Torch takes its name from the violet flame that burns atop its central hill. The flame ignited spontaneously in 4602 AR, forming - for nearly a year - a purple column of fire that could be seen for miles around. At the time, the Technic League was distracted by a period of upheaval in Starfall, and unable to commit resources to an investigation.
Within a couple of years, the flames had died down somewhat, leaving the top of the hill completely blackened (hence: “Black Hill”). Some locals experimented with using the fires to power newly established forges, and found the flame to be perfect for this purpose - both incredibly powerful (strong enough to smelt skymetal and adamantine) and also generally easy to control. But it was also prone to flare, which in those early years caused numerous fatal accidents. Eventually, however, the local smiths established a system of makeshift portable forges, and learned to identify early warning signs of impending eruptions.
After a further few years, when the Technic League got around to investigating the phenomenon, its agents found a booming local economy and an expanding settlement. Rather than clamp down, they agreed a deal with the local elders to tax the village’s income through means of a monthly tribute. While Torch has continued to grow steadily, the tithe (which has continued to increase over time) has constrained growth, causing significant local resentment but never outright rebellion.
Guide to Torch
See the map. Most of Torch’s buildings are constructed of stone, with the larger buildings being reinforced with metal. The rooftops are made of ceramic or stone tiles. Wood is - for obvious reasons - rarely used as a building material. Torch has no underground sewer system - waste produced by the city is typically hauled up onto Black Hill and incinerated in the violet fires, but with the flames having recently gone out, filth is building up in the streets. Many have taken to disposing of refuse by dumping it in the Seven Tears River or Crowfeather Lake, something that’s already causing small outbreaks of sickness. The town council has just initiated a ban on disposal of waste in the water, and policing this ban and providing alternative solutions (mostly carting waste away to a small gorge east of town) is consuming an increasing amount of time for the city guard and workers alike.
1. Iven’s Livery Stable: Most travelers visiting town leave their mounts and pack animals in the care of Iven Lesky (half-elf M), a retired tracker who chose to settle in Torch after falling in love with a young Kellid woman named Annika (female F) whom he met when her tribe was overwhelmed by hill giants. Together, they buy and sell horses, doing frequent business with trade caravans drawn to the town’s marketplace.
2. General Store: Torch’s general store caters principally to local artisans, but also carries plenty of gear sought by adventurers travelling through Numeria. The town’s unique forge attracts plenty of traders to the local marketplace, some of whom bring rare items which store-owners like Inkrit Kollisun (human F) uses to stock their shelves. Inkrit stocks some routine adventuring gear but leaves the sale of armour and weapons to the guildhouse artisans.
3. Silverdisk Hall: This busy gambling house features many card tables and dice games, all played with the local silverdisk currency in exchange for whatever money travelers bring with them. Proprietor Garmen Ulreth (human M) runs the place, with the assistance of a bunch of Kellid thugs called the Ropefists - a name derived from their practice of wrapping their knuckles with rope before using their fists to punish transgressors.
4. The Marrymaid: The Marrymaid bordello seems to have been running since around the moment Torch first became a successful economy. Wrennie Dalrorn (half-elf F) oversees the entertainments inside. Rumour has it she’s the illegitimate daughter of an elven prince from Kyonin and a high priestess of Calistria.
5. The Copper Coin: One of the oldest taverns in Torch, the Copper Coin stands right on the western edge of town and fills up almost every evening; it’s especially popular with labourers and artisans looking to relax after a hard day’s work. Siblings Lawton (human M) and Katina Rimos (human F) run the Coin as a quality establishment with good food at reasonable prices, taking pride in the claim that everything costs “just a few coppers.”
6. Garrison and Armoury: A crenelated 30-foot tower rises from this squat barracks housing the town’s active militia and guards. Approximately two dozen off-duty guards can be found here, with three times that number patrolling the marketplace and city streets
during the day.
7. Olandir Estate: Serantha Olandir (human F) is the charismatic, influential leader of Torch’s town council. She lost her husband 2 years ago to a back alley mugging by the Ropefists near Silverdisk Hall. Since then, she’s taken a more active role in the administration of Torch, with a focus on clamping down on crime and corruption.
8. Otterbie Manor: Bazlundi Otterbie (female F), a rich heiress, has followed the path set out by her merchant grandfather, by successfully organising many of the town’s artisans and smithies into a powerful cooperative, which controls much of the trade in the town’s goods.
9. Weeping Pond: This placid-looking pond is set off from the surrounding area by a crescent-shaped escarpment. No vegetation grows on the banks of this pond, and the waters carry a bitter stink of sulphur and other chemicals, enough to make the eyes water after spending too much time on the shore. A shallow stream runs south-east of the pond and finally empties into Crowfeather Lake.
10. Crowfeather Palace: The contaminated waters running from the Weeping Pond collect in Crowfeather Lake. Here the taint diffuses to the point where the water becomes drinkable, though it retains a brackish after-taste. Until recently, long exposure to the water was still considered dangerous, but since the creation of the strange-looking building here, these effects have been all but eradicated. Called Crowfeather Palace because of its proximity to the lake and its almost miniaturised palatial façade, the building is the brainchild of Khonnir Baine, who - with the aid of the local priesthood of Brigh - built this facility to help purify the waters of Crowfeather Lake and provide the townsfolk with a safe source of drinking water.
11. Market Square: The southern shore of Crowfeather Lake is the location of Torch’s largest marketplace. This location draws nearly as much attention and tourism as does the flame, for it’s here that the town’s skilled artisans put their wares on display.
12. Foundry Tavern: One of the more popular hangouts in Torch, the Foundry Tavern is aptly named. Its owner, Khonnir Baine (human M, middle aged), makes frequent appearances to demonstrate new inventions here - whether mechanical or magical. The tavern itself is always packed, and Khonnir rents out space in his neighbouring foundry for visiting smiths and metalworkers to use.
Khonnir's assistant, both in his research and in running the tavern, is his adopted daughter Val Baine (human F, young), a young Kellid girl orphaned by violence in Starfall whom Khonnir adopted and brought with him when he first came to Torch. In honour of her missing foster father, Val has closed both the tavern and the foundry until further notice, while awaiting Khonnir's return.
13. Tempting Tonics: This building is home to Jhestine Imierin (half-elf F), the town’s apothecary and healer. Jhestine sells a variety of herbs and special substances, while her original business was founded around the idea of supplying clean water, the construction of Crowfeather Palace has meant that she’s been able to turn her attention to crafting all manner of other potions and elixirs for sale.
14. Seven Tears Farms: Fertile fields and orchards line the stream near the southern side of town here. Before Crowfeather Palace, these farms had to rely upon the generosity of local churches for water purification, but now the fields are flourishing. The produce grown here feeds most of Torch, thanks to the owner of the farms, a matronly woman named Celda Veed (human F).
15. Town Hall: One of the grander buildings in Torch, the town hall doubles as a second garrison and lookout tower watching over the eastern roads. Council meetings take place in the hall every week on Oathday, but the hall sees frequent use for social gatherings as well, including many dances held in the neighbouring square.
16. Chapel of the Wanderer: A sombre man named Mylan Radli (human M) retired here after the town’s previous gravekeeper passed away. Along with the blessings he administers to those passing through Torch, he also conducts funerals and looks after the town’s cemetery.
17. Temple of Brigh: Bronze wind chimes and clockwork statues decorate the domed portico of this compound dedicated to the goddess of invention. The oldest faith in Torch, Brigh’s temple sees regular worship from many of the town’s citizens, and also includes a meticulously organized workshop managed by the town’s religious leader, Joram Kyte (human M, old). His friendly demeanour, active interest in the metal trade, and innovative crafting skills helped land him a seat on the town council many years ago. Joram’s temple includes a small shop-front selling magic items and gear.
18. Evercandle Inn: The name of this establishment refers to the strange alchemical candles used to light its rooms. These show-pieces, which never diminish, are arrayed among multiple chandeliers in the common room as well as smaller, portable candlesticks by each bed in the individual chambers. Soceal Murgrave (human F, old) serves as the inn’s proprietor, aided by her ever-present attendant Erlmon Reverstoudt (human M, middle-aged).
19. Boarding House: The nine buildings surrounding this small park provide temporary housing for larger parties not wishing to stay at the more expensive inns in town. They see frequent use during the warmer seasons when their owner, Agren Maust (human M), rents out rooms to visitors seeking to do business in Torch for weeks at a time.
20. Warehouse District: The majority of the buildings in the north-east portion of town act as storehouses for trade goods designed by the town’s artisans.
21. Torch Guildhouse: This large building is home to the guild of metallurgists and artisans established by Bazlundi Otterbie. The guild was founded to support craftspeople in the skymetal trade, and the experts under its banner include several skilled armourers, blacksmiths, and weaponsmiths. The group always keeps a selection of armour and weapons for sale in the shop.
22. Dolga’s Foundry: The sounds of ringing hammers and dwarven songs frequently rise from this busy foundry, which is owned and operated by Dolga Freddert (dwarf F, old) and her team of veteran crafters. An odd transplant from the Five Kings Mountains, Dolga helped found Torch and became the first to test the unique properties of the flame erupting
from the hilltop. She also constructed many of the first buildings in town, and is Torch’s oldest councillor.
23. Junkyard: Unprofitable components and debris smelted for skymetal invariably find their way to Torch’s junkyard on the east side of town. An eerie bleachling gnome named Garritt Burrwaddle received the honorary title of Junkmaster after several decades of obsessively collecting and cataloguing the items left here. Aside from hauling away junk no one wants, he provides an invaluable service to those searching for spare parts among the debris in his care.
24. Black Hill: Easily the most recognizable landmark in Torch, this bald escarpment rises at a steep slope in the middle of town. Until recently, the town’s namesake torch burned at the hill’s peak, emerging from a 5-foot-wide hole in the ground. Today, the flame is out, the hole caved in and filled with bubbling, foul-smelling sludge. The four specially-designed adamantine carts used to ferry ore to and from the fire now stand a short distance down the hill near the Black Hill Craneworks - a building run by Smeltrunner Oskah Unteret (half-orc F). She coordinates access to the flame and ensures merchants pay the appropriate tribute to the town’s treasury.
