Foreston
by Brian Caraway(Fortified town of the Empire of Thyatis)
Who Rules: Dame Larandia Lymianoporus (LG hf R11). A twenty-year veteran adventurer with the imperial rank of Knight, Larandia has risen through the ranks of the Foresters to become their leader and has served with distinction the entire way.
Who Really Rules: Count Yldysyl Greenheight, Emperor Thincol I. Aside from the infrequent envoy from the capital, Thincol has not taken much of an interest in the goings-on of either town in County Vyalia. Indeed, as long as relations with the Vyalia clan are good, his attentions lie elsewhere. Dame Larandia has maintained a cordial relationship with the Count for years.
Population: Approximately 5,000 (50% human, 30% elf, 15% halfling), rising to nearly 6,000 during the height of the trading season.
Major Products: Crafts, agriculture, fishing, textiles.
Armed Forces: This town is the headquarters of the Foresters, an organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of the Vyalia and Calarii elven clans, the Dymrak Forest, and her inhabitants. Most of the residents here are Foresters and can be mobilized into a formidable force very quickly. About 25% of the population serves as active militia and town guard, approximately 1,000 strong. They consist of about 400 foot infantry and 300 rangers who serve as archers, scouts, and support. The rest are an eclectic mix of fighters, druids, mages, mounted infantry (both horse and flying mounts), and various multi-classed elves and halflings. One-quarter of this force serves as the town guard, while another one-quarter conducts patrols of the county, and the remaining half garrison in or near town, with a rotation of forces every six months.
Local Laws: Imperial Law is used when dealing with non-residents, and elven law is used for everyone else.
Notable Mages: Konrad Von Stegar (N hem W7). An outcast from Hattias because of his mixed blood, Konrad has only recently arrived in town and is considering hunting down his father and killing him for cruelly slaying his mother.
Notable Churches:
Wildhome, a medium-sized open-air henge temple to Ilsundal ten miles west of town; Druid Malika (N hf D12), who is a thorn in Dame Larandia’s side because of her fanatical bent and willingness to go to extremes to protect the wilderness from nearly anyone or anything. All attempts at negotiation and compromise have failed, and only Malika’s respect and awe of Count Greenheight have kept things from breaking out into open conflict between the Foresters (whom Malika believes are too weak-willed when protecting nature) and her faithful. 3 druids, 42 followers.
The Never-ending Journey; small six-sided flat central plan temple to Petra; High Marksman Atialen (CG hem P13)
Home of the Guardian; With the Foresters being staunch defenders of wilderness and Dame Larandia being a devout worshipper of Mealiden herself, there is a small temple to Mealiden within the headquarters of the Foresters. Run by Tavey Duskberry (NG hem R7/D8), this temple serves the populace as well as supporting the Foresters. 3 rangers, 2 druids, 5 clerics, 842 followers.
House of the Earthmother; medium-sized cruciform temple to Ninsun, 3 subterranean levels; Bountiful Harvester Kenna O’Murphy (LG hf P13)
Shrines to Asterius, Ixion, Koryis, Diulanna, Tarastia.
Notable Rogues’ and Thieves Guilds: None. Considering the size of the town and that the majority of the populace are current or retired Foresters, any skullduggery is quickly discovered, rooted out and ejected from the town.
Equipment Shops: Partial.
Adventurers’ Quarters:
The Woodswalk (inn and tavern): Run by retired ranger Branwen O’Cullane (CG hf R6), this place is favored by Foresters, rangers, elves, and druids because of its open-air dining and common areas, walking paths around large trees leading to the inn proper and its surrounding gardens. The rooms are comfortable with plenty of windows, and the larger rooms on the second floor of the inn have windowed ceilings that open to the sky. (good/moderate)
The Laughing Huntress (inn and tavern): Run by Nicole Latrielle (N hf F4), this is another place favored by Foresters. The sign over the door is a likeness of a younger Dame Larandia in Forester garb, pointing and hysterically laughing at something. Dame Larandia herself is somewhat embarrassed by this place (more because of the story behind her laughing so hard), but she has no stake in it. She has told Nicole that if she is going to be associated with this place, the fare and lodging had better live up to her standards, if not surpass them. So far, Nicole has kept her end of the bargain. (excellent/moderate)
The Golden Goose (inn and tavern): This is the most expensive place in town. Well-to-do merchants frequent this place as well as the upper crust of Foreston, such as they are. (excellent/expensive)
The Electrum Spoon (inn and tavern), is a place that has just recently opened. Most of the populace has not tried this place yet, as they are used to the established places. (good/moderate)
Important Characters: Kiro “Dragonheart” Driannson (CG hm R12). A prime example of a “local boy done good”, he was born and raised in Foreston. He has been granted lands to the northwest of Foreston by Count Greenheight, and has built his stronghold there. He and his followers patrol that area to keep it clear of monsters. He is also searching for the hidden lair of the old green she-dragon Malachar, a long-time foe of the city and county.
Malachar (LE very old green dragon f). Malachar has been causing trouble for the town and county for decades. Her ambition is to rule from Foreston after the populace has been cowed into submission, and then turn her attention to destroying the Vyalia elves utterly before conquering the Empire one village and town at a time. She has recently suffered a narrow, yet crushing defeat at the hands of Count Greenheight, Dame Larandia, and Kiro Driannson when she tried to conquer the town. That attempt cost her the lives of her offspring, and she has spent the last few years licking her wounds (literally and figuratively) in her lair far to the northwest, near the headwaters of the Rugalov River. She relies on a formidable intelligence network to stay ahead of Kiro’s attempts to track her down and to know the latest goings-on in both towns.
Important Features in Town: The headquarters of the Foresters is here, and it is from here that Dame Larandia operates. The building itself dominates the center of town; a multi-level gated complex from which Foresters of all ranks that are on duty reside and go about their business.
Local Lore:
Kiro has finally found Malachar’s main lair and intends to raid it. He is looking to hire groups of adventurers for the assault, looking to rob the she-dragon of her treasure hoard while she is not there, which has been reported to be massive. The problem with that is, unbeknownst to him, she’s actually there. The way is laden with traps and ambushes, and the old dragon has an anti-adventurer group of her own as well. (Adventure for character levels 9-13)