Ashton

Once a drab farming town in the northeastern reaches of Jhorna, Ashton is now nothing more than its namesake, ravaged by the Praetoria for unknown reasons.

Unassuming

Nestled in the northeast foothills of Jhorna lies Ashton, a small and unassuming town. Home to roughly 500 residents, most of whom are human farmers, Ashton occasionally offers temporary shelter to halflings, elves, and dwarves seeking respite. The town follows an old-fashioned form of leadership, where the town elders handle local issues. These elders, however, serve only as long as they maintain the trust of the townsfolk and can be replaced by a majority vote if necessary. Ashton thrived for years under this rotating leadership, with each elder bringing their own wisdom to the mantle of the town's governance. Remarkably, Ashton never faced significant political, economic, or natural hardships throughout its history. The town was a haven of tranquility, a place where peace reigned supreme. This idyllic serenity, however, made Ashton a perfect target for the Holy Praetoria.

Echoes of Tranquility

The Departed first encountered Ashton as a haunting memory of death and despair. Before even reaching the town, they stumbled upon the mangled body of a Praetoria paladin, a grim harbinger of the devastation ahead. Ashton fared no better than the fallen warrior; any trace of the once peaceful town had been obliterated by an unknown force, one with a dark purpose for targeting such an unsuspecting settlement.

A Dreaded Encounter

Amid the ruins of Ashton, the Departed found little but echoes of its tragic fate. They battled against tormented souls turned banshees, scoured the remains of shattered buildings, and came together for the first time. The presence of a terrifying figure seemed overwhelming, but the Raven could not resist its call. Suddenly, a mysterious figure dashed past the group, seizing the Raven and pulling him away from the encroaching fog of death. Though successful, the rescue came at a grave cost—his right arm began to rapidly deteriorate. With a newfound ally in tow, the Departed fled the desolate town, racing against time to find a doctor for the wounded firbolg before it was too late.

Founding Date

1445

Type

Town

Population

~500 (now 0)