Introduction
Avondale is a town that snuggles quietly in the foothills of the Whitecap Mountains in the valley of the river Avon. As the largest settlement in the area it has attracted a wide range of colourful characters to itself. Clicking on the map above will help you locate some of them. Nothing is truly scarce as the town is a trade centre. 'All things must pass through Avondale" as the saying goes. The population of about one thousand souls is a cosmopolitan mix of races and religions as befits a trading centre of this size and importance.
The town grew up around the bridge which marks the end of the navigable section of the river. A little further downstream from the solidly built stone bridge is a series of jetties at which boats are continually loading and unloading. The land slopes steeply to the north-west to The Mount on which stands Castle Kelter. On the flat land below the castle is the main market square, a large open space surrounded by shops. The centre of the market square contains a large fountain. At the south-west corner of the market is the Castle Tavern, a large inn that occupies this important corner site. The town has two major temples one dedicated to Koryis and one dedicated to Yamuga. Other notable sites within the town are the Town Hall, the Guild of Weapons, Oscar's Stables, the Bridge Inn, the Toll House and the mansion of Baron Jubfek.
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Castle Kelter is a large stone built keep that stands at the summit of The Mount and commands superb views along the River Avon and the town of Avondale. It has four strong stone corner towers with connecting curtain walls. A gate-house and barbican controls the only access which rises up the hill from the south-west. No building or trees are allowed within 150' of the castle to improve its security. It was built some 250 years ago after the Western Realms were divided.
Castellan Dalyor
The garrison at the castle is commanded by Castellan Dalyor. His long fair hair and icy blue eys betray his origins in the frozen wastes north of the Sunbirth Range. He still speaks with a thick accent despite following the First to Celidor some 35 years ago. Then little more than a child he aided the First while he was in exile and was his boon companion in many adventures until Celidor declared independance. After that he served as an advisor, general in his armies and hunted down many a dangerous beast in the wilds of the Free Isles. Now feeling the need for rest he has been rewarded with the post of Castellan in one of Celidor's most important towns. He is not overly muscular but his wiry frame and wit has enabled him to get out of many a scrape were a more brawny figure may not have. Like most northerners he is skilled with the crossbow, allegedly even better than some dwarfs. He shuns the use of a shield prefering the brute force of a two handed sword to keep the foe at bay. His favorite is named Reaver a plain length of steal that has no decorative features at all, it is a simple, brutal killing machine. He can often be found walking with his dog Sam in the foothills north of the city, the old patrolling instincts still sharp.
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The market is possibly the largest in the Free Isles. Traders from all over the Western Realms visit to buy and sell goods both exotic and mundane. Permanent shops are built around the perimeter of the market and these are also the homes of the more successful traders. The market itself is a riot of colours, sounds and scents as deals are done and contracts are signed. There are a large number of canvas capped stalls some almost totally enclosed to protect their wares, others more open to better advertise their contents. One thing is common to all however is the tall flagpoles with colourful pennants which help the patrons find the stalls they are looking for. On a windy day the sound of the pennants reminds frequent visitors to Avondale of the festival fireworks display held on Independence Day in front of Castle Kelter. The centre of the market is occupied by a large fountain, the water of which is pumped to the surface by arcane means.
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This is the largest building in the town aside from the castle and illustrates the prosperity of the town. Famous for its standard of rooms (many have their own latrines and bath rooms), food (especially fish) and the quality of its ale. All this doesn't come cheap, the best rooms cost 2gp a day and even the cheapest cost 5sp a day. The 3 story building has 75 rooms, 10 are single rooms, 25 are double rooms the remainder hold 4 people. During festivals the Inn often accommodates almost 200 people. The two large common rooms are where the majority of people eat and drink. Those who want more privacy hire a private booth or for larger events one of the six private dining rooms that each hold 8 people and are served by their own staff. The owner is one of the richest people in Avondale, Calebrind.
Calebrind
Owns and runs the Castle Tavern and has done now for some 30 years. Calebrind is about 62 years old, 5'6'' tall and slim almost wiry. He has long red wavy hair without a hint of grey that he always wears loose. Rumour has it he dyes it regularly, no one his age could have hair that colour at his age. Deep brown, slightly slanted eyes He tends to wear the same style of clothes at all times. High, hard boots, a white apron, blue coat and brown trousers. His efficient running of the Castle Tavern has made him wealthy but most suspect he had money before to purchase the tavern from its previous owner.
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This temple is a large and prosperous one reflecting the importance of trade in the town. Gold and silver ornaments, gifts from petitioners, coloured glass in the windows and a large set of bells in the tower indicate the esteem that Koryis is held in Avondale. The clerics of Koryis do many good works throughout the town, helping the homeless and those whose businesses have fallen on hard times.
Rhodoban - Cleric Of Koryis
Wise and strong Rhodoban is a man not to be trifled with. A severe face under thick black hair and large dark brown eyes that seem to see everything is what the populace of Avondale percive. In private little is different. Rhodoban is a man who follows the tenets of his faith in the strictest possible way. Originally from southern Bormaris, he fled to the Free Isles when his faith was outlawed some ten years ago. He is said to have taken some papers from the Old Temple at Derberville before it was destroyed, papers which are alleged to be the description of how to construct a powerful artifact. He has always denied this. He is regarded as being a little eccentric, but then this is not unusual for people from Bormaris. He tends to fill sentences with aphorisms such as " ... and they didn't like it up 'em" or " ... holier than a Cold Bay net!". He also seems distracted or absent minded about practical things. He is known for going into the market buying half a dozen things from several stalls then going back an hour or two later and buying the same things again. Needless to say the merchants rarely mention this to him.
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This temple to Yamuga is typical of its kind. Light and airy with a low wall surrounding a peaceful stand of trees. Within this copse a circle of stones stand, the site of especially important festivals (Midsummer and Midwinter days). The main pillars of the temple are living trees which have been trained into shape and then smaller trees, mainly willow have been intertwined to produce the walls and roof.
Nosk - Cleric of Yamuga
The most striking thing about Nosk is his height, nearly 6 and a half feet tall he towers over most of Avondale's population. It has been said by some of the less kind people in town that he spends so much time with the trees that he is beginning to look like one! He is young, 25, to have such an important role within the Church of Yamuga but it is thought that his patron, Duke Desai of Deephaven, helped him rise to his lofty position. During his time in service he was trained hard. Here he learnt to repair armour, camouflage himself and others for forest combat and fight with a mace to a high degree of skill. He left his service to become a follower of Yamuga seven years ago. His easy going character has made him popular with the children of Avondale especially the orphans whom he lets play in the copse and often leaves presents of pained stones and eggs for them to find. They know him as Uncle Tree and they often come to him in times of trouble. As the older orphans have grown up and left Avondale some have become followers of Yamuga themselves something for which the Heirachs are much pleased with. He has tried to get on with Greatha but due to his links to Greatha's father their relationship has never florished.
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This is both the home of the Mayor of Avondale and the seat of justice. It also holds the main library for Avondale and the surrounding towns and villages. Assizes are held 4 times a year on the 7th day of the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th months. The current Mayor is the halfling Keramore Nimblehand. The librarian is an elf by the name of Elil-Gandel.
Keramore Nimblehand
Elected for 5 year terms. The current mayor is a halfling, Keramore Nimblehand, who has been mayor for 3 years. He is 58, stout with reddish brown hair and twinkling green eyes. Although he seems jolly he has carried out his duties assiduously and has earned the respect of the tradesmen of the town. Before becoming mayor he has been a dock worker and adventurer and a stall holder in the market. As well as deciding on taxes and trade agreements the mayor must also act as judge and jury in trials in the quarterly assizes.
Elil-Gandel
Elil-Gandel is the librarian of Avondale. An ancient elf of unknown origin he has accumulated much knowledge in his time. Occasionally he lets slip fragments of stories of battles with dragons, ships that fly and lands beneath the waves. Many of the books and scrolls in the library belong to him and what he doesn't know is usually not worth knowing. He is very pale with silvery white hair and skin like over stretched parchment. He has a very nasty phlegmy cough that often disturbs the silence of the library.
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This large building on the edge of town at the foot of the mount houses the largest guild house within Avondale. Other guilds make do with rooms above shops, (the location of the Thieves' Guild is unknown to all but its members). The Guild of weapons is run by Greatha a hulking brute of a man with astonishing strength and lightning quick reflexes. People come here for training in weapons and also to purchase or sell weapons and armour in the attached smithy run by Dugnar a friendly and loquacious dwarf. Accommodation for guild members is free but spartan and experienced adventurers are expected to help train those who are just starting out on the adventuring life.
Greatha - Guildmaster of the Guild Of Weapons
Greatha is a large man but not a tall man. In fact he is barely over 5' tall! He is incredably well built however but these muscles do not impede his reflexes. He constantly wears a worn and dirty tabard over his ring mail, a reminder of his past in the Free Isle defensive forces. He is middle aged but has kept himself in shape by constant training with up and coming new adventurers at the guild. He is close friends with the Castellan. He is the eldest son of the previous Duke of Deephaven but fell out with him when he was in his teens. His father did not forgive him and disinherited him in favour of his younger brother.
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The stables lie on Bridge Street an ideal location as most people entering or leaving town will pass by. The stables have space for almost 50 horses and their tack. Many of the young men and women of the town have at one time or other worked in the stables under the watchful gaze of Oscar a foul-mouthed human male aged about 40 who took over from his father, also called Oscar some 7 years ago. Business is good as there is little stabling available elsewhere in the town, the Castle Tavern for example has no space for horses.
Oscar
Oscar is a foul mouthed human who never has a kind word for anyone. He becomes especially violent with people who are cruel to horses. He was once tried and aquitted of knocking unconscious a man from Poppleton who had violently beaten his mule. Keramore Nimblehand decided that Oscar's actions were taken in a moment of blind rage and as such a fine would be enough. The Poppleton merchant was less pleased vowing to gain vengance.
Jedon Blackarrow has also fallen foul of Oscar's tongue, wounding the stableman after an exchange of insults.
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This humble building is usually the first or last sight anyone has of Avondale. It has 1 communal sleeping room and 8 smaller private rooms (sleeping from one to four people each) all clean but simple. A palette in a common room costs but a 5 copper pieces a night while a private room costs from 2 silver pieces. Food is simple but the portions are large and the ale (made by the innkeeper herself) is famous for its flavour and strength. The innkeeper is a quiet human female, Jerili Task, who though kind, is strong enough to deal with even the most boisterous dwarf.
Jerili Task
Jerili is a young, late 20's early 30's, woman. Her long black hair is the envy of many a woman in Avondale. Still single she has resisted the advances of most of the eligable men in the town, including it is said the Baron himself. she runs the Inn with an iron discipline and it is always clean and sweet smelling, even the common rooms have fresh rushes on the floor twice a week. When she is not working in the inn or in the brew house she can be found in her garden tending the flowers, herbs and vegetables many of which find their way into the soups and stews served in the inn. Before buying the Bridge Inn she served in the small Free Isles navy. She saw action agaist Pirates aboard the Fighting Fox. In one encounter when her ship was attacked by three pirate vessels she took a nasty wound on the side of the face which has left a nasty scar which is mostly hidden by her hair. From her share of the rewards gained from the pirate vessels she bought the Bridge Inn 4 years ago.
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The Avon bridge is a sturdy stone structure allegedly built by giants as a favour to the original founders of Avondale. Each visitor to Avondale who uses the bridge must pay a toll at the toll house. Those on foot must pay 1cp, 3cp for each horse, 1sp for each cart and 1cp for each sheep, cow or goat. The proceeds go to the upkeep of the bridge which takes a pounding from the spring floods when the snow melts in the mountains and carries boulders the size of sheep along in its flow.
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The mansion squats behind tall stone walls topped with iron spikes. The only access is through a gate flanked by two tall towers. The Baron's personal guards are constantly on duty. The mansion itself is a fine example of its kind. Built of local stone with a slate roof and tall lancet windows. Many ugly gargoyles decorate its gables. As for the interior, no one has been in there for many a year.
Baron Thadima Jubfek
The baron is a reclusive figure. In fact since the untimely death of his father and elder brother in a hunting accident 20 years ago little has been seen of him. He is a about 45 and like all Jubfek's he has jet black hair and grey eyes. An accomplished archer and rider he served for a time in the Free Islands defensive force. Jubfek is tall (6'3") and barrel chested. A short dark beard and closely cropped black hair follow the family trait, though his grey eyes are unusual, these he gets from his mother. It is said that he has a birthmark in the shape of a dragon on his neck.
The Baron's Portrait
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The docks at Avondale are the last point a boat of any size can reach on the River Avon. Above here flat bottom barges are the only form of river transport but most goods would be transported by road from here. Needless to say the docks are a hive of activity all year round, except when the river is in flood in early spring or if there is a very hard winter and the river freezes over. Beside the river at this point are a number of warehouses along with inns offering low quality food and even lower quality entertainment for the dock hands and watermen. The housing in this quarter of the town is of very poor quality compared to the rest of Avondale. Tightly packed and built three or four stories high these hovels are often prone to 'accidents'. Reputable merchants rarely visit the Docks, having runners and go-betweens do the dangerous work for them.
The Mayor has tried to get things under control but the various Guilds like things the way they are, it gives them more power.
The burnt out hulk of McGreggor's warehouse is the legacy of a accidental fire caused by D'mond Fourfeathers.
Araudan - Leader of the Dockworkers Guild
Araudan is a swarthy, wiry figure with hands heavily caloused from years hauling ropes. Now in his forties he rarely dirties his own hands prefering one of his underlings to do things for him. He runs the guild not by respect but through fear. No one trusts him but none dare stand against him, he has too many friends in high places and some in low places as well. A rumour had it that he was the leader of the Thieves' Guild. That rumour stopped when the instigator of the tale was found staked out below high water a few days later.
Araudan can be often found in the Black Dog Inn, one of the many dark inns in Sailor's Passage, singing sea shanties and drinking copious amounts of Bormarian rum.
Other tales abound regarding Araudan's past. One tells of a curse laid upon him at birth by an evil wizard in that if he didn't move from place to place, staying no longer than a year and a day in one place, all his children would be born with an extra toe on the left foot. Araudan has lived in Avondale most of his adult life and it is true that a number of children seen playing in the dock quarter do have a surfeit of toes...
Another tale says that he once payed a visit to Mystic Meg, an old hag that told fortunes in a small dockside booth. She fortold his death in an assaination attempt. Whether he was the victim or the assasin no one knows for sure. Sadly Mystic Meg couldn't forsee her own death when her booth burnt down a few days later..
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Kesryk - Lord Guardian Of The Western Hills
Kesryk lives in a small house just off of the market. He is in his early 60's but is still a striking figure, tall with thick, tightly curled, silver grey hair. A quiet, tacitern fellow he keeps himself to himself and rarely interfears with events in Avondale. For a mage he is strangely pious. A former housemaid told of a shrine to an unknown diety in a small private chapel within his house. Unusually for a mage he never studied at Poppleton. Rumours abound about Kesryk's origin. One speaks of Kesryk, stepping out of a gateway in the air near Avondale some forty years ago. He never speaks of his childhood or where he came from, though sometimes he utters words in an unknown tongue. He moved to Safeharbour where he became a mage in the service of the First. His title of Lord Guardian was given to him by the First after the assistance he gave during the struggle for freedom.
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The Crossroad's Inn caters for travellers who are not wealthy enough to stay at the Castle Tavern but still want to be near the market place or the docks to do their deals. It is clean, safe and popular. It is run by a young human named Sandy who took over from his mother after she perished in a boating accident on thr river.
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This small and dark tavern is run by Leo Ross, a shady human of ill repute. It is not a place to flaunt valuables. It is however a good place to pick up interesting gossip and intestinal complaints. It's sign is a crudely painted monk lifting the back of his cassock up and breaking wind.
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Another small tavern. This one tends to cater mainly for dwarves. It is run by Dofia Skarrad a female dwarf who tries to keep the rowdy patrons in line. She usually succeeds. Business has started to decline recently and she often appears tired and drawn. The tavern is most famous for 'Ironbrew' a hideous beverage supposadly made from water seeping out of the mines at Dal Skyr. Dofia has barrells brought in regularly at great expense from the Dwarven city.
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