Horka

A well kept pasture and field comes into view as you exit a grove of trees. Beyond the field is a small village surrounded by a well maintained wooden palisade upon which a few guards can be seen. A bell tolls as you approach and within moments a well armed patrol of five warriors ride towards you while the nearby farmers rush inside.

The patrol is led by a warrior named Frunze. 

He will allow the party to accompany him inside the village if they give up their arms. He will take them to Chief Kellir directly unless the party resists.

You pass by stout gates bound by metal bands ornately wrought and tarnished with age. The walls are manned by warriors with bows and in good repair. 

The bands are of Elvish manufacture and are warded against evil. 1-10 electrical shock if touched by an Evil character.

Inside the walls is a neatly kept village. Wash hangs from the windows and the sounds of children can be heard from inside the houses as you pass by. In the distance is a blacksmith and stables. You pass a small inn named the “Apple Tree” and some empty storehouses as you wind your ways towards another inner wall that surrounds a motted tower.

The village is well defended and at night fires are lit along the wall.

The Apple Tree Inn is the center of town life and run by a retired half elf fighter named Sirith. He charges fair rates and is generally outgoing.

Frunze stops in front of an old wooden building, decorated with ancient carvings depicting Elves and Humans working in vineyards. He bids you enter the hall and offers you a drink of wine while he gets the village elder.

The room is 20x20 and well lit. There is no furniture. A double door leads to the inner hall. A tapestry depicting a hunting scene hangs on the wall. Frunze enters the room and with a respectful turn and bow announces the entrance of Chief Kellir. The old Chief walks in with a steady pace though its clear he’s tired. Behind him stands a young human woman of perhaps half his age, her face painted with green symbols wearing simple robes leaning on a gnarled staff. With a quick glance he scans the party and says “You do not appear to be bandits, and you do not appear to be of the March. Where are you from and why do you venture into my domain?

Niedolf is the clans druid. She has been sent here to learn some civilized ways and also keep watch on the village for Nord Haldane.

If treated with respect due his status, Chief Kellir will invite the party to dine with him. If they are rude he will dismiss them and send them out of the village.

At dinner Chief Kellir relates some of the regional history. He knows of an Elvish village located in Iva Or (in the woods) and also the location of the ruins to a Dwarven hold. 

If the party reveals they have come from Nyrond or Furundy he will relate a tale about adventures who have come through the area. <p-dialog> About 25 years ago a group of adventures from Nyrond passed through here on their way North to Spinecastle They like you sought glory through combat, and for a time we  continued to hear of their successes as they cleaved their way through the humanoids of the March. A mighty wizard accompanied them as they were seeking a relic to aid Nyrond in her battles. </p-dialog>

<p-dialog> Reportedly they established a small keep a few days hard ride from here and drew many locals under their protection. A great battle was fought and the humanoids and brigands were routed. The adventures I’m told moved on but left a seneschal in charge of the keep and local area. As time went on their numbers must have dwindled and power waned as trade in the area has nearly returned to pre-war levels. </p-dialog>

If you can reopen the roads before summer we will pay you a tribute of 1/10th the value of any trade. Should word of your success make it to the keep perhaps the seneschal will pay you even more.

Chief Kellir had a brisk trade with the elves in wine and herbs. In exchange Chief Kellir guarded the entrance to the woods and sold some of the wine to the keep. The value of the shipments wasn’t huge (2-300GP) a month but was more than sufficient for the small village. He also traded with the Dwarves for iron goods but not as frequently. 

Prominent NPC’s

Sirith - Innkeeper Frunze Niedolf

[container:box-blacksmith][section:corner-icon fas fa-2x fa-sword] [/section] [h2] Eidereia's Brimstone[/h2] [b]Description:[/b] You see a two story, lime Green trimmed, clay building with a heather-thatched roof. As you enter you notice the simplistic and functional design before you.