14. Martel's Stables

This simple wooden building has a total of 24 stalls, split 12 stalls to a side. The stalls doors themselves face outside with the backs of each opposing stall against one another. Some of the stall doors are painted, some are not. There is no real uniformity here; in fact, the place looks like a bit of a mess. There is an office at the front of the building and a tack room with a ladder that leads to a loft.

Martel's Stables are a rough and unkempt facility that reflects the chaotic and grim nature of the village of Nulb. The building's messiness is a reflection of its owner, Martel, and his three hired hands, all of whom harbor their own complex motivations and dark connections to the local power structures. The stables serve not only as a place for housing horses but also as a microcosm of the power plays and criminal undertakings that define the village.

• Location: Nulb, along Imeryd's Run.
• Purpose: Boarding for horses and hub for illicit activities.
• Ownership: Martel, a former horse thief from Dyvers.
• Key Relationships: Lady Lmag, bandits, and the Temple of Elemental Evil.

Description of the Stables

Martel's Stables consist of a simple wooden structure with 24 stalls, 12 on each side. The stalls' doors face outward, giving the impression of disarray, as they are irregularly painted and maintained. The office and tack room at the front of the building contain little of value beyond basic tools and horse-care items. A ladder leads to a loft where Martel's hired hands sleep.

Martel: The Stablemaster

Martel is a shrewd and untrusting man in his early forties, with a history as a horse thief that forced him to flee Dyvers. Short and stocky, his hands are calloused from years of manual labor, and his sharp grey eyes are always calculating. Martel is pragmatic to a fault, constantly looking for ways to ensure his own survival and profit in the lawless environment of Nulb. His main concern is keeping his stables running, but he is always on the lookout for opportunities to align himself with the right people, even if it means betraying others. His relationship with Lady Lmag is complex; he fears her power but knows that aligning too closely with her could make him a target for her enemies. Martel plays all sides, from bandits to the Temple of Elemental Evil, always striving to stay one step ahead in the dangerous game of Nulb’s politics.

The Hired Hands

Martel employs three stable hands, each with their own dark past and motivations for hiding in Nulb. These men are critical to the day-to-day operations of the stables, but they also serve Martel’s need for secrecy and extra muscle. Kiernan, Garauld, and Thistle are a mismatched crew, each drawn to Nulb by circumstances beyond their control, and each harboring ambitions that align with Martel’s desire to stay alive and in control.

• Kiernan is a former thief, always looking over his shoulder for the people he wronged.
• Garauld is a deserter from a mercenary company, seeking refuge in the chaos of Nulb.
• Thistle, a half-orc, is a former pirate with a thirst for revenge and violence.

Together, they help Martel manage the horses, but they are also involved in the more illicit activities that take place at the stables.

Lady Lmag’s Mounts and Martel's Dealings

Half of Martel’s stables are reserved for Lady Lmag’s personal mounts and those of her men, a vital service that keeps Martel in her favor. Of particular note are two warhorses—Chestnut, a heavy warhorse belonging to Sir Pale Anders, and Pride, a sleek white stallion that serves as Lady Lmag’s personal steed. Martel takes special care of these horses, knowing that maintaining their health and readiness is key to his continued operation. While Martel resents Lady Lmag’s control over Nulb, he is smart enough to understand that openly defying her would be suicide. He also rents out a few stalls to bandits and mercenaries passing through the village, quietly building relationships with other power players, always seeking to expand his influence without drawing too much attention.

Important Details

• Stalls Reserved for Lady Lmag: 12 stalls reserved for her men.

Notable Horses

• Chestnut: Sir Pale Anders' heavy warhorse.
• Pride: Lady Lmag's white stallion, a light warhorse.
• Political Strategy: Martel balances between keeping Lady Lmag’s favor and secretly aligning with other factions in Nulb.
• Additional Clients: Bandits, mercenaries, and travelers also rent stalls when passing through Nulb.

DM-Only Section

Secret Connections and Plans

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Behind the scenes, Martel engages in covert dealings with the various criminal factions operating in and around Nulb. While he appears loyal to Lady Lmag on the surface, he secretly supports the bandits and pirates who frequent the village, providing them with horses and information in exchange for their protection and influence. Most dangerously, Martel has begun communicating with agents from the Temple of Elemental Evil. He sees the rise of the Temple as an opportunity to shift power away from Lady Lmag and into his own hands, positioning himself as an indispensable ally to whichever group emerges victorious. For now, Martel keeps his plans hidden, playing all sides against each other while quietly waiting for his chance to seize greater control.

Bandit Relations

• Provides horses and information to The Hangmen in exchange for protection.
• Mutual exploitation rather than trust; Martel uses the bandits to weaken Lady Lmag’s control.

Pirate Relations

• Offers stalls to pirate crews in exchange for a cut of their profits.
• Discreet dealings to avoid detection by Lady Lmag's men.

Temple of Elemental Evil

• Martel is positioning himself as a potential ally to the Temple’s agents.
• Sees the Temple’s rise as an opportunity to overthrow Lady Lmag or at least weaken her hold on Nulb.

Bandit Influence on Martel's Stables

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The presence of bandits in Nulb is both a blessing and a curse for Martel. The Hangmen, one of the most notorious bandit groups in the region, frequently pass through Nulb, often using Martel’s stables to house their horses in exchange for coin or protection. Though Martel publicly maintains a neutral stance, his private dealings with the bandits are much more complex. He secretly aids them by providing not only horses but also information about Lady Lmag's movements and the activities of her men. In return, the bandits ensure that Martel's business is not disturbed, and they offer him protection against other factions in Nulb. The bandit influence has grown significantly in recent months, complicating the political landscape of Nulb and forcing Martel to tread carefully between his dealings with Lady Lmag and his covert support for these criminals.
The Hangmen, led by Naelin, have become one of Martel's more frequent clients. Martel uses his relationship with the Hangmen to subtly undermine Lady Lmag’s authority while remaining outwardly loyal to her. This clandestine relationship is risky, as Lady Lmag would not hesitate to dispose of Martel if she discovered his betrayal. However, Martel believes that the Hangmen's growing power could eventually challenge Lady Lmag’s dominance, and he is positioning himself to be on the winning side should that occur.

Important Details

The Hangmen: A powerful and notorious bandit group led by Naelin.

Martel’s Role

• Provides horses, shelter, and covert information to the bandits.
• Keeps tabs on Lady Lmag’s activities and relays this to the bandits.

Bandit Protection

• In exchange for his services, the Hangmen offer protection for Martel’s business.
• They ensure that other bandit groups or pirates do not interfere with Martel’s stables.

Political Strategy

• Martel uses the Hangmen to undermine Lady Lmag while keeping his actions secret.
• His end goal is to align with whichever faction—Lady Lmag or the bandits—gains the upper hand in Nulb.

Risk of Exposure

• Should Lady Lmag discover Martel’s dealings, he would face severe consequences.
• Martel carefully balances his outward loyalty to Lady Lmag with his secret ties to the bandits.

Martel Conversation on Lmag's horses

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Martel (wiping his hands on a rough cloth as he steps out of a stall): "Ah, welcome, travelers. Not often we get new faces around here that aren't looking to stir trouble. You're standing in perhaps the only spot in Nulb where a bit of order reigns—thanks to the beasts that require it." (He gestures broadly to the stalls, particularly to two that house noticeably finer horses.)
Martel: "Those two beauties there—Chestnut and Pride—they belong to Lady Lmag and Sir Pale Anders. High-profile clients, you understand. Their care? It's not just a job; it's a delicate art and, frankly, a bit of a political play."
(Martel leads the adventurers closer to the stall housing a large, robust warhorse.)
Martel: "See this big fella here, Chestnut? He's not just any warhorse; he's one of the finest in the Viscounty. Sir Pale's pride, if you will. Every strand of hair, every hoof, looked after with the precision only the best stablemaster can offer—which, modesty aside, is me."
(He chuckles softly, then his expression turns serious as he points to a sleek, white stallion in the next stall.)
Martel: "And Pride, that one belongs to Lady Lmag herself. Light as a feather but fierce as any storm on the battlefield. Taking care of him is more than feeding and grooming. It's ensuring he's battle-ready at a moment's notice, which suits her needs for both show and utility."
Martel: "It's a hefty responsibility, keeping these noble creatures in top form. They're not just animals; they're symbols of their owners' power and status. Neglect the horse, and you neglect the relationship, see? And in a place like Nulb, where alliances shift quicker than the river's current, maintaining good standing with folks like Lady Lmag and Sir Anders is essential for survival."
(He pauses, looking each adventurer in the eye to gauge their understanding.)
Martel: "So, while you're here, respect the role these animals play in the delicate balance of power. And if you're wise, you'll learn that in Nulb, sometimes, the best way to understand the rulers is through the reins they hold their steeds with."

Martel's Stables by 3orcs

"A Horse for a Secret, A Stable for a Spy."

Martel, the stablemaster

• Physical Description: Stocky, weathered skin, greasy black hair, sharp grey eyes.
• Background: Former horse thief from Dyvers, now running the stables in Nulb.
• Personality: Pragmatic, untrusting, always seeking profit and survival.
• Motivation: Maintain his business, expand influence, stay alive.
• Political Relationships: Cooperative but wary relationship with Lady Lmag.

Stablehands

Kiernan

• Physical Description: Tall, wiry, nervous.
• Background: Former thief from Verbobonc.
• Motivation: Stay alive, avoid his past enemies.

Garauld

• Physical Description: Broad-shouldered, scarred, quiet.
• Background: Deserter from a mercenary company.
• Motivation: Earn money, stay hidden.

Thistle

• Physical Description: Short, stout half-orc, aggressive.
• Background: Former pirate, seeking revenge.
• Motivation: Revenge, enjoys Nulb’s chaotic life.

Type

Stables

Parent Location

Nulb

Stables

• Size: 24 stalls in total.
• Cost: 1 sp/day for a stall, 2 sp/day with oats and grooming, 5 sp/week.
• Layout: Stalls face outward with the backs of opposing stalls against one another.
• Condition: Unkempt, some doors are painted while others are weathered.
• Loft: Houses the stable hands.
• Clientele: Mostly the mounts of Lady Lmag's men, mercenaries, bandits, and passing travelers.