Hamlet of Haggelthorn
 | |
|---|---|
| Founded | 663 TA |
| Size | Minor Kingdom |
| Fealty | Independent |
| Ruler | Lord Elias Haggelthorn |
| Hex | 3114 |
Overview
The Hamlet of Haggelthorn is the second oldest human settlement in the Eastern Reaches. It maintains a neutral political stance, although Haggelthorn supports the current rule in the Eastern Reaches. It has no standing army. Haggelthorn is a banking and trading center for the area dealing in a vast variety of goods and services.
Sixty fighting men serve under Lord Elias Haggelthorn. These men keep the forests around the hamlet safe for travel. About once each month the Haggelthorns send out two merchant caravans loaded with goods. One travels to Dragonsford and the other to Dwarrowdelf. These trade for the supplies needed by Elias Haggelthorn and make a sizable profit for the merchants involved.
The name of Haggelthorn has been attached to the forest for hundreds of years, and just about every traveler in the area knows of the unusual exploits of this strange merchant family. Although one of the smallest minor kingdoms in the Eastern Reaches, Haggelthorn is one of the wealthiest.
Hamlet of Haggelthorn
Haggelthorn is the merchant center of the Eastern Reaches. The town has roughly 1200 inhabitants and almost 200 buildings. The upper town was established in 663 TA and completed with the constructions of the Docks and the Owl's Head Lighthouse in 668-669 TA. The new Haggelthorn Hall (see The Spiriting of Haggelthorn Hall below) was completed shortly thereafter. Strangely, Haggelthorn did not suffer attacks and raids from orcs and other terrors that plagued the Eastern Reaches during its early years. Some hold that strong magic from the Hall protected the area. Others believe that the hamlet simply wasn't worth the effort.
In 730 TA, the village of Darkwood was founded south of the hamlet as a refuge for criminals, pariahs and other undesirables. Darkwood was considered a separate village with its own mayor. The two villages existed peacefully side-by-side until the Brimbleweed family from Darkwood took over the Hall during the absence of the Haggelthorns in 803-832 TA. Upon the Haggelthorn's return from an "extended buying trip", the interlopers were rounded up and killed along with a purge of Darkwood residents found to be co-conspirators. Today, few buildings in Darkwood remain occupied and only three businesses are still located there (Druid's Head Inn, Noble Metals, and Weft Threads). The Chapel of St. Betherd and the Hermitage are also vacant.
In 835 TA, reports of a plague in Haggelthorn sickened many villagers. Many of the inflicted fled. The villagers who remained behind and those subsequently moving into the area have demonstrated an uncanny level of loyalty to the Haggelthorns. Some blame dark magic, but the safety and wealth of the town have overcome any fears, and Haggelthorn continues to grow and prosper.
Haggelthorn Hall
Haggelthorn Hall sits upon a hillock which is otherwise covered with trees and shrubs. The estate wall and the manor itself are made of cut stone. The house reflects a Gothic style with intricate carvings, statues, and scroll work in abundance. The building is a two-story structure (with the exception of the tower which is four stories.
The graveyard and slave quarters lie at the bottom of the hillock. The stone wall running between the north-east corner of the graveyard and the tower is in good repair. There are a number of vines and overgrown bushes lining the wall.
The walk up to the front door is a simple stone path overgrown with vines and crawlers. To the right and left of the path there are large bushes. On either side of the entrance to the hall are large statues of chimera. The statues are not of exceptional quality, but visitors have reported the statues sending shivers down their spines.
Map of Haggelthorn
Establishments, Buildings, Shopkeepers and Notable Natives
|
Description of Establishments & Buildings
- Best Blades (weaponmaker) - The Weaponmaker is the best friend of the leatherworker, and the two are constant drinking buddies. The weaponmaker is a poor craftsman who makes a living because of a magical talisman that he wears. The talisman gives Damien Longbow spurts of genius followed by terrible headaches.
- Brimbleweed's Herbs - The Herbalists are the famous Brimbleweeds. They are now the denizens of the Hall. Their old place holds some valuable clues.
- Central Market (grocery) - Central Market is run by the very venerable Madam Raan, her daughter Constance Raan, and her grandson Brin Raan. Brin is a very hard worker who respects his elders. He basically runs the shop while the women gossip. Madam Raan is the oldest person in the village, and she is a very hard bargaineer. Brin has been approached by Marla Sprig, but he has so far refused.
- Chapel of St. Betherd (church) - The church is a dilapidated old chapel. The outside walls are of a rough cut stone. There are two large stained glass windows. One depicts St. Betherd saving a child from drowning in a stream. The other depicts the same man being beheaded by that child (for treason). These windows have been boarded up from the inside.
- Druid's Head Inn (inn) - . The first lights of the town that you see come from the inn and the nearby stable. The stable is a long one-story wooden building. There are a set of barn doors at one end of the building. The stable does not have any windows that you can see. The inn is a one story whitewashed wooden building with four windows (with lights burning) in front. The door is surrounded by a courtyard. Druid's Head Inn is the only place for a drink in the village. The establishment is open until midnight. Brundhall keeps a small stash of goodies (2 platinum, 20 gold, 35 silver, 6 copper, small topaz woth 60 gp) in a sack suspended in a cask. He will hide anything of value there.
- Empty (building 10) - Empty Building is run-down almost to the point of collapse. It contains very little of interest. It used to be the home of the village merchants, the Longrass family, who moved to Haggelthorn Hall to become servants. They have left their furniture, but their belongings are gone.
- Goldmasters (smith's shop) - The Smith's Shop is run by two mature women who took over the shop when the old smith Gunther Goldmaster died. Helga Goldmaster was Gunther's wife and Gwyn Goldmaster was Gunther's sister. The Goldmasters are good friends and good smiths. They can repair items quite well, but they prefer to build ornate items on commission. The sisters are also the center of the town gossip. The sisters are physically and mentally quite strong. Gwyn is oftentimes found in the company of the carpenter.
- Goodbread Bakery (baker) - The Bakery is run by Stump Goodbread and his wife Elanor Goodbread. Stump is a good baker, but he tend to drink and gamble the profits from his meagre business. Elanor is a shrewish woman who is constantly riding Stump and their son, Tad. Tad is a meek young man who constantly looks at his feet. He suffers from a lack of confidence in his abilities. Tad is a loner who often roams the town at night.
- Green Guard Outpost (town guard) - The Green Guard Outpost is a group of five old hunters who work for the mayor, Bransom Wen. They follow a rigid schedule. During the night, two are on watch (one in building 4 and one in building 3) and three are on rest (all in building 4). The guard in building six will go on rounds on the hour. The guard in build three will go on rounds on the half-hour. One round takes about fifteen minutes with three stops: first at the back of the pub, the second at the main barracks, and the third at the mayors house. The guard will get a beer or talk to the bartender until the pub closes, he will play a hand of cards, or he will talk to the mayor.
- Mallet & Chisel (stone mason) - The Mallet & Chisel is run by the energetic young son of the baker and the daughter of the weaver, August Goodbread and Gina (Sprig) Goodbread. They have a young son, Bjanni, who is several months old and a young daughter, Gilda, who is a year old. August was taught his trade by the venerable Bjinn who died six months ago. Bjinn left August a small treasure trove on which to live. August and Rhila are well-liked by the community.
- Mayor's House (mayor) - This building is the home of the wealthiest villager. He acts as town mayor and magistrate. There are no official town documents, meetings, or the like. In his home, there are three servant women. Two of these young women are daughters of the weaver, and the other is the daughter of the baker. They were "sold" to Bransum because their families could not support them. They are moderately happy, but they can be lured away by temptations of freedom and passage from Darkwood. Two of the daughters share a bedroom and one will be with Bransum. In addition, Bransum pays the five hunters known as the Green Guard. They are fiercely loyal to Bransum and will protect him and report any unusual happenings to him.
- Noble Metals (alchemist) - The Alchemist is never seen around town, and his reason for hiding is quite legitimate. His name is Yiga'ha Sv'uss. He has long paid for a mistake when he was young and experimenting with making potions permanent in effect. His legs have been in gaseous form for 30 years. He has a secret basement full of strange potions. He always keeps a recipe and a sample of everything he creates. Due to age, 60% of his existing potions have become useless, poisonous, or inconsistent in effect. He is befriended by Roxanne Goodbread who brings him food from the mayor's house. Roxanne is the only person in town who has seen him. Yiga'ha Sv'uss is currently hiring the fishermen to raid the Brimbleweed manor for any unusual curiosities. The fishermen leave their finds on his doorstep at 11:00 pm, and they return at 1:00 am to get their loot.
- Saw Pit (carpenter) - The Saw Pit is run by Jason Trowbridge. Jason is a young man who is fond of Gwyn Goldmaster. He is soft-spoken and shy. Jason is an excellent craftsman who keeps all of the town buildings in good repair. He is poor, but almost everybody in the town owes him money. He likes strong drink and good food.
- Soot's Boots (leatherworker) - The Leather Shop is run by an unimaginative old man known as Ellingwood Soot who is very good at making simple pouches and bags. He is very poor and very drunk. With no cattle to work from, he is adept in working with a variety of hides. Ellingwood can be found at the pub until midnight. After that he will stagger home to collapse.
- Weft Threads (weavers) - The Weavers are the most prolific family in town. The weaver, Needles Sprig is very good at making cloth and garments. His wife is pregnant for the sixth time. So far five girls. Two have been sold to the town mayor. The youngest three are still at home.
Description of Shopkeepers & Notable Natives
- Betterbeer, Brundhall (innkeeper) - portly, loud, red hair, green eyes, fair complexion (irish pubmaster), The Druid's Head Inn is run by Brundhall Betterbeer, his wife (Missela), and two young sons (Windham & Nob). Brundhall is well-liked and kind. He sells his bitters for a very low price to the villagers and a very high price to strangers.
- Betterbeer, Missela (innkeeper's wife) - portly, quiet, with a shrill laugh, brown hair, brown eyes, fair complexion
- Betterbeer, Nob (innkeeper's son) - thin, quiet, bruised, red hair, green eyes, fair complexion, follows his older brother around everywhere. Nob is a town gossip who is frequently beaten by his father for telling secrets. He is easily tricked.
- Betterbeer, Windham (innkeeper's son) - thin, quiet, red hair, green eyes, fair complexion, hang on his father's every word.
- Claypool the Reverent (priest, deceased) - Claypool was the last priest of the Chapel of St. Betherd. He was killed in 832 TA during the Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was a young wiry man with blond hair and blue eyes, small shifty eyes, and a tendency to see the worst in people.
- Damien the Cruel (fisherman) - scar on cheek, poor complexion, dark hair, dark features, brown eyes, walks with limp, hates children, small, thin.
- Darksword (ranger) - more a figure of legend, Darksword was in Haggelthorn at the time of the Brimbleweed Purge, although his role in the affair is unknown. Described as dark-featured, bearded, tall, muscular and with a deep voice, Darksword was an orc-hunter with a magic longsword who disappearred shortly after the return of the Haggelthorns.
- Gabler, Elwell (hunter, deceased) - A Green Guard, Elwell was killed during Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was described as a short thin man with bright red hair and an impish smile, who was very quiet.
- Goldmaster, Gunther (goldmaster, whereabouts unknown) - Gunther, his wife (Helga) and sister (Gwyn) disappeared from Haggelthorn at the time of the Brimbleweed Purge. Locals remember Helga as a strong-bodied woman, large, brown hair streaked with grey, very firm and business-like, but somewhat aggressive. Gwyn was described also as strong-bodied woman, large, brown hair, who followed Helga's lead appearing quiet and unsure of herself.
- Goodbread, August (stone mason, deceased) - August and his wife Rhila (Sprig) were killed in the Brimbleweed Purge of 832 TA. Their son (Bjanni) and daughter (Gilda) were raised by the Sprig family. The children left Haggelthorn for Teufeldorf in 852 TA. Nothing has been heard from them since. At the time of their deaths, August was described as a young man with blond hair, very fit and trim, who loved to eat. Rhila is remembered as a young woman with small features, long brown hair, and brown eyes, very nice personality. Both are buried in the Chapel of St. Betherd.
- Goodbread, Stump - (baker, retired) - The sole living Goodbread left in Haggelthorn, Stump is now completely gray and fat. His missing forearm is still his most notable feature. His wife, Elanor, has been dead for years from natural causes, and his son (Tad) and daughter (Roxane) were slain by werewolves while traveling to Dreadfield. Stump can be found at the Druid's Head Pub drinking almost every night.
- Howland the Pious (abbot, whereabouts unknown) - Howland disappeared around the time the Chapel of St. Betherd was closed. Described as a tall thin man, gaunt with very grey hair, a nervous tick, and a perpetual frown, it is thought that he fled south from Haggelthorn.
- Oldham the Shrewd (hunter, deceased) - A Green Guard, Oldham was killed during Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was described as short fat bald man, very sunburned with a nice smile and a quick wit.
- Madam Raan (grocer) - very old woman with grey hair and no teeth, shaky but firm in her dealings, thin and short.
- Merko the Bold (fishman) - tall, thin, handsome with a nice smile, Merko will try charming any woman. Merko drink heavily and gets boisterous. He lives near the Owl's Head Lighthouse.
- Raan, Brin (grandson of grocer) - Brin runs the Central Market. Despite a hairlip, he is always smiling and considerate. Brin has brown hair and brown eyes.
- Raan, Constance (daughter of grocer, deceased) - Constance was the first victim of the plague of 835 TA. At the time of her death, she was described as an older woman with blond hair and brown eyes, very tough, but fair, It was reported that she never smiled.
- Rockinthald the Bold (hunter, deceased) - A Green Guard, Rockinthald was killed during Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was described as a very tall big man, always wears black, black curly hair, loud voice.
- Seafarer, Eldred (fishman) - Living in Darkwood, Eldred is tall, thin, quiet, smiles at everything. Now bald, Eldred has penetrating brown eyes. He often drinks at the Druid's Head Inn telling tales of his hero - Captain Searngi - who was lost at sea years ago.
- Soot, Ellingwood (leatherworker, deceased) - A gaunt, hunchbacked man with no teeth, dirty brown hair, and crippled hands, Ellingwodd was very gruff and not well-liked. He was killed during the Brimbleweed Purge.
- Sprig, Chastity (weaver) - Having taken over the business after the natural death of her father (Needles) and mother (Steena), Chasity is middle-aged, plump, with the family's bright red hair and green eyes. She lives with her two remaining sisters (Marla and Hope), who are quiet but competent in their work. Unwilling to leave Darkwood, the Sprig sisters are well-respected albeit a bit sentimental to the old town. Two other sisters (Darline and Lauren) died during the plague.
- Stench (weaponmaker) - His shop long gone, Stench has been old drunken man for as long as anyone can remember. He rarely bathes has dirty grey hair and yellow teeth and can be found at the Druid's Head Inn almost every night.
- Sv'uss, Yiga'ha (alchemist) - Little is known of the alchemist, as he is never seen about town.
- Trowbridge, Jason (carpenter, deceased) - Killed during the Brimbleweed Purge, Jason was described at the time of his death as a middle-aged man, tall, huge, strong, with bright red hair and blue eyes, very sunburnt, quiet, but quick.
- Truesdall the Silent (priest) - Now elderly, Truesdale is now at the Church of the Hearth, having left the Chapel of St. Betherd when it closed. The priest is still fat, jolly and sees the best in people, although his fringe of hair is now wispy grey.
- Tugfoot the Creepy (hunter, deceased) - A Green Guard, Tugfoot was killed during Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was described as a tall, thin old man with white tangled hair and yellow teeth, creepy laugh.
- Turner, Bidwell (hunter, deceased) - A Green Guard, Elwell was killed during Brimbleweed Purge. At the time of his death, he was described as a tall thin young man with a terrible complexion, brown hair, gawky appearance.
- Wen, Bransom (mayor, deceased) - The last mayor of Darkwood,Bransom was killed during the Brimbleweed Purge. Thought to be at the center of the plot, he was also rumored to dabble in the black arts and slavery. He was desribed as a fat man with no hair and a boasting manner, fair skin and pink complexion. His body was burned.
History of Hagglethorn
In the mid-seventh century TA, the Haggelthorns were one of the wealthiest families in Teufeldorf having made their fortune as merchants. However, the eldest of the Haggelthorn sons, Ichabod, decided to expand the family business into dealing with objects of art, magic, and the occult. He longed to travel to far away lands to find strange treasures. An odd little man, nobody was surprised when Ichabod announced that he was moving to the Eastern Reaches to start up his business. However, everybody was surprised when he ordered the family mansion, Haggelthorn Hall, to be moved stone by stone with him. Needless to say, Ichabod took many servants, workers, and craftsmen with him. It took over three years to complete the move, and transplant Ichabod's family home to the coast of the Inner Sea. Many of the people who traveled with the eccentric merchant stayed in the Eastern Reaches.
The original mansion, Haggelthorn Hall, was located on the top of a hill overlooking the port. When every stone in the Hall was "spirited" away in 666 TA, a new structure was built on its foundation by the sole surviving member of the family, Henrick Haggelthorn. The structure still stands today. Other than a brief period between 803-832 TA when the Hall was occupied by the Brimbleweed Family, a Haggelthorn has been lord of the manor for almost 250 years. The current ruler is Elias Haggelthorn.
Legend: The Spriting of Haggelthorn Hall
He was a strange little man that Ichabod Haggelthorn. Never said much to anybody. Just stayed to himself and played with those shrunken heads and things. Called it studying the occult he did. Everyone knew he was a bit crazy, but with his money they listened to him anyway. Well the story begins about a year after Haggelthorn Hall was built. It was a foggy autumn night sometime in late October when it happened. My great-great-great grandfather had just finished his rounds (being a night sentry, you know). The woods were crawlin' with evil things back then. But, my great-great-great grandfather hadn't seen nothing except a lone yellow light coming down from Haggelthorn Hall. He reported to the captain and was on his way to bed when the fog started gettin' real thick just like the town had passed into a cloud. The lights in Haggelthorn Hall were all out, but he could see the outline of the building as it lifted into the air. It was just floating there on top of the fog. Suddenly, there was a loud creak as if the gates of hell were opening up and the Hall began to move down the hill and into the forest. Well, my great-great-great grandfather ran to tell the captain what was happenin', but the captain told him to stop drinkin' on the job and to get to bed. When the sun rose the next morning and the fog was burned away, Haggelthorn Hall was gone. Only Henrick Haggelthorn was left. Said he was away on some late night business - to a brothel if you ask me. I'll tell you what happened, those spirits that Ichabod was dealin' with they's the ones that came and spirited the Hall away. Well, Henrick's great-great-great grandson, Elias, is runnin' the business now. Calls himself a lord he does and still deals in those shrunken heads and things. Probably will get himself into trouble too. A real high and mighty type he is. But those boys of his ain't too bad. Well, that's the story of the Spiriting of Haggelthorn Hall. Just as it happened. Honest. The story has been passed down from father to son for generations in my family. We knows it first hand.
Purchasing Equipment in Haggelthorn
Haggelthorn is a merchant town and has a better than average array of merchants and craftsmen although prices seem to be high. Adventurers may purchase any mundane items from the Pathfinder Core Rulebook equipment list (pp. 140-163) with the exceptions noted below for the list price without roleplaying. Haggelthorn also has a good number of magic items available from its vendors, and it boasts the Haggelthorn Traders (independent from the Ravenswood Trading Posts) which sells a limited number of very powerful items. All magic and unusual items will need to be roleplayed.
Silver Weapons
Characters may buy masterwork versions of all weapons and armor. In addition, any normal weapon may be bonded with alchemical silver using the following costs. Creating items with special materials such as adamantine, darkwood, dragonhide, cold iron, mithril, etc. must be roleplayed.
|
Magic Items
There are a number of magic items for sale in Haggelthorn. Adventurers must roleplay buying these items as their purchase may alert important NPCs to party actions. And, clever adventurers may want to try and bargain for a better price. The items listed below can be bought for any sized creature.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Haggelthorn Traders
The Haggelthorn Traders has a handful of powerful magic items for sale in town. Adventurers must roleplay buying these items.
|
Miscellaneous Items and Services
There are also a number of miscellaneous items and services for sale. Again, any services from the Pathfinder Core Rulebook services list (pp. 140-163) can be purchased directly (exceptions noted below). In general, you will need to roleplay in order to get anything out of the ordinary.
In Hagglethorn, the following inns service travelers:
| ||||||||||||||||
Items unique to Haggelthorn are included below.
|