Dungeon at Small Creek Part XXIII

Darkstone is shrouded in mystery.  He appeared in the small village, named Cave, about fifty years ago, bedraggled, beaten and close to death.  The only thing which saved him was the fact he carried a small fortune in gems and weapons with him.  The healer at the time didn't take all his things, (just a few choice gems), and healed him up.  He limps a bit on his left leg, but his swordsmanship is unsurpassed.  Most believe he is a Blademaster on the run, (and rightfully so), and don't like to test his abilities. 

It took him time to show his leadership abilities. For nearly a year he just worked at retrieving medicinal herbs for Shay, the healer, and watching the workings of the small village.  At the time it was disorganized.  Who ever was the biggest and boldest ruled and took what they wanted of everyone else's.  One day Darkstone went up to the last self made leader and challenged him to a duel.  At the time, no one had seen Darkstone fight, but many liked him for he helped them out, pointed them in the right direction for certain things or gave them sound advice.  The leader in charge was a bully and a thief and when Darkstone ran him through in the first stroke of the duel, those of Cave were ready to follow him.

Darkstone has arranged the patrols, the raids, and the mushroom farming.  He also arranged trade with those denizens who live farther into the caves.  He is protective of his small village and doesn't want to see anyone harmed.

Darkstone appears human, but he looks all of about twenty, so many believe he is a half-elf, if not a full elf, who, for some reason, does not have pointy ears.  He stands a little shorter then a normal human, male, and has a thick head of chestnut hair.  He dresses like a noble, but is not afraid to get himself dirty helping around his village.

Hex the Stable Boy

Hex, who really isn't a boy anymore, has been a stable "boy" for almost two decades.  He started when he was ten and tried to steal a bit of oats because he was so hungry.  The stable master took pity on him and offered him shelter and a job instead of a hand chopped off.  Since that moment, Hex has been a loyal servant.  He cleans the stables, cares for the horses and chops the wood for the stove for the men who watch the stables.  He has a small cubicle he shares with two other stable boys in the Dark Dragon inn, a major inn in the city of Cole.  He also helps his master, who is aging and going blind, train horses.  Many people from all around come to have his master train their horses and so Hex enjoys seeing so many types of horses.

Hex is average height, a little underweight, but very strong.  He's a bright lad, his master teaching him to read and do his figures so he could help with the business.  He is so happy with what his master did for him so long ago, he has yet to realize his master means for him to take over the horse training business.  He just enjoys helping his master every day.

Hex hears lots of rumors and knows who has what type of horse.  And he loves to talk to anyone he thinks is friendly.

April, Lady in Waiting

April is one of the Ladies in Waiting for the Lady of House Bloodhelm.  She is the oldest of the ladies, almost forty, and has been with the Lady of House Bloodhelm since her marriage to the Lord of Bloodhelm.  She is happy with her life, not upset that she never married, and her father is happy for the connection without having to pay a dowry.  April knows all the Lady's secrets, but keeps them all to herself.  She knows talking about them could get her killed, but at the same time it gives her security.  She is very handy with needle work and has a voice of an angel, despite her age.  She goes with her lady where ever she goes, unlike the other ladies in waiting.  Only the Lord's chamber is barred to her.

April is greying around the edges, but her dark brown hair is still vibrant. She a little set with age, but still pretty lithe.  Her features are plain, but nice to look upon.  She wears almost as fancy clothes as her lady, and always gets first choice amongst the ladies in waiting.

Tenda, the Wandering Bard

Wandering between Sunvale and Karoon, Tenda loves to see the sights and people along the way.  So dark skinned, she is often confused as someone from Ariella, she is a beauty to behold.  She is tall, almost six foot, with white blond hair and dark brown eyes.  She swaggers when she walks, mostly to get people's attention, and talks with an ease most people find hard.  She can sing, tell stories, and play have a dozen instruments including a lute.  She knows quite a bit of ancient lore, predating the Time of the Chosen, and loves to learn new and exciting things everyday.

Tenda would be an excellent way to start an adventure, with a bit of lore or a rumor from somewhere.  She could also be the link the party has been missing to find the next step in their adventuring.  She works for know one, is loyal to no one, and works for coin to keep herself afloat and ahead of the law.

Theran of House Cole

Theran is the third son of Lord Cole and expecting to be the lord commander of the Knights of Cole once his uncle retires in a few years.  He loves the thrill of battle, the gait of a galloping horse, the feel of sword against sword.  He is happy that he was not born first, because he wants nothing to do with ruling House Cole, he only wants to protect it.  He has thought about the future and has several grants of land his father gave him and is making sure they are producing something, whether wool or food or wine so even if he can't lead the Knights of Cole forever he will be comfortable in retirement and not have to depend on his brother's generosity when he becomes feeble.  Because of this fear of having to rely on others, Theran likes to find adventurers to sponsor that might find some great magic or other wealth that might help in the future.  He will sponsor promising adventuring groups, though expect a good chuck of the return in exchange.

Theran is blond, blue eyes, heavy set with muscles, not fat, and handsome in a rugged way.  He always wears sturdy clothes, feeling uncomfortable in court dress and thus stays away from court as much as possible.  He is good at what he does and feels kinship with any warrior, not just royals.

Awohalee

Awohalee is a warrior of the Eagle Crest Clan along the high cliffs of western Ariella.  The Akicitia clan has thirty members, living in caves near the coast of Ariella.  Awohalee is the lead hunter of the clan, teaching the younger members, (three at the moment), how to hunt and how to survive in the wilds without the clan.  Awohalee takes his job seriously, but when he is not hunting he loves to watch the eagles soar around their home.  When he finds feathers he will tie them in his mane or on his clothes to honor them.  Awohalee is currently trying to work up the courage to ask Taladue to be his mate.  In the mean time he is looking for something great to impress her enough that she will want him.  He would be a good guide for this area of Ariella and is able to speak a little common, though not well.  He will not work for coin, but expects trade in more advanced weapons or contraptions form the empire or the north.

Tyriel Shadowhunter

Tyriel has wanted nothing more then to help people.  Though he acts like he doesn't have a care in the world, jumping from one flight of fancy to the next, he wants nothing more then to work for the best of those around him.  To do so he started his own organization, based out of Cole, that helps those who need it but can't afford to.  He hand picks all those people who join to help the unfortunate and raises money by working with nearby nobles, or just wooing them outright to obtain funding.  Tyriel is a handsome man, standing tall and lithe and always dresses in the finest of clothing.  Though he loves the adventure of rescue, he finds himself doing more obtaining of funding then he does going out in the field.  He has dark hair, dark brown eyes and reflexes that few can match.  He cares for everyone in his "employ" and takes any of their injuries or deaths personally.

Daratorn, Captain of the Pezuta's Luck

Daratorn has always loved the open seas.  His father was a merchant captain and took him everywhere when he was old enough to sail.  He wanted nothing more then to have his own fleet and works hard to reach the goal before him.  Daratorn is six foot tall, trim, with weather worn skin that is darkened by the sun.  His features are rugged, but never really handsome. He is a social man, able to make friends where ever he goes.  He is slow to anger, but able to protect himself with ease.  He loves to hear rumors of far off places and share them with others.  His cost for information is usually a drink and some small talk of other far off places.  He has no woman in his life at the moment, but he's always looking for that one woman who will not be jealous of his ship.  Pezuta's Luck is his flag ship, but he has six other ships in his growing merchant fleet.  He stations out of Weatherworn, but loves to travel to Calabay as well.

Nishee of the Village of Katzu

Nishee is a very quiet girl, going about her studies and chores like any other child of Katzu, but she dreams big.  She listens to the histories of the House of Tayke, of the people who held so much knowledge before the Black Wizard Shaniko came and destroyed the fabled House.  She studies magic with diligence and hopes to some day discover some hidden cache of Tayke knowledge to bring back the House of Tayke.  She is small, about five feet in height and maybe 90 pounds wet.  She has long, black hair that she keeps braided and bright, brown eyes.  She isn't beautiful, but she is nice to look upon, especially when she is smiling.

Nishee is a 1st level mage (or sorcerer depending on your system) and wants to go out and see the world.  If the party mage is looking for an apprentice or a protégé, Nishee might be the way to go.  She does know a few spells that are not normally spread around and would be willing to share.  (In game terms she has those hard to get spells and she does not have to roll to get them.)  She also can read Ancient Tayke and some Ancient Elven.

Victor Silversail of Weatherworn

Victor loves his new job, though he misses the open seas.  A sailor on his own fishing vessel for years he gave up the sea to his son and took the job of Port Inspector when he was asked by House Weatherworn herself.  He spends every day talking with people, inspecting cargo and seeing the world brought to his door step.  With so many ships coming and going from the docks of Weatherworn, Victor gets to see the world without ever leaving.  He has talked to dwarves, elves, Akicitia, and people from Ariella.  He has tasted food from all over the world and has learned so many languages.  He loves his job and is happy he can serve his House in such a manor.

Victor can arrange for passage with ship captains if he likes a person, for most of the captains of the regular ships like Victor even is he is a stickler for the rules.  He also knows where to get items and who to ask to ship things.  Victor is always looking for information that might affect his port, but he likes to share what he learned, as well, as long as it doesn't harm the House.

Coran the Gate Guard at Weatherworn

Coran is a young man, in love with his young wife, loves his young son and who usually enjoys his job of protecting those coming and going through Weatherworn.  Coran works from sunrise to close to sunset, checking wagons, taking gate fees and ensuring the safety of House Weatherworn.  Most days are routine so Coran likes to dream of adventure and life wandering the hills around Weatherworn looking for ruins and discovering some long lost artifact.  He looks at each person who comes through the gate as the start of some possible adventure.  Though his captain doesn't find his wishful thinking very plausible, it is useful.  Coran gets along with just about anyone who comes through the gates, from caravan guard to little farmer wife so Coran is the one who talks to everyone when he is on shift. 

Coran likes to chat it up with whomever is before him and can usually get the true reason someone is coming to Weatherworn within a few moments. (If you have a persuasion skill or something of the like, Coran has a 75% chance or the equivalent.)  Coran is never mean, even when arresting someone, though he is well versed in his sword and grappling people.

He might flirt with women coming in to Weatherworn but he loves his wife truly and would never betray her.

Celesta the Dragon

Celesta is a platinum dragon, one of Fire Flash and Elemental Storm's children, and she loves the snow and the north.  She also loves a good song.  Thus she became a bard, when in human form, wandering the north singing the songs she loves.  She has a small home outside of Goldleaf, which is taken care of by a family of humans who don't know for sure, but suspect they are simply taking care of the house for a dragon and not some human bard who bequeaths it her daughter, and she bequeaths it to her daughter and so on.  Celesta pays them well so they don't ask many questions, though she would tell them the truth if they asked outright.  She loves this little family who she's known for generations and would frown greatly on anything happening to them.

Celesta doesn't mingle much with her own kind, but tries to return to Varanath once a decade when she and her siblings remember the mother they have never met and check in on their father, if he comes.  She may be willing to travel with a group for a while, but she will never stay for long and would never revel who she truly is unless it her life on the line.

Nyssarea the Mage

Stationed on the outskirts of the Weatherworn House boundaries, Nyssarea helps protect her home by doing what she does best, casting magic.  Nyssarea knows how to use a sword, can drink like a dwarf and cast powerful magic that scared even her mentors.  She stands guard with a double handful of guards and Knights on the northern border of House Weatherworn.  She is in her third decade with lovely black hair she keeps braided and a pale complexion normal for those from the southern coast.  She loves her home, protects it with a fervor and revels in finding new magic.  She specializes in lightning, but she loves to learn any kind of magic.  She loves to hear about far off places, try new wines and food and will talk shop with anyone who will sit still long enough.

Sierra of the Tampling Elephant

In a small corner of Notitia is an inn where merchants go to find guards, contracts and a little relaxation.  The owner, Sierra, wants to make sure everyone has a good time and enjoys their stay. She is in her mid-thirties, with dark, curly hair to match her dark complexion.  She is short for the southern continent, only five and a half feet tall, but full of smiles.  She greets everyone to her inn personally, shows them their room and takes their orders.  She does have a wait staff, but she likes to talk to all her clients personally.  In doing so she gets a sense of what they want and then can either offer to find that something or point them in the right direction.  Her clients love her attention and always return, once they have tasted her hospitality.

In truth, Sierra is actually part of the information gathering network for the Empire.  She is actually a friendly person and loves what she does, but she finds out information for her country by talking with all the merchants who come through her doors.  She runs a good ship, making quite a bit of money, and then makes extra money, and connections, by reporting her finds.  Beware what is said in her inn for nothing is a secret here.

Kevin the Ruin Master

From his plush house in Stormvale Kevin dreams of adventure.  He has maps of lost cities, towns, castles, tunnels, and just about everything.  Maps of legend, maps of false leads, maps of ancient places most scholars have not heard of.  He has maps of everything.  He makes a business of copying the maps out for people and sending them on their way to adventure.  Depending on how he is treated depends on how accurate those maps might be.  He never claims the maps are accurate, (because some of them are not) but he may change a thing or two if he feels that his customers aren't treating him kindly.  And he is a mage of some power and has magical traps and other safe guards upon his building so it is harder for adventurers to retaliate if he does them wrong.  Maps cost quite a bit, usually starting at 500 gold.  His business sign is the Ruin Master and he is near the temple of Catiana in Stormvale.

The Beast of Thane's Sorrow

Near the House of Sunvale there is a village on the Willowstand Lake.  In this village rumors run wild about the beast of Thane's Sorrow.  The beast is said to be ten feet tall with green skin and hair made of seaweed.  It moans in pain from the arrows that stick out of its body but can't kill it.  The creature's moans are said to drive insane any who hear it and that the smell alone of the creature could kill a full grown man.  Even the most hardened of hunters and adventures try their best to stay out of the creature's hunting area, not wanting to meet it.

The beast, who's name is Garron, is really an ogre who was unfortunate enough to have a little fey blood in his veins.  He's smarter then the average ogre, even the average human, and blessed with extremely long life.  He likes to hunt and make potions that might heal others.  He knows no one wants to talk to him, being as he's an ogre, but he wants to help others with his healing.  Knowing adventurers like to find treasure he purposefully leaves stashes of healing potions, curatives and healing herbs around the area he lives.  He hides when people come, because he does look like an ogre, but is always happy to help if he can.  He lives near a hot spring with special herbs used for high fevers and other hard to beat illnesses and so will listen to see if the village herbman is looking for curatives.  Surprisingly the herbman will then find a potion he might need if he tells the hot springs what is wrong.  He has no idea that Garron is there, but is always appreciative of the "spirits of the hot springs", leaving gifts of food, clothing and equipment in exchange.

Toran the Bard

Bards love to see the world, wander the cities, meet people.  Toran would not be your typical Bard.  Toran loves just staying in Goldleaf in the Stone Wall Inn and ply his trade to the locals.  He's not always up to date on the news, which bards usually are, but his voice sounds like the most beautiful birds of the world. His voice is so lovely the House Leaders have been known to come to the Stone Wall to hear him sing and tell tales.  He has traveled to Stormvale and Weatherworn, and farther, but he's never stayed away for long.  The owner of the Stone Wall, George Hardstone, gives Toran a room for free since he gets so much business because of Toran.  The real reason he stays so close is that he has a love he hopes will notice him, which she has, and his mother can not take care of herself and his younger siblings on her own, so he does so.  He holds a lot of knowledge of the area and would be a big help to any adventuring group in search of knowledge.

The Crazy Cat Lady of Thornside

Near the city of Merryweather is a small village called Thornside.  This small village is a stop over for caravans, with farmers nearby, and little else.  but Thornside does have one claim to fame.  Larinda, the medicine woman.  She has a small hut on the outskirts of the village that smells like herbs and spices and wood smoke all times of the year.  She also has lots of cats.  Last count she had close to fifty cats, all who adore Larinda.  Larinda is in her mid sixties, greying and losing most of her teeth.  She laughs at everything, which unsettles those looking for medical help, but she is a good healer.  She also knows every single cat that calls her place home.  She knows when they were born and if they were missing and does not take kindly to anyone messing with her cats, who she terms her "children".  She is willing to help anyone as long as they bring something in trade, such as food, work or trade good.  She'll not help ogres or half ogres, for her son was killed by one.  He was her only child that lived to adulthood so she will not help anyone with ogre blood even if they are dying on her doorstep and she could save them.

Toranna, the Carvan Master

Merchants make the world of Martapa tick.  Without them, there would be no great wealth in the world and merchants are quite aware of this.  And in an age where mages can move some things from place to place, good old caravans are still needed.  Caravans can range in size from a few wagons to a few dozen.  Toranna is the master of one of the largest, and most successful, caravans on Martapa.

Toranna is in her mid thirties, a stout human, rough faced and serious.  She takes care of her wagons and people as if they are her children.  She pays her drivers and guards well, knows them all by name and assures them that if they fall to brigands their families will get their pay.  She has transported everything from simple food stuffs to silks from the east.  No matter the cargo, she takes her job seriously.  She is always looking for people to protect her caravan, but she won't just take anyone.  A person has to earn her trust.  She was married once, but he died, tragically when the caravan was attacked by ogres.  The caravan is all she has now and despite the fact she could retire five times over to some nice, safe place she continues to lead her caravan all over Tridon.

Furball the Dog

Every adventurer, woodsman and pathfinder needs a companion and what better companion then a dog.  Furball is no exception.  A huge, white dog with grey face stripes and  grey socked feet he loves everybody.  Larger then some ponies he carries supplies for his master Thera, a guide near Goldleaf.  He also loves to play chase, retrieve things and be with his person.  But Furball is special dog.  He is smarter then the average dog and some people (roleplaying terms he has an Intellect of 12) and has lived longer then the average dog. (Thera has had him for twenty five years and he was an adult when she found him.)  Thera doesn't know why he is so smart, yet revels in being a dog or where he comes from but she enjoys his company.  He is a good judge of people, ferreting out those who are lying and those who are telling the truth and can sense outsiders and demons easily.