Termalaine

Founded by Sharanian settlers who appreciated beauty, Termalaine is widely regarded as the most picturesque city in Ozbiard, spreading out from the shore of the Glacial Ocean and bordered by tall pines. Its buildings incorporate carvings of wizards, homunculi, tigers, and smiling djinn. For most visitors, the enchantment of the town is dispelled as soon as they feel the icy claws and teeth of the cold wind sweeping down from the north, shearing through their layers of clothing. Termalaine was built in the path of this dreadful gale. In addition to fishers, shipbuilders, and scrimshanders, Termalaine is home to miners who harvest gemstones from the mountains. Their efforts are hampered by creatures from the Underdark that occasionally find their way up into the mine. Whenever such creatures are discovered, the mine is sealed off and the townsfolk wait until a band of sellswords or adventurers can be hired to clear it out. Oarus Masthew was declared speaker after a close and contentious election. The child of half-orc adventurers, he was adopted by Shaelen Masthew, the previous speaker, who retired from her leadership role but still lives in Termalaine. Oarus is bright, with a sharp sense of humor, but he has political enemies in town and lacks the full support of the town militia.

Demographics

Human	76%
Half-Orc	9%
Halfling	5%
Elf	3%
Other	7%

Points of interest

The Blue Clam: Tavern

The fishers of Termalaine typically finish their days here, seated on benches near one of the building’s long hearths to warm their feet while they fill their bellies with spiced chowder. Beautiful works of scrimshaw are hung on the walls. The Blue Clam’s hearths are full of roasting meat, and the patrons stay later and sing louder, enjoying the good times while they last.

The Eastside: Inn

The Eastside is where most visitors in town stay. What looks from the outside like separate houses turns out to be a single structure with rooms connected by underground passages, with cozy guest accommodations in the cellar. The innkeeper is Marta Peskryk, a willowy teenager who spends much of her time tending to her bedridden father, Clyde, a retired fisherman. As she performs her daily chores, Marta sings the following song to herself: Ahead of winter’s wind she came— The lovely woman with no name; Draped in a fur-lined cloak of red, To the icy waters she fled; The wind pursued her all the same— As sure as night she’s dead. If asked about the song, Marta recounts the following tale. Fifty years ago, a mysterious woman in a fur-lined red cloak stopped at the Eastside on her way to the capitol. Because the woman was alone and frightened, the innkeepers—a pair of retired adventurers who happened to be Marta’s grandparents—tried to console her. The woman gave them a ring as payment for their hospitality. Not long afterward, a howling wind burst into the inn and tossed the woman about like a rag doll. The innkeepers intervened, giving the woman time to escape. The evil wind battered Marta’s grandparents unconscious before resuming its hunt. That was the last anyone saw of the woman.

Firehilt Shield: Blacksmith

Owner is Tora Greenbottle, a female halfling. The blacksmith is a two story building, with a green tile roof and dead hedges. Several battered shields hang on the walls. It contains piles of scrolls and books on the counters.

Aladra's Open: General Store

Owner is Aladra Benson, a male human. The general store is a rowhouse, with a white tile roof and shuttered windows. It contains antique cabinets filled with oddities and the walls are covered in shelves full of supplies.

Type

City

Population

5200

Owner/Ruler

Oarus Masthew

Characters in Location

• Aladra Benson
• Marta Peskryk
• Oarus Masthew
• Tora Greenbottle
• Vernon Braig