**Regional Overview: [[Talon Whisperwind|Talon]] Grasslands, South Angoria** A vast expanse of lightly settled grasslands west of [[Talonalton]]. This region is dotted with sacred nomadic routes, ancient war paths, and long-forgotten outposts. Though peaceful for centuries, the rise of the undead has brought darkness creeping back into the land. - **Key Locations**: [[Talonalton]] (abandoned), [[Hearthstone]] (fortress refuge), [[Brighthoof]] (nearest town, 75 miles west), [[Stoneharbor]] (regional seat, 300 miles west) - **Undead have not existed in Solare for thousands of years** until recently **Major Locations** **[[Talonalton]]** - Former mining town near the mountains, now overrun by undead forces. - [[Sheriff Galver Dunodi]] betrayed [[Calford]] over a discovered gold vein. [[Calford]] was killed and returned as a revenant. - [[Rarvas]], vampire servant of [[Raphael]], operated in the graveyard catacombs. **[[Hearthstone]] (34 miles southwest of [[Talonalton]])** - Ancient fortress built for defense, not used in generations. - Features: - Grand Hearth Hall (three stories) - Chapel of [[Angoria]] - Barracks, stables, forge, workshop - Stone outer wall (18–22 ft tall, thick, defensible) - Watchtowers, murder holes, limited windows on ground level - Strong smells of ash, dust, rust, peat, and iron - Used as a last stand defense against [[Raphael]]'s ghoul army **[[Brighthoof]]** - Rustic spiritual village known for horse breeding and markets. - Population ~600 - Major Faiths: [[Perserphina]], [[Angoria]], [[Laurel]] - Key NPCs: - [[Elder Merel]] "Moonwake" Tathwyn - [[Yarrow Halbrook]] (Horsemaster/Militia Captain) - [[Lessa Fernlight]] (Healer/Herbalist) - [[Varn]] the Hollow Drum ([[Perserphina]] Priest) **[[Stoneharbor]]** - Regional seat of law and order, population ~1,500 - First stop for aid requests before reaching the [[Green Palace]] in the Green Forest - Key NPCs: - [[Marshal Vaerin Mossblade]] (Commander of the [[Talon Whisperwind|Talon]] Riders) - High Scribe Kelwen Hargrace - Warden Ilyra Windchime (Scout Leader) - Speaker Thalen Dawnbrook (Civic Voice) **Villager Defense Summary** - 200 villagers escaped to [[Hearthstone]] - Estimated 40 able-bodied militia split into: - Shield Bearers - Axe Hands - Archers - Torchbearers - Youngblood Reserves - Ghouls split into 10 units of 30 **⚔️ Mass Combat Rules (Simplified)** - Units treated as swarm-like HP pools (e.g., 30 ghouls = 300 HP) - PCs attacking individuals still reduce group HP - AoEs affect multiple creatures; morale loss at HP thresholds - Villager unit morale, damage scaling, and role-based advantages **Invisible Vampire Spy & Ring** - Killed spy left behind a sigil ring from [[Hexa Landing]] - Sigil: bat-winged serpent wrapped around a bleeding spire with six fang-like runes (mark of the Sixth Blood Court) - The spy was sent to observe the villagers and [[Hearthstone]]'s defense **Nomadic Clans of the [[Talon Whisperwind|Talon]] Grasslands** **The Ironhorn Kin** - Herd: Stormback cattle - NPC: Thurgan Flinttide **The Duneleaf Sisters** - Herd: Woolroses - NPCs: Sera and Mima Duneleaf **The Sunstride Clans** - Herd: Goldenmane horses - NPC: Kaelen Sunstride **The Ashcliff Foragers** - Herd: Red-stone goats - NPC: Old Neralin "Roottongue" **[[Bonehowler]] Encounter** - Sent by [[Raphael]] after ghoul army fails - Created by [[Rarvas]], made of villager bones - Howls with the voices of the dead - Reanimates corpses - CR 13 Undead siege beast with frightful roar and reknit regeneration **Divine Presence** - **[[Angoria]]**, Goddess of Good War - War for protection only; strict, compassionate, just - Appears topless, crowned in steel and gold, tattoos across arms - Loathes cruelty; punishes those who fight for pleasure - PCs may be judged or guided by [[Angoria]]’s will **Notable NPCs** - **[[Gregor Molef]]**: Former adventurer of the [[Iron Reed Company]] - **[[Rarvas]]**: Vampire agent of [[Raphael]], necromancer and manipulator - **[[Raphael]]**: Vampire lord working for [[Anam]], harvesting souls and preventing escape - **[[Calford]]**: Revenant of [[Talonalton]] seeking justice for betrayal