#strongtown

[terolusgreyhawk]

Talys Grotto Shop: The Steel Road

Knowledge (local) DC15: A blacksmithy and weapon dealer run by the grouchy hill dwarf expert3 Artin Stonebarrow, a factor for the owner Baronette Rigorim in Strongtown. Much of the stock is poor quality, weapons made of bone, stone, or iron by monstrous races, then stolen and sold by adventurers, but the shop still makes a good profit. 

Bardic Knowledge DC10: Artin often complains about having to deal in such shoddy materials, and takes great pride in the pieces of fine steel she crafts herself. Noticing and complimenting her work is a good way to get a nice discount, and some of the news she hears from her adventurer customers to boot.

[terolusgreyhawk]

Knowledge (nobility & royalty) DC15:

The headquarters of the Deathwalkers Guild, a powerful organization of good adventurers among the lesser powers of the Catacombs, is the manorhouse Callanhall in Strongtown. Lord Darius Strongtown, ruler of the city, gifted it to them for the service of routing out the secret evil Wizards Guild that had been using as a base of operation while holding the dying Lord Callan and his grandaughter (the last of the ancient line) hostage. Lord Callan himself was taken in by Lord Darius and looked after for the final months of his life, while the ruler of Strongtown arranged a suitable marriage for his granddaughter to a noble family in nearby Kentwing.

[terolusgreyhawk]

A young noblewoman arrives at the semiannual ball held by Strongtown’s Church of Corellon Larethian, wearing an avant-garde dress styled after the armor of her knightly sworn shield.

[terolusgreyhawk]

Hesilith has abandoned Jorvasskar, and now stands to threaten the balance of trade along the Chokon Trail. With the River Cities embroiled in Shurreon's Stone River War and the Deathwalkers squaring off against Zanzibar the Mad, the Three Cities are vulnerable to his machinations... we must meet in person, and discuss how best to handle this situation. Join me at the north fringes of the Burned Grove on the last day of Wealsun. -GG

enciphered letter recovered from a troglodyte courier who was eaten by gargoyles among the Sword Rocks

[terolusgreyhawk]

Strongtown Shop: Hartman’s Stables

Knowledge (local) DC15: Offers stabling and upkeep for horses, ponies, donkeys, mules, and riding dogs, run by a big, burly human commoner1/expert2 named Jon "Horsebreaker" Hartman. He keeps a few stableboys as well, and also buys and sells horses and other riding animals, as well as transports like carts, carriages, and wagons, and tack, harnesses, saddles, feed, etc. He is known for breeding particularly strong warhorses for the knights among Strongtown's noble families, and looks down on his competitor, Harland's Stables (the similiarity in their names leads people to sometimes confuse the two shops, which grates on him even more).

[terolusgreyhawk]

Strongtown Church: Church of Moradin

Knowledge (local) DC15: This fine marble and granite structure was newly built in summer 1421 by the mountain dwarf cleric9 high priest Oskar Strakeln, Guildmaster of the Deathwalkers, and is growing fast. It represents the culmination of one of Oskar's lifelong goals, and is frequented by local dwarves inspired by his heroic deeds. The church also maintains genealogical records of the dwarven families in town, and has its own forges and masonry workroom. The following organization details apply for those wishing to join the church:

Associated classes: Cleric, paladin, druid, ranger, favored soul, adept, expert, fighter, warrior, dwarven defender

Associated skills: Concentration, Craft (any metal or stone), Heal, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (religion), Perform (oratory), Profession (minister), Profession (miner)

Special requirements: must worship Moradin or be a dwarf

Duties: 20gp/month tithe, 2 days/week performing religious services or teaching the dwarven way of life, observe all of Moradin's holy days, provide spellcasting services to supplicants (20% of payment goes to church) and free aid to dwarves, accept quests given by church leaders.

Contact: Audhild Lutgehr, hill dwarf cleric3 Favor: +4 assist to Craft (any metal or stone) Frequency: 2 weeks/year

Basic benefits: +1 sacred bonus to saves against poisons, spells, and spell-like abilities, +2 sacred bonus to Diplomacy checks with dwarves. 15% discount on spellcasting services from the church (comes from their cut). Room and board are common upkeep level.

Favored benefits: gain access to an additional domain of Moradin's (Avarice, Craft, Dwarf, Earth, Good, Law, Pride, Protection, Wrath)

[terolusgreyhawk]

Strongtown Church: Church of Corellon Larethian

Knowledge (local) DC15: Frequented by local elves, especially on when Luna is full on Lateu'quor. Run by a high elf cleric5 named Jazz Windsong who's very fond of ballroom dancing and likes to integrate it into these monthly holy day celebrations. Twice a year, on the Richfest 4th Summer Solstice and the Needfest 4th Yeartide, Jazz hosts a grand gala for all his congregants and the nobles of the city. Many sculptures and paintings by members decorate the cathedral and cells. The church may buy gemstones and other rare materials from adventurers and miners to grind for pigments. The following organization details apply for those wishing to join the church:

Associated classes: Cleric, druid, ranger, favored soul, adept

Associated skills: Concentration, Craft (painting), Craft (composition), Craft (sculpting), Diplomacy, Heal, Knowledge (history), Knowledge (religion), Perform (dance), Perform (oratory), Profession (minister)

Special requirements: must worship Corellon Larethian or be an elf

Duties: 12gp/month tithe, 2 days/month performing religious services, observe all of Corellon's holy days, provide healing services to supplicants (25% of payment goes to church) and free aid to elves, accept quests given by church leaders.

Contact: Jazz Windsong, high elf cleric5 Favor: Teach your party proper customs for a noble gala Frequency: 1/year

Basic benefits: +2 sacred bonus to Diplomacy with all elves, 15% discount on spellcasting services from the church (comes from their cut). Room and board are common upkeep level.

Favored benefits: +1 sacred bonus to Spot, Listen, and Search checks, and to attack rolls with one of the following (choose when joining): longswords, short swords, longbows, and shortbows.

Bardic Knowledge DC25: Rumor has it that Jazz is secretly connected to the White Wolves, an underground anarchist group in Strongtown devoted to overthrowing the lord of the city and his Temple of Law.

[terolusgreyhawk]

Strongtown Shop: Lutgehr's Armory

Knowledge (local) DC15: An armory run by a middle-aged hill dwarf expert5 armorsmith named Traubon Lutgehr. A specialist with steel and heavy armor in particular, he often outfits the sons of local noble families with suits of full plate, and is skilled at refitting captured suits to their new owners as well (because he wastes less material in the process, he can refit a suit of full plate for 10% less than normal). He sometimes works with Rihanna of Swords & Sorcery, the local magic shop, to craft magical armor: Traubon provides the mundane element while she adds the magic and arcane imbuing of power, and he's usually in charge of selling these works and splitting the profits.