Locations#

Places the party has visited or learned about.

Buckledown Row#

• Type: Street / district
• Region: Inside Drakkenheim, east of the crater, roughly a quarter mile south of the Drann River
• Status: Controlled territory (Queen’s Men)

A street of ramshackle taverns and makeshift barricades deep inside Drakkenheim, controlled by the Queen’s Men. Rough-shod fences block off the muddy street from the surrounding ruins; crudely built bridges stretch between rooftops; crooked streetlamps glow in the mist. The atmosphere is rowdy but self-regulating — all five gangs operating here follow the Queen’s rules, and in return they enjoy an unusual degree of safety from the city’s monsters.

Entry is guarded by bugbear bruisers at the gate, with sharpshooters on the rooftops. Visitors invoking Blackjack Mel’s name (or another recognized contact) are waved through.

The Queen’s Dues#

To operate in Buckledown Row — or to make initial contact with the Queen — drop 100 gold into the ancient moss-covered well on the terrace behind Smee’s Palace. A skeleton nailed to a nearby tree bears a sign reading “Make a Wish.” Dues are 100 gold per month.

Establishments#

The Fighting Pits#

Beneath Smee’s Palace, accessible via a staircase behind the bar. Underground fight club; bettors ring the pit and bookies circulate taking wagers. A medic (human woman) and her gnomish assistant stand by to stabilize fallen fighters. Notable pit fighters:

• Bloodhound — Hobgoblin, Howling Dogs; fights bare-chested; hasn’t lost in the party’s observation
• Mamba Jones — Halfling assassin, Catacomb Cobras; near-undefeated; possibly uses poison
• Dorian Dare — Wounded Hearts’ champion; defeating him is required to join the Wounded Hearts

Log

• Session 2
  • Mentioned by Blackjack Mel; not yet visited
• Session 5
  • First visited; party explored all five gang taverns
  • Cory paid the Queen’s initial dues (100 gold + note into the well) — completing the Contact the Queen quest
  • Margareta performed stand-up comedy at Smee’s Palace open mic; earned 18 gold
  • Heda met Rose at the Old Imperial; discussed joining the Rose and Thorns
  • Party watched pit fights: Bloodhound and Mamba Jones bouts

Camp Dawn#

• Type: Military camp
• Region: Northeast of Emberwood Village
• Status: Safe (Silver Order base)

Base of operations for High Flamekeeper Ophelia Reed and the Silver Order knights.

Log

• Session 2
  • Mentioned by Ophelia Reed; not yet visited. Heda told to return here with the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio.

Chapel of Saint Brenna#

• Type: Chapel / Sacred Flame holy site
• Region: About 1 mile north on Champion’s Way, then a quarter mile west; in the outer city
• Status: Cleared — scepter recovered; mephits still in residence in the undercroft

A deteriorating chapel rises atop a small hillock in a desolate residential borough. Despite heavy damage, its dome slate roof still rises above the surrounding townhouses. One of the two cylindrical towers flanking the arched double door entrance has collapsed entirely; the other still contains a spiral staircase going both up and down. A small stone terrace with benches and a sundial connects to a walled garden behind.

The chapel was dedicated to Saint Brenna, the founding flame keeper of this congregation. It predates the split between the Silver Order and the Followers of the Falling Fire, so the books and texts inside reflect the older, unified tradition.

Sanctuary (Ground Floor)#

Three alcoves hold large statues:

• North: Saint Tarna, holding steadfast against a massive two-headed demon with tentacle arms. Inscription: “Saint Tarna holds silver truth that opens the way to the healing light of the sacred flame.”
• East: Saint Vitruvio, stoic in plate armor — the patron saint of Drakkenheim
• West: Saint Brenna, shown performing the miracle of resurrection

At the heart of the sanctuary is a three-tiered stone altar with a large bronze brazier (petrified wood and ashes within). Prayer benches, a small altar box, a silver ewer, and three vials of anointed oils remain. Spell scrolls were left on the altar: Bless, Fairy Fire, 2x Continual Flame.

Frescoes of saints and martyrs cover the walls. The roof reeks of bitumen/wax from decades of candle smoke.

Undercroft (Crypt)#

The spiral staircase descends past a locked iron portcullis to the main undercroft — rows of alcoves filled with urns, clay pots, and painted vases. Niches in three central pillars hold human skulls with half-melted candles. Iron chandeliers and candelabras burn with magical purple-green and octarine hues. A peculiar breeze stirs small dust devils through the space.

Residents: Three mephits have sheltered here for approximately two years — a magma mephit, a smoke mephit, and a dust mephit. They were sent on a suicidal Amethyst Academy scouting mission and fled to safety. They are harmless and ask only that the portcullis be locked behind visitors.

Two heavy oak doors lead east. Each is opened by a rotating metal pedestal mechanism (strength athletics check required; door must be held open continuously). Both pedestals must be operated simultaneously to open the lower Dragon Door.

Preparation Chamber (East Wing)#

A circular stone font of fresh holy water. Inscription: “May the sacred flame keep vigil over the souls of our revered dead.”

Five murals depict the Sacred Flame funeral rites: (1) washing the body, wrapping in linen, collecting weapon/shield/helm; (2) placing body on slab with holy symbol and gemstones on each eyelid; (3) anointing with holy water; (4) lighting candles; (5) reading from scroll while joined in hymn.

Worn shelves hold vials, tools, dusty scrolls, and linens.

Sarcophagus Chamber (East, First Level Down)#

Six stone slabs bearing preserved skeletal remains of Sacred Flame paladins and clerics. Bodies are prepared with tattered cloth, silk sashes over the eyes, and hold torches and candle snuffers. Disturbing the remains causes them to reanimate. Performing the full funeral rite (using holy water, replacing items, lighting candles, reciting a hymn) properly lays them to rest permanently.

One sarcophagus held a +1 greatsword with celestial runes (“No darkness is eternal while our faith fuels the flame”) — recovered by the party.

Inner Sanctum / Dragon Door (Deepest Level)#

Stone door engraved with a majestic dragon, same inscription as the greatsword. Opens when both pedestal mechanisms are operated simultaneously.

Inside: a large pyre (now lit) and a statue of Saint Vitruvio with hands raised to the heavens, bearing the Scepter. The scepter requires the bearer to be illuminated (fairy fire, continual flame, or similar) and to recite the Sacred Flame prayer before it can be lifted.

Saint Brenna’s Crypt (Deep, Old Passage)#

A rougher, more ancient passage leads further down to Saint Brenna’s sealed burial chamber — a single stone slab surrounded by candelabras. Her mummified body rested here until disturbed; she reanimated as a tormented undead when the door was opened. She has since been defeated and her body left at rest.

Log

• Session 6
  • Party fully explored; recovered Scepter of Saint Vitruvio and +1 greatsword
  • Saint Brenna defeated; mephits spared and given ball bearings; portcullis re-locked as promised
  • Falling Fire acolytes (led by Brother Katja Braun) were present at the entrance

Cosmological Clock Tower#

• Type: Landmark / Tower
• Region: Market Square, Drakkenheim city center
• Status: Unknown (deep inside the haze)

A grand clock tower at the heart of Market Square. One of the few landmarks visible from the city’s outskirts. Its “cosmological” mechanism likely tracks celestial or magical cycles in addition to ordinary time.

Now believed to be home to a group of harpies.

Log

• Session 2
  • Observed from afar as one of the major landmarks of Drakkenheim
• Session 3
  • A harpy encountered on Shepherd’s Way invited the party to meet her group here: “If you ever change your mind, meet us at the cosmological clock tower. We will be waiting for you there.”

Drakkenheim#

• Type: Ruined city
• Region: Central
• Status: Extremely dangerous

A once-great city destroyed by a meteor fifteen years ago. Now covered in a purple haze (octarine glow) and crawling with mutated creatures. The source of delerium.

Key Landmarks#

• Castle Drakken — Imposing fortress perched on a high rocky hill above the city
• Amethyst Academy Tower — Obsidian glass tower, broken in half at the middle, but the top still hovers above in defiance of gravity
• St. Vitruvio’s Cathedral — Great domed cathedral, prominently southwest of the castle
• Market Square Clock Tower — Cosmological clock tower at the heart of the city
• Drann River — Four bridges cross it; one is covered in massive stone statues, another lurches under ramshackle buildings
• Inner City — Most dangerous, walled, where the crater is
• St. Selena’s Monastery — Near the crater
• Chapel of St. Brenna — Another holy site
• Buckledown Row — Queen’s Men territory
• The Scar — Dwarf mining operation on the far side

Conditions#

• The Haze limits visibility to about 60 feet
• No long rests possible inside the city
• Travel encounters rolled on a d12; advantage outside the city walls
• The city has not seen a clear day in fifteen years

Log

• Session 1
  • Mentioned by Eren Marlowe and others; not yet entered
• Session 2
  • Party saw the city for the first time from a ridge to the north at dawn
  • First entered the outskirts; fought ratlings, zombies, and dregs
  • Harvested delerium (2 fragments, 13 chips) and monster parts

Eckerman Mill#

• Type: Mill
• Region: Northwest of Drakkenheim
• Status: Safe (Amethyst Academy meeting point)

About four hours’ journey from Emberwood Village (skirting outside the city). River uses this as a discreet meeting location for academy business.

A dilapidated windmill atop a lonely hill. Its stone base is covered in moss and ivy, the rotting wooden walls riddled with holes. The blades still spin softly but the machinery is damaged beyond repair. Scattered about the mill are remnants of countless expeditions: a bonfire pit, tattered tents, abandoned bedrolls, and battered cookware.

The walls are covered in chalk graffiti — names of adventurers who ventured into the ruins, many crossed out to mark those who didn’t return. Among the messages: “The noble man in his noble home, withered old and all alone. His stare can chill you to the bone — a pale man on a pale throne.”

Log

• Session 1
  • Mentioned by River; not yet visited
• Session 2
  • First visited. Party explored the graffiti and found the riddle about “a pale man on a pale throne.”
  • River met the party here and tasked them with proving themselves in the city.
  • Used as a rest point between forays into Drakkenheim.

Emberwood Village#

• Type: Village
• Region: Just south of Drakkenheim
• Status: Safe (outside the haze)

The only functioning settlement near Drakkenheim. A haphazard collection of buildings that grew up after the meteor fell. Originally a farming town, it emptied out when crops stopped growing, then came back to life as a staging ground for adventurers.

Establishments#

Log

• Session 1
  • First visited
• Session 2
  • Party returned from first expedition into Drakkenheim. Sold monster parts and delerium, bought harvesting kits and supplies.
  • Silver Order knights and Ophelia Reed visited the Chapel.
  • Cory performed at the Gilded Lily as Corvin Steelfeather.

Hendrix Farm#

• Type: Farm
• Region: South of Emberwood Village
• Status: Safe

Where pilgrims of the Falling Fire gather. Nathaniel Flint, a Falling Fire chaplain, can be found here.

Log

• Session 1
  • Mentioned by Flamekeeper Bella; not yet visited

Rat’s Nest Tavern#

• Type: Ruined building / Ratling warren
• Region: Scrag Lane, northwest Drakkenheim, outside the inner city walls
• Status: Dangerous (ratling-controlled)

An abandoned tavern now almost entirely obliterated. The first-floor walls stand only chest-high; the roof and upper levels have collapsed into a rubble-filled crater fifteen feet wide and five feet deep. A painted sign still juts from the building across the street — a smiling obese rat lying on a plate of food.

A tunnel at the back of the crater descends into an extensive sewer and warren system below, lit by a faint ochrine (yellowish) glow from a large delerium node within. The building walls appear to breathe slightly, with eyes visible in the masonry from the corner of one’s eye. At least one creature animates or inhabits the stonework — a piece broke free revealing a mouth full of teeth and eyes in unexpected places.

The sewer warren beneath contains ratling-built barricades with sharpened logs, tripwire traps (acid pail on a pipe, spiked rolling log, spike pit), and at its deepest explored point, an inner sanctum housing a Rat God shrine: a large delerium crystal dressed as a demonic obese rat idol, surrounded by skull and bone offerings.

Petra Lang and other Hooded Lanterns are believed held somewhere in the warren.

Log

• Session 1
  • Mentioned by Ansom Lang; not yet visited
• Session 3
  • First visited. Exterior explored; party avoided a wall creature by entering a sewer grate.
  • Descended into the warren. Fought through the barricade room (killed Booger and most guards) and the inner sanctum (killed the ratling warlock and 8 conjured giant rats).
  • Found the delerium node (~2 lbs) used as the Rat God idol. Extraction began but was interrupted after ~15 minutes. Node remains in place.
  • No sign of Petra Lang in the explored sections. Warren extends further.

Saint Selena’s Monastery#

• Type: Monastery / Sacred Flame holy site
• Region: Inner city of Drakkenheim, near the crater
• Status: Active (Falling Fire presence); not yet visited

Home to Lucretia Matthias, leader of the Followers of the Falling Fire. Located within the inner city walls, making it significantly more dangerous to reach than the outer city.

Log

• Session 6
  • Brother Katja Braun confirmed the monastery is within the inner city
  • Falling Fire has offered the party a boon from Lucretia Matthias if the Scepter of Saint Vitruvio is delivered here

Key Info

• Lucretia Matthias resides here; she would personally grant a boon for returning Saint Vitruvio’s vestments
• Requires a full inner-city expedition to reach

Scrag Lane#

• Type: Street
• Region: Northwest Drakkenheim, north of Shepherd’s Way, outside the inner city walls
• Status: Dangerous

A narrow street in the northwest of Drakkenheim, running between ramshackle tenements just inside the outer walls. Home to the Rat’s Nest Tavern.

Log

• Session 3
  • First visited. Party located the Rat’s Nest Tavern sign here and descended into the sewer warren below.

Shepherd’s Gate Garrison#

• Type: Military garrison, fortified outpost
• Region: North of Emberwood Village, at the wall of the inner city
• Status: Active Hooded Lanterns stronghold, heavily fortified
• Affiliation: Hooded Lanterns

The Shepherd’s Gate Garrison is a fortified military position controlled by the Hooded Lanterns within Drakkenheim. It marks the gate through the 30-foot-high stone walls of the inner city and serves as a forward base for reclaiming order within the city and eventually retaking Castle Drakken.

Structure

• Two squat towers, approximately 60 feet tall and 40 feet in diameter, flanking the gate
• A 15-foot-wide double-portcullis gate with mechanical winches
• Barricades protecting the main entrance
• Quarters and barracks for stationed troops
• A keep serving as command center

Defense & Magic

The area beneath the garrison is shielded from the delerium haze through magical fortification—an impressive feat of defensive magic that keeps the headquarters safe from contamination.

Personnel

• Commander (name varies)
• Officers and squad leaders directing daily operations
• Troops and soldiers in Hooded Lantern cloaks and armor
• Approximately 30+ soldiers in regular rotation

Log

• Session 4: Party returned with Lieutenant Petra Lang after her rescue from the ratling warren; greeted by troops and officer, received gratitude and esteem

Connections

• Hooded Lanterns: Primary faction presence
• Emberwood Village: Southern supply base

Shepherd’s Way#

• Type: Road
• Region: Northwest Drakkenheim, entering from the city outskirts
• Status: Dangerous (open road through the haze)

The main road entering Drakkenheim from the northwest. A broad boulevard roughly 40 feet wide. Forks about half a mile in — the southern fork leads toward Scrag Lane and the Rat’s Nest Tavern.

Log

• Session 3
  • Party traveled Shepherd’s Way to reach the Rat’s Nest Tavern. Encountered a troll and harpy fighting at the fork.

The Scar#

• Type: Mining operation
• Region: Far side of Drakkenheim
• Status: Dangerous

A large delerium mining operation run by dwarves on the far side of Drakkenheim.

Log

• Session 2
  • Mentioned by Pluto; not yet visited. “I don’t know if you guys want to go there just yet.”

Tonsberg#

• Type: Town
• Region: ~3 weeks north of Drakkenheim
• Status: Safe

The party’s starting location. A large town that serves as the jumping-off point for expeditions to Drakkenheim.

Log

• Session 1
  • First visited (departure point)