Players Guide to the Grimdowns

Note: This contains some metagame information. No major plot points or secrets are revealed, but it may reveal the nature of the foes you may face. It is a summary of information the characters will uncover as they go, and may be used as a “Session Zero” introduction to the locale and plot.

Previously: The party was sent to retrieve the vial of blood, as it was supposed to have great importance to their work in uncovering and documenting the current state of the ancient Riverdan ruling family lineages.

Overview of the Athla Hill Country

World Location: Duchy of Dunstrand, Riverdans, Riverdan of Bondeu, Athla Hills

Total Population: 1,650 approx. Only about 400 in scattered farmsteads on the other side of the river from Athlapoole total since the Grimdowns effect the last 50 years. Currently on the east side of the river it is down to about 150 – almost all in Athlapoole – as more people leave each week.

No one goes into the Athla Hill Country much any more. For the last couple generations (about 50 years), it’s slowly been claimed by strange occurrences, all beginning with the dead walking… and dancing! Monsters, fogs, terrifying sounds, and dire portents have ensured the population dwindled and its relevance has been negligible for a decade, though the area affected has not grown for a dozen or more years either. Now it is referred to as The Grimdowns. Only Athlapoole is left, most of the rest of the population is gone. The hill country is littered with abandoned villages, slowly being overtaken by nature.

Athlapoole – Hub of the Athla Hill Country

Population: 480 approx. Only about 140 in town itself now, since the Grimdowns effect has driven people out for the last 50 years.

Rulership: Mayor (Semits family)

The Athla Hill Country has no “capital” per se, but all trade flows down to Athlapoole. It is a small town at the confluence of the Ruada Spur and Athla rivers, just south of where the spur joins the Athla, which is spanned by the Rudrae Bridge. There was a modest sized pool formed by the currents, which was expanded somewhat by the residents (before the Nanford changed course) to create a small harbor with a couple docks for trade traffic to send to the Nanford. Now it is only for the river tributaries. Boats are available for rent – but expensive in case they are not brought back. There are three roads that converge in an open market area (now virtually unused) on the west side of town. The river road over the bridge enters through an open gate in a basic wooden palisade. The small town can hold a population of about 500.