Characters¶
Notable NPCs of the Spine of the World, drawn from the Survival Guide to the North. The two voices that authored the manual — Everard and Hrothgar — appear throughout these pages as both characters and narrators.
Everard, Battle-Priest of Tempus¶
The co-author of the Survival Guide. Everard tends the Temple of Tempus in the northwestern section of Easthaven.
Though it is fortunate that there is not much to occupy his prayers here in the wastes, far from war and conflict, it wears on him, and many are the times he seems to long for battle and another chance to prove himself. — Hrothgar
Wounded in service to Tempus, he has lived in Easthaven for years writing his reflections on virtues and what is noble in life. The volume that became the Survival Guide is partly his own writing and partly the gathered wisdom of Hrothgar. He also maintains a private catalogue of rumoured magical items in the region (see Magical Items).
Hrothgar of Easthaven¶
The other voice of the Survival Guide — a long-time resident of Easthaven and one of its local leaders. His home is in the northern part of town.
News of the south is always welcome. — Hrothgar
His tales and combat advice fill many pages of the Guide. Hrothgar has lived in the North "for nearly a ten-year" and combines a soldier's pragmatism with affection for his adopted home.
Grisella¶
A "kindly woman" who runs the Winter's Cradle Tavern in Easthaven. Her stock may not be the best a traveller has ever tasted, but it's the best they'll get this far north.
Pomab¶
A Calishite trader who runs Pomab's Emporium in Easthaven. He has everything a traveller needs to outfit themselves for the pass — provided they keep their tongue in check.
Apsel the Scrimshander¶
An Easthaven artisan, the Scrimshander, who carves fine art pieces (chiefly from knucklehead trout bone) that fetch good prices in the south.
Old Jed¶
An Easthaven boat owner who advises on fishing. Best approached in the afternoon, "when he's had a chance to sleep off the wine from the night before, but not yet found a supply for the night ahead."
Gerth of Kuldahar¶
A minor historian who runs Gerth's Equipment Shoppe in Kuldahar. Pays good coin for trinkets, documents, or books. He and Everard trade information on occasion — including news of magical relics that may be lost somewhere in the region.
Eidan¶
Runs The Evening Shade in Kuldahar — "a pleasant fellow."
Whitcomb (and Amelia)¶
Runs The Root Cellar in Kuldahar with a handful of barmaids. Amelia is the barmaid Hrothgar singles out for greeting.
Fiddlebender¶
An odd gnome alchemist who, by Everard's account, lives in a "strange device, an 'airship'" beneath the great oak of Kuldahar. He sells potions and antidotes.
Orrick the Gray¶
A mage of some knowing within Kuldahar. Keeps to his own affairs in a tower within the town. Said to deal in magic items.
Hjollder¶
A shaman, far from his barbarian homeland, lodging in a long-abandoned shack near the Temple of Ilmater in Kuldahar Valley. It is whispered that Hjollder seeks powerful heroes for an unknown purpose.
Kresselack the Black Wolf¶
A long-dead northern general whose tomb is said to lie in the Vale of Shadows.
Kresselack's hands were as blood, his footsteps like that of a winter wolf in the snows, and his troops struck like arrows into the hearts of towns and hamlets across the Spine of the World. — Everard
Where his name was spoken, it was a curse. It is said the wind howled the day his blade fell from his hands and his corpse was placed within the Vale's keeping.
Lonelywood¶
Skeld (deceased)¶
A giant of a man, half barbarian and half ogre, who founded what became the Whistling Gallows Inn. After nearly severing his leg in a logging accident, he opened a tavern. His enforcement methods — hanging rowdy patrons from the dead tree outside until scavengers picked them clean — gave the tavern its eventual name. Skeld was stabbed to death in a bar brawl.
Murdaugh¶
A bard of some repute who bought the tavern after Skeld's death and gave it the name The Whistling Gallows. Ran the inn for many years before selling it. Still frequents the place and gives occasional performances.
Kieran Nye¶
A traveling merchant who is the current proprietor of the Whistling Gallows. A kind enough sort, though he tends to use too many big words and sweeping gestures to convey a point.
Emmerich Hawksinger¶
The local ranger of Lonelywood. A skilled woodworker, he makes his living crafting and selling bows carved from the local fir trees.
Baldemar Thurlow¶
The cartwright of Lonelywood. His success comes from contracts with the trading costers to construct caravan wagons. He sits on the council of the Ten Towns as Lonelywood's representative.
Thom Farold and Ned¶
An aging boat builder and his son, who live and work near the shore of the lake. Several small boats of various styles litter the yard — mostly canoes, though word has it Thom is working on a much larger vessel. Ned ferries fishermen onto Maer Dualdon for the price of a few coppers.
Tybald Dunn¶
The town cooper of Lonelywood. His workshop and home stand on the northeast part of town, surrounded by finished and unfinished barrels, wooden planks, iron bands.
Purvis¶
The local gravedigger of Lonelywood. Not much is known about him, nor are any willing to get close enough to find out — he is "coated so thickly in dirt and grime that it is not known if he even wears clothes beneath the filth."
Source: iwdee/original_manuals/IWDEE - Survival Guide to the North.pdf — passim, especially "Easthaven", "Kuldahar Valley", "Lonelywood", "The Vale of Shadows".