Chronicles of Biston

Game Master garabbott

Key Locations:

The Tunnels: The Tunnels District, excavated into some cliffs that overlook Lake Syrantula, is rumored to have been created by a long-extinct tribe of harpies. Now, it is inhabited by Biston’s oldest families. A few shops are in the area, but for the most part the Tunnels District is residential.

Lakeside: The Lakeside is the flat, grassy area spread out at the base of the cliffs. It lies between the rocky landscape and the lake’s shore. This section of the village has been steadily growing since martial law ended ten years ago, and new families arrive every year, building new houses and slowly expanding the village.

Market Square: The Market Square is on the busiest street in Lakeside, and it is where traders from outside the town come to do business. When trading caravans pass through town, the square is particularly busy; but even on normal days, if you’re looking for something particular, this is often the place to find it.

Hunter’s Cove: The oldest tavern in Biston, Hunter’s Cove, is in the Tunnels District; they have very few beds and rooms for lodging, but it is higher quality than the other inns in town, and has become much more expensive. This is generally the place where any individual of priviliges will seek shelter when passing through Biston.

The Stomping Squat: The most popular tavern by far is the Stomping Squat, run by the aging and charismatic Danny Nemuria, whom nearly everybody in town knows; it is set up on a hill next to the cliffs near the Tunnels District, slightly away from the downtown Lakeside because of how rowdy it often gets each night.

Crossroads: The shadier tavern in Biston is Crossroads. The drinks are cheap and bad, the service is questionable, but everyone knows that you mind your own business while you’re there, unless you want trouble. They are said to offer rooms for the night, but prices would vary depending on how illicit whatever dealings that take place inside may be.

Church of Abadar: The one church in Biston is dedicated to Abadar, though that is not nearly the most popular faith among its citizens. The church is run by Joron Wunhur, a cleric of the Abadar faith with strong ties to Korvosa. Most people choose to pray at home, or at one of the many shrines to Erastil across town (which are always nothing more than a simple affair, sometimes barely even noticeable).

The Iron Heart: The Iron Heart is in the Tunnels District, run and owned by Selyna Duntherhall. She inherited the business from her father, who passed away unexpectedly only two years ago. She has since made a name for herself around town as being a blacksmithing prodigy, and has recently been able to afford hiring some help to get to know Biston better.

Seven Years’ Savings: The best and most popular general store, it is owned by Sryan Farristil; he is the head of the Farristil family, and though they live in the Tunnels District, Syran has recently moved his store down to the Lakeside to appeal to the influx of newer citizens. You can find most any tool, adventuring supplies, and various bits of preserved food here, always at the best price in town. The store has been in the Farristil family for generations, but was left unoccupied after the Revolution until Sryan came of age.

Key NPCs:

Dain Galway is Biston’s mayor. An elected official, he is perhaps the most politically-oriented people in Biston, but nonetheless a good man. He worries about the general health and well-being of the people, and has been known to make the long trip to Korvosa on occasion to defend the town’s rights in court, despite its rebellious and violent history. He is considered young to hold such a position with less than 30 years of age, but there aren’t many in Biston who would prefer to have it for themselves, at least not anyone who has made it known.

Joron Wunhur is the head cleric of Abadar in Biston, and he is also in charge of collecting the quarterly taxes and ensuring that they make it to Korvosa. This tax shipment is often sent via the waterways connecting Biston to the metropolis. He is friendly enough, but the majority of Biston people would obviously rather he not interrupt their lives to take their money. Among the few Abadar-worshippers, however, he is extremely popular for “doing what must be done.”

Selyna Duntherhall is the town’s most respected blacksmith. She works in the Tunnels District, and is a young and pretty prodigy in the smithing world. She has thick and curly red hair that she keeps tied back to stop it from interfering with her work, and she has very fair, blushed skin despite the several scars and burns that always come with the life of a blacksmith. She is a little shy at first when getting to know people, but will be often seen in one of the taverns during the evening, and she is much more sociable with a drink or two in her. Lately, she has hired on part time assistance at the shop.

Syran Farristil, 26, is the young head of the Farristil family, one of the oldest families in Biston. He runs the biggest and best general store in town, and has a very reliable selection when it comes to general wares. The Farristil family underwent a very devastating tragedy when the majority of their men were executed after the failed Revolution, and the current family consists of many old widows and a few younger men and women. They are still one of the largest families in Biston.

“Warden” Holly Fernsdale, keeps tabs on the Ashwood Forest. When something bad is going on, she usually knows about it, and she’s usually at the heart of the problem trying to figure it out. She stops by Biston once every few weeks for supplies and news of the outside world, updating her followers in town as well on the situation in the wilderness, and then heads back out to continue her patrols. Erastil worshipers in Biston are ofen overjoyed when she arrives, and they sometimes track her down across town to receive a blessing. She keeps her blonde hair cut short, carries a dagger on her hip, and wields a powerful-looking composite longbow, just like any true Old Deadeye worshiper would.