Numenera is a game published by Monte Cook Games. Its setting is the Ninth World, and this list has six rumours for that setting. The rumours, which are similar to the Hearsay that can be found in the official books, can be used as adventure hooks or as simple misinformation.
- Broley’s buildings are mostly made from living greenwood, a biologically engineered material that grows over a temporary shelter. The creator of greenwood, Holeon Ferre, lives in Broley, but it’s rumoured that some of the early experiments with greenwood didn’t go well, with the grown buildings actually eating those who were living in them. This is said to be still a potential problem, though one that is kept secret.
- Dymath Fordye is built in Snakemoor Marsh on stilts, with only a stone bridge leading to the town. The bridge is precarious enough at the best of times, but recently it has suffered repeated damage, seemingly from sabotage. Without the bridge, the town will be completely cut off.
- Imalov Castle is a lone keep in the wilderness, the home of Lady Perrix. The lady is cautious around strangers, but those who gain her trust are allowed to enter and are treated well. However, it’s rumoured that Lady Perrix quizzes guests to see what family and friends they have who would miss them, and if it turns out the answer is none, they never leave the castle again.
- Songduel Ruins stand on the site of a much larger city than the current village, which was razed when two songstresses fought a legendary duel. It’s rumoured that many of the city’s inhabitants perished at the same time, and that the songs used in the duel changed their fallen bodies. To this day, they lie under the ground, waiting to break free and kill.
- The Inn of the Blue Barker in Essearnin runs regular duels, with the varjellen Malia Noke being the undefeated champion for four years. Malia had been threatening retirement, due to boredom and lack of anyone worth fighting, and it’s rumoured that she has been missing for several days, so may in fact have gone ahead with this.
- The buildings in Aendri are mostly made of stronglass, and are thus transparent. As a result, the town has four tailors who constantly work to create curtains and roof garbs. It’s rumoured that someone did come up with a way of successfully colouring the stronglass, but they disappeared, said to be the victim of the tailors who didn’t want to lose their business.
Want some items that could be used as oddities? Check out 100 Xenoarchaeological Finds.