Crombleholme
Nestled just at the treeline in the Hollow Spire Mountains is the small village of Crombleholme, which is built upon small cliffs around cascading waterfalls about a half mile below the horrid structure of Abhor Brazier. A switchback road leads from the verdant valley to Abhor Brazier’s brass gates. Dilapidated stone buildings lie mostly in ruin, and gardens of artichokes, fig trees, and grape vines surround the quiet village. The inhabitants tirelessly cultivate the crops and ferment the succulent grapes to produce a fine local wine.
Nearly forgotten by those outside the Hollow Spire Mountains, Crombleholme’s out-of-the-way, idyllic setting turned into a nightmare when the fires of Abhor Brazier were re-lit. Now, the village is ruled by a merciless governor and cleric of Hecate that some claim is not human at all (although no one has seen her to confirm this tale). The villagers (all women now, as the men were put to death when the governor took over) tend to their assigned chores with little say in the matter. Some say they seem to be lost in a trance.
The village’s one claim to fame is the abundance of hag stones — small rocks with holes bored naturally through them — that are found in the area. Many wear these small stones on leather straps around their necks to ward off evil hags.
Settlement
Crombleholme, Village of
Type
Village
Owning Organization
Comments