Roadward Hearth
"A warm fire is the first gift of Asanna. The second is sharing it."
Roadward Hearth is a fortified sanctuary and roadside inn along Ironbound Way Road between Paranor city and Lantern's Rest Inn. Though privately operated, the Roadward Hearth maintains close ties to the Hearth Keepers of Asanna, the Blazing Dawn and has served travelers on the western roads for almost a century. Merchants, pilgrims, adventurers, and soldiers gather beneath its roof, making it one of the most well-known and respected waystations in the Illuminated Kingdom.
Sanctuary of the Fire Keeper
Roadward Hearth was founded in 550 EoIF during the reign of Queen Elira Ambercrown after several particularly harsh winters claimed the lives of travelers attempting to cross Ironbound Way. A small fellowship of Hearth Keepers established the site with a simple goal. Ensure that no traveler would be left without shelter, warmth, or a hot meal while crossing the western road.
What began as a modest communal hearth gradually expanded into the fortified sanctuary that stands today. As trade increased between Paranor and the frontier settlements of the Oathlands, additional cabins, storehouses, watchtowers, and supplies were added to support the growing number of travelers passing through the region.
Though ownership has changed hands several times over the decades, Roadward Hearth continues to follow many of the traditions established by its founders. The central fire is never intentionally extinguished, and every meal begins with a brief blessing to Asanna. Travelers unable to afford lodging are still granted a place beside the fire for a single night as many Hearth Keepers consider Roadward Hearth one of the finest examples of Asanna's teachings in practice. People of every station pass through its gates, and for a brief time, all share the same warmth.
What began as a modest communal hearth gradually expanded into the fortified sanctuary that stands today. As trade increased between Paranor and the frontier settlements of the Oathlands, additional cabins, storehouses, watchtowers, and supplies were added to support the growing number of travelers passing through the region.
Though ownership has changed hands several times over the decades, Roadward Hearth continues to follow many of the traditions established by its founders. The central fire is never intentionally extinguished, and every meal begins with a brief blessing to Asanna. Travelers unable to afford lodging are still granted a place beside the fire for a single night as many Hearth Keepers consider Roadward Hearth one of the finest examples of Asanna's teachings in practice. People of every station pass through its gates, and for a brief time, all share the same warmth.
Defenses
Waywardens
The Roadward Hearth maintains its own guard force, the Waywardens. Though technically a mercenary company, the Waywardens are contracted year-round to protect the Hearth and patrol nearby roadways.
The Waywardens maintain a watchtower overlooking Ironbound Way and regularly train at the compound's archery range. Their presence has helped Roadward Hearth survive numerous bandit raids, monster attacks, and other frontier dangers over the decades.
Most visitors quickly learn that the Waywardens value cooperation and are not shy about asking for assistance. A traveler staying several nights may find themselves helping repair fences, split firewood, or assist with patrol duties before continuing their journey. For many along the western roads, the sight of a Waywarden is nearly as reassuring as the sight of the Hearth itself.
Founding Date
550 EoIF
Type
Inn
Parent Location
Additional Rulers/Owners
by Dean Spencer
Brief Sanctuary
The location of the Roadward Hearth places it at the center of several important travel routes throughout the western kingdom. A week north lies Paranor, one of the largest cities in the Illuminated Kingdom and the heart of regional trade. A week south stands Lantern's Rest Inn, another important stop along Ironbound Way. To the east stretches Stillbranch Forest, where hunters, herbalists, and trappers disappear beneath the trees for weeks at a time. Further beyond lies the Grenchester Rise Mountains and the entrance to the Dwarf underground settlement Ulek’vern. To the west lies the lonely trails of the Oathlands, leading toward Lanternfall Tower, the Hushed Grove, and the distant peaks of the Languished Step Mountains.
Notable Locations
Dawnfire Hall
At the center of the compound is the famous Dawnfire Hall, a large gathering hall built around an enormous stone hearth from which the sanctuary takes its name. The fire burns day and night, serving as the social heart of the entire complex.
Merchants negotiate contracts by the flames. Adventurers gather companions for dangerous expeditions into the Oathlands. Travelers returning from the western roads often spend hours by the fire before continuing home, grateful to sit once again beneath a roof and share a meal among friendly faces.
It's tradition for every departing traveler to place a piece of wood on the fire before leaving. Some offer prayers or a sincere thanks to Asanna, the Blazing Dawn. Most simply hope the flames will still be burning when they return.
The Exchange
Attached to the western side of Roadward Hearth is a permanent trading post known as the Exchange. Though modest in size, the shop has become a vital resource for travelers crossing the region.
The Exchange stocks trail rations, lantern oil, rope, arrows, maps, camping supplies, hunting equipment, and a variety of goods useful for long journeys. Caravan leaders stop to purchase last-minute supplies before venturing further westward, while adventurers frequently gather information on road conditions, creature sightings, and to hear the latest local rumors.
If a traveler cannot find what they need at the Exchange, they probably should not be heading into the Oathlands.
Traveler Cabins
Rather than traditional inn rooms, most guests stay in a collection of private cabins along the eastern side of the compound. These simple but comfortable structures offer travelers a quiet place to rest away from the noise of the main hall.
The cabins are especially popular with merchant families, priests, and long-distance travelers who expect to stay at the Hearth for several days. During periods of heavy traffic, additional travelers often sleep in Dawnfire Hall itself.
Notable People
Hearthmother Ivetta Angmar
Ivetta Angmar oversees Roadward Hearth's daily operations and has done so for nearly twenty years. A former Hearth Keeper devoted to Asanna, Ivetta left formal service in the Illuminated Church to devote herself fully to maintaining the sanctuary.
Now in her late fifties, Ivetta is known throughout the western roads for her sharp memory and practical wisdom. She remembers hundreds of regular travelers by name and often knows the latest road rumors before they reach nearby settlements. Merchants, pilgrims, and adventurers alike have learned that few secrets travel along Ironbound Way without eventually reaching the Hearthmother's ears.
Shopkeeper Beatrice Pennyworth
The Exchange is operated by Beatrice Pennyworth, a cheerful but sharp-minded Halfling whose ability to acquire goods has become nearly as famous as the Roadward Hearth itself. No matter what obscure wilderness supplies a traveler may need, Beatrice somehow seems to have exactly what they ask for tucked away somewhere within her crowded shelves.
Despite her business success, Beatrice remains deeply committed to the traditions of the Hearth. Travelers who genuinely find themselves in need often discover that her generosity exceeds her interest in profit, especially when children or pilgrims are involved.
Captain Elgrik Anvilshield
Captain Elgrik Anvilshield leads the Waywardens, a small mercenary company contracted by Hearthmother Ivetta Angmar to protect the Roadward Hearth and patrol the surrounding stretches of Ironbound Way. A stocky Dwarf with a graying beard and a nose broken more than once during his military career, Elgrik spent nearly three decades serving within the Grenchester Army before retiring from active service. Retirement lasted less than a year before Ivetta convinced him to take command of the Hearth's defenses.
Though the Waywardens are technically mercenaries, Elgrik runs them with the discipline of a military unit. Patrol schedules are meticulously maintained, equipment inspections are routine, and every guard under his command is expected to know the nearby roads as well as any scout. Travelers often mistake the Waywardens for regular soldiers until they notice the absence of royal insignia and the presence of the Hearth's own sunburst emblem upon their cloaks.
Master Hunter Kori Slipwind
Kori Slipwind is one of the most recognizable faces at the Roadward Hearth, a black-furred Felaryn whose knowledge of the surrounding wilderness has become the subject of countless traveler stories. Lean and wiry, with amber eyes and a perpetually relaxed posture, Kori spends much of the year moving between Stillbranch Forest, the Oathlands, and the foothills of the Languished Step Mountains. Few living hunters know the western wilds better.
Kori has become increasingly concerned about activity along the western roads in recent years. He frequently reports signs of Plaguefoot Softpaw movement, abandoned camps, and unusual tracks leading toward Lanternfall Tower and the deeper Oathlands. While the uneducated dismiss his warnings as the caution of an aging hunter, most travelers know to trust Kori’s advice. Kori Slipwind has survived too long in the frontier to fear shadows without reason.
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