Acquisitions Incorporated

l t

from the weather. The horses arc hardworking and love

apples. The carriage has AC 11 and 75 hit points, and

moves at the speed of its drafl horses (40 feet). Four pas-

sengers can ride inside. two up front with one steering.

and two atop the rear cargo area. Up to three people can

also sit on the roof of the cabin. for an especially excit-

ing perch when the earl is moving quickly!

Because this sort of franchise typically can't hold the

characters and all their staff (m least not comfor tably),

such staff are often iti nerant or based in whatever settle-

ment th e carriage returns to most often.

COSMETI C FEATURES

A cosmetic improvement. gained at franchise rank 2, al-

lows a franchise to radically alter the look and feel of its

headquarters. A beat-up wagon could become a gilded

carriage, with luxurious interiors and servants dressed

in matching finery. A tavern could proudly display the

party's kills in the drinking hall, feature mugs gathered

from dwarven holds around FaerOn, and have decor

matching a particular theme.

Improvements can also be of a fantastic or magical

nature, such as flickering magical torches or portraits

that watch and interact with observers. The OM has fi-

nal approval over such improvements. and is the arbiter

as to whether cosmetic improvements might provide any

actual benefits during play. When allowed, such benefits

should be situational and limited. A foe might become

distracted the first time a ghostly figure appears in a

CH~l'TER 2 I G R OW!NC YOUR ~RANClll SF.

haunted tavern, but the quality of the illusion is such

that it doesn't stand up to continued scrutiny.

Cosmetic effects can also be focused on selling and

branding a franchise. such as adding manufacturing

capabilities. a light-up sign, a customer showroom or

service center. and other commercial features. At the

DM's discretion, such features might generate additional

income or lower the costs of certain franchise tasks.

Draconic Ship. This once-innocuous seagoing

vessel has been detailed to appear as a brass dragon.

The ship's interior is decorated in draconic art. and

platforms among the rigging are linked by silk ropes at-

tached to pulleys. These might provide benefits to crew

trained in their use if the ship is ever attacked.

En ch anted Wizard 's Tower. In the entrance hall

of a former-wizard's-tower headquarters, enchanted

portraits display visages of the franchise's recently van-

quished foes. Smaller portraits throughout the tower

display important moments in the franchise's adventur-

ing history, and the whole interior is set with magical

lighting, decorated with candelabra, and features drapes

and carpets matching the franchise's chosen motif.

EXPANSION FEATURES

At rank 2. an expansion feature allows a franchise to

double the size of its headquarters. When doing so. play-

ers and characters can define the changes to the current

configuration. Perhaps the headquarters expands in

size laterally, or gains an extra floor. Perhaps a new

basement is excavated-or poking around the existing