Vareholm
From the boat, the settlement of Vareholm is fairly easy to spot, being the one spot on the coast that isn’t heavily forested. Yet it is fairly plain to see that there is no place for a ship of this size to dock. Which explains all the ships anchored along the coast, with lifeboats ferrying people and supplies to the shore.
As you’re lowered into the water on a lifeboat alongside your fellow passengers, the only structure that stands out at this distance is a large dilapidated stone spire affixed with improvised wooden scaffolding. The smoke from the smoldering lighthouse fire is the only immediate indication of its use.
You are rowed to a bustling dock. With a creak, you step onto the collection of planks cobbled together. The wind carries the alternating smells of freshly cut wood and the catch of the day. The squawk of seagulls drowned out by orders being shouted to and fro from people on the docks directing the others off of the boats and supplies to their destinations.
The people around seem like laborers moving to and fro as directed by a large, gaudily dressed orc woman with two finely braided, long pigtails and platinum caps on her tusks. She barks out, “Anyone here to find work should bring themselves to Galloran's Hearth and check the help wanted board! For anything else, the young man behind the counter is the one for you to bother! Now off my dock!”
Walking into town square, you find yourself surrounded by all manner of structures but one in particular stands out: a large tavern easily identified as "Galloran’s Hearth". Though you can see people moving about within, it seems oddly quiet for a town of this size. Another two, fairly-sized buildings sit across the path with marques reading "Nick's Knacks" and "Haldreg's Sharp Things". There seems to be a primitive wooden wall that encircles the encampment, though not large enough to keep out anything larger than a goblin and certainly not sturdy enough to keep at bay any form of siege.
Opening the heavy, wooden doors of Galloran's Hearth you are suddenly hit by a wave of noise: chattering people, laughter, clanking dishes, the melody of a piano and an odd distorted lute...
Looking around, you notice heavy traffic at the west wall of the tavern as there are a dozen or so folks of all different walks of life, reading, grabbing and nailing parchment to a large board affixed to the wall...
Defences
The Barrier: There is a mysterious barrier that encircles the town. It is ordinarily not visible, however any living (or undead) creature native to these lands is quickly met with a wall of smokey runes, barring their entry. As far as anyone can tell the barrier extends upward endlessly. The nature of this barrier is a topic of controversy among those who would claim it as a feat of their own patron, others welcome without question any means of repose from the harsh wilderness of Idriell.
The Ballista: A massive siege weapon that is hidden within the roof of Galloran's Hearth that is capable of firing large bolts far beyond the boundary of the barrier. This weapon was unveiled in 241 by Evander when it was used to assist a party fleeing from a Roc towards the safety of the Barrier. While one member of the party was abducted by the creature, this weapon helped to deter it from taking anyone else.
Infrastructure
Vareholm is divided into three main areas: the the Docks, the Town Square, and the Outskirts.
The Docks
Located on the south end of the village against the Bay of Vareholm, the Vareholm Docks is the primary landing point for newcomers to the village. Despite the relatively small size of the settlement, the docks are usually bustling with activity. After the discovery of the settlement and its Barrier, various shipping companies have made the town a stopping point on long journeys across the sea and many adventurers, explorers, and colonists have begun to flock to this new land. Nearly all of the town's shops and taverns also rely on imports to supply their businesses.- Demigorgon
- Iathrana Weavery
- Johnson & Jonson Mining
- Korrik's Foreign Krafts
- Specter Guild Hall
- Wavemother's Cartography and Navigation
The Town Square
Centered around the Spire, the source of the Barrier, and located directly north of Docks is the heart of Vareholm. Many homes and businesses have sprung up around the Square and there are always people heading over to the Hearth for a drink, sparring at the Practice Field, or purchasing goods and supplies at the various shops.- Adventurer's Den
- Alcove
- Aryvandaar
- Bathhouse and Show Gun Sushi
- Blue Blazes
- Botanica Magica
- Consortium Potion Shop
- Del's Dank Herbs
- Dewdrop's Delicacies
- Excavation Site
- Fabracadabra Frozen Fantasies
- Finch Apothecary
- Galloran's Hearth
- Garden of the Guardians
- Graveyard
- Haldreg's Sharp Things
- Hall of Heroes Museum
- Healsgood Cato Public School
- Herb's Herbs
- Idriell Times
- Inferno of Industry Smelter
- Ioun Stone Cutter Mill
- Jack's Hammer
- La'Crum Art Appraisals
- Madame Mairena's Magnifique Menagerie
- Nick's Knacks
- Nightshade Growhouse
- Obsidian Bank
- The Order HQ
- Owl Bamas Barracks
- Pelor's Respite Hospital
- Pen and Parchment Scriptorium
- The Practice Field
- The Sawmill
- The Shrine
- The Spire
- Stables
- SWAT Headquarters
- Vanyali's Virtuous Vault of Virtuosos
The Outskirts
Encompassing the more sparsely populated area between the Square and the edge of the Barrier, the Outskirts are home to those looking for someplace quieter than the hubbub of the rest of the village as well as those who depend on supplies from the forest rather than shipping.- Castle Black
- Erondel's Casting Garden
- Heartstone Longhouse
- Iornside House
- Misbeth's Camp
- Misbeth's Mysterious Mystical Mushroom Mporium
- Vareholm Temple of Deities
Guilds and Factions
The Consortium: A trade organization that aims to provide various services including but not limited to crafting, alchemy, research and transcription services. They seek to stimulate and promote the economy of Vareholm.
SWAT: A group of experienced adventurers who were assembled to help train the people of Vareholm to survive the "Land of Horrors" as well as eliminate powerful threats to the settlement.
The Specters: A neutral and, relatively, unbiased guild of various agents who seek to collect and distribute information who have come to learn the secrets of Idriell and recruit new members to hasten the process.
Frontiersmen : A group of hunters and farmers turned explorers. While they are not very well equipped to fight, they have taken it upon themselves to scout the vast wilderness of Idriell and often report various and interesting findings to the more experienced adventurers of Vareholm.
History
Vareholm was initially settled in the summer of the year 241 of the 4th Era, roughly three months before the first of the adventurers began to arrive. The Hearth was the first proper structure built here, a simple shelter for the founding acolytes to eat and rest while protected from the elements. It quickly grew into a proper tavern and lodge as word spread of this new settlement and others began to arrive. The Docks were hastily constructed to accept the incoming people and various shipping companies added the quickly-growing hamlet to their trade routes, their sailors taking advantage of the safety of its strange Barrier to rest a bit on long voyages across the sea.
Once the adventurers started making headway into the wilds of Idriell, they returned to the settlement with various treasures and discoveries. The small settlement quickly exploded into a small town within the year as they combined their vast assortment of skills with newfound riches to expand and grow their home.
Maps
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Vareholm
Type
Town
Population
752
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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