The Hamlet of Pebble Mill
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Lord: Curate Veini Otra
Population: 41
Notable Resources: Water-powered mill, river-smoothed stones, fishing
Notable Services & Industry: Watermill, spellcasting,
Languages: Common
Standing near the mouth of the Tanu River, Pebble Mill is a miracle of Abarinite engineering. The mill—powered by the Tanu’s tidal bore—gives this small hamlet its name (and purpose) and is the inhabitant’s main source of employment. A few folk also fish the surrounding waters while the children and old folk harvest smoothed stones from the Tanu’s banks for sale to Languard’s artisans. Large smoothed stones end up at Languard’s Great Forge, where they are sized and smoothed by Abarin’s master stonemasons for use in the duke’s cannons. This natural resource makes Pebble Mill valuable to the Nenonens, and the hamlet is under the duke’s direct protection.
Lore
A character might be steeped in local lore and know something about Pebble Mill, or they could have heard about the place from another adventurer or traveller.
Pebble Mill is a sleepy hamlet known mainly for its powerful and innovative water mill.
Pebble Mill boasts a church dedicated to Abarin (N greater god of industry and artifice), and artisans and inventors sometimes visit the village to speak with his followers and priests.
The Tanu washes great quantities of stones into its estuary. The villagers collect these—Languard’s artisans have many uses for such, including cobblestones and cannon balls!
Adventure Hooks
Lucky adventurers find opportunities almost anywhere. Unlucky adventurers find complications almost anywhere.
Shipment of Large Stones: The villagers have collected a wagon-load of large stones for the duke’s cannons but lack guards to accompany the wagon to Languard.
A Body Trapped on the Mill Wheel: The corpse of an odd, scaly, headless humanoid has been washed down the Tanu and got wedged in the mill’s wheel. Prying the body loose from the wheel is only the start of the matter.
Ship at Anchor: The night after the characters arrive, a caravel drops anchor a few hundred yards offshore. No one from the ship comes ashore, and sharp-eyed observers see no one on deck during the day.
Notable Locations
A few locations at Pebble Mill are notable.
1: The Wanderer’s Rest
This small inn has but four rooms for rent and offers a warm welcome. The fare here is simple but wholesome and predominantly features freshly caught fish. Ales and a few wines are imported from Languard.
2: The Pebble Mill
A miracle of Abarinite engineering, this impressive mill rarely stops. The creak of its wheel is audible throughout the hamlet, and locals tend to ignore it. The miller, Lusia Tiera (middle-aged female human), is a widow whose husband died in a fishing accident five years ago. Unbeknownst to her, but known to his secret lover, her husband hid a goodly supply of gold under the mill and the lover plots to steal it.
3: Craftsman’s Hall
This small church is dedicated to Abarin (N greater god of industry and artifice) and is part hall of worship and part workshop of many purposes. Villagers gather here to worship Abarin, whose artifice enables life here, and to tinker with various personal projects. Curate Veini Otra (middle-aged male human) officiates at the hall and is the leader of the community.
Credit
Words Creighton Broadhurst Cartography Tommi Salama
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