29. Thorne's Cottage

On the eastern fringe of Nulb, where the Gnarley Forest meets the creeping tendrils of civilization, stands Thorne Hollow, a secluded woodcutter’s cabin. Nestled along a winding stream that flows north from the Fens of Tor, the cabin commands a view of Nulb’s docks to the north, the farm fields, grain tower, and Valegrave Manor to the west, and the ominous ruins of the Temple of Elemental Evil far beyond. Isolated and self-sufficient, Thorne Hollow is both a refuge and a prison for its inhabitants—Heward Thorne, his wife Meryn, and their two sons, Edric and Tomas—who live on the razor’s edge between survival and exploitation.

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The Cabin and Surroundings

Thorne Cottage

• Structure: A sturdy timber cabin with a small adjoining woodshed, both built by Heward himself. Smoke often drifts lazily from its stone chimney, and stacks of neatly chopped wood stand ready for use.
• Interior: Simple and functional, with a stone hearth, wooden furnishings, and pelts lining the walls. A hidden trapdoor beneath the kitchen floor leads to a root cellar, where the Thornes store food—and sometimes themselves, when trouble comes knocking.
• Woodshed: Filled with tools of the trade—axes, saws, chisels, and wooden planks—but also a makeshift barricade, prepared in case of an unwanted incursion.

The Land

• Streams & Forest: Freshwater flows from the Fens of Tor, winding through the edges of the Gnarley Forest and irrigating the southern farm fields of Nulb.
• Hiding Spots: The boys, Edric and Tomas, have built crude shelters in the woods, used for play but also as hiding spots when bandits come too close.
• Timber Yard: Stacked logs are prepared for Lady Nysera’s men, Iron Talons: The Men of the Baroness who arrive to claim their share in the name of “service to the Viscounty”—a thinly veiled demand for tribute.

"A tree only falls when its roots give up. I won't be the first to bend to Nulb’s filth."

— Heward

Ties to Nulb & The Temple of Elemental Evil

Lady Nysera Krivaltis & The Iron Talons

• Demanded Tribute: Lady Nysera’s men regularly arrive to seize timber, claiming it for “necessary construction”—though Heward suspects it goes to the Temple ruins south of Nulb.
• Overseer Valegrave’s Influence: Heward and Valegrave have clashed before over labor demands, but Heward knows better than to openly defy him.
• Grain Tower Connection: Heward supplies wood for the grain tower, though he resents the work, knowing it serves the same men who steal from him.

The Brigands & Pirates

• Caravan Raiders: The Crimson Reapers have approached Heward more than once, seeking his help in moving stolen goods through the forest—offers he has so far refused.
• Various River Pirates: Occasionally, random drunk pirates from various visiting pirate crews will find the cottage and cause trouble. Heward allows it begrudgingly to avoid retaliation, but keeps his axe within reach.

Captain Cedric Thorne – The Enforcer of the Waterfront

• Position: Overseer of law and order in Verbobonc’s W1 - W8 Waterfront District .
• Personality: Stern, disciplined, and pragmatic, though loyal to his family despite their separation.
• Relationship with Heward: Knows his brother is in a dangerous position in Nulb but respects his independence. Keeps an open channel for aid should Heward ever decide to flee.
• Secrets: Has been quietly monitoring the increase in illegal shipments from Nulb, suspecting a greater criminal network tied to the Temple.

"One day, those bastards in the village will learn what it’s like to be hunted."

— Edric Thorne – The Defiant Son

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Guardian Hounds

• Breeds: Two large, well-trained Gnarlhounds, a breed known for their keen senses and fierce loyalty.
• Names: Bran (black-coated, older, experienced) and Fenn (younger, brindle-furred, energetic).
• Roles:
• Guardians: Act as an early warning system against approaching threats, barking fiercely at strangers or intruders.
• Hunters: Accompany Heward and his sons into the Gnarley Forest, tracking game and ensuring the family remains well-fed.
• Companions: Deeply bonded with the Thorne family, especially Tomas, who often sneaks them extra food from his plate.

Conclusion

Thorne Hollow is more than a woodcutter’s cabin—it is a symbol of defiance, survival, and the encroaching darkness threatening to consume Nulb. Whether the party protects, exploits, or ignores the Thornes, their fate will ripple throughout the region, influencing the power struggles of the Temple, Lady Nysera, and the brigand lords of Nulb.

Gnarlhounds by 3orcs

"Chopping wood is simple, honest work. It's everything else that gets complicated."

— Heward Thorne

The Thorne Family

Heward Thorne by 3orcs

Heward Thorne – The Reluctant Supplier

• Age: 42 | Race: Human | Alignment: Neutral
• Appearance: Broad-shouldered, bearded, and weathered, his eyes carry the weight of hardship. He wears simple work clothes and wields an ornate hand axe, an heirloom from his youth in Verbobonc.
• Personality: Stoic, pragmatic, and fiercely protective of his family. Speaks little, but every word carries weight.
• Motivation: Survival. Heward wishes only to keep his family safe, yet he is trapped between necessity and fear, forced to provide timber for the growing forces of the Temple of Elemental Evil.
• Secrets: He keeps a hidden cache of weapons and valuables in the root cellar, preparing for the day when neutrality is no longer an option.
• Family Ties: His brother, Captain Thorne, serves as the Enforcer of the Waterfront in Verbobonc, maintaining law and order amidst the corruption of the docks. Though they rarely speak, Heward has a standing offer of protection from his brother should he ever choose to leave Nulb.

Meryn Thorne – The Watchful Matron

• Age: 39 | Race: Human | Alignment: Neutral Good
• Appearance: Slender but strong, with dark hair streaked with silver, often tied back in a braid. Wears simple dresses, with a dagger always within reach.
• Personality: Intelligent, cautious, and keenly observant. Meryn notices details others miss and reads people well.
• Motivation: Escape. She sees Nulb’s decay and wants to flee to Verbobonc before it’s too late.
• Secrets: Maintains contact with a traveling priest of St. Cuthbert, hoping to secure passage away from Nulb before her sons are claimed by the darkness of the town.

Edric & Tomas – The Next Generation

• Edric (14): Quick-witted and bold, often spying on Lady Nysera’s men from the trees.
• Tomas (9): More reserved, fascinated by carving small wooden animals, dreaming of a life beyond the Gnarley Forest.
• Both boys fear the pirates and brigands of Nulb, but Edric harbors a deep hatred for them, longing to strike back when he is old enough.
• The Boys: They belong to the group the The Forest Rats – A Brotherhood of Young Survivors

Type

Cottage

Parent Location

Nulb

Edric & Tomas Thorne by 3orcs