Hacksaw Dell
Description
Before the Marquisate came to the Woodland, this clearing was called Oak Dell. But with the Marquise and her faction’s rapacious logging practices came an endlessly noisy lumber mill sitting within the clearing. As a joke, locals and invaders alike took to calling it Hack-and-saw Dell, which they shortened to Hacksaw Dell over time. The name might be relatively new, but it has come to define the place even after the Marquisate has been ousted from the clearing.
The lumber mill was the heart of the Marquisate’s operation in Hacksaw Dell for years, so the Woodland Alliance targeted it first and foremost, boldly burning the mill about a month or so back. Following the mill’s destruction, the Marquisate left the clearing and allowed the Woodland Alliance to move in fully. Now the Woodland Alliance must manage the resources seized from the Marquisate, rebuild the clearing, and figure out how to do it all equitably.
Committed to a just and fair rule, the Alliance formed the Assembly of Denizens to give everyone a voice in creating a charter for the basis of rule in the clearing. Yet the fiery cell of Woodland Alliance provocateurs who liberated the clearing are growing frustrated with the lack of progress by the denizens in the Assembly, very little has been done to manage the clearing or improve the lives of those who live in Hacksaw Dell. Many within the Alliance are beginning to discuss aggressive procedural measures to push all the denizens towards what’s best for them, no matter the political cost.
To complicate matters, the plight of the average denizens in Hacksaw Dell makes the offers of succor from the Lizard Cult extremely appealing. Their prominent missionary – Samm Dios – has gained quite a following, enough to form a voting bloc that can defeat most measures in the fractious Assembly. Some denizens fear that the cult is manipulating the system, stalling important reforms and projects within the community to make the Woodland Alliance seem inept.
At First Sight (read to players)
The clear-cut trees along the past leave an open wound on the usually dense canopy of the Woodland. Scrubby brush stretches to seize the sunlight as a new low growth reaches in towards the path. The charred remains of a large structure stand skeletal at the edge of the channel that flows through the clearing. Fire-blackened ruins mark where an uncontrolled blaze tore through many of the clearing’s workshops, storefronts, and homes. Ramshackle lean-tos and makeshift tents sprawl throughout the clearing.
Armed denizens wearing green armbands stand guard around a stockyard piled high with cut timbers, crates, and barrels of food. Bedraggled denizens wait in a long line to receive meager supplies as one of the guards checks a set of books for each in turn. Occasional scuffles break out among those waiting, revealing their desperation and frayed nerves.
Conflicts:
Ruling After Revolution (Core Conflict)
The Woodland Alliance freed the clearing from Marquisate control, but their revolution has left the clearing in ruins. Stockpiles seized from the occupying forces and relief supplies sent by the Alliance provide enough materials to start rebuilding, but not without a plan. And to approve the plan, the wider Alliance leadership demanded the local Alliance leaders organize an inclusive Assembly of Denizens and establish a ruling charter for the clearing; they want to use Hacksaw Dell as an example for other liberated clearings to follow. Not only will the charter create a framework to decide all matters and ensure a voice for all denizens, but success would also be a shining example of what the Alliance offers as an alternative for the future across the Woodland. Until then, the local Alliance doles out its dwindling supplies to meet only the daily needs of the denizens.
Factionalism and pretty concerns paralyze the charter process. Some denizens just want food in their bellies and larders, materials to rebuild their homes, and for things to get back to normal. With open and protected speaking time in the Assembly, however, other denizens use the forum to settle petty disputes or air minor grievances. Every change or compromise faces lengthy debate, disillusioning many denizens to the democratic process. The matriarchs and patriarchs of the sprawling rabbit families, usually influential voices in the clearing, remain mostly silent, lacking confidence in the Woodland Alliance’s radical direction and mixed messages, while remaining deeply suspicious of the Lizard Cult.
Differing philosophies within the Alliance leave their guidance in the clearing divided, with each faction pushing a charter that would cement its own hold on power. Marie Motier, a local hero, champions a model of open democracy, trying to build consensus among the denizens to forge their path forward. Jillian Xavier, a radical rabble-rouser, believes the denizens are not ready for self-rule and need a single strong leader to protect their best interests from prosaic local concerns. If Marie were less of an advocate for democracy, Jillian would support her as the perfect singular leader… but at the moment, Jillian doesn’t have a better candidate than herself. While Jillian and Marie have both refrained from attacking each other’s positions directly, each is courting support among the denizens.
The only truly unified voices comes from the followers of the Lizard Cult, who are opposed to move forward without entrenching their beliefs in the charter. They want protections for their sacred guards and recognition of the protected status of any acts performed as part of their religious ceremonies, though they have not yet revealed that those rites include voluntary living sacrifices. They form a large enough bloc that with the procedural rules of the Assembly, they can consistently block any proposal. Samm Dio, the Voice of the Dragon, has rallied Lizard Cult resources to bring much-needed bounty to Hacksaw Dell. The Cult’s generosity continues to attract followers and lets them smuggle in arms that would allow their Cultists to seize control if things don’t go well.
How it Develops
If the vagabonds never arrived in Hacksaw Dell, the Assembly of Denizens would remain deadlocked in ratifying a ruling charter. Marie Motier’s voice would eventually be drowned out by the animosity and grievances of the denizens, no matter which group they called their own. Now the conflict spills out beyond the halls of power and into the streets, where the supporters of the various causes begin to pick their own fights. As town meetings descent into grandstanding and bickering, A Woodland Alliance soldier is the first to resort to politics by force, ambushing a Lizard Cult leader and attacking them in a poorly thought-out crime of passion. In response, the remaining Lizard Cult leadership retaliates with more violence to seize the offending soldier and punish them, creating a tit-for-tat cycle of bloodshed that would ultimately discredit both the Cult and the Alliance to all but their fanatics. Many denizens abandon their homes and flee to nearby clearings.
Conflict – In the Chaos
Note: this conflict deals with sacrifice/suicide and might not be for all audiences.
Through the doubt and desperation of Hacksaw Dell’s denizens, the Lizard Cult’s hopeful message of abundance attracts many new followers in the clearin. With the Cult’s numbers growing, Samm Dios, the Voice of the Dragon promised to elevate one among them to help guide them before he moves on to spread the good word. His inner circle, the first seekers fto hear his words when he came to the clearing, now that one among them will become an acolyte and another must die to ensure the elevaetion. Robyn Dell, a young rabbit, has stepped forward to be that sacrifice.
While the Lizard Cult prepares for the festivites, extending invitations to share its bounty to their fellow denizens, Robyn has been strring his affairs in order. As the often-overlooked youngest sibling, most of his family hasn’t noticed any causes for concern, but his sibling Ashely has figured out something is amiss. As a seeker, they’ve heard the other Cultists talking about one of their number joining the Great Dragon, and Ashley is worried about what exactly that means. They’re asking questions but have so far avoided confronting Samm or Robyn.
Samm believes Ashely doesn’t understand the importance of the sacrifice to the rites of the Great Dragon, so he is withholding the truth of the sacrifice. He ordered the other seekers not to reveal the truth about the sacrifice, especially to Ashley. But Ashely’s tenacity and affection for their younger borther drives them to seek answers, potentially requesting help from the vagabonds to investigate the Lizard Cult’s plans for the festival.
How it develops: If the vagabonds never came to Hacksaw Dell, Ashley would ultimately inspire a meaningful attack upon the Lizard Cult. When Ashely learns about Robyn’s intention to be hte Cult’s sacrifice, they’ll do whatever they can to stop it, starting with appeals to the Assembly to forbid the Cult’s action. Ashley’s claims seem far-fetched to the traditional rabbits of the clearing, so the denizens won’t take Ashley seriously unless they can bring concrete proof of the Cult’s intentions. Samm will deflect the accusations and show all the good the Lizard Cult is doing for Hacksaw Dell. Failure with the Assembly pushed Ashley to resort to more extreme measures, such as kidnapping their borther until after the feast day. But Robyn is determined to give himself over and escapes. When Ashely catches up, they end up fighting the Lizard Cult acolytes, and the feast day becomes a flashpoint of sentiment agaisnt the Cult.
Conflict – The Uncrowned Prince
Important Residents
Arther Pinfeather – Ashley Dell – Dell Guard – Devoted Lizard Cultists – Eyrie Troops – Jillian Xavier – Louise Howl – Marie Motier – Robyn Dell – Samm Dios
Important Places
The Mill Yard: Next to the charred remains of the Marquisate sawmill, the mill yard is a center of activity. The Woodland Alliance has converted the yard to serve as a supply depot. Denizens line up to receive rations daily, and the Dell Guard maintains a watchful perimeter to ensure nothing goes missing. The long wait leads to a lot of grumbling, and connected denizens have worked out a system of exchange to get better spots in line.
Lizard Cult Garden Shrine: Near the edge of the clearing, ivy-covered trellis walls surround the Cult’s garden shrine. The garden is a mix of order and organic growth, with crops interspersed rather than planted in neat rows. Cultists, including Robyn, rest on contemplation benches. A rivulet flowing through the garden bubbles gently. Dedicated Cultists protect the garden at all times, allowing other denizens to visit but not reap the garden’s bounty. Samm greets anyone who visits, and Ashley skulks nearby looking for opportunities to find out more about the Cult’s plans.
The Assembly Ground: Someday, the Assembly of Denizens will meet in a grand timber hall with carved pews, glass windows, and raised podiums for speaking. Today, the ground is marked with a few posts and and ropes. Stacked crates support a platform for speakers, and the assembly stand to listen or take their place in line to speak. The denizens meet in that open space to remind them of what they’re trying to build, and their regular foot traffic has muddied the ground. most of the important resident gather at the Assembly ground for daily meetings.
Temporary Lodges: With the widespread destruction of the fire in the clearing, many denizens lost their homes and burrows. While the Woodland Alliance has promised to help rebuild, the projects have been delayed until the Assembly reaches consensus about the project. That leaves many denizens dwelling in whatever makeshift lean-tos and tents they could construct from scavenged materials. It’s not pretty, but at least they these measures block the wind and rain.
Old Warrens: On the far side of the ruins, the old warrens of the original rabbit families who settled the clearing burrow into the hillside. Finely, crafted doorways, small patios, and ornamental gardens mark the entrance to each, largely untouched by the revolution that leveled the rest of the clearing. Louise Howl and other rabbit matriarchs sit on their patios holding court, sharing gossip, practicing yarncraft, and sipping herbal tea or liquor.
Special Rules
Lean Times: Supplies are scarce and the denizens have picked over the local Woodland for anything they can easily forage. Until the Woodland Alliance releases their hold on the relief supplies or he claring finds prosperity by some other means, apply the follwing rule:
Scarcity: When you clear depletion, reduce the depletion cleared by 1. This does not apply to playbook moves.
The Assembly of Denizens: The Woodland Alliance experiment with democratic leadership has created the Asembly of Denizens, a decision making forum for all the residents of Hacksaw Dell to speak openly and reach consensus.
Speak to Sway the Assembly: When you speak beofre the assembly of Denizens to sway their opinion, roll. Gain +1 if you’ve earned the support of any of the major cohort in Hacksaw Dell. On a 10+, the denizens vote to adopt a simple provision you’re backing. On a 7-9, they adopt the provision, but with an inconvenient amdendment or costly political compromise. On a miss, the Assembly either passes an opposing proposal, adjourns, or descends into bickering.