Lux Tenebris: Fairhill

Population: 3719

Demographics: Human (66%), Halflings (23%), Gnomes (7%), Dwarves (3%), Other Races (1%)

Fairhill is the largest community in the Southlands and one of the oldest. It was established over six hundred years ago by the Phoenix Kingdom and survived the kingdom's collapse four centuries ago.  Today, Fairhill serves as a nexus of culture, trade and diplomacy within the Southlands.  It also serves as the headquarters of the Knights of the Phoenix Crown, a militant order granted wide-ranging powers by the Compact of Three Rivers.

Fairhill occupies the highest point of land in the area and offers spectacular views of the surrounding area. It would be almost impossible for a hostile force to take Fairhill by surprise. The community is surrounded by a tall, stout wall of fitted stone. Entrance is granted by only two gates, which are heavily defended.

At the center of Fairhill lies the Bastion, an ancient fortress. The Bastion functions as the headquarters of the Knights of the Pheonix Crown, and also serves as a fallback for the citizenry in the unlikely event that the town walls are breached.

Fairhill and the surrounding area is ruled by the Delselors, a noble family that can trace its origins back to the founding of the Phoenix Kingdom.  The current Lord Fairhill is Ariel "Ari" Delselor. However, since Lord Fairhill is only five-years-old, his uncle, Sir Ephram Delselor, is acting as his regent until the young lord reaches the age of maturity.

Other prominent members of Fairhill's community include:

Lady Galena Sylvereve, L14 Human Noble

STR     06 (-2)             DEX    10 (+0)                        CON   11 (+0)

INT     12 (+1)                        WIS     16 (+3)                        CHA   15 (+2)

HP       73

Languages: Common, Elvish, Halfling

Skills: History +6, Persuasion +7

Tool Proficiencies: Cards +5

Feat: Position of Privilege

Lady Sylvereve is the widow of a Knight of the Phoenix Crown. The daughter of a minor aristocratic family, Lady Sylvereve had an adventurous youth before setteling down to become wife and mother.  She is good friends with Sir Delselor and hosts a weekly salon in her home that attracts a range of colorful and interesting individuals from Fairhill and beyond.

Secret Info: During her adventurous youth, Lady Sylvereve had an affair with an elf that resulted in a child. This half-elf son has been raised in Fallen Baramir. If the affair was revealed it would be somewhat scandalous, but if the existence of the child was exposed Lady Sylvereve could find herself ostracized from polite society and possibly disowned by her family.

William Murmur, L8 Human Artisan

STR     14 (+2)                        DEX    14 (+2)                        CON   10 (+0)

INT     10 (+0)                        WIS     15 (+2)                        CHA   10 (+0)

HP       43

Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Halfling

Skills: Insight +5, Persuasion +3

Tools: Mason's tools +3

Feat: Guild Membership

Master William Murmur is a large, gray-haired man who doesn't speak very much, but has a great deal of influence among Fairhill's various guilds.  Murmur is the head of the Mason's Guild, one of the most important guilds in the town, as they are responsible for the upkeep of the town wall, the Bastion and various public buildings. Even-tempered and quiet, Murmur caused a bit of a stir a few years ago when he married a dwarf woman and they adopted several children. However, since then the community has accepted this unusual family and even embraced them.

Secret Info: Murmur is the son of travelers, a fact most folk have forgotten about. He isn't ashamed of his background, but isn't proud of his family, who are infamous conmen. If they were to come back to Fairhill, or attempt to contact him, and his connection with them was revealed, it could have a negative impact on his status with the local community.

Ulrin Greenhall, L6 Strongarm Halfling Merchant

STR     11 (+0)                        DEX    15 (+2)                        CON   10 (+0)

INT     10 (+0)                        WIS     10 (+0)                        CHA   17 (+3)

HP       33

Traits: Luck, Brave, Halfling Nimblness, Strongarm Weapon Training

Languages: Common, Dwarvish, Halfling

Skill Proficiencies: Insight +3, Persuasion +6

Tool Proficiencies: Vehicles(Land)

Weapon Proficiencies: Shortsword, +8 to hit; deals 1d6 +2 piercing.

Feat: Guild Membership

Ulrin Greenhall is head of the Guild of Glassworkers in Fairhill and he also serves as Master of Guilds, an influential position that requires him to coordinate contracts and work between the town's various guilds. Unmarried and wealthy, he has something of a reputation as a ladies' man and can often be seen squiring attractive women about Fairhill.

Secret Info: Ulrin Greenhall is a devoted follower of Reined, the God of Mischief. He serves his god by spreading rumors and misinformation, usually to his own benefit. If his faith was ever discovered it could cost him everything, his wealth, his position and his reputation. Indeed, it could even cost him his life.

Father Aric Foghall, L13 Lightfoot Halfling  & Priest of Ratava

STR     10 (+0)                        DEX    10 (+0)                        CON   10 (+0)

INT     10 (+0)                        WIS     15 (+2)                        CHA   16 (+3)
HP       68

Traits: Lucky, Brave, Halfling Nimbleness, Naturally Stealthy

Languages: Celestial, Common, Halfling, Primordial

Skills: Insight +7, Religion +5

Feat: Shelter of the Faithful

Father Aric is a handsome halfling man with warm brown eyes, dark blonde hair and an easy smile. Because he is a priest of Ratava, the Goddess of Pleasures, most other halflings find him a bit . . . odd.  But Aric Foghall grew up alone, on the streets, scrambling just to survive. Coming from a history of privation, Father Aric understands that pleasure is more nuanced than most people realize. That it isn't just an end unto itself, but it can be something to coax and goad a person to greater success in life. He understands that the pleasure one gets from reading a good book or eating a fine meal is just as meaningful as that derived from sex.

Secret Info: Father Aric doesn't have any secrets of his own, but he is privy to the secrets of others. People have confided intimate things to the priest, mostly seeking reassurance that there is nothing wrong with their desires. As such, Father Aric knows things about some of Fairhill's residents that could be embarrassing or devastating if the information was shared.

Azorna Dajir, L6 Human Folk Hero

STR     17 (+3)                        DEX    12 (+1)                        CON   11 (+0)

INT     11 (+0)                        WIS     11 (+0)                        CHA   13 (+1)

HP       33

Languages: Common, Halfling

Skills: Animal Handling +3, Survival +3

Tools: Woodcarver's tools, Vehicles(Land)

Feat: Rustic Hospitality

Fairhill tends to attract all manner of travelers, but few made the impact that Azorna Dajir did upon her arrival. The nineteen-year-old daughter of farmers slain during the Draconic invasion, Azorna organized the survivors from her village into a ruthless fighting force. Stories of their exploits reached Fairhill and, after the legions were destroyed, she was invited to join the Knights of the Phoenix Crown.  Azorna has come to Fairhill, but has not committed to the Knights. She feels she is still too angry and griefstruck and is considering heading north, to join the forces mustering at Fallen Baramir.

Secret Info: Azorna Dajir is the last living descendant of King Rochard, the last King of the Phoenix Kingdom. Azorna is unaware of this, but she has her suspiciouns. Omens and portents manifest around her with disturbing regularity, hinting that she is destined for greatness.