LOCATION ♜ GRESSER

[boardmaster]

GRESSER
This fruit cow reminds me of a puzzle...

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LOCATION ♟ Gresser

A small, charming farming town that looks like a patchwork of rainbows from above. For a small fee, you can rent a hot air balloon for an aerial tour of the endless fields and nearby mountains; for a more substantial fee, you can also go stormchasing in a better-outfitted balloon. Safety not guaranteed. Mana in abundance means new species of flowers bloom almost every other month. They make a mean floral tea and Gresser citizens are known to enjoy the most abundant picnics on the continent; they’re jokingly said to have second stomachs! Boisterous people in the tavern will gladly share the local legend of Gr’hame Crakler de Vendarty, a witty and delightful young man who manages to figure out impossible puzzles and fight off nosy fairies on a near daily basis. Or he used to. After time passed without any Gr’hame sightings, a brave townswoman entered his home only to find everything covered in dust save for three items: a mirror, an old metal shield and a wooden box. The townspeople are fond of puzzles themselves and might ask travelers to pay them not in colle, but with answers to their riddles, which they never seem to run out of.

Old Gresser ♕


The core of Gresser will always be its very first buildings, painstakingly built at the sides of their gentle hills. The houses are small with low ceilings, timber framing, and stone tiles. Gr’hame de Crakler was known to own one of these houses. It is tiny and eccentric even for a Gresser house, with a deep sloped ceiling and mismatched windows. Ever since his disappearance, the house became a regular feature in gossip and a favorite haunt for local children.

Gresser’s greatest pride and joy is their venerable tavern, one of the oldest establishments in all of Blanc. The tavern’s walls are rustic brick and wood, earning the tavern its memorable name: Die Feuerzangenbowle, a name shared with its much-adored brand of punch.

Small, modest inns are scattered through the city’s core. The rooms are small and cozy, their ceiling beams lovingly decorated with flower or animal motifs. Many of these are aged, converted residences with the traditional hillside construction Gresser is known for.

The bazaar, Rochade, is situated in a building large enough to house several stores, with carts selling goods which rotate every week. Perfume has been selling well lately; those with sensitive noses may want to mind distance. One much-sought after vendor hasn’t shown up for a long time; it was said that their specialty perfume can one sinfully irresistible. In fact, one poor fool who bought a bottle buried it in his backyard after a single use. His reason? No one should have this much power.

New Gresser ♕


All outsiders who enter Gresser pass under the large flower arc, Philidor. Bindweeds have grown around the large wooden frame and covered it almost entirely with vibrant blossoms.

The red brick path will lead you to the town plaza. Flower trellises frame the city’s bulletin board. The plaza acts as a major gathering spot and hosts most of the town’s events. For example, during the Calendifest, it’s traditional to navigate a cornfield maze specifically created for the festival. All participants are rewarded with delicious sausages, including vegetarian varieties. During the festival, women don a traditional dress with a high waist and men can be seen in leather hats with a single feather.

The buildings in New Gresser are quite different from the ones in Old Gresser: much larger and distinguished by balconies that surround the entire upper level. Wooden floors have replaced the stone tiles and the ceilings are higher; Neo-Gresserian architecture towers over the houses in the Old Gresser district.

Gresser’s children attend the Fide Schule, the campus located near the town square. Children of all ages take after their elders in pestering everyone in sight for puzzle games and word riddles. They may be more persistent than their older counterparts!

Located opposite the campus is the City Hall. Here you can find the mayor—a stout man who compensates for his height by wearing an overly large hat, and who firmly believes he will grow much taller by eating solar flower seeds.

Rainbow Ranges ♕


Surrounding Gresser stand the Rainbow Ranges, fields filled with brightly colored crops and flowers. These are Gresser’s famous main exports, as seen by the many flower shops that line the roads. Each farm only grows crops of a single hue, creating a carpet of rainbows that spreads in concentric circles around the city.

An example: purple crops include a vineyard, and these fields produce some of Blanc’s finest wines. Each farm also owns a small herd of incredibly rare fruit cows. Feeding the cows different crops influences their milk, and the results aren’t just fruit-flavored! Rumor has it that feeding them cacao fruits can even get you chocolate milk! And while every farm has chickens, it is only at the yellow farm wreathed in cheerful sunflowers that the chickens lay golden eggs. Unfortunately, they are not made of actual gold and taste just like your average delicious egg.

Friendly competition between the farms are measured through horse racing. Farmers ride and race their fastest horses around the rainbow tracks created by the roads, but Heroes and their mounts may be asked to participate, too! If proven worthy, they may have a chance compete against PotatoStar, the fastest racehorse ever produced. Like every racetrack, it has a dark side: the local gambling addiction. Many citizens spend their evenings betting on the races. One of Gresser’s richest families lost their entire fortune by placing all their hopes on an infamous donkey.

Lastly, there is a dedicated picnic area further away from the farms. Flowers of all shades and species bloom here, and you might find some fairies. There is even a spot for bonfires used for cooking.

Northern Hills ♕


As you travel away from Gresser towards the Northern Hills, the relatively flat but colorful farmlands rise and flow into rolling green hills. The winding roads follow the roundabout lines of the landscape, making this one of the longest scenic trips you might take in Blanc.

You should take a detour from the main path and hike to the top of a hill during a clear night. Shooting stars, meteor showers and a breathtaking view make it a favorite destination for those studying the heavens, but bringing a blanket and some of Gresser’s fine wine could lead to a romantic evening. On one particular hill, a large rock that resembles a heart sits at the peak. Legend states that it is blessed by Delphine and spending the night upon it with the person who holds your affections will ensure a long-lasting, happy love life.

In a small valley farther down the road, Gresser’s hot air balloon port, Die Schwebende Burg, greets its customers with vibrant balloons. It’s possible to fly on your own or hire a guide. A guide guarantees a tour of Gresser and a history lesson, plus a lot of riddles. Answer enough riddles correctly and you’ll be rewarded! Steer right to Stratus Cafus, an aerial cafe inside a very large balloon which has the best sausage there is to offer, making it very crowded. A riddle must be solved to get your hands on this exclusive Gressian fare.

Sausages aren’t the only house specialties. The cotton candy floats like edible pink clouds. Pastries are shaped like the hot air balloons! Drinks are kept cool with sparkling multicolored ice crystals. However, alcohol has been banned ever since a group of farmers had one too many Skydivers and fell out of the cafe to become skydivers themselves.