“Cargo needs hauling. Strong or stubborn applicants must be prepared to work nights! Seek out Earnest Erich by the docks.”

– Scribblings on a warehouse wall in the Niederhafen Bezirk, close to the docks.

The docks of Altdorf are ripe with opportunities for adventure. There is the ongoing conflict between The Fish and The Hooks, every day smuggling, teamster action, mysterious cargoes and passengers, barges … even burning barges depending on who your Game Master might be … you can find it all on the docks!

Magnus

“Strong men and women wanted to help clear blocked sewers and drains. Must have own weapons and armor. Apply at Council Hall. We will supply soap and hot water after the job is done.”

– Poster glued to a wall near the Bankbezirk Main Sewer Entry.

Sewers are always a good place for short encounters and backdrops for longer adventures. Maybe the sewers are blocked by monsters building a lair, creating the basis for a standard bug hunt … but be sure to add a twist or two. But don’t make that twist be skaven! Ghouls, mutants, a giant snake or an escaped wild beast from the Imperial Zoo, all are in my opinion better than using skaven. If you want to go another route, the blockage could be remains of a gruesome ritual dumped by cultists to avoid detection. This could be the start of an investigation that first tries to find out where the remains were initially dumped, and then who dumped them … a bit more WFRP style than the bug hunt, but it also takes a bit more job by the Game Master to pull off.

Magnus

“Can you handle a ten foot monster? We need fishermen who can catch the Niederhafen Pike. Bring your own boat, net and club. Contact the Hafenmeisterei today!”

– Help wanted post on the North Gate Dead Tree

The Old World practice of posting notes advertising jobs all over the cities and villages can be a very good way of giving the characters opportunities to somewhat take control of their destiny. Of course, not every job offer have to have a fully fledged adventure behind it, sometimes it’s enough with just an idea of how to run an encounter.

For example, the Niederhafen Pike could be a monster, it could be a myth. It could be a real threat or just a rumour spread to cover up another sinister plot. Characters investigating might find clues that points to the involvement of one of the Guilds, or one of the Dockside gangs like the Fish or the Hooks (see Beasts in Velvet, by Jack Yeovil for more information on those two gangs).

Some help wanted posters might just be colourful jokes, provided to the players to help them understand the texture and the atmosphere of Altdorf. There is a really great thread with help wanted suggestions at the Black Industries forum. Click here to find it.

Magnus