Cudgel’s Rest

Name: Cudgel’s Rest

Population: 180

Location: Nestled against the edge of The Tangles, about 30 miles NW of Central Leering Keep and 2 days NE of Northern Leering Keep. The village is strategically positioned to utilize the dense forest for defense and resources, while maintaining a watchful eye on the plains for potential threats.

Appearance:

  • Sturdy Palisade: A strong, well-maintained palisade surrounds the village, with a single gate that is closely guarded. Towers with crossbow-wielding guards are positioned at regular intervals.
  • Central Square: Dominated by a large statue of Saint Cuthbert wielding his iconic cudgel. This serves as a focal point for gatherings, pronouncements, and the occasional public punishment for those who stray from the path of law and order.
  • Simple Homes: Most villagers live in modest wooden houses with small gardens. Stone is reserved for the temple and the homes of the village leaders.
  • Temple of the Cudgel: A fortified stone temple dedicated to Saint Cuthbert stands prominently within the palisade. It likely has a stark, functional design, emphasizing discipline and order.

Culture:

  • Strict and Disciplined: Life in Cudgel’s Rest revolves around the teachings of Saint Cuthbert. Order, discipline, and adherence to the law are paramount. Villagers are expected to be hardworking, honest, and zealous in their faith.
  • Defense-Oriented: Given their proximity to The Tangles and the Leering Keeps, the villagers are well-trained in self-defense. Most are proficient with simple weapons, and regular drills are conducted to ensure readiness against threats.
  • Community Focused: While individual expression is somewhat curtailed, the community is tightly knit. Collective well-being is prioritized, and villagers are expected to support one another.
  • Suspicious of Outsiders: Strangers are viewed with caution and are carefully scrutinized before being allowed within the palisade. Trust is hard-earned in Cudgel’s Rest.

Spoiler DM Only

Mayor:

  • Name: Mayor Tilmar Strongarm
  • Description: A stern, aging human man with a neatly trimmed gray beard and a weathered face. He carries himself with an air of authority and carries a sturdy oak cudgel as a symbol of his office.
  • Personality: A devout follower of Saint Cuthbert, Mayor Strongarm is a firm believer in law and order. He is just but can be harsh in his judgments, believing that swift and decisive punishment is the best way to maintain order. He trusts his militia captain implicitly but is wary of outsiders.

Militia Captain:

  • Name: Captain Maris Thorne
  • Description: A woman in her late twenties, with short-cropped brown hair and a lean, muscular build. She wears well-worn leather armor and carries a longsword and shield.
  • Personality: Captain Thorne is a skilled warrior and a respected leader. She is fiercely loyal to her village and dedicated to protecting its people. While she shares the villagers’ faith in Saint Cuthbert, she is more pragmatic than the mayor and recognizes the value of diplomacy and strategic thinking.

NPCs:

  • Elder Elara: An elderly half-elf woman known for her wisdom and knowledge of herbalism. She serves as the village healer and often advises the mayor on matters of tradition and spirituality. She is kind and compassionate but also possesses a sharp wit and a keen understanding of human nature.
  • Osric the Smith: A gruff but skilled dwarf blacksmith who crafts weapons and armor for the militia. He is dedicated to his craft and takes pride in the quality of his work. He is a man of few words but is fiercely loyal to his village and its people.
  • Jessa the Weaver: A young human woman who is known for her beautiful tapestries depicting scenes from the life of Saint Cuthbert. She is a quiet and observant person, but her artwork speaks volumes about her faith and her love for her community.

Possible Hooks/Story Ideas:

  • The Whispers in the Tangles: Strange occurrences and unsettling whispers have been emanating from The Tangles, testing the villagers’ faith and their defenses.
  • The Heretic’s Return: A former villager, now embracing a different faith or philosophy, returns to Cudgel’s Rest, seeking to challenge their beliefs or perhaps even incite rebellion.
  • The Missing Relic: A sacred relic associated with Saint Cuthbert has been stolen from the temple, and its absence threatens the village’s spiritual well-being. The adventurers must track down the thief and recover the relic.
  • The Leering Keep’s Interest: One of the Leering Keeps has taken an unusual interest in Cudgel’s Rest, perhaps demanding tribute, conscripts, or even outright conquest.

Description:

Ah, you wish to know more about Cudgel’s Rest? Very well, let me paint you a picture…

Imagine a village of no more than 183 souls, huddled against the shadowy embrace of The Tangles. A sturdy palisade encircles us, a bulwark against the dangers that lurk both within the forest and beyond. Our homes are simple, built of wood and stone, clustered around a central square dominated by a magnificent statue of Saint Cuthbert himself. His stern gaze reminds us always of our duty to uphold order and righteousness.

Life here is one of discipline and devotion. We follow the tenets of Saint Cuthbert with unwavering zeal, for only through strength of arm and unwavering faith can we hope to survive in this harsh land. Every villager, young and old, is trained in the use of arms. We hold regular drills, led by our esteemed Militia Captain Maris Thorne, a warrior whose skill with a blade is matched only by her piety.

Our mayor, Tilmar Strongarm, is a man of unwavering conviction. He rules with an iron fist, ensuring that the laws of Saint Cuthbert are upheld without exception. Some may call him harsh, but his justice is swift and fair, and it is that justice that has kept Cudgel’s Rest safe all these years.

We are not without our comforts, of course. Elder Elara, wise in the ways of healing and lore, tends to our sick and injured. Osric the Smith, a dwarf of renowned skill, keeps our weapons sharp and our armor strong. And Jessa the Weaver, her nimble fingers guided by faith, creates tapestries of exquisite beauty that adorn our temple and homes.

But do not mistake our piety for weakness. We are a people forged in the fires of adversity, ever vigilant against the threats that surround us. The whispers from The Tangles grow louder with each passing day, and the shadows of the Leering Keeps loom large on the horizon. We are ever watchful, ever ready to defend our home and our faith.

So, traveler, if you seek a place of order and devotion, a bastion of strength in a world of chaos, then you are welcome within our walls. But know this: we tolerate no lawlessness, no weakness, no deviation from the path of Saint Cuthbert. If you are willing to abide by our ways, then you will find a home among us. But if you seek to disrupt our peace or challenge our faith, then you will face the full wrath of Cudgel’s Rest.

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