15. Stablemaster House

This old house is made of discarded timber. A straw addition has been added onto the back of the home, built from bales of hay.

The Stablemaster House, the residence of Martel and his large family, stands as a testament to the daily struggles and complex politics of Nulb. Constructed from discarded timber with a makeshift straw addition, this dwelling reflects the precarious nature of life for its occupants. Martel, a man caught between his roles as a family provider, business owner, and reluctant participant in the darker undercurrents of Nulb, embodies the contradictions of the village. Here, the facade of stability and respectability masks a reality of financial insecurity and entanglements with various factions within Nulb.

Description of the Stablemaster House

Martel’s home, built from salvaged wood and expanded with straw bales, is as much a patchwork of materials as his life is of responsibilities and secrets. The house, seemingly sturdy from the outside, hides the fragile security of Martel's family life and business dealings within its walls.

• Construction: Made of discarded timber with a straw addition for extra space.
• Appearance: Rustic and worn, reflecting the economic struggles of its inhabitants.
• Function: Serves as the living space for Martel and his family, as well as a meeting place for various clandestine dealings.

Economic Struggles and Social Facade

Martel's financial situation is precarious, with the stable business barely providing for his large family. His public demeanor of control and success masks private despair and constant anxiety over finances.

• Income: Primarily from the stables, insufficient for savings.
• Expenses: High, due to the needs of a large family and maintenance of the stable.
• Public Persona: Portrays confidence and stability to maintain respect and authority in Nulb.
• Private Concerns: Plagued by financial instability and the pressures of maintaining his facade.

"Lady Lmag keeps the peace, sort of. But it's like a lid on a boiling pot; you feel safer, but you know it's just a matter of time before everything spills over. Those bandits, they're just waiting for their chance to stir up trouble again."

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Secret Political Maneuvers and Alliances

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Relationships with Bandit and Pirate Crews

Martel has formed cautious alliances with various bandit groups and pirate crews who frequent Nulb. These relationships are based on mutual benefit but are kept hidden from most, including his family.
The Hangmen: Uses them as a protective buffer against other criminal elements; provides inside information about village movements. Pirate Crews: Occasionally shelters pirate members in exchange for a cut of their loot or information that could protect his interests.
Temple of Elemental Evil Connections
Martel has been approached by agents from the Temple of Elemental Evil who seek to use his stables for their operations. Martel, seeing no better alternative, has tentatively agreed to assist them, hoping to gain security and additional resources.
Role: Reluctant collaborator, providing logistical support in exchange for protection. Plans: Martel plans to leverage this relationship to stabilize his finances and possibly gain leverage over Lady Lmag.

Martel's Hidden Treasure

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Despite Martel's outward appearance of a stable and prosperous stablemaster in Nulb, his financial situation is far more precarious. The little treasure and coin he has managed to save from his dealings are crucial for the survival and security of his large family. Knowing the risk of theft in a lawless place like Nulb, Martel has gone to great lengths to ensure his savings are well-concealed.

Description of the Hidden Treasure

Martel's savings consist of a modest collection of mixed coins—3 gold, 13 silver, and 18 copper—accumulated painstakingly over the years from the stables and secret dealings with various factions. Alongside the coins, he has a few small, valuable items: a couple of rings and a finely crafted dagger, gifts from grateful clients who have more to share than coins. These items, while not a vast fortune, represent a significant amount of wealth in a place like Nulb.

The Hiding Place

Martel has ingeniously hidden his small treasure within the very structure of the Stablemaster House, aware that conventional hiding spots could easily be compromised.

• Location: Underneath the straw addition at the back of the house.
• Access: The treasure is concealed beneath a loose floorboard, covered by a heavy chest that holds various mundane items like blankets and winter clothes. This chest, while appearing ordinary and somewhat bulky, acts as a deterrent to any who might casually search the house for valuables.

Stablemaster House by 3orcs

Martel and His Family

Martel

Martel is a stocky, sun-weathered man in his early forties, typically seen in chain armor, reflecting his dual role as a fighter and a stablemaster.

• Background: Originally from a small hamlet outside of Nulb, Martel moved to the village to seek better prospects, eventually setting himself up as the stablemaster.
• Motivation: Struggling to maintain his business and support his family, Martel is driven by the need to uphold his reputation as a successful businessman and community leader.
• Personality: Outwardly confident and assertive, inwardly anxious and constantly worried about his family's future.

Family Members

• Ilepor (Wife): Supportive yet unaware of the full extent of their financial woes.
• Jayrin and Pida (Parents): Elderly and dependent on Martel, adding to his stress.
• Rabonos (Brother): A potential rival and confidant in family affairs.
• Children: Gretta, Kaffy, Astral, Lewelnie, Wystag, and Teahma. Range from naive to partially aware of their precarious living situation.

Type

House

Parent Location

Nulb