Caravans
At some time or another, most PCs will find themselves travelling between distant cities or lands. By far the best way to do this is by joining a caravan. These are made up from collections of people who need to travel a long distance in a similar direction. Likely participants are traders, immigrants, refugees and pilgrims, and they are likely to be accompanied by guards. Other caravans could be made up of military support personnel.
The most common caravans are those that follow trade routes, and it is probably true that practically all caravans are organised by traders. Maps are rare, and are probably handed down and modified by several generations. Maps for particularly dangerous or profitable trade routes are probably worth quite a sum of money and are most probably a closely guarded secret by their owners.
Detailed below is a caravan I drew up for one of my sessions. The caravan in question was designed for the beginning of Earth Season and was leaving the city of Pavis in Prax and heading west along the Pavis road. Please feel free to copy this and modify for use in your own campaign.
The Earth Season Caravan
Position 1
Visual Description
A covered four-wheeled wagon pulled by oxen. It is accompanied by four guards on zebras.
Casual Description
This wagon has a cargo of Praxian spices and Nomad artefacts for sale at high price to collecters in the Lunar Heartlands
Special Notes
This is the lead wagon, driven by the Etyries merchant who is running the caravan
Position 2
Visual Description
An Etyris merchant with a flock of mixed herd beasts.
Casual Description
This small herd of Praxian animals is driven by a number of Praxian slaves.
Special Notes
Both the animals and the slaves will be sold when the caravan reaches Tarsh.
Position 3
Visual Description
A mercenary, travelling on a fine horse.
Casual Description
He is dressed in fairly good quality clothes, and has the look of a veteran about him. His weapons are worn but well kept.
Special Notes
He is actually a Thanatar cultist, leaving Pavis to avoid unwarranted attention.
Position 4
Visual Description
A solitary rider mounted on an antelope.
Casual Description
He is a Lunar messenger, in active service.
Special Notes
In my game, this guy was carrying certain articles that the party was after. During the time they were with the caravan, they attempted to search several carts and wagons. The Lunars had predicted this, and had the items carried by an individual - a ploy that worked very well.
Position 5
Visual Description
An Issaries merchant with an open two-wheeled cart pulled by oxen. It is full of barrels and jars.
Casual Description
The bed of the cart is padded with straw bales so the barrels are cushioned against the jolting of the journey.
Special Notes
The cargo is made of Praxian and Sun Dome ales and wine, destined for the Lunar Provinces.
Position 6
Visual Description
A group of Orlanthi with several pack mules.
Casual Description
They seem in good spirits - they are on their way to a "society" clan wedding in Sartar.
Special Notes
The mules are carrying wedding gifts and good clothing.
Position 7
Visual Description
A pair of dangerous looking women, each armed with several axes.
Casual Description
They are Maran Gor cultists, and will not talk to any male.
Special Notes
At the time I ran this session, they were on their way to perform High Holy Day rituals in the hills northwest of Pavis.
Position 8
Visual Description
An Issaries merchant with a closed two-wheeled cart pulled by mules. It is accompanied by two Nomads on Sables.
Casual Description
The cart is stitched shut at both ends to protect its cargo of Kralorelan silks from the dust of the trail.
Special Notes
When they have they opportuntiy, the two Nomads guarding this trader intend to kill him and take his goods.
Position 9
Visual Description
An Lokarnos initiate with an open two-wheeled cart.
Casual Description
The cart contains many boxes packed with straw.
Special Notes
The boxes contain many fine examples of Sun Dome pottery, which is intended for the markets of Sun Dome County in Dragon Pass.
Position 10
Visual Description
A small group of Orlanthi pilgrims
Casual Description
They are sombre, guiding one of their number to his initiation.
Special Notes
This group left the caravan to head north to Pairing Stones.
Position 11
Visual Description
An Issaries initiate with a single mule.
Casual Description
He seems nervous and wary.
Special Notes
He is travelling to Redwood, to trade the magic crystals he is carrying for valuable and potent herbs.
Position 12
Visual Description
A large covered four-wheeled wagon pulled by a *huge* beetle.
Casual Description
This wagon is carrying a cargo of grubs and chrysalids from the Gorakiki temple at Corflu to Dagori Inkarth. The driver's seat is completely boxed in to shade its occupants from the sun.
Special Notes
It is manned by an Argan Argar merchant of the Xarangang toll clan of the Rubble, accompanied by a Zorak Zorani. The cargo is guarded and maintained by 8 Trollkin : 1 Value; 3 Warriors; 4 Workers.
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