Herald s Holdfast
Few inhabitants of the Silver Marches can claim to have visited the remote and mysterious residence known as the Herald's Holdfast. Those who know of its existence call it a repository of lore or a storehouse of much that has been forgotten in all other places.
A day's rough journey north and west of Silverymoon (or south and west of Quaervarr), the Herald's Holdfast is within an isolated dell hidden in the southern eaves of the Moonwood. A short stone tower (more like a fortified manor house than a genuine stronghold) squats in the dell like a misshapen woodland idol. Three-quarters of the tower is set against the slope of a steep hill that surrounds the dell. Only one door is set into the tower wall, and it is a moss-covered stone portal worn smooth by time and use. The tower door remains unlocked at all times, and it swings open freely to the touch.
Brief History
Where did this place come from? Who built it, and why? And how has it remained untouched by the orc hordes and other creatures of the region? The tower's caretaker, a knowledgeable woman named Shalara Swordshigh who insists on referring to herself as Old Night, receives these questions with patience and an enigmatic smile. Her replies are cryptic at best, however, and not terribly useful. Old Night and her companions have lived in the Holdfast for untold decades, possibly centuries: No one can be certain exactly how long they have been here. The Elves of the Moonwood believe that Old Night is a member of an obscure and tiny secret organization known as The Heralds (hence the name of the tower), and that the group dedicates itself to collecting and preserving Faerûn's past. They count among their enemies any who would destroy or revise history, and number among its allies the Harpers, who give them aid from time to time. Others claim that there is a portal that leads to Silverymoon located somewhere hard by the Holdfast that only Old Night and her associates know about. (Old Night won't answer questions about these topics, either.)
Important Sites in the Herald's Holdfast
The following locations are among those that adventurers will most likely see and visit.
The Chambers
Beyond the main door is the Chamber of Humanity, which is a single room dedicated to human history. Human arms and armor from various eras, along with numerous other human artifacts, hang from the walls; above them tapestries and the carved rafter beams depict important scenes from Faerûnian human history, as well as some human heroes and heroines. A doorway leads from the Chamber of Humanity to a corridor delved straight into the hillside. Therein are more chambers similar to that of the Chamber of Humanity, and each is dedicated to a single race, including dwarf, elf, giant, gnoll, gnome, goblin, orc, and halfling. According to rumor, secret doors exist elsewhere in the tower that lead to many other chambers. Each racial chamber is decorated with items created by or for the race it represents. Some of the items are priceless due to their extreme age or historical significance, while others are valuable for the precious metals or gems they bear.
The Library
At the very end of the corridor, beyond all the chambers, sits the structure's largest room: the library. Said to be a storehouse of knowledge equal to or even greater than the Vault of Sages in Silverymoon, the library contains a bewildering number of books, tomes, scrolls, stone tablets, all shelved or piled high on numerous tables. Almost all these sources of information pertain to the history or genealogy of the races to which the chambers are dedicated.
Old Night permits all visitors who conduct themselves politely and without aggression to examine the contents of the library, but visitors are not permitted to remove any of the books from the Holdfast. (They are welcome to make a copy of whatever information they find, however.) Old Night does not make a habit of aiding visitors with their quests for information, other than to point them to either the appropriate chamber or the library.
About a days journey west of Silverymoon brings travelers to a dell north of the River Rauvin where lies the Heralds Holdfast, the spellguarded Citadel of Old Night, one of the five High Heralds of western Faerûn. The citadel is a squat, stone tower so ancient and ivy-grown it is discernible to only those who know where to seek it.
The Heralds Holdfast is a precious library of heraldry and genealogy of the known human, elven, dwarven, halfling, and gnomish peoples as far back as records can be traced. Its said to be an invincible fortress, and it is respected by both good and evil races of the Northeven some of the histories and badges of the orc, goblin, and hobgoblin races are preserved within its walls.
The huge, moss-covered stone door is smooth with age and swings freely inward when touched. A cylindrical room fills the entire tower, lighted by a soft blue glow. This is the Chamber of Man. Weapons and armor from every age line the walls.
Above them, banners and crests of forgotten kingdoms are interspersed with intricate tapestries displaying historical scenes.
Overhead, carved into the rafters, are bas-reliefs of human heroes and heroines of the past. The Chamber of Man is the largest in the Holdfast save the enormous library.
A passage at the end of the Chamber of Man is delved into the steep hill at the rear of the citadel. Other chambers line this corridor, one for each of the goodly races, and even a few for the history of orcs, Goblins, and giantkind, each designed in the same manner as that of mankind.
At the far end of the corridor is the largest room of the Holdfast: the greatest library of the North. This treasure trove exceeds even the Vault of the Sages in Silverymoon. Lining the walls and piled on tables large and small are countless volumes.
Few inhabitants of the Silver Marches can claim to have visited the remote and mysterious residence known as the Herald's Holdfast. Those who know of its existence call it a repository of lore or a storehouse of much that has been forgotten in all other places.
Herald's Holdfast (Outpost): Magical; AL N; special gp limit; Assets special; Population 5; Integrated (dwarf [20%], elf [20%], gnome [20%], half-orc [20%], human [20%]).Authority Figures: Old Night, male human Wiz9/Lor7. Important Characters: Dargin Stoneweaver, male Shield dwarf Wiz7/Lor2; Llyllanndra Havenstar, female sun elf Wiz7/Lor3; Naithee Uvarkk, female Rock gnome Wiz7/Lor1; Hakan, male half-orc Bbn3/Sor3. Symbol: The Herald's Holdfast uses as its recognition mark the emblem of an open book, in silver, on a dark gray field. A day's rough journey north and west of Silverymoon (or south and west of Quaevarr), the Herald's Holdfast is within an isolated dell hidden in the southern eaves of the Moonwood. A short stone tower (more like a fortified manor house than a genuine stronghold) squats in the dell like a misshapen woodland idol. Three-quarters of the tower is set against the slope of a steep hill that surrounds the dell. Only one door is set into the tower wall, and it is a moss-covered stone portal worn smooth by time and use. So well concealed is the tower within its wreath of vegetation that even those who know what they are seeking must make a Spot check (DC 20) to identify the tower, and a Search check (DC 20) to locate its single entrance. The tower door remains unlocked at all times, and it swings open freely to the touch.
Brief History
Where did this place come from? Who built it, and why? And how has it remained untouched by the orc hordes and other creatures of the region? The tower's caretaker, an ancient human sage who insists on referring to himself as Old Night, receives these questions with patience and an enigmatic smile. His replies are cryptic at best, however, and not terribly useful. Old Night and his companions have lived in the Holdfast for untold decades, possibly centuries: No one can be certain exactly how long they have been here. The Elves of the High Forest believe that Old Night is a member of an obscure and tiny secret organization known as The Heralds (hence the name of the tower), and that the group dedicates itself to collecting and preserving Faerûn's past. They count among their enemies any who would destroy or revise history, and number among its allies the Harpers, who give them aid from time to time. Others claim that there is a portal that leads to Silverymoon located somewhere hard by the Holdfast that only Old Night and his associates know about. (Old Night won't answer questions about these topics, either.)Important Sites in the Herald's Holdfast
The following locations are among those that adventurers will most likely see and visit.Out of Character Locating a particular piece of information or a specific volume of lore in Old Night's library is easier said than done. Each character that seeks something in the library may make a Search check. Calculate the DC for the check as follows: Character has ranks in a Knowledge appropriate to the topic of his or her inquiry (arcana, history, local, and so on): DC 20 -1 for every Knowledge rank above 5 (to a maximum of +10). Time required: 5d20 hours -1 hour for every Knowledge rank above 5 (to a maximum of -5). Character has no ranks in an appropriate Knowledge: DC 30 Time required: 10d20 hours A character who possesses the Bardic Knowledge class feature gains a +2 synergy bonus on his or her Search Check.
The Chambers
Beyond the main door is the Chamber of Humanity, which is a single room dedicated to human history. Human arms and armor from various eras, along with numerous other human artifacts, hang from the walls; above them tapestries and the carved rafter beams depict important scenes from Faerûnian human history, as well as some human heroes and heroines. A doorway leads from the Chamber of Humanity to a corridor delved straight into the hillside. Therein are more chambers similar to that of the Chamber of Humanity, and each is dedicated to a single race, including dwarf, elf, giant, gnoll, gnome, goblin, orc, and halfling. According to rumor, secret doors exist elsewhere in the tower that lead to many other chambers. Each racial chamber is decorated with items created by or for the race it represents. Some of the items are priceless due to their extreme age or historical significance, while others are valuable for the precious metals or gems they bear.The Library
At the very end of the corridor, beyond all the chambers, sits the structure's largest room: the library. Said to be a storehouse of knowledge equal to or even greater than the Vault of Sages in Silverymoon, the library contains a bewildering number of books, tomes, scrolls, stone tablets, all shelved or piled high on numerous tables. Almost all these sources of information pertain to the history or genealogy of the races to which the chambers are dedicated. Old Night permits all visitors who conduct themselves politely and without aggression to examine the contents of the library, but visitors are not permitted to remove any of the books from the Holdfast. (They are welcome to make a copy of whatever information they find, however.) Old Night does not make a habit of aiding visitors with their quests for information, other than to point them to either the appropriate chamber or the library. Location Approximately 30 mi (48 km) west and slightly north of Silverymoon (about a full day's journey), the Holdfast was located in a forested dell in the southern tip of the Moonwood, just north of the River Rauvin on an unmarked path. Structure The outside facade of the Holdfast was so well-hidden by moss and vines of ivy that it blended into the cliff face behind it, and a seeker needed prior knowledge of where to look in order to locate it easily. Under the ivy was a deceptively ordinary squat stone tower, about 80 ft (24 m) in diameter and twice as tall as it was wide. The door was made of stone and covered with moss, but had no lock and swung inward with an easy touch. The inside of the tower was one huge cylindrical room with a vaulted ceiling that was filled with flags and banners, escutcheons bearing coats-of-arms, weapons and armor, and fine tapestries woven with scenes of historic battles and events. Above rafters carved in bas-relief style with the likenesses of mankind's greatest heroes and heroines, a blue faerie fire glow illuminated the entire space. Samples from every age of human existence were found here—this was the Chamber of Man, or alternatively, the Chamber of Humanity. Opposite the main entrance was a wooden door that opened on a long corridor that led straight back into the stone of the cliff. Along this corridor were various side passages, each leading to a chamber dedicated to one of the races of Faerûn. Although decorated in a fashion similar to the Chamber of Man, none were quite as big. The Chamber of the Dwarves had statues of Moradin, Dumathoin, and the other dwarven deities and heroes looking down from the rafters. Dwarven suits of armor and weapons, such as hammers and axes were displayed to demonstrate the glory of the dwarven race.[13] Other races known to have a chamber in the Holdfast included elf, halfling, gnoll,[12] gnome, giant-kin, centaur, korred, satyr, orc, goblin, and hobgoblin.[2][3][4][5][6][14] All such chambers were filled with precious items of historical significance to the dedicated race, some of which were quite valuable due to being constructed from precious metals and gems.[12] At the end of the long corridor was a formal dining room with a large, circular table covered in Runes. A kitchen, some guest rooms, and Old Night's apartment were connected on either side of this dining area. Across the room from the corridor entrance was another door that led into the library: a space even bigger than the Chamber of Man, with shelves of books, scrolls, stone tablets, and documents lining the high walls and many tables also stacked with books occupying the floorspace.[3][12] At least one floating magical orb provided light to this room.[4][note 1] Activities Herald's Holdfast was primarily a library and therefore was continually receiving reports of important news—births and deaths, marriages and annulments, alliances and blood feuds, new and altered heraldic blazons, crimes against the Law of Arms, geographic map updates, demographic and population statistics, and so on—from the local Heralds and the Harpers. Occasionally new items would arrive to be added to the collection. All of this had to be organized and cataloged, with some of it perhaps copied for use at the Map House in Silverymoon, or sent out to keep the other Heralds abreast of current events and the wishes of the High Heralds, essentially making the edifice the hub of a vast information network.[9][15][16][17][18] Well-behaved visitors were allowed to view any of the materials in the library, but not remove them. Copies could be made and taken out, as long as the originals stayed in the Holdfast.[12] Old Night was also responsible for training The Heralds Pursuivant and the most recent appointees to the offices of Green Shield, and Gauntlet. At the Holdfast, these apprentices learned the finer points of the Law of Arms, memorized genealogies, and became familiar with the myriad rules and traditions of courtly life across Faerûn in preparation for the possibility of becoming a High Herald one day.[15][19] The Holdfast was also the base of the bardic College of the Herald, which educated bards with a strong focus on history, heraldry and folklore.[20] DefensesEdit Herald's Holdfast was said to be an impregnable fortress, protected by spell cancellation magic that negated most types of spells.[4][21] The overgrown entrance could be completely hidden by a permanent, customized hallucinatory terrain spell.[22] Even though it was respected by both good and evil races in the North,[5] it also had an aura that prevented entry by orcs.[21] The building and its contents were protected against the passage of time by strong preservative spells. Protection measures were known to include deadly molds, zones that were enchanted to inhibit open flames, and helmed horrors that attacked any intruders unless they spoke certain passwords.[22] The wooden door to the subterranean part of the Holdfast was also protected and ensorcelled to warn the inhabitants when visitors or intruders entered the Chamber of Man.[4] Even the furniture could be called into service: some pieces were dormant constructs that could be commanded by Old Night. Trapped books bearing symbols and glyphs of warding were strategically placed among the holdings to further protect rare works.[22] Only the High Heralds knew of all the defenses of the Holdfast, but they were enough to survive attacks by hordes of orcs, wizards, beholders, and even the tarrasque.[21] History The age, architect, and builders of the Holdfast were unknown, or known only to the High Heralds. The emblem of Herald's Holdfast (not the Herald organization) was a silver book laying open on a field of dark gray.[12] Rumors and Legends There were some who claimed that a portal to Silverymoon was located very near the entrance to the Holdfast, known only to Old Night and his or her close associates. According to rumor, there were many other chambers in the Holdfast, all connected by secret doors.[12]Если вы хотите что то добавить или присоединится к команде редакторов - пишите комментарии
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