Aldan Thornshade

Aldan “Thorn” Thornshade is the ghost bound to The Frightened Ferret. In life, he was the Tiefling caretaker and bartender of Trollskull Manor, known for his quiet strength, steady work ethic, and pride in the home he helped shape.

History

Service to Trollskull Manor

Thorn was originally hired to assist in the repair of Trollskull Manor, but his attention to detail and calm nature quickly earned him a full-time position under the building’s then-owner, Rolan Thandriel. Over time, he became the manor’s primary steward and bartender, forming a quiet bond with the tavern and the community that grew around it.

Ownership and Death

When Rolan left Waterdeep for Baldur’s Gate, he sold the manor to Thorn for a nominal sum, believing no one else would treat it with the same care. While Thorn was accepted by most residents as an employee, his ownership of the property drew scrutiny and resentment. Duskwin Gralhund, a conservative and influential landlord in the neighborhood, took particular offense and began a subtle campaign to undermine him.
Thorn was eventually murdered in his own home. Though never proven, many in the neighborhood suspected Gralhund. The building fell into disrepair in the years that followed, and Thorn’s story faded from memory.

The Ghost of the Ferret

After the party uncovered pages from Thorn’s journal and heard his story through Rishaal the Page-Turner, they worked with Gwylla Moonshade to perform a séance to contact his spirit. The ritual, conducted with the help of their neighbors, allowed Thorn to speak through Gwylla and confirm that he had been murdered by Gralhund. He expressed his desire to remain in the tavern, not as a ghost of vengeance, but as a keeper of peace and joy. With the party’s consent and the support of the gathered community, the ritual brought Thorn one step closer to the Material Plane. He became visible, able to interact with physical objects, though still mute and unable to touch the living.
As the ritual concluded, Thorn silently took his place behind the bar and crafted a unique cocktail for each person present. The drinks floated through the air and hovered before their recipients, a quiet act of hospitality and gratitude. The evening became a celebration of Thorn’s return—not to life, but to purpose. From that day forward, he resumed his place as the tavern’s bartender, a spectral fixture of the Frightened Ferret and a reminder of the home's long and hard-earned history.

Legacy and Neighborhood Change

Thorn’s murder sparked outrage throughout Trollskull Alley, but the anger came too late. The residents had watched Duskwin Gralhund harass and undermine him for months—spreading rumors, fostering suspicion, and isolating him—and none of them stepped in. They let it happen. That collective failure haunted the neighborhood more deeply than the crime itself. The community turned against those who had stoked the hatred and fear. Landlords and families who had once held power were pushed out, and the neighborhood reshaped itself around new values. Trollskull Alley became one of the most inclusive and welcoming neighborhoods in the North Ward. Though many now living there never knew Thorn, the world they inherited exists because of him—and because of what was allowed to happen to him.

Species

Tiefling

Life

1367 DR 1403 DR 36 years old

Circumstances of Death

Murdered by Duskwin Gralhund

Place of Death

Trollskull Manor