Village Backdrop: Kingsfell

Standing hard against the River Ost, Kingsfell is seemingly a tranquil and prosperous village on a well-travelled trade route. However, the village stands on the site of a long-forgotten battlefield and not all the dead rest easily in their graves. Strangely, while the paladin—and lady of the village—Mira Lankinen, the scion of an ancient line, keeps watch over her lands, a subtle unease shrouds the village. Strangers sometimes arrive in Kingsfell armed with spades and picks intending to dig beneath the Kingstones, for rumours and old stories vaguely place buried treasures beneath their feet. Local laws and traditions prohibit such treasure hunting, however, and few dare to face down Mira Lankinen and her skilled, vigilant men-at-arms. Thus, so far the stones and whatever lies beneath remains undisturbed.

By Tommi Salama

Notable Locations

Most of the village comprises peasant homes. A few locations, however, are of interest to adventurers:

Redshank Mill: Here dwells the taciturn miller Riku Markku and his family. Because the Ost is a tidal river, the family keeps odd hours.
The Rat and Cup: This inn offers a homely, basic welcome to travellers. Those on a budget stay here, while the well-to-do end up at the Weary Traveller.
The Kingstones: Five carven stones of stout dwarven warriors surround a sixth regal-looking dwarf atop this burial mound.
Vigil: This towering fortress stands atop the highest of the burial mounds. Deep below its foundations lie the mouldering, jumbled bones of hundreds of orcs.
Eskola’s: This large shop has an eclectic range of goods.
The Weary Traveller: Kingsfell’s best inn, The Weary Traveller provides welcome rest to those visiting the village.
Hall of the Lawgiver: Dedicated to Conn, the hall is the spiritual heart of the village.
Heimo’s House: This large, well-appointed house overlooks much of the village. Here dwells the failed wizard and wealthy merchant Heimo Eskola and his family.
Shrine of the Shining Light: This temple of Darlen also serves as a watchtower. Few worship here beyond the Lankinens and their retainers.

Notable Folk

Most of the population are nothing more than hardworking peasants. A few, however, are of interest to adventurers:

Elren Araral (location 6; LN female dwarf wizard [diviner] 4/cleric 3) Elren has traced the legend of Thegn Delthur Werlan’s final battle to Kingsfell and is preparing to begin digging into the village’s various burial mounds.
Heimo Eskola (location 5 & 8; N male human expert 2/wizard [universalist] 1) A failed wizard, but successful merchant, Heimo is the richest commoner in the village.
Issodair Highhill (location 2; NG male halfling bard 3) The young and dynamic owner of the Rat and Cup is popular throughout the village.
Merla Shortstep (location 5; CN female halfling rogue 2/expert 1) Merla runs Eskola’s, but is less than honest; she has been skimming a small take off the top for years.
Mira Lankinen (location 4; LG female middle-aged human paladin 5) The lady of the village is beloved by her subjects.
Riku Markku (location 1; N male middle-aged human expert 2) The taciturn miller is often seen poking about in the exposed mud of the Ost’s banks, when the tide is out.
Teuvo Eerola (location 7; LN male human cleric [Conn] 3) This pompous, but well-meaning, priest leads Conn’s congregation.