The Drunderry River runs narrow and fast through much of its course before tumbling into the lowlands beneath the Fallow Hills. From there, the river spreads out across fertile plains, labouring slowly to the south before emptying into the Elmarsh Lake. Until recently this area was unsettled. The writ of the King of New Aenochre has changed all this. Several small villages, thorpes and farming communities have been settled in this region since the King’s permission was granted. The village of Malforten, nestled along the banks of the Drunderry River near the Fallow Hills, is just such a place.
The people of Malforten are few in number, but sturdy folk with many a stout heart amongst them. Knowing they were settling at the edges of the kingdoms of New Aenochre and far from help if ever there was need, those who came here were of the uncommon and daring type. Lacking support otherwise, the people of Malforten have banded together and fought off many a wild beast, bandit, and raiding goblin. They even managed to defeat a marauding band of ogres before it lay waste to surrounding farms. They are proud of their independence from the Lords of New Aenochre and their capacity to care for their own. This is why they consider their current position with not a little embarrassment. Malforten lies in the East March. This frontier region is known to be open to raiders, bandits and other nefarious creatures who fear no retribution from the West; so many villainous malcontents and upstarts thus come here to raid and, with each passing success, act with ever more audacity.
Now Malforten has come under a more dire and grievous threat than ever before. A vicious gnoll warrior, Gritznak the Bold, has come to the Fallow Hills and taken up residence in an abandoned temple. From here, his band of raiders has encroached ever more often upon the steads of Malforten, taking cattle, grain stores, and stealing away a few residents for slaves or worse. Though the men of Malforten have attempted to locate, trap or capture Gritznak, they have failed each time. Each failure has emboldened Gritznak to greater depredations, culminating with his coming to Malforten and demanding tribute.
At their wits end, the leaders of Malforten called upon the Lords of New Aenochre for knights and soldiery to help defeat Gritznak the Bold (as they are duty bound to supply). However, the delegates from Malforten were rebuffed and their request for soldiery denied, as the wars to the west and south have consumed most of New Aenochre’s veteran warriors. However, to minimally meet their obligations, several Lords of New Aenochre have offered a bounty to any who might bring an end to the depredations of Gritznak the Bold.
The easiest manner in which to bring characters into this adventure is to have a sheriff or constable inform them of the bounty offered for Gritznak’s capture. The characters might also hear of the reward at a tavern or other establishments where such rumors run amok. The characters should then find themselves on the road to Malforten in search of fame, fortune, adventure, treasure and even, incidentally, Gritznak. They must present themselves to the town officials and have the mission explained to them, settling any terms of service before returning to the more civilized lands for their reward.
Eager to prove himself as an acolyte of the Royal Order of Helm, Salvas has gathered a small group and travels the road east from the civilised lands of New Aenochre to the wild country of the east. The journey is uneventful and they arrive on the borders of Malforten on the late afternoon of their sixth day of travel.
They see two dozen or so wood and stone houses with thatched roofs are huddled closely together on the upper banks of the Drunderry River. Large willows and oaks are clustered along the river’s banks and around the town, while fields of grain spread out north, south and west of the village. Cattle graze fretfully even further afield. Amongst the cattle and fields are several herdsmen who spy the comings and goings of travellers to Malforten. They call out sharp warnings in the direction of the village as the party approaches, while their large cow-dogs howl and bark guardedly. This is not a friendly welcome.
"It's almost like they dont want visitors." Hobar comments as he glares back at the locals. A bell begins to ring out in the distance.
"At least they are ready for trouble." Salvas replies.
As they party enter the village proper they head for the local tavern, noting that the villagers are for the most part staying out of sight. The Empty Flagon is a single story wood structure with a thatch roof. The front of the building is a large common room with a dirt floor, stone fireplace and a single bar. Numerous tables are spaced about the room. The party seat themselves at a nearby table as a blonde haired fellow makes his way over. A broad but slightly nervous smile on his face.
"Kerrywyn the Yellow at your service; What can I do for you fine gentlemen?" he asks.
"Ale." Smith replies with his usual brevity.
"And rooms if you have them." Adds Salvas.
"Certainly, a room will cost one silver per person per day, and the ale runs at a copper a piece."
"The elf is paying." Smith barks back.
"Half elf." Salvas and Halvan speak at the same time, and Salvas raises an eyebrow before speaking again.
"Yes I will pick up the tab."
Just then the door opens and several individuals enter the tavern. The first a tall thin man with a thick beard and shoulder length braided hair. He approached with a slight limp. The second a half-elf woman of average height wearing the vestments and symbols of Wenafar. The next woman is tall and slender with long white hair that flows down over her deep blue robes; and finally tired looking man with grey hair and a paunch follows the others in. It is the limping man who speaks first.
"
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DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
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INTRODUCTION
The Drunderry River runs narrow and fast through much of its course before tumbling into the lowlands beneath the Fallow Hills. From there, the river spreads out across fertile plains,
labouring slowly to the south before emptying into the Elmarsh Lake. Until recently this area was unsettled. The writ of the King of New Aenochre has changed all this. Several small
villages, thorpes and farming communities have been settled in this region since the King’s permission was granted. The village of Malforten, nestled along the banks of the Drunderry River near the Fallow Hills, is just such a place.
The people of Malforten are few in number, but sturdy folk with many a stout heart amongst them. Knowing they were settling at the edges of the kingdoms of New Aenochre and far from help if ever there was need, those who came here were of the uncommon and daring type. Lacking support otherwise, the people of Malforten have banded together and fought off many a wild beast, bandit, and raiding goblin. They even managed to defeat a marauding band of ogres before it lay waste to surrounding farms. They are proud of their independence from the Lords of New Aenochre and their capacity to care for their own. This is why they consider their current position with not a little embarrassment. Malforten lies in the East March. This frontier region is known to be open to raiders, bandits and other nefarious creatures who fear no retribution from the West; so many villainous malcontents and upstarts thus come here to raid and, with each passing success, act with ever more audacity.
Now Malforten has come under a more dire and grievous threat than ever before. A vicious gnoll warrior, Gritznak the Bold, has come to the Fallow Hills and taken up residence
in an abandoned temple. From here, his band of raiders has encroached ever more often upon the steads of Malforten, taking cattle, grain stores, and stealing away a few residents for
slaves or worse. Though the men of Malforten have attempted to locate, trap or capture Gritznak, they have failed each time. Each failure has emboldened Gritznak to greater depredations, culminating with his coming to Malforten and demanding tribute.
At their wits end, the leaders of Malforten called upon the Lords of New Aenochre for knights and soldiery to help defeat Gritznak the Bold (as they are duty bound to supply). However,
the delegates from Malforten were rebuffed and their request for soldiery denied, as the wars to the west and south have consumed most of New Aenochre’s veteran warriors. However,
to minimally meet their obligations, several Lords of New Aenochre have offered a bounty to any who might bring an end to the depredations of Gritznak the Bold.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
The easiest manner in which to bring characters into this adventure is to have a sheriff or constable inform them of the bounty offered for Gritznak’s capture. The characters might also hear of the reward at a tavern or other establishments where such rumors run amok. The characters should then find themselves on the road to Malforten in search of fame, fortune, adventure, treasure and even, incidentally, Gritznak. They must present themselves to the town officials and have the mission explained to them, settling any terms of service before returning to the more civilized lands for their reward.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
Eager to prove himself as an acolyte of the Royal Order of Helm, Salvas has gathered a small group and travels the road east from the civilised lands of New Aenochre to the wild country of the east. The journey is uneventful and they arrive on the borders of Malforten on the late afternoon of their sixth day of travel.
They see two dozen or so wood and stone houses with thatched roofs are huddled closely together on the upper banks of the Drunderry River. Large willows and oaks are clustered along the river’s banks and around the town, while fields of grain spread out north, south and west of the village. Cattle graze fretfully even further afield. Amongst the cattle and fields are several herdsmen who spy the comings and goings of travellers to Malforten. They call out sharp warnings in the direction of the village as the party approaches, while their large cow-dogs howl and bark guardedly. This is not a friendly welcome.
"It's almost like they dont want visitors." Hobar comments as he glares back at the locals. A bell begins to ring out in the distance.
"At least they are ready for trouble." Salvas replies.
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain
As they party enter the village proper they head for the local tavern, noting that the villagers are for the most part staying out of sight. The Empty Flagon is a single story wood structure with a thatch roof. The front of the building is a large common room with a dirt floor, stone fireplace and a single bar. Numerous tables are spaced about the room. The party seat themselves at a nearby table as a blonde haired fellow makes his way over. A broad but slightly nervous smile on his face.
"Kerrywyn the Yellow at your service; What can I do for you fine gentlemen?" he asks.
"Ale." Smith replies with his usual brevity.
"And rooms if you have them." Adds Salvas.
"Certainly, a room will cost one silver per person per day, and the ale runs at a copper a piece."
"The elf is paying." Smith barks back.
"Half elf." Salvas and Halvan speak at the same time, and Salvas raises an eyebrow before speaking again.
"Yes I will pick up the tab."
Just then the door opens and several individuals enter the tavern. The first a tall thin man with a thick beard and shoulder length braided hair. He approached with a slight limp. The second a half-elf woman of average height wearing the vestments and symbols of Wenafar. The next woman is tall and slender with long white hair that flows down over her deep blue robes; and finally tired looking man with grey hair and a paunch follows the others in. It is the limping man who speaks first.
"
DM - Warlock of Firetop Mountain