Burial Ground - Balance Of Powers: A5E

Burial grounds are places where the dead are interred. How a society deals with its dead can say a lot about them; do they seal the corpse with all their treasures, or do monarch and pauper share the same sized plot? Are the bodies preserved, as vessels for the next world, or to watch over those who remain? Or is the body, its spirit departed, simply food for the surrounding ecosystem? Places where the dead are gathered can be some of the oldest locations still utilized for their original purpose. For, even in a world full of magic and fantasy, death is the closest thing to a certainty faced by all, and a gravedigger or cryptkeeper will never find themselves out of work. This chapter contains two separate kinds of burial ground: crypt and graveyard. | Step | Result | | ---------------------- | -------------------------------- | | Burial Ground Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^e7d8c3]]` | | Burial Ground Location | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^23813e]]` | # Crypt A crypt is an underground burial structure or area where the dead are buried and/or their remains are stored. | Step | Result | | ------------------------- | -------------------------------- | | Structure | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a8c5e6]]` | | Age | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^f7ec81]]` | | Size | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^9bb4ec]]` | | Condition | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^7b995c]]` | | Typical Interment Method | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^929bb1]]` | | Concentration of the Dead | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^5bcbc9]]` | | 1st Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | | 2nd Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | | 3rd Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | | 4th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | | 5th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | | 6th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^30c09f]]` | >[!info] Individual Private Chambers >Individuals are usually interred in this way for one of three reasons: >1. Honor. The individual was revered or respected. >2. Disgrace. The individual was held in such a state of disrepute that they are not permitted to rest near any others. >3. Caution. The individual is believed to pose some sort of danger or threat, and is buried away from public spaces as a matter of safety. | Crypt Step | Result | | ----------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Environment | Your crypt’s environment is automatically **Underground**. After you’ve completed this chapter, turn to the Underground chapter within Part 2: Environments (p. 163). | | Danger | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^e62794]]` | # Graveyard A graveyard is a burial site that is at ground-level. | Graveyard Step | Result | | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------- | | Age | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^f7ec81]]` | | Size | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^9bb4ec]]` | | Graveyard Condition | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^b5d99f]]` | | Typical Interment Method | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^929bb1]]` | | Graveyard Concentration of the Dead | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^640beb]]` | | Graveyard 1st Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard 2nd Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard 3rd Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard 4th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard 5th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard 6th Plot Type | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^a951db]]` | | Graveyard Danger | `dice:[[Burial Ground#^49dc80]]` | # Tables #### Burial Ground Type | d6 | Burial Ground Type | | --- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-3 | **Crypt.** This burial ground is underground. Bodies are typically housed in wall niches, tombs, sarcophagi, or other means of underground containment. (Continue on, stopping once you reach the end of the *Crypt* section.) | | 4-6 | **Graveyard.** This burial ground is at ground level. Bodies are typically housed in graves dug into the ground, although there are other burial methods, such as interring the deceased within a mausoleum. (Skip the Crypt section below, and instead proceed to the *Graveyard* section). | ^e7d8c3 #### Burial Ground Location | d12 | Burial Ground Location | | ----- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | **Inner Settlement.** The burial site is located within the inner portion of a settlement. Unless the settlement is extremely small (or the burial site extremely large), the burial site will likely not extend beyond the settlement’s border. | | 2-3 | **Settlement Outskirts.** The burial site is located within the outer portion of a settlement, but isn’t necessarily on its border. If it is of significant enough size, it may extend to the settlement’s border, or even beyond. | | 4-6 | **Settlement Edge.** The burial site is located just outside the border of a settlement, perhaps adjacent to some of its outer structures, or a short walk away. The burial site does not extend into the settlement itself. | | 7-9 | **Nearby.** The burial site is located 1d4 hours’ walk from the nearest settlement, or as far as possible between settlements in the area. | | 10-11 | **Day’s Journey.** The burial site is located 1d20 + 4 hours’ walk from the nearest settlement, or as far as possible between settlements in the area. | | 12 | **Remote.** The burial site is located 1d6 days’ walk from the nearest settlement, or as far as possible between settlements in the area. | ^23813e ### Crypt Tables #### Crypt Structure | d12 | Crypt Structure | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Repurposed, Natural Tunnels.** These tunnels occurred naturally, snaking though the earth. Any burial chambers or nooks are dug into the preexisting walls, or utilize naturally occurring spaces. | | 2-3 | **Reinforced Natural Tunnels.** These tunnels occurred naturally, but were reinforced with basic bracing, steps, rudimentary doorways, etc. Any burial chambers or nooks are dug into the preexisting walls, or utilize naturally occurring spaces. | | 4-6 | **Organized, Crude Tunnels.** These tunnels were created on purpose, and laid out with particular areas and walkways in mind. The formation of any necessary burial chambers and nooks was part of the original design. The creation of the tunnels only went so far as the digging itself. | | 7-9 | **Organized, Reinforced Tunnels.** These tunnels were created on purpose, and laid out with particular areas and walkways in mind. The work included bracing, added structure, doors, stairs, etc. The formation of any necessary burial chambers and nooks was part of the original design. | | 10-11 | **Engineered Tunnels.** These tunnels were created with a great deal of skill; the tunnels are more akin to hallways. Skilled structural design was used to create these tunnels, and the spaces within them function as well as any solid, above-ground structure. | | 12 | **Artfully Engineered Tunnels.** These tunnels were created not only with great skill, but with an eye for aesthetics. Visual embellishments are apparent throughout. The materials used are exemplary, as is the integrity of the place itself. | ^a8c5e6 #### Age | d12 | Age | | ----- | ----------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **New.** This place is between 0 and 50 years old. | | 2-5 | **Recent.** This place is between 50 and 100 years old. | | 6-9 | **Old.** This place is between 100 and 500 years old. | | 10-11 | **Very Old.** This place is between 500 and 1000 years old. | | 12 | **Ancient.** This place is over 1000 years old. | ^f7ec81 #### Size | d12 | Size | | ----- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Tiny.** Can comfortably fit a dozen two-person plots, or 24 individuals. (Roll 1 time on the *Plot Types* table) | | 2-3 | **Small.** Can comfortably fit 50 two-person plots, or 100 individuals. (Roll 2 times on the *Plot Types* table) | | 4-6 | **Moderate.** Can comfortably fit 100 two-person plots, or 200 individuals. (Roll 3 times on the *Plot Types* table) | | 7-9 | **Large.** Can comfortably fit 200 two-person plots, or 400 individuals. (Roll 4 times on the *Plot Types* table) | | 10-11 | **Huge.** Can comfortably fit 500 two-person plots, or 1000 individuals. (Roll 5 times on the *Plot Types* table) | | 12 | **Gigantic.** Can comfortably fit 1000+ two-person plots, or 2000+ individuals. (Roll 6 times on the *Plot Types* table) | ^9bb4ec #### Crypt Condition | d10 | Crypt Condition | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1 | **Terrible.** The crypt has been either ransacked, dug up, or made an absolute mess. Many niches, pots, urns and the like are likely broken and scattered. Any chambers or sarcophagi are likely defaced, or possibly even broken-into. If a chamber has been broken-into, the interior may be wrecked as well. There are few keepsakes or tributes, if any. | | 2-4 | **Shabby.** The crypt is dusty, and thick with cobwebs. There is likely strong evidence of pests or, at least, little evidence of frequent traffic. If it is still in regular use, those doing so don’t bother to clean or clear the place up much, if at all. There is certainly no evidence of regular maintenance. | | 5-7 | **Used.** The crypt is primarily seen to by those who visit it. Dust and cobwebs only collect in areas that do not get frequented. Keepsakes or tributes are generally undisturbed, though they may be dusty, or even rotting or falling apart, if they are organic. | | 8-9 | **Maintained.** The crypt is clearly well-tended, with maintenance work in evidence. The niches, chambers and walkways are well-cared-for. Keepsakes and tributes are likely visible on many of them. Important areas are dusted, and cobwebs and pests are kept in check (though a few may escape attention). | | 10 | **Immaculate.** The crypt is kept in perfect condition, likely out of respect for, and in tribute to, the dead. Though still solemn in tone, everything is in exquisite, working order, clean, and maintained with an eye for the smallest particulars. | ^7b995c #### Typical Interment Method How are most of the bodies buried or otherwise dealt with? This does not necessarily mean that all the deceased are handled this way, but the majority of them. | d12 | Typical Interment Method | | ---- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Mass.** The deceased are all thrown into one or more large areas. (Skip *Plot Types* table) | | 2-7 | **Burial.** The deceased are prepared and then buried in the ground. Depending on available technology or resources, the bodies may be placed in some form of container. | | 8-11 | **Cremation.** The deceased are burned, and the ashes stored in an urn. The urn is then placed (if it is not taken to someone’s home) in a designated space at the burial site. | | 12 | **Mummification or Other.** The deceased undergo a thorough preparation process, various rites and rituals, and are interred in keeping with that method. | ^929bb1 #### Crypt Concentration of the Dead How tightly packed are the bodies within the perimeter of the crypt? | d12 | Concentration of the Dead | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Spacious.** The crypt is not at capacity. | | 2-3 | **Comfortable.** The crypt is at a comfortable capacity, with a bit of room to spare. | | 4-6 | **Full.** The crypt is at capacity, and cannot offer any more plots without expansion, or carving out niches in a more condensed fashion. | | 7-9 | **Packed.** The crypt is above its comfortable capacity, packing bodies into narrower niches or utilizing other methods of interment, such as cremation. | | 10-11 | **Tight.** The crypt is at roughly double the capacity it was designed for; it is in need of expansion, or alternate interment methods. | | 12 | **Bursting.** The crypt is well over capacity, so the dead are having to be interred as close to the crypt as possible, but technically outside its perimeter. | ^5bcbc9 #### Crypt Plot Types Plots are considered basic niches, but there may be other types as well. What other types of plots are here? | d12 | Plot Types | | ----- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Niches.** The crypt consists only of simple niches: spaces dug into the walls intended to house a single body, or smaller spaces created for the placement of urns. | | 2-4 | **Sealed Niche.** This type of niche has some form of covering over the opening, closing off the remains from view. | | 5-7 | **Coffin.** The remains of some of the deceased are housed in simple, wooden boxes. These might be placed in niches, on some other structure, or given space on the floor. | | 8-9 | **Sarcophagus.** The remains of some of the deceased are housed in strong, stone boxes. These might be found in niches but, more likely, will be situated on the floor, possibly in a place of prominence. | | 10-11 | **Private Chamber - Group.** The remains of a specific group of individuals are all interred within a private room, set apart from the general burial areas. These would usually belong to families, or perhaps fraternal organizations. *Roll again to see how the individuals within this private chamber are interred.* | | 12 | **Private Chamber - Individual.** The remains of a specific individual are interred within a private room, set apart from the general burial areas. The individual is either put to rest laying on top of a bier (or other form of stone slab) or within a sarcophagus. If the remains are in an urn, it is likely placed in a special place. | ^30c09f #### Danger | d20 | Danger | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-3 | **Environmental Danger: Beast.** Roll for the type of regional beast on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. | | 4-6 | **Environmental Danger: Unintelligent Monster.** Roll for the type of regional unintelligent monster on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. | | 7-8 | **Environmental Danger: Intelligent Monster.** Roll for the type of regional intelligent monster on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. | | 9 | **Grave Robbers.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Humanoids]] page. Your group type result is automatically ‘Bandits’ | | 10-11 | **Mindless Undead.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [d6]: 1-3: Skeleton 4-6: Zombie | | 12-13 | **Spirit(s).** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [d10]: 1-4: Shadow 5-7: Specter 8-9: Ghost 10: Wraith | | 14-15 | **Intelligent Undead.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [1d8]: 1-4: Ghoul 5-6: Ghast 7: Wight 8: Lich | | 16-17 | **Humanoids.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Humanoids]] page. | | 18 | **Event.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Event]] page. | | 19 | **Item.** Turn to the Danger: Item chapter and roll on its tables (p. 198). | | 20 | **Magic.** Turn to the Danger: Magic chapter and roll on its tables (p. 206). | ^e62794 #### Graveyard Condition | d10 | Graveyard Condition | | --- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Terrible.** The graveyard has been either ransacked, dug up, or made an absolute mess. Many grave markers are likely broken and scattered. Any mausoleums are likely defaced, or possibly even broken-into. If a mausoleum has been broken-into, the interior may well be wrecked as well. | | 2-4 | **Shabby.** The graveyard is overgrown, dirty, and clearly lacks regular groundskeeping attention. Mausoleums and grave markers may be dirty, or in disrepair. | | 5-7 | **Tended.** The graveyard is kept decently, with overgrowth held back and obvious dirt and detritus cleaned up. A small number of keepsakes or tributes may be present at certain graves, but not many. | | 8-9 | **Groomed.** The graveyard is clearly well-tended, with groundskeeping work in evidence. The plots themselves are well-cared-for, and keepsakes or tributes are likely present at many of them. | | 10 | **Immaculate.** The burial site is kept in perfect condition, likely out of respect for, and in tribute to, the dead. Communal areas, like pathways, are manicured and decorated. Though still solemn in tone, everything is in the best shape possible, and is being maintained with an eye for the smallest particulars. | ^b5d99f #### Graveyard Concentration of the Dead How tightly packed are the bodies within the perimeter of the graveyard? | d12 | Graveyard Concentration of the Dead | | ---- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | | 1-3 | **Spacious.** The graveyard is not at capacity. | | 4-6 | **Comfortable.** The graveyard is at a comfortable capacity, with a bit of room to spare. | | 7-8 | **Full.** The graveyard is at capacity, and cannot offer any more plots without expansion, or digging graves in a more condensed fashion. | | 9-10 | Packed. The graveyard is above its comfortable capacity, packing bodies into narrower graves, burying multiple bodies in the same grave, utilizing vertical space, or utilizing other methods of interment, such as cremation. | | 11 | **Tight.** The graveyard is at roughly double the capacity it was designed for; it is in need of expansion, or alternate interment methods. | | 12 | **Bursting.** The graveyard is well over capacity, so the dead are having to be interred as close to the graveyard as possible, but technically outside its perimeter. | ^640beb #### Graveyard Plot Types Unless otherwise noted, all plots are considered to be at least basic graves, but there may be other types as well. What other types of plots are there? | d12 | Graveyard Plot Types | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1 | **Graves.** No plots are more than a buried body and a grave marker. | | 2-4 | **Small Mausoleum.** A roughly 10-foot-by-10-foot structure for storing and honoring the deceased. The room is above ground, and occupies roughly the space of a two-person plot. | | 5-7 | **Large Mausoleum.** A roughly 20-foot-by-20-foot structure for storing and honoring the deceased. The room is above ground, and occupies roughly the space of four two-person plots. | | 8-9 | **Small Private Crypt.** This is a roughly 20-footby-20-foot subterranean space for storing and honoring the deceased, perhaps an individual or family. The crypt can be entered via a door or mausoleum, built at ground-level. | | 10-11 | **Large Private Crypt.** This is a roughly 40-footby-40-foot subterranean space for storing and honoring the deceased, perhaps an important individual or family. The crypt can be entered via a door or mausoleum, built at ground-level. The crypt’s area may be divided up into several chambers; it need not be one space. | | 12 | **Huge Private Crypt.** This is a roughly 80-footby-80-foot subterranean space for storing and honoring the deceased, perhaps a large group of related individuals or one or two very important people. The crypt can be entered via a door or mausoleum, built at ground-level. The crypt’s area may be divided up into several chambers; it need not be one space. | ^a951db # Graveyard Dangers | d20 | Graveyard Dangers | | ----- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | 1-3 | **Environmental Danger: Beast.** Roll for the type of regional beast on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. | | 4-6 | **Environmental Danger: Unintelligent Monster.** Roll for the type of regional unintelligent monster on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. | | 7-8 | **Environmental Danger: Intelligent Monster.** Roll for the type of regional intelligent monster on the appropriate region page, then roll for additional details on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. | | 9 | **Grave Robbers.** Turn to the Danger: Humanoids chapter and roll on its tables (p. 188). Your group type result is automatically ‘Bandits’ | | 10-11 | **Mindless Undead.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Beasts & Unintelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [d6]: 1-3: Skeleton 4-6: Zombie | | 12-13 | **Spirit(s).** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [d10]: 1-4: Shadow 5-7: Specter 8-9: Ghost 10: Wraith | | 14-15 | **Intelligent Undead.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Intelligent Monsters]] page. Your monster type is one of the following: [1d8]: 1-4: Ghoul 5-6: Ghast 7: Wight 8: Lich | | 16-17 | **Humanoids.** Turn to the Danger: Humanoids chapter and roll on its tables (p. 188). | | 18 | **Event.** Roll on the tables on the [[Dangers - Event]] page. | | 19 | **Item.** Turn to the Danger: Item chapter and roll on its tables (p. 198). | | 20 | **Magic.** Turn to the Danger: Magic chapter and roll on its tables (p. 206). | ^49dc80