Over the next few weeks, you get to know Falcon's Hollow pretty well.
Powers That Be
The organizations listed here represent a few of the influential factions in Falcon’s Hollow.
Blackblood Covenant: This secretive congregation of Falconers who bow to Urgathoa, the Pallid Princess, gather to worship under a cabal of disease-ridden priests. Many of the most high-ranking clergy members hide in plain sight as leprous beggars by day. By night, they lead dark rites to the Pale Princess of Pestilence in remote groves outside of town. The covenant’s ultimate motive and plans remain shrouded in mystery, but it most likely does not have healthy intentions toward the populace of Falcon’s Hollow.
Church of Iomedae: With all the down trodden to preach to in Falcon’s Hollow, missionaries of Iomedae, Goddess of Valor and Justice, have established a foothold in town. Many other religious sects who fled here to escape the Church of Light’s persecution resent Iomedae’s followers. Tensions run high between congregations, often resulting in less than holy brawls on the muddy thoroughfares of Worship Way.
Lumber Consortium: This powerful collection of unscrupulous tycoons and magnates of the lumber trade controls most of the tree-felling camps (commonly called cutyards) in the area around the vale. Those lumberjacks who refuse to affiliate with the consortium (and agree and pay practices) are often muscled out of business or simply disappear. The consortium employs three hundred jacksand nearly half that many sellswords,thugs, and mercenaries to protect the cutyards from monsters as well as to intimidate competitors.
Redrock Guild: This organized criminal syndicate poses as a business club and moneylenders union, but most Falconers know its members constitute some of the vilest flesh-peddlers, sneakthieves, and murderers in town. The current leader is a fearsome half-orc named Kadran Bloodeye, whose penchant for flaying his enemies alive in the basement of his pleasure establishment, called the Rouge Lady Inn, is well known.
Places of Note
Goose’n’Gander:
The local general store in Falcon’s Hollow is run by the only gnome resident, Brickasnurd Hildrinsocks, who sells everything from standard amenities such as grain, lamp oil, ink, and mining supplies, to such rare oddities as alchemist’s fire, antitoxin, a petrified pseudodragon, and taxidermy nixies (all the rage this season).
Hollow Tribunal:
This is where the diminutive halfling Magistrate Vamros Harg dispenses merchant licenses, stamps mining and lumber claims, and passes judgment on criminal and civil cases. Most Falconers enjoy the irony of the Hollow Tribunal’s name, since the justice meted out there is rarely equitable. The fact that Harg is firmly in Gavel Thuldrin’s pocket is well known, but it is rarely uttered in public by those who value their lives. The sheriff's office and jail are in this building.
Jak’a’Napes:
This leaning ramshackle inn located next to the town’s stables offers lodgings and food to the many travelers who pass through Falcon’s Hollow. The owner, a rotund red-faced human named Jak Crimmy, with a single wisp of bright red hair on his otherwise bald head, is a retired bard who sports an easy smile. Jak’s cinnamon-crusted flapjacks are legendary in town, as is his skill at juggling frying pans and his astonishing marksmanship with a heavy crossbow (Jak is a man ofmany talents).
Quinn’s Carnival:
Half-elf shadow dancer Namdrin Quinn led a band of veteran adventurers who used to venture into the vale with frequency. After a particularly dangerous quest claimed the life of Namdrin’s wife, Tess, the half-elf ended his career and established this carnival of wonders on the edge of town. Quinn and his companions wow crowds with feats of skill and magic by night, but rumor has it that after the tents close Namdrin and his merry band entreat with dark fey, whose anger mounts at the constant lumbering incursions into the vale. Some say the shadowdancer spies for the vengeful fey, who plan retribution and murder.
The Rouge Lady:
The silk-veiled parlors in the back of this burlesque and gambling hall doubles as an illegal brothel. Kabran Bloodeye owns this illicit pleasure den, where the unfortunate Ralla peddles her charms to earn enough copper for her and Hollin to survive.
The Sitting Duck:
Located a little too close for many folks’ comfort to the town palisade, the Duck is the local hot spot for adventurers, explorers, and other rapscallions looking for excitement. The tavern serves a potent local brew of fermented darkwood leaf that can floor an ogre in a few tankards. Raucous games of “knivesies” and “mig-a-mug-tug” (two dangerous local recreational activities both with high rate of maiming) often rage late into the night. Many adventurers share tales of Darkmoon Vale, Droskar’s Crag, and other surrounding locations for the price of a mug of ale.
Who’s Who
A few more details on some of the noted community members mentioned above are included here.
Sheriff Deldrin Baleson: Deldrin used to be a poor lumberjack toiling in the cutyards under Gavel Thuldrin Kreed’s oppressive thumb. One day he refused to pay an “axe tax” on a lumberaxe he had already bought and paid for. Boss Teedum tried to take Deldrin’s axe, and the half-elf smashed Teedum’s face with the flat of it. As one of the few locals to stand up to Teedum and Kreed, he was elected Sheriff the following week. Now he carries the same axe around on his shoulder to remind Kreed and Boss Teedum he is not afraid of them. Deldrin is tall for a half-elf, towering over most humans, and his well-muscled, imposing form is further enhanced by his sharp gold flecked eyes.
Kabran Bloodeye: Kabran is a short statured half-orc with blood-red eyes. He lost his nose as punishment for numerous criminal activities in a large city far from the hollow. He wears a bronze nosepiece over the ugly crater left in the center of his face that whistles disturbingly as he breathes and leaks blood and mucus (which Kabran dabs away with a crimson handkerchief ).
Magistrate Vamros Harg: Harg is bought and paid for, but the halfling wishes he wasn’t. The little magistrate was a failed barrister in a large city far away before coming to Falcon’s Hollow. Kreed propped him up with the understanding he’d tear the little lawmaker down at the first sign of disobedience. Vamros doesn’t dare oppose Kreed directly, but every chance he gets he nudges cases away from Kreed’s greedy eye and tries to give people a fair shake. The little halfling is ashamed of his own cowardice, but if a group of hardy adventurers supported him in opposing Thuldrin Kreed, Harg might just step up to the challenge and start doling out true justice. Harg is an attractive young halfling fond of finery whose romantic interests run toward his own gender.
Boss Payden “Pay Day” Teedum: Payden, the pug-faced, mash-nosed human thug licking at Kreed’s boots, has a big bone to pick with Deldrin. The only reason he hasn’t tried to break the sheriff’s neck is that Kreed fears turning Deldrin into a martyr for other Falconers to rally around. “Pay Day” gets his name from the way he doles out “dues” to anyone who fails to follow “Mista Kreed’s” commands fast enough.
Sharvaros Vade: This odd hermit lives in a small shack just outside of the town proper, only a stone’s throw from the local cemetery. Most know Vade is a strange man but few are aware of his expertise at necromancy. Vade conducts vile experiments on corpses unearthed from the graveyard in the deep gloom of night, forcing his son to assist him. Vade is bony and thin, with gray eyes and an unkempt black beard.
Jalene greets you as you enter The Sitting Duck. Bar or table, your choice.
Zevon enters the tavern he is singing a diddy and finishes it with prestidigitation holding that last note in an interesting and elongated way. "Ms. Artem, this evening I would prefer a table such that I may espouse my ideas on things that may or may not matter to my comarades. Tell me, ma'am, do I look attractive to you? Do you like the earring? What must I do to gain your favor?"
"You could start by buying me a drink. How is this table, good looking?"
Zevon replies that the table is fine and he offers to buy Jalene anything she would like to drink.
She picks the most expensive drink on the menu and sits down with the bard. "Tell me. Zevon, what have you been up to since I saw you last."
dotting in
Ahhh, little of note. I have plied my trade of storytelling here and there. Researching this place and the environs, there is quite a history here with many a tale yet untold. Regrettably, broken a fair share of hearts as well.
His wink implies little actual regret.
Rhen enters the tavern after, looking around he sees Zevon, Rhen begins to make his way over.
"G'day Zevon."
Jalene keeps your mugs full and as the crowd grows she begins moving about the tavern serving other patrons, occasionally sitting down with them and joining in the libations. While it is a pleasure to watch her walk across the room, not one patron heckles her.
The two older men hold their places at the end of the bar where they were previously. The large group in the back is not as rowdy or large as last time, but the night is still young. You recognize Milon Rodham. He is with Arlie and Seldlron who seem to be best friends at the moment. Lady Cirthana joins the two elder men at the end of the bar. The longsword is sheathed about her waist. Jim serves her an ale. Sheriff Baleson gets an ale at the bar and remains standing beside the two elders as the four converse.
Rhen! Well met friend. Tell me, have you any tales of good fortune? Any news of potential adventure. While the Hollow has been welcoming since the cure was delivered, may wanderlust grows strong.
"There be the Crucible that we be needin' ta get ta, lets round up those others, nature boy be out with his fox. That holy woman probably be havin' more information for us." Rhen takes a long swig from his drink.
It's m-m-MASTER NATURE BOY and DOCTOR SLY to you, my v-v-vertically challenged friend!", Bulgard boldly announces from the far end of the bar, where he is drinking... heavily... and alone. He is truly glad to see these men again, as they are the closest things to friends he's ever had- besides Dr. Fox, of course.
He slides his stool away from the bar and quickly sidles over to plop down in a stool beside Rhen. He pats the dwarf on his wide shoulders and tips his mug of weak ale to Rhen and Zevon in turn, wearing a huge, lopsided smile.
"Rhen! Zee! I've been itching to get that crucible fully inspected too."
"Ah where have ye been all this time lad? We haven't heard word o' ye." Rhen pats Bulgard on the arm.
"this may be a small town, but I don't much like people. Leastways, they d-d-don't seem to much care for me. Never have, I s'pose. But the three of you are the closest thing I've had to f-f-friends. I heard tell you folks were going a-questing, and you could use my bow- and someone to keep you from getting turned around once you get into them deep woods."
He fingers a necklace around his neck, from which hangs dozens of teeth. Most are long and pointed, as that of a bear. Others looked more... human?
He grins darkly, deep in thought.
"plus, I need to add a few more of these to my collection"
Reinar ducks to get through the doorway and drags himself to the table. He is exhausted. He plops down on a stool. He leans on the table with his elbows, he can barely hold his head up. "Rogue Lady...rents women. Volume discounts." Jalene asks if he would like a drink. "Ale, woman. Ale!" He looks at the group and smiles. "Guys..."
A distraught woman stands in the doorway. She looks around until she sees Deldrin. She scurries to him. As she tells her story, one of the elder men stands up. The three of them discuss something for several minutes. Early on, Lady Cirthana casts a spell on the lady. Lady Cirthana ushers the woman across the room and they exit the tavern together. The sheriff and the elder man continue their discussion.
Jalene seems to take forever but she eventually sets an ale on the table for Reinar. "Sir, my name is Jalene. Best you remember that." Addressing the entire table she says. "We will not be having entertainment tonight. Tharfynn's wife always keeps vicious dog's about. Last night one mauled him pretty badly. But, the healers and casters attending to him believe they can piece him back together."
"So a quite night? Maybe some cards then?" Rhen pulls out a deck of cards and sets it on the table.
"Tomorrow we be headin' ta the crucible? Find out more about all that happened to me kin?"
The two elder men leave the tavern. Sheriff Baleson joins you at the table. "Well, gentlemen. The town remains gracious that you were able to help with the cure. From what I hear, you are considered heros by some.
I have just learned of a very concerning matter. Five children of Falcon's Hollow have gone missing. I am looking for anyone willing to track them down and get them back to their families. It is believed that they were just a short distance from town when they became lost or perhaps something worse. Would you be interested in bringing them home?"
"That's right up my alley. Is there a reward for this? G-gold, I mean."
"No reward has been established, Bulgard. I just learned of this myself. Their families are sure to reward you in some way. In fact, one of the children is the son of the wealthiest man in Falcon's Hollow. If it is gold you seek, I feel certain the return of these children would result in that regardless of an official reward."
"Well, i guess our little trip to the crucible will be delayed then, i told all of you we should've done it months ago...In any case, do you have a description of those children, Sheriff?"
"A few neighborhood kids with loose lips revealed “the secret dare” taken by the five missing kids: to spend a night at the burned-out ruin of Elara’s Halfway House up on a mournful hill in Darkmoon Vale. None have been seen since. I know all five of these children and their families.
Kimi Eavewalker: Daughter of the famed elven ranger Idris and a beautiful seamstress named Kitani, Kimi has not seen her father in two years. The ranger is constantly away adventuring and tracking down relics for a mysterious patron. Kimi idolizes her dad and has grown into a fearless tomboy chomping at the bit to follow in her father’s adventurous footsteps as soon as she is old enough to wield a sword. Kimi is the protector of this band of friends, often scrapping with boys twice her age who try to bully the others. She usually wins these bouts, and many of the town’s children are afraid of her.
Hollin Hebbradan: Hollin is a freckly faced ten-year-old boy missing his two front teeth (from a bad spill off the waterwheel at the old mill). Hollin’s mother died in childbirth and his father was savaged by an owlbear two years ago. Now Hollin’s older sister, a beautiful young red-haired woman named Ralla, looks after him. The two have struggled to make ends meet and rumor has it Ralla works in one of the pleasure dens on Mud Street to keep food on the table. Hollin is a skilled woodcarver and he manages to earn a few copper pieces hawking his statuettes. The boy’s only aspiration is to grow up faster and work the cutyards so his sister won’t have to set foot in a brothel ever again. He is the young man that delivered your food when you returned from finding the ingredients for Laurel.
Mikra Jabbs: The thirteen-year-old son of the town butcher, Colbrin Jabbs, Mikra’s difficult birth resulted in several mental deficiencies. He cannot read, is easily confused, and believes almost everything he is told. Mikra is well liked by everyone. While not incredibly bright, the boy possesses limitless kindness and his bright smile wins the hearts of almost anyone who meets him. Though the oldest of the bunch, Mikra is looked after by the others.
Jurin Kreed: Son of the wealthiest, most powerful, and evilest man in Falcon’s Hollow, Jurin Kreed is a boy of eleven torn between his family and friends. In public, Jurin behaves insufferably, snarling at the other children and threatening to have his dad’s bodyguards beat them if they don’t do everything he says. People wonder why the other children don’t simply avoid the spoiled bully, but Colbrin Jabbs knows the boy has a good heart deep down, and in private would do anything to help his friends. Jurin spends many hours at the Jabbs’s house reading to his son Mikra in the afternoons.
Savram Vade: Son of the mysterious wizard Sharvaros, Savram is a quiet, withdrawn nine-year-old boy, whose bright eyes betray intelligence far beyond his years. When he is old enough he will no doubt follow his father into the cryptic life of a wizard.
A middle-aged silver haired human woman named Elara opened the orphanage ten years ago, hard on the heels of the Goblinblood War. The atrocities committed by marauding bands of goblins left dozens of children without parents, and Elara took in droves of them. Elara was a selfless woman who spent the greater part of her life caring for those no one else wanted. The fire was a horrible tragedy. It started out of nowhere and spread so fast, by the time the town’s volunteer brigade arrived all that was left was a smoking ruin, every child dead, and Elara burnt to cinders. Hard to believe a blaze that fierce could start as an accident. I always feared for the safety of that place. Elara built her halfway house far away from town and much too close to that vale. Some say the last few months or so before the fire people claimed to hear all manner of clatter from the orphanage at night. Screams they say. Terrible screams. Some even claimed Elara lost her mind,took to torturing the children in the dead of night. That’s why she built the place outside of town. To the latter, I have no personal knowledge to confirm nor deny. It would be out of character for her."
"So we're ta find a bunch o' children who took a dare and be probably pissin' their pants in a haunted mansion? How well did ye know the woman really though?"
Rhen takes another drink, long and thoughtful like.
"Well, Rhen. I have known her for about ten years. Not very well, but the times I spoke with her gave me no reason for concern. Over the years, the children she reared moved to town and became good and productive citizens. So, until the rumors of late, I had no reason for concern. I planned on heading out there on my off day to check on her, but the place burned before I could do so."
"One of the gentlemen I was just speaking with is Sharvaros Vade. He told me to give this to anyone who would search for his son. Sorry, but I have no idea what it does." Deldrin hands you a wand. Spellcraft DC11 to identify.
I am glad that to town's officials know they can call on us in times of need. As Bulgard says, this task suits us, especially if the rumors of unrest be true. Send Master Vade our thanks for the wand."
A brand new, never used and expertly crafted wand of cure light wounds with 50 charges.
Sunrise is 6:00 am, sunset is 6:00 pm
Day 1 you rise with the Sun and within a couple hours are on your way to the orphanage.
It is eight miles to the orphanage. You walk as slowly as you can, occasionally waiting for Rhen to catch up. Four hours later (noon) you see the blackened husk of the orphanage lies atop the hill. Charred timbers are strewn among piles of caked ash and the only edifice left standing is a soot-stained stone arch. A small stuffed doll lies below the arch, her face seared off and her patchwork dress spilling dirty stuffing. Beside her, a troop of half-melted tin soldiers stand in formation, their bodies twisted and deformed by the blaze that claimed their owner’s life.
"I be not that slow, I can do this all day ye long legged oafs." Rhen smiles as he scolds the taller folk for waiting for him and walking slow.
Upon reaching the front porch Rhen looks over the toys, trying to straighten to take one of the tin men.
Bulgard inspects the ground, sniffing and tasting the ash. He gazes out in all directions and furrows his brow.
Zevon is visibly moved by the tragic scene. He dabs at the corner of his eye and takes a breath before he speaks.
I sincerely hope that those who lost life here are at rest. Bulgard, any sign of our missing youths?
Apparently Bulgard is a little teared up as well. He can't make out much of anything. Feel free to take 20 on searches. No rush at this time.
"You know, i almost killed a kid back in the day, completely accidental, the poor kid was so ugly it really looked like a troglodyte or something. His father saw it before i tried to cut the kid, which was good because he could interrupt me; but then i tried explaining things and he wanted a duel no matter what. I've tried to convince him to take a duel to first blood but he hurled a bunch of insults at my honor, so i got a little angry and..."
He stops as the group reaches the orphanage, crouching nearby the ruins and picking one of the melted tin soldiers. He stares at it with a solemn expression before trying to find tracks of the five missing children.
A three, a one, and a three. Good time to not be in a fight. Reinar does not find any tracks that could belong to the missing children.
Zevon opens his mouth to comment on Reinar's anecdote, but cannot seem to think of anything appropriate... possibly for the first time ever.
While his companions attempt to track the children, Zevon instead takes in his surroundings.
Zevon finds a charred trapdoor beneath an inch of ash in the center of the ruins. The lock is melted shut and cannot be picked, but the door is badly damaged should be easy to smash open.
Zevon informs his companions of the find, and then proceeds to cast Message on the party members.
A murder of crows begins to caw in a nearby tree. Very dark clouds begin to move in turning day to dusk. A strong wind has developed. The ground shakes briefly a few times. You hear thunder in the distance. Suddenly the ground shakes violently, it is difficult to remain standing.
Reinar
Rhen
Zevon
Bulgard
Reinar and Rhen end up prone.
The door falls down the stairs into the cellar making quite a disturbance as it finds a spot to rest. You get wind of an extremely foul stench apparently released by the open door.
Zevon picks up a small stone and whistles until the rock shines with light. He peers into the open pit
"damn dirty trap, I was to busy with them stupid birds squawking in me ear to pay attention." Rhen mutters a few choice curse words in Dwarfish.
Rhen will scout a head just a bit.
The stench of rot belches forth from this rank cellar. Stairs lead down to a 20x20 ft cellar. A chipped, blood-stained oaken table rests against one wall, with all manner of blades and barbed instruments laid out on it. A single pair of rusted shackles is bolted into the opposite wall, whose bricks are stained in a bloody account of pain and cruelty. The robed corpse of a woman on the floor in a rear corner is the source of the reeking stench of decay.
Rhen returns, "Dead woman, no idea who, she stinks like dead meat though."
Rhen covers his face, looking up the hole he motions for Zevon to come down.
Zevon descends the stairs, grimacing at the odor.
I prey I am incorrect, but it appears that the rumors of atrocities were not far from correct. If this is the corpse of Elara, then there is no limit to the atrocities committed in this hole.
Zevon gestures and emits a sound similar to a bat's cry.
Let's see if anything pings back.
No magic in the cellar.
will scout a head just a bit.Stealth: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13
Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22
I did not realize you were in the cellar, Rhen. You see a spider the size of a man in a web in the corner above Elara's corpse.
"Stupid trap!", he mutters, standing up and waiting for Rhen to report. "Lets hope the ones who did this atrocities are still around, i'm in the mood to crush them..."
"A big spider is above the woman's body. Want ta be just smashin' it Reinar?"
Rhen draws his sword, moving to the side.
roll initiative
Reinar
Zevon
Bulgard
Rhen
Spider
Reinar, Zevon, Bulgard, Rhen <-----------
Spider
Rhen rolls in hopping to catch the spider off guard.