## **Duskwatch** – _Regional Capital of the Duskwatch Region_ **Population:** ~3,000 **Description:** Duskwatch sits on the eastern bank of **[[Blackmere Lake]]**, its timber-and-stone walls reflecting in the still, dark waters. It is the largest and most prosperous settlement east of the [[Deadwood Glades]] and acts as the **last major safehold** before the Broken Causeway leads into the cursed wood. **History:** Duskwatch was founded after the fall of the old Coalviel lords, intended as a permanent guard station to watch for “the return of the dark” — an old superstition referring to the last time undead roamed the land. Its name comes from the practice of lighting **watch-beacons** every sunset along the ridge to the west, facing the Deadwood. The **Broken Causeway** was once a royal road linking the Dark Tower to the eastern trade routes; its collapse in the old wars turned Duskwatch into a border bastion. **Economy & Life:** The town thrives on fishing from [[Blackmere Lake]], trade along the **Emberwind River**, and supplying the beacon and patrol network that stretches north and south. Caravans moving toward the Glade must pass here for permits, supplies, and guards. **Current State:** With [[Anam]]’s return and the first sightings of undead in living memory, Duskwatch has shifted into a state of **permanent readiness** — militia drills twice daily, curfews in the outer ring, and the old signal horns brought out from the watch-fort. There is fear, but also stubborn defiance. **Rumor Hooks:** - Someone sabotaged the westernmost watch-beacon; when found, the wood was scorched black from the inside out. - Fishermen report seeing pale figures standing in the shallows of Blackmere at night — and vanishing when approached. - The town council is debating reopening the Old West Gate and sending a sanctioned expedition into the Deadwood. ## Major NPCs of Duskwatch Duskwatch, the largest town in the Deadwood Glade region of South Angoria, sits at the heart of a growing political rivalry. Once a remote trade hub on Blackmere Lake, its rapid growth now challenges Coalveil’s historic role as the seat of authority within the surrounding 400 miles. While the Kingdom of Green and its distant Green Palaces hold formal sovereignty, Duskwatch’s fate is decided by its leaders—men and women balancing ambition, faith, trade, and the dark shadow of the Deadwood Glade. --- ### Mayor [[Mayor Elira Vanneth|Elira Vanneth]] - **Race:** Half-elf - **Role:** Mayor of Duskwatch, mediator of Coalveil grassland politics - **Personality:** Charismatic, pragmatic, ambitious yet cautious - **Background:** Former caravan guide along the Emberwind River, rose to power through diplomacy and defense against bandits - **Politics:** Balances Coalveil dominance, South Angoria emissaries, merchant guilds, and the Concord of Laurel - **Hook:** Might enlist adventurers to curb bandit threats or help maneuver Duskwatch toward greater independence --- ### High Priest [[High Priest Daren Hollis|Daren Hollis]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Head of the Concord of Laurel in Duskwatch - **Personality:** Stern, traditional, protective of faith - **Background:** Lifelong servant of Laurel’s willow grove shrine - **Politics:** Advocates for Duskwatch’s loyalty to Coalveil; deeply suspicious of South Angoria meddling - **Hook:** Requests adventurers to investigate heretical cult practices rumored near the Rift Scar --- ### [[Guildmaster Thalia Crenn]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Leader of the River Guild (barge trade) - **Personality:** Cunning, pragmatic, profit-driven - **Background:** Expanded her father’s guild into South Angoria trade routes - **Politics:** Favors South Angoria commerce over Coalveil’s taxes, clashing with traditionalists - **Hook:** Hires adventurers for secretive trade protection or sabotage of rival barges --- ### [[Captain Brannic Torrell]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Commander of the Duskwatch militia - **Personality:** Brave, loyal, suspicious of outsiders - **Background:** Veteran of border conflicts - **Politics:** Supports Coalveil’s stability, resents tax levies reducing militia strength - **Hook:** Hires adventurers to track a bandit clan possibly aided by South Angoria smugglers --- ### [[Mistress Ceyla Dorn]] - **Race:** Half-elf - **Role:** Keeper of Duskwatch archives and historian - **Personality:** Quiet, shrewd, obsessed with secrets - **Background:** Descended from an old scribe family; rumored to know hidden truths of the Rift Scar - **Politics:** Politically neutral but wields influence through her knowledge - **Hook:** Offers ancient lore or maps in exchange for relics recovered from the Deadwood Glade --- ### Innkeep [[Innkeep Varric Dolm|Varric Dolm]] - **Race:** Dwarf - **Role:** Proprietor of Emberwind Rest Inn - **Personality:** Jovial, trustworthy, secret gossip broker - **Background:** Former caravan guard - **Politics:** Trades information between factions for profit - **Hook:** May tip off adventurers about shadow sightings or suspicious travelers --- ### Scholar [[Scholar Jeren Malthis|Jeren Malthis]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Wandering scholar of ley lines - **Personality:** Curious, excitable, reckless - **Background:** Arrived from South Angoria to study planar ruptures - **Politics:** Neutral but suspected of espionage - **Hook:** Seeks adventurers to escort him into the Rift Scar --- ### Sergeant [[Sergeant Kael Drosven|Kael Drosven]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Militia enforcer - **Personality:** Harsh, militant, fiercely loyal to Mayor Elira - **Background:** Rose swiftly through militia ranks - **Politics:** Supports Duskwatch’s independence, resents Coalveil’s taxes - **Hook:** Secretly hires mercenaries to disrupt Coalveil patrols --- ### Healer [[Healer Marenna Vey|Marenna Vey]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Herbalist and midwife - **Personality:** Gentle, kind, cautious - **Background:** Widowed; beloved caretaker of Duskwatch’s sick and poor - **Politics:** Stays neutral, though courted by guild leaders - **Hook:** Asks adventurers to find rare herbs growing near Rift Scar pools --- ### Merchant [[Merchant Veynar Korr|Veynar Korr]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Wealthy cloth and spice trader - **Personality:** Arrogant, opportunistic - **Background:** Imports goods from South Angoria - **Politics:** Advocates for closer ties to the Human Union, alienating traditionalists - **Hook:** Hires adventurers to escort valuable shipments along the Emberwind --- ### [[Eldress Sybil Drowen]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Elder of Duskwatch’s Council of Families - **Personality:** Stern, wise, protective of tradition - **Background:** Lineage traces back to Duskwatch’s founding families - **Politics:** Supports Coalveil, opposes South Angoria influence - **Hook:** Appeals to adventurers to expose corruption tied to foreign merchants --- ### Ferrywarden [[Ferrywarden Grenthal Orem|Grenthal Orem]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Overseer of Duskwatch ferries and docks - **Personality:** Gruff, practical - **Background:** Grew up on the Emberwind River, knows every channel - **Politics:** Neutral, pressured by merchants and militia - **Hook:** Needs adventurers to eliminate bandits along riverbanks --- ### Blacksmith [[Blacksmith Asha Korrin|Asha Korrin]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Master smith - **Personality:** Proud, blunt, industrious - **Background:** Revered for her blades and farm tools - **Politics:** Independent, sells to all factions - **Hook:** Seeks adventurers to recover rare ores near Grimholt --- ### Scribe [[Scribe Elorin Veyth|Elorin Veyth]] - **Race:** Elf - **Role:** Town scribe and court clerk - **Personality:** Patient, meticulous, politically astute - **Background:** Exiled from Coalveil for disputes with nobles - **Politics:** Advises Elira, but secretly informs Coalveil - **Hook:** Uses adventurers as pawns in double-dealings --- ### [[Hunter Ralden Marric]] - **Race:** Human - **Role:** Renowned hunter - **Personality:** Bold, reckless, admired by locals - **Background:** Famous for slaying a dire wolf near Deadwood - **Politics:** Apolitical, but has strong local support - **Hook:** Claims his shadow attacked him near the Rift Scar; wants proof of what lurks there