02 - Iron Kingdoms W.. - Captain Spud Is Amazing

108.1.141.197
The locals have organized an armed militia several
hundred strong, although they have need of weapons
and training.
Imports: Coal, iron, manufactured goods, textiles
Exports: Hooaga, livestock, wool
Hearthstone is a remote, often overlooked
community of steep, muddy farm tracks and earthsheltered
homes surrounded by lowlands covered in
heather, sheep leaf, and wildflowers. The herdsmen
of Ord’s heartland raise mostly sheep and cattle while
the farmers—human and gobber alike—deal mainly
in hooaga.
Though Hearthstone seems sedate and bucolic to
the outside world, its inhabitants allege that restless
undead wander the lowlands after dark. Everyone in
Hearthstone eventually hears the tales. While visitors
might pass them off as merely superstition, keenly
observant guests note the manner in which locals
head inside, even vacating taverns for home, and bolt
their doors every sunset. In recent months the troubles
seem to be mounting. Entire families in the outlands
have either gone missing without a trace or their
homes have been torched, and sightings of strange
shambling creatures wandering the countryside after
dark are on the rise. Despite Thane Lord Kaddock’s
attempts to solicit aid from Moorgrave Torcail, the
thane has not received martial aid of any kind, much
less an investigator, and he is growing quite desperate.
Noted Persons
Thane Lord Ross Kaddock (male Thurian Ari4/
Exp4/Ftr3): Ross Kaddock takes great pride in his
charge. Of merchant stock, he understands the
importance of agricultural commerce to the town’s
well being. He takes care to see to the needs of farmers
and herders, occasionally intervening personally in
troublesome cases. This has made the thane lord
extremely popular with the vast majority and allowed
him to accumulate power such as aquiring the fallow
grazing lands surrounding the city. Those aware of this
fact suspect he has greater plans still although few can
agree on just what those might be.
Nan Mac Dain (female Thurian Pal10): Nan Mac
Dain is a paladin dedicated to Asc. Katrena and has
taken it upon herself to act as the city’s protector.
Before the recent troubles, Mac Dain was considered
paranoid for her claim that “evil lurks in the fields and
moors.” Though the town folk are certainly glad to
have her in this time of need, the truth of the matter
is that Mac Dain is somewhat unhinged—but no less
zealous. She has helped train some of the local militia
although they are in sad shape, and she is more of a
crusader than an instructor.
ruMOr has it…
in recent MOnths the lOcals OF hearthstOne have Been Made
even MOre uneasy By a nuMBer OF disturBances in the regiOn
including the Burning and pillaging OF Outlying FarMs and
raMpant grave desecratiOn and rOBBery Believed tO Be the
wOrK OF necrOMancers. this cOuld Be the dOings OF the
cult OF the despOilers, a particularly insidiOus grOup with
a FOllOwing in Ord, Or it cOuld Be sOMething else entirely.
wild speculatiOn iMplicates thaMarites Or cryxians, But Few
clues have Been FOund tO sOlve the Mystery. siMilar repOrts
have Been heard cOMing FrOM the grav OF wythMOOr tO the
sOutheast and even acrOss the BOrder in nOrthern cygnar.
Locales of Hearthstone
Blathmac Manor: Decades ago the Blathmac
family was the most powerful in Hearthstone. Their
line held the title of moorgrave for hundreds of years
before the entire family suffered a terrible tragedy. No
one knows precisely what happened to the Blathmacs
except that, one by one, they all died under mysterious
circumstances. Once the last Blathmac was dead, the
thanes of Almare vied for rule of the grav while the
city of Hearthstone passed to the Kaddocks, distantly
related to the Blathmacs. The family manor remains
on the outskirts of the town, dilapidated and reputedly
haunted. Stories of extensive catacombs beneath it are
told by the locals, and according to some reports the
Blathmacs consorted with Infernals. Periodically, talks of
demolishing the ruined manor surface, but for various
reasons it has never come to pass.
Grange, The: The Grange is a large structure
formerly used as a granary in the early days of
Hearthstone. Since then it has been purchased by the
town and turned into a public building. Town meetings
are held within its wall as well as other important civic
functions. Hearthstoners are an outspoken lot and
the moorgrave regularly hears suits and complaints
in the Grange. Recently it has become a gathering
place for the militia and their sad assortment of
farm-implements-turned-weapons. Local soldiers of
World Guide 303