Overview
A thin fog surrounds this fortified compound, standing in a clearing on the east side of the
Neverwinter River. A ten-foot-high log palisade surrounds the compound, whose main feature is a two-story stone-and-wood building with a high-pitched roof, window shutters, and a stone chimney. Attached to the main building is a blocky tower of gray stone, its high roof lined with battlements. Other structures include a two-story stable house and a gatehouse whose flat roof is enclosed by iron railings. A stone bridge spans the river, ending before an oaken door set into the gatehouse’s outer wall. Mounted next to the door is a
bell with a short rope hanging from its clapper.
Falcon the Hunter maintains this hunting lodge to cater to nobles from
Neverwinter. He offers his services as a guide to those nobles, most of whom wouldn’t last long in the forest without his protection and survival skills. Falcon abhors city life, preferring a rustic existence and simple pleasures. His lodge has all the creature comforts he requires, though he never turns down a good bottle of wine (or even a bad one) from a visitor.
Falcon has two retainers: an elderly, world-weary cook named Corwin (N male
Tethyrian human commoner), and a mute twelve-year-old stablehand named Pell (LG male
Illuskan human commoner).
In addition to the main house, the hunting lodge grounds include a guest house for visitors, a conjoined stable house and smithy, an outhouse, and pens to hold Falcon’s livestock. Accustomed to long and lonely winters, Falcon keeps a month's worth of provisions in his pantry at all times, supplementing those stores with fresh game. He has also begun hunting
orcs and mounting their heads in his trophy hall. Corwin has advised Falcon not to do this for fear of retaliation, but Falcon has a long history of killing orcs and can’t abide them as neighbors.
Visitors are free to stay in the guest house and dine with Falcon at no charge. For more refined guests, Falcon offers a comfortable private room in the main lodge (area F12) for 10 gp a night.
Lodge Features
Animal Pens
The pens extend east from the south yard and are divided by wooden fences. They hold twenty-four
chickens, six
pigs, and four
goats. The animals are well treated and not dangerous.
Ceilings
Interior ceilings are 9 feet high and flat.
Doors
Doors are made of sturdy oak fitted with iron handles and hinges. Exterior doors are barred from the inside. A creature can use an action to force open a barred door with a successful DC 25 Strength (Athletics) check. Each door is a Medium object with AC 15, 30 hit points, and immunity to poison and psychic damage.
Light
At sundown, Corwin lights
oil lanterns that hang from hooks on the walls in all interior locations.
Palisade
The log palisade is 10 feet high and designed to keep wild forest animals at bay, not hold off armies. Anyone can scale a palisade wall with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.
Lodge Locations
F1. Stone Bridge
The 5-foot-wide stone bridge that spans the river is sturdy and newly built.
F2. Gatehouse
A wooden
ladder climbs to a trapdoor in the ceiling that grants access to the gatehouse’s 12-foot-high rooftop. A flagpole in the northeast corner of the roof sports a black banner with a silver
falcon insignia.
F3. Guest House
The guest house has a barn-like quality. A carpet of straw covers the dirt floor. Arranged about the room are nine cots that come with soft pillows and thick wool blankets.
F4. Stables
Falcon’s
riding horse, a reliable gray stallion named Baatorius, is usually lodged in the westernmost stall. The other stalls are empty.
F5. Storage
Two
bits and bridles, a spare
riding saddle, two
saddlebags, and a month's worth of
feed are kept here.
F6. Smithy
The smithy is mostly used to forge horseshoes, but guests can also use it to repair weapons and armor.
F7. Bell's Bedroom
The stablehand’s bedroom is plainly furnished.
F8. Corwin's Bedroom
Corwin likes to keep a fire always burning in the fireplace of his modestly outfitted bedroom.
F9. Kitchen
Originally, Falcon’s lodge consisted entirely of this stone building and the outhouse north of it. When the lodge grew in size, this building became the kitchen.
F10. Pantry
A month's worth of nonperishable foodstuffs are stored here.
F11. Dining and Trophy Room
A second-floor trophy gallery opens up above an oak dining table surrounded by tall-backed chairs on the main floor. Two iron chandeliers hang from the high rafters.
F12. Deluxe Guest Bedroom
For 10 gp a night, wealthy guests can enjoy the comforts of this luxurious bedchamber, including a washbasin, a box of pipeweed, and a down-stuffed mattress.
F13. Falcon's Bedroom
Falcon’s bedroom is cozy and warm, but untidy.
F14. Tower Basement
This dirt-floored room is used for cold storage.
F15. Tower Guard Post
Arrow slits line the walls of this empty guard post.
F16. Tower Roof
This 30-foot-high roof offers an unobstructed view of the clearing around the lodge and the nearby woods.
Comments