Stonereach

This region is at present a Military encampment. There are none here save soldiers, and His Grace has direct control of the region.

History of Stonereach

The town of Stonereach has been the host of the local Gathers for some years; it is located northwest of Mount Sarobar in the Black Hills, a few miles inland from Darksands Bay . Its major claim to fame has been the local phenomenon of naturally forming Gates. For some unknown reason, the vicinity around Stonereach is a focus point for the Natural world of Tyrra, and the other Planes of reality. The most recent convergence was between Tyrra and the Plane of Chaos in the year E.R. 602. The mages of Sirens Isle were often in Stonereach investigating new gates and exploring the Plane beyond them. (Or doing whatever possible to seal it off before anything there came here…)

            Originally just a few clusters of farming families, Stonereach could not even claim to be a village, with the appeance of the first Gates in E.R. 347, Count Hendrik III Blackstone ordered a Garrison built there to act as a research station to study them, and to keep anything that came through from wandering to far from their Plane of Origin. Over the course of the years, a proper town grew up around the garrison and Adventurers flocked to the area to explore the planes when they could sneak past the guards.

  Features and Services

 Healers Guild:

In 598 Nekros attacked the town, and destroyed the building that contained the Healers Guild at that time. Only one item in the guild survived intact, a unique magical item locally known as “The Life Bench”. Nowadays in amongst the weeds and grasses on that buildings former site, there is a stone outcropping that had been carved into a bench. Enchantments were laid upon it and the Guild built around it to contain it. This bench, (really only the very top of a Granite outcropping) was capable of casting the Spell of Life, up to three times per day. Many an adventurer was pulled from the cold grasp of Death by the quick use of this item. During a period of great magical upheaval in E.R. 599, the bench lost its power to grant Life to the dead. The occasional adventurer still brings a downed comrade to it in the hopes that some magic may be left within its form, but none have reported success. One researcher of magical items noted an odd “veiny” look to the stone that was not noticed previously. Currently it is not known if this is a natural effect of weather and plant life slowly covering over the bench or something possibly more sinister. The town guard is now in the habit of stopping by during its rounds, just in case.

Another interesting note about the Healers Guild, may people believe it to be cursed in some way? Few Guild-masters last more than a year, and Bad luck seems to follow in its wake. While the items and services provided by the guild are always top-notch, the Guild itself has a troubled history. Guild leaders have disappeared, and it is know that Nekros, an Undead of great power (Thought to be killed by adventurers in E.R. 601), placed a Bane upon the town of Stonereach, commanding that there was Never to be a Healers Guild established there.

 Mages Guild:

                The Mages Guild and Healers Guild are much alike; both providing needed services and goods for an adventuring populous. They share another common trait, a Black cloud of misfortune. Over the last several years Guildmasters have been a scarce commodity for the Mages guild. The latest, Raistlin, disappeared sometime during the fall of 601 or early 602. It has not been made public if there is a formally established Mages Guild operating at this time.

 The Tavern

"The Lazy Dog Tavern" Late In the year 602, the Tavern suddenly changed hands and was formally renamed from "Arial’s Tavern" to "The Lazy Dog Tavern". The former Operator & Cook, one Goodlady Arial had disappeared under somewhat mysterious circumstances. She had hired the current owner as an assistant Chef, and left him in charge when she went on a well-deserved extended vacation. She has since disappeared. The Current Owner, Og M'thrg, a Half-Ogre that attended the Culinary Academy of Evendarr, denies any involvement in her disappearance. Currently, the Lazy Dog Tavern offers a wide selection of foods of reasonable quality and good prices. Adventurers looking to pick up a few coins are well advised to speak with Og as the Taverns larders are always in need of fresh meat for the tables or interesting (some would say Odd, or even Lethal) culinary items. Townspeople have learned to be Highly suspicious of anything containing Mushrooms served by Og during the May gather.

 The Inn

"The Purple Rose". It is run by Hooch a local merchant that traveled north from the Sutherlands a few years past. Having been a brewer for most of his life Hooch is a connoisseur of beverages. His house wine "Purple Mystic" is a tart and tangy drink. Due to his long exposure making and drinking this beverage he is slowly turning purple from the horns down. He has an eclectic mixture of wares on display and can usually find something for you if given enough time. A great place to rest your feet, quench your thirst, play some cards, or find a great deal, The Purple Rose is a fine establishment and Hooch is always willing to barter on his prices for those less fortunate. It is also interesting to note that both Hooch and Og arrived in Stonereach about the same time. Both worked for Arial in her Kitchen at some point.

 The Graveyard

“Hero’s Rest” This is a place best stayed out of, especially after nightfall. Though not common, the occasional undead tends to pop up here when rude adventurers stomp across their graves. Rumor has it; somewhere within a Graveyard near Stonereach there is an Oracle that can answer questions on the past, present and future.