Horntal

The Capital of the Stormlands, a city filled with Minotaurs.

Map

Horntal. Created by Vorlov

Locations

1. Strangers Gate

The Nothern gate ist the one that is used most often. That's most likeley the reason why it is heavily guarded at all times. The guards here can give the players information about who has entered or left the city recently. It is also the place where contracts are given to adventurers or soldiers to serve the city.

Quests:

1. Kill the Manticore: Cows and Bulls beware! The Mountain lions and their flying bretheren seem to be more aggressive this year. We keep them alive to rid us of the giant goats witch are ravaging our food supplies but it happened many times in the last weeks that our farmers where attacked and many of them died. we don't know why they seem to be more aggressive but it has to stop! They usually attack only small detachments so sending troups will not yield any success. A small and strong group would be perfect for the job. The Farmers will be gratefull. We believe they rest south of the Giants Nest north east of Horntal, just 1 and 1/2 days of travel.
2. Return Reckoner Artifacts: Two of our Reckoner Brothers did not return from their journey to Sodtstone Church Ruin so we must believe that they are dead. They investigated the swamp in the north for they believed this place has something to do with the curse of the young ones - Disappearing younglings. Your task will be to return their gear and if possible information about their demise.
3. The Flying Monster: The Stormcallers say that they have seen a flying creature during one of the recent storms near Lovers Lake. They say it disappeared shortly after. Travelers at the lake have claimed the same. They say it is a gigantic dragon that has landed there to drink before continuing its journey to the east. Others say it flew north. Others say it flew west. All of them seem to have very different memories of the sighting.
4. Kill the Traitors: There is a ship sailing in the Aschemeer filled with outlaw minotaurs. Sink the damn thing and get rid of all of them. Your king demands it. They have been seen to rest at the Hoof's Harbour Ruin a few weeks ago. Maybe there is still something to be found. These Clanless individuals will see what happens to those who deem to put themselves outside the System.
5. Holy Cow!: Just recently a hooded person has been seen fighting a cow during an earthquake east of Cloud Horde Peak on the Waterramp. The Stormcallers say that the earth itself moved where the two of them fought. It was near the river they said. Both disappeared shortly after. What has happened? Some of the tempest clerics say that this is an omen. "The Living Hills seek revenge" they say.
6. Elven Treasures: The Stomper Clan tells of a large war host far east near the east Stream on a hill. Elven horsemen have assembeld there a few months ago and are fighting the stomper clan for their territory, killing their members and burning the fields. It is said the Elves in red robes issued a command: "Return all elven treasures or find yourself at the end of my lance, beasts. Signed, Prince Dondriel, third Son of Dundrel, King of the Ruby Knights". This could mean war but this is our land. defend it with all you've got. If you want to join the war effort travel to the stompers capital in the east - The Dragonstone Arena.

2. Fort of the Stormwatch

A robust building made of sand stone at the side of the mountain is the entrance to many caves lying behind it. This building is always well guarded for it is the home of the stormwatch, the army of King Lebos.

3. The Houling Chappel

An old Chappel made of grey stone stands in the north east of the city of Horntal. Other buildings and people who live here keep a save distance of at least 100 ft. to this place. They say it is cursed and bodyless voices can be heard. It's walls still stand tall and beautifull carvings still tell storys of heroic victorys if the reader understands elvish. Magical Signs can be seen on many of the remaining walls. Inside there are many rows of benches and at the far end of the chappel there is a platform with a shining book, radiating with golden energy. Behind it stands a huge statue made of stone representing an elven soldier with a stoic facial expression. one handed Maul in the one hand and a shield in the other, eyes glowing faintly with a blue light, nearly extinguished. This must have been a holy place for the elves of Aravaile (History of the Stormlands), that much is sure.

1. The Carvings on the wall: Must understand Elvish, History Check 15. Gain one Story part of Aravaile (History of the Stormlands).
2. Magical Signs: Arcana 15. These are protective Signs of the school of summoning. They seem to react to Minotaurs and Fiends. If activated individuals of that kind within the chapel or close by have to succeed a DC 15 Wisdom Saving Throw or be paralyzed and take 2d6 radiant damage. These beings will hear cursing voices of dead elves.
3. The Book: A very heavy and large book resting on a Stone Table. Elvish + Investigation Free if elvish (No check) = The latest paragraph gives interesting information about this place: "We Noble ones, the Sunstorm three, refuse to give in to decree. A Monarchs weapon, even more? It shakes me to my Smith Hearts core! As king fell dead and dragon slayen, you became our futures bane. You fool was crowned, a promise made, not free of charge, with blood we payed. Sardior oh Sardior I cried for him the ruby tiers and you waste land on monsters fierce. You waste treasure, pride we made but you won't get your fathers blade! We will bear your curse with pride for all the honored Knights who died. For one who can not hold his bride? Who gives away instead of fight? Do you really think that's right? You're not worthy, step aside! My soul will stay as you command until your bloodline speaks the chant. Willingly in cursed grave, while I deny you're fathers blade. For Sunstorm is a Paragon, too precious for a horned one. May the red Doom find you, Gift King!" DC 16 Investigation and Elvish = Gain one Knowladge of the Aravaile History (History of the Stormlands). Nontheless, most of the ink on the other pages appear in a ghostly blue glow like it is protected by something more powerfull then mere magic. It seems like the statue. (Magical Artifact: Story of Aravaile. For every time when it is brought to the statue counterpart in Souls Rest a new Information can be gained by reading for an hour without a check). DC 20 Investigation = The Book is trapped. Lifting it up from the altar will trigger something (Three Ghosts will appear and try to ensure that the book does not leave the chappel.
4. The Statue: Insight DC 15: The Statue always seems to have a look at the book at seems more angry when it is read by people. (Stone Golem can turn to life if it has to protect the book from harm (Not if it is stolen, just harm to the book. Area of effect damage counts).

4. Everburning Giant

A gigantic statue representing a giant with a huge hammer and tools fitting for a stone maze. The statue is black from the ash of a hot burning fire surrounding the whole statue. The fire seems to be burning in a clear defined circle arround the statue, not needing any wood or other material to continue burning. The outer parts of the fire are surrounded by ash and blackened earth as if the fire originally was bigger then it is now.

Around the fire there are 4 pilars, all of the standing the same distance away from the statue, the fire and to each other. They seem to be made of white marble and show fine lines on them and statues of ravens with a beak made of ruby, all facing the giant statue in the middle.

7. Mina's Memorial

A cube like building standing on steep hill in the middle of the city. It has a large gate on the front and on each of the other sides a big window made of coloured glass, making it difficult to look into the building. It is constantly protected by reckoners and other soldiers while the commoners come here to lay down gifts like flowers and weapons. It is easaly noticable that the ground around the cube is more fertile then the rest of the valley, especially on the left side.

Just important indivuduals are allowed to step through the guarded gate. Inside there are 2 coffins, one one the left and a much bigger one on the right. In front of these coffins there are tomp stones. The one on the left reads: "Here lies Mina, Queen of the Stormlands, Sister of Lebos and Supreme Druid of the moving hills. May the afterlife grant you completion.". The The one on the right reads: "Lebos". There is a lot of space on the tomp stone like whoever build it has not yet begun to write more but already planned for some hart felt words being added at a later point in time.

8. Weather Top Temple

A huge pyramid like building made of grey stone like the surrounding mountains standing at the south, being build into the cliffs protecting the city. It's stairs, gates and rooms are enormous, showing that this building most likely was build by giants or other beings of that size. On top of the pyramide there are 4 huge pillars constantly crackling with electrical energy and every now and then lightning strikes the air around them. The Structure is partially covered in moss and other very old plants found their way to grob in the cracks showing that this building mus be ancient.

This is the home of Reckoner Clan (Minotaurs of the Stormlands) and is also the place where the current king of the Minotaurs reside - Dominos, Second Son of Lebos.

Under the pyramid there are plenty of tunnels leading deep into the earth and the mountain next to the building. Within this twisted labyrinth there are many secret rooms that are used by the Reckoners to educate their youngest aspirants, others to forge weapons and others for keeping the treasures and knowladge of the clan protected.