Hermit (Lamashan (X) 31st-Neth (XI) 5th, 4708 AR)

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On Neth 1st, Sir Tolgrith received an odd note delivered to him by a rather mangy wolf. This predator stalked up to the gate and dropped the rolled paper in front of the guards before running away.

The parchment contained an invitation to meet with “Oakbrow, humble servant of the vale”. Aside from this simple invitation, and a crude map to a spot due west of the fort, there was no mention for the reason behind the meeting. Tolgrith was far too busy to attend to such an odd request himself, but he was willing to allow the heroes to speak on his behalf (so long as they did not make any binding deals). When they accepted, he asked that they set off at once. The heroes arrived at the site.

Standing in the center of a small clearing was a house made from deadwood, antlers, leaves, and mud. A small stone chimney off to the side let off a thin ribbon of smoke and a warm light radiated from inbetween shuttered windows. An old voice croaked out from within. “Well, don’t stand there gawkin’ all day, come on in.”


The ramshackle house was the dwelling of Oakbrow, a hermit who had lived in the Bloodsworn Vale for the past 20 years. Oakbrow was a kindly old man who considered himself an expert on the vale. He cared deeply for it and its untamed beauty. He invited the master of Fort Thorn (or his representatives) to his home to discuss the future of the vale. A reserved man, Oakbrow was fond of morality fables telling the lessons of nature.

When the heroes arrived, he invited them inside and introduced himself. After asking who sent them and why, Oakbrow got down to business. He explained that the recent settlement in the vale worried him and he wanted assurances that the plan was for a path only, not to turn the vale into a logging and mining site. He understood that some development must occur, but he was quite satisfied if assurances were made that the majority of the woods remain untouched. In return for this promise, he offered his sage advice on the vale, answering questions about its inhabitants and locations. The heroes wished to consult with Sir Tolgrith before making any deals, which Oakbrow more than understood. Gyrad was happy to make the deal, so long as any truly valuable resources might be harvested for the good of the people trying to live in the vale. This was acceptable to Oakbrow if they limit their exploitation to no more than four sites.

A successfully brokered deal had one immediate effect: Oakbrow could answer questions about the vale and its inhabitants and pointed out two resource locations unknown to the heroes. Oakbrow could also sell the group potions of barkskin (+3), bear’s endurance, bull’s strength, cat’s grace, owl’s wisdom, and water breathing for the standard price.

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