13. The Gallows Table

The village green of Nulb is more aptly described as yellowish and brown. Most of the grass here is dead, and the ground itself is soggy as a result of small rivulets that run in from the Imeryds. Here is where most village criminals face their punishment. Such occasions draw a large body of spectators. The village green has a platform with three hangmen nooses and a large iron cage big enough to hold up to three well-fed men. A sign post stands in the village green. This is where village proclamations are nailed for all to read (or have read to them, as the case may be).

The center of Nulb is dominated by a patch of open space known as The Gallows Square. It is a place of both foreboding and occasional bustle, serving as the site of public punishments, sparse commerce, and fleeting entertainment. Despite its centrality, the square reflects the decay and hardship that defines much of the village.

“A grim heart for a grim village, where justice and desperation meet in equal measure.”

The Gallows Square is an open, irregularly-shaped clearing, more mud and despair than green. Its unkempt ground is riddled with puddles and soggy earth, fed by rivulets that snake in from the nearby Imeryds Run. At the square’s center stands a weathered wooden platform, its once-sturdy planks now warped and rotted from years of neglect.

"The Gallows Square sees more blood than coin these days—fitting for a town like Nulb."

The Execution Platform

• Atop the decayed platform stand three hangman’s nooses, their ropes frayed but still functional.
• A large iron cage, capable of holding up to three men, sits nearby, often empty but ominously ready for use.

Surroundings

• The perimeter of the square is uneven and bordered by several leaning, weather-beaten buildings, including taverns, hovels, and Lady Nysera  33. Baroness Manor .
• A weathered signpost stands near the platform, its boards scrawled with crude announcements or warnings.

Atmosphere

• The square exudes an air of quiet menace, punctuated by the occasional gathering of villagers for punishment or the arrival of a rare merchant caravan.
• The stench of swamp water mingles with the faint smell of decay, particularly near the execution site.

The Sign Post

A weathered signpost stands near the platform, serving as the village’s crude bulletin board. Proclamations, announcements, and warnings are nailed to it, making it a focal point of information for villagers and travelers alike.

Role in Nulb

The Gallows Square is more than a public space—it is the grim nexus of village life, reflecting the harsh realities of Nulb and its brutal sense of justice.

Public Punishments

• Criminals are publicly hanged or caged here, serving as a deterrent to others.
• Punishments often attract large crowds, their morbid curiosity a rare moment of communal gathering.

Trade and Commerce

• Travelling merchant caravans occasionally stop here, setting up temporary stalls to sell goods to the villagers.
• Most villagers lack the coin for luxury items, but basic supplies or curiosities sometimes find a buyer.

Entertainment

Rarely, travelling entertainers use the square for performances. Jugglers, bards, and puppet shows offer brief, bittersweet relief from the village’s grim monotony.

Information Hub

The signpost in the square serves as the village’s rudimentary bulletin board, announcing events, missing persons, and warnings from Lady's Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness .

Background and History

The Gallows Square has existed as long as Nulb itself, its origins tied to the swampy land’s tendency to pool water and resist development. Over time, its role evolved into a place of judgment and occasional commerce.

• Originally a meeting place for traders navigating the Imeryds Run, the square became associated with punishment as lawlessness gripped the region.
• The platform and nooses were constructed by Lady Nysera's predecessors, solidifying the square’s role as a symbol of control.

Decay and Decline

As Nulb fell deeper into corruption, the square became more synonymous with despair. Public executions outnumbered market days, and the once-vibrant hub of trade devolved into a grim clearing.

Politics and Control

The Gallows Square is a stark reminder of Lady Nysera’s dominance over Nulb. Her enforcers frequently use it to reinforce her authority and keep the villagers in line.

Control by Lady Lmag

• The executions held here demonstrate Lady Nysera’s iron grip, warning both locals and visitors of the consequences of defiance.
• The cage is sometimes used to humiliate rivals or hold prisoners before their transfer to other destinations.

Lady Lmag’s Enforcers

• Two to three of Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness often patrol the square, ensuring order and reporting directly to her.
• These enforcers occasionally levy tolls on visiting merchants or intimidate villagers to maintain control.

DM-Only Secrets

Merchant Stalls in The Gallows Square

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A. Garrick’s Rusty Armory

A rickety wooden stall held together with frayed rope and hope, Garrick’s Rusty Armory displays an assortment of battered weapons and armor. The merchant, Garrick, is a grizzled ex-mercenary with a missing ear and a perpetual scowl. His wares are displayed on crooked wooden racks and an uneven tabletop, with bits of rusted chainmail dangling precariously.
Dialog (Garrick):

"You there, adventurer! You’re not planning to brave the swamp with that excuse for a sword, are you? Have a look! Everything here’s seen action—well, maybe a little too much action—but it’ll still cut when it counts! For the right price, of course."

Items for Sale

• Rusted Shortsword: 12 sp
• Dented Helmet: 8 sp
• Patchwork Chainmail Shirt: 15 gp
• Cracked Buckler: 6 sp
• Tarnished Dagger: 5 sp

2. Hilda’s Rotten Delights

Hilda, a squat woman with a loud voice and a dirt-smudged apron, runs this shabby stall. Baskets of wilted vegetables, bruised fruit, and questionable meats are arranged haphazardly on her table. Despite the poor quality of her goods, she has a sharp tongue and a knack for haggling.
Dialog (Hilda):

"Hungry, eh? Well, I’ve got the finest produce you’ll find in all of Nulb—or at least, the best you’ll find without leaving town! Don’t mind the spots; they just add flavor. And for you, a special price, because I like your face!"

Items for Sale

• Basket of Wilted Turnips: 4 cp
• Bundle of Bruised Apples (5): 7 cp
• Piece of Salted Mystery Meat: 10 cp
• Sack of Moldy Grain: 2 sp
• Bottle of Sour Swamp Wine: 6 sp

3. Magda’s Trinket Trove

Magda’s stall is an explosion of color amidst the gloom. The aging merchant wears a patchwork cloak of mismatched fabrics, and her stall overflows with strange odds and ends—charms, baubles, and items of dubious origin. A faded banner above her stall proclaims, “Curiosities from Across the Land!”
Dialog (Magda):

"Step closer, traveler! Feast your eyes upon treasures of the world, rare and unique, just waiting for the right owner! A charm for luck? A bauble for love? Or perhaps something… stranger?"

Items for Sale:

• Wooden Lizard Carving (good luck charm): 8 sp
• Jar of Glowing Mushrooms: 12 cp
• Rusty Compass: 10 sp
• Old Map of the Fens (inaccurate): 15 gp
• Bottle of "Cursed" Ink (just swamp mud): 3 sp

Whispers and Rumors

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• The Cage’s Legacy: Some villagers believe the iron cage is cursed, its occupants haunted by the spirits of the hanged.
• Smuggling Nexus: Late at night, the square is sometimes used as a meeting point for smugglers and criminals, far from Lady Lmag’s official gaze.
• Hidden Secrets: Beneath the platform, there are whispers of a hidden compartment used by Lady Nysera’s men to store illicit goods.
• Execution Gone Awry: One hanging was interrupted by a violent storm, and locals claim the spirit of the wrongly hanged man still lingers in the square.

Adventure Hooks

• A Rare Performer: A travelling bard is set to perform in the square, but they secretly carry a message for the adventurers, slipping it to them in plain sight during their act.
• A Public Execution: The party arrives in time to witness a public execution—but the condemned claims to have crucial information that could change Nulb’s fate.
• The Merchant’s Plight: A travelling merchant is being harassed by Lady Nysera’s enforcers in the square, and the adventurers must decide whether to intervene.
• The Cage’s Contents: The party hears strange noises coming from the iron cage at night and investigates, uncovering an unsettling secret.
• Hidden Cache: Beneath the wooden platform is a trapdoor leading to a small chamber used by Lady Nysera’s men to store contraband, including weapons and stolen goods.
• Ghostly Apparition: The spirit of a wrongly executed man occasionally appears, warning adventurers of hidden dangers in Nulb or pleading for justice.
• Smuggler’s Meeting Spot: The square is used by Felix Fahnor and the The Crimson Reapers as a neutral meeting place for arranging trade routes and bribes.

Conclusion

The Gallows Square serves as both a grim reminder of Nulb’s corruption and a focal point of intrigue for adventurers. Its dual role as a place of judgment and rare commerce makes it a versatile location for roleplaying, exploration, and conflict. Whether the adventurers witness a public hanging, uncover its secrets, or use it as a staging ground for their plans, the square offers ample opportunities for rich storytelling in Lady Nysera’s domain.

The Gallows Square-Nulb by 3orcs

"The Gallows Square isn’t just the heart of Nulb—it’s the town’s soul, rotted and twisted as it may be."

Type

Town Square

Parent Location

Nulb

Owner

Lady Lmag

Owning Organization

Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness

Gallows Table Sign Post by 3orcs

Current Proclamations

The following proclamations are currently nailed to the signpost, offering a glimpse into the village’s concerns and priorities:

The Wanted Man

"Know now that the ranger Zebedee is a wanted man for the reckless murder of a patron in the Waterside Hostel as well as the suspected murder of his own family, the cruel bastard. Zebedee is dangerous and caution should be exercised in his presence. A reward of 200 gp is offered to anyone who can provide the living or dead body of Zebedee."

Notes for DMs

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Zebedee is a potential quest hook, offering adventurers an opportunity to hunt him down or uncover the truth behind the accusations. Villagers gossip that Zebedee was framed, while others claim he is a madman with nothing to lose.

The Easthome Proclamation

"Let it be known that visitors to Easthome Lmag Manor are unwelcome and will be treated fairly but unkindly. Anyone desiring an audience with the Lady of Nulb may do so upon the next and upcoming court within the Village Hall."

Notes for DMs

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This proclamation reinforces Lady Lmag’s authority and aloofness, making it clear that her manor is off-limits except during official court days. Adventurers may need to navigate Nulb’s bureaucracy to secure an audience.

The Empty Temple

"It has been brought to the Lady’s attention that locals, including young and impressionable children, have been visiting the old and empty Temple outside of the village. For the good of the villagers this must cease. There are concerns regarding the structural stability of the old building and until such time as the building’s safety can be ascertained the Lady regrets to inform you that Pilgrim’s Trail and all points further south of the trail are to be considered off-limits. Anyone encountered south of the blocked path will be considered a brigand and accosted on sight."

Notes for DMs

Show spoiler

This proclamation adds tension to the village, as the Temple of Elemental Evil looms ominously in the distance. Adventurers disregarding the proclamation risk being labeled as criminals or attracting unwanted attention.

The Price of Bread

"It is hereby declared that the price of one loaf of unleavened dark bread shall not exceed 2 cp, nor shall the flatbread contain more than 1 part in 10 of pieces of tree bark or scatterings of dirt. Loaves of white bread must be baked pure and may sale for as much as 1 sp. Twice baked bread may sale for 1 cp per four mouthfuls. These rules are for the benefit of all villagers and will ensure that all dinner tables do not go empty in times of hardship."

Notes for DMs

Show spoiler

This proclamation highlights the village’s desperate poverty, with even basic sustenance subject to strict regulation. Adventurers may find humor or frustration in these rules, and creative players might exploit them to gain goodwill or undermine Lady Lmag’s control.