The village of Swallowfeld stands hard against the turbulent waters of the Lonely Coast and the forbidding depths of a trackless, primeval forest. A hard, frontier place hemmed in by danger without and threatened by a lurking darkness within, the village is in dire need of doughty protectors. 

• Ruler: Sir Talek Annear, Lord Warden of the Lonely Coast

• Government: Overlord

• Population: 526

• Alignments: LN, N, CN, NG, NE

• Languages: Common, Goblin

• Resources & Industry: Lumber, foodstuffs, furs, slate and tin 

Named for the vast flocks of swallows found here by the first settlers, Swallowfeld is an isolated place, perched upon the very edge of civilisation. Pressed closely on three sides by the Tangled Wood’s near-trackless expanse and bounded to the south by the turbulent, storm-flecked sea, the village is far removed from the decadent courts and thronged cities of its parent kingdom. It is a hard, frontier place.

Much of the surrounding territory is little more than wilderness. In places, humanity has hacked out small enclaves from the thick, brooding forests shrouding the multitude of rocky valleys running down to the Lonely Coast’s towering, spray-drenched granitic cliffs. A swath of farmland, studded by occasional homesteads, radiates outwards for several miles from the village on a network of tracks and pathways that links Swallowfeld to the neighbouring villages of Oakhurst and Hosford. Few folk brave the trackless expanse and steep valleys of the interior leaving the village dependant on passing merchantmen and the trickle of trade flowing between villages for news of the outside world.

Swallowfeld is a frontier settlement; life is not comfortable or easy for those living there. Although the village of around 500 souls is primarily a human settlement, members of all the major races dwell within. Its folk are resilient and independent, well used to the hardships of borderland life. A few foul individuals, however, have turned to Braal’s dark embrace. Their machinations could soon cast an ebon pall over the community.

Small groups of pilgrims sometimes trudge through Swallowfeld on the way to the Darlenite Priory of Cymer. Darlen’s faith has long since fallen from prominence and an aura of faded glory and neglect hangs over Cymer.

Swallowfeld’s militia train regularly and Lord Locher’s troops aggressively patrol the surrounding area keeping raiding goblins in check. The threat of marauders, pirates and slavers is ever-present, though, and there is always a need for those skilled with sword and spell in Swallowfeld.

Notable Locations

Most of the village comprises peasant homes. A few locations, however, are of interest to adventurers: 

1. The Wolf’s Head: The inn is the social centre of the village. Maban Tangye and his inquisitive wife, Bleja, know much of what occurs in the village. When the day’s work is done, many of the villagers gather here to meet friends and exchange their news.

2. Grist Mill: Run by Kitto and Tecca Joliffe, the mill is the centre of a minor Braalite cult. The childless couple Kitto and Tecca are relatively rich and well-respected members of the community. Tecca leads the cult, aided by her morose, child-obsessed husband.

3. Kerensa’s Hold: Built by the ferocious warrior woman, Kerensa Faull, a garrison commanded by the noble Sir Talek Annear use this small fortress to patrol the locality.

4. The Crumbled Tower: The drunkard Jory Mayne dwells within the Crumbled Tower. Heatless, writhing flames dance on the ruined tower’s battlements. A moderately skilled mage, Jory is a slave to alcohol. Jory has a few magic items for sale.

5. Church of the Father: This simple building is the village’s spiritual heart and home to Kenan Dobell—the superstitious, but well regarded, village priest. A small crypt lies below the church. Kenan has a few magical items for sale.

6. Blacksmith: Wind chimes hang thickly from the gables of Myghal Endean’s home and smithy. Myghal lives here with his apprentice, but desperately wants a wife. 

7. Tryfena’s: Swallowfeld’s trading post is the only place in the village selling finished goods of interest to adventurers. A stockade protects the trading post as does a motley band of six mercenary guards. Secret tunnels under the trading post hold all manner of illicit goods, brought here for safe storage by Wolverton’s smugglers.

8. Melor’s House: Here dwells the village reeve; his house is the most impressive in the village. 

9. Mellyn Vosper’s House: This small, impeccably kept house is home to the best hunter and archer in the village. Mellyn will serve as a scout and guide, for the right pay, and sometimes has particularly sharp, well-balanced arrows for sale.

10. Sowena’s Hovel: The oft‐shunned Sowena dwells in a ramshackle hovel at the edge of the village. She is widely thought of as a witch.

11. The Babbling Monolith: This magical stone awakens once a year on the spring equinox to babble bizarre prophecies about the coming days. The villagers have taken to indulging in a nightlong revel the night before.  

12. The White Fall: The spray from this lofty waterfall often drifts through the village. A dry cave behind the waterfall provides a private place for lovers to meet

Want More?

Swallowfeld appears in the Lonely Coast  (available in OSR and Pathfinder 1st editions here at the Raging Swan Press store) by John Bennett and Creighton Broadhurst.