Vibrant trade towns are a key feature in many campaigns. Adventurers must shop, after all!

Use this list, to add pieces of interesting dressing to the vibrant trade towns in your campaign:

Guards shout to stop a careening wagon as the maniacally driver whips his horses for greater speed.
A man in luxurious robes, his purse heavy with coin, jingles as he walks.
Hawkers shout out deals for lesser wares, on practically every street corner.
A chain line of slaves shuffles by under the watchful eye of an obese taskmaster and his guards.
The line of wagons and people passing through the town gates seems never-ending.
Competing food vendors fling rotted wares across the street at one another.
A mercenary band stands guard in front of a large building’s imposing gates.
A slim man, flanked by warriors, notes all passersby, jotting observations on a parchment.
The last cart to roll by definitely had the aura of something dead wafting from it.
Lamplighters collect their dues from business owners to keep the streets lit at night.
A crate lies in the middle of the street, cracked open and empty of anything but sawdust.
Workers chant in rhythm as they unload endless crates from the latest caravan.
Someone has painted an obscene glyph on every business door along this street.
Water splashes as labourers slop it across the street, washing animal waste from the cobbles.
Two merchants wave daggers at each other, as they argue over a shipment.
A whole guard troop accompanies a tax collector who stops by every business on the street.
A profusion of signs indicate all business done in town must be registered with the appropriate guild, on pain of imprisonment.
The smell of smoke, redolent with foreign spices, wafts through the market.
Two massive hounds flank a merchant. They growl at anyone who gets too close.
Lute and flute players are among the many musicians performing in the crowded market.

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The material in this article appears in Urban Dressing: Trade Town by Josh Vogt which is available in 5e, Pathfinder 1, Pathfinder 2 and OSR editions.

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