Minor Urban Landmarks
Some urban landmarks are only notable in the immediate locality. The landmarks below could appear in virtually any village, town or city.
Plague Pit Lane: Fifty years ago, plague ravaged the community. With civil order breaking down, the plague’s many victims were buried in a mass grave. The town has since expanded over the site.
The Goblin Hall: This vaulted L-shaped underground chamber is the only surviving remnant of a church that once stood on the site. The chamber was both a store and a sanctuary—a final redoubt in times of trouble.
Copse Hill: Thick stands of trees cluster atop Copse Hill. Sometimes, locals refer to the place as Corpse Hill in reference to long-standing rumours the hill is the burial mound of a long-dead forgotten king.
The Old Man: Immensely old and gnarled, this oak tree has stood for centuries. Locals love the tree and violently oppose any who seek it harm.
Setta’s Cavern: This small cavern was discovered during the digging of a well. A capable climber can reach the cavern which has sporadically served as a home, shrine and hideout over the years. It is named for its longest inhabitant: a hermit who lived within for a decade.
The Church of Flowers: Decades ago, the church standing here burnt down. The clergy lacked the funds to rebuild the church, and the site was abandoned. A great swath of wildflowers took hold among the ruins in the years following the fire. Now locals come here to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life.
The Cat and Parrot: The Cat and Parrot was a local tavern until the owner sold up and moved away. The new owner transformed the tavern into a private home but left the giant mural of a cat creeping up on a parrot decorating the side of the building intact. Now peeling and weatherworn, the mural nevertheless remains a prominent local landmark.
Saint Dunstan’s Stone: When Saint Dunstan visited the town, he is said to have used this stone to dismount from his horse. Since then, several miraculous events have been linked to this otherwise nondescript chunk of jagged rock. A black iron fence now surrounds the stone. Every holy day, believers come here to pray.
The Bronze Lions: These two ornate statues stand on either side of an archway leading into a small court. The statues are of lions sitting on their haunches and have stood here for years, as evidenced by their green patina. Local superstition has it that the statues contain the spirits of actual lions.
The Elaboratory: Smoke often billows from the half-dozen tall, slender chimneys of this stone and slate building. The same family has owned this building since they purchased and extensively renovated it a half-century ago. The family are widely seen as a little strange, but their alchemical abilities are undeniable.
These minor urban landmarks appear in the System Neutral 20 Things 70: Urban Landmarks by Creighton Broadhurst. Every member of Raging Swan Press’s Patreon campaign got the book for free as a thank you for their incredible supprt. Sign up today, to start getting free books from Raging Swan Press!