Zebegoire

Settlement Type: Ruins

Terraine: Jungle

Population: N/A

Background:

The Ruins of Zebegoire lie in the Kingdom of Olieroch. Once an elvish city of legendary beauty and wealth, it was destroyed in the years following the Wrath. Exact details are unknown, but scholars believe the city was devastated by a sequence of plagues that led the natives to abandon the city. 

Today, there is little left of Zebegoire except ancient roads and broken stone foundations. No attempts were ever made to reestablish the city, and it was left to be reclaimed by the surrounding jungle.

The ruins have an evil reputation. Various monstrous creatures are known to lair within the ruins, and there are reports of spectral undead as well. The locals avoid the city and urge travelers to avoid it as well.

In recent years, there has been a resurgence of scholarly interest in Zebegoire, and well-armed expeditions have ventured into the ruins, seeking clues to Zebegoire's ancient past. Many of these expeditions have been devastated, their members slain by monsters or driven mad by what they've experience in the ruins.

This has, weirdly enough, made the ruins more attractive to other adventurers and academics. Many believe that there are lost riches to be found within, and possibly under, the ruins. Some expeditions have reported the existence of an intact sub-city beneath the ruins, complete with locked vaults, lethal traps and magical guardians.  More scholarly adventurers deny these reports, but they still circulate, drawing the curious and greedy to the ruined city.

Zohah

 

Settlement Type: Village

Terrain: Arctic

Population: 972 (79% Yeti, 12% Dwarf)

Background:

Zohah is a village in the northern Barrier Islands, off the coast of Tigal. The island is unusual in that the majority of the population consists of yetis. The island is ruled by a yeti chieftan, and a small council of advisors. 

Dwarves comprise the next racial demographic on the island, with the remainder of the population consisting primarily of humans and elves. Other races are seldom encountered on Zohah.

The islanders survive by fishing, farming and trade with other nearby islands. There is a single inn on the island, catering mostly to traders. The Simmering Pot(01) is a single-story building offering simple accomodations and filling meals, served from a communal soup pot kept going all day and night. The inn is run by the community, so service can vary wildly depending on who is in charge that day.

Zohah is, quite frankly, boring. There are no menaces or threats on the island or in the surrounding waters. Adventurers could resupply and rest there, possibly earn some coin by helping the fishermen, but that's about it.

Eley

Settlement Type: Village

Terraine: Coastal/Arctic

Population: 197 (Dwarves 52%, Elves 20%, Other 28%)

Background:

Eley is a village on the Free Coast, an untamed region lying north-northwest of the Aetu Mountains. The village's population consists primarily of dwarves and elves, with various other races also calling it home.  Eley has existed for as long as anyone in the region can remember and it may be one of the oldest communities in all of Hura.  The village is governed by a noble dwarf family, the Sigeronias family, and an elected council.

Eley is a fishing village with little to attract the interests of outsiders. The only thing of any interest is the Black Tower(01), a circular stone structure lying south and east of the village.  The Black Tower once belonged to a powerful wizard, who built it overnight, using powerful magics. After building the tower, the wizard vanished inside it and was never seen again.  Since then, the tower has remained undisturbed, and even though it shows signs of neglect, none of the locals go near the place.

Adventurers who arrive in Eley may find themselves called upon by the locals to explore the Black Tower and determine the fate of its creator. Or, perhaps, strange monsters have been sighted and their tracks all lead back to the tower. 

 

Brugenia

Settlement Type: Village

Terraine: Grasslands

Population: 8,564 (80% Human, 10% Dwarf)

Background:

Brugenia is a thriving community that lies along the Western Road in the Kingdom of Kalada. It serves as the primary trade hub for the surrounding region, attracting visitors from all over Kalada and beyond.  The village is named after its founder, a talented bard, and has a small, but vibrant, musical community to this day.  It is governed by Dame Roseben Hilorie, a human noblewoman appointed to the position by the Kaladan crown. Dame Roseben is a veteran military campaigner, who finds governing Brugenia and its surroundings, a challenge.  Fortunately, she's wise enough to recognize her own shortcomings and seek counsel from locals when needed. Because of this, she is held in high regard by many of the villagers.

The only significant landmark in Brugenia is a Temple to the Kindly One(01). The Temple is fairly large and offers healing services for a small donation. 

Adventurers traveling along Kalada's Western Road might find themselves in Brugenia, staying for a night or longer. It is an excellent place to resupply, and there are a few inns around that cater to a wide range of tastes and financial limits.   Fighters looking for work, might find themselves employed by Dame Hilorie to handle a matter she doesn't trust the locals with, or as guards on one of the trade caravans that frequently pass through the town.  Bards and entertainers could be drawn into the village's small music scene, perhaps taking part in a friendly, or not so friendly, competition with a local favorite. And wounded or ill travelers might find rest and succor at the Temple, where they could repay the priests' kindness by performing some duty or other for them.