A thriving village is the last thing a traveller expects to find on a cracked and blasted volcanic plain belching lava and poisonous gases. However, Vulcanbridge defies expectations and offers a haven for wayward souls and desperate travellers alike. Primarily home to dwarven and gnomish engineers and miners, the village also attracts adventurers and greedy merchants keen to turn a healthy profit. The village relies on trading valuable metals and gemstones harvested from its surrounds for necessities, and this influx of wealth has also attracted the wrong kind of attention. Vulcanbridge seems like a tempting target to raiders who see an isolated village endowed with treasure. This threat adds to the dangers posed by the environment itself and the fiery creatures dwelling in the magmatic caverns beneath the plain. Then there are the dark rumours the deep-dwelling owner of all the treasure harvested by the villagers has awoken and intends to take it all back...

• Ruler: Korron Greymantle

• Government: Autocracy

• Population: 185 (91 dwarves, 31 gnomes, 23 half-orcs, 15 halflings, 14 humans, 11 half-elves)

• Alignments: LG, LN, NG, CG

• Languages: Common, Draconic, Dwarven, Elven, Gnome

• Resources & Industry: Mining, shelter, sightseeing, trade

The volcanic plain upon which Vulcanbridge stands was uninhabited until 350 years ago. A group of dwarf and gnome adventurers wound up on the plain through a series of mishaps (or divine providence, depending on who tells the tale). A minor eruption spat unfinished emeralds up onto the plain, and one of the adventurers noted the lava contained traces of gold and silver. Realising they had discovered a treasure trove beyond their wildest reckoning, the group vowed to settle the area.

The original settlers perished trying to tame the volcanic plain, but their associates and family carried on. Eventually, dwarf engineers erected several pylons, and bridges to connect the pylons, allowing the settlers to live safely above the plain while scooping up whatever material the eruptions provided. A gnome alchemist, Tervor Vulcan, further enhanced the pylons to protect against the seismic events plaguing the settlement. In his honour, the village took his name from the alchemist.

Even with the innovations brought by the dwarves and gnome, early life was not easy for the inhabitants. The volcanic plain attracted fire elementals and giants from the nearby volcanically active mountains, and the villagers often had to repel the creatures’ attacks. Additionally, the air itself proved poisonous to all but the doughtiest of villagers, requiring Tervor and his apprentices to develop alchemical purifiers.

Vulcanbridge’s leaders made the wise decision to forgo ostentatious displays of wealth gained from the plain, instead using it to draw other like-minded people to the village. Very few have the wherewithal to make a permanent home here, and new inhabitants must sign a contract to live and work in the village for at least two years. Upon the contract’s completion, the contractor can leave with the villagers’ blessing, and earnings based on the amount of work done as specified in the contract.

Today, Vulcanbridge still reaps the benefits of the gems and minerals buried in deep caverns below the plain. However, the workers have shifted their focus to delving beneath the surface lava, which no longer has the ready supply of treasure accounting for the village’s initial prosperity. Additionally, the village protects travellers who blunder across the dangerous land and provides a safe site to enjoy the plain’s breath-taking vistas.

Notable Locations

Most of the village comprises peasant homes. A few locations, however, are of interest to adventurers: 

1. Crimson Light Inn: Situated at the base of Centre Pylon (Pylon One), this inn gets its name from the constant glow shed by lava covering the plain.

2. Sorrel’s Sundries: The gnome Sorrel sells protective gear (mainly to visitors) and rations from this store.

3. Hale Imports and Exports: Here, Ander Hale conducts his business deals that have proven lucrative for Vulcanbridge.

4. The Hall: This utilitarian building houses Vulcanbridge’s government and serves as headquarters for the guard.

5. Cooling Vault: This refrigerated chamber provides sanctuary in emergencies and relief for those succumbing to the heat.

6. Watchtower: Situated atop Pylon Two, this location has the clearest view of the surrounding land.

7. Manda’s Pylon: Pylon Three is named for Vulcanbridge’s most successful delver.

8. Rooster Geyser: West of Pylon Four, superheated water blasts up 100 feet every morning at precisely the same time.

9. The Skunkworks: Located on the little used Pylon Four, this workshop is named for its smell. Here, Dwilla and her subordinates perfect mineral extraction techniques.

10. Pylon Five: A recent powerful earthquake cracked Pylon Five’s foundations, forcing an evacuation of the crew there; several engineers work day and night to repair the pylon.

Want More?

Village Backdrop: Vulcanbridge is available at the Raging Swan Press store (in 5e, OSR, and Pathfinder editions) here.