Important Figures

Leadership

Elvard Wreth, Lord of Valleydale (Rogue 2, Expert 5 - Human, dalesman)

Lord Wreth is the elected Lord of Valleydale and has been so for the last twenty years.  A hardworking miner in his youth, his waistline has expanded greatly but his work ethic has not.  He works tirelessly furthering the prosperity of Valleydale and is much respected among all citizens.  Lord Wreth owns the Wreth Mining Consortium with his wife, Eleanor, and two sons, Eon and Eliath.  Now approaching 60, he has slowed down his involvement in mining operations, but still spends the vast majority of his wealth on Valleydale and its citizens.  He lives a far more frugal life than he would if he spent his money as many wealthy citizens do.

Eleanor Wreth, Lady of Valleydale (Expert 5 - Human, dalesman)

Lord Wreth's wife is capable of great subtlety and brash honesty, both of which she deals out as the situation dictates.  She is a shrewd businesswoman and as generous towards Valleydale of her time and money as her husband is.  While Lord Wreth is the elected lord, Lady Wreth holds just as much power within the dale as her husband, and perhaps more given how easily she can get her way from him if she puts her mind and scathing tongue to it.  She has put a quick end to several foolish and ignorant feuds, including the one between her husband and the Lord Protector.  She too is now approaching 60 and her girth far exceeds her husbands.  She attends far more meetings of the Dale Lords than her husband.  King Redbeard and King Grom have both had tea with Lady Wreth, and both have been reported to have said the same thing of the imposing woman.  She'd be the perfect woman if she just had a beard.

Sabrar  ar'Kenheld, Lord Protector of Valleydale (Fighter 6, Ranger 6, Rogue 4, Scout 4 - Moon Elf)

  Alias':  Silver, Lord Silver, Sabre, The Reaper of Gnolls

After coming to Valleydale an inexperienced and hot headed adventurer, Sabrar had many adventurers that have endeared him to the local populace.  Lord Wreth has further bound Sabrar to the dale by naming him Lord Protector, a title that allows him to act without prior consent of the Lord on behalf of Valleydale and its citizens.  Sabrar is responsible for complete lack of gnoll raids on the valley and has forged a strong friendship with King Redbeard. After his last great adventure, one that earned him much fame from Cormyr to Waterdeep and gained him many powerful enemies, Sabrar returned a much changed elf both in appearance and demeanor.  The sword he carries radiates power and is often heard humming in its sheath.  It is rumored that it was a gift from the Selardine for a dangerous service performed on their behalf.  Only two others have ever been seen to hold the sword; his new wife Ilya and King Redbeard, whom the sword is often in the possession of.

  Standing only 5'7" with mouse gray hair, Sabrar has an aura of persuasion and confidence about him.  Sabrar is a collector of magical and mundane items, a breeder of horses, mastif's and elven hounds, leader of the Company of the Silver Wolf and a known Harper.

Ilya ar'Kenheld (Bard 9 - Moon Elf)

  Alias':  Lady Silver

Ilya returned with Sabrar after his last great adventure.  Since her arrival, his dangerous streak has been tamed and he has begun to settle out of an adventuring lifestyle.  It is rumored that his desire to find new blood for the Company of the Silver Wolf is a result of her persuasion, something she doesn't deny.  A statuesque elf with jet black hair, she stands 5'10" tall and has a singing voice to rival Storm Silverhand, though certainly not the colorful repertoire.  She is 14 months pregnant and is expecting before the end of the year.

Lord Protector Icewolf (Wizard 12, Archmage 5, High Mage 5 - Wood Elf)

This reclusive wood elf wizard is often not seen for years at a time.  He has moved deep into the unreachable recesses of the Redwood to practice his magic away from prying eyes.  He is both a dangerous and unpredictable wizard, often not considering the danger his spells place companions in.  While not friendly, even to his truest friend Sabrar, he is fiercely devoted to Valleydale and its citizens.  He stands 5'8" in height with dusky brown skin and light brown hair.  He possesses a staff of immense power that has been seen to destroy foes in a single strike.  He does not accept apprentices.

Steven Mosstail, High Druid of Elton's Spring (Druid 17)

A quiet and reserved man, the High Druid can become a furious force if nature is endangered.  He constantly tends the spring that houses the enclaves natural power and trains young druids of any religion, even though he himself worships Chauntea.  He is the nominal leader of Elton's Spring and has been instrumental in incorporating bugbears into the Valleydale populace.  He is an accomplished herbalist, and prefers natural remedies than a constant reliance on magic.

Other Individuals

Jorgan Trollslayer (Fighter 8 - Human, cormyrite)

A former member of the Featherdale Dragons, Jorgan joined the Company of the Silver Wolf when his former company fell apart.  He is a barrel chested man with massive arms, a clean shaven head and a handlebar mustachio.  His appearance is that of the old time circus strongman.  He is an accomplished warrior approaching his 40th birthday and is ready to retire and open his own tavern in Threshold.

Melvin Dent (Cleric 7 - Dwarf, shield)

Son of Moxpot Dent and member of both the Company of the Silverwolf and Clan Redbeard, this travelling Cleric of Clandeggin is jovial and friendly nearly all the time.  He has great love of mining and is often found in the Wreth Mining Consortium offices and mines, working with Eon and Elias to keep the mine working safely.  He keeps a small shrine to Clandeggin in his personal home which he welcomes dwarves to pray at.

Mary Estle (Expert 5 - Human, dalesman)

  Alias:  Old Estle, Mother Estle

Old Estle is ancient with estimates of her age reaching the 150 range.  Despite her age, her activity level has barely slowed down.  She is still active in running her Inn, though much of the harder labor now falls to her daughter and son-in-law.  She is credited with forging peace with the bugbears single handedly and keeping that peace by cooking for the entire clan once per year, preparing a noxious stew that the bugbears love.  All bugbears in the dale call her "Mother Estle."  Her Inn is a true wonder, capable of seating over two hundred and housing nearly that number in its three story structure.  The food and drink served at her Inn rival the best festhalls of Waterdeep and Cormyr, and her selection of ales and wines is in the hundreds.  Archmages, nobles, adventurers and even Kings have, and continue to, dined at her tables.  King Grom makes regular visits to Estle's Inn, crediting her with his long life and good health.  Old Estle employes over thirty people and hosts hundreds a night.  She is loved and admired by nearly everyone in the Dale, and Estle's Hamlet has sprung up around her Inn.

  Estle's Inn is open to all, providing they behave themselves.  Even normal enemies of the Dale are permitted to visit, providing they make arrangements prior.  She has had tea with Ogre Mages, supped with orcs and dined with Lizardfolk.  If peace needs to be discussed and the parties are like to do battle rather than discuss peace, Estle's Inn is the neutral ground that is used, even more so than Threshold.

  Prices in the Inn range from inexpensive to wasteful, and often prices are not so determined by the quality of goods as the ability to pay.

Sheridale Estle (Expert 3 - Human, dalesman)

The granddaughter of Mary Estle, Sheridale helps her grandmother run the inn.  She is generally viewed as one of the most beautiful women in the dale and some think that slinging drinks is inappropriate for such a woman.  However, Sheridale loves her job, her grandmother and her new husband and former resident of Citadel Grom, the bugbear Brock Estle.  To the dismay of many a suitor, Sheridale indeed was taken off the market by an unlikely source...

Brock Estle (Expert 4 - Bugbear)

Despite his somewhat frightening appearance, Brock possesses a keen intellect and love of poetry and song.  His deep baritone often can be heard bellowing out a drinking tune with the local farmers in the Inn and for the few that have managed to hear him perform poetry to his wife, Sheridale, his image of a dumb bugbear brute, an image he cultivates publicly, is quickly shattered.

  Brock took his wife's surname on the suggestion of "Mother Estle."  News of their marriage continues to filter out of the Dale, occasionally bringing challengers to Brock who think that slaying him would make them a hero in Sheridale's eyes, freeing her from his horrible grip.  After one such Knight from Cormyr nearly did just that (an episode that resulted in a bloody and graphic demonstration of just how powerful the gnome wizard Poff Fiddlestone truly is.  It also resulted in the shipping of the Knightly Paladin and his horse back to Featherdale in seven crates which resulted in a bounty being placed on Poff's head), Mary Estle invested a great deal of money in a new set of clothing for Brock.  The next man to attempt the feat was picked up, along with his wagon, and hurled by Brock into the nearby creek.

  Brock is a furry bugbear with gleaming white teeth who is exceptionally well groomed.  He dresses in well made clothing and often spends afternoons helping folks around Estle.

King Grom (Fighter 6, Rogue 4 - Bugbear)

King Grom is extremely long lived for a bugbear, and his age is finally beginning to show in his massive frame.  His dark fur is turning gray, his powerful muscles are starting to lesson.  Normally, he would be challenged by the most powerful bugbear in the clan for leadership, but the bugbears have grown to enjoy their relatively peaceful and comfortable lives.  Plus, his son Prince Grom is extremely loyal to his father and is easily the largest and strongest bugbear of the clan.  To challenge King Grom, someone would have to challenge Prince Grom, and that has never happened.

  King Grom is extremely intelligent and cunning, but believes in his soul in the peace Mary Estle forged.  He is also addicted to her cooking and has offered marriage to her no less than thirty times, often presenting her with magnificent gifts of affection.  His leadership has brought culture and learning to the bugbear children and despite some bugbears leaving the clan, his people are far stronger under his leadership than any bugbear tribe before.

  He carries with him an ancient war axe of a strange blue metal known as the Axe of the Forgotten and wears adamantine armor forged by King Redbeard himself.

Prince Grom (Fighter 2, Ranger 4, Rogue 2 - Bugbear)

Prince Grom is even more imposing than his father.  However, he has little interest in the diplomacy his father must endure to keep the peace happy instead to lead the Bugbear armies and help defend his people and Valleydale.  He has, at times, adventured with the Company of the Silver Wolf and has lived for two years with the dwarves of Clan Redbeard when he and Prince Marek Redbeard exchanged places.  He has been given the title of "Honored Son" among the dwarves.

  Prince Grom wears a breastplate of black dragon hide and has a specially weighted great sword of adamantine.

Gaggrak Misttalker (Cleric 8 - Bugbear)

This devious cleric still holds to many of the old ways of the Bugbears.  He worships Tempus and often voices disapproval of the peace with the dalesmen.  He holds the position of chief advisor to the King and Prince, and despite his dissenting voice towards many policies, he supports his clan, providing powerful magic and training young shaman constantly.

Poff Fiddlestone (Wizard 12 - Gnome, rock)

Poff Fiddlestone has been a resident of Valleydale longer than anyone can remember.  He may even have come with the original settlers.  As a result, he is considered, correctly or not, to be on par with the ability of Icewolf, a notion he does not dissuade.  A normally friendly and jovial gnome, when his home is threatened he becomes a true agent of fury, delivering powerful and creative magic upon his foes.  He helps any citizen of Valleydale without question or thought of compensation, often traveling great distances for simple matters.  His home is a domed keep set into the ground in which he practices his Art.  The keep is built primarily for normal folk, though his personal quarters are decidedly gnome sized.  He loves children, is a fantastic story teller and brews a mean ale that is much prized by the local taverns.  He only accepts apprentices who are sworn to defend Valleydale and have taken the Oath.

Game Apprenticeship:

  Associated Classes:  Wizard

  Associated Skills:  Concentration, Craft (any involving items that can be enchanted), Decipher Script, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (local - Dalelands), Spellcraft, Use Magical Device

  Requirements:  You must take the Oath of Valleydale, speak goblin and gnomish

  Apprenticeship Benefits:  As a wizard, you start with 8 + intelligence modifier spells instead of 4 + intelligence modifier.  You get a 10% discount when acquiring components used in crafting magical items (but not scrolls).

  Special:  You may apprentice to Poff for 9 levels of wizard at which point he will consider you a colleague

Teela Wildfire (Wizard 10 - Human, waterhavian)

Teela was lured to Threshold to headmaster the local school.  She is a worshipper of Mystra and constantly on the watch for those showing talent in the Art.  She is a dusky skinned woman with rich black hair.  She stands 5'2" and dresses as you would expect a headmaster to dress.  She privately teaches the basics of magic to any who wish to learn.  Though she comes off as a stern woman, she is very patient when it comes to any who wish to learn.  She accepts apprentices who show promise and desire to learn the basics of magic often splitting such duties with Strad March, a former student.

Game Apprenticeship:

  Associated Classes:  Sorcerer, Wizard, Bard

  Associated Skills:  Concentration, Decipher Script, Languages, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (local - Dalelands), Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (religion), Spellcraft

  Requirements:  As an apprentice, you must spend at least 10 hours every tenday teaching at the school and 5 hours every tenday training.

  Apprenticeship Benefits:  The school subsidizes your monetary expenses for expensive material components and the creation of magical items, reducing raw material costs by 10%.  You gain a free library membership while you are an apprentice.

  Special:  You may only apprentice to Teela to level 7, however you may retain apprenticeship benefits if you spend 20 hours every tenday teaching at the school

Strad March (Wizard 8 - Human, dalesman)

Strad is not your typical wizard.  A former farmer taught the art by Teela Wildfire, his burly 6'2", 250 pound frame seems more the build of a farmer than a wizard.  In fact, Strad was a farmer, and still is a landowner in the area.  He is patient and thoughtful, willing to spend hours assisting students at the local school or apprentices of himself or Teela.  He has, of late, been taking time to travel to Citadel Grom to instruct the bugbear children in reading and writing.  Strad is an avid defender of Valleydale.

Game Apprenticeship:

  Associated Classes:  Sorcerer, Wizard, Bard

  Associated Skills:  Concentration, Decipher Script, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (the planes), Knowledge (local - Dalelands), Knowledge (geography), Knowledge (nature),  Spellcraft, Use Magic Device

  Requirements:  As an apprentice, you must spend at least 10 hours every tenday teaching at the school and 10 hours every tenday training.

  Apprenticeship Benefits:  The school subsidizes your monetary expenses for expensive material components and the creation of magical items, reducing raw material costs by 10%.  You gain a free library membership while you are an apprentice.

  Special:  You may only apprentice to Strad to level 7, however you may retain apprenticeship benefits if you spend 20 hours every tenday teaching at the school

Mourn Silvercloak (Wizard 13 - Human, cormyrite)

A recent settler from Cormyr, Mourn is a scribe, scroll and bookmaker.  He has brown hair in a bowl cut and is dressed as the typical wizard dresses, with robes and a wooden stafff.  Despite his name, his cloak is not silver, it's just his surname.  He has help bring in some trade from Cormyr, but for the most part he has spent his time forging ties within the community.  His magic is not of an offensive nature for the most part and he spends some time finding lost items and providing divinations.  He does his business at a small shop on Market Street, but his home is a large tower of smooth granite.  As he is wont to say, "If you're going to be a stereotypical wizard, go all the way."  

  He has accepted apprentices in the past, though never more than three at any time.  Mostly, rich landowners pay for him to apprentice their children, and pay well.  He swiftly weeds out those with no talent for the art and sends them on their way, often encouraging them to pursue crafts they are more suited and interested in.  His fees for apprenticeship vary, depending on the ability to pay and the potential of the student, but typically are 1,200 gold pieces per year.

Game Apprenticeship:

  Associated Classes:  Sorcerer, Wizard

  Associated Skills:  Concentration, Decipher Script, Knowledge (arcana), Knowledge (history), Knowledge (the planes), Spellcraft

  Requirements:  1200 gp per character level per year (payable at the start of the year or in monthly installments).  You must have the scribe scroll feat.  Any new spells you learn must be copied (12/spell level) times at no gold piece cost to the student.

  Apprenticeship Benefits:  As a student of Mourn Silvercloak, you have access to masterwork scribing equipment.  Wizards gain three new spells each time they gain a level instead of two, providing the third spell is from Mourn's spellbook.  All scrolls you scribe for yourself cost 1/2 the normal gold, up to fourth level spells.

  Special:  You may only apprentice to Mourn to level 9, at which point you gain the feat Expert Scribe which allows you to scribe scrolls at 1/2 normal gold cost.

Noblick (Wizard (?) 11 - Halfling, lightfoot)

Noblick is an eccentric to say the least.  He dresses in wild and flamboyant colors, always with a smile on his face and a disjointed set of stories to tell.  He is ancient and wrinkled, his age unknown, with giant bushy eyebrows and a head full of curly gray locks.  His greatest loves are metal, magic and bartering for metal and magic.  He collects items and contraptions of all kinds, some useful, some useless, some magical, some useful and magical, some useless and magical.  Noblick's Metal House of Wonders has both a museum of which he is exceptionally proud and a mercantile area.  Neither is completely safe, though he has always paid for healing any hurts his sometimes runaway machines cause.

  Combined with his magical skills, Noblick is almost always involved in some creation or another.  Hiring him for projects is excessively expensive, and often the simplest items a smith would make take days longer to produce, but he draws customers from great distances for his creations and inventory.  Noblick occasionally takes an apprentice, but this has usually ended badly for the apprentice.

King Balim Redbeard (Fighter 17 - Dwarf, shield)

Balim Redbeard has been King since before the dwarves and dalesmen were introduced by Moxpot Dent.  He has had three wives and sixteen children, and while his wives have passed on for various reasons, his sixteen children are alive and well.  He is an expert smith and miner, and as a tactician is second to none.  He has fended off countless assaults on the Granite City, and has continued the work the prior Kings started, allowing the dwarves to flourish greatly in their underground Kingdom.

  King Redbeard has forged a fast and true friendship with Sabrar ar'Kenheld and often stays with the Lord Protector when visiting Valleydale.  In turn, Sabrar spends many an hour mining and spelunking with the King.  He also is forward thinking, and when presented with an opportunity for peace with the Bugbears, he proposed exchanging sons.  Prince Grom lived with Clan Redbeard and the King treated him truly as a son, bestowing the title of "Honored Son" upon Grom when their time was done.

  King Redbeard has some very powerful magical items including armor grown of black crystal, a floating shield and a dwarven axe with a blade of white energy which he often exchanges for Sabrar's saber for months on end.

Prince Marek Redbeard (Fighter 11 - Dwarf, shield)

King Redbeard's heir is neither the oldest nor youngest of his children, but definitely the most worthy.  Dedicated to his father's ideals and those of his forefathers, he embodies the best of what it means to be a dwarf.  He is strong, resiliant, honest and hard working.  As well, he shares a vision of greatness that will likely lead Clan Redbeard to further prosperity.  He has lived for two years with Clan Grom, earning the respect of the Bugbear King and his clan.  His time there was punctuated by a challenge to King Grom's leadership in the absence of Prince Grom, a challenge punctuated by a short and brutal combat that saw Prince Redbeard render the challenger into six chunks in only seconds, declaring loudly "My pa rules here!  If ye wan' 'is job, ye be comin' through me first!"  Needless to say, Clan Gron's respect was instantly earned.

  Price Redbeard splits diplomatic duties with his father, dressed in much the same way and wielding a warhammer bound to him by magic.