35. Potter's Cottage
A Shack of Clay and Shadows
Standing on the outskirts of Nulb, this grey and worn wooden shack barely clings to its foundation. The once-proud red-tiled roof sags, missing entire sections where rain seeps through, turning the earthen floor to mud. A sign, more rust than metal, creaks in the wind from a single chain, depicting two cracked cups sitting atop a chipped platter. The air is thick with the scent of damp clay and the acrid stench of burning herbs—some for the kiln, others for dulling old pain.
Hrothgar the Broken
The potter, Hrothgar, is a frail and bent old man, his once-muscled arms now thin and trembling. A former brigand turned ex-soldier, he wears the scars of past battles—not with pride, but with the bitter weight of a life wasted. His right leg is twisted from an old wound that never healed properly, forcing him to move with an awkward shuffle. His remaining eye, clouded and red-rimmed, peers out at visitors with suspicion, made all the worse by the haze of whatever drug-laced pipeweed he clutches between gnarled fingers. Despite his ruined body, Hrothgar’s hands remain steady when working with clay, molding crude ale mugs, rough plates, and even bows—his last true craft from his days as a marksman.
"People pay for pottery, not my past. Best they leave both untouched."
Hrothgar’s Daily Struggles
- Spends most of his time in a makeshift workshop behind the cottage, hunched over a potter’s wheel.
- Smokes an assortment of opium, dreamfoil, and other questionable herbs to numb his chronic pain.
- Talks to himself, often muttering old war stories or cursing long-dead companions.
- Only trusts those who pay for his work without haggling.
Aelfwyn, The Daughter of the Light
Hrothgar has no living family in Nulb. His only grand-daughter, Aelfwyn , chose a different path, dedicating her life to the teachings of Rao . A half-elf foundling raised in the A1 Monastery of the Reverent Brothers Rao in Verbobonc, Aelfwyn grew up without knowing hardship or disapproval. She has assisted in several missions for the temple and is now preparing for a mission of her own. Despite her father’s criminal past, she remains unwavering in her faith and duty, though she harbors quiet sorrow for the broken man Hrothgar has become.
"My grand-daughter prays for peace. I shape clay for coin. Only one of us will get what we want."
Aelfwyn’s Role and Struggles
- A devoted priestess of Rao, known for her confidence and purity of purpose.
- Has never known suffering but is about to be tested as she embarks on a mission.
- Avoids speaking of her father, ashamed of his life but still offering quiet prayers for his soul.
- Torn between duty to her faith and the lingering pull of her bloodline’s dark past.
A Family of Lies and Loss
Most of Hrothgar’s family perished ten years ago—his wife, his eldest sons—all lost to war, crime, or sickness. The few remaining relatives fled Nulb, unwilling to live in squalor. Aelfwyn believes her father died in obscurity, a story she tells herself to separate from his past. The truth is far less noble—Hrothgar wasted away in his misery, refusing to leave the town that had long since devoured him. The azurite necklace that Aelfwyn once clung to as a reminder of her family’s honor? It belonged to her mother, a relic of love lost to time.
Buried Wealth
- Hrothgar keeps a small stash of 2 ep and 36 sp in a pair of old wool socks.
- A single unfinished bow, finely crafted but untouched, rests in the back of the shop, a remnant of his past skills.
A Fragile Balance
The Potter’s Cottage stands on the brink of collapse, much like the soul within it. Hrothgar’s days are numbered, whether by sickness, the drugs that keep him alive, or some vengeful figure from his past. Aelfwyn, far removed from the filth of Nulb, may one day return—perhaps to forgive, or perhaps to bury the last remnants of her family. Until then, the fire in the kiln still burns, the wheel still turns, and the lies still hold.
"If you ain’t seen battle, don’t dream of it. If you have, don’t speak of it."
"You think scars tell a tale of victory? No, lad. Scars are just the map of a fool’s journey."
Hrothgar, the Crippled Potter
Medium Humanoid (Human), Chaotic Neutral
Armor Class 10 (natural frailty)
Hit Points 9 (2d8 - 2)
Speed 15 ft. (crippled leg)
Abilities
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (-1) | 10 (+0) | 8 (-1) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 11 (+0) |
Saving Throws WIS +4
Skills Insight +4, Perception +4, Sleight of Hand +2
Damage Resistances Poison (from years of self-medicating with herbs and drugs)
Condition Immunities Frightened (when under the influence of herbal remedies)
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Elvish
Traits
Crippled Veteran. Hrothgar has disadvantage on ability checks and attack rolls that rely on Strength or Dexterity due to his old injuries.
Potter’s Craft. Given a day and access to a kiln, Hrothgar can craft 1d4+1 simple ceramic items such as mugs, bowls, or plates. With proper tools and time, he can craft more intricate works, including ceramic-tipped arrows or reinforced clay armor components.
Drug-Induced Clarity. Once per long rest, Hrothgar can consume a special herbal mixture that temporarily sharpens his mind. For 1 hour, he gains advantage on Intelligence and Wisdom checks but suffers disadvantage on Constitution and Dexterity saves.
Actions
Clay Shard Dagger. Melee Weapon Attack: +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 3 (1d4) piercing damage. On a hit, the dagger shatters, dealing an additional 2 (1d4) slashing damage but becoming useless.
Thrown Pottery. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 10/30 ft., one target.
Hit: 2 (1d4 -1) bludgeoning damage. If the target is surprised, they must succeed on a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or be blinded until the end of their next turn by ceramic dust.
Legendary Weakness
Brittle Bones. If Hrothgar falls prone, he must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or suffer 2 (1d4) bludgeoning damage from the impact.
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