Oct 15, 2022 2:36 am
Experience Points
The Dovedale district is one of the many farming areas nestled in the foothills of a long mountain range, east of Thornfall in Caldan. The district takes its name from the narrow wooded valley known as Dovedale. The like-named Dovedale River flows out of the dale and provides water for many of the farms in the area. The Dalewold forest skirts the northwest edge of the valley.
The farmers of the Dovedale district have a problem: It is midsummer, and the river has suddenly dried up. A small trickle of water remains, but not enough. Without water, most of the farmers' crops (which rely on irrigation) are doomed to fail. The locals are convinced that the abrupt drop in the river is yet another evil plot of a tribe of wicked goblins that live in the steep, winding dale. It's only a matter of time, they say, before the goblins issue a long string of unreasonable demands in return for restoring the river.
The farmers spend much of their time standing around and grousing that someone should do something. However, none of the farmers have volunteered to go sort out the goblins. The local farmer' cooperative has offers a 100-gp reward to anyone brave enough to go up the Dovedale and force the goblins to restore the river. You have learned that interested parties should apply to Mrs. Cogs, the leader of the cooperative.
We begin our adventure in Ashbourne. Four roads come together in the town of Ashbourne, a small fortified place where cattle and sheep are driven in at night, and where travelers can rest in relative comfort. Because of its proximity, Ashbourne is considered to be part of the Dovedale area. The Dovedale River flows past Ashbourne.
The village has a farmer's market, a bakery, a church, several passable inns, and a couple boarding houses. Some of the villagers may have old family armor and weapons for sale, but they will likely be sold at considerable cost if at all. But most people earn their livelihood from farming, as occasional adventurers spend their monies only in the outfitting shops and at Ma Nettle's boarding house, in the middle of town.
And it is at Ma Nettle's that we find our adventurers. The boarding house, in the center of town, is built on two levels. The ground floor is walled with fitted stones, while the timber-framed upper story rests on this base. There are several windows, both downstairs and upstairs. A metal stovepipe protrudes from the wall of the southwest gable, where a gentle stream of wood smoke rises.
Outside, posted on a piece of wood, is a notice beseeching any adventurers to help the Dovedale district with their goblin problem. The common room is warm and pleasant, with a bar counter opposite the entrance and plenty of space between the tables. To the left, as one walks in, is a wide staircase rising to the bedrooms on the second floor. The twin doors to the kitchen open and close regularly as Ma Nettle bustles in and out with trays and plates. The bar is Ned the gnome's responsibility, and he can be found (after some searching) behind it.
Should visitors wish to rent a room, they must register in the visitor's book that Ned keeps tucked away when not in use. Fees for rooms are 5sp per night or 3gp weekly, paid in advance. Beer and wine are cheap enough: 2sp for an eight-pint credit. Though meals are only 3sp each, they're uncommonly good, and it would seem that many business people in the town prefer to take dinner at Ma Nettle's rather than prepare their own, based on the crowds tonight.
The Dovedale district is one of the many farming areas nestled in the foothills of a long mountain range, east of Thornfall in Caldan. The district takes its name from the narrow wooded valley known as Dovedale. The like-named Dovedale River flows out of the dale and provides water for many of the farms in the area. The Dalewold forest skirts the northwest edge of the valley.
The farmers of the Dovedale district have a problem: It is midsummer, and the river has suddenly dried up. A small trickle of water remains, but not enough. Without water, most of the farmers' crops (which rely on irrigation) are doomed to fail. The locals are convinced that the abrupt drop in the river is yet another evil plot of a tribe of wicked goblins that live in the steep, winding dale. It's only a matter of time, they say, before the goblins issue a long string of unreasonable demands in return for restoring the river.
The farmers spend much of their time standing around and grousing that someone should do something. However, none of the farmers have volunteered to go sort out the goblins. The local farmer' cooperative has offers a 100-gp reward to anyone brave enough to go up the Dovedale and force the goblins to restore the river. You have learned that interested parties should apply to Mrs. Cogs, the leader of the cooperative.
We begin our adventure in Ashbourne. Four roads come together in the town of Ashbourne, a small fortified place where cattle and sheep are driven in at night, and where travelers can rest in relative comfort. Because of its proximity, Ashbourne is considered to be part of the Dovedale area. The Dovedale River flows past Ashbourne.
The village has a farmer's market, a bakery, a church, several passable inns, and a couple boarding houses. Some of the villagers may have old family armor and weapons for sale, but they will likely be sold at considerable cost if at all. But most people earn their livelihood from farming, as occasional adventurers spend their monies only in the outfitting shops and at Ma Nettle's boarding house, in the middle of town.
And it is at Ma Nettle's that we find our adventurers. The boarding house, in the center of town, is built on two levels. The ground floor is walled with fitted stones, while the timber-framed upper story rests on this base. There are several windows, both downstairs and upstairs. A metal stovepipe protrudes from the wall of the southwest gable, where a gentle stream of wood smoke rises.
Outside, posted on a piece of wood, is a notice beseeching any adventurers to help the Dovedale district with their goblin problem. The common room is warm and pleasant, with a bar counter opposite the entrance and plenty of space between the tables. To the left, as one walks in, is a wide staircase rising to the bedrooms on the second floor. The twin doors to the kitchen open and close regularly as Ma Nettle bustles in and out with trays and plates. The bar is Ned the gnome's responsibility, and he can be found (after some searching) behind it.
Should visitors wish to rent a room, they must register in the visitor's book that Ned keeps tucked away when not in use. Fees for rooms are 5sp per night or 3gp weekly, paid in advance. Beer and wine are cheap enough: 2sp for an eight-pint credit. Though meals are only 3sp each, they're uncommonly good, and it would seem that many business people in the town prefer to take dinner at Ma Nettle's rather than prepare their own, based on the crowds tonight.
OOC:
Before we get too far, let's learn a little about our would-be heroes (if heroes are what you would be). Who is your adventurer, with whom did they arrive, and how did they end up in Ashbourne with rumors of goblin-troubles?
