Turtleback Ferry

Rise of the Runelords

Turtleback Ferry

Turtleback Ferry is a small township perched on the rain-drenched west shore of Claybottom Lake. Three distinctive ferries crafted from the shells of giant turtles slain by Autek Lavendy, one of the town’s founders, make Turtleback Ferry the central trading town for the region.

Nearly 80 miles from the next town of equitable size (Ilsurian), Turtleback Ferry has nominally been under Magnimarian rule for 45 years, an arrangement the settlement agreed to in return for protection from the region’s ogres and ogrekin. Yet Turtleback Ferry remains independent in many ways, for its remote location ensures that official visits from Magnimar are few and far between. Turtleback Ferry’s current mayor is an aged cleric of Pelor named Father Maelin Shreed, a selfless soul who tends to the village church as both a safe haven for travelers and a hospital wherein he tends the village’s sick. Turtleback Ferry also boasts a trading post, an inn, a tavern, and a smith.

Most of the village’s other buildings are the homes of farmers, hunters, fishers, and trappers. Visitors to Turtleback Ferry find the locals friendly enough, although many of them seem nervous and skittish, quick to lock their doors at night and often overreacting to the sound of dogs barking or other unexpected noises.

The wilds nearby (particularly Kreegwood) have grown more dangerous. Wild animals like bears, firepelt cougars, and boars are becoming increasingly common along the edges of these woodlands, and several of Turtleback’s hunters and trappers believe these predators are being forced from the depths of the woodlands by the increased activity of local monsters like ogres, trolls, and worse.

Turtleback Ferry

Village conventional (mayor); AL LN
GP Limit 200 gp; Assets 4,300 gp
Demographics
Population 430
Type isolated (91% human, 5% gnome, 4% halfling)

AUTHORITY FIGURE Maelin Shreed, mayor (LG male human cleric of Pelor 5)

Locations

1. Foxglove Manor

A surprisingly lavish house for such a small frontiers town, this is the manor where the Baroness Sandeli Foxglove lives. I lays on higher ground overlooking the houses below but is a little secluded from the rest of the town. It includes a garden, although not well kept, in season there are lots of foxgloves growing there. There's also an outhouse and a small cabin for the gardener.

2. Barlom's Bakery

The baker, Aram Barlom, have for long specialized in dark sourdough bread and biscuits well suited for long travels, but he is getting old. When his son died, his daughter-in-law more or less took over the business and his two grandsons are experimenting with pastries, to his great dismay.

3. Brothel

There are several brothels in Turtleback Ferry, serving the needs of the men and women of the frontiers, but this is the most renown since The Paradise's Gate burned.

4. Turtle's Candle's and Soap

Elora is Turtleback Ferry's candle-maker who also makes soap. She uses both wax or herb oils and tallow. There are scented versions of both candles and soap. The tallow and fish oil is used to make heavy duty soaps best suited for laundry and textile usage but the herb oils used together with perfumes from Sanos forest makes wonderfully scented washing soap. Those are known as far away as Magnimar.

5. Butcher

The butcher is a small but surprisingly strong halfling woman who, with the help of her two cousins cuts enough meat for the towns need. They keep the livestock in a pen in the back.

6. Bathhouse

The bathhouse have several tubs where you can clean up or just relax. Hot water is added as needed. The bathhouse also have a barber who often get to work on trappers or miners who have spent several weeks away from civilization. There are other services available too, like massage and more.

7. Harbor Warehouses

When merchants bring exotic wares from Sanos forest they bring it along the Old Sanos Trail and the Wicker Walk to Turtleback Ferry. In these warehouses it is then stored until it can be loaded onto ships or a caravan sets out along the Pendaka road.

8. Bottoms Up

This tavern is often visited by visiting hunters, trappers and visiting scoundrels looking for drinks. Bar fights are not uncommon, but are usually broken up by ???, the well grown owner. You can get food, but the usual stew isn't ordered because of its taste. The nearby smithy is seldom heard over the noisy atmosphere.

9. Irontooth’s Metal Goods

This is the smith.

10. The Turtle’s Parlor

This inn has a calm atmosphere where weary travelers can refresh themselves with food, drink and entertainment. There is usually music played by visiting bards. There is a big common room and there are several smaller rooms on the second floor for the guests. The owner, ??? thinks of himself as better than most and has a superior attitude but most visitors don't even notice it.

11. Turtleback Ferry Church

Father Maelin Shreed, an aged cleric of Pelor and a selfless soul, tends to the village church that is also used as both a safe haven for travelers and a hospital wherein he tends the village’s sick. It is a sturdy stone building among the oldest in town overlooking the square.

12. Market

The square is often filled with stands where fishermen and trappers sell their catch, but you can also find groceries from nearby farms, freshly baked pies and perfumes and other more exotic items brought in by gnomes from Sanos Forest.

14. Turtleback Ferry

The very ferry that gave the small town its name docks here.

15. Turtleback General Store

Turtleback Ferry also boasts a trading post that is well equipped to handle most needs that arise from farming, fishing and hunting. This is a sturdy two story stone house with a thick door. The owner is scared of break ins.

16. The old turtle shells

The original turtle shells that was used as ferries creating the settlement.

17. School

A small school managed by ???. She also looks after the old ferries.

19. The Golden Goat

This is the towns most expensive tavern and is newly opened by the new baroness Sandeli Foxglove. Her personal cook, Kaven Windstrike, makes the Noble's food available to all that can afford it, but the dishes are still good value as they are made using good quality meat and exotic spices. It's only open when the baroness is in town.

20. The Graveyard

Just north of town is the graveyard located. It holds the graves of the town's founders but no others of note.

See also

• Hook Mountain Barony