The Southern Campaigns

Bronze Tower - Player Background

Far up the northwestern branch of the Lope River, about 25 miles from the town of Lope, a small island divides the river. Steep stone faces rise like walls from the river, surmounted by a patch of scraggly hemlocks and pines. A single bronze spire, tarnished and green with age, rises over these curiously twisted and stunted trees. On the eastern side of the island there is a narrow beach between two jutting points of land. The bleached remains of a small boat can be seen on this beach. Twenty years ago Rizio Tajiro went to the island on a drunken bet, and never returned.

Though there is good land nearby, no one lives within 10 miles of the isle. The nearest settlement is Tranto, little more than a wide place in the road and a tavern next to a ferry. A narrow road leads north from Tranto to a mining camp up in the foothills of the Lisban Mountains.

Stories told about the island say that long ago a family dwelt there (some claim the village of Tranto takes its name from their line). Though the tales have grown in passing the stories all say the family moved to the island shortly after the end of the wars with the Eastern Kingdoms. Some stories say they built a fine home and shrine to Phenosh, the Lady of the Rivers on the isle, while others whisper of a strange tower, built as a stronghold against something.

All the stories agree that as time went on, the family fell out of touch with their neighbors. The narrow footbridge that used to cross the river to the beach fell into disrepair, and eventually collapsed into the river. Some stories say a delegation from Lope went to visit the family to insure everything was OK, though none say what happened to those that went.

Eventually the farms nearest the island were stricken with a curious wasting disease that slowly caused livestock to fade away and die. Even children and the elderly were stricken. Slowly, families moved away from the island, leaving a swath of fallow land and broken down farms and houses near the ill-fated island. These days few venture into the lands near the isle. Though the land is fallow there is little game, and what game there is tends to be very wary.

Tranto

The little village of Tranto lies to the southwest of the isle. It features a ferry across the northern branch of the Lope River, a tavern, the Sign of the Two Fish, a small general store, and half a dozen houses. Scattered around the village are another half a dozen farms, mostly grain and vegetable farms. The family name Tranto is quite common here, and many of the villagers and farmers are related. Of particular note:

Ferry

This simple boat crosses the northern branch of the Lope River on an irregular basis. It is a cheap way across the river, and the safest, with the nearest ford being several miles up river.

• Gio Tranto - The ancient and surly ferryman is close-mouthed and gruff. He seldom says much to those using the ferry beyond 'Three copper', the standard price for man or beast to use the ferry. When not on the boat, he can be found in the Sign of the Two Fish.

The Sign of the Two Fish

This small tavern offers basic fare, meals, ale, mead, wine, but no rooms. It is little more than an expanded living room to the owner's house.

• Navi and Cala Alari - These two run the Sign of the Two Fish. Both are friendly and hospitable, though they tend to pay more attention to the locals than to strangers.

General Store

The general store in town is a fairly minor place catering mostly to the local farmers and the occasional miner down from the hills.

• Lino Tranto - Lino owns the general store. He is a harried looking man, constantly moving about the store and talking as customers come and go.

Nari

The only other village near the isle, Nari lies about 10 miles west of Tranto and 10 miles south-southwest of the isle. It is a simple village with half a dozen homes and a few scattered farms about. There are a few Tranto's in this area as well as any number of other families. Nari's most notable features are:

Trading Post

The country north and west of Nari is fairly wild, and hunters and trappers often work the low foothills there. The Trading Post provides them with basic supplies and trades for pelts, meat and anything else brought down from the hills.

• Giulin Tevani - The ragged old man that runs the Trading Post has been here forever.

Broken Tree Tavern

This small tavern offers basic fare, but also has a stable and a sleeping room with a dozen cots. It takes its name from the massive oak next door, a tree that was split in two by lightning but still lives on.

• Taka Natago - The proprietor of the tavern is a non-descript older Mondar. He keeps to himself but is efficient as a server and barkeep.

Mining Camp

About 15 or 20 miles north of Lope there is a mining camp that serves as a base of operations for a handful of independent miners. There is little here but a collection of tents and a few wagons.

FINI

All material Copyright (C) Mark A. Thomas