Almost 200 years ago, when the land that was to become Nirmathas was still a vassal of the empire of Cheliax, the northern reaches of the fangwood were a wild and untamed place. The crusades that laid low the whispering Tyrant to the north were a distant memory, and those who remained were intent upon keeping the orcs of belkzen and the remaining undead from Ustalav in check. As a result, the great forest was full of danger, from marauding orcs to deadly predators, making it unsafe for merchants hoping to trade with the growing community of skelt in the foothills of the mindspin mountains to the west.
The town known as Kassen was founded by a man named Ekat Kassen many years ago. A former adventurer who had found great wealth and settled a small but growing town known as Kassen's Hold. But after ten years the town was met with a man by the name of Asar Vergas along with his host of mercenaries. Asar was an old companion of Ekat, and the two had traveled together for some time before splitting up just after Ekat's last adventuer. Over the years, Asar became sure that Ekat had cheated him after that adventure. For two months Asar relentlessly raided the town. Finally, the townsfolk managed to locate Asar's camp in an ancient crypt deep within the forest, and Ekat himself went out to deal with his old friend.
The battle was terribly bloody, with only a few townsfolk coming back to tell the tale. In the end, Asar was slain and his mercenaries scattered, but Ekat suffered a mortal wound. He died 2 days later, on the 11th day of Neth 4535. In honor of their beloved founder, the townsfolk buried Kassen in the ancient crype, interring his remains in a place of honor, above the simple sarcophagi used to inter Asar and his mercenaries, and the townsfolk that perished in the bitter struggle. They placed an eternal flame above Kassen's final resting place, so that all who visited might find warmth in the wilderness.
Over the year, the Crypt of the Everflame has become an important part of the history of the town, now simply called Kassen. The townsfolk view the crypt as a memorial to those difficult first years of the town's past. Every autumn, a few of the townsfolk make a milgrimage to the crypt to light a lantern from the flame and bring it back to town, where it is preserved all winter, a symbol of the town's resilience. Most years, the town's mayor and a group of dignitaries perform this quest. Every few years, however, a handful of younger townsfolk are given the honor of lighting the lantern. Many see this as a passage into adulthood, a taste of adventure before settling down to work and marriage. Those who come to the town during the autumn are witness to the solemn appearing ceremony.
In recent years the mayor did not take part in the quest he has selected all applicants who offer their hand. Even those not of Kassen are welcome to try, but are told this is a quest of great importance to the town and bids without merit will not be considered. Today is the day they select their brave party who will risk the woods, beasts, and crypt to retrieve a lantern full of light that will keep the town warm through the bitter winter to come.
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The town is filled with the soft sound of music, that sounds something vaguely like a funeral dirge as people in darkened clothing leave their homes and head toward the town's large center square. The women wear soft downturned eyes and the men wear their best black or dark clothing.
Mayor Uptal is a large man, standing around 5'10 but has a large round belly that wiggles as he comes up the steps to the stage in the middle of town. He too wore dark clothing, as if a great sad day was upon the town. The kids whisper stories among the gathering crowd, telling stories of people never coming back, of horrible deaths on the journey. Their parents seem to pay them no mind as they whisper back and forth.
The party is among the growing crowd, either local born or visitors from the nearing towns and cities or perhaps just passing through.
Mayor Uptal speaks loudly, perhaps his voice aided by magic to reach the full crowd. He holds up the tarnished silver lantern as he speaks “Once again the winter winds blow through the Fangwood, marking the end of another harvest. There are wolves in the woods, howling at our walls, and serpents in our shadows, waiting to strike. Just as it was one hundred and seventy-four years ago, when Kassen himself left these walls to protect us, so it is today. Where are the heroes? Where are the brave folk that will venture out to Kassen’s tomb and retrieve the flame to keep this community safe for another winter?”
