Mapping the “Nevernever”

Last night, we got together for another Dresden Files jam session. We had someone new to the game over (newer than us!) and explained it to them (as best we could) as well as read up on various items, and discussed ideas. We also talked more about the city we decided to use for the game, San Francisco (SF).

One of the things I had mentioned from the beginning was that I imaged the Nevernever (NN) kind of the same as I imagined the Feywild in D&D, as far as its relationship with the ‘real’ world. I liked the idea of the NN being parallel to SF, and as such they were similar in geography for the most part. I then took that idea a step farther and imagined that the NN had played a large role in making SF what it is today. For example, many of the names of locations in SF would have been originally derived from places in the NN.

Looking at it from this angle gave me a number of ideas, so I decided I was going to start mapping it out. I have done various D&D maps over the years, though mostly dungeons, so this was a new thing for me. Anyway, click on the map above for a larger version – it is still a work in progress though, so there is more to be done and changed. Also, you can click here to see it with an overlay of San Francisco details (streets, etc).

Here are some initial ideas regarding the names/locations I currently have on the map (again, still in the works)…

• Coiling Tower – This is the location of Coit Tower in SF. This being the easiest way into the NN for most people. A secret hallway within Coit Tower brings you to the Coiling Tower in the NN. It is well guarded on the NN side however.
• The Hallows – This is a large town consisting of many of the buildings that existed in SF at 1906, before the earthquake and subsequent fire destroyed them. There was a greater connection between the NN and SF back then, but the fire severed it leaving ‘copies’ of the buildings in the NN – hallowed out structures that have been homes to many creatures over the last 104 years. This is also the location of The Market, a great bizarre of sorts.
• The Serpent – This notes a very dangerous area, said to be home to a large snake or dragon of some kind. Associated with Lombard street in SF, this is an example of how aspects of the real world can just as easily become a part of the NN
• The Catacombs – This is a large area of underground catacombs, some portions of it exposed through the earth. It is said there are ways into the Catacombs from SF via the National Cemetery. These can not be confirmed though.
• The Fields of Hate – This is the area of SF called Haight-Ashbury, but in the NN it is the fields of Hate. Not sure what is there yet, but I don’t think it’s safe.
• The Red Victorian Hotel – This historical hotel exists in SF, but a parallel version is said to move throughout the Fields of Hate. It is never in the same place for long apparently.
• Tombs of Deasis – These tombs are connected in some way to the Mission San Francisco de Asís. This location is very dangerous in the NN and is avoided by most.
• Dark Wood – This forest is directly connected to Golden Gate Park in SF. It is the second easiest way for most to enter the NN as there are said to be numerous portals between the two. It is not uncommon for unwitting citizens of SF to stumble into the Dark Wood by wandering off the beaten path. Unfortunately, the Dark Wood is a very dangerous place, and most of them do not return.

In coming up with these, I kept thinking of ideas for my D&D campaign as well… two birds, one stone kind of thing I guess.

So that’s about it for now. I will post again as I update it and we’ll see how it goes!

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