Appendix: Towns§
When you start a game of Arcadia, you will need to select or create a town. If it is your first time playing, I strongly encourage you to choose a town. Once you are familiar with the towns here and wish to try something new, or if you have a very particular place in mind for your game, perhaps you will wish to create your own town.
Making towns§
To make an English town for this game, you must first understand that you are setting the stage for your game both geographically and socially. So between these two factors, you are really describing the themes of the game you will play.
A town requires a region (is it in the South East, the West Midlands, the North, somewhere else?), near any of the notable cities (London, Bath, Brighton especially), and a name. The question of English toponymy is much larger than this text can contain, so if you are interested in naming your town something apt, I would suggest A Dictionary of British Place-Names by A.D. Mills.
Making families§
You are now collecting your people delightfully, getting them exactly into such a spot as is the delight of my life. Three or four families in a country village is the very thing to work on.
—Jane Austen, in a letter to Anna Austen Lefroy
Everyone is part of, or attached to, a family, so the families of the town are a vital starting place. Two at a bare minimum, five at a maximum, but usually three or four families, with a family name, a few noteworthy members, some names for other possible members, and a standing in terms of wealth and status. Finally, decide which of the eight roots each family possesses.
Making locations§
Imagine walking through the town, and the surrounding countryside. What places stand out? What places might a local visit regularly, and which places might they studiously avoid? Include a mixture of socially important places (marketplaces, churches, pubs, others), family seats (from old tumbledown houses to new fashionable ones), and natural sites (glades, grottoes, ruined abbeys, others).
Short descriptions of about six notable locations should be enough to get you started.
Making connections§
Finally, make four possible connections for each social role. Connections should leave people in unresolved or untenable situations. This requires a mixture of connections that establish power relationships and obligations, and that establish wants and needs.
This is in some ways the most demanding part of making a town. You must make 48 short, punchy, and distinct possible relationships. By all means start with putting down the obvious ones, then bring in friends to brainstorm, circle back around to it, write more than you need when you are struck by inspiration, then edit, change, reassign.
Premade towns§
Little Norlea (Surrey)§
Little Norlea is a small village somewhere in Surrey. It is surrounded by rolling fields, woodlots, and gentle hills. There is a small river through town, and one bridge. The manor house is not grand, but it is old, and derives at least some degree of authority from that fact.
People§
The Bellamys of Longford (Holly)
- Squire Jonas Bellamy (m)
- Mrs. Lavinia Bellamy (f)
- Cordelia (f)
- Gregory (m)
- Lucy (f)
- Ellis (m)
- Sophia (f)
- David (m)
The Ellicotts of Perish-Not (Willow)
- Mr. Simon Ellicott (m)
- Mrs. Helena Ellicott (f)
- Rebecca (f)
- Edmund (m)
- Catherine (Kitty) (f)
- Matthew (m)
- Dorothea (f)
- Stephen (m)
The Hawkeses (Hazel)
- Sarah (f)
- Michael (m)
- Diana (f)
- Thomas (m)
- Elizabeth (f)
- William (m)
The Town§
People in the town might be:
- A farmer
- A publican
- A miller
- A smith
- A poacher
- An Anglican vicar
- A Methodist preacher
People in the town might be named:
- Mary (f)
- James (m)
- Margaret (Peggy) (f)
- George (m)
- Ann (f)
- Joseph (m)
- Jane (f)
- Henry (m)
- Susan (f)
- Edward (m)
- Martha (f)
- Daniel (m)
- Charlotte (f)
- Francis (Frank) (m)
Locations§
Longford§
The manor house. Seat of the Bellamy family.
Perish-Not§
An old picturesque house, once seat of the Ellicott family, now rented out.
St. Alban’s§
The parish church. Small, dilapidated.
The chalk horse§
There is an ancient horse carved into a hill- side, overlooking Little Norlea.
The glade§
A clearing on the banks of the river favored by lovers, or other who meeting in secret.
The old priory§
The picturesque ruin of a monastic building, destroyed in the reign of Henry VIII.
Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- Who is your sister?
- Who is your best friend?
- Who is your servant?
- Who is your elderly relative?
Officer§
- Who has caught your eye?
- Who have you had a bad run-in with before?
- Who saved your life once?
- Who never tires of your war stories?
Clergyman§
- Who comes to you seeking religious guidance?
- Who are you set to inherit from?
- Who thinks you’d make them a good match?
- Who gives you respite from your duties?
Dandy§
- Who defines fashion here?
- Who is eligible here?
- Who gives you the best gossip?
- Who is your valet?
Lady§
- Who is your father?
- Who is your sister?
- Who is your lady’s maid?
- Who are you expected to marry?
Companion§
- Who is your employer?
- Who is your brother?
- Who is your mother?
- Who is courting you?
Ward§
- Who is your guardian?
- Who is out to get you?
- Who is courting you?
- Who do you trust?
Spinster§
- Who is your sister?
- Who do you wish could propose?
- Who still invites you to balls?
- Whose secrets have you learned?
Invalid§
- Who is your doctor?
- Who is your servant?
- Who visits you?
- Who is your cousin?
Upper Servant§
- Who is your master?
- Who have you had dark dreams about?
- Who always criticizes your work?
- Who values your advice?
Lower Servant§
- Who is your master?
- Who is your sibling?
- Who is your confidant?
- Who have you overheard revealing a secret?
Vagabond§
- Who is out to get you?
- Who is your drinking companion?
- Who gives you a roof to sleep under?
- Who is your cousin?
Porthwas (Cornwall)§
Porthwas is a small town clinging to the rugged cliffs of the Cornish coast. It gets by on fishing, tin mining, and smuggling. Sometimes ships wreck on the coast. Sometimes this is by design.
People§
The Blighs of Rosvelen (Rowan)
- Great aunt Meraud Bligh (f)
- Admiral David Bligh (m)
- Sophy (f)
- George (m)
- Katherine (Kitty) (f)
- William (m)
- Annabel (f)
- Peter (m)
The Pendars of Tregallas (Oak)
- Squire Arthur Pendar (m)
- Mrs. Senara Pendar (f)
- Morwenna (f)
- Piran (m)
- Eseld (f)
- Jory (m)
- Tamsin (f)
- Ross (m)
The Chynoweths (Hawthorn)
- Grace (f)
- Hugh (m)
- Demelza (f)
- Noah (m)
- Margaret (Peggy) (f)
- Robert (m)
The Town§
People in the town might be:
- A farmer
- A publican
- A fisher
- A free-trader (smuggler)
- A wrecker
- A miner
- A midwife
People in the town might be named:
- Ruth (f)
- Jacob (m)
- Laura (f)
- Luke (m)
- Prudence (f)
- Evan (m)
- Marianne (f)
- James (m)
- Frances (Fanny) (f)
- Andrew (m)
- Abigail (f)
- Simon (m)
- Tegen (f)
- Breok (m)
Locations§
Rosvelen§
Seat of the Bligh family. A great house with surrounding rolling hills.
Tregellas§
Home of the Pendar family. Almost falling to ruin, with an old overgrown walled garden.
Wheal Crose§
The Pendars’ mine, still turning out tin and killing miners.
The Drowning Man§
The pub. A meeting place for smugglers.
The Cove§
A hidden place with a good beach and caves.
Halangear§
A large moor surrounding the town. Beset with bandits, haunted, or both.
Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- Who is your muse?
- Who is your cousin?
- Who is your creditor?
- Who will you inherit from?
Officer§
- Who is your old flame?
- Who is your companion-in-arms?
- Who could make or ruin your career?
- Who saved your life?
Clergyman§
- Who threatens your moral authority?
- Who takes any excuse to see you?
- Who is your closest local relation?
- Who has told you their secrets?
Dandy§
- Who throws the best parties?
- Who could bring you fortune?
- Who always tries to show you up?
- Who keeps you in this backwater?
Lady§
- Who are you expected to marry?
- Who can you trust?
- Who entrusts you with their secrets?
- Who makes your heart flutter?
Companion§
- Who treats you like a servant?
- Who flirts with you?
- Who can you open up to?
- With whom do you have real fun?
Ward§
- Who do you sneak out with?
- Who acts like they’re your guardian?
- Who gives you gifts when they can?
- Who has set their sights on you?
Spinster§
- Who is your elderly dependent?
- Who values your advice?
- Who uses you as a social buffer?
- Who did you reject?
Invalid§
- Who once loved you, and may still?
- Who comes to visit you?
- Who sees to your needs?
- Who do you miss?
Upper Servant§
- Who do you rely on?
- Who are you training?
- Who demands too much from you?
- Who flaunts their authority over you?
Lower Servant§
- Who thinks their thick as thieves with you?
- Who asks endless favors of you?
- Who inspires you? How?
- Who gives you a helping hand?
Vagabond§
- Who pretends they don’t know you?
- Who thinks you serve them?
- Who thinks they can save you?
- Who gives you companionship?
Mistlethwaite (Yorkshire)§
Mistlethwaite is a village on the edge of the vast Yorkshire Dales. The village is along a rill in a rich valley, and has long been a green and pleasant place to live. Now, though, a coal pit has opened on the edge of town, and some of those who once lived by the land are now digging the coal. The two major families of the town, the Earnshaws and Raines, are split on the matter of which way the town’s future lies, in the mines or in the fields.
People§
The Earnshaws of Stardon Hall (Ash)
- Mrs. Augusta Earnshaw (f)
- Mr. Robert Earnshaw (m)
- Hester (f)
- William (m)
- Caroline (f)
- John (m)
- Grace (f)
- George (m)
The Raines of Wakecross (Yew)
- Mr. Montagu Raines (m)
- Mrs. Martha Raines (f)
- Susan (f)
- Henry (m)
- Emma (f)
- Miles (m)
- Louisa (f)
- John Michael (m)
The Wades (Holly)
- Ellen (f)
- Martin (m)
- Beatrice (f)
- Lawrence (m)
- Rebecca (f)
- Edmund (m)
The Town§
People in the town might be:
- A collier
- A farmer
- A publican
- A curate
- A working widow
- A peddler
- A musician
People in the town might be named:
- Sally (f)
- Stephen (m)
- Penelope (Penny) (f)
- Mark (m)
- Althea (f)
- Guy (m)
- Julia (f)
- Simon (m)
- Peg (f)
- Septimus (m)
- Nancy (f)
- Percy (m)
- Moll (f)
- Adam (m)
Locations§
Stardon Hall§
The old house of the Earnshaw family retains its Tudor design, with half-timbering and high-ceilinged halls. It is far from the height of fashion, but its palpable age does lend a certain gravitas.
Wakecross§
The seat of the Raine family, Wakecross is a modest but fashionable new house, with a stream running near it through the carefully “wild” and “natural” grounds.
St. Mary’s§
Legends say the old parish church was built on the site of an ancient pagan temple, from before the arrival of Christianity.
The Falls§
One of the reasons the new “tourists” might venture to Mistlethwaite, which is otherwise quite off the beaten path, is the spectacular waterfall just upriver from the town, said to have once been the home of a fairy queen.
The Pit§
Dug into the hills near town is the new coal mine, going hundreds of feet deep into the seam, and belching smoke from the steam engines that drive breathable air down and pull noxious gases out. Coal is carted out by the wagonload.
The Cross Scythes§
The center of working-class social life in Mistlethwaite is the old pub, where music can be found most evenings and the men of the town discuss how they feel about the changes happening to their town.
Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- Who is your creditor
- Who is your advisor
- Who is your rival
- Who you go to for fun
Officer§
- Who has your eye
- Who hangs on your words
- Who you must show deference to
- Who you thinks they’re better than you
Clergyman§
- Who thinks you are at their command
- Who loves you but shouldn’t
- Who are you teaching
- Who thinks you don’t deserve the parish
Dandy§
- Who keeps you here
- Who thinks they look better with you there
- Who won’t keep out of your business
- Who imitates you
Lady§
- Who do you trust
- Who do you enjoy
- Who makes you laugh, despite yourself
- Who fascinates you
Companion§
- Who snubs you
- Who keeps asking you for financial assistance
- Who courts you
- Who confides in you
Ward§
- Who refuses to believe you’re not a child anymore
- Who treats you like furniture
- Who is your co-conspirator
- Who have you not seen since you were both much younger
Spinster§
- Who thinks they know best for you
- Who thinks you owe them for the care they show you
- Who can you be honest with
- Who thinks you’re still a prospect for them
Invalid§
- Who is good to you
- Who would rather forget about you
- Who pities you
- Who loves you
Upper Servant§
- Who do you wish you could be with
- Who are you training
- Who are you afraid of, but can’t show it
- Who supports you, always
Lower Servant§
- Who is your best friend
- Who relies on you for support
- Who do you wish would notice you
- Who thinks they can use you
Vagabond§
- Who keeps you in Mistlethwaite
- Who knows your secrets
- Who values your company
- Who shares what they have with you
Egdon Heath (Dorset)§
People§
The XXX of YYY (ZZZ)
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The AAA of BBB (CCC)
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The NNN (MMM)
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The Town§
People in the town might be:
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People in the town might be named:
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Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
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Officer§
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Clergyman§
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Dandy§
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Lady§
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Companion§
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Ward§
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Spinster§
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Invalid§
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Upper Servant§
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Lower Servant§
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Vagabond§
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Thorpe Michael (Norfolk)§
People§
The XXX of YYY (ZZZ)
- … XXX (f)
- … XXX (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
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- … (m)
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The AAA of BBB (CCC)
- … AAA (m)
- … AAA (f)
- …(f)
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The NNN (MMM)
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The Town§
People in the town might be:
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People in the town might be named:
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Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Officer§
- …
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- …
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Clergyman§
- …
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Dandy§
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Lady§
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Companion§
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Ward§
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Spinster§
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Invalid§
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Upper Servant§
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Lower Servant§
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Vagabond§
- …
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Hexwick (Northumberland)§
People§
The XXX of YYY (ZZZ)
- … XXX (f)
- … XXX (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The AAA of BBB (CCC)
- … AAA (m)
- … AAA (f)
- …(f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The NNN (MMM)
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- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The Town§
People in the town might be:
- A …
- A …
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People in the town might be named:
- … (f)
- … (m)
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- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Officer§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Clergyman§
- …
- …
- …
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Dandy§
- …
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Lady§
- …
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Companion§
- …
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Ward§
- …
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Spinster§
- …
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Invalid§
- …
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Upper Servant§
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Lower Servant§
- …
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Vagabond§
- …
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- …
- …
Crickworth (Wiltshire)§
People§
The XXX of YYY (ZZZ)
- … XXX (f)
- … XXX (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The AAA of BBB (CCC)
- … AAA (m)
- … AAA (f)
- …(f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The NNN (MMM)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
The Town§
People in the town might be:
- A …
- A …
- A …
- A …
- A …
- A …
- A …
People in the town might be named:
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
- … (f)
- … (m)
Connections§
For 2 players, pick all four. For 3 or 4 players, pick three. For 5 players, pick two. Make one of them magical in some way: a ghost, a fairy, or someone touched by one of those.
Gentleman§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Officer§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Clergyman§
- …
- …
- …
- …
Dandy§
- …
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Lady§
- …
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Companion§
- …
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Ward§
- …
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Spinster§
- …
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Invalid§
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Upper Servant§
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Lower Servant§
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Vagabond§
- …
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