Malora
rode west, putting the Greytooth Mountains and Ilok's Junction behind her. As
the days and miles passed and she continued on her journey, she passed isolated
farmsteads and lumber camps. Many looked
abandoned or in such a state of disrepair that they might as well have been.
As she
traveled west, the terrain changed. The Old Road wound through deep valleys of
quite greenness and over gentle hills crowned with verdant forests.
Occasionally, she passed simple wooden signs, pointing the way to local hamlets
and villages, but as Malora rode further west, these signs became few and far
between.
She
did encounter caravans, making their slow way toward the west. They were laden
with iron ore, grain and lumber. A sense of discretion and pragmatic
self-interest convinced her it was better to slip into the forest when she
spotted caravans. Caravan guards were notoriously twitchy, when it came to
meeting drow. Or, at least, that had always been Malora's experience.
After
roughly two weeks on the road, Malora saw a wooden signpost, freshly painted
and well-maintained by someone. It
proudly proclaimed that she was approaching the communities of Hesra Dron,
Grimmgate and Honey Hill.
After
studying the sign for a moment, Malora touched her heels to the flanks of her
horse and continued on her way.
Population: 78
Demographics: Gnomes (74%), Humans (18%), Elves (05%), Other
Races (03%)
Hesra Dron is a small community about sixty miles east of
Grimmgate. Hesra Dron is Gnomish for 'Shady Veil' and the majority of the
community consists of rock gnomes. Humans comprise the next largest ethnic
group in Hesra Dron. There are a small number of wood elves who reside in the
community and a smattering of other races.
An agrarian community, Hesra Dron supplements its income by
providing services to the trade caravans that use the Old West Road. They
charge no fees for caravans that wish to overnight in the town, a tactic that
had led to friction with Grimmgate. The Keers, the family that rules Grimmgate
and the surrounding area, has made repeated overtures to Hesra Dron to join
them, but the tiny village has steadfastly refused. The locals take a sort of prickly pride in
the fact that they have stood their ground against Grimmgate, and this has
strengthened community relations at the expense of souring relationships with
Grimmgate and its protected communities.
Prominent members of Hesra Dron's community include:
Dhalia Freehold (L9 Half-Elf Entertainer), the owner of the
Honey Trap, a tavern/bordello on the outskirts of Hesra Dron.
Yoren Gel (L11 Rock Gnome Courtesan), the current Mayor of
Hesra Dron.
Allifir "Alli" Felar (L7 High Elf Criminal), owner
of the Sweet Dream Inn, she works with smugglers moving contraband goods along
the road and through the local communities.
Zida Ornazi (L5 Hermit), an elderly rock gnome woman who
serves as the moral heart of Hesra Dron.
Enlo Thornhand (L13 Rock Gnome Outlander), a huntsman who
occasionally tracks down criminals for Mayor Gel.
GRIMMGATE
Population: 1463
Demographics: Humans (37%), Gnomes (32%), Halflings (27%),
Other Races (04%)
Initially, Grimmgate was established as a frontier fortress.
A community evolved around the fort, which, over time, gradually changed. It became a regional commercial center along
the Old West Road, and, over time, the influence of its military was supplanted
by the Church of Rovelek.
Today, Grimmgate remains the commercial and cultural heart
of the area. The town and surrounding communities are ruled by Lady Othila Keer
(L9 Human Noble). The Keers reside
inside the ancient stone tower of Grimmgate, behind stout walls and sharpened
blades.
Other prominent citizens of Grimmgate include:
Mother Tara Redyard (L6 Dwarf Cleric), the leader of the
Church of Rovelek in Grimmgate;
Haloren Burr (L13 Halfling Merchant), the Master of Grimmgate's
Market;
Bertram Nyman (L8 Human Soldier), the captain of Grimmgate's
Town Watch;
Brenna Herman (L11 Human Entertainer), the owner of the
Laughing Fox Tavern.
Grimmgate became known in the region for the presence of the
Church of Rovelek. Individuals died on the road, far from home and loved ones.
Caravans were unable or unwilling to transport corpses and so Grimmgate became
a depository for the inconvenient dead. Over time, the Church of Rovelek had to
establish a large necropolis beyond the town. By order of the Keers, the burial
ground had to be beyond sight of the town and the road. They did not want
Grimmgate becoming a necropolis. The Church complied, establishing a burial
ground twenty miles south of Grimmgate. The dead are interred according to the
wishes of the deceased, if known, and there has been little undead activity
within the precinct. Occasionally,
bodies are left with the Church until the deceased's family can make
arrangements for their transport. This is fairly rare. More often the dead are
interred and the family makes a pilgrimage to ensure that their loves ones have
been properly taken care of.
OWLHEARTH
Population: 243
Demographics: Halfling (68%), Human (31%), Other Races (01%)
Owlhearth is a village about twenty miles east of Grimmgate.
It falls under the authority of Grimmgate, and the residents are generally
contented. Owlhearth's industries are agriculture and lumber. The village has a
temple that doubles as a school, a tavern and a general goods store. Owlhearth got
its name from the large owls that roost in the forest north of the village.
Prominent members of Owlhearth's community include:
Helnec Cello (L9 Halfling Courtesan), the Reave of
Owlhearth, appointed by Lady Keer of Grimmgate, he is responsible for
collecting taxes and enforcing the written law.
Anna Vegrel (L9 Halfling Merchant), owns the largest farm in
the area, employing a number of locals.
Ordan Butterbeard (L9 Dwarf Merchant) owns the local tavern,
Butterbeard's.
HONEY HILL
Population: 755
Demographics: Halflings (63%), Gnomes (19%), Dwarves (11%),
Other Races (07%).
Honey Hill is a predominantly halfling community located on
a gentle hill, overlooking beautiful Lake Mead. Honey Hill is famous for its
honey and bee-related products. Apiary industries are prominent in the town,
but do not exist alone. Agriculture, lumber and trade are also important
contributors to Honey Hill's success.
Honey Hill falls under the authority of Lady Keer of
Grimmgate, but many residents think that it is time for them to declare their
independence from Grimmgate. So far this is not an opinion shared by the
majority, but if it ever is, things could become unpleasant in the area. It is
doubtful Lady Keer would accept Honey Hill's independence with good grace.
Prominent members of the Honey Hill community include:
Aberal Groin (L10 Halfling Courtesan), is the Mayor of Honey
Hill. He finds himself walking a fine line, politically, with his constituents
and the Keers and may not seek reelection next term.
Lorvellion Greenrose (L11 Wood Elf Entertainer) is an
elderly elf who spends most of his time in Merchant's Square telling stories to
children. He isn't a beggar and no one knows where he goes at night, but it's
rumored that he has a fantastic treasure horde hidden somewhere near the town.
Tarrod Fetter (L8 Hill Dwarf Crafter) is the head of the
Mason's Guild in Honey Hill. Short-tempered, even by dwarf standards, Fetter is
a powerful member of the local business community. Nothing new gets built in
the town without his approval, and he's known to wield his influence with all
the subtlety of a bull in a china shop.
Derron Tegret (L5 Halfling Cleric of Anola, Goddess of
Healing) leads the followers of Anola in service to their community. Although
soft-spoken and kind, when Tegret makes up his mind, he can be incredibly
stubborn.
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