LSG - Places and People

[Daos]

Buho Village
Alignment: Lawful Neutral
Population: 250 (humans 65%, elves 12%, dwarves 6%, gnomes 6%, halflings 5%, half-elves 4%, other 2%)
Government: Feudal Monarchy
Religion: Church of Gonto
Trade: Freshwater fish, livestock, crops, lumber

A simple village on the southern border of the Solanshire fiefdom, Buho is a farming and fishing community.  It sits next to the River Dark and the Hartwood Forest.  It's fairly small, with only three stone buildings in the town:  the church, the barracks and the lord's manor.  All other buildings are wood frame, wattle-and-daub affairs with thatched roofs.  Due to its location on a major road, the village has a weaponsmith and armorer, in spite of its comparably low population.

It's a popular spot to stay when crossing the river on the way to or from the capital, but most don't see it as worth living there.  It is under the authority of Baron William Escott, who has sworn fealty to Count Gladwell Solan of Solanshire.  But he is little more than a figurehead.  The real governor of the village is Ser Derica Walls, the reeve.  A seven-member Village Council meets to decide matters beneath the attention of the reeve. The council meets each fortnight at the Buho Inn for discussion of various domestic matters.  The members are Ethen Benton, Hazel Frye, Jacob Perron, Mattin Tenhammer, Norm Butin, Rebekah Gilbert, Sennah Auger.

For matters of defense and public safety, the reeve has established a village watch composed of two dozen men-at-arms, a watch sergeant and a watch captain.  One responsibility of the sergeant of the watch is to train the village militia. In addition, a protective hedge of thorn bushes, roughly five feet in height and thickness, has been cultivated around the town; the only openings in the hedge are located where roads exit the village. The openings can be quickly blocked with wagons in the event of a raid.  The baron's manor is well-fortified, and is further protected by a filled moat and drawbridge. The populace generally considers the village to be capable of responding to an attack by humanoids from the wilder lands, though none have come recently. In the event of a major attack, weapons and armor are brought into the baron's manor from the smithies, and the populace could uncomfortably stay within the manor’s walls for a brief siege.

Buho was once a sacred grove for the elves, centuries ago--or so the stories go.  Nobody is quite sure whether that is true or not, but it makes for a good story.  The village as it is now was founded about 80 years ago.  The only incident worth mentioning in said history was the 'Battle of Buho' as it is often called by the locals, which occurred 20 years ago.  Many lost kin during the conflict, and several veterans of the fight still reside in the village.  The greatest hero of the Battle of Buho was Sandon, a potter who took command of the village skirmishers in the battle that would ultimately decide the outcome of the conflict.  During the final confrontation, goblin forces under Gressek laid siege to the southern side of the village, nearest to Hartwood Forest.

Although human scouts indicated that all known goblin troops were part of the besieging force, Derica Walls (who would later be knighted and given the title of Reeve for her valor in the contest) felt uneasy about a pass in the steep hills north of the village. Having faced Gressek's strategies before, Derica knew better than to expect attack from only one direction; the most logical second approach would be the northern pass, which could allow a group of goblin warriors to advance uncomfortably close to the town, forcing the villagers to suddenly defend on two fronts. Derica sent Sandon and his skirmishers to the far end of the pass, with instructions to sound a horn of warning if the goblins attacked by that route, and prevent their advance.

The villagers were unaware that Gressek's forces were recently bolstered by the addition of yet another tribe to his banner. This new tribe nearly doubled the number of warriors under Gressek's command, and a force equal in size to the siege force was descending upon Sandon and his band of 20 skirmishers.

The warning horn was sounded, and Derica dispatched her cavalry (ten riders with only leather armor and spear, but mounted troops nonetheless) to support the skirmishers. The riders found the skirmishers outnumbered six to one, with the bodies of the wounded and slain seemingly closing the pass itself. After a fierce battle the goblins were routed, but at the cost of the lives of Sandon, all the cavalry, and all but one of the skirmishers – Ethen Benton, who would later become the village grocer.

Ethen, himself grievously wounded, climbed into the saddle of one of the town riders’ horses and rode back to Buho. He told Derica what had happened in the pass.  Derica realized that the goblins just outside the village were waiting for the war-drums of the now-routed goblins before striking. Knowing that, through the extraordinary courage of a handful of her warriors, the northern attack would never come, Derica personally led a sortie-in-force against the goblins staging the siege. In the ensuing combat, Derica slew Gressek and drove the goblin host back into the woods, where they remain to this day.

Of course, when the townsfolk learned of the courageous stand taken by Sandon and his men, the pass was named for the fallen hero. Sandon became a symbol of courage, resilience, and nobility for the people of Buho. A statue of the hero was erected in the village square, and his tomb has since been regarded as a place of quiet reflection.

All residents of the town know the tale, and will happily share it with any traveler who asks. References to the battle appear often in the daily life of residents; the example of Sandon is used to inspire children to work hard and behave properly, while the name of Gressek is used as a bogeyman that embodies greed and wanton cruelty. Sandon's armor and weapons are stored in the church, save his battered helm, which is used during Town Council meetings.



01.  Graveyard - The village buries its dead atop this low hill. Upkeep of the place is the default responsibility of Kohen Hedra at the church; in practice, he sends a group of acolytes there once each week to perform grounds-keeping duties.
02.  Village Square - A market day is usually held here each week, where the farmers, local artisans, and any visiting merchants may sell or barter for goods and services under the watchful eye of a 15-foot tall statue of Sandon. When the baron sees fit to have a holiday, free entertainments are provided here as well.  Lastly, town justice is dispensed in the square; a pillory has been constructed next to the statue for those who commit less serious crimes.
03.  Mill - A waterwheel set into the river is the power source for this gristmill, where Norm Butin the Miller plies his trade.
04.  Potter - This small shop on the square is the home and workplace of Sennah Auger the Potter, and Damon, her 20-year-old son.  Sennah originally practiced her trade with her late husband, Sandon, hero of the Battle of Buho.  One item of interest to adventurers that Sennah can make is the flamefist. It is a carefully scored, ceramic container capable of holding two vials of Greek fire, which is specially contoured to fit comfortably in the hand. They are sold complete with ceramic stoppers fitted with a cork sealing ring and paraffin/cloth wick. If filled completely with Greek fire and thrown against the target, the victim suffers the effects of being struck with two vials of Greek fire simultaneously. Flamefists are sold for one gold coin each.
05.  Grocer - Nearly half of this wattle-and-daub structure is an open lean-to, with a makeshift counter that runs roughly down the middle. Various barrels and crates are stacked throughout the area. On the weekly market day, the counter is filled with fruits, berries, vegetables, nuts, and roots as the season permits.
06.  Trading Post - The double doors in front of this long, low building are always open during daylight hours. Once inside, visitors behold piles of items that it took trader Rakit Thoden years to accumulate.
07.  Lonely Pony Tavern - Run by Rebekah Gibert for the locals, the Lonely Pony is a tidy establishment, containing a bar, stage, some trestle tables set up in the center of the common area, and a dozen booths along the walls. Each booth has an archway for an entry, and curtains can be drawn across these archways for privacy. Not surprisingly, the booths are ideal for the discussion of business.  The stage is used on market days by a musicians’ troupe, and is otherwise the home stage of Gerald Chanteur, a minstrel. The bill of fare tends to vary from season to season, although breads, stews, and roast hawk are usually available. Generally, patrons are charged per meal rather than per item, the cost for a typical lunch and supper being three silvers and seven silvers, respectively, not including drinks. Beverages include wine, ale (brewed by Shanson Frye at the Buho Inn), mead, and goat’s milk, for the same prices as the Buho Inn (the two businesses have the same suppliers).
08.  Blacksmith - The smithy is set at the edge of the village, its only neighbor a rowdy tavern that is unlikely to complain about the noise. The structure serves as home for blacksmith Mattin Tenhammer, his wife and fifteen-year-old son, Ingot.  Father and son spend their evenings (it is too warm in the smithy to work during daylight hours) producing horseshoes, barrel hoops, nails, hinges, shovels, hooks, and iron spikes. Lately, Mattin had taken to producing caltrops as a change of pace from the standard fare. Mattin typically trades the items he forges in exchange for goods and services for his family, but he will certainly accept a cash commission.
09.  Goblin's Tooth Tavern - The run-down nature of this one-story structure doesn’t bother the patrons in the least, perhaps because they are responsible for its deplorable condition. The building is in poor repair, with a floor of packed earth and crude, wooden tables and stools. A circular area in the center of the common room has been roped off, and has been reserved for bare-knuckle boxing matches. The matches serve as both evening entertainment and gambling opportunities. The bar is fashioned from two full-size doors laid across sawhorses, with various casks and tankards piled behind it.  Nothing but ale and mead are served here, as well as the house special, ‘devilsblood,’ a mixture of two parts mead with one part crushed cranberries.  While the Lonely Pony is for the humans, the Goblin's Tooth is more for the non-human locals.
10.  Watchtower - This 50-foot tall structure was designed by Jacob Perron the Woodworker. It is constructed from heavy logs, with a ladder-like steps fixed along the side closest to the barracks. A platform fashioned from wooden planks rests at the top of the structure; it is roofed with thatch, and a waist-high wall made from planks has been built around the perimeter of the platform, with a gate where the platform meets the ladder. The wall gives the two watchmen who are normally in the tower 50 percent cover from attacks. The platform is sparsely furnished, having only a pair of stools, two light crossbows, a small chest containing 30 light quarrels, and a bell hanging from the peak of the roof. The bell is rung only during an attack on the village.
11.  Church of Gonto - This stone temple is dedicated to the goddess Gonto.  Services are held every Rockday morning at 10.  The temple is run by Kohen Rorak Hedra.
12.  Weaver/Tailor - This modest building is the home and workplace of Silas Goff the Weaver. Silas’ shop is a jumble of items, most of which are for sale. His stock includes blankets, cloaks, tunics, hoods and sashes, as well as bolts of cloth which merchants sometimes purchase for their own use.
13.  Barracks - Surrounded by a stout palisade of heavy logs, the barracks is constructed of large undressed blocks of gray stone, with a tile roof. It is only one story in height, with the only openings being crossletted arrow slits spaced at regular intervals in each wall and a stout oaken door, reinforced with iron bands and studs. The building serves as a barracks for the twenty-four village watchmen and their commanders, as an office for Ser Derica Walls the Reeve, and as a temporary prison for holding miscreants until they are publicly flogged, put in stocks, or otherwise punished. Characters entering into the barracks will find themselves in a guardroom with 12 sets of 2 bunks; two doors are set into wooden, interior walls to the left and right. The doors on the left give access to the watch captain’s quarters and the reeve’s office, and those on the right open into the sergeant’s quarters and the cell. The walls of the cell are brick, and border against the exterior walls and the wooden walls indoors. The door is identical to the entry door, but has a key lock and two oaken bars that can be put in place on the barracks side. The cell is capable of holding five prisoners, or twice that number if they are to be held only for a short time.
14.  Dairy - Olaf Farbough the Dairyman, his wife Janna, and nine children live in this wide, wattle-and-daub structure. Most of the building is residential space, with a small storefront of sorts where Janna sells cow and goat milk, curds, cheeses and butter.
15.  Stables - No sign indicates the purpose of this structure, nor is one necessary—the scent alone identifies it as a stable. The stableman goes by the name of Rolf Metayer. 'Poor old Rolf,' as he calls himself, will house, groom, and feed any type of horse for four silver coins per day, or two gold coins per week. At any given time, a few horses or draft animals belonging to merchants can be found in residence, and the reeve trusts her black charger to Rolf’s tender care.
16.  Buho Inn - This two-story frame building is inviting to weary travelers; first, because of the covered porch with rocking chairs that extends across the front of the inn, and also because the grove of oak trees surrounding the place assures that patrons are in the shade at any time of day.  The inn is well supplied, having a varied bill of fare even in wintertime: 
Ale 2 SP
Bread, slice 1 CP
Brandy 2 GP
Cabbage, braised 3 SP
Mead 1 GP
Cheese, wedge 1 CP
Milk, goat’s 1 SP
Herring pie 3 SP
Tea, herbal 1 SP
Roast Fowl 2 GP
Wine (local) 3 SP
Roast joint (beef) 1 GP
Wine (port) 1 GP
Stew, bowl 1 SP
Shanson and Hazel Frye live in quarters on the ground floor, and they rent out chambers upstairs. There are four double rooms for rent at five silvers per night, or three gold coins per week. Four single rooms are also for rent at three silvers per night, or two gold coins per week. The rooms are Spartan in appearance, having the appropriate number of beds and chairs, a night-stand with candle, a lantern hanging from the ceiling, a chest for storing personal belongings, and a fireplace, and a shuttered window. Still, patrons will find the rooms and linens to be clean, and the beds comfortable.
17.  Cobbler/Woodcutter - Nestled in the oaks near a crossing of paths is the shop of Calvin Kippes the Cobbler.  The cobbler supplements his income by being a woodcutter for those in the town who lack either the time or strength to cut their own. Generally, he cuts wood in fair weather and makes shoes in foul weather, so whether or not the shop is open depends upon the disposition of the clouds. Calvin has collaborated with Mattin, the blacksmith, on the fabrication of iron-shod boots for the village watchmen.
18.  Woodworker - Visitors can judge from the appearance and maintenance of this building that its owner is skilled in the art of woodcraft. Jacob the Woodworker, his son Lenk, and his red-haired daughter Myra call this frame house home; Jacob’s wife passed from plague two winters ago. Although most of his efforts are directed towards fashioning doors, tables, and stools, Jacob is also capable of making storage chests and wagons if the characters should need them.
19.  Cooper/Wheelwright - This wattle-and-daub structure is situated across the path from the woodworker’s shop. Lantrin Locke the Cooper, his wife Etta, and their four children live here. He has business relationships with the woodworker, both of the village taverns, the inn, and the grocer.
20.  Weaponsmith - This building is found close to the manor house, for obvious reasons. It is the home and workplace of Caerlon Osgood the Weaponsmith, his wife and two small children. Caerlon spends much of his time completing repairs and putting new edges on weapons. He does a steady trade in weapons, both those he has forged and those he has taken in trade; he deals primarily with the watch, militia, and caravan guards, although he also has contracts with weapon merchants with routes leading to distant cities.  Caerlon will purchase a used weapon at one-third the standard cost, clean, sharpen and repair it as needed, then sell it at ten percent under listed cost. He sells weapons forged by his own hands at ten percent above list price; the higher price is due to his “quality guarantee, against which no one has ever returned to complain.”
21.  Armorer - The smithy is the other structure set deliberately close to the manor, so that the contents of the shop can be quickly brought within the walls in the event of an attack. Otherwise, the structure serves as home for the armorer, Keliath Flamebeard.  The dwarf does a surprisingly brisk business in this borderland town, both by repairing armor for the watch, militia, the baron’s house guards, and passing caravan guards, and by selling armor of his own manufacture. Keliath is quite capable of manufacturing any armor, with the exception of field- and full plate armors. He is also capable of creating high-quality dwarven plate mail, but will only fashion it for other dwarves.  Keliath keeps several suits of armor in stock, ranging from leather armor to plate mail, and will take lightly used armor in trade for half the standard cost.
22.  Baron William Escott's Manor House - This stone structure is home to the baron and his daughter, the lovely Lady Helen. It is well-known that the baron seeks neither visitors nor suitors for his daughter, for she is his last living relative; however, it is also well-known that townsfolk may take shelter within his walls in the event of an attack.  It is well-fortified, and is further protected by a filled moat and drawbridge.

People of Buho
Alistair Stormwind (Male Human) - Captain of the militia and the direct subordinate to the reeve.

Amanda Marche (Female Human) - Wife of Jonas Marche, mother to Ladonna and Felicia Marche.  She is resentful toward Ladonna for skipping out on an arranged marriage.  Amanda's marriage to Jonas was also arranged, but she had been courting Norm previously.

Anara Dinan (Female Human) - The village's druidess.  She helped cultivate the thorn hedge and also helps with the crops.  She is unmarried.

Bula Dulag (Female Half-Orc) - The wife of Grat Dulag and mother to Groo Dulag.  She is the barkeep at the Goblin's Tooth Tavern.  She doesn't think much of humans.

Caerlon Osgood (Male Human) - The local weaponsmith of the village and a veteran of the Battle of Buho.  He is widowed and his children are grown with children of their own.

Calvin Kippes (Male Human) - He serves as both the cobbler and the woodcutter for the village.  He is unmarried.

Clay McIntyre (Male Human) - He is the husband to Judy and father to Ryan.  He is a kohen and enforcer for the church.  He is often away on missions for months at a time.

Coha Terek (Female Dwarf) - She is Keliath's apprentice, although she would much rather be a performer.  Her parents do not approve of this.  She is betrothed to Keliath's son, and isn't too happy about it.

Cooper Oakhill (Male Halfling) - The son of a farmer who left town to work as a porter for a Marquess.  While he was gone, his entire family was murdered and the mystery of why has never been solved.  He has returned recently, but now calls himself 'Justin Tyme.'

Damon Auger (Male Human) - The son of Sennah and the late great hero, Sandon.  Damon is part of the militia and is something of a local celebrity.  He is courting Kara and is quite possessive of her.  He is the living embodiment of human privilege and often thinks quite poorly of other races.  He is something of a bully and tries to make everything about himself.

Dawn Tenhammer (Female Human) - The wife of Mattin and mother to Ingot.  She helps Mattin in selling his wares.

Derica Walls (Female Human) - The village reeve and the leader of the militia.  She is unmarried.  Derica was knighted by the baron for her efforts to save the village twenty years ago in the Battle of Buho, so the proper title for her is 'Ser.'  Although the council runs the day-to-day mundane matters of the village, Derica is in charge for all things pertaining to defense.

Drundor Bloodworth (Male Half-Elf) - One of the baron's personal grooms, father of Jherek and wife to Thessila.

Ethen Benton (Male Human) - The local grocer.  He's also a member of the Village Council.  Ethen was an alcoholic and a veteran of the Battle of Buho.  His wife passed away a couple of years ago of disease, while his brother Davion died in battle during the Battle of Buho.  He appeared as a disheveled, unhealthily thin man with a reddish nose, but has since cleaned up his act and is now a very different person.

Etta Locke (Female Human) - The wife of Lantrin, the mother of Marcus, Paul, Kara, and Stephen.

Felicia Marche (Female Human) - Daughter to Jonas and Amanda Marche.  She is betrothed to Ser Relken, a knight of Hart.

Finbul Padner (Male Halfling) - The apprentice to Anara.  He is unmarried.  Finbul does not think much of humans, elves or dwarves.  He feels his people have been abused by all three, and only when they are equal can true justice be carried out.

Flinnton Lochlass (Male Human) - A layabout that spends a lot of time out in the wilderness.

Garnet Glun (Female Gnome) - An acolyte in the church of Gonto.  She has the 'gift' of prophecy and sometimes has visions of the future.  She is unmarried.

Gerald Chanteur (Male Human) - A foreigner from Picardie in exile.  He is a minstrel that often plays at the Lonely Pony Tavern.  He is unmarried.

Gilly Baker (Female Gnome) - The local baker, and a widow.  Her husband died in the war and she adopted Theron afterward.  She is 60 years old.

Grat Dulag (Male Half-Orc) - The husband of Bula and father of Groo.  He also handles all of the finances at the Goblin's Tooth.  He's much more of an intellectual and has a cooler temper than his wife.

Groo Dulag (Male Half-Orc) - The two year old son of Bula and Grat.  He's something of a terror, as you might expect from a half-orc in his terrible twos.

Hazel Frye (Female Human) - The wife of Shanson and co-owner of the Buho Inn.  A portly woman whose caring demeanor and common sense have earned her a seat on the Village Council. She is arguably the finest cook in the barony; her braised cabbage is spoken of by merchants in cities 50 miles away (although it has been said to produce unpleasant gastro-intestinal side effects in dwarves).

Helen Escott (Female Human) - The teenage daughter of the baron.  She is very reclusive and is rarely allowed outside the manor's estate.  She is unmarried.

Ingot Tenhammer (Male Earth-Genasi) - The son of Mattin and Dawn.  He is also Mattin's apprentice and a member of the militia.  Ingot was born 'earth-touched' which is seem as a blessing from Gonto.  He is currently betrothed to Myra and seems distressed she is not pleased with it.

Jacob Perron (Male Human) - The local woodworker.  Jacob is also the father of Lenk and Myra.  His wife died of disease a couple of years back.  He is on the Village Council.  Although most of his efforts are directed towards fashioning doors, tables, and stools, Jacob is also capable of making storage chests and wagons if needed.

Janna Farbough (Female Halfling) - The wife to Olaf and the local cheesemaker.  She has 9 children.  She is a rotund woman, with white curls slipping out from under her bonnet, framing her usually laughing face. Typically, she and her four daughters are making cheeses or working the butter churns in the shop, while the men tend to the livestock in a large barn across the path.

Jas Kurtz (Female Human) - A little girl of seven years.  She is the daughter to Kerna and Otto.

Jherek Everfull (Male Half-Elf) - A local butcher and trapper, the son of two half-elven grooms.  He is unmarried.

Jonas Marche (Male Human) - The sergeant of the militia.  He is also the husband of Amanda and the father of Ladonna and Felicia.

Judy McIntyre (Female Human) - The mother of Ryan and wife to Clay.  She is a wizard who works for the church as a scholar, historian, and expert in the arcane.  There isn't much to do here in such a small village, but she gets to be close to her family.

Kara Locke (Female Human) - The teenage daughter of Lantrin and Etta.  She works at the Buho Inn as a waitress.  She is often considered the most beautiful woman in the village.  She is being courted by Damon.

Katya (Female Human) - The bastard daughter of Mereida Waelnod.  She is unmarried.

Keliath Flamebeard (Male Dwarf) - The local armorer and a veteran of the Battle of Buho.  He hates orcs and loves tradition.  He has long, red hair and an equally long beard, both of which are braided so that they might not interfere with his work. The dwarf does a surprisingly brisk business in this borderland town, both by repairing armor for the watch, militia, the squire’s house guards, and passing caravan guards, and by selling armor of his own manufacture. Keliath is quite capable of manufacturing any armor, with the exception of field- and fullplate armors. He is also capable of creating high-quality dwarven plate mail, but will only fashion it for other dwarves.

Kerna Kurtz (Female Human) - The widow of Otto and mother to Roland and Jas.

Ladonna Marche (Female Human) - The daughter of Jonas and Amanda.  She works as a waitress at the Lonely Pony Tavern.  She is unmarried.

Lantrin Locke (Male Human) - The local cooper and wheelwright.  He is the father to Marcus, Paul, Kara, and Stephen. 

Lenk Perron (Male Human) - The teenage son of Jacob.  He is in the militia, serving as an archer.  He is unmarried.  Lenk is a tall, lean, raven-haired fellow.

Liala Lavellan (Female Elf) - She works as a waitress at the Lonely Pony Tavern.  She seems to hate her own kind, wishing she could be human.  She is unmarried.

Lillian (Female Elf) - A minstrel that often plays at the Buho Inn.  She keeps to herself and not much is known about her.

Marcus Locke (Male Human) - The teenage son of Lantrin and Etta.  He is in the militia and is unmarried.

Mattin Tenhammer (Male Human) - The local blacksmith, a member of the militia, a lay minister for the church, and a member of the Village Council.  He is also married to Dawn and the father of Ingot.  He's very religious.

Mereida Waelnod (Female Human) - A knighted rancher who cares for horses just outside of the village, with a family of halflings and her bastard daughter, Katya.  She is unmarried.

Myra Perron (Female Human) - The 15-year old daughter of Jacob.  She is being courted by Ingot, but is terrified of him.

Norm Butin (Male Human) - The town miller.  He is also a member of the Village Council (the youngest, in fact).  Norm is a kind, generous fellow with a contagious smile.  He is unmarried.

Olaf Farbough (Male Halfling) - The owner of a dairy ranch and wife to Janna.  He has nine children.  He is also a veteran of the Battle of Buho, having served as an archer.  Now 75, he is nearly bald, with wisps of white hair now indicating where his locks once were. His face is a veritable road map of pinched wrinkles, and people will find talking to him not unlike being stared down by a raisin. Although still quite spry, the old fellow has developed the absent-mindedness that sometimes accompanies advanced age, and one of his sons is always nearby to look after him.

Otto Kurtz (Male Human) - A farmer that lived outside of the village.  He was married to Kerna and the father to Roland and Jas.  He was killed by accident during a goblin raid on his farm.

Paul Locke (Male Human) - The teenage son of Lantrin and Etta. He is in the militia and is unmarried.  He has brown hair and grey eyes.

Porrima (Female Elf) - The handmaiden to Helen and the mother to Tavos.  Not much is known about her, she moved to the village while still pregnant with Tavos.  She never speaks of the identify of the father, not even to Tavos himself.

Queenie Farbough (Female Halfling) - The youngest daughter of Olaf and Janna, she is unmarried and 25.  Her parents are trying to get her married off soon, but the only two halfling men in the village she isn't related to are Finbul and Cooper.  She has shoulder length red hair, brown eyes and is covered in freckles.

Rakit Thoden (Male Dwarf) - The local merchant.  He runs caravans to other towns sometimes.  He is unmarried.  Rakit loves to haggle and throw in useless items to make a better bargain.

Rebekah Gilbert (Female Human) - The owner of the Lonely Pony Tavern.  She moved here after the Battle of Buho.  She is unmarried.  She is also on the Village Council.

Rivi Wolfright (Male Half-Elf) - The cook at the Goblin's Tooth Tavern.  He moved to Buho 20 years ago.  He has no family and is believed to be a bastard.

Roland Kurtz (Male Human) - The young son (11) of Otto and Kerna.

Rolf Metayer (Male Human) - The local stablehand.  He takes care of any horses in the village.  He is unmarried.

Rorak Hedra (Male Dwarf) - The kohen of the village.  He is unmarried.  Although he does not hold a seat on the council, he holds a great deal of influence and is not above playing politics.

Ryan McIntyre (Male Human) - The son of Clay and Judy.  He is unmarried.  Ryan is an acolyte of the church and an apprentice sorcerer, as well.

Sennah Auger (Female Human) - The widow of Sanson the Hero.  She is also the town potter and the mother of Damon.  She is also on the council.  The trials of life have worn Sennah beyond her years, making her appear much older than she actually is. She originally practiced her trade with her late husband. Since Sandon's passing, Sennah has proven herself to be more than capable in both continuing his membership in the Village Council and running the family business; the formulae for her various glazes and dyes have been sought after by more than one passing merchant.

Shanson Frye (Male Human) - The co-owner of the Buho Inn and husband to Hazel.  He has opinions on lots of things.  Besides being an innkeeper, he also brews his own ale. Shanson is a wiry man with reddish skin. The top of his head is mostly bald, but uncombed white hair sprouts angrily from lower points on his head. He jokingly calls it his “backward tonsure,” adding that his baldness is a message from Gonto that he should never be a monk.  He was in the Battle of Buho, but never saw any actual combat.

Silas Goff (Male Human) - The local tailor and cloth merchant.  He moved here after the Battle of Buho.  He is unmarried.

Stephen Locke (Male Human) - The teenage son of Lantrin and Etta. He is in the militia and is unmarried.

Talgart Hedra (Male Dwarf) - The local stonemason and the kohen's brother.  He is unmarried.

Tavos (Male Half-Elf) - The bastard son of Porrima.  He's a vagrant and a troublemaker with no real job.  He is unmarried.

Theronymous Wiggledigit (Male Gnome) - He moved to Buho with his uncle Hornwell right before the war.  Hornwell died fighting, and Theron was left an orphan.  He was later adopted by Gilly Baker.  Theron sometimes performs at the Goblin's Tooth but otherwise has no job and tends to get in trouble often.

Thessila Oakleg (Female Half-Elf) - One of the baron's personal grooms, mother of Jherek and wife to Drundor.

Uchdryd Gibney (Male Human) - Uchdryd is a slender, sandy-haired teenager who hasn’t yet grown into his beard.  He lives on a farm with his family north of the village, and is considered a bit weird.  He doesn't come into town very often.

Vera Lochlass (Female Human) - The grandmother of Flinnton.  Her husband died a few years ago of natural causes and her children died in the Battle of Buho.  She lives with her grandson.

William Escott (Male Human) - The baron of the village.  However, he leaves all of the work to the reeve and very rarely makes an appearance outside the walls of his manor.  His wife died to disease a couple of years back and he is the father to Helen.

Zurgrim Jarnvisk (Male Dwarf) - A brewer who works at the Goblin's Tooth Tavern.  He is an older man, nearing 50.  He is unmarried.

[Daos]

Hart

Alignment:  Lawful Neutral

Population:  5000 (70% humans, 14% elves, 4.5% dwarves, 4% half-elves, 3% halflings, 2.5% gnomes, 2% other)

Government:  Feudal Monarchy

Religion:  Church of Gonto

Trade:  Freshwater fish, lumber, crops and livestock, divine magic

Hart is a castle town in the center of the county of Solanshire, and it's capital.  It sits on the northern shore of the River Dark.  The castle itself is roughly 200 years old and built in the shape of a five point star, with the southern walls actually on the river itself.  A moat has been dug out around the rest of the castle, making the entire thing something of a small island, in a way.  The town, which is usually called Hart Town to distinguish it from the castle, is a bit further north, outside the castle walls.

Hart is under the authority of Count Gladwell Solan of the Solan family, which has ruled this area for generations.  Solan rules with the aid of a small council of courtiers, many former adventurers who fought alongside Solan back in his youth.  These are his chancellor (Quill Sern), his marshal (Eric Talbot), his steward (Miranda Foxmore), his spymaster (Redna Kallerman) and his chaplain (Fannah Winters).

The castle is well fortified, including with some magic.  It is the base of operations for more than 1,000 cavalry.  Two hundred of these brave riders are the elite Knights of Solanshire. On average, each knight commands four horsemen. The largest force belongs to Count Solan, who is also High Commander. He can muster 20 trained riders, in addition to some of the former adventurers under his employ.

Each Knight of Solanshire is a 4th to 7th level paladin or fighter. All are of good alignment and each has unique arms and armor. Currently the order includes 14 paladins.

The horsemen who serve the knights are 2nd level fighters armed with spears (for charges) and horsemen's maces. Each rider wears banded mail and carries a shield. Their mounts are light warhorses with no armor.

Castle Hart's story dates back to the year 120, when the Knights of Tardiff had gathered enough funds to begin building a fortress. In the year 129, the knights began construction of the castle. They chose a site near the River Dark. This position held great strategic value. Then, as today, the goblin tribes bordered the river. Thus, Castle Hart would form the first line of defense against them. It would also allow the knights to control river traffic in more peaceful times.

The castle has grown throughout the centuries, but most of the construction was accomplished in the early years. Before any building could take place, however, the architects had to improve the site. The ground was mostly rock, but great patches of earth created an unstable foundation. A wizard friendly to the knights used Mud to Rock spells to firm up the land. While this occurred, the knights erected a wooden stockade around the construction site. They did not want the goblins to overrun the site before the outer walls could be completed.

Hart's outer curtain wall was the first stoneworks built. Wooden buildings inside the wall housed laborers during the construction. It took an entire year to complete the curtain wall. When it was finished, the wooden stockade was torn down, and a moat was dug in its place. As the moat was formed, laborers constructed the main gatehouse.

The next project was to build the five towers of the star-shaped inner bailey. Once the towers were well underway, laborers began work on the connecting walls. They constructed the walls facing the water first. When finished, they began work on the inner walls. The entire job took more than two years.

At this point the architects faced their first major problem: the castle was sinking. Despite the early Mud to Rock spells cast by an architectural wizard, the ground was water-soaked. The towers and walls simply were too heavy for the soft ground. The knights brought back the wizard to fix the problem. It took a year to stabilize the castle and stop it from sinking. By the time the whole mess was straightened out, the base of the stone walls and towers was just under water mark. Even today, the river waters lap directly at the bottom of the stoneworks.

Laborers constructed the manor house and its adjoining tower next. Then they attached a domed chapel to the manor house. With this addition, the castle was considered complete. The laborers' wooden housing became a barracks for the knights.

In the decades that followed, the castle served as a central gathering point for the knights and the clerics. In addition, many diplomatic meetings were held there, most notably between the petty nobles of what would become the Solanshire. In 178, the knights built the castle's guesting house to accommodate the signing of a large treaty between nobles and the church.

In 183, the staff of Castle Hart outgrew the existing buildings. The relatively new guesting house required more servants than the castle could accommodate. A small side building was built between the manor house and the guesting house. Many of the servants were relocated into the new building.

By this time, the town surrounding Castle Hart had grown up along the southern shore of the Dark River. The farmland south of the castle was good; the people were prosperous. Then as today, however, the ground between the two rivers was too rocky for planting.

In 293, the castle again underwent major construction. It was sorely in need of repair, having just survived a major siege during the War of Drakes. After repairs were complete, Hart's fortified port was added. (The harbor wall and its towers still provide safe haven to any ships within.) At the same time, the laborers converted the old wooden barracks into a large, fortified structure with twice its original capacity.

Over the centuries, Castle Hart has been besieged many times. Although its concentric walls and square towers are now considered outdated designs (round towers are superior), the castle has proven its worth again and again. No enemy has managed to take it. Hart's stalwart presence has deterred all but the worst of attacks. Any who wish to attack the capital city from the north side of the River Dark must first besiege Castle Hart. The mighty fortress is truly the first line of defense.

Hart is so large that it is home to thirty taverns. Twenty-one of them are human only. Of the remaining nine, four are for elves (The Last Tree, The Dreamland, The Babbling Creek and The Sundew) and found in the town's elven quarter, one is for dwarves, one is for half-elves, one is for halflings, one is for gnomes, and the final one is for a mix of both human and demi-human and seems to cater mostly to adventuring types in the center of town (The Dusty Road).

A.  Main Gatehouse - This gatehouse forms Hart's first line of defense.  It is actually two independent buildings divided by the moat.  The western half is the first that travelers encounter.  The eastern half, as known as the 'curtain wall gatehouse,' is part of the curtain wall.  A drawbridge extends from the eastern half, spanning the moat when lowered.

B.  Moat - The moat skirts the east side of the castle, linking the River Dark with one of its tributaries (said tributary is diverted to feet it).  At normal water levels, the moat is 10 feet deep.  It has 3 foot high embankments.  A thick iron chain hangs between the southern towers of the main gatehouse, closing the moat to traffic on the river.  No ship can enter the moat at this point until the guards at the gatehouse lower the chain.  Furthermore, a hostile ship which sails up the moat from the River Dark will be bombarded continually from the curtain wall (C), only to find itself trapped by a chain at the other end.

C.  Outer Curtain Walls - These walls are 20 feet tall and 30 feet thick.  On top of the wall, battlements line the outermost edge.  The opposite side, facing the castle's interior, has only a wooden rail.  This way, if attackers take the wall, defenders in the baileys below will have a clear field of fire against the enemy soldiers atop the wall.

C3.  Second Bailey Gate - The archway forming this passage measures 10 feet wide and 10 feet tall.  An iron portcullis faces the outer bailey (E).  The portcullis is raised and lowered with a winch on the other side of the wall.  Behind the portcullis lies a set of gate doors.  An enormous wooden beam is used to bar the doors from the inner side.

D.  Curtain Wall Towers - Standing 40 feet tall and 60 feet on a side, these squat towers can hold many men.  The towers are flat-topped and roofless, and all four sides are crenelated.

E.  Outer Bailey - This vast, muddy area serves many functions.  In the event of a siege, enemy catapults usually cannot get their missiles over the bailey and into the heart of the fortress, because the target is just too far away.  The bailey also serves as a parade ground and marshaling area for troops.  Primarily, however, it holds the stables (F).  A dirt road winds across the bailey and leads to the Second Bailey Gate (C3).

F.  Stables - Each of these buildings can hold up to 100 horses and accompanying riding gear.  This does not including barding or other horse armor, however.  The stalls are large and include a central feed bin, to which up to 20 horses can be tethered.  A narrow path runs down the center of the building.  The walls are covered with hooks for hanging saddles and other gear.  Along one wall, where there are no stalls, shelves and hooks hold the tools needed to tend the horses (pitchforks, brushes, rags, buckets, salves and the like).  Fodder is stored in the loft.

G.  Smithy - This is the blacksmith's shop.  A large forge and dozens of tools lie at the center of the room.  Large tubs of water, wood and coal are arrayed nearby.  In addition to horseshoes, most irons tools and fixtures for the castle are made here.

H.  Second Outer Bailey - Like the first outer bailey, this area may serve as a marshaling area for troops and prevent catapult fire from penetrating the castle's innter walls.  In the event of a siege, townsfolk huddle here to avoid the attackers.  Most of these "refugees" must sleep on the ground or in crude tents.  If the stables are full, the extra animals will be tethered to stakes in this area.

I.  Warehouse - Most of this low, single-story building is devoted to storing food.  Other supplies are kept here as well, such as cloth, empty barrels, and raw building materials.

J.  Mews - Animals are fattened up in these large pens.  A small slaughterhouse lies in one corner, and the combined stench of dung and death is staggering.  The pens usually contain pigs, sheep, chickens and even a few cows.

K.  Inner Walls - The inner walls form the five-pointed star at the center of Castle Hart.  Measuring 40 feet tall and 30 feet thick, the walls can take quiet a beating.  The stonework widens to a slope (glacis) at the base, which helps deter mining and sapping.  The side facing the outer world is crenelated, while the innermost side of these walls has only a wooden rail on top.

L.  Inner Gatehouse - The inner gatehouse lies on the north side of the castle, between two star-points in the inner wall.  One side of the gatehouse opens into the outer bailey; the other side into the inner bailey.  The gatehouse provides the only access to the inner bailey.  A dirt road in the outer bailey approaches the building.  Attackers who threaten the gatehouse from this side can be picked off by defenders atop the walls.  The approach if fully covered strategically by soldiers atop the adjoining inner walls.

M.  Star Towers - These five towers are made of stone.  The north tower, also known as the 'watch tower' differs significantly from the others.  It is unroofed and includes a lookout.  The east and southeast towers overlook the riverways.  Each is flanked by inner walls.  The west and southwest towers, also called the 'outer bailey towers' because they overlook the outer bailey, both adjoin a 20 foot high wall segment of curtain wall.

N.  Inner Bailey - This is the main courtyard of the star-shaped keep.  Most of the area is bare, with large patches of flat stone.  Most of the grass and other plant life has fallen victim to centuries of soldier's boots.

O.  Garrison - Men-at-arms, watchmen, and armed escorts of visitors stay here.  The building is ugly but functional.  If the inner wall is about to be breached, the barracks become a "last stand" defense.  The outer walls are 10 feet thick.  A courtyard lies on the north side of the garrison.  The courtyard is primarily for defense.  If the harbor gate is ever breached, the invaders can be contained here.  Arrow fire can be directed down into the courtyard from all sides.  A wall is sandwiched between the courtyard and the garrison, running east to west along the north side of the building.  It links the garrison to the inner wall on both sides, besides creating a 'pen' to hold attackers in the courtyard.  The wall is 5 feet thick and 20 feet high.  A large pair of double doors lies in the segment just west of the garrison building.  The doors can be barred from within the inner bailey.

P.  Kennels - A dozen or so hunting dogs (war dogs) are kept in this small, fenced area.  Two dog-handlers live in the small hut attached to the pens.  The handlers keep equipment for training and general animal care in the hut.

Q.  Barn and Sheds - The central structure in this complex, the barn, is one of the primary food and storage buildings.  It measures 90 by 60 feet and stands two stories tall.  The first-floor walls are stone, while the walls of the second story are wooden.  The roof is wooden, too.  The barn is filled with barrels and crates of food.  The food is rotated, so that the oldest is consumed first.  New supplies go to the end of the line.  The pantler has keys to this barn and keeps it locked most of the time.  The small building attached to the east side of the barn is a large woodshed.  The shed is essentially a roof supported by wooden pillars and two side walls.  The castle wall forms the shed's rear wall, and the front of the shed (north side) is completely open.  The woodshed is 60' long, 10' deep and 10' high.  It is filled with firewood.  Located on the west side of the barn, the coal shack contains charcoal and coal for the fire braziers.  The building is 30 feet square and has a large dutch door in the middle.  (The top half of the door can be opened independently of the bottom half.)  When the shack is full, the bottom half of the door keeps the charcoal from spilling out.

R.  Guesting House - Most of Count Solan's guests stay here.  The building is large enough to house important visitors and their escorts, and still provides room on the main floor for meetings and general use.  The guesting house is intentionally removed from the manor house.  If some of the visitors are not completely trustworthy, it is more difficult for them to cause trouble when they are in a separate building.  The outer walls of the guesting house are made of stone, three feet thick.

S.  Guest's Garden - Both guests and servants are allowed to wander this garden.  Like the manor garden, the guest's garden does not get a lot of direct sunlight.  There are three entrances to the area:  from the guesting house, from the scullery, and from the star tower.  The scullery and guesting house doors are fortified.  A wide path encircles the garden, running next to the walls and buildings.  Several paths make tight loops through the shrubs and flowers.  A few secluded stone benches lie beneath the small, ornamental trees.  A wooden gazebo stands in the center of the garden.

T.  Scullery - This building is not exclusively a scullery, but it has taken that name over time.  Many of the castle servants live here.  Most of them work here, too.

U.  Manor House - This is the largest building in Castle Hart.  It is the home of Count Solan.  The chapel is attached, as are the water tower and the scullery.  The outer walls of the house are made of stone, 3 feet thick.  The inner walls are 1 foot thick and wooden, unless otherwise mentioned.  All the windows are glass, but those on the first floor have iron bars on them to thwart intruders.

V.  Manor Garden - The manor garden is lush but shady.  The castle walls are too close and too tall to allow much direct sunlight to nourish the plants.  There are three entrances to the garden:  from the manor house, from the star tower, and through the separating wall to the inner bailey (N).  The manor house door is fortified.  The wall separating the garden from the inner bailey stands 20 feet high.  It is not solid, however.  Three large archways join the garden to the inner bailey.  A broad path leads from the archways to the star tower (M-Southwest).  Lady Miriam doesn't want the men-at-arms trampling her flowers during a siege or on their way to watch duty.  Several paths meander through the flower beds.  Small, ornamental trees and stone benches are scattered throughout the garden.  In the center is a small water fountain.  Only people living in the manor house, or specially invited guests, are allowed to walk in this garden.

W.  Stables - High-ranking members of the castle and honored guests keep their mounts here.  The stables can shelter about 50 horses.  Twelve horses fit in each stall area, tethered to the center feed bin.  Adjoining the stable is a corral, in which the horses can move freely.

X.  Castle Harbor - A thick iron chain hangs between the two towers that guard this artificial harbor.  Ships cannot enter unless the chain has been lowered.  Visiting nobility that travel by ship are harbored here.  The ships tie up beside a large wooden dock.  A large door, made of solid iron, leads from the dock to the garrison courtyard (O).  The door is heavily barred from the inside.  A barrel of pitch kept in the northern star tower can be poured from the castle walls onto the dock and then lit afire.  This would seriously deter any attack upon the harbor door.  When war is imminent, a large transport ship kept in town is moved into this harbor.  It can carry 50 horses and 200 men.  When the invasion comes, the ship moves out of the harbor and its force attacks and harries the enemy.  During a siege, couriers and important officials usually can escape on a boat from this harbor if necessary.

Y.  Little Harbor Tower - This tower is virtually identical to the curtain wall towers.  It is solid stone up to the 20 foot level and therefore cannot be breached at the base.

Z.  Big Harbor Tower - One of the two towers flanking the harbor entrance, this tower juts farther into the River Dark than any other.  Like its counterpart on the curtain wall (Y), it sits on a 20 foot high base of solid stone (above the watermark).  The tower cannot be breached at this level.

People of Hart

Redna Kellerman (Female Human) - Thirty year old Ser Redna Kellerman is of average height and build. Her black hair is thick and wavy. Her deep brown eyes seem to understand everything about a person. Her smile is quirky and disarming. She loves to dress in rich clothing, favoring red above all other colors.  Redna is a knight and the castellan, making her the second in command to Count Solan.  She is unmarried.  Redna serves as a mentor for any thieves in the party.

Gladwell Solan (Male Human) - Count Solan of Solanshire is a tall man, trim in the waist and hips, but broad in the shoulders. He is 38 years old. Those who see him for the first time are mildly surprised at his wild tangle of curly red hair and deep green eyes. Somehow they all expect him to be clean shaven, blond and blue-eyed. Well, he's clean shaven at least.  The count's voice is a rich baritone that draws the listener into his words. His passion for a particular topic is immediately apparent. He does not hide his emotions as well as he can express them.  Count Solan likes to wear simple, well-tailored clothing. For him, it is a compromise. He does not want personal wealth or the things it can buy. However, he recognizes that a leader must look the part to be credible.  He is married to Miriam Solan, Countess of Solanshire and the two have six children together.  He is a direct descendant of Ethelred Solan, the founder of the Solan family.  He is also a paladin of Gonto.

Miriam Solan (Female Human) - At 37 years of age, Countess Miriam stands 5'5" tall with a trim physique. Her hair is naturally white, not blonde or grey, and her eyes are startlingly blue. Her features are delicate and fine. She has a large and varied wardrobe, but is never seen in skimpy or suggestive clothing.  She is married to Count Solan of Solanshire, and the two have six children together.

Joy Solan (Female Human) - Joy is the 17 year old daughter of Count Solan and Lady Miriam. She does not resemble either of her parents closely, either in facial features or physique.  With a height of 5'9", Joy is tall for a woman. She has long, straight red hair, darker than her father's. Her eyes are deep blue. Her features are strong, without being unappealing, and her figure is robust and full.  She is unmarried, as neither of her parents have been able to find a suitable match just yet.  She and Helen have become good friends.

William Rolan (Male Human) - William is the garrison commander of Castle Hart. As such, he is in charge of the men-at-arms, the watch, and the jail. He must keep them prepared for combat and replace retiring men-at-arms with new recruits. During a siege, Count Solan would make all the battle decisions and Sir William would decide which men were best suited to carry them out.  He is a large, rough-looking human in his mid-forties. He has a large upper body and short, thick legs. He has a big, bushy brown beard and his head is completely bald, making him look something like a very tall dwarf.  He is married to Louisa Rolan, and they have two teenage daughters, Desiree and Maryanne.

Miranda Foxmore (Female Human) - As the count's steward, Miranda runs the castle. She holds a position of high esteem and is only accountable to the count, Lady Miriam, and the count's castellan (Sir Redna Kallerman). Miranda is slightly plump, with a constantly red-faced complexion. She has wavy red hair and is freckled.  Miranda Foxmore is a master at motivating people to do "the little things." Through a combination of cajoling, flattery, wheedling, and subtle threats, she manages the entire castle staff. When tempers flare, these techniques may not work, however. Then she must call upon Lady Miriam to settle the issue. Miranda is a continuous bundle of nervous energy.  The steward is in charge of the large castle staff. She hires, fires, and hands out the pay. She directs the purchasing of supplies and household goods. She keeps the books for all such matters. The cook, butler, pantler, keeper of the wardrobe, cofferer, marshal and ground keeper all report directly to her. (In turn, they each have a staff of workers.)  Miranda works long days with little time off. She is well paid and has earned the respect of nearly everyone.  She serves as a mentor for any bards in the party.

Fannah Winters (Female Human) - The sadduce is a thin, almost cadaverous woman of 46 winters. Her face is long and narrow. Her hair lies straight and harsh across her brow. She stands about 5'9" tall.  She prefers to stay away from combat. If forced into it, she does know how to use a mace or club. In the event of a siege, she casts spells or stays inside the walls to minister to the weak and wounded. She has no magical items of her own, but can draw upon those of the temple.  The sadduce is a good woman, but she usually believes her way is better than everyone else's. She constantly plays at politics in the castle. Because she is a servant of Gonto, even Count Solan is susceptible to her manipulations. Fortunately for all, Fannah is dedicated to truth and justice.  Fannah is accountable only to her deity and the high-ranking priests of her order. She supports the count because she and her superiors choose to do so. She organizes the efforts of the temple to minister to and protect the people of this area.  Fannah is also the one who helped in sending the party forward in time again, after they created a new timeline while pursuing Ghalt into the past.  She serves as a mentor to any clerics in the party.

Quill Sern (Male Human) - At age 58, Quill is weak and frail. His everpresent walking staff reflects this. His face seems to radiate an innocence and dependence upon the kindness of strangers. His long, thin hands are quite dexterous. His movements are graceful and smooth, even for someone half his age.  Quill is not a warriors by any means. He is much better suited to duty with the wounded, out of direct conflict. If he is forced to defend himself, he can wield his walking staff like a quarterstaff with surprising skill. He does grow tired quickly and must rest after a fight.  In addition to court mage, Quill is the chancellor.  His job is to serve as diplomat to foreign dignitaries and so he is often send abroad.  He is also the almoner.  Quill is a master of obtaining donations. He does it without guile or forceful persuasion. He presents the need of the temple in simple terms, and his face does the rest. He genuinely cares about the poor and needy.  Quill is married to a cleric of Gonto named Voltera and they have a son who is also a mage, Norris.  He serves as a mentor to any mages in the party.

Zesk Gir (Male Half-Orc) - Zesk is a young adult male half-orc. He is bulky and broad-chested in build. He has shoulder-length black hair. His eyes are brown and his skin is grey. His ears are bulbous and somewhat pointy and a pair of tusks jut out from his bottom teeth. He usually wears simple and dirty white robes. In battle, he carries a staff and uses his spells.  He is one of Quill's apprentices and studies the school of Abjuration.  His father is a minor noble and his mother was his servant.  Their marriage created quite a scandal.

Norris Sern (Male Human) - Norris is an adult male human. He's is thin and scrappy in build. He has his hair in short dark dreads. His eyes are brown and his skin is dark. He tends to always have his nose in a book. He often wears white robes with gold trim. In battle, he fights with a quarterstaff when he must, but prefers to keep an eye on the battlefield with his magic.  He is the son of Quill Sern, as well as one of his apprentices, and studies the school of Divination.  He was recently engaged to Maryanne Rolan.

Eric Talbot (Male Human) - Once a brawny warrior, Eric is now an aging wardog of a man, 51 years old. His features are craggy and rough. He stands only 5'8" tall, but is thick in the shoulders, torso and hips. His head is mostly bald, leaving a fringe of graying brown hair. He sports a thick, droopy mustache. He dresses unimaginatively in simple garb.  He serves as the marshal, a military adviser, to the count.

Sidhanar (Male Elf) - Sidhanar is an adult male elf. He is lithe with a swimmer's build. He has long, black hair, soulful brown eyes, and sun-kissed tan skin. He often dresses in leathers, or failing that, greens and browns. In battle, he wears studded leather and carries a bow and several melee weapons.  He has a Ruaran accent, but doesn't speak much and seems distrustful of others.  He suffers from some kind of curse that transforms him into a wolf-like creature every time the red moon is full.  He was exiled from his homeland for some kind of crime related to his curse, but he does not speak of it.

Henna (Female Half-Elf) - Henna is an adult warrior, a sellsword, who highly values her reputation and professionalism.  She is lithe and muscular, with curly red hair, piercing green eyes, and freckled covered, fair skin. She dresses well for a peasant, and could easily be mistaken for a knight.

Yarl Fritog (Male Human) - Yarl is the count's weaponsmaster.  His job is to train young recruits in the guard how to fight with weapons.  Tall and thin, he does not look very imposing for a fighter. He has short, straight black hair and a dark complexion. His large hands are scarred and heavily callused. He walks with a smooth, gilding gait.

Panola (Female Elf) - Panola is the handmaiden of Lady Joy Solan.  She has a petite build and is considered fairly attractive. She has long blonde hair, blue eyes and fair skin. She likes to dress well, usually nice dresses. But when at work, she will wear whatever is appropriate.

Amarantha Haywise (Female Halfling) - Amarantha is a young maid that works for the count.

Waleran Clayhanger (Male Halfling) - Waleran is an elderly merchant who travels from town to town, trading simple wares.  He's plump and cherubic. He has short brown hair, although most of it has fallen out by now. He has brown eyes and tanned skin. He is often seen with his pipe. His clothes are fairly simple and loose fitting, and he never wears shoes.

Mannan Klass (Male Gnome) - Mannan is a smoothing talking herald who works for the count.  He's small and petite in build, but often dresses so flashy that it's hard not to notice him. His hair is blond and neck-length, and he has grey eyes and fair skin. He walks with confidence and swagger.

Viondre Fuller (Female Aasimar) - Viondre is a Kohen and Enforcer of the Gonto Church.  She is very tall (6'5") and is slightly muscular, but still fairly thin. She has long, platinum hair that is usually tied into a braid. Her eyes are blue and glow slightly when her emotions are high and her skin is very pale. She has glowing, blue tattoos on her face and body, covering her entirely.  She won the Combat Contest in the recent Harvest Festival.

Unakite (Female Gnome) - Unakite is the count's court jester.  She speaks in riddles and seems kind of creepy.  She is a stout woman with a round face. She has long, brown hair often braided in a ponytail or set up in girlish pigtails. Her eyes are green and her skin is tanned. She often dresses like a harlequin jester, including white clown face paint. She wears lots of bells, meaning she needs magic to remain stealthy.

Relken Tarn (Male Human) - Relken is a young man, in his mid-twenties, with brown hair, blue eyes and dark skin. He stands straight and walks tall, carrying himself with pride. He was recently knighted after helping fight against the ogre raids to the west.  In the original timeline, he was engaged to marry Ladonna's sister, Felicia.  In this new timeline, he has been engaged to Ladonna herself, who until recently was trying to find a way out of it.  Relken is a decent, honest man, if a bit naive.

Oskibor Ramot (Male Dwarf) - Ramot looks to be somewhere in his late twenties or early thirties. He is stout and broad-chested. He has short, sandy blond hair that is fairly messy, especially for a kohen. His eyes are brown and his skin is fair. He has a bulbous nose, a round face and aside from some stubble, is beardless. He wears the green vestments of a kohen, but they, too, are a bit messy.  He is part of the Minters faction, and despite being a man of the cloth, seems a bit lazy and apathetic.  He is married to Qulara, but doesn't seem very happy about it.

Aloysius Tellmark III (Male Human) - An older gentleman with a military haircut and mustache, who dresses in finery.  He is a local baron of the village of Greene, and an amateur artist.  He is married to Cassandra Tellmark and they have a son together, Reginald.

Filkins (Male Human) - He looks every bit the stereotype of an artist. His clothes are rumpled and paint-stained, his hair a bit messy and long, and his eyes sunken as if he spends all day and night staring at a canvas.  Filkins is a professional artist who laments that art is often relegated to the rich and noble.  He has dreams of one day opening an art school.

Patricia Ainsley (Female Human) - An attractive young woman with dark hair.  She is a minor noble who also fancies herself something of an artist.  Her parents are Bartholomew and Sonya Ainsley, the baron and baronesses of the small riverside village of Brie.

Qulara Ramot (Female Dwarf) - Qulara looks to be also in her mid-thirties. She is stout and muscular. She has short, brown hair that is slicked back. Her eyes are hazel and she has a healthy suntan on her fair skin. She sports a couple of scars on her face; one on her forehead running down to her right ear, and another that crosses her lips and across her right cheek.  She is a Champion of Gonto, and part of the Enforcers faction.  Short-tempered and deadly serious, she is married to Oskibor and doesn't seem very happy about it.

Elin Hale (Female Human) - An older woman, perhaps in her late thirties, sits next to them. She has long, brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, blue eyes, and fair skin.  She has a 10 year old son named Gladden and a six year old daughter named Lisana.  She is a widow of a knight.  She is also a paladin of Gonto.