Setting notes, and changes to FR for this campaign
I will expand these notes in the future
The campaign takes place in the North area, in the Silver Marches.
However, currently, the whole area, as well as a large part of the northwest coast of Faerun is being ruled by a king based in Waterdeep.
The campaign is based in the town of Winter's edge, a many-days journey north and inland from Waterdeep. This town is currently serves as a base for patrols that guard the area. The most important area to be guarded is the famous 'Wall', a very long wall several days journey to the north. The Wall is very ancient and guards the kingdom from unknown terrors that lurk to the north of it. Due to it's cold conditions and other dangers, being stationed there is highly undesirable and often a form of punishment.
The campaign is a very low magic campaign. Besides the party members, spellcasters are unusual or rare, and high-level casters extremely rare. The town of Winter's edge has no known clerics above 3rd level or so.
Most of the PCs begin the campaign as servants for the ruling noble house of Winter's Edge, who rule from the fortress of Winterfell in that city. The rulers are relatives of the Royal family, based in Waterdeep.
Here is a description of the House of Winterfell, ruling family of Winter's Edge:
House Stark of Winterfell
House Motto: "Winter is Coming...."
House Symbol: A running grey direwolf, on an ice-white field
Leader of House: Lord Eddard Stark (Ned)
Lands and Holdings: Castle Winterfell, Winter's Edge, Warden of the North
Resources of House Stark (traditionally poor in wealth but rich in resources (iron, lumber, furs, and other valuable metals) and rich in the fanatic loyalty of it men and retainers
History:
Descended from refugees from fallen Raumathar, the Starks are an ancient house with the blood of the First Kingdom of Men flowing in its veins, the Starks have existed at Winterfell for almost 2,000 years. Winterfell was said to have had its foundation laid by the legendary Brandon the Builder. For at least a part of those many millenia they were the Kings of Winter and were the last house of the First Kingdom of Men to rule a realm before being weakened by numberless orc hordes from the mountains of the Spine of the World, north of the Wall.Then Aegon Targaryen and his dragons came on their conquest.The Starks eventually bended the knee and the sovereignty of the North rather than be consumed en masse by the Targaryuen's dragon flight's fire. Their motto is, "Winter Is Coming."
The Starks have served as Wardens of the North under the Iron Throne. Lord Eddard Stark is best friend to King Robert, having been fostered with him at the Eyrie (they wer both wards of Lord John Arryn of the Eyrie) and constant companion and a great hero in the war against the Mad Dragon King, Aerys. The civil war against the Mad Dragon King Aerys Targaryen started when the Dragon Prince Rhaegar took captive Eddard's sister Lyanna who was betrothed to marry Robert Baratheon. Lord Stark's father and his elder brother Brandon rode South to Waterdeep to plead for her return. The Mad Dragon King Aerys Targaryen had them both executed in gruesome painful fashion. The Mad Dragon King Aerys Targaryen then ordered Lord John Arryn of the Eyrie to turn over his two 18 year old wards - Robert Baratheon and Eddard Stark. John Arryn refused becasue of his love for the boys - and the civil war started and then grew and grew. Robert and Eddard fought to rescue Lyanna Stark from the Dragon Prince Rhaegar as well as to avenge the deaths of Eddard' father and older brother Brandon. Eventually they succeeded - the war was one, the dragons slain, the Dragon Prince Rhaegar was killed by Robert Baratheon in mortal combat on the field of battle and the Mad Dragon King Aerys was killed by Jamie Lannister who was a member of the King's own Kingsguard (thus earning the name Jamie the Kingslayer) as Waterdeep fell to the rebel forces. Lyanna Stark however died even as her brother Eddard reached her side. So Robert Baratheon became King and in order to unite the 7 Kingsoms (and because of her beauty and wealth) King Robert married Cersei Lannister.
Lord Eddard wed Catelyn Tully (of House Tully of the Riverlands of the Trident), who was intended to marry his elder brother Brandon before his death at he hands of the Targaryen King. They have had five children, of whom his eldest was Robb Stark before his tragic death gored by a Dire Stag while on a hunt in the wilds of the North.Young Bran Stark is now the heir to Winterfell and the North. Lord Eddard also has a bastard, conceived by an unknown moon elven woman during the civil war, Dasha Snow. He also adopted a drow exile, Aldepris Snow (of Menzoberrnazan House Vandree 17th), into his family as ward and apprentice weapons-master after the drow saved his son's life in an attack by wildling raiders. His other children are Sansa and Arya his dauthers and his youngest son Rickon.
The Family:
Lord Eddard Stark - grim, dour, serious lord of Winterfell. Lord Stark is tall, with dark hair and full beard with no grey. He is in his prime at 41. He was a great hero and companion in arms of Robert Baratheon during the rebellion and civil war against the Mad Dragon King Aerys Targaryen and during the attempted rebellion agaisnt King Robert by Lord Balon Greyjoy (Theon's father). He remains a hale and powerful warrior at the full of his strength, still wielding his mighty claymore (2 handed greatsword) Ice with deadly skill and strength and still often rides out with men to put down wilding raiders, rebel lords, and beasts and monsters out of the wilds of the North. The things that matter most to Lord Stark are his family, his family's honor, and his honor in that order. He is a fair and just if stern and tough Lord. He lives by his family's words "Winter is Coming".
Lord Stark follows the traditional religious beliefs of his family - worshipping the Old Gods of the wood. moutain, and stream (the druidic faith) rather than the new gods of the South. He can often be found meditating before the weirwood at the heart of the Godswood in Winterfell Castle, or seeking wisdom and peace from his family's ancestors in the House Stark crypt beneath Winterfell. His statue and tomb are already prepared there for the day that he will join his ancestors. Until then he will uphold justice, law and honor in the North in his family's name.
Lord Stark's favored weaponm his family's legacy weapon - Ice - a giant claymore (two-handed greatsword) forged of Valyrian Steel. Many ancient spells are laid into the blade which glitters like black ice and is always supernaturally sharp. The sword cleaves through flesh, wood, stone, and steel alike. The sword is as old as his family and every King or Lord of Winterfell has borne it since the beginning of House Stark.
When Lord Stark would see justice done - and orders some criminals death according to the laws of the King and man - he believes that the Lord commanding the death sentence owes it to the accused to look him in the face and carry out the sentence himself. Then Lord Stark calls for Ice and justice is delivered swift and sharp. He has never needed a second blow.
At the start of the campaign Lord Stark is in grieving for the death of his first son and heir Rob Stark during a hunt in the wilds of the North around WInterfell where he was tragically gored by a great dire stag. He also fears to leave his family and home to travel south to Waterdeep and become the new Hand of the King, but he feels he must to uncover the truth of the death of his mentor and old Hand of the King, Lord John Arryn of the Eyrie as well as to save the king and the 7 Kingdoms from the influence of the Lannister Queen Cersei and her family.
Lord Stark's children have all taken dire wolf pups as pets and companions. The common folk say they are a gift from the Old Gods. The pups were the litter of the Dire Wolf who died in combat against the great Dire Stag that also slew Rob Stark, Lord Eddard's son and heir. The common people mutter under their breaths about a sign...the dire wolf is the symbol of House Stark and the stag is the symbol of House Baratheon. Bad times must be coming...the signs do not bode well.... and winter is coming....
hs wife: Catelyn Stark -originally from House Tully of the Trident (the Riverlands). Catelyn was supposed to be wed to Lord Eddard's brother Brandon, but upon his death at the hands of the Mad Dragon King Aerys Targaryen, she was as tradition dicates wed to his brother Eddard instead. She has come to love Eddard and give him 5 children who are the most important thing in her life. Catelyn is a stately woman in the fullness of her beauty (mid30's). She has the long auburn hair of the Tully's and folows her old family's words "Family, Duty Honor". She feels betrayed and threatened by Lord Stark's raising of his bastard Dasha Snow in her household, and of his "adoption" of the drow exile, Aldepris Snow. She resents them both. Catelyn worships the new Gods of the South in particular Eldath, Llira, Lathander, and Siamorphe). To show his love for her, Eddard has even built a small sept to the new Gods in Winterfell where his wife can worship her gods. Her sister is Lady Lyssa Arryn of the Eyrie, the widow of the old Hand John Arryn. Her father is the aging Lord Hoster Tully of the Riverlands and the Trident. Her brother Edmure Tully is the heir to the Riverlands and the Trident.
His children:
Rob Stark(deceased) a dutiful lad of 16 and once heir to WInterfell and the North. He would have made a good lord, all agree. He took after his mother with her gentle features and auburn hair, but had the strength and temperment of his father. He died in a tragic hunting accident in the wilds of the North outside WInterfell where he was gored by a great Dire Stag. The common folk whisper at the strange death at the hands of this mystical beast and comment on how the stag is the symbol of House Baratheon and the King...
Sansa Stark - a maid of 12, a beautiful younger version of her mother, Sansa is the perfect young lady, doing her needlework, playing the harp, and dreaming ok knights and romance. An innocent waiting to be shattered by the harsh reality of life...Her dire wolf is even named "Lady" and it acts as well-behaved as her.
Arya Stark - a young girl of 9 who takes after her father with dark hair and a "horsey" long face. Arya is a tomboy. She hates being a "young lady" and would rather be out in the woods, getting into trouble, getting dirty, and talking to commoners than sitting safe in the castle and doing needlework and drinking tea and eating cake and listening to romantic tales and songs. Arya and Sansa do not get along at all. Arya's wolf is named Nymeria after a famed warrior queen of Chessenta and is as wild as her master. Lately Aldepris whom she adores as a real older brother has started training her in the use of rapier and dagger.
Bran Stark - a young boy of eight. Bran is inquisitive and MUST always climb. He knows the secret rooftops, crypts, and passages of ancient and large Winterfell better than anyone. He dreams of being a knight and slaying dragons and winning tournaments. He is shattered by the death of his older brother and unprepared for his knew status as the heir to Winterfell and the North. His dire wolf is named Summer. He admires and hangs around his father's new knight and swordsman the half-ogre (wereboar) Gundarr Stagsbane.
Rickon Stark - is a young unformed boy of 4 prone to wild emotions, rages, and temper tantrums. He named his dire wolf "Shaggy Dog". He must grow fast because "Winter is Coming".....
Dasha Snow - the sixteen-year-old half-elven bastard child of Lord Eddard Stark. Against his wife's wishes Eddard insisted on raising her as his own child in his own household. As a bastard she cannot take his name or inhereit Winterfell (only a King can proclaim the removal of the taint of bastardy and allow a bastard to claim inheiritance) and is given the surname of every bastard borne in the North - Snow. Dasha is loved by her father and brothers but loathed by the Lady Catelyn who feels threatened by her and haunted by her husband's betrayal adn affair which Dasha represents. As such she has grown up a quiet, serious, and introspective youth, somewhat outside the affairs of her family. Dasha has always had a great love for the cold wild lands of the North. Upon reaching the age of adulthood (16) she so despaired of the strained realations in the Stark household that she begged to go north with her beloved uncle Benjen and become a member of the Night's Watch like him. Lord Eddard reluctantly agreed. Lady Catelyn Stark was overjoyed and elated to see Dasha gone from the household. Dasha was unprepared for the reality of the Night's Watch - being manned mostly by criminals (rapists, thieves, murderers, adn debtors) who take an oath to serve on the Wall for life in order to receive a pardon for their crimes. As the only woman on the wall, she feels disgust for the reality of the Night's Watch and has begun to dount her decision. SHe is nearing the end of her training and soon must decide whetehr to take the oaths of the Night Watch or not. On the wall, however, she has found a connection with the cold wilds of the North adn the Old Gods (druidic faith) and is developing the mystical powers of a druid untrained, even as she trains to be a ranger of the Night's Watch. Her wolf's name is Ghost (he is the only albino of the litter)
Aldepris Snow - a hundred year old (?) young dark elven exile who fled to the surface with the elven (gloura) bard Luna from Menzoberranzan, the terrible drow city hidden deep in the Underdark beneath Winterfell. The drow were thought to be a legend and myth in Winterfell until the arrival of Aldepris. His history is shrouded in mystery and neither he nor Luna will speak of their travails in Menzoberranzan or their escape from the Underdark, but the story must be terrifying. Aldepris was in training to be a weapons master in the drow fighter's academy for his House Vandree (the 17th House of Menzoberranzan) in the drow city and showed great promise and an almost mystical ability to weave the steel blades in his hands when something he refuses to speak of happened. He and luna conspred to flee Menzoberranzan and had a harrowing escape through the enless maze of tunnels to the surface. Soon upon emerging from the underdark in a frigid blizzard on the surface, the two lost their way (and the entrance to the Underdark) and stumbled upon a human child beset on all sides by barbarians. Something stirred in Aldepris and he entered the fray and slew all seven of the wildlings. Then Lord Stark appeared on the scene and Aldepris discovered he had saved the life of the young son of the human lord of the lands on the surface world above Menzoberranzan. Lord Stark was so grateful he took Aldepris into his household as a "Snow" and apprentice weapons master (to Lady Catelyn's horror). He has never had cause to regret their decision - Aldepris has since served House Stark loyally and with zeal. But his drow nature grows in him and creates a conflict with the ethics of his new found family. He feels guilt and responsibility for the death of Rob Stark who was gored by a dire stag in a hunt recently. He has taken to secretly training the young daughter Arya Stark whom he has a connection with to use the rapier and dagger.His dire wolf is named Gromph after the drow archmage of Menzoberranzan who Aldepris secretly admired. His chosen fighting style features the long and short swords. He also trains to be a ranger and huntsman to familiarize himself with the savage cold North of his foster family.
Lord Stark's siblings:
Brandon Stark (deceased) Lord Eddard Starks older brother who was already a great knight, betrothed to marry Catelyn Tully, and executed gruesomely with his father by the Mad Dragon king Aerys Targaryen when then rode south to Waterdeep to plead for the return of his sister, Lyanna Stark. The young Eddard was unprepared to become the new Lord of Winterfell but matured quickly into a capable if grim Lord and married Catelyn Tully in his brothers place. Eddard admires Brandon and misses him to this day.
Benjen Stark - Lord Eddard's handsome adventurous younger brother at 36. Benjen ,as the third son, followed family tradition and took the black - swearing to serve as a member of the Night's Watch on the Wall for life. He is famed as the best ranger on the Wall and the wildling and orc tribes fear his name. He has taken Lord Stark's bastard half-elven daugther under his wing. He regards her as the daughter he can never have becasue of his oaths and is training her to become a ranger of the Night's Watch.
Lyanna Stark (deceased) Lord Eddard's beautiful and gentle sister. She was betrothed to marry Robert Baratheon but then something happened and she was captured by Prince Rheagar Targaryent he Dragon Prince who was obcessed with her. This sparked the civil war against the Targaryen's. She is known to have loved the blue winter roses that grow only in the North. Lord Eddard found her on her deatbed when Robert slew Prince Rhaegar and Waterdeep was finally taken. She made Lord Eddard promise to keep a great secret right before she died that he keeps and which haunts him to this day....
Lord Stark's wards:
Ophelia de Stormweather -17 year-old daughter and heir to house de Stormweather a rich noble family from Waterdeep who deals in shipping and trade. The (now deceased father to Ophelia) the Comtess Mintos de Stormweather and Lord Eddard Stark were good friends and companions in arms against the defeated rebellion of Lord Balon Greyjoy of Ruathym, Luskan, and the Iron Islands. To cement the ties between their two houses Lord Stark took Ophelia as his ward to bring her up away from the wicked intrigues of the City of Splendors. Ophelia grew into a beautiful and capable noble under the tutelage of the Stark's but secretly longed for the wealth and intrigues of Waterdeep and chaffed under the strict morals of Lord Eddard. Lord Eddard tried to treat her as his own dauther but she remained distant and foreign to him. Ophelia got on well with the Lady Cattelyn Stark however and there was word of wedding the future Comtessa to Rob Stark before Rob's death.House Stark had much to gain with House de Stormweather's great merchant fleet and trading connections in Waterdeep which could be used to ship the many natural resources of the North and enrich both families.Then Ophelia's father Mintos recently died (her mother many years ago died in childbirth) and his consort, Lara, has used treachury and her ties with House Lannister to claim that the Comtess Mintos de Stormweather meant to make her his heir instead of his own daughter (Lara claims that Ophelia is not really Mintos's daughter but the result of the adultery of Mintos's wife who is not alive to defend herself). The Lannisters assistted Lara in this just to deny the Stark's an ally (Ophelia) in Waterdeep. Ophelia has accepted the hospitality and protection of Lord Stark who is trying to convince the King to return the ownership of House de Stormweather to Ophelia, but she realizes that there is little chance unless Lord Stark does become the Hand of the King AND succeeds in the courts of Waterdeep were he has no money, influence, power or friends. Seeing the writing on the wall and being nothing if not pragmatic, Ophelia has begun making secret overtures to the Lannisters (Queen Cersei) in the hopes of regaining her house and inheiritance through their goodwill - something that may involve betraying Lord Eddard Stark who raised her as his ward. Ophelia does not even flinch at the thought. She is proud, selfish, clever, and ambitious and will sacrifice anything to regain House de Stormweather, her rightful inheiritance. Ophelia uses her beauty, cunning, knowledge of the ways of the noble courts, and her incerdible ability to manipulate people to her advantage whenever possible. She gets on well with Sansa Stark who treats her as an older sister and with the Lady Catelyn. Ophelia had become addicted to one of the many drugs that flood the streets of Waterdeep and relied on the Master of Coin of House Stark and rogue, Sylvio Varra, to supply her with the drug in the isolated frontier city of Winter's Edge. Recently however Ophelia has fallen under the sway of a dark power that presents itself as Ophelia's future self and "advises" her on the proper path to power and reclaim her inheiritance if she will just do what it says. Ophelia is smart enough to realize that something very wrong is going on, but recognises power when she sees it - and her ambition tells her to play along for now and use the "dark power " to her advantage and then simply walk away from it when she no longer needs it. Ophelia tells herself she that would sell her soul to regain what is rightfully hers, and she may in truth do just that if she is not careful....Ophelia is pale, cold, and beautiful and has the blood of the ancient spirits of the seas that comingled with her ancestors in her veins. As such, she has a longing for the sea that is matched only by her longing for power and exhinits strange and supernatural powers over both the sea and over people's minds and desires. House de Stormweather is traditional enemies with House Greyjoy whom they regard (justly) as pirates, reavers, and raiders. The deStormweather words seemingly echo the Stark's "The Tide is Rising....":
Theon Greyjoy- 17 year old son and heir of Lord Balon Greyjoy of Ruathym, Luskan, and the Iron Islands. Lord Balon Greyjoy attempted a rebellion against King Robert Baratheon 10 years ago that was defeated. House Greyjoy was crushed and their castle leveled. Lord Eddard Stark, the Comtesse Mintos de Stormweather, and Thoros of Thay, a Red Priest of Kossuth in Robert's Court, were all heroes in the storming of the Greyjoy Islands. As part of the surrender and peace treaty that enabled Lord Balon Greyjoy to keep his throne was the condition that Theon, Lord Balon's heir, be raised as a "ward" by Lord Eddard Stark in Winterfell (in reality a hostage to his father's good behavior). Lord Eddard tried to raise Theon as his son, but the blood of the reavers of the sea, the salt and iron, flows too strong in his veins. Theon grew into a handsome, always laughing, and capable youth although he is also arrogant, lecherous, ambitious, proud, and cruel. He also has a very black sense of humor. Theon regarded Rob Stark as almost a real brother, but his emotional connection to the Stark Household was cut with Rob Stark's death. Theon is a skilled hunter and deadly with bow and longsword. He is slight of build but muscular and has dark grey eyes and long steel-grey hair. The Greyjoy words are "We Do Not Sow", referring to the fact that the reavers of the sea do not farm, but raid and take what they need from others instead. Theon recently acquired a long scar on the left side of his face in the capture of the wildingl raider, the Weeper, that has made him somehat more sobre and somber. He longs to return to the Iron Islands and claim his birthright (and to escape the strict tutelage of Lord Eddard Stark). He regards Aldepris Snow as a monster and natural rival in the Stark hosuehold.
Lord Stark's Household retainers:
Varryn Poole - serious and capable Castellan of Winterfell with minor nble blood and long drooping moustaches. (46 years old)
Jeyne Poole - attractive 13 year old brunette daughter of Varryn Poole. She is friend, compnion, and lady-in-waiting to Sansa Stark.
Ser Rodrick Cassel - old knight, minor noble and loyal sworn sword of Winterfell. Lord' Stark's most trusted companion.Long drooping moustache, lonsword, and lance.(51years old)
Jory Cassel - clean shaven younger brother of Ser Rodrick Cassel and weapons master of Winterfell. He is grim, serious and very skilled with blades. He has never taken a kinght's vows, preferring to concentrate on his martial skills rather than the courtesies of knighthood which he mocks.(37years old). He regards Aldepris Snow as the strange son he will never have and is training him as his succesor.
Septon Chayle - old priest of Lathander who serves as the priest in teh sept of the new Gods in Winterfell that Lord Eddard had built for Catelyn. He is an old preaching evangelist but also kind and caring. He constantly strives to convert the Lord Eddard Stark and these "heathens" in the North to worship of the new Gods but is good-natured about it. He is lyal to House Stark and especially to the Lady Catelyn.
Old Nan - storyteller and once a wet nurse, she was old even when Eddard Stark was young. Now she is positively ancient. SHe remebers much and loves to tell stories of the old days. Great-grandmother to Hodor.
Hodor - simple-minded(retarded) and giant stable boy. Great-granson of Nan. The only word he speaks is Hodor (which people have taken to calling him as his name)
Joseth - ,mster of horse and stable
Bandy and Shyra - twin 15 year old daughters of Joseth
Gage - the enormous and tyrannical but very skilled Master of the Kitchens (cook)
Turnip - a young pot girl and scullion in the Kitchens, friend of Bianca
Farlen - Kennlemaster of Winterfell (he is a good houndmaster but refuses to have anything to do with the dire wolves which he regards as unnatural monsters)
Palla - an eleven year old kennel girl
Dain Ironfoot - shield dwarven weaponsmith and armorer of Winterfell originally from Mithral Hall. His trading caravan were slain to a dwarf by orc raiders from beyond the Wall. Lord Eddard Stark and his men arrived only in time to save Dain (the thirteen dwarves had already slain 117 orcs in falling). He swore that he owes Lord Eddard Stark a lifedebt and has served faithfully eversince. He is missing his right foot (as a result of the battle with the orcs) and wears an ironfoot in its place. His real clan name is Foehammer but he has foresaken it to serve Lord Stark. He has a great braided and forked flaming red beard and wields a great dwarven warhammer. He is a very skilled smith and capable of forging masterwork weapons and armor.
Maestar Luwin - very old loyal and trusted advisor to House Stark (78 yaears old) He is about to retire and turn over duties to his apprentice Calmus.
Hallis Mollen - captain of the guard for Winterfell
Some Guardsmen of Winterfell - Jacks, Quent, Shadd, Hayhead, Skittrick, Alebelly, Poxy Tym, Desmond, Sergeant Allyn, Wyl, Holor
Cayn - Steward for Wintersfell
Lord Sylvio Varra - Master of the Coin of Winterfell, Heir to the Hornswood, Rogue extrordinare
Ser Gundarrh Stagsbane -half-ogre knight and hero of Winterfell, mightiest of Winterfell's warriors
Luna Leanhaun - Bard of Winterfell
Maester Calmus - (originally of House Wands of Waterdeep) apprentice Maester soon to take over the reigns as trusted advisor and maester to House Stark of Winterfell
(I will expand on the last 4 later)
The Lords of the North sworn to Winterfell and House Stark: a wild and independent lot, Lord Stark has won their respect through his strength and justice and many are fanatically loyal to Winterfell ( a few are not - the Dreadfort historically in particular). Many are "lords" in name only and refer to themselves by their traditional wild native titles such as the various mountain clans close to the Wall and the Spine of the World.
It is sold of the 3 Baratheon borhters that Robert is the only true steel. Stannis is iron - hard but brittle, and Renly is gold - beautifula and valuable but soft)
Renamed.
