LONGACRE
MAP
Population 1590 (1,401 humans, 138 halflings, 51 other)
MARKETPLACE Base Value 1,000 gp; Purchase Limit 5,000 gp
NOTABLE NPCs
Archbaron Darellus Fex - Ruler of the Archbarony of Fex, and overlord of Longacre. Nobody knows what he looks like; he notoriously never visits, for reasons that are never given. Naturally, this has spawned a thousand rumours, each more outlandish than the last. Known to be a staunch supporter of House Thrune, it is rumoured that Archbaron Fex views Longacre and its citizens as his personal property, which they legally very nearly are. His carriage arrives in town several times a week, as his various amanuenses conduct business on his behalf.
Fifth Sword Knight Tileavia Allamar (Human Chelaxian female) - Priestess of Iomedae and deacon in charge at Our Lady of Immortal Duty, the local Church of Iomedae. Although Chelaxian by birth, Fifth Sword Knight Allamar has only returned to her native country relatively recently and has been in Longacre no more than five years. Rumour holds that she served at Lastwall, and that her husband was killed there which is why she requested reassignment back to Cheliax. The epitome of a warrior-priestess, she doesn't look nearly old enough to have grown children.
Lacall and Loran Allamar (Human Chelaxian males) - the twin sons of Tileavia Allamar, at 18 years old they have grown up in Longacre from gawky adolescents into gallant would-be knights. Almost identical, they are distinguished by the fact that Loran's long brown hair is tinted with blonde streaks, while Lacall (the younger by a few hours) has slightly dimpled cheeks when he smiles - in consequence, he always tries to look as stern as possible.
Gerya Rohalendi (middle-aged Human Chelaxian female) – doctor Rohalendi runs a hospice: fifteen years ago, she opened her home to an elderly veterans who could no longer live alone. In doing so, she realized that dozens of Longacre’s elderly were struggling to survive and faced uncertain futures. Over several years, she transformed her home into a charity hospice, opening her doors to those in need of medical care and devoting herself to offering the heroes of her country and community dignity in their advanced years. Rohalendi currently shares her home with five local seniors in need of assistance.
Jabral Louislik (Human Chelaxian male) – proprietor of Louislik Tannery, located on the outskirts of town. The tannery employs a large number of townsfolk and Louislik is a respected businessman in Longacre, but has been known to butt heads with the Archbaron on occasion.
Retired Warmage Tealan Ruckleer (middle-aged Human Chelaxian male) - everyone knows that Ruckleer is a retired warmage who spent most of his youth in service to the Chelish crown. Ruckleer never speaks of his military service or uses anything but the most minor cantrips in public; his elusiveness on the matter only heightens rumours of his explosive battle prowess.
Sheriff Rhona Staelish (Human Chelaxian female) - extremely well-regarded and known to be incorruptible, Sheriff Staelish has held the position for some years; during which time her youthful face has become somewhat more lined. Her long brown hair is tied back in a topknot, with a single braid. Rumour has it that when she dresses up, she can steal the heart of any man - although this has not been tested, as she is rarely out of her uniform. The sheriff much prefers public shame and humiliation over incarceration, and the two pillories outside the jail see far more use than the pair of cells inside.
OTHER NPCs
Abrammo Lieklen (Human Chelaxian male) – together with his wife Dahdria, Lieklen runs the local flower shop and herbal store.
Ashel Ballenry (Human Chelaxian male) – Ballenry is one of Sheriff Staelish’s deputies and is a stickler for the law, although his regard for the Sheriff will override even that on occasion.
Bolgart Caggan (Human Chelaxian male) – Caggan runs The Last Stand tavern, which is the most popular of the two taverns in Longacre (the other being the Arch and Lark, run by the snooty Fordaneil Cembers). Caggan is not blessed with brains, or looks, but he has an instinctive brute cunning that serves him well. In particular, he understands that his clientele (mainly military veterans) mainly want lots on their plate, and if it’s hot then so much the better. Flavour and texture are secondary considerations. The same goes for his ale and liquor – as long as it doesn’t rot the gut, and is alcoholic, it will do.
Bolouisiana Grammel (old Human Chelaxian female) – known more simply as Bo, Grammel is married to Denton. The couple are gatekeepers on the Castle Gate; they live in a house close by and rarely let the gate out of their sight. The two of them note everyone who passes through, but for the most part are content to just watch the comings and goings. The two have a military bearing, and are straight-backed despite their age.
Bennie Fortmile (Human Chelaxian male) - oldest son of Dilly, Bennie does most of the heavy lifting that keeps the Jackdaw Stables in business, and isn't shy of complaining about it over a pint or two.
Cimri Staelish (Human Chelaxian female) – black sheep of the Staelish family, Cimri’s parents were (presumably still are) loggers; their itinerant lifestyle meant they left their daughter with the Sheriff, who is her aunt. Cimri didn’t take the abandonment well and took to petty crime. She left her aunt’s permanently 2 years ago, at the age of 16; since then she’s had a hand in almost every scrape that happens in Longacre – although there aren’t many. It’s widely agreed that she is trouble and to be avoided. The consensus is that her aunt is giving her just enough rope to hang herself with.
Curtwyn Skape (Human Chelaxian male) – Skape is a deputy to Sheriff Staelish and can be hot-headed in is pursuit of what he regards as justice.
Dahdria Lieklen (Human Chelaxian female) – runs the local flower and herbal store with her husband Abrammo.
Darlyne Kemmaino (Human Chelaxian female) – the wife of Huxlam, Darlyne runs the store and keeps track of the books at the local market that the couple runs together.
Denton Grammel (old Human Chelaxian male) – married to Bo. The couple are gatekeepers on the Castle Gate; they live in a house close by and rarely let the gate out of their sight. The two of them note everyone who passes through, but for the most part are content to just watch the comings and goings. The two have a military bearing, and are straight-backed despite their age.
Dilman “Dilly” Fortmile (middle-aged Human Chelaxian male) - Dilly runs the Jackdaw Stables and a local cargo delivery service with the help of his three strapping children, Bennie, Rianne, and Telas.
Elish Odmer (Human Taldan male) – owner of Odmer’s Tonics, a garishly-painted cart from which he sells all manner of elixirs. Elish Odmer claims to have ties directly to the Nine Wonders Cabal, an ancient Taldan society dedicated to bringing the secrets of their mystical medicines and revolutionary tinctures to the world at large. Few believe the Nine Wonders even exist, and everyone in Longacre knows the story of how Odmer was banned from town for a year after brewing a batch of bad moonshine in Karrio Rutsward’s bathtub. Regardless of the shyster’s reputation, he’s a charming flatterer who occasionally has useful items on hand.
Ertha Cassada (Human Chelaxian female) – Cassada is the most highly-respected and effective of Sheriff Staelish’s deputies, although her quiet demeanour means she is often overlooked by many who can't see past her youth and her hair; which is so blonde it's almost white. Has apparently been harbouring a crush on Cimri (according to Cimri).
Estabeth Gield (old Human Chelaxian female) - former owner of Gield's General Store, a goods shop. Mother of Immona and Olla Gield, who now run it. Estabeth spends her days at the shop visiting with neighbors and infantilizing her daughters from a thronelike rocking chair. The old woman insists that, so long as she lives, local veterans will never pay full price in her store, offering generous discounts to anyone with known or provable military service — though she has to deem that service worthwhile.
Fordaneil Cembers (old Human Chelaxian female) - ale-hating owner of the Arch and Lark (known simply as Longacre's other tavern) and has run the place for as long as anyone can remember. Cembers spends most of her time disdainfully selling watered-down wine to pretentious locals and travelers who don’t know any better. Cembers looks down her sharply pointed nose at Bolgart Caggan and his establishment, calling him an “oaf who caters to oafs.” Conversely, she fawns over anyone she thinks could enhance her establishment’s reputation or fulfil her lifelong dreams of receiving an endorsement from the Archbaron himself.
Huxlam Kemmaino (Human Chelaxian male) – together with his wife Darlyne, Huxlan runs the local market which sells fresh produce from the outlying farmsteads.
Ilmerri Unero (old Human Chelaxian female) – as the custodian of Longacre Historical Society, Mrs. Unero knows more about what once went on in Longacre - and less about what’s currently happening - than anyone else in town. As the curator of a small library of dry, locally written histories and civil documents, Mrs. Unero eagerly spends hours regaling visitors with details of centuries-old economic trends and the romantic gossip of long-dead local celebrities.
Immona and Olla Gield (middle-aged Human Chelaxian females) - the two sisters grew up among the produce stands and bolts of rough cloth that line the rows of Gield’s General Store. Their days of getting yelled at for playing tag between customers’ legs long past, the middle-aged sisters now run the shop. They maintain a modest selection of goods, and between the two of them the Gields know everyone in town. The sisters often match the goods and skills of locals with the needs of others, making their store one of the most useful gossiping posts in town.
Ingoe Zoags (Human Chelaxian male) - known locally as Mr. Ingoe, Zoag oversees the coming and going of visitors and cargo to and from Longacre. More than a decade ago, Mr. Ingoe weaseled a commission out of the archbaron and has served as town dockmaster ever since. Most townsfolk loathe Mr. Ingoe, knowing his reputation for “losing” interesting freight or suddenly turning stickler about cargo weights and packaging. Most go out of their way to stay on his good side, though, never knowing when they might need him to pass along whatever might show up on his dock.
Jask Coalimber (middle-aged Human Chelaxian male) – the most senior of Sheriff Staelish’s deputies, Coalimber is the only one entrusted with solo missions which take him out of Longacre for days at a time.
Jemmy Kammaino (young Human Chelaxian female) – Jemmy helps with deliveries from her parents’ market, and has a reputation as a youthful troublemaker, although her heart is in the right place.
Karrio Rutsward (middle-aged Human Chelaxian female) – Karrio runs the Rees House, which is an entire bric-a-brac store.
Nisra Wilmore (venerable Human Chelaxian female) - indisputably Longacre’s oldest resident, Miss Wilmore has a reputation for indulging strange superstitions and for keeping a small legion of identical white cats. Although none can say exactly how old Miss Wilmore is, most assume she’s well over 110 years old. She openly offers her curative magic to those who earn her good favour, but still charges a fee—she has a lot of mouths to feed, after all.
Pippa Umbre (Human Chelaxian female) – wife of Shaul, the other resident gong-farmer in Longacre. The flowers painted on their brightly-coloured cart were her creation; when not working, Pippa can be found studying the local meadows and making sketches for inspiration.
Rianne Fortmile (Human Chelaxian female) - middle child and only daughter of Dilly, Rianne set up the side-business that now keeps the main stables financially afloat: a carrier crow messenger service that began life as Rianne’s hobby. From the stable’s loft, Rianne can send and receive brief messages to and from Remesiana, Senara, and nearby Whisperwood lumber camps. Rianne hopes to grow her small side business.
Riley Kells (Human Varisian male) – distinctive among the dark-haired people of Longacre, Kels has olive skin and long, well-oiled locks of pure blond hair; but is loved by nobody more than by himself. A bard and songster, Kels can often be found singing for his supper at The Last Stand tavern, giving ‘private audiences’ to suitably receptive females afterwards.
Saster Figgs (Human Chelaxian male) – the youngest of Sheriff Staelish’s deputies, Figgs can have a soft spot for a sob story that has – perhaps unfairly – given him a reputation as an easy mark.
Shaul Umbre (Human Chelaxian male) – one of the employees of Louilik’s tannery, Shaul and his wife Pippa are the gong-farmers: that is to say, they collect the various chamber pots put out overnight within Longacre and deliver them to the tannery so that their contents can be processed. Always well-scrubbed when not working, Shaul nevertheless struggles to make friends.
Telas Fortmile (Human Chelaxian male) – youngest son of Dilly, Telas is known as a bit of a dreamer and frequently has to be reminded to do his share of the chores. He can often be found hanging wistfully outside Warmage Ruckleer’s home, plucking up the courage (which he rarely manages) to ring the bell.
Wenbrade Brakenbol (old Human Chelaxian male) – notary of the town, Brakenbol is rumoured to be on the Archbaron’s payroll, ensuring that documents within the Notary disappear or reappear as required. The rest of the town finds this gaunt, silver-haired gentleman to be selfish and querulous, but efficient enough if you slip him an extra few pieces of silver.
NOTABLE PLACES IN LONGACRE
(see the map above for accompanying figures)
1. The Arch and Lark
The least popular pub in Longacre - which is to say, the town’s only other pub after the Last Stand - the Arch and Lark caters to local and traveling nobility. As Archbaron Fex never socializes in Longacre and wealthy passers-through are a rarity, the Arch is rarely busy. Owned and run by Fordaneil Cembers .
2. Ash House
Formerly Moragatalli Manor, home to one of Longacre’s pre-Thrune noble families, this burnt ruin lies on the outskirts of town. Abandoned and rumoured to be haunted; several generations of Longacre’s youth have dared each other to spend a night here; few have.
3. Castle Gate
The westernmost of Longacre’s three gates, the Castle Gate is so named for its distinctive stone construction. Overseen by Bolouisiana and Denton Grammel
4. Church of Iomedae: Our Lady of Immortal Duty
Fifth Sword Knight Tileavia Allamar and her twin sons oversee the local temple of Iomedae.
5. Gield’s General Store
Produce stands and bolts of rough cloth line the rows of this shop. Run by Immona and Olla Gield.
6. The Jackdaw
Formally known as Jackdaw Stables, the town’s livery also serves as Longacre’s post office and shipping company. Owned by Dilman “Dilly” Fortmile with the help of his three strapping children, Bennie, Rianne, and Telas.
7. Kemmaino Market
Dealing in fresh produce from the town’s outlying farms, the town grocery is named for its proprietors, Huxlam and Darlyne Kemmaino.
8. The Last Stand Tavern
The most popular establishment in Longacre, the owner is Bolgart Caggan.
9. Longacre Armory
Despite the name, the armory has only the most tenuous connection to Cheliax’s army. More a museum to the achievements of Longacre’s residents than a true military institute, the armory enshrines the arms of local veterans.
10. Longacre Historical Society
Curated by Mrs. Ilmerri Unero, this is the closest Longacre gets to a library of any description.
11. Longacre Jail
Sheriff Rhona Staelish (female human) and her deputies maintain order in Longacre from their offices inside the town jail.
12. Longacre Notary
The seat of civil bureaucracy in Longacre, the local notary serves as a go-between for Archbaron Fex and the townsfolk, ensuring that neither has to interact with the other overly much. Deeds, titles, family records, writs of passage, and all manner of contracts and receipts form mountains of clutter that only notary Wenbrade Brakenbol knows how to navigate.
13. Mayor’s House
Formerly the home of Longacre’s last mayor, Julive Wotimmir, this prestigious home lies near the road to Archbaron Fex’s own estate, Scarlet Crown. Despite being one of the town’s largest and most impressive homes, the mayor’s house has stood empty for the past 8 years, ever since Wotimmir disappeared. None particularly missed the mayor or cared when the archbaron’s unapologetic flunky went missing. The townsfolk haven’t bothered to appoint a new mayor, and things have run smoothly enough without one, causing the archbaron to often forget about the vacancy.
14. Odmer’s Tonics
The painting of a rainbow-hued imp exploding from a bottle makes the gaudy wheeled storefront of Elish Odmer normally parked in one of Longacre’s town squares, look like the cart of a common snake oil salesman.
15. The Old Lodge
Longacre once hosted a small congregation of Erastil worshipers, but all that remains of their church now is four sturdy posts and a mossy roof hanging over a half-sheltered altar in an overgrown thicket just outside town. Now, only the most daring children visit the ruined lodge. Local stories give the place a reputation as haunted, claiming that the god of hunters guards his sanctuary until his faithful return.
16. The Rees House
When her eccentric friend and neighbor Ogana Rees passed away 10 years ago, Karrio Rutsward took it upon herself to sell what she could of the spinster’s numerous and eclectic collections. She opened the Rees home, tagged every knickknack—from dozens of old books to a legion of whimsically carved pigs—with prices in coppers and let any interested buyer wander through. Since then, Karrio has raised hundreds of gold for Rees’s family, taking only a modest cut for herself. Her success has been such that locals have brought their own attic boxes, homemade crafts, unwanted furniture, and the like to the Rees House, letting Karrio install their goods. Now, every room of the cramped house has a theme—boxes, kitchen supplies, knitting, and woodcrafts among them. Metal sculptures, old plows, and scarecrows even lean in the muddy yard. Those who seem capable and like they have the money to pay might even convince Karrio to unlock the “armor shed,” a dusty, cobweb-thick shack filled with bladed farming implements, old metal weapons, and armor—mostly dinged but functional chainmail and breastplates of standard issue Chelaxian military design.
17. Rohalendi’s Hospice
Run by Dr. Gerya Rohalendi, who currently shares her home with five local seniors in need of assistance. She finds her work in caring for them - as well as creating and delivering a variety of balms and poultices to others about town - richly rewarding but far from profitable, and she’s recently had to let go of her only assistant.
18. Ruckleer’s Home
Home of the retired warmage Tealan Ruckleer.
19. Trellis
A flower shop run by Abrammo and Dahdria Lieklan, Trellis displays an almost comprehensive assortment of local flowers, from delicate ivory auspices to black roses - a national favorite. The couple also cultivates a wide variety of restorative teas and herbs, which account for most of their income.
20. The Wilmore House
Home to Miss Nisra Wilmore. Rumors swirl around the Wilmore House, most related to its guardian cats and the strangely colored smoke that frequently spirals from its chimney.
OUTSIDE LONGACRE
Fort Estazano: This abandoned fort once served as a staging ground for the Chelish army’s anti-bandit operations in the Whisperwood.
Longacre Docks: Down the slope to the north of town, just a little over half a mile beyond Longacre’s border fence, a rickety gray dock juts out into the Whisper River. Run by Ingoe Zoags
Louslik Tannery: Located a mile west of town due to the strong, unpleasant odors issuing from behind its walls, this tannery is well regarded for the sturdy leather it produces.
Lumber Camps: Several lumber camps are situated along the edge of the Whisperwood and the length of the West Iseld River. The camps have a dangerous reputation and are populated by clannish, half-civilized “lifers” and seasonal workers. The best-known camps are the Three Steels Camp and the Volmirren Partnership. Veteran lumberers call the camps by distinctly different names, though: Three-Fingers and Satyr Den, respectively.
Scarlet Crown: Named for the device on the House Fex coat of arms, Scarlet Crown is the baronial manor of Longacre’s ruler, Archbaron Darellus Fex. Scarlet Crown is well protected by the archbaron’s personal guards, and the manor’s staff of halfling slaves see to Fex’s every need.
