”

On a tie, the pot is split. If everyone

“offends the dragon” the person who
rolled the Dragon dice keeps the pot.
 The Weaving Doors
A quick, but admittedly illegal way of traversing the city.
Quick Pickpocket Acquiring a Key
A tiny cloaked pickpocket, named If the adventurers somehow catch up to
Lint, snatches a gold pouch or some Lint before he opens the Weaving Door,
sentimental item for one of the the stolen item is magically returned
adventurers. They dart into a dark to the adventurer and he acts as if
alley with an unnatural speed (wearing nothing was actually taken. As a last
Quickstep Boots - each step is equal to resort to make peace, Lint will offer to
three). take the adventurers through the door,
teleporting them anywhere they’d like to
The pickpocket slides to a stop at an go in the city in an instant.
ornately carved door that is strangely
set into the old wooden fence at the If pressed about the particularities of the
end of the alley. He pulls out an ancient Weaving Doors, Lint reluctantly admits
looking key, whispers under his breath that they appear only when something
(the location of the adjoining door), valuable is stolen.
unlocks the door, and disappears inside.
In his haste, Lint accidentally leaves the To enter the door one will need a special
door slightly ajar. key. To acquire a special key a person
must steal something valuable and wait
Opening the door reveals a portal to to be visited by Kleptlifan. The strange
another distant part of the city. The being with too many hands will appear
adventurers can step through and be through a conjured doorway, exchange
transported to Lint’s whispered location. the stolen valuable for a key, and then
Once the door is closed (on either side of disappear back through the Weaving
the portal) it cannot be opened without Door.
the ancient key. If the adventurers return
to either door at a later time, it has Lint has heard that if a key is stolen (he
disappeared without a trace. will freak out if the adventurers try and
take his key), something very very very
bad happens to the original holder.
 Dragon Attack
Or a simple case of mistaken identity?
The Purple Dragon Smitty the “Cat”
From the Tourmaline Mountains to the So why is Smitty on the run? The little
north, the shadow of the enormous grey talking cat is actually a gnome
purple dragon Dorogatha circles above named Celver who offended the witch
the city. Terrified citizens retreat into Jinora Oriol by accidentally constructing
their homes as she lands atop the city’s her tower on a slight angle. He thought it
main gate. was an interesting and new architectural
feature. She did not.
Her roaring voice shakes the ground,
echoing through every corner of the city, Smitty is currently slinking his way
“Hear me tiny creatures. One of you has towards Jinora Oriol’s crooked tower. He
stolen something very precious from hopes to convince the witch to undo his
my hoard. You have exactly one hour to curse so he can prove to Dorogatha that
return my beloved cat, Smitty, or this he is in fact, not a cat.
city you call home will be reduced to
rubble.”
The Clock is Ticking
You might think Dorogatha’s hoard is a Dorogatha waits at the gate, her
vault full of gold coins, old tomes, maybe massive claw tapping on the stone walls
even gemstones or rare magic items, impatiently. She regards anyone that
but no. Dorogatha collects hundreds approaches her with great suspicion.
upon thousands of kitty-cats, all living Dorogatha cannot be discouraged from
comfortably in her expansive mountain her ultimatum. She can smell her cat and
hold. will not leave without him.
If Smitty is not returned within the
hour, Dorogatha stomps across the
city, looking for her cat by tearing apart
buildings with her massive claws and
swiping tail. Anyone that opposes her
destructive trampling is sprayed with
her gaseous paralizing breath.
 Xetra’s Manor
Goes BOOM!
Spooky Eyesore Destructive Mishap
A neglected wrought iron fence One night, under a full moon, Xetra’s
surrounds a dilapidated manor near Manor explodes, raining down debris
the center of town. Dead vines cover the and green fire. Three dozen zombies
paint-chipped exterior and a flickering shamble out of the wreckage, their skin
green light can be seen through cracks of ablaze with magical, inextinguishable
the boarded windows at night. fire. They move through the streets
slowly, looking to add to their ranks by
The superstitious believe the manor engulfing the entire city in flames.
is haunted while the haughty and
wealthy citizens consider it an eye sore. If the zombies are allowed to stumble
Everyone puts up with the unsightly into the Gratis Apothecary it will
manor because the owner, a famed detonate in a truly devastating
and reclusive alchemist, sponsors an explosion, taking out several blocks of
apothecary that provides remedies and the city.
cure-alls for free.
After the zombies have been dealt
with, Xetra’s Manor lays in rubble, the
Alchemist is nowhere to be found. The
only thing of value remaining in the
burnt wreckage is a Purification Flask
(turns any liquid into crystal clear
water).
 The Old Guard’s Bounty
Watch your step, be respectful, and hope you don’t end up on ol’ Xander’s bounty board.
You Meet in a Tavern The Locals
This oldfangled inn and tavern looks Andras - Small, loud, and fierce. She
like it was one of the first buildings in challenges anyone bigger than her to an
the city. Inside has seen its fair share arm wrestling match (she rarely loses).
of smashed mugs and broken chairs.
It’s mostly empty with a few grizzly old Codger - Big and muscly, but so so old.
codgers waiting for a warm bowl of Has been hit on the head so many times
potato stew. he can’t remember his name, so everyone
just calls him Old Codger.
The proprietor’s name is Xander Alvaro,
a rough and tumble retired captain of Hawk - Hood drawn. Never speaks, but
the city guard. He welcomes adventurers watches the adventurers’ every move.
with a deep brooding voice and offers a
comfortable, but modest place for a meal Holger - Sun-scorched and wrinkly.
and rest on the cheap. Retired mercenary that would jump at
the chance to use his trusty spear again,
for the right price of course.
The Bounty Board
Manfred - Skinny with a scraggly beard
Adventurers might notice the wide
and worn boots. Boasts of slaying mighty
bounty board near the hearth. Xander
creatures in the good ol’ days. No one
doesn’t believe the current guards are
believes his outlandish stories.
doing enough to keep danger outside of
the city’s protective walls. So he offers a * Xander banned the Crossroad
safe place for citizens looking for a bit of Champs from his establishment for
vigilante justice. botching a particularly dangerous
bounty.
 Bounty Board

Guardian Temple will

Brother Greer at the
p destroying two
pay a fair price for hel
and began terrorizing Rex Fitzroy wok
gargoyles that woke precious family
e up to find his
locked in the
temple-goers. They are shattered to pi
heirloom longsw
ord
ver y ang ry about it. eces. He will pa
basement and handsomely for y
the culprit.

Tobias Twofoot was bitten by a giant rat

on his way home from vacation. He has
locked himself inside his home and is afraid
he will turn into a wererat on the next
full moon. He’s willing to pay whatever he
can for a cure to his lycanthropy.

Diago Crisp
in is
to build a sc trying to raise money
hool for en
conjurers. T chanters an
he plans ar d
patron, Clif e drawn up
f Doran, re but his
offer to fr cently resc
ont the co inded his
st.

and
Darvin from Spriggan Potions
is look ing for som eon e to
Remedies
stigate the Gra tis Apo the cary and
inve
potions
Xetra’s Manor. All those free
out of bus ines s.
are putting him
Scar Morgan in hea lth pot ions.
needs someo Reward paid
to deliver a ne reliable
package to
Warehouse the Flavert
down by th y
He’ll pay do e docks.
uble the go Spero Sawhors
deliveries (b ing rate fo e needs an esco
ut why is th r while searching rt
ticking?) e package for a lost trea
buried in the ci sure
ty. He’s worrie
one of those w d
eird door thiefs
out for his loot is
. Spero has a m
and is willing to ap
split what he fi
50/50 with hi nds
s protectors.
t Charles.
lost her ca
Elidora has re wa rd .
oin
One gold c