Shielded to the north by the Vurdfell Spine’s lofty peaks and protected from the Hordelands of the east by the Greatshadow Gorge, the town of Wolfsbane Hollow has persisted in relative isolation for hundreds of years. Seemingly a simple border town, a dark shadow hangs over this hard, rough settlement. For here, the rule of law is tenuous at best, and the mayor is but a figurehead. The true power of Wolfsbane Hollow is the shadowy thieves’ guild and their monstrous, bestial guildmaster who lurks in his lair carved from the fallen, mouldering bones of an ancient empire.

• Ruler: Mayor Valdur Tamm (secretly, Guildmaster Avud Kreslik)

• Government: Secret Syndicate

• Population: 4,670 (4,450 humans, 168 dwarves, 32 human werewolves, 20 other)

• Alignments: LE

• Languages: Common, Dwarven

• Resources & Industry: Hunting, iron, lumber, metalworking

Daily Life

For the townsfolk, life is the river. In the spring, the rivers swell with meltwater, filling the harbour and lowland swamps so much that Turnrudder Isle disappears entirely. Logs float downriver to the sawmills as the snow recedes and more of the Ashenblade Forest becomes accessible to loggers. 

In the spring, the first of two annual barge flotillas—heavy with lumber—depart to trade in far-flung places. In the summer, traders come for the town’s woods and metals, while fishermen clogging the narrows haul in nets heavy with the day’s catch. In the autumn, the second annual lumber flotilla departs for distant lands while ships that left in the springtime return home. These harvest months prepare for the long, hard winters to come when the rivers freeze over and—even with axemen chipping away at the ice—no ships may come or go from Wolfsbane Hollow. The snowdrifts come four feet high, blow back and forth across the town’s frozen rivers, and the people dream of warmer days when the snow melts and the rivers swell once more. 

Trade & Industry

Mining and forestry are Wolfsbane Hollow’s primary trades. With abundant mines in the northern foothills and plentiful forests to the west the town is surrounded by an embarrassment of natural resources. Fishing during the warmer months also occupies a large portion of the town’s industry; imported fabrics and glassware are staple commodities. 

Law & Order

Officers of the Wolfsbane Hollow army handle law enforcement. While it is an army in name, this group is not a standing force but more akin to a well-regulated militia. The army comprises mainly able-bodied conscripts who must serve three years when they reach the age of nineteen. 

The hierarchy of the army comprises a mixture of antiquated Arvollan military titles (taxiarchia, konostaulos and so on) and also more contemporary military titles (captain, lieutenant etc.). The ethnarch commands the army. The Wolfsbane Hollow army’s style of armour and dress uniforms is greatly inspired by that of the ancient Arvollan soldiers who once stood watch over the town.

All of this structure, however, is merely a façade for the true power of Wolfsbane Hollow. The roots of the thieves’ guild twist deep into the army’s ranks, and while even high-ranking akolouthos are unaware of its influence the ethnarches have always been a willing participant to the guild’s machinations. The current ethnarch, Tollun Moralli (location 25), is little more than a cudgel wielded by guildmaster Kreslik (location 20).

Notable Locations

Wolfsbane Hollow is a tightly packed community of disparate architecture. Locations of note are included below:

1. Alethia’s Home: Here dwells retired mayor Alethia Alavarni.

2. Argent Gardens: These public gardens hide a secret entrance to the lair of the Wolfsbane Hollow thieves’ guild.

3. Bits & Pieces: This secret front for the Wolfsbane thieves’ guild offers sundry goods at discount prices.

4. Broslef Estates: The wealthy Broslef family own this sprawling but unkempt manor house.

5. Church of Aether: This large, stone church is dedicated to Aether, god of the dead.

6. Coldwater Mill: On the banks of the Wolfsbane River this large sawmill is a front for the thieves’ guild.

7. Horde Gate: The east gate of Wolfsbane Hollow is closed year-round save on the mayor’s special order.

8. House of Dust: This mortuary and mausoleum is home to the cryptic Dust Talkers of Aether.

9. Lonehammer Mining Company: The primary offices of the largest mining operation in the region are found here.

10. Lonely Road Livery: This large public stable has a good reputation. The owner also breeds and sells various animals.

11. Netter’s Shack: The local drunkard and fisherman Nedrick “Netter” Jost dwells here. 

12. Rostar’s Forge: This simple blacksmith has a secret connection to the Redclaw Reaper’s murders decades ago.

13. Ruined Cathedral: This ruined and charred cathedral is dedicated to the deity Ignis, goddess of fire and healing.

14. Rustford Farms: The largest farms in Wolfsbane Hollow, provide most of the town with livestock and produce.

15. Sunspear Armory: Here can be had high-quality weapon and armour smithy.

16. Tamm Manor: Here dwells the town mayor, Valdur Tamm.

17. The Foxhound: The only inn in Wolfsbane Hollow is famous for displaying the skull of the Redclaw Reaper in its taproom.

18. The Pick and Pyrite: Also known as “Fool’s Gold Tavern,” this is a favourite alehouse for miners and the like.

19. The Serpent’s Path: Here, the Valyn wanderer Resheda Anvaskin tells fortunes.

20. The Underhollow: The secret lair of the Wolfsbane Hollow thieves’ guild lies beneath the town’s cemetery. 

21. Vurdfell Gate: This is the town’s north gate.

22. Wayward Enterprises: A struggling exploration business determined to build a crossing over the Greatshadow Gorge is based here.

23. Wayward Gate: Formerly called Arvollis Gate, this is Wolfsbane Hollow’s western gate.

24. Winterbrook Orphanage: This home for wayward youths is secretly a meeting place for a group of lycanthrope hunters.

25. Wolfsbane Cemetery: These burial grounds hide a secret entrance to the lair of the Wolfsbane Hollow thieves’ guild.

26. Wolfsbane Garrison: The town guard watch over the town from this garrison and fortified keep complex.

Want More?

Campaign Backdrop: Wolfsbane Hollow give you, the busy GM, a carefully crafted mini-campaign setting ready to insert into your home campaign. This GM-friendly book presents beautiful hand-drawn maps, detailed settlements of note, a flavoursome regional gazetteer, random weather tables, exciting adventure hooks and more.

Campaign Backdrop: Wolfsbane Hollow by Robert Brookes is available at our store Download your copies and add Wolfsbane Hollow to your campaign today!