3DPBMCSHMtm: 20 questions about Altorr

Warrior by Eoghan Kerrigan.

As there is no finer way to initially define a campaign setting than by asking Jeff's 20 questions, here's some answers about Altorr, the grimweird world and first plane of the 3DPBMCSHMtm.

1. What is the deal with my cleric's religion?While most divine magic here is druidic, clerics are a growing influence. The gods can be split into two pantheons - The Old Powers and the Invaders.  The Invader faiths arrived through the gates and have stayed.  They helped fight the demons so they're welcome.
   
   Old PowersAmatheya - Great Mother, goddess of healers and oracle with powers of great natural destruction.
   Fareus - Lord Sky, god of heroes and kings. Randy, impulsive, penchant for thunderbolts.
   Mordiggian - Great Ghoul, dark corona-god and patron of ghouls and necropoli.
   Seves - The Bronze Serpent.  Divided Trickster, patron of civilisation, hunting and sailors.
   
   Invaders
   Extur - Violent warrior, teacher of battle and patron of goblinoids
   Saint-George - Pale knight who watches over warriors, wanderers, herders and the diseased.
   The Crawler - God of pain and hunger, placated with offerings lest it curses or consumes you.
2. Where can we go to buy standard equipment?
   Villages can provide the basics (anything up to 30gp) or animals.  Anything elaborate like armour, expensive weapons or similar, talk to a noble or a merchant-prince.  They have artisans who can make such things.
3. Where can we go to get platemail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?
   The elven smiths routinely armour beasts.  Dwarves may bard their warboars.  The merchant-princes may be able to help with that thing you have with you...
4. Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?
   Jalias, but he'll find you first.  If an old man in raven-feather cloak and leathers offers work, you're dead, famous or both.  He knows some fantastic stories.  His eyes are far too old.
5. Who is the greatest warrior in the land?
   Amalandri, queen of the Kyliasta elves slew a balor in single combat.  The Giant-Killer rangers follow at some distance.  A number of knights have slain dire beasts and barbarians hunt mammoths.
6. Who is the richest person in the land?
   Skiderik Dragonnest, first among merchant-princes.  He made his fortune trading weapons with the Unforeseen's captain for Bellotran wines and finery.  You'll find him in Rulby fleecing academicians. A bastard's bastard, count your fingers once you've had dealings with him.
7. Where can we go to get some magical healing?
   Many places.  Druids and bards may provide this for service.  The temples and monasteries may also grant aid in return for a donation.
8. Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions?
   poison - As above.
   disease - As above.  The paladins of Saint-George are particularly helpful with this.
   curse - A bard or druid may assist, as may any temple or magician you can pay for.
   level drain - The temples, though Mordiggian will refuse you.
   lycanthropy - Druids may help you, as will the paladins of Saint-George.  Some barbarians consider lycanthropes totemic so trying to cure them is a good way to start a fight.
   polymorph - Most spell casters will do this for a fee.  Those subject to druidic baleful polymorph are never returned by another druid.  News travels quickly.
   alignment change - Chain yourself to the Rock of Agonies for a lunar cycle.  Or seek atonement from a druid or temple of Saint-George.  The latter is easier to be truthful.
   death - Druids will reincarnate you. If you like your body, the temples are a better idea though Saint-George and Mordiggian will refuse you.
   undeath - Mordiggian destroys any unwilling undead in his temple.  It's whispered the Parliament of Roses may save someone lost to undeath.  Good luck finding them though.
9. Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?
   Most hedge-wizards aren't that organised!  There are the academicians of Rulby, though the entrance exam is hard.  The Darkcloaks are a bunch of power-hungry wizards trading destructive or malevolent magics.  Not people you'd trust with your spell book.  Jalias isn't interested either, what would you offer him?
10. Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?These people serve the nobles and merchant-princes.  Ovates (bardic druid-types) have loremasters in their ranks.
11. Where can I hire mercenaries?
    Almost every town has sell-swords seeking the favour of noble or merchant-prince.  Some of them turn to banditry in winter.  That never ends well for anyone.
12. Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?
    Negraglo tax collectors prove most inventive in the name of their baron.  Sword tax, spell tax and all kinds of trouble if you refuse.  Travellers don't stay in the Barony of Negraglo long.
13. Which way to the nearest tavern?
    At the edge of town.  Or at the crossroads next to the market.  In every town so you won't starve. Many villagers brew their own.  Unless you're in Negraglo, of course, where only the Baron has money or food.
14. What monsters are terrorizing the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?
    The giants of Jotunfell have raided as long as we remember.  The dire beasts who haunt forest and hill tend to alarm villages.  The sea devils to the south are also a scourge on trade.  
15. Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?
    The Border Kings are always fighting.  Mercenaries flock to their lands during harvest-time and war until the first snows.  A shrewd warrior might grow rich doing such work.  The barony of Negraglo always wants mercenaries, even in winter.  How does the Baron afford them?
16. How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?
    Every market-town has a Pit where people fight for coin.  Competition can get very fierce.  In Clune, the nobles use their Pit for trial by combat and recruiting elite troops.  They are quite vicious there.
17. Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?
    There are alliances between nobles and certain giant clans.  These provide the giants with slaves for various purposes.  Keep away from hooded men with manacles.
18. What is there to eat around here?
    Plenty!  Boar, bull and sheep are plentiful - which has caused trouble before.  Harvests are rich and famine is almost unknown outside of Negraglo.
19. Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?
    Tales of demon cult hoards being uncovered reach the ears of the greedy.  The resulting bloodshed and red gold does more damage than the cults ever did.
20. Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?
    The war with the demons killed all the dragons and their hoards were divided among the survivors. Though I hear that the Rock of Agonies is protected by a roc or some large bird-like thing...