Village of Keld

Nestled on the fringes of a vast and mysterious swamp, the village of Keld emerges like a beacon of human endeavor against the untamed wilderness. The air is thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and the distant croaking of unseen creatures, creating an atmosphere of both mystery and trepidation. This quaint settlement is a haven for those who have learned to coexist with the wild and make their living from its resources.
At the heart of Keld, the rhythmic clatter of tools and the pungent aroma of tanned hides permeate the air, as the villagers engage in their primary trade—leatherworking. Skilled artisans deftly transform the hides of various creatures into supple leather, crafting a variety of goods from sturdy boots to intricately tooled accessories. The economic pulse of Keld beats in tandem with the leather industry, as traders from neighboring settlements seek the quality craftsmanship for which the village has become renowned.
Homes in Keld are modest, constructed from locally sourced timber and adorned with the symbols of the village's protective deities. Elevated wooden walkways wind through the village, allowing residents to navigate the swampy terrain with ease during the wet seasons. The heart of the village features a bustling marketplace where villagers gather to trade goods, share news, and reinforce the bonds that tie them together.
However, Keld's idyllic exterior conceals an undercurrent of unease. The Lizardfolk tribe, dwelling within the murky depths of the adjacent swamp, casts a shadow over the village. Villagers speak in hushed tones of occasional encounters with the reptilian inhabitants, describing them as enigmatic and territorial. The Lizardfolk, though largely reclusive, are known to venture near Keld's outskirts, stirring fear among the villagers who are mindful of the ancient stories that warn of the swamp's unpredictable nature.
A sense of caution pervades daily life in Keld, as the villagers maintain a watchful eye on the swamp's murky borders. A makeshift militia, comprised of both humans and other races dwelling in Keld, stands ready to defend their homes against any perceived threat from the Lizardfolk. Despite the harmony that exists between Keld and the swamp, the villagers are ever-mindful of the delicate balance they must maintain to coexist with the enigmatic reptilian tribe dwelling just beyond their borders.

Incident with [GROUP NAME TBD]

In the spring of 843 AR, a mysterious illness began affecting the people of Keld. Anyone who wandered out into the Swamps was striken with fever, and passed away a few days later. To the horror of the survivors, the recently deceased would rise as Zombies within a few days, and begin attacking the human settlement.
Noting a sudden drop off in leather production, Lord Commander Humphrey Beauregard of Strongwind dispatched [GROUP NAME TBD] to investigate.
Arriving on the scene, the heroes found the villagers trying to deal with the mysterious ailment, as well as the subsequent attacks from zombiefied victims. Many of the superstitious villagers blamed the "unclean" Lizardfolk, claiming that they had clearly cursed the village in revenge for hunters from Keld entering "their" swamp.
Upon investigation, [GROUP NAME TBD] met with the Tortle Apothecary Morla, who assured them that the Lizardfolk had nothing to do with the curse, and that it was in fact a runestone, hidden deep in the swamp that was poisoning the land around it.
Searching deep in the swamp, the heroes were able to find the runestone and deactivate it, stopping the curse. Upon their return, Morlawas able to provide a concoction that healed the remaining afflicted villagers; unfortunately there was nothing to be done for those that had passed and risen again in undeath.
When the heroes returned to Keld, they found that the Dragonborn Cleric Kunnad had set the runestone, and had subsequently fled the village ahead of the heroes arrival.
The heroes immediately left Keld to try and apprehend this "Kunnad " and to bring him to justice...

The Village of Keld

Type

Village

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Novaria