When keying locations for the Pictish Campaign I use a variety of methods starting with researching the real life location's legends and history. After this I pull from my Quests List (which I expanded to about 170 quests since posting and assigned each to a location) and check a spreadsheet of unassigned minor arthurian characters (which I made using the Illustrated Encyclopedia of Arthurian Legends) for any characters I might add. After this I season with a rotation of tables for features and quests (d4 Caltrops Stronghold Quests, Murkdice Connective Tissue Table, My Knights Table) I modify these as needed once rolled to fit the quasi-historical arthurian vibes of the setting. The last step I usually go through is drawing cards with a features Oracle. I use a modified expanded version of the deck of many things for this (but modified this to work with a 52 card deck). The prompts drawn from the deck are taken in with everything else and enmeshed with what I already have to give some additional texture and features when I'm writing the keys.
Point of Interest - Draw 0 to 2, depending on need.
Settlement Size
Hamlet - 1 Draw
Village/Small Town - 2 Draws
Town/City - 3 Draws
Large City - 4 Draws
Card Oracle
Clubs
2 of Clubs - There is a creature's den.
3 of Clubs - There is a dungeon.
4 of Clubs - There is dangerous faye.
5 of Clubs - There is a creature's aerie.
6 of Clubs - There is something related to a neutral deity.
7 of Clubs - There is woodlands and a shrine to the king of the wood, or hunters.
8 of Clubs - There is a significant stone, stone circle, dolmen, henge, obelisk, cairn, or statue.
9 of Clubs - There is a site of an ancient battle with a tumulus and shrine.
10 of Clubs - There is a hidden place, stronghold or place of peace.
Jack of Clubs - There is an assassin, poisoner, or dangerous person.
Queen of Clubs - There is a significant warrior or something they left behind.
King of Clubs - There is a band of warriors.
Ace of Clubs - There is a place of death, knowledge or warning.
Hearts
2 of Hearts - There is a lost ghost.
3 of Hearts - There is a grim or black hound.
4 of Hearts - There is an orchard or significant tree.
5 of Hearts - There is a maze-like warren.
6 of Hearts - There is a trapped spirit or faye.
7 of Hearts - There is a shrine to the dead, a resurrected one, or a false tomb.
8 of Hearts - There is a safe hidden place left by a powerful individual.
9 of Hearts - There is an eternal flame or shrine to a fire deity.
10 of Hearts - There a dangerous misunderstood creature.
Jack of Hearts - There is woodlands, bards or feasting.
Queen of Hearts - There is a fallen star, a place only accessible by night or a nighttime event.
King of Hearts - There is someone who is deeply in love.
Ace of Hearts - There is something left behind by a powerful sídhe.
Spades
2 of Spades - There is a changeling, twins, or doubles of something.
3 of Spades - There is a sacred or hidden grove.
4 of Spades - There is a dark place.
5 of Spades - There is werewolves or wolves nearby.
6 of Spades - There is something associated with the moon or a lunar deity.
7 of Spades - There is a place of illusions, magic, or beauty near.
8 of Spades - There is a bard, filí or skald.
9 of Spades - There is a shrine to a sun god or a place that is only open at dawn.
10 of Spades - There is something alluring but dangerous.
Jack of Spades - There is a treacherous friendly face, thief, or liar.
Queen of Spades - There is a plague, illness, or sick person.
King of Spades - There is a deceitful person or a situation that is not what it seems.
Ace of Spades - There is a place where one can see a glimpse of their fate or past.
Diamonds
2 of Diamonds - There is a small forgotten stash of loot.
3 of Diamonds - There is ancient ruins.
4 of Diamonds - There is a wondrous steed.
5 of Diamonds - There is a merchant with rare goods.
6 of Diamonds - There is a scholar or something scholarly.
7 of Diamonds - There is a hidden way to or from the otherworld.
8 of Diamonds - There is a wise elder.
9 of Diamonds - There is a dragon or something associated with dragons or sea serpents.
10 of Diamonds - There is great wealth or treasure hidden.
Jack of Diamonds - There is an individual who is widely acclaimed but a fraud.
Queen of Diamonds - There is a seat of power.
King of Diamonds - There is a tower or hidden fortress nearby.
Ace of Diamonds - There is an important item for a far away quest.
