About Zagyg's Egg
The Seven
Days of the Week in Greyhawk
Starday (work), Sunday (work), Moonday (work, Godsday (worship), Waterday (work), Earthday (work), Freeday (rest).
The Year
Each month is 4 weeks of 7 days, every three months there is a one week Festival(in italics). Starting in midwinter the year runs as follows;
Needfest, Fireseek, Readying, Coldeven,
Growfest, Planting, Flocktime, Wealsun,
Richfest, Reaping, Goodmonth, Harvester,
Brewfest, Patchwall, Ready'reat, Sunsebb,
Moons
Luna works on a 28 day cycle, Celene on a thirteen week cycle.
Maps
Tricaster Local Area Map
The village of Tricaster
This is a garrison settlement, reached via the Hardby-Narwell track road. It is also home to about 170 villagers, many of whom rent their properties from the landowner Sir Kuiper Stranlich, a member of Greyhawk City's Merchant and Traders Union. The people here suffer under his harsh and grasping ways. He points to the militia and says, "Our boys must be supported. The Free City (of Greyhawk) needs funds to keep us all safe," and uses that as an excuse for hefty rents. He also controls the exportation of surplus produce.
High Fort – 40
The garrison of Tricaster dominates this village. The militia and its officers rotate in and out of the Fort every six months duty. They are all under warrant to the Free City of Greyhawk. Zenden Milestarn is the Captain of the Guard however he is more often that not out on patrol. He has three officers at his command, 6 veteran sergeants and 30 men-at-arms. One of these sergeants, the eldest and most grizzled, Domar Dranstan, is also responsible for the village defence and it’s Watch (village militia). The Watch trains weekly and is only called upon in times of need.
There is a militia hospital which gets a fair amount of use from the locals as well( for a fee). The soldiers swear by the nursing of Old Movomm. Also inside the fort is the Greyhawk tax office which has two collectors, Urith and Tabulan, a cunning pair of officials.
Recent times have seen the ten man patrols heading south more often than not, into the Buffer Zone to strike against the humanoid forces of the half-orc Turrosh Mak. His army of orcs are a growing threat in the south.
Sir Kuiper Stranlich’s Estate – 20
Several rented farms eke out an existence here. They are truly small holdings, the tenants spend their days collecting and preparing yarpick nuts for trade. One such family is the Korgoth's.
This is the major export of the Gnarley and provides a bland but nutritious staple diet for travellers, especially sailors. At the centre of the small holdings is a stone tower. It is a squat and powerful looking building. Sir Kuiper also has a small stables. In recent times, a stone and wood frame kitchen and hall has been built into the side of the tower so the noble can entertain.
Servants live in a series of shacks next to the stables.
The Armory – 6
The smithy of the village is much larger than usual thanks to the presence of the garrison. There is a human armourer, Trant and a half-elven weaponsmith Vesedanroi of Celene and they are supported by six younger blacksmiths and apprentices. The Armory supplies equipment to the other forts in the Gnarley Forest too so the demands on it are great.
The Mine - 4
A small band of dwarven prospectors opened up an open cast mine in recent times. They provide iron for the forges of Tricaster and sell tin to Sir Kuiper. The mine is about three miles into the Forest and has a poor reputation for the way it treats its workers, especially the youngsters. The mine owner is called Jasper Urmak and he is well-known for his drinking and flaming red beard.
The Swanmay’s Kiss – 3
This is the largest inn of Tricaster and caters for the officers and their guests. It is fairly expensive so most traders steer clear but several times a year, nobility descend to hunt the Forest from this comfortable retreat. The owner, Kindal Greensward, was a militia officer and he is a good friend of Sir Kuiper. It sits on the edge of an idyllic village pond and has some exquisite gardens to the rear, including a well cut maze of boxwood.
The White Stag – 5
Here is a place for merchants and travellers to stay. Rough and ready with its own brewery attached and good cheap food as well, “the Stag” is a happy inn. Its run by the large family of halflings, the Wottinbrooks, led by the ever active Petunia. The father, Tubtaffer, is a decent chef too.
Scabbard’s Empty - 4
Near to the entrance to Tricaster is the tavern frequented by the militia. It has a rowdy and troublesome reputation, with an active set of ladies tents behind. Visiting the tents is something that Captain Milestarn forbids unless the soldier is off duty.
The place also has a small stables and corral which is kept clean and tidy by Feisam Trunfell.
The Stocks – 0
Most of the poorer families have seen their father or bread winner sitting in here, pelted by the off duty militia, pelted by rotten fruit or worse. Sir Kuiper expects his rent paid or this is one punishment he uses for defaulters.
Kuiper’s Stores – 1
Trade here is brisk and many woodsmen come into the village to get what they need here. Sir Kuiper allows them a small tab and accepts payment in the form of lumber and other woodland trade goods. The Stores also run a hot bath service out back. The prices are slightly greater here than elsewhere but generally the quality is good. The sharp eyed storekeep is called Hestal and she counts every penny.
Grossin’s – 2
The other store in town has been in business for many years and its owners are old now. Conas and Trembua Grossin always talk about retiring to a small holding on the outskirts of the village. They dearly love youngsters and the sweets prices reflect that.
Saul's Refuge – 25
Orphans have a tough life living here. There are between ten and fifteen such waifs and strays, some brought from the streets of Narwell to the south. A growing number are not orphans but youngsters of families that cannot pay their taxes or rent. Sir Kuiper indentures their children here as cheap labour to help pay off some of what's owing.
The Refuge is currently under orders from Master Leeth and his waddling wife, Darcet.
The Cashel – 0
About a mile outside of the village is an ancient underground circular fort. It’s believed to be centuries old, a safe haven that a tribe built as a refuge from war. Elves are believed to camp there in the night.
Cobbel Mill - 2
Wind power or donkeys turn this hillside mill, which depends on the weather. It is not far from a small river, the Carl, but there just isn’t enough power for Sandan Cobbel to turn the yarpick nuts into flour. He is determined to make a name for himself selling nut flour but so far, the trade has not been good. Several times Sandan has been in the stocks.
The Farms – 20
Dotted about the edge of the village are about a dozen farms, some tenants of Sir Kuiper and some freehold. Mostly they farm basic foodstuffs, poultry and a few cattle. One or two had small goat and swineherds that tend to roam the woods. All grain is imported. Notables include the apothecary Witchy Tain(as the kids call her) and her marked son, Daetha.
Nearby is the only minister and pastor, Palfourd Mungor of Ehlonna. His small family work hard on the land, just as hard as he does with the local community and his shrine.
The Woodsmen
There are two types of woodsmen. Those that work for Sir Kuiper as part of Grey Zollar’s growing business and those that work for themselves. Grey Zollar pays well and his men earn it. His hot headed lumberjacks and the off duty militia often end up in fistfights when their work is done.
The more individual woodsmen prefer their own company and generally stick to the Gnarley Forest, returning every so often for supplies.
Grey Zollar’s yard (10) is to the east and he has built a stockade to one side in case of orc attacks. Inside there are barns and piles of graded wood. Outside there is growing area of tree stumps.
Of the other woodsmen (17) four stand out.
Verenar is an elven woodsman, his home is unkempt and garden choked with weeds. He comes back every so often with rare herbs and fungi for the Swanmay and Sir Kuiper. He says little but gossip says he is the best shot with a bow for miles around.
Horatan Drenadin is a well spoken half-elf who seems to be on friendly terms with many folks. He has a large pair of mules and works hard to bring in fat yarpick nuts. Sir Kuiper also uses him as a bounty hunter from time to time, tracking down brigands and defaulters with ease.
Melendax of Hardby is an animal trainer. She breeds falcons and hawks for the nobility. As a woodsman she isn’t very skilled but where animals are concerned she excels. Being a gnome helps.
People shun the hermit, Raggedy Sorda, who used to run a good farm but was caught involved in witchcraft or sorcery. He can be seen wandering the woods but rarely talks to others.
Lundaxel Carter - 6
Attached to Grey Zollar’s yard is a large family of men and boys that work hard to make good wagons. People travel from all over to buy a Carter Cart marked with a carved ox. Lundaxel Carter is a hero, a warrior from Emridy Meadows who has killed more than his fair share of orcs and goblins with his greataxe. One or two of his sons show signs of being of great build and prowess.
Risper’s Lodge – 7
This is a large well-kept ranch with a couple of dozen horses most of the year. They breed light horse and light warhorses for the messenger service and militia respectively. The mother, Gelianne and the father, Thuliss have three children, Taya, Nagy and little Rosylle. Also the only shrine to Ehlonna is on their land and so many villagers travel there every Godsday to pray to her.
Captain Milestarn chooses the best of the Rispers for himself and his recommendations have begun to draw in other wealthy clients from Narwell. It’s a family business that often needs other workers at the busiest times of the year.
Tadpole Pond
Not far from the Risper's is a large marshy clearing surrounded by reeds. The edge of the pond is covered in lily pads and the children often play in the cool water.
The Square - 0
This burnt out building was once an All-Shrine to the faiths of the land. The nature faiths of Beory and Ehlonna stood alongside the more martial beliefs such as Hieroneous and Mayaheine. In fact someone once counted over a hundred different faiths in one form or another on those walls. Iuz, the Old One is the favourite one to blame in Tricaster.
Now petitioners try to get their landlord to replace it but he answers that everyone needs solid protection against the horde of Turrosh Mak not faith.
