Scarcity - Hodgepocalypse Toronto - Part 9 - North and Eastern Toronto & Humber Valley

Rosedale, Forest Hill, and North Toronto: 

Bastions of Hidden Power

This region of Toronto remains a fractured mosaic of affluence and overgrowth, where old wealth meets the encroaching wilderness. Gated estates and grand mansions crumble beneath vines and moss, while fortified compounds guard advanced relics from the pre-apocalypse world. The Mechanical Life Forms (M.L.F.) maintain a tenuous grip on this area, their compounds fortified against intruders and rival factions. Meanwhile, hidden sanctuaries of art and history survive amid the chaos, attracting wanderers seeking knowledge or refuge.

Black Creek Pioneer Village

 

Black Creek Pioneer Village, once a historical site, has evolved into a sanctuary for those who reject advanced technology, emphasizing cultural preservation through traditional crafts like blacksmithing and weaving. As tensions rise, a rival faction pressures the villagers to produce weapons, threatening their fragile independence and forcing players to navigate the delicate balance between survival and tradition.

Plot Hook: Players can intervene in the escalating conflict by mediating between the villagers and the rival faction, seeking a peaceful solution that safeguards the village’s autonomy. Alternatively, players may choose to side with the rival faction, gaining access to powerful allies but risking the village’s treasured way of life in the process.

Forest Hill

 

In Forest Hill, once a symbol of wealth and luxury, the mansions have fallen into the hands of the Technocrats, a bandit faction that combines brute force with salvaged technology to establish their chaotic rule. With the neighborhood transformed into a strategic base of operations filled with makeshift barricades and improvised weaponry, the gang thrives on scavenging and cunning, while their charismatic leader offers a dangerous bargain to anyone daring enough to navigate the treacherous landscape.

Plot Hook: The bandit leader promises players access to a hidden cache of high-tech weaponry if they assist in overthrowing a rival faction threatening their dominance. However, as players negotiate their involvement, they must weigh the risks of betrayal and the ethical implications of aligning with such a ruthless group.

Kleinburg

 

Kleinburg is a small, resilient village north of Toronto that has become a crucial stop for wanderers and traders in the post-apocalyptic world, characterized by its charming rustic architecture and a lively marketplace where bartering and scavenging thrive. However, recent strange sightings in the nearby forests—rumored to indicate a hidden Mechanical Life Forms (M.L.F.) facility—have sparked concern among the wary but welcoming residents, as they navigate the delicate balance of community and the unknown dangers lurking nearby.

Plot Hook: The village council hires players to investigate the unsettling rumors surrounding the sightings, seeking to uncover the truth about the hidden M.L.F. facility. As the players delve into the forest, they risk not only their own safety but the very peace and stability of Kleinburg itself, confronting potential foes and unexpected alliances along the way.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection

 

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection, nestled in the heart of Kleinburg, stands as a revered sanctuary dedicated to preserving pre-apocalypse Canadian art and culture, guarded by passionate caretakers who view their mission as a sacred duty. However, the gallery is thrown into turmoil when a significant piece of artwork, rumored to contain a coded map to a hidden vault of invaluable artifacts, goes missing, prompting the community to fear that it may have fallen into the hands of those who would exploit its secrets.

Plot Hook: Players are enlisted to investigate the disappearance of the artwork, racing against time to retrieve it before it can be used for nefarious purposes. As they delve into the criminal underbelly of the region, they must navigate a world where art has taken on a life of its own, with surreal aberrations complicating their quest.

Mount Pleasant Cemetery

 

Mount Pleasant Cemetery is an eerie yet captivating expanse, patrolled by the notorious Kamidavers—undead daredevils fiercely protective of this sacred ground, which is rumored to hold powerful relics buried within its crypts. As players venture into this unsettling realm, they are tasked with retrieving a rare relic said to grant control over the Fossilborn brutes that wander the landscape, but they must navigate the vengeful spirits and the whimsical chaos of Kamidaver guardians that threaten their mission. 

Plot Hook: Players must brave the haunted depths of Mount Pleasant Cemetery to locate the elusive relic before it falls into the wrong hands. Facing unpredictable challenges from the Kamidavers and the risk of awakening vengeful spirits, they must rely on cunning and courage to secure their prize.

Ontario Science Centre - Frozen Echo

 

Nestled within the ruins of the Ontario Science Centre, the Frozen Echo is a sprawling technological hub that serves as the primary base for the Mechanized Liberation Front (M.L.F.), a faction of tech scavengers and engineers dedicated to reviving pre-apocalypse innovation. The upper levels of the Centre, dominated by domed halls, resonate with the hum of active drones and the enigmatic murmur of arcane-infused machinery. However, beneath the Centre lies the Frozen Echo—a hidden, frost-encased laboratory frozen in time. Holographic displays flicker eerily, recounting moments from the world before its collapse, while cryogenically preserved creatures stir within their icy chambers. Though the M.L.F. controls the upper levels, the deeper sections are infested with frost elementals, presenting an ongoing hazard to the engineers and their efforts.

Plot Hook: The facility's central AI, once an ally of the M.L.F., has gone rogue, seizing control of critical systems and locking down key areas. The players must either neutralize or negotiate with the AI, which cryptically claims to hold knowledge essential to preventing future cataclysms.

Canada Wonderland: A Ruined Carnival of Chaos

 

Once a vibrant theme park filled with joy and laughter, Paramount’s Canada Wonderland has succumbed to the ravages of time and disaster, transformed into a treacherous labyrinth teeming with traps, mutated wildlife, and the remnants of its former glory. Raiders have claimed the sprawling grounds as their stronghold, using the park's winding paths and dilapidated attractions to stage ambushes and protect their ill-gotten gains, while intrepid survivors brave the dangers in search of lost treasures among the twisted remains of roller coasters and carnival rides. Amid the chaos, a survivor has emerged, claiming to have discovered a functioning piece of pre-apocalypse technology buried deep within the park, igniting a frenzy among both raiders and treasure seekers alike.

Plot Hook: Players are hired to retrieve this rumored tech, but navigating the hazardous grounds of the former theme park will require them to contend with vicious raiders and the park’s mutated denizens, which have adapted to their chaotic environment. As they delve deeper into the heart of Wonderland, they'll encounter deadly traps and bizarre creatures, all while uncovering the dark secrets behind the park's transformation—forcing them to decide whether the potential reward is worth the risks they face.

Rosedale - The Dwarven Enclave of Reconstruction

 

Once a symbol of affluence and power, Rosedale has been transformed into a hidden stronghold for a dwarven enclave dedicated to rebuilding society's old order in the wake of chaos. The grand homes of the neighborhood are now connected by an elaborate network of underground vaults and secret tunnels, serving as both living quarters and strategic command centers for the dwarves, who excel at craftsmanship and engineering. Here, they weave intricate plots and alliances, determined to restore the lost glory of civilization while navigating the complex web of politics and power struggles that accompany their noble ambitions.

Plot Hook: When an influential leader within the Rosedale enclave mysteriously disappears, cryptic messages are left behind, hinting at betrayal from within their ranks. Players are enlisted to unravel the clues, navigate the clandestine corridors of dwarven power, and locate the missing leader, all while contending with the threats posed by rival factions and the inner turmoil of the enclave.

Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Art Center

 

At the Todmorden Mills Heritage Museum and Art Center, the vibrant remnants of creativity stand as a refuge for wandering artists, historians, and outcasts, dominated by the quirky and industrious Trollitariots. This once-bustling hub of culture has transformed into a space of communal storytelling and barter, but a series of disturbing murals painted by a resident Trollitariot now casts ominous shadows over their gatherings, seemingly foretelling disastrous events that threaten the area and its inhabitants

Plot Hook: Players are enlisted to investigate the source of these unsettling murals, delving into the mysteries that surround them to determine if they are prophetic warnings, hallucinations, or something more sinister. As they navigate the eccentric Trollitariot community and the depths of the museum, they must unravel the truth behind the murals to safeguard the creative sanctuary from impending doom

Eastern Toronto: Windswept Frontiers

Eastern Toronto is a land of stark contrasts, where the remnants of urban life meet untamed wilderness. The region is defined by its proximity to Lake Ontario, serving as both a lifeline and a gateway to untold dangers across the water. The Scarborough Bluffs loom as a natural fortress, housing resilient settlements and dangerous factions. Communities like Glasswell fight for survival, while factions such as the Trollitariot Union seek control of the region's rich resources. Amid the chaos, mutated wildlife, rogue gangs, and strange phenomena shape life along the frontier.

Ebon Hollow (Scarborough Bluffs)

 

Ebon Hollow is a mysterious cave system filled with luminescent crystals and ancient carvings, said to amplify psychic abilities. This power has drawn daemons, Fossilborn shamans, and rogue psychic factions to the area. The hollow’s beauty belies its dangers, as its energies often come at a terrible cost.

Plot Hook: The players are tasked with escorting a scholar to study the hollow’s carvings. However, the mission takes a deadly turn when daemon activity surges, forcing the group to confront their own fears and limits.

Flying Squirrel Raiders

 

This mutant gang rules the skyline around the Glassfall Condos, using wingsuits, zip lines, and grappling hooks to ambush ground dwellers. Inspired by their namesake, the flying squirrel, they collect shiny objects and enforce a “sky tax” on those passing below. Their precarious settlements atop high-rise ruins give them unparalleled mobility and control over the area.

Plot Hook: The raiders have stolen an artifact vital to the survival of a nearby settlement. To retrieve it, the players must scale dangerous heights and outsmart the gang’s aerial tactics.

Greektown

 

Nestled amidst the chaotic clashes of Eastern Toronto, Greektown stands as a resilient cultural enclave where traditions flourish and community bonds run deep. The neighborhood is alive with vibrant festivals, bustling markets, and the aromatic delights of its diverse cuisine, reflecting the melding of Greek heritage with the influences of local Halfling and Minotaur populations. Halflings, known for their keen entrepreneurial spirit, run many of the shops and eateries, while Minotaurs, often seen as imposing figures, serve as both guardians and laborers, utilizing their strength to protect the enclave from the frequent raids by rival factions eager to exploit Greektown's wealth.

Plot Hook: A mysterious artifact unearthed in a local church has ignited tensions between Greektown and its neighboring factions, each laying claim to its power and significance. The players must delve into Greektown’s rich history to uncover the artifact's true origins and broker peace among the factions before conflict erupts, risking all they hold dear within this vibrant community.

Glasswell (Cathedreals Bluffs)

 

Nestled high within the cliffs of the Cathedreals Bluffs, Glasswell is a fortified settlement that serves as a crucial stronghold for the survivors of Eastern Toronto. While its breathtaking views and strategic positioning provide a sense of safety, the community struggles with the challenges of resupply and constant threats from rival factions and mutated wildlife, all while fostering a culture of resilience and resourcefulness.

Plot Hook: When leaders of Glasswell discover an ancient signal beacon buried within the cliffs, they face a critical decision: to activate it and potentially summon help from across the lake or to risk attracting greater dangers. Players are called upon to navigate the implications of this decision, weighing the promise of salvation against the looming threats that may arise from awakening unseen forces.

Scarborough

 

Once a bustling suburb, Scarborough has devolved into a vast, overgrown battleground where survivors struggle to navigate the ruins of their former homes. Rival factions engage in constant clashes over territory, while whispers of pre-apocalypse technology lure scavengers and adventurers into the dangerous landscape, turning the remnants of civilization into a chaotic conflict zone.

Plot Hook: Amidst the turmoil, a wandering Sylph arrives with claims of knowing the location of a hidden tech cache buried within Scarborough’s depths. Players must decide whether to trust the enigmatic Sylph and brave the treacherous territory in pursuit of this long-lost treasure, fully aware of the dangers that await.

Scarborough’s Hidden Shores

 

The lakeside areas of Scarborough are shrouded in mystery, hiding sunken ships and remnants of former industries beneath the surface, along with secrets waiting to be uncovered. These submerged locations offer the promise of wealth and valuable knowledge for those courageous enough to navigate the dangers of underwater traps and lake-dwelling predators, turning the hunt for treasure into a perilous adventure.

Plot Hook: When a scavenger promises to share the profits from an underwater expedition with the players, they eagerly agree to join the exploration. However, what begins as a straightforward dive soon unveils a hidden Haraak outpost lying beneath the waves, thrusting them into an unexpected and treacherous situation.

Humber Valley: Verdant Battleground

The Humber Valley is a lush yet dangerous expanse where nature has begun to reclaim its dominance. Once a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, it now serves as a vital lifeline for survivalists and factions seeking refuge or resources. Its winding river and dense parks provide bountiful opportunities for fishing, scavenging, and crafting, but also hide threats ranging from mutated wildlife to rival factions. The valley is a contested zone where cooperation and conflict shape the lives of its inhabitants.

Key Locations

Colborne Lodge

 

Nestled within the wilds of High Park, Colborne Lodge stands as a beacon of ingenuity amidst chaos. Once a historic house museum, it has been transformed into a fortified sanctuary by its enigmatic resident, a Feylin inventor known as Professor Sparkpaw. The lodge’s interior is a marvel, crammed with salvaged pre-apocalypse technology and magic-infused devices, each blending arcane artistry with scientific precision. Sparkpaw’s inventions have earned them both awe and fear, from self-repairing automatons to enchanted defense systems that keep the park’s dangers at bay. However, the inventor’s secrecy and prickly demeanor have made them an enigma to the wider community.

Plot Hook: Professor Sparkpaw needs rare components from an abandoned military ruin, but the area is under the control of ruthless raiders. To earn the Feylin’s invaluable assistance, the players must either strike a deal with the raiders, infiltrate their stronghold, or risk a direct confrontation to recover the components.

Étienne Brûlé Park

 

Étienne Brûlé Park, once a beloved destination for picnics and nature walks, has transformed into a fortified sanctuary for a splinter group of the Fossilborn. With its breathtaking views of the Humber River, the park now serves as a refuge for outcasts and misfits seeking protection from the chaotic world outside. Led by a charismatic yet secretive leader, the group strives to cultivate a safe haven amidst rising tensions with neighboring factions who perceive their presence as a burgeoning threat. As the forest thickens and the river winds protectively around them, the stakes escalate, leading to inevitable confrontations and moral dilemmas for everyone involved.

Plot Hook: The Fossilborn leader urgently requests the players' assistance to bolster defenses and prepare for a looming raid by a rival faction intent on seizing control of the park, promising rare relics unearthed from the riverbank as payment.

High Park and the Legendary Capybaras

 

High Park has become a wild expanse of tangled greenery and overgrown ruins, where nature reclaims the city. At the heart of this chaotic haven, the legendary capybaras—descendants of the two infamous escapees who once captured the city’s imagination—have risen to mythical status. These creatures are revered as guardians of the park, believed to protect its balance and intervene when nature is imperiled. Stories abound of their ethereal appearances to ward off threats or their role in aiding those who respect the natural world. High Park is both a sanctuary for those who honor its rules and a perilous trap for those who defy them, as the capybaras’ domain is teeming with dangerous flora and fauna.

Plot Hook: A struggling enclave seeks the blessing of the legendary capybaras to protect their settlement, but earning their favor is no easy feat. The players must venture deep into the park to retrieve a sacred relic stolen by poachers or confront a creeping, supernatural blight threatening to consume the park’s fragile ecosystem.

Howard Tomb and Monument

 

Once a quiet historical landmark in High Park, the Howard Tomb and its surrounding monument have become an eerie nexus of spiritual and mystical energy. Shrouded in fog even on clear days, the area pulses with an unearthly glow, especially under the light of a full moon. Locals claim that the restless spirits of the Howard family and their loyal retainers guard the tomb, rising to defend it against intruders. The monument is said to contain an artifact of immense power: a binding seal capable of controlling the dead. Some believe the artifact keeps the spirits tethered to their earthly vigil, while others fear its misuse could unleash a wave of necromantic chaos. The site has become a place of both reverence and fear, attracting scavengers, researchers, and cultists alike, each with their own agenda.

Plot Hook: A powerful faction of necromancers seeks the artifact, aiming to harness its power for domination. The players must either secure the artifact before the necromancers can claim it or work to disrupt the spirits’ guardianship, knowing it could lead to unforeseen consequences. Every decision risks angering the restless dead, whose vengeance could engulf the park and beyond.

Humber River

 

Flowing gracefully through the heart of the Humber Valley, the Humber River stands as a vital artery of life and sustenance, providing fresh water, abundant fish, and a natural route for traveling between communities. In the shadow of its serene surface, however, lie hidden dangers; the riverbanks are fiercely guarded by territorial predators—both human and animal—who protect their resource-rich territories from intruders. As settlements along the river grow increasingly uneasy, a sense of unease settles over the surrounding areas, threatening the delicate balance of trade and survival in the valley ecosystem.

Plot Hook: After the trade settlement upstream halts all shipments due to reports of mysterious disappearances, the players are recruited to investigate the surrounding riverbanks, uncovering clues that might point to a new raider group or an elusive rogue faction preying on the unsuspecting.

Humber Valley Heritage Trail

 

The Humber Valley Heritage Trail weaves through the region like a lifeline, connecting various settlements while offering traders and travelers a scenic route through the verdant landscape. However, the beauty of the trail belies the dangers that lurk beneath its surface; broken bridges and unstable pathways create treacherous conditions, while hidden ambush points set by rival factions and predators threaten all who dare traverse it. As whispers of conflict echo along the path, those brave enough to journey here must navigate not only the physical challenges but also the intricate dynamics of power and survival in a heavily contested landscape.

Plot Hook: A local scout urgently recruits the players to escort a caravan laden with essential supplies through the Heritage Trail, but as they travel, the caravan soon finds itself pursued by a rival faction seeking to steal their goods, forcing the players into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse.

James Gardens

 

James Gardens, once a flourishing spectacle of cultivated beauty, has succumbed to nature's relentless embrace, transforming into a wild and untamed landscape rich with overgrown flora and hidden pathways. This lush setting, marked by its serene ponds and blooming vegetation, now serves as a favored meeting point for clandestine dealings among various factions who seek a discreet location to negotiate their precarious alliances and schemes. The thick foliage provides ample cover for secretive gatherings, but the delicate balance of power in the region hangs by a thread, with each meeting potentially leading to conflict or collaboration that could reshape the fate of the valley.

Plot Hook: While exploring the gardens, the players unexpectedly stumble upon a covert meeting between two rival factions, revealing a plot that could shift control of the region. Faced with the choice to intervene, spy, or negotiate, they must decide their course of action based on their own interests and goals.

Kipling Park

 

Kipling Park, once bustling with athletic events and family gatherings, now stands as a vital rallying point for survivors in the Humber Valley. The transformation of its sports facilities into makeshift training grounds has forged a new purpose, where individuals from various allied groups come together to hone their fighting skills, share resources, and foster a sense of camaraderie amidst the chaos of their new reality. The park regularly hosts events that not only build morale but also strengthen alliances, making it a beacon of hope and unity in a fractured world.

Plot Hook: As the community prepares for an annual festival celebrating their survival and unity, rumors begin to surface of impending sabotage aimed at dismantling the fragile alliances formed in the valley. The players are called upon to investigate the situation and uncover the identity of the saboteurs before the festival descends into chaos.

Lambton Woods Park

 

Lambton Woods Park, with its towering trees and tranquil streams, has evolved from a picturesque retreat into a shadowy refuge where hidden camps and supply caches abound. The dense foliage and maze-like undergrowth offer an ideal environment for smugglers and rebels seeking to evade the watchful eyes of rival factions and authorities. Nestled within this serene yet deceptive landscape are whispered tales of a hidden vault containing lost treasures from the pre-apocalypse era, drawing in adventurers and fortune seekers alike. But the allure of riches comes with peril, as the woods are fraught with dangers both natural and man-made.

Plot Hook: Draw by rumors of a hidden vault containing pre-apocalypse treasures, the players venture into Lambton Woods, where they must navigate traps and outwit rival treasure hunters also in search of the riches. As they explore the dense foliage, they face challenging choices about whether to ally with or confront smugglers who possess critical information about the vault's whereabouts.

Raptor’s Maw (Humber Valley)

 

Raptor’s Maw is a Fossilborn burial ground hidden deep within the dense forests of Humber Valley, where ancient stone monuments and fossilized nests stand as eerie testaments to a forgotten past. The area is steeped in somber energy, with restless Fossilborn spirits and bone constructs guarding the ossuaries from intruders. While the Fossilborn revere the site as sacred, rival factions, including rogue M.L.F. engineers, seek to exploit its resources, risking the wrath of the spirits and the destruction of its fragile sanctity.

Plot Hook: A Bone-Oracle tasks the players with recovering a sacred artifact from Raptor’s Maw, but the mission grows perilous as rival factions and restless spirits clash within the cursed burial ground.

Royal Toronto Golf Club

 

Once a pristine and exclusive golf course, the Royal Toronto Golf Club has transformed into a sprawling encampment for a nomadic faction that holds the vestiges of the past in high regard. The faction treats the greens as sacred grounds, meticulously maintaining the fairways and hazards as a tribute to a world long gone, while repurposing golf carts as their primary mode of transport. Amidst this nostalgic homage, the members engage in ritualistic gatherings that blend reverence for the game with the harsh realities of their existence, creating a unique culture that draws in curious visitors and wary travelers alike. 

Plot Hook: The are invited to a strange and ritualistic golf tournament hosted by a nomadic faction that reveres the past, where the stakes involve survival and the chance to gain prestige within the encampment. As they compete, they discover that the tournament serves a deeper purpose—settling old scores and determining leadership among the faction members. Navigating alliances and rivalries, the players must decide how to play the game, both on the course and off.

Sticker Lady’s Mansion

 

Nestled within the urban sprawl of Mississauga, the Sticker Lady’s Mansion stands as a hidden gem, its graffiti-covered exterior masking a rich history and a vibrant, unconventional spiritualism. Once the home of the legendary Sticker Lady, a prominent figure in Toronto’s street art scene, the mansion has become a pilgrimage site for those seeking good fortune and protection. Visitors leave a variety of offerings—stickers, trinkets, and personal mementos—hoping to win the favor of the Sticker Lady, who many believe has ascended to a spiritual realm, bestowing boons upon the worthy. Within the mansion, the air is thick with a strange magic; the walls hum with whispers, and unearthly symbols glow faintly, creating an enchanting atmosphere that attracts fey beings and urban mystics alike. 

Plot Hook: The sudden appearance of a rare, glowing sticker featuring a cryptic design ignites rumors of a hidden treasure map leading to legendary riches. As rival factions descend upon the temple, hoping to decipher the sticker's secrets, the players find themselves caught in the ensuing chaos, forced to navigate the tangled web of intrigue, deception, and the potential for untold wealth. Will they ally with others seeking the treasure or strike out on their own to uncover the mystery behind the Sticker Lady’s legacy?

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