Ravenmoor
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The Varisian frontier town of Ravenmoor is built upon a much older settlement. Hundreds of years ago, the old Ravenmoor was a thriving human town whose people were firmly allied with the dwarves and gnomes of the Phandelver's Pact. However, the same orc horde that sacked the mines also laid waste to the old Ravenmoor, and the town was abandoned for centuries. In the last few years, hardy settlers from local cities have begun the hard work of reclaiming the ruins of Ravenmoor. A bustling frontier settlement has grown up on the site of the old town, and is home now to farmers, woodcutters, fur traders, and prospectors drawn by stories of gold and platinum. Unfortunately, more than a few bandits and brigands have settled here as well, taking advantage of the fact that the area has no local lord or strong authority to chase them off.

The town consists of forty or fifty simple log buildings, some built on old fieldstone foundations. More old ruins - crumbling stone walls covered in ivy and briars - surround the newer houses and shops, showing how this must have been a much larger town in centuries past. Most of the newer buildings are set on the sides of the cart track, which widens into a muddy main street of sorts as it climbs toward a ruined manor house on a hillside at the east side of town.

Nation: Varisia
Region: Magnimar
Population: 200
Govt: Magnimar Barony
Alignment: Neutral Good
Leader: Baron Zefer Tresendar

Geography

The town of Ravenmoor lies just over halfway between Ember Lake and the Storval Plateau in central Varisia. South and east of the town there are overland trails that connect to the nearby communities of Wolf's Ear and Roderic's Cove. Upriver on the Lampblack, the land becomes trackless wilderness up through the Curchain Hills to the Storval Stairs. The people are happy to trade with anyone who makes the journey to Ravenmoor. They frequently trade with the nearby Shoanti Hawk Clan, often coming to the erroneous conclusion that all Shoanti must be as welcoming as the Shriikirri-Quah. The area around the town is known for its excellent mineral prospecting, vineyards, and orchards, and Ravenmoor grapes and wine can be found as far away as the markets of distant Korvosa.

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History

More than five hundred years ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Phandelver's Pact, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as Wave Echo Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind the energy into a great forge (called the Forge of Spells), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby town of Ravenmoor prospered. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the region and laid waste to all in their path.

A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked Wave Echo Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Forge of Spells, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of Wave Echo Cave was lost.

For centuries, rumors of buried riches have attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Ravenmoor. In recent years, people have resettled the area. Ravenmoor is now a rough-and-tumble frontier town.

Recent
The Rockseeker brothers (a trio of dwarves) have discovered the entrance to Wave Echo Cave, and they reopened the mines. Unfortunately for the Rockseekers, a mysterious dark elf known as the Black Spider controlled a network of bandit gangs and goblin tribes in the area, and his agents discovered the Rockseekers' secret. The Black Spider kidnapped the Rockseekers (and killed brother Tharden), but the party rescued the dwarves and defeated the Black Spider to liberate Wave Echo Cave. After that, the Rockseekers agreed to partner with the party for the mine operation.

Government

The town was led by an annually elected townsmaster, who kept records and performed security duties. Serious criminals are held until they can be safely shipped to Magnimar for trial. Magnimar has claimed nominal leadership simply due to the fact that the local noble lineage seems to have expired. However, Zefer discovered that he is in fact the heir to the region (including Ravenmoor and Thundertree) and has a secret noble heritage. Zefer (with guidance from Ost and his mysterious contacts) has been forcing the issue of his claim over the land with Magnimar for some time. Recently, Zefer and the party negotiated a deal with the Magnimar nobles so that Zefer's noble claim over the region was acknowledged. In exchange, Zefer has agreed to subject himself as just another noble House in the Magnimar hierarchy.

Inhabitants

The inhabitants of Ravenmoor are primarily human, but like any civilized population center, a smattering of other races can be found throughout the area. The human population is fairly evenly divided between those of both Varisian and Chelaxian descent, and the number of Shoanti making the town their home has increased steadily over the years. Notable personages of the town include Baron Zefer, Innkeeper Toblen Stonehill, Shopkeepers Elmar Barthen and Linene Graywind, Sister Garaele, and Guildmistress Halia Thornton.

Locations and Leads

Toblen Stonehill The Stonehill Inn
In the center of town stands a large, newly built roadhouse of fieldstone and rough-hewn timbers. The common room is usually filled with locals nursing mugs of ale or cider. The modest inn has six rooms for rent. The proprietor is a short, friendly young human male named Toblen Stonehill. He came to Ravenmoor to prospect, but soon realized that he knew a lot more about running an inn than he did about mining.
Halia Thornton Miner's Exchange
A trading post where local miners have their valuable finds weighed, measured, and paid out. In the absence of any local lord or authority, the exchange also serves as an unofficial records office, registering claims to various streams and excavations around the area. There isn't any real gold rush, but enough wealth is hidden in the nearby streams and valleys to support a good number of independent prospectors. The guildmistress is an ambitious and calculating human woman named Halia Thornton. In her attempts to establish the Miner's Exchange as the closest thing the town has to a governing authority, she acts as more than a simple merchant.
Ost and Oleg The Townmaster's Hall
The hall has sturdy stone walls, a pitched wooden roof, and a bell tower at the back. A notice board for local posts stands next to the front door. Zefer, with Ost's assistance, serves as noble judge in minor disputes and keeps any records that need to be kept. The hall has a small but serviceable jail in the cellar. Oleg serves as a loyal deputy.
Sister Garaele Shrine of Luck
Ravenmoor's only temple is a small shrine made of stones taken from nearby ruins. It is dedicated to Desna, goddess of luck and good fortune. The shrine is in the care of a scholarly acolyte named Sister Garaele, a zealous young elf. She seems particularly concerned with aiding the weak, poor, and oppressed. Sister Garaele is particularly fond of Kun, whom she nursed back to health, and Gil-Garrand, for his great success with Agatha.
Linene Graywind and Arturo Lionshield Coster
Hanging above the front door of this modest trading post is a sign shaped like a wooden shield with a blue lion painted on it. This shop is owned by the Lionshields, a merchant company based in the city of Korvosa. The master of this post is a sharp-tongued human woman of thirty-five years named Linene Graywind. Linene sells weapons and armor, and she has a few scruples. She won't sell to anyone she thinks might be a threat to the town. Among those with whom she has refused business are the Redbrands. Linene recently married young Arturo.
Elmar Barthen Barthen's Provisions
The biggest trading post in Ravenmoor, its shelves stock most ordinary goods and supplies, including backpacks, bedrolls, rope, and rations. The place is open from sunup to sundown. Barthen's does not stock weapons or armor. The proprietor is Elmar Barthen, a lean and balding human male shopkeeper of fifty years with a kindly manner. He employs a couple young clerks (Ander and Thistle), who help load and unload wagons, and who wait on customers when Barthen isn't around.
Daran Edermath Edermath Orchard
A retired adventurer who lives in a tidy little cottage beside an apple orchard, Daran is a fit, silver-haired half-elf well over a hundred years old. He is a fighter who served as a marshal and herald for many years in Magnimar, and retains many goodly noble connections there. Daran is happy to trade news with fellow adventurers, and remains vigilant about the happenings around Ravenmoor. He is the local point of contact for an intelligence network calling itself the Order of the Gauntlet, and occasionally Daran hears secrets from distant lands.
Grista The Sleeping Giant
This rundown taphouse is a dirty, dangerous watering hole at the end of Ravenmoor's main street. It was frequented by Redbrand thugs and operated by a surly female dwarf named Grista. Grista used to be involved with Kun, until Kun broke it off.
Qelline Alderleaf Alderleaf Farm
A wise female halfling of forty-five, Qelline Alderleaf is a pragmatic farmer who seems to know everything that goes on in town. She is a kind host, and has a spirited and precocious son named Carp.
Agatha the Banshee Cave North of Town
The ghost of a beautiful elven woman, Agatha was wooed by Gil-Garrand into sharing some lucrative information with the Church of Desna. She has indicated that he may visit her again, and she might not even kill him.
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