The town of Midveil, tucked away in the Glooming Forest within the Brindrift, boasts a number of interesting personalities that inhabit the locales and establishments.
The Balefire Tower:
a tall watchtower that stands in the center of the town. Keeping a constant
vigil from the top of the tower is the old bandier, a rugged man known locally
as Steel. Most in town don’t know whether to fear or trust him, and the bandiar
doesn’t seem eager to sway their opinion. Regardless, his silhouette at the top
of the tower is as constant as the broken moon in the night sky.
The Baron’s Maulers:
these are six local roughnecks, some bearing a partial orlock bloodline, who
have been recruited or who signed up to be the baron’s personal enforcers and
bodyguards. These six, now despised by most of the population, have sold out
their own people in exchange for the favor of the baron. The Maulers include
Orso, Lyandra, Saer, Charis, Gorlon, and Alarak.
The Barrel: a
stone structure that has been converted to a prison for those who oppose the
baron’s rule. It has no door, only an opening at the top where prisoners are
dropped in. Outside stands the stocks, gallows, and guillotine where public
executions are held.
The Brawlers: a group of local bullies. As if the
baron’s enforcers aren’t enough to contend with, a local group of delinquents,
referred to the Brawlers, also attempts to assert their authority. Vas from the forge, and Zaim from the
butcher’s shop do a decent job of keeping these thugs in line, and thanks to
their efforts, along with a handful of others, the small gang doesn’t often get
away with much. The Brawlers consist of Serlo, Beltran, Sheev, and Mouse.
The Briar Seat:
the cornerstone manor house of Midveil and the traditional home to the ruling
baron. In these days, the elven leaders are only a memory and the Briar Seat is
now home to the half-orlock baron, Triggor, and his human bride, the notorious
singer turned baroness, Bolta. They have a son, Furon, who has indicated in
subtle ways that he may not share the brutish, unforgiving, and gluttonous nature
of his forefathers. This may be partly due to the teachings of the hollow elf, Dannah,
who, enslaved by Krale forty years ago, has served the orlock household as
caretaker and nurse. She has also remained an active spy within the household,
gathering useful information to help those hunted by the baron and his guard.
The Chapel: once
this housed a Blackbird of the On-High, but these days, the only resident is
the vandi fortune teller Madame Mauvine. She is accompanied by her bundalin,
Tarot. The baron is obsessed with her readings, though the fortune teller’s visions
are more often what the baron chooses to believe rather than a true deciphering
of the signs and portents of the lands.
Cobbler & Tailor:
two old timers, Eon and Xavier, work together in the small shop, and those that
frequent their abode know that they bicker like an old married couple. Their
work, however, is both speedy and exemplary.
Crushare’s Apothecary:
run by Bevly and her son, Wis, herbs and natural medicines can be purchased,
and certain potions commissioned. Bevly is also a skilled in the healing arts
and is capable of mending common injuries and treating sicknesses. Wis, a boy
of sixteen, tends to be nosy, somewhat annoying, and often tries too hard to
fit in.
General Store: all
manner of goods are sold by the proprietor, a talkative man with a loose tongue
and taste for rumor named Riato. The store can accommodate just about every
basic need, and imports can also be arranged for a fee.
Hand and Hammer Forge:
run by an aging but talented man named Sulley along with his apprentice and
protégé, Vas.
The Hollows: a burned-out
area left over from the Moonskull invasion forty years ago. Here the last of
the “hollow elves” dwell in tents and shanties. These are the poor souls rooked
of their magic, living out the remainder of their days in the shadow of a
distant memory. Though pitiful in their appearance and demeanor, the hollows
are knowledgeable in ancient lore and willing to share with those willing to
listen. Furthermore, despite their despondent nature, deep within an ember of
vengeance and a hunger for retribution still burns. They are led by Finril, a withered old elf. Additional
personalities include Terros, Baina, Jheldun, and Sparo.
The Idle Wind Theatre:
once this was a highly respected outdoor stage where townsfolk could enjoy
performances from the street or from the balcony of the Overlook. Now, the
theatre has fallen on hard times and the actors, a group called the Midveil
Misfits, are often forced to perform lewd shows, or enact false histories to
perpetuate the propaganda of the orlock baron. Atop the theater is a type of
brothel where a handful of girls called the “Idols” service those willing to
pay for companionship. The Idols, however, are not the common soiled dove found
in other corners of the Remains. These companions are educated, sophisticated,
and as interesting as they are beautiful.
The Loft: stables
positioned at the far end of the Midveil Square, and easily accessible to the
inn. Family owned, no one spends more time with the horses than Maez, a
good-natured young woman whose tomboy ways have earned her a place of respect
even amongst the less-than-savory locals.
The Overlook Tavern
& Inn: the centerpiece of the Midveil square. The establishment is run
by Ailen, a well-meaning man with a sympathetic ear, and his wife Thea, who
tends to be mildly nosy and rather worrisome, especially when it comes to their
daughters, Samara and Adelphia. Both daughters, aged twenty and eighteen
respectively, spend their time helping around the tavern or running errands for
their over-worked parents. The upper portion of the Overlook stands open,
offering an unobstructed view of the market as well as the Idle Wind Theatre.
Although there are only four rooms available for travelers, the Overlook is a
popular place for the locals to get together.
Sholy’s Bakery:
old Sholy has been perfecting baked goods for decades and the reputation of the
bakery is never in question. The bakery is located on the second floor of the same
building that houses Zee’s Butcher Shop.
Street Merchants:
the square is never at a loss for vendors and tradesmen. Most notable is Farley’s
Wagon, where Farley and his son, Holton sell a variety of wares; many of which
are practical while others lean toward the more whimsical. Other street
merchants, selling their goods from stalls or wagons set up in the marketplace
include Jalaine, Wilrick, Ezerie, Errek, and Bardoli.
The Tome: a large
stone structure that once housed a library of books predating the Breaking of
the Moon. Decades ago, the library was ransacked and burned. When it was
rebuilt, the floor was lined with the recovered leather bindings. It is now
occupied by a former sooth, who goes by the name Sennis. He spends his time
re-writing the lost books as best he can from memory. Assisting him is the young
bookbinder, Reyan. Having been more or less adopted by the scribe at a young
age, she now helps tend to his daily needs as well as those of the library
itself. Many of the locals refer to the library as “the Tomb.”
Undertaker: known
as Longtooth, this quiet individual takes care of all the necessary final
details of one’s estate but is also rumored to be in the pocket of the baron.
Zee’s Butcher Shop:
Zolum, or Big Zee as he’s known to the locals, has run the butcher shop for
many years. The shop shares space with Sholy's bakery, which is located upstairs. Now, with the help of his son Zaim, Big Zee looks to eventually
pass the cleaver on to the next generation...that is if Zaim isn’t recruited by
the baron’s Maulers.
Todd VanHooser
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