Kassen

Kassen is a small town of roughly 750 people. It was founded on the bank of the Tourondel River in the Fangwood by Ekat Kassen, an adventurer originally from Lastwall, nearly two hundred years ago. Since then, the town has grown steadily as the lumber it sends down the river to Tamran, the capital of Nirmathas, brings in coin. Luckily for the town, it has not seen much violence beyond the occasional raid by orc and goblin bands from the Hold of Belkzen, at least, not since Asar Vergas came with his band of mercenaries to raid the town only a few short years after its founding. Ekat Kassen lead the townsfolk against the warlord and slew him in a bloody battle that left few survivors and mortally wounded the town's beloved founder.
Those dark memories are long in the past, however, with even the most recent raiders from Belkzen being beaten back over thirty years ago. The town has enjoyed peace and looks forward to its annual celebrations where the Everflame lights the way through another winter and thanks are given for the latest harvest. It remembers the sacrifice and heroism of Ekat Kassen and the heroes he lead with toasts and tales of the battle. Every few years, those that are coming of age are sent to retrieve the flame and light Kassen's way again for another winter.

Places of Note

Below is a list of buildings and locations of note within Kassen and nearby.

Public Buildings

The Greathall: The Greathall is where Kassen's council meetings are held. Weddings, celebrations, and feasts are also commonly held in this large building on the town square.
Town Watch Headquarters: Here is where the town's militia keeps its records as well as any gear that may be needed. In times of war, the Town Watch Headquarters would be the main command post for those defending Kassen, Most of the time, however, the building serves as Captain Wisslo's office and a holding cell for those that get too rowdy or drunk.
The Temple of Erastil: Kassen's lone stone building, The Temple of Erastil is the spiritual center of the town, having small shrines dedicated to the other gods the townsfolk worship and follow in alcoves off to the sides of the main entrance.
Renet's Steel: One of the two smithies serving Kassen, Renet's Steel has about anything you could want to buy. Most of the townsfolk get their iron goods here. The quality is a bit lacking, however, and there are no masterwork items to be found in Renet's shop.
Seven Silvers: The small town's one and only inn and tavern. The Seven Silvers is known for its modest prices, decent food, and the liveliness of its taproom.
Woodcutter's Guildhall: Home to what is the most powerful group in Kassen, the Woodcutter's Guild, this building is where logs are surveyed and stamped before being sent down the Tourondel River to Lake Encarthan and the mills located in Tamran.
Braggar's Shop: The second of the two smithies in Kassen. This one is run by Braggar Ironhame. Braggar's works are often of superior quality, but the dwarf is slow to fill orders.

Personal Residences

Mayor Uptal's Home: A modest home on the bank of the Tourondel River, this house is where Mayor Uptal lives.
Arnama's Home: Home to one of the few rangers in Kassen, Arnama Lastrid.
Sir Dramott's Home: Home to Sir Dramott, a paladin and officer from Laswall sent to keep an eye on Kassen and look out for any suspicious activity from the Hold Belkzen.
Vargidan Estate: Home to Moltus Vargidan and his twelve children, the estate has a bit of a reputation for odd, even spooky, happenings.
Holgast's Tower: Home to Holgast , Kassen's elderly wizard, this tower seems to be as rickety as its owner.
Ilimara's Home: Home to Ilimara Oniri , a mysterious woman from Qadira.

People of Note

Below is a list of people of note within Kassen.

Notable Figures

Mayor Jonark Uptal: The elected Mayor of Kassen. Mayor Uptal has been mayor for three terms so far and hopes to win a fourth.
Gerol Falx: One of Mayor Uptal's best friends. Gerol is one of Kassen's several woodcarvers and served for several years as a Nirmathan regular.
Vark Ainsworth: Another of Mayor Uptal's best friends. Vark is one of the few butchers in Kassen and a lifelong friend of Gerol's. He's a quiet man, never speaking unless he has something to contribute.
Colbin Ventar: The master of the Woodcutter's Guild in Kassen. He is known for his greed and is often made light of behind his back.
Grimscar: An unsavory half-orc woodsman. He is infamous in Kassen for drunken fights, a surly attitude, and pawing at barmaids.
Guardsman Golfond Kir: A simple guardsman who respects Captain Wisslo. He mans Kassen's watchtower everyday without fail and is known for his honesty, even if it lands him in trouble.
Trelvar Silvers: The owner of the Seven Silvers. He has been a dour man since the tragic passing of both his wife and son. He only seems to smile when wealthy merchants visit Kassen.
Asina Silvers: Trelvar's daughter and only surviving child. The free-spirited girl helps her father in the Seven Silvers.
Timolt Macher: A tinker and bladesmith. Timolt is married to Dana Macher and has several children with her. Rumors say he'll be opening his own shop soon.
Anislee Hopps: A young woman with aspirations of being a clockmaker.
Dimira Hackett: Roldare Hackett's younger sister. She's widely considered the kindest person in Kassen.
Roldare Hackett: Third in a very close race of Kassen's least popular resident. Roldare is an abrasive cobbler that has raised his sister since their parents were slain by goblins fifteen years ago.
Cyredar Rovolov: A strange man that arrived two and a half months ago. He spends his time wandering around town and the Fangwood or nursing a tankard in a shadowy corner of the Seven Silvers' taproom.

Mentors for Future Heroes and Adventurers

Tang Ibbleting (Alchemist Mentor): A gnomish alchemist. He is known for his eccentricity and cutting wit.
Braggar Ironhame (Barbarian Mentor): A dwarven blacksmith. He is known for his skill as a craftsman, the slow pace of his work, and a violent temper.
Jocyn Elmaran (Bard Mentor): A half-elven bard who settled in Kassen after being crippled. He lives in a room in the Seven Silvers where he performs for the often crowded taproom.
Sir Goffried Silberbaum (Cavalier Mentor): A cavalier with an attitude to match. He raises horses on his ranch near town and is often butting heads with Sir Dramott.
Father Rantal Prasst (Cleric Mentor): A cleric of Erastil. He is young, only 24 years old, and keeps Kassen's only temple.
Olmira Treesong (Druid Mentor): A druid that is strange even for a druid. She can often be seen about Kassen talking with her animal companions or communing with the trees while skyclad.
Guard Captain Gregor Wisslo (Fighter Mentor): The captain of Kassen's guard and militia. He is a strict man known for rules and routines than spontaneity and improvisation, much to the other guardsmen's chagrin.
Ulka Grimtooth (Inquisitor Mentor): A grim, half-orc inquisitor of Pharasma. Most of the town avoid her steely gaze, but they welcome her good sense and martial skill when trouble is about.
Ilimara Oniri (Monk Mentor): A mysterious woman from Qadira. She keeps to herself in her home across the river from most of the town.
Rhiana Sorrowwind (Oracle Mentor): An elven woman who arrived in Kassen in rags and half-dead. She keeps to herself and helps out around town doing menial work.
Sir Dramott (Paladin Mentor): A paladin from Lastwall. He is in Kassen to watch for signs of an incursion from the Hold of Belkzen.
Arnama Lastrid (Ranger Mentor): A skilled ranger who's parents were from Kassen. She is one of the few rangers to call the small town home.
Jimes “Short Change” Iggins (Rogue Mentor): A halfling known for sticky fingers and short changing customers at the Seven Silvers. He is friendly and likeable enough that he hasn't had his head caved in by an enraged woodcutter.
Moltus Vargidan (Sorcerer Mentor): An aged sorcerer who is slowly losing touch with reality. He is the head of the Vargidan family and is known to be jealous with his secrets.
Ring Ibbleting (Summoner Mentor): A gnomish summoner and one of Kassen's few mages. She spends most of her time helping her brother, Tang, or playing with the town's children using her Eidolon and illusions.
Talliree Yndercook (Witch Mentor): A strange woman with mismatched eyes who lives just outside of Kassen. She is known for her brews, her potions and salves, and drinking herself into a stupor most of her waking hours.
Holgast (Wizard Mentor): A human wizard and Kassen's local sage and mystic. He is a forgetful old man who is fond of his pipe.

Current Events

While Kassen is normally a quiet and mostly peaceful place to live, there have been some strange goings on of late.
Four years ago, Ulka Grimtooth arrived in town. She told the mayor she needed a place to stay and handed him a sack of gold to pay for either a house in town or to build her one outside of it. She says that she's waiting for some sign from her goddess about what to do next.
Nearly two years ago, Rhiana Sorrowwind stumbled into town one night after the Everflame Festival. She had obviously been beaten and was half-way into the grave when the townsfolk found her babbling in a language none of them knew.
Three months ago, a group of men lead by one in strange robe and mask were spotted in the woods southeast of Kassen. No one has seen them nor have they seen any other signs of them.
Two and a half months ago, Cyredar Rovolov came to town and rented a room in the Seven Silvers. No one knows why he is here, and they don't appreciate his apparent nosiness.