Outside the village
The Greenwood Reach
North of Ravenshollow, a narrow stretch of Gloomwood extends eastward like a peninsula, a buffer of deep woodland before the terrain opens into the misty expanse of the Fens. Known as Greenwood Reach, this part of the forest is thinner, younger, and less corrupted than the deeper heart of the Gloomwood, its trees less twisted by shadow and its creatures not yet wholly consumed by the growing darkness.
Though not without danger, Greenwood Reach is among the safest woodland available to the villagers, a place where hunters, gatherers, and herbalists dare to tread, seeking the forest’s bounty without venturing into the nightmare beyond.
A Refuge from the Dark
Unlike the deeper parts of the Gloomwood, Greenwood Reach is still largely untamed, but not yet twisted. Its trees—old oaks, towering pines, and silver-barked aspens—are strong and uncorrupted, their roots still drinking from untainted soil.
- Mossy clearings provide shelter for wild hares, deer, and game birds, making it a favored hunting ground for those wary of venturing further west.
- Herbalists gather Maiden’s Lace, Bitterleaf, and Foxglove among the underbrush, often led by Mira Ashford’s quiet guidance.
- Woodcutters harvest fallen trees, wary not to anger the forest by taking too much.
Even as darkness creeps through the Gloomwood, the Reach remains a bastion of normalcy—if only for now.
Its Role in the Life of Ravenshollow
- Hunting & Trapping – The village’s most experienced hunters still venture into the deeper forest, but novice hunters, trappers, and those without the stomach for true danger often set their snares here. Wild boars, small deer, and game birds are still common, making Greenwood Reach the safest place to teach the next generation the ways of the hunt.
- Gathering & Foraging – Though the richest herbs grow deeper in the Gloomwood, Greenwood Reach offers medicinal plants, berries, and mushrooms—a vital source of healing remedies for the village.
- A Safe Passage to the North – While travel through the deeper Gloomwood is treacherous, Greenwood Reach provides the only somewhat safe passage north toward the Fens. It is still risky to travel alone, but compared to the forest beyond, it is the lesser evil.
- A Place of Old Paths – Though not fully claimed by darkness, Greenwood Reach is still part of the Gloomwood, and its shadows hold old secrets. Ancient stone markers, half-buried in moss, suggest that something older than the village once walked these paths—though whether those beings were friend or foe is unknown.
A Last Bastion Against the Encroaching Dark
For now, Greenwood Reach remains untouched by the corruption that festers deeper in the Gloomwood, but how long this will last is uncertain. Some hunters have reported seeing shadows where none should be, hearing whispers that the wind does not carry, and finding game animals with blackened eyes, as if something had begun seeping into the land itself.
The villagers of Ravenshollow continue to walk these woods, to hunt, gather, and work, but they do so with growing unease. Greenwood Reach is safe for now—but the villagers know too well that nothing in the Gloomwood stays safe forever.
The Ashen Mirror: The Pond
The Pond is located roughly halfway between Ravenshollow and Wrenwood Farm — a shallow basin nestled in a low-lying grove, shrouded by willows and elder trees. Though it lies outside the deeper Gloomwood proper, it feels... wrong.
The trees around the grove lean inward unnaturally, their branches trailing into the mist that always seems to cling to the water’s surface, even on dry days.
The water is dark and oddly still, with a faint sheen that looks like oil drifting on top when the light catches it — even though the water smells clean at first sniff.
Animals rarely drink from it anymore, and the nearby vegetation has subtly changed: wildflowers grow in strange, twisted shapes, and patches of earth are barren as if scorched from beneath.
A faint scent of ash and damp rot always lingers here, unnoticed until you step into the clearing.
Locals call it:
- "The Lady’s Mirror" (old name, mostly forgotten)
- "The Misty Pond" (current common name)
- "Ashpond" (among the more suspicious)
Effects on visitors:
- Voices sound muted, distant, as if muffled by unseen hands.
- Reflections on the water sometimes show things that aren't there: figures moving behind trees, faces in the mist, faint flashes of chains glinting under the water.
The pond is a false home, a reflection — the place where the echo of Naila was trapped, weakened, and silenced.
The Reflection Stone
At the heart of the pond, reachable only by a half-sunken causeway of mossy stones, lies a small, slightly raised island — no more than ten strides across.
At its center stands the Reflection Stone:
- A standing stone of pale granite, about the height of a tall man.
- Its surface is unnaturally smooth, almost polished — except for veins of black and silver that coil through it like frozen lightning.
- In the right light, the stone’s surface faintly ripples like water, showing fleeting images — faces, trees, sometimes glimpses of Naila herself.
- Tiny runes — mostly faded and broken — are etched along the base, signs of the binding.
Careful study would reveal they are not of mortal design alone — a blending of stolen elven symbols and corrupt human hand.
Interaction with the Reflection Stone:
- If touched, the stone feels cold and damp, like river stones deep underwater.
- Sensitive or magical individuals may see brief visions:
- A silver-haired woman struggling in unseen bonds.
- A laughing satyr weaving thorns and ash into the pond.
- Three shadowed figures — a farmer, a mercenary, a seamstress — working in secret.
The Reflection Stone: Forgotten Lore and Living Superstition
Ancient Purpose
Long before the corruption, before even the current generation of villagers was born, the Reflection Stone was regarded as a place of communion:
- Prayers were whispered to the Lady of the River — for safe harvests, for healthy births, for guidance in troubled times.
- Small sacrifices were left at the water’s edge or at the base of the stone:
- A rabbit bound in woven reeds (symbolizing a plea for fertility or luck).
- Braided garlands of wildflowers (offerings of beauty and thanks).
- Occasionally, silver coins pressed into the mud beneath the water (seeking safe journeys).
It was believed that if the offering was accepted — the reflection on the pond shifting or a soft breeze stirring the water — then the request was heard.
It wasn’t just Naila, either:
Other spirits of river and wood could sometimes hear the call.
(The old folk say that was both a blessing and a risk.)
Modern Beliefs
After Naila’s capture, the stone and pond grew darker:
- The pond’s mist thickened, and strange sounds (whispering, faint sobs, harsh laughter) sometimes echoed through the grove.
- The wildlife changed — black crows replaced songbirds, the reeds grew thicker and twisted.
Most villagers avoid the pond now, considering it "ill-starred" or "witchy."
However:
- A few of the old believers — elderly folk mainly — still make offerings, stubbornly clinging to ancient rites.
- Some young lovers daring each other sometimes sneak to the grove at night to whisper their wishes.
- Occasionally, lost souls (widows, grieving parents) leave tokens in desperation, hoping someone, anyone, still listens.
Stray Knowledge and Village Rumors
Common knowledge (what most villagers might know):
- "The pond’s mist never lifts, not even in summer."
- "Leave a flower if you’re lost, a coin if you’re desperate, a tear if you’re dying."
- "Best not to look too long at your own reflection — something might look back."
Older knowledge (from the elders, or old books kept by Mira or Cedric):
- "In the days before the first stones of Ravenshollow were laid, the Lady walked the banks by moonlight."
- "The Reflection Stone is a mirror between worlds — and mirrors cut both ways."
- "The Lady could grant favors... or take terrible offense."
Nanette Redleaf’s Rhymes
Nanette, with her strange half-sung riddles and broken verses, could offer snippets like these:
"Silver swims where shadow drowns,
In stillborn water, old sorrow frowns."
"Bind the flowers, braid them tight,
To wake the river’s sleeping might."
"Ask the stone, if you dare,
But beware — some mirrors wear fangs in their stare."
"Rabbit bound and flower spun,
The river weeps for what was done."
And if pressed specifically about the pond:
"Mist curls where the river weeps,
And in the depths, the Lady sleeps.
Thorns wound the wrist, ash salts the tear,
A threefold wound still festers here."
These would serve both as atmosphere and genuine clues for attentive players — setting up both the need to honor the stone properly and the deeper wrongness now poisoning it.
In short:
- Everyone knows the Reflection Stone is a mystical relic — but only the old or wise understand its full, dangerous history.
- The villagers' small surviving rites are a shadow of the true communion it once enabled.
- Nanette's riddles hint at the corruption — and at how the players might be able to wake the river’s true spirit if they are wise.
Raven’s Edge Inn: The Mysterious Wayfarer’s Haven
Standing alone atop a rocky outcrop just a day’s travel east of Ravenshollow, the Raven’s Edge Inn is a welcome sight for weary travelers making their way along the old forest road. The inn’s silhouette cuts a dramatic figure against the skyline, its tall, pointed roof crowned with a weathered weathervane shaped like a raven in flight. From a distance, the inn appears almost like a fortress, its dark wooden beams and stone walls blending seamlessly with the surrounding trees and rocky landscape. By night, the warm golden glow from its windows spills out into the darkness, like a beacon of comfort and safety.
A Traveler’s Refuge
The inn is well-known among merchants, caravan guards, and traveling entertainers as a place of respite. Its doors are always open, and the common room is rarely empty, filled with the hum of conversation, the clink of tankards, and the soft strumming of a lute from a visiting gleeman. The inn’s reputation for excellent food and exotic beverages has spread far and wide, and many make the journey here specifically to sample its unique fare.
Exotic Cuisine: The menu at Raven’s Edge Inn is unlike anything found in the nearby villages. It features dishes spiced with ingredients that no one has seen in the local markets—saffron-infused stews, rich venison roasts with a glaze of honey and rare black pepper, and sweet pastries dusted with cinnamon. The drinks menu is equally impressive, offering aged meads, smoky whiskeys, and wines with hints of strange, exotic fruits. Travelers often leave with their bellies full and their heads buzzing, recounting tales of the flavors they’ve never tasted before.
Mystery of the Ingredients: No one knows exactly how the inn manages to procure such rare spices and ingredients. The forest paths are treacherous, and the nearest large trade routes lie far to the east. Yet, the kitchen seems to be constantly stocked with exotic goods—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and even rare truffles. It’s a mystery that many have pondered, but few dare to question openly, as the staff seems oddly tight-lipped about their supply chain.
The Staff: A Strange Family
The inn is managed by a large, jovial man named Boris, who greets every guest with a booming laugh and a slap on the back that often leaves them breathless. Boris is a charismatic figure, always eager to share a drink or tell a tall tale, but beneath his cheerful exterior lies a temper as fierce as a summer storm. He has little patience for disrespect and deals swiftly with anyone who causes trouble in his establishment.
Boris’s Tantrums: Most of the time, Boris is the picture of hospitality, but when his temper flares, it’s a sight to behold. His rages are sudden and explosive, often triggered by minor slights—spilled ale, rude comments about the inn’s food, or even a poorly aimed jest. When he’s angry, his jovial smile twists into a snarl, and his booming laugh becomes a bellowing roar. Plates and tankards have been known to fly across the room, and more than one unruly patron has found themselves thrown bodily out of the inn by Boris himself.
The Mute Brothers: Assisting Boris are two towering, mute brothers known simply as Ivan and Anton. They are a pair of giants, easily standing a head taller than any other man in the room, with broad shoulders and hands like iron mallets. They move in perfect synchronization, clearing tables, carrying heavy barrels, and handling rowdy guests without ever uttering a sound. Their silence only adds to their intimidating presence, and no one knows much about their past. Rumors suggest they were once mercenaries or gladiators, but no one has dared ask them directly. Ivan and Anton handle all disputes with the same calm efficiency—grabbing the troublemaker by the scruff and escorting them out with surprising gentleness, like a parent disciplining a wayward child.
The Chef: A Hidden Genius: The most mysterious figure at Raven’s Edge Inn is the chef, whom no one has ever seen. The kitchen door remains firmly shut at all times, and even the staff seem to know little about the person behind the exquisite dishes. Plates of food appear through a small service hatch, delivered by unseen hands. When asked about the chef, Boris only grins and winks, saying, “Ah, the chef is a special one—best leave it at that.” Some say the chef is a foreign traveler who decided to stay, while others believe it might be a reclusive wizard, infusing the dishes with subtle enchantments. The truth remains a well-guarded secret.
A Strange Ownership
One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Raven’s Edge Inn is its ownership. Boris runs the place as if it were his own, but those who have pressed him on the matter are met with a jovial shrug and a vague response about “an old friend” who owns the property. There are whispers that the inn belongs to a shadowy benefactor—perhaps a wealthy merchant, a noble from a distant city, or even a powerful sorcerer. Some villagers speculate that the inn’s rare ingredients and exotic beverages are smuggled in by a secretive network that stretches far beyond the local region.
Atmosphere and Ambiance
The common room of the inn is a marvel of rustic charm and eclectic decor. The walls are lined with an array of strange artifacts—gleaming silver goblets, odd masks, and beautifully woven tapestries depicting scenes from distant lands. The tables are sturdy and well-worn, each one carved with initials and small symbols left by travelers over the years. A massive stone hearth dominates one wall, the fire crackling warmly and casting flickering shadows across the room.
The Hearth and Tales: The hearth is the heart of the inn, where storytellers and gleemen often gather, spinning tales of far-off places and ancient legends. Boris encourages these performances, clapping along to the songs and filling patrons’ mugs to the brim. It’s said that those who perform well are rewarded with a special drink from Boris’s private stock—a deep red liquor with a taste that defies description.
The Secretive Cellar: Beneath the inn lies a vast cellar, filled with barrels of wine and casks of ale. Only Boris and the mute brothers have access to it, and it’s rumored that the cellar extends far deeper than it should, with hidden passages leading who-knows-where. On quiet nights, when the common room is empty, some have claimed to hear the faint clinking of glasses and soft laughter echoing up from below, though no one has ever been able to confirm it.
The Draw of the Unknown
Raven’s Edge Inn has become a place of legend, drawing people not just for its food and drink, but for the mysteries that seem to cling to its very walls. No one is quite sure what to make of the strange ownership, the secretive chef, or the mute brothers who work in silence. But for all its oddities, the inn remains a beloved haven for travelers, a place where they can rest, eat well, and share stories under the watchful eyes of the raven-shaped weathervane.
An Air of Magic: There’s a subtle, almost magical quality to the inn. The drinks taste sweeter, the food richer, and the fire warmer than anywhere else. Some say it’s the skill of the unseen chef, while others believe the inn itself might be enchanted. Whatever the truth, the Raven’s Edge Inn has become a place where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, and where the line between reality and legend blurs with every passing night.
In the end, the Raven’s Edge Inn stands as a testament to the power of mystery. It’s a place where stories are born, where travelers find a brief respite from the road, and where the curious and the cautious alike can indulge in a taste of the unknown. And though no one may ever solve all its secrets, that is precisely what makes it such an irresistible destination.
Blackwater Reach
Blackwater Reach lies a week’s treacherous journey east of Ravenshollow, across wildlands where bandits, corrupted beasts, and worse prowl the roads. It is a large, unruly town, a place where coin outweighs loyalty and power shifts with the ambitions of mercenary captains and guildmasters. Though a noble technically holds authority, real control belongs to whoever can pay the most swords—or spill the most blood.
Travelers speak of cutpurses in every shadow, tavern brawls that spill into the streets, and a thriving black market where anything—from forbidden relics to mercenary contracts—can be bought for a price. Despite its lawlessness, Blackwater Reach draws traders and wanderers alike, offering both opportunity and danger to those bold—or desperate—enough to seek their fortune there.
The Fens: The Northern Marshlands
North of Ravenshollow, past a few hours of dense woodland, the trees begin to thin, their roots grasping at the damp soil as if reluctant to let go. The land opens into The Fens, a sprawling marshland stretching toward the horizon, where mist lingers in the early morning and evening like an unshaken veil. Unlike the deep, treacherous Boglands of the south, The Fens are shallower and more navigable, yet still unpredictable, their soft earth riddled with hidden sinkholes and tangled reeds.
Terrain & Geography
- Rolling Reed Beds: Thick clusters of tall reeds and sedges dominate the landscape, swaying with the ever-present wind. Their golden-green stalks rustle constantly, creating a whispering hush that never quite fades.
- Peat-Rich Soil: The ground here is dark, damp, and rich with centuries of decomposed plant matter. Some parts are firm enough for shallow-rooted trees and shrubs, while others turn into squelching, black bog mud that can swallow a careless step.
- Shallow Pools & Mire: Scattered throughout are stagnant pools reflecting the overcast sky, their surfaces broken by lilypads, green scum, or the occasional darting frog. Some pools are deceptively deep, their bottoms hidden beneath layers of silt and dead roots.
- Meandering Streams: Small, slow-moving streams wind through The Fens, their paths unpredictable. These narrow waterways feed into larger rivers, carrying runoff from the forest, and providing a lifeline for both wildlife and those who dare to harvest from the land.
- Patches of Solid Ground: Amidst the wetland, there are firmer patches of land, home to gnarled black alder trees, willows, and thorny brambles. These are favored by travelers and wildlife alike, though they are not always as stable as they appear.
Flora of The Fens
While some plants from the deeper forest creep into The Fens, this wetland hosts its own unique vegetation, thriving in the boggy, nutrient-rich environment.
- Marsh Cress – A pungent, leafy green found in shallow waters. Eaten by both animals and villagers, though its bitter taste is not enjoyed by all.
- Fen Lilies – Delicate white water lilies that bloom in the deeper pools, known for their calming scent. Some say inhaling their fragrance wards off nightmares.
- Blackroot Ivy – A creeping vine with inky-black roots that burrow deep into the marshy soil. Used in herbal poultices for drawing out toxins, but if brewed incorrectly, it can cause severe dizziness.
- Mire Thistle – A wiry plant covered in dark purple, spiny flowers. Its sap can be used to treat insect bites and rashes but is known to sting fiercely when applied.
- Corpse Bulbs – Thick, waxy bulbs growing near stagnant waters, emitting a faint, rotting smell. When cut open, they release a sticky, phosphorescent sap sometimes used in lanterns or for marking safe paths.
- Silver Moss – Found on the north-facing trees and along the ground near The Fens’ edges. It glows faintly under the moonlight, making it a useful marker for nighttime travelers.
Fauna of The Fens
The Fens are home to an array of creatures—some harmless, others best left undisturbed.
Common Wildlife
- Bog Hares – Large, long-legged hares with brown-and-gray mottled fur, blending into the reeds. Their powerful leaps help them escape the occasional Fenfox that lurks nearby.
- Fen Serpents – Harmless, water-loving snakes with glossy black scales. Their venom is mild, but their bite causes numbness and swelling for several hours.
- Marsh Eels – Thick-bodied, slippery eels that dwell in the deeper pools, feeding on small fish and carrion.
- Great Marsh Owls – Large, silent fliers that nest in the few solid trees dotting The Fens. Their eerie calls are often mistaken for whispers in the mist.
- Fenfox – A cunning, lean-furred predator with webbed paws and a long, reed-colored coat. It is known for stalking travelers and stealing unattended food.
More Unusual or Dangerous Beasts
- Dusk Herons – Pale, ghostly birds that only emerge at twilight. They are believed to be omens of coming storms or watchers for the unseen spirits of The Fens.
- Sinking Toads – Enormous, sluggish amphibians that burrow into the mud, sometimes mistaken for solid ground until it is too late. Their warty backs secrete a mild toxin that causes hallucinations if ingested.
- Mudlurks – Shadowy, slow-moving creatures that lurk at the edges of The Fens, their forms half-hidden in the mist. Whether they are simply misshapen bog animals or something more sinister and ancient is unknown.
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