Narwell

Narwell is farther from the orcish empire than Safeton, and this city has a different atmosphere. It is less compacted than Safeton, with more open space and bordering into farmlands. It is not yet fully walled (building is in progress). While Safeton is brute force and strength, Narwell is a subtler, wilier kind of city. It has evil folk aplenty, but they tend to be thieves and bandits rather than the brutish men of Safeton.

Ruler of Narwell

Narwell is jointly administered by its old ruler, the self-styled Baron Janstin of Narwell and Captain Ruberis Nenshen, brother of Org Nenshen of Greyhawk. Law here is not as strict as in Safeton; there is conscription, for example, but no curfews. There is also little doubt that the Baron is smarter than the Captain, and bandits still work from Narwell, at least in part with the Baron’s blessing. Since the Baron has joint say in militia operations, he knows where they will be patrolling, and some say that Narwell bandits always manage to avoid the militia patrols and the Baron seems to be as affluent as ever he was, maybe due to kickbacks.

Militia

However, the militia here are tough and honorable, and they patrol western and central areas of the plains and the upper eastern fringe of the Welkwood as far as Castle Mastryne. They train local militias in outlying farm communities and give help in constructing defenses, also acquiring information and liaising with local landholders. The total garrison size is 350 men, excluding the Headhunters.

Worship

The people of Narwell favored mainly Suel gods, especially chaotic deities, such as Kord and Norebo, Joramy, Olidammara, and Trithereon also had strong followings, as did less boisterous faiths such as Pelor, Wee Jas, and Phyton, who is revered as the patron of the town. The temple to Phyton, which stood over the site of Naer’s Well in the Baron’s Demesn.

Temples of Narwell

• Temple of Pelor, tended by the Priest Garinio Corunel, who is also a Headhunter.
• Temple of Ehlonna, tended by the Priestess Caesera Saliciera, the ‘Willowmane’.
• Temple of Kord, tended by the Priest Axentakus Krune, also the garrison recruiter & trainer.

The Narwell Headhunters

This is a specialist division of Narwell’s militia that includes thieves and rangers among its squad of 50. The Headhunters’ specific brief is to bring to justice bandits who commit acts of looting, pillage, or violence against the communities of the Wild Plains or the allied cities. The militia patrol to prevent such acts; the Headhunters go out actively tracking down those responsible. They have a free hand to do as they please, since they are mostly good-aligned and their leader, Captain Romerian Timane is a LG-aligned level ranger who does not tolerate gross violations of common law from his men. The Headhunters will pursue their targets into the Gnarley Forest, the Plains of Greyhawk, and even into the Welkwood if necessary. They are determined and relentless, and they include several priests (of lawful deities) who use divination spells in their pursuits. The Headhunters have also taken over most patrolling within the upper Welkwood, their ranger-spies being ideally suited for such work.

Important locations

The Wainyard: home of The Union of Merchants and Traders. Housing agents for all the Greyhawk guilds, the Wainyard is the hub of the efforts to rebuild Narwell. Every few days, wagon trains roll into town bearing lumber, stone, and essential supplies. Acting as supply depot and general store, the Wainyard is heavily patrolled and guarded, closely looking after the interests of their paymasters among the Greyhawk guilds.
The Sundered Spear: this tavern and inn caters to merchants, wealthy visiting guildsmen and anyone flush with coin. Named after the Shining Spears, a group of adventurers, and owned by the half-elf Falara, that group’s only surviving member, the tavern is said to be one of the safest places in Narwell. Tales recount how the Shining Spears met their doom deep within the Pomarj while searching for a particularly notorious orc chieftain.
Keridor’s Trading Post: bustling and busy (but a riot of disorganization) Keridor’s is well known among the populace as a place to buy and sell almost any portable item no questions asked. Within the dingy two-story building, the unscrupulous Keridor presides over chaos along with his six mercenary guards who vigilantly patrol the premises. Sprawling across the entire first floor and much of the second the clutter is without rhyme or reason. Shelves, bins, and cupboards all overflow with an ever-changing array of knickknacks, bric-a-brac and oddments. Keridor is happy to trade with almost anyone and enjoys engaging in long, convoluted conversations with potential customers.

Baron Janstin of Narwell

Type

City

Related Plots

• Journey to Hommlet from Narwell