Authority Figures:

Given its “Conventional” and “Lawful Neutral” leadership, Nine Oaks likely has a form of elected or appointed council, or perhaps a single reeve or elder who oversees daily affairs and resolves disputes.

• Reeve Maera Thorne (Human, LN, Age 50s):
  • Role: The primary governing authority of Nine Oaks. Maera is a stern but fair woman who inherited her position (or was elected due to her family’s long-standing respect). She is pragmatic and focused on the hamlet’s prosperity and safety. She presides over the weekly “Oak Moot” where local issues are discussed.
  • Description: Weathered face, often seen with a well-worn ledger under her arm. Dresses plainly but neatly. Carries a small, ornate oak-wood staff that signifies her office.
  • Motivation: To maintain the peace and ensure the harvests are bountiful. Secretly worries about increased banditry along the roads to Burle and the occasional unsettling sounds from deeper in the Terraces.
  • Hook: Reeve Thorne might hire adventurers to clear out a persistent bandit group, investigate strange animal disappearances from local farms, or deliver important messages or supplies to Burle, as the usual routes have become dangerous.
• Elder Elara Leafshade (Wood Elf, NG, Age ~180):
  • Role: The unofficial voice of the Elven community and a respected elder who provides counsel to Reeve Thorne, particularly on matters concerning the Terraces or ancient lore. While not holding a formal title, her wisdom is highly valued.
  • Description: Graceful and quiet, with eyes that seem to hold the wisdom of the forest. Often wears practical, earth-toned clothing.
  • Motivation: To protect the balance of nature in the Terraces and ensure the peaceful coexistence of the human and elven communities. Concerned by growing deforestation by outsiders and the encroachment of unfamiliar creatures.
  • Hook: Elara might seek help from adventurers to investigate a blight spreading through a sacred grove in the Terraces, recover a lost elven artifact, or negotiate with a fey creature disturbed by human expansion.
• Constable Borin Stonehand (Human, LN, Age 40s):
  • Role: The hamlet’s chief law enforcer, responsible for keeping the peace, apprehending petty criminals, and organizing the local watch (which is composed of part-time farmers).
  • Description: Burly and no-nonsense, with a scar above his left eye. Always carries a well-maintained quarterstaff.
  • Motivation: To uphold the law and protect the hamlet’s residents. Often feels stretched thin and wishes he had more able-bodied individuals to help with patrols.
  • Hook: Borin could hire adventurers to track down a persistent poacher, investigate a series of minor thefts that seem to be escalating, or reinforce the hamlet’s defenses against a rumored goblin raid.

Important Individuals:

These are characters who might not hold formal power but are influential, provide services, or offer social connections and potential quests.

• Gareth “The Gaffer” Meadowsweet (Human, CN, Age 60s):
  • Role: Proprietor of the Pitcher and Pitchfork, the hamlet’s only tavern. He’s a jovial, gossipy man who knows everyone’s business and serves a passable ale.
  • Description: Pot-bellied with a perpetually flour-dusted apron. His voice is a low rumble, and his eyes twinkle with amusement.
  • Motivation: To keep his tavern profitable and be the central hub of local news. Loves a good story (especially if it involves danger or intrigue).
  • Hook: Gareth is the primary source of local rumors and information. He might overhear a patron discussing a hidden treasure, a strange monster sighting, or a farmer complaining about their missing livestock. He could offer a bounty for certain creature parts or request a delivery of rare spirits from a larger town.
• Lyra Silverstrand (Half-Elf, NG, Age 20s):
  • Role: The hamlet’s resident healer and herbalist. She runs a small shop offering poultices, tinctures, and simple remedies. She has a natural empathy and a keen eye for details.
  • Description: Quiet and observant, with long, braided silver hair. Her hands are stained from working with herbs.
  • Motivation: To heal the sick and understand the natural world. She is fascinated by the more arcane aspects of healing and occasionally seeks rare components.
  • Hook: Lyra might need adventurers to collect rare herbs from a dangerous part of the Terraces, deliver vital medicine to a remote farm, or investigate a strange illness that defies conventional remedies.
• Fendrel “Stonefoot” Ironhide (Half-Orc, CG, Age 30s):
  • Role: The hamlet’s blacksmith. Despite his intimidating appearance, Fendrel is a surprisingly gentle giant who takes pride in his work. He’s one of the few half-orcs in the hamlet, having settled here years ago.
  • Description: Muscular and imposing, with tusks that are more pronounced than most. His hands are calloused from years of smithing. He often hums tunelessly while working.
  • Motivation: To live a peaceful life away from the conflicts of the wider world. He wants to be seen for his skill, not his heritage.
  • Hook: Fendrel could craft specialized weapons or armor for adventurers, repair damaged gear, or perhaps ask for help retrieving a rare ore from a dangerous quarry that has become infested with monstrous creatures. He might also be a target of prejudice, requiring adventurers to defend him.
• Barnaby Croft (Human, LN, Age 50s):
  • Role: The most prosperous farmer in Nine Oaks, owning vast tracts of the fertile land. He is influential due to his wealth and often leads discussions at the Oak Moot regarding agricultural matters.
  • Description: Dressed in sturdy, but clean, farm clothes. His hands are large and rough from years of toil. Can be a bit gruff, but fair.
  • Motivation: To ensure the stability and profitability of the hamlet’s agriculture. He’s very concerned about anything that threatens the harvest.
  • Hook: Barnaby might offer a significant reward to adventurers who can deal with a pest infestation that’s resistant to normal methods, recover stolen grain, or protect his fields from a newly discovered threat. He might also be the one to fund local projects, and could be convinced to put money towards adventurers if they promise results.

Order of the Flame:

Since the Tiamat Wars, a group of paladins formed an order called the Order of the Flame. They persecute any unsanctioned magic. All spellcasting that isn’t sanctioned by their order is outlawed. They view unchecked magic as the cause of the Tiamat Wars.

• About 30 members in Nine Oaks
• Secretly influence by Asmodeus
  • All those who are members are eventually enticed to follow Asmodeus
  • Sanctioned spellcasters are enticed to follow Asmodeus

Order of Magic:

This order isn’t an official order but a small group of spellcasters who oppose the Order of the Flame.

• No one knows how many members there are out of fear of being revealed
• Influenced by Mephistopheles

Potential Conflicts & Campaign Hooks for Nine Oaks:

• Banditry: Increased activity on the roads to Burle/Saltmarsh, threatening trade.
• Wilderness Threats: Creatures from the Terraces (goblins, gnolls, monstrous beasts, fey) encroaching on farmlands.
• Ancient Secrets: The Terraces could hide ancient ruins, forgotten elven pathways, or even the remnants of a lost civilization.
• Internal Disputes: Minor land disputes, disagreements over water rights, or personal feuds that escalate and require mediation.
• The Janustrem River: What’s upstream? Is there something polluting it, or a community that relies on it that could cause conflict?
• The “Other” 1%: Who are these few non-standard races? Do they have unique needs or secrets?