Hommlet as it is commonly called is situated in the central part of the Flanaess, that portion of eastern Oerik Continent which is known and “civilized”. The village (actually hamlet-sized, though local parlance distinguishes it with the term “village”) is located some ten or so leagues southeast of the town of Verbobonc, on the fringe of the territory controlled by its noble Lord, the Viscount of Verbobonc. It is at a crossroads. To the north is the mighty Velverdyva River, along whose south bank runs the Lowroad. Many days’ travel to the east, on the shores of the Lake of Unknown Depths (Nyr Dyv) is the great walled city of Dyvers, the village of Sobanwych about halfway along the route. Below that to the southeast and east are miles and miles of forest, the Gnarley, beyond which is the Wild Coast, Woolly Bay, and the Sea of Gearnat. The road south forks a league or so beyond the little community, one meandering off towards the Wild Coast, the other rolling through the lower Kron Hills to the village of Ostverk and then eventually turning southwards again into the elven Kingdom of Celene. The western route leads into the very heart of the gnomish highlands, passing through Greenway Valley about a day‘s travel distant and going onwards to the Lortmil Mountains far beyond.
About two weeks ago you received word that a friend of yours had passed away. Elkiar Rusman. Each of you have had some connection to Elkiar. Before his death he was the Leader of the Gnarleymen, a mercenary group that scouted the Gnarley Forest and its surroundings, sometimes even venturing into the Kron Hills. Elkiar had on many occasion put the safety of his Scouts in jeopardy to go out of his way to help others that lost their way in the Forest. The Gnarleymen are a well known group, respected in the region, so when you were invited to the funeral you decided paying your respects was the right thing to do. The Funeral is suppose to happen on Godsday, the 11th, of Haverster, during the night of the new moon. As is accustomed for the Gnarleymen, and their burial procedures. The burial will be taken place at the small town of Hommlet, just southeast of Verbobonc. You're to meet with Elkiar's daughter Anwith and her Husband Marcan. Anwith is the one that looks to have written the letter requesting your presence at the funeral.
In the letter Anwith writes that room and board will be provided to those that arrived early, and preparations would need to be made prior to the burial, since the entire town is coming out to pay their respects. Its even rumored that Burne & Rufus might attend. The letter asks that all guests arrive on Moonday, the 3rd, and meet at the Inn of the Welcome Wench.
When you arrive at the Inn, Ostler Gundigoot the owner greets you with a somber tone, knowing that you might be one of the guests. After introductions are made he gives you to the key to a chest located on the second floor where you can secure your belongings during your stay. The rooms upstairs have multiple beds, sometimes 2-3 per small room, to take advantage of the busy Inn. He assures you that your items will be safe in the chest, that the locks are strong and durable. Upstairs you find your bed, and are able to rest after your journey here.
Rather you take a nap, rest, or hang out downstairs in the Tavern area of the Inn. You watch as others start to gather, others that are here to pay their respects. Drinking and stories become the common theme. No coin seems to be passing peoples hands either. Vesta the daughter of Ostler walks around taking orders, and bringing back trays filled with ale, and sometimes food. One table has a man shuffling cards, you hear others refer to him as Furnok. One of the locals looks like he started drinking earlier this morning and is already four sheets to the wind, passed out in the corner nursing a bottle of wine in his hands. You hear people laugh and jest and figure out that the drunkard is known as Elmo. A local that has tried to become a member of the Gnarleymen, but was refused due to his drunkenness. Another man sits over by himself, he wears the common garb of a practitioner of magic. If talked to, you learn his name is Spugnoir. Seated near Ostler next to the bar, is a man dressed in religious garb, with a heavy mace dangling at his side, which makes a loud annoying bumping sound against the wood every time he moves. He clearly wears the religious vestments of St. Cuthbert. You hear Ostler call him Father Calmert. Two others bring a lot of attention to themselves, one being of Baklunish descent and the other a half-orc. They stand talking to just each other, and ignore anyone else that tries to talk to them. You learn the name of Zert, who is a tall, muscular human fighter with long dark hair and many battle scars. he tells anyone that will listen, that he is waiting for a textile merchant to return from a long overland trip to Keoland. Their are others in the Inn as well, but none that stand out like these folks. If you decide to step outside for some fresh air, you notice a man sitting across the road under a large apple tree. He wears the vestments of a Druid. You heard people refer to him inside as Jaroo. Seated next to Jaroo a large black bear naps in the shade of the tree. |
Ostler Gundigoot - Human (Oeridian), Owner of the Inn of the Welcome Wench.
Glora Gundigoot - Human (Oeridian), Wife of Ostler.
Vesta Gundigoot - Human (Oeridian), Eldest Daughter of Ostler & Glora.
Father Calmert - Human (Oeridian), Priest of St. Cuthbert.
Zert - Human (Suliose), Waiting on the textile merchant.
Furnok - Halfling (Stout), Gambler Shuffling Cards.
Spugnoir - Human (Oeridian), Wearing Wizardly Robe.
Turuko - Human (Baklunish), acting suspicious & Rude.
Kobort - Half-Orc, acting suspicious & Rude.
Elmo - Human (Oeridian), Drunkard, sleeping it off.
Jaroo - Human (Flan), Druid of Gnarley Wood.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:59, Tue 14 May 2019.
