Hodnet (WT2)

pop. 450–500

Overview

Hodnet straddles a bend of the Zumkend River, its stone docks, warehouses, and timber palisade projecting stability on the frontier. Once a fortified village, Hodnet now supports trade, militia, and politics, making it the second-most important settlement in Wolfsward after Rutherton. The River Riders’ Lance ensures raids are repelled, while smugglers, cultists, and spies seek to undermine its growing influence.

Places to Go (Notable Locations & Services)

The Three Lanterns (Inn & Tavern)

• Proprietor: Matron Essra Cole, respected innkeeper and fixer of disputes.
• Features: Two floors, 20 rooms, a broad common hall, and stables for 15–20 horses.
• Flavor: Merchants and militia alike gather here. Lanterns of red, gold, and green hang above the hearth, symbolizing safe passage. Meals: lamb stew, smoked fish, Zumkend cider.

The Riverlord’s Hall

• Seat of the Reeve Calder Morn, scarred veteran, appointed by Baron Thendric.
• Functions as council hall, militia barracks, and stone watchtower. Council includes Essra Cole (merchant voice), Father Branvel (clergy), and Harl Droskan (dwarven distiller).
  

The River Riders’ Lance (Garrison)

• Captain Jorlan Veck commands 25 cavalry (lancers) and 25 foot militia.
• Facilities: small stone tower, parade ground, stables, armory, mess hall.
• They patrol river crossings and escort caravans.

Smiths’ Row

• Torren Blackfist (dwarven weaponsmith).
• Halwin & Maelra Brond (cartwrights & farriers).
• Apprentices’ Forge trains orphans as smiths and soldiers.

Dockside Market & Warehouses

• Imports: salt, amber, southern wine.
• Exports: wool, Zumkend Red (dwarven spirit), smoked fish, grain.
• Nella Ryn, a fisher-trader, quietly runs smuggling routes.

Shrine of St. Cuthbert

• Father Branvel, stern priest, delivers justice and sermons. Known for blunt fairness.
• Used for open trials and public discipline.

Riverside Distillery – The Droskan Works

• Expanded dwarven distillery producing Zumkend Red, now exported widely.
• Harl Droskan, jovial patriarch, worries smugglers are copying his casks.

The Waterroot Niche — Herbal Remedies & River Lore

Established in the Dockside Market in the southern cluster of shops opposite Three Lanterns Inn, The Waterroot Niche is a shop that smells of steeped bark, cold clay, and sage smoke. The structure appears to be a converted fishing cabin, reinforced with stacked stone and beams made from drift pine. Inside, rows of bundled herbs hang from rafters, and Kaelen keeps a thick, hand-inked herbal journal on the counter at all times.

Kaelen is reserved but respectful, with ink-stained fingertips, a long traveling coat, and a silver-threaded braid behind one ear.

Kaelen Draymoor

Half-Elf Male, Herbalist & Lorekeeper (Neutral Good)
Medium humanoid (half-elf), level 3 Expert / level 1 Druid

• Armor Class: 12 (padded cloak, cautious reflexes)
• Hit Points: 31 (4d8 + 8)
• Speed: 30 ft.

---

🛠️ Abilities

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
10	12	14	13	16	11

• Saving Throws: Wis +5, Con +4
• Skills: Medicine +7, Nature +5, Survival +5, Herbalism Kit +7, Arcana +4
• Tools: Herbalism Kit, Calligrapher’s Supplies
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
• Languages: Common, Elvish, Flan, Druidic (rare knowledge)

---

✨ Traits

• Field Binder. When Kaelen uses a healer’s kit or herbal remedy, the creature also gains 1d4 temp HP.
• Riverwise Roots. Advantage on Medicine or Survival checks near rivers, marshes, or swamps.
• Half-Elf Resilience. Advantage on saves against being charmed; immune to magical sleep.

---

🍃 Spellcasting (Druid 1)

• Spell Save DC: 13 | Spell Attack Mod: +5
• Spells Known:
  • Cantrips (at-will): Guidance, Druidcraft
  • 1st Level (2 slots): Cure Wounds, Entangle

---

📚 Equipment

• Herbal satchel with 5 known herbs (see Waterroot Niche)
• Bone-handled herb shears, waxed scroll case, driftwood raven token
• Pouch with 22 gp, 1d4 rare herb samples

---

Herbalist Shop Common Stock

• Whitebark Tea Kit (3 doses) – 5 gp
  Brew into tea to heal 1d4 HP and cure fatigue. Gentle, earthy, works best with honey.
  [Gather DC 10]
• Bitternight Extract (3 doses) – 3 gp
  Weak but effective poison. Ingested; DC 10 Con save or take 1d4 poison damage.
  Used more often for trap-baiting than assassination.
  [Gather DC 10]

Uncommon Stock

• Blightcap Powder (2 doses) – 12 gp
  A mushroom-based powder. DC 13 Con save or suffer the Poisoned condition for 1 hour. Often brewed into false “tavern cures” or used in sabotage.
  [Gather DC 15]

Rare Stock (Limited – 1 dose/week)

• Rose of Saint Cuthbert Salve (1 dose) – 30–40 gp
  A powerful healing balm, prepared only under starlight. Heals 2d4+2 HP.
  Kaelen will only sell this to proven locals, defenders of Hodnet, or those who offer a rare herb in trade.
  [Gather DC 20]

Legendary (Quest Only)

• Heartseed Shavings (1 dose) – Not for sale
  Used in ancient Flan rites. Ritual preparation grants a permanent +1 to max HP per character level.
  Requires sacred site, elder participation, and a full moon.
  [Gather DC 30]

---

Services Offered

Service	Description	Cost
Poultice Assembly	Converts gathered herbs into usable adventurer kits	2–5 gp
Field Dressing	Restores 1d4 HP and advantage on next death save (non-magical)	10 gp
Herb Identification	Names, lore, and alchemical compatibility	1–3 gp
Flan Spiritual Remedy	May allow visions, remove fright or sleep curses	15 gp or barter

The Old Orchard

• Apple and plum orchards east of town. Supposedly haunted at night, but more likely used by fey pranksters or smugglers.

People to See (NPCs)

• Essra Cole (Innkeeper): Matron, manipulates civic politics quietly.
• Reeve Calder Morn (Town Reeve): Ex-soldier, stern, obsessed with defense.
• Captain Jorlan Veck (Garrison Commander): Disciplined knight, respects capable adventurers.
• Torren Blackfist (Weaponsmith): Gruff dwarf, sympathetic to PCs.
• Father Branvel (Priest of St. Cuthbert): Hard, uncompromising cleric.
• Brenn Droskan (Distiller): Jovial but shrewd, proud of Zumkend Ruby.
• Nella Ryn (Trader/Smuggler): Ambitious fisher-trader, torn between coin and loyalty.
• Kaelen Draymoor (Herbalist): He runs an herbalist shop and is a good listener for those who have seen too much.