19. The Rotted Barn

The Rotted Barn, a decaying and forgotten structure, sits near the edge of Nulb, close to the Smithy’s house. Once used for modest agricultural purposes, the barn now stands as a crumbling relic of the past, its walls and roof having long since succumbed to neglect and the relentless forces of nature. Though it appears to be just another derelict building in this forsaken village, there is a pervasive sense of unease that clings to the Rotted Barn—a palpable feeling that whispers of hidden secrets and untold stories.

Description of the Rotted Barn

The Rotted Barn is a decrepit structure that seems to barely hold itself together. Time and the elements have reduced it to a mere shadow of its former self. One side of the barn has collapsed entirely, leaving a gaping wound in its wall, exposing the twisted remnants of wooden beams and splintered boards. The roof has mostly caved in, with only a few stubborn pieces clinging to the frame, casting eerie shadows over the decaying interior.

• Collapsed Wall: One side of the barn has caved in, creating an easy point of entry but also making the entire structure unstable.
• Decaying Roof: The roof has partially collapsed, with loose rafters and broken shingles lying scattered around the interior.
• Rotten Wood: The wooden beams and walls are infested with rot and fungi, making it a place best avoided by the faint-hearted.

Background and History

The Rotted Barn, as it is now known, was once used as a modest storage facility for farming tools, dried goods, and animal feed. Decades ago, when Nulb was slightly more prosperous, the barn served a hardworking farming family. However, as the village fell into decline, the family moved away, leaving the barn behind to decay.
Over the years, the barn has become a haven for vermin and wild creatures from the nearby Gnarley Forest. Locals say it is cursed, although they provide no specific reasons for their fears, simply noting the barn’s unsettling atmosphere. Its dilapidated state has also drawn unsavory characters, such as bandits and vagabonds, who occasionally use it as a hideout when passing through Nulb.

• Original Purpose: Used as a storage barn for farming supplies and livestock feed when Nulb still had some semblance of a farming community.
• Abandonment: Left behind by a family that moved away as Nulb’s fortunes waned.
• Superstition: Locals believe it is cursed, attributing an air of danger and misfortune to the structure.

Public Perception and Local Beliefs

For the villagers of Nulb, the Rotted Barn is an ominous landmark, whispered about with caution. Many believe that malevolent forces have taken root within its walls, either due to its long-standing neglect or the dark activities that sometimes take place there. Some of Nulb’s more superstitious residents claim to have seen strange lights flickering near the barn at night or to have heard whispers carried by the wind around its broken walls. Though this is likely local superstition, the tales add to the barn’s fearful reputation.

• Whispered Tales: Locals tell stories of strange lights and whispers in the night around the barn.
• Avoided Landmark: Most residents of Nulb give the barn a wide berth, especially after sunset.
• Fear of Malevolent Spirits: Some believe that the barn is cursed, possibly harboring malevolent spirits or dark forces.

Current State and Possible Uses

Despite its decayed state, the barn’s location near the 18. Otises Smithy and Stable house and the Boatman’s Tavern makes it an ideal hiding spot for less-than-savory characters. Bandits, members of the Hangedmen gang, or cultists loyal to Lady Lmag occasionally use it as a temporary shelter when passing through the village. Although there is nothing of material value left inside, the barn’s inconspicuous appearance and secluded setting provide a semblance of privacy to those who seek it.

• Hideout Potential: The barn is often used by local bandits, cultists, or travelers who need a discreet place to stay out of sight.
• No Valuable Items: The barn holds no known valuable items, only scattered debris and rotting wood.
• Unstable Shelter: Though used as a temporary refuge, the barn is structurally unsound, with frequent collapses likely.

Public Rumors and Legends

The Rotted Barn has become the subject of various rumors among the townsfolk, despite the lack of any concrete evidence of its dangers. Some claim that it was once a sacrificial site for cultists of the Elder Elemental God, while others say that the spirits of those who perished in the Gnarley Forest return to the barn to haunt it on misty nights. These tales have grown over time, contributing to the barn’s fearsome reputation and deterring most townsfolk from approaching it.

• Sacrificial Site: Some villagers believe the barn was used for dark rituals by followers of the Elder Elemental God.
• Haunting Myths: Legends claim that spirits from the Gnarley Forest return to the barn to haunt it on misty nights.
• Fearful Avoidance: Superstitions have given the barn a reputation that keeps most townsfolk away.

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In truth, the Rotted Barn harbors a sinister secret tied to Lady Lmag and the mysterious cult activities that occasionally sweep through Nulb. Though on the surface it may seem abandoned, the barn serves as a clandestine meeting point for the cultists of the Elder Elemental God, especially those dedicated to the worship of the Earth Element led by High Priest Romag. Followers of Lady Lmag and members of the Hangedmen gang use the barn as a temporary gathering place to plan ambushes or store stolen goods before smuggling them out of the village.

Secrets and Hidden Details

While the barn itself holds no obvious valuables, a hidden trapdoor beneath a pile of rotting straw in the far corner leads down to a shallow crawlspace. Within this small hidden compartment are remnants of past rituals—a few burnt candles, scraps of elemental symbols drawn in charcoal, and a sacrificial dagger crusted with old bloodstains. Lady Lmag’s cultists occasionally leave messages scrawled in the dirt, communicating plans or directing members to meeting points in the Gnarley Forest.

• Trapdoor and Crawlspace: A hidden trapdoor under a pile of straw leads to a small crawlspace where cult items are hidden.
• Ritual Remnants: Candles, bloodstained ritual daggers, and elemental symbols drawn in charcoal can be found within the crawlspace.
• Secret Messaging System: Cultists use the crawlspace to leave messages for one another, often pointing to other hidden meeting spots.

Cultist Activities and Plans

The barn is frequented by the Hangedmen gang and cultists loyal to Lady Lmag, who use it as a discreet location for planning raids on merchant caravans or discussing their reverence for the Elder Elemental God. In particular, followers of the Earth Elemental cult find solace here, drawing strength from the barn’s dilapidated state as a symbol of decay and the inevitability of erosion—a twisted metaphor that fuels their conviction. They see themselves as the patient, unyielding force that will one day grind all opposition to dust.

• Planning Ground for Raids: Cultists gather to plan ambushes on merchant caravans, especially those traveling the nearby roads.
• Symbol of Earthly Decay: Earth cultists are drawn to the barn’s dilapidated state, viewing it as a symbol of natural erosion and the power of the Earth Element.
• Conviction and Purpose: The barn is seen as a place of purpose for the Earth cultists, who believe that all will eventually fall to their power.

Hidden Objective - The Gillum’s Involvement

A recent directive from Lady Lmag suggests that the Gillum—a shadowy figure rumored to operate from deep within the Gnarley Forest —has shown an interest in the barn’s strategic position. It is said that he wants to use it as a staging point for his own network’s operations within Nulb, further entrenching Lady Lmag’s control over the village and its criminal underbelly. The Gillum’s followers occasionally visit the barn to leave coded messages and to prepare supplies for covert missions.

• The Gillum’s Interest: Lady Lmag’s ally, the Gillum Family, sees the barn as a valuable staging point for operations in Nulb.
• Coded Messages: Followers of the Gillum visit the barn to leave coded instructions and coordinate with Lady Lmag’s cultists.
• Expansion of Control: The barn serves as part of the larger effort to cement Lady Lmag’s and the Gillum’s influence over Nulb’s illicit activities.

Treasure - Hidden Cache

In the crawlspace, wrapped in a tattered oilcloth, lies a small stash of valuables that Lady Lmag’s followers have left behind—a small assortment of silver coins (40 sp), an amulet carved with the symbol of the Elder Elemental God , and a vial of poison intended for use in their ambushes. The amulet, while not magical, holds value to those who worship the Elder Elemental God, and can be used as a means of identification or barter among cultists.

• Silver Coin Stash: A cache of 40 silver coins, hidden within the crawlspace.
• Amulet of the Elder Elemental God: A carved amulet used as a symbol of cult loyalty, valuable among cultists.
• Poison Vial: A small vial of poison, often used in the cult’s ambushes and hidden for safekeeping.

This hidden treasure cache, if found by adventurers, could serve as a clue to the barn’s role in Lady Lmag’s sinister network, hinting at the involvement of the Earth cult and their connection to the dark forces at work in Nulb.

The Rotted Barn in Nulb by 3orcs

Type

Stables

Parent Location

Nulb

Owner

Lady Lmag

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Romag

Whispers from the Folk of Nulb

Rumors Surrounding the Rotted Barn

"Strange Lights"

Old Marna the Herbalist: "I tell ya, some nights, you can see faint lights dancin’ in that barn. Just a flicker here and there, but it's there all right. Nothin' natural ‘bout it."

"The Ghost of Gillum"

Bertram the Boatman: "Word is that ol' Gillum still walks ‘round the barn some nights. Folk say he was strung up by the Hangedmen for betrayin' them somehow. Seems he can’t rest, on account of a debt unpaid."

"Not a Place for Honest Folk"

Lena the Barmaid at Waterside Hostel: "You won't catch me near that barn after dark! The walls may be fallin’ down, but I’d wager a gold piece there's somethin’ darker than rot inside."

"Sounds of the Past"

Wren the Miller: "Sometimes, if yer real quiet, ye can hear faint voices, like they're whisperin' from another time. Some say it's just the wind. Me? I know the difference."

"The Barn Swallows Souls"

Nekron, a Local Fisherman: "It’s cursed, that barn is. A few folks gone in to scavenge and ain’t come back, least not right away. They come out pale as ghosts, and sickly, whisperin' about things they saw in the shadows."

"Hideout of the Hangedmen"

Jase the Blacksmith: "Barn's been used as a meetin' spot for all sorts—thieves, cultists, ye name it. Seen more than one stranger slink in there at dawn. I keep me distance, an’ I suggest ya do the same."

"A Warning from Lady Lómag"

Carla the Weaver: "Lady Lómag's warned folk to stay away from that barn, claims it's a danger to the village. Mind ya, I’ve a feelin’ she knows somethin’ she’s not sharin' with the rest of us."

"Shadows That Move"

Rudgar the Trapper: "Was huntin’ near dusk once, passed by the barn, and I swear to Pelor, I saw shadows movin' against the walls. Nothin' there, just shadows in shapes I can’t explain."

"The Rot Never Stops"

Elra the Butcher: "Folks say the rot’s spreadin’. Used to be just the walls, but now the ground around’s all blackened and sickly. Can't help but think it's the barn corruptin' the earth itself."

"A Portal to the Gnarley Forest?"

Milo, the Traveling Merchant: "There’s talk among the traders—some say the barn’s cursed by the Gnarley Forest spirits. Rumor has it, if you stand in just the right spot, you'll see another world through the cracks."

hidden crawlspace beneath a dilapidated barn by 3orcs