Connects to: 17.05, 17.07, 18.07, 29.14.44 and 40.06.
No more than eight miles separate the freeholds of the Furhoofs (17.05) and the Verlimes (17.07), and they are in more regular contact than most freeholds due to the good clear road that is built between them. Ironically this road began as a track by which the two houses would raid each others’ herds. After a serious battle was fought on the midpoint of the trail, a young Maud Verlime negotiated a treaty with the Furhoof patriarch, now long dead. Since then the families have worked together to maintain the road and the lamplighters.
Every 100 yards along the road there is a lamppost of iron, which glows with a pure white flame that was a gift from the Lady (40.06) in exchange for a great service done to her by the Furhoofs. This flame burns on little fuel, but can still be extinguished normally, which is why there are backups kept in both the freeholds and in the lamplighters’ tower at the halfway mark. Every evening the lamplighters set out from the tower to light the lamps, and every morning they return to extinguish them. The combination of iron and flame keeps at bay the monsters dwelling in the Shattered Citadel of the Verlimes (18.07), particularly the elven elementals.
Recently, one of the lampposts has been stolen, and there has been at least one report of an elemental wandering across the road late at night.
Connection:
- The thief is the halfing vampire Helged Bolger who hopes to reverse the magic of the lamp to produce darkness.
Hooks:
- Why did the Furhoofs and the Verlimes raid each other, and why did they later sign a treaty?
- What service did the Furhoofs do for the Lady?
- Who has stolen the lamppost?
- Would anyone ever try to extinguish the white flame for good?
