Settlements on the Horizon — Overview
Settlements in Western Horizon are living palimpsests—layered documents where history is visible in the present. They’re generated responsively when players declare intent to visit or establish a new location, using a combination of geographic foundation, factional dynamics, and historical events.
Settlements as Story Engines
A settlement isn’t just geography—it’s contested space where factions compete for resources and power. Every landmark tells a story. Every district bears historical scars. The map itself becomes a visual timeline that generates adventure hooks organically.
Settlement Tier System
| Tier | Level Range | Settlement Type | Guild Presence | Ex Novo Scale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1–4 | Village | Bulletin board, local contact | Nestling-Budding (6-9 regions) |
| 2 | 5–10 | Town | Small branch office | Grown (9-12 regions) |
| 3 | 11–16 | City | Full guild hall | Aged-Elderly (12-18 regions) |
| 4 | 17+ | Capital / Metropolis | Regional headquarters | Ancient (20+ regions) |
Settlement Creation Modes
| Mode | Duration | When to Use | Output |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick | 5-15 min | Background settlements, mid-session discovery | Geography + founding resource + 2 factions + name |
| Medium | 30-60 min | Notable towns, between-session prep | Founding Phase + 3-5 historical events + key landmarks |
| Full | 90-120 min | Session zero hometown, campaign hub | Complete Ex Novo generation with development phase |
Partial Definition is Intentional
Even “full” settlements leave 50-70% undefined. Blank spaces aren’t failures—they’re breathing room for future development. The undefined spaces invite player-driven discovery.
Who Participates:
- Quick Mode: DM alone (5 min between sessions)
- Medium Mode: DM + interested players (async in Discord or live prep)
- Full Mode: Whole table as session zero activity
Essential Output (every settlement):
- Geographic foundation (terrain type, major features, founding resource)
- 2-5 active factions with power relationships
- Settlement name
- 3-8 historical events (scaled to tier)
- Hand-drawn map showing districts, landmarks, resources
- Timeline of formative events
- Notable landmarks (at least 1 per faction)
The Map is Your Primary Artifact
Don’t spend hours on elaborate keyed locations. The hand-drawn map with labeled districts and landmarks is your working document. Detailed location descriptions come later through Beak, Feather & Bone and Street Magic when players actually visit.
Detailed Procedures
- 02b - Settlement Founding — Geography, resources, and why this place exists
- 02c - Settlement Factions — Power structures, paradigms, and relationships
- 02d - Settlement History — Development events that shape the present
- 02e - Settlement Districts — The city’s functional anatomy
- 02f - Settlement Buildings & NPCs — Notable landmarks and key residents
- 02g - Settlement Threats — Consequences of faction actions (optional)
- 02h - Settlement Workflow — Practical step-by-step summaries