The Obojima Podcast the Blog | Episode 16: Crafting a Vertical Village and Adventure Hooks in Opal Falls

This blog post was made using dictation summary software, and posted for SEO purposes. If you really want to know what this episode is about, check out the full episode here: https://youtu.be/86iib2-upOA?feature=shared 

Welcome to episode 22,316 of the Obojima Podcast! Can you believe we made it to the big 22,316? Hey, in Obojima, anything can happen!

But seriously, welcome to episode 16 (we'll get to 22,316 someday) of the Obojima Podcast. This podcast is a deep dive into the creative process of building Obojima: Tales from the Tall Grass. 

 First things first, let’s meet our intrepid crew of writers:

• Jeremiah Crofton - The Creative Director of 1985 Games and the creator of Obojima. 

• Ari Levitch - Head Writer

• Adam Lee - Head Writer

This week, the team turns their attention to Opal Falls—a mechanically powered, vertical village built into a waterfall, where trade, magic, and mystery flow as freely as the water itself.

Opal Falls: A Village Built on Water and Ingenuity

Opal Falls is unlike any other settlement. Its vertical layout is carved into the stone behind a massive waterfall, with lifts powered by water directing boats and people to every level. Artisans take advantage of this mechanical power, polishing stone, shaping wood, and crafting opal jewelry, while the village doubles as a key trade hub along the river. With tolls for river traffic and layered infrastructure both above and below the falls, Opal Falls hums with energy and commerce.

Festivals, Traditions, and the Elder Spirit

The salmon migration is central to village life, celebrated with a week-long festival featuring catch-and-release competitions, feasting, and vibrant mascot costumes. Behind the waterfall lurks an elder spirit—possibly a giant blue salmon—whose presence influences local mythology, the salmon run, and even magical traits in residents, like iridescent skin or blue tongues. Holy Blue Man Group, Obojimans—blue tongues!

Adventure Hooks and Village Dangers

Opal Falls is full of story potential. Players might contend with:

• The partially petrified crocodile, Old Stone Tail.

• Sabotage or attacks on the waterfall’s lifts and infrastructure.

• Festival-related mysteries when salmon fail to migrate.

• Role-playing adventures with young stewards, magical elements, or the mysterious “magical door with legs” that transports characters across the island.

These elements provide both combat and non-combat hooks, encouraging exploration, investigation, and interaction with unique NPCs.

Key NPCs and Local Color

The village is populated with memorable characters: a druid at the waterfall base, an elder or barge master, a toll collector, a gem specialist, a witch from the League of Gilded Gourds, and festival leaders who bring the salmon migration to life. Nakudama residents add flair with acrobatic cliff-climbing and honey-gathering antics. Holla!

Conclusion

In this episode, the Obojima team fleshed out Opal Falls:

• A vertical waterfall village leveraging water-powered technology.

• Festivals, elder spirits, and mystical influences that shape culture.

• Adventure hooks spanning role-playing, investigation, and non-combat challenges.

• A cast of unique NPCs ready to engage players in stories of trade, magic, and exploration.

Check out the full episode here: https://youtu.be/86iib2-upOA?feature=shared