Hammer & Nail Smithy The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

The rhythmic clang of hammer striking hot iron can often be heard long before the smithy comes into view. The building itself is simple and functional, designed more for work than appearance. One side stands largely open to the elements, allowing heat, smoke, and sparks to escape while providing ample room for wagons and customers to move about. Soot blackens the heavy timbers overhead, and the air is perpetually thick with the scents of coal smoke, hot metal, and sweat. The forge burns from dawn until dusk, casting an orange glow that dances across the workshop's dark interior.

The smithy is operated by Taero Fuirume, a massive, broad-shouldered man whose size and strength are the subject of countless local stories. His thick arms seem almost as large as some men's legs, and years spent working at the forge have left his hands calloused and scarred. During business hours he can almost always be found standing at his anvil, hammering away with tireless determination while his two sons work nearby.

The young men tend the bellows, sort finished goods, and assist with larger projects that require several pairs of hands. Despite the demanding labor, the three work together with practiced efficiency born from years of experience.

The smithy's reputation is well earned. Taero produces sturdy, dependable goods that farmers and laborers rely upon throughout the region. Plowshares, horseshoes, nails, hinges, axes, hammers, shovels, and countless other tools emerge from his forge each week. While he possesses the skill to create weapons and armor when necessary, most of his work involves practical items needed for everyday life. Customers seeking quality craftsmanship often find themselves waiting several days for larger commissions, but few complain, knowing that Taero's work rarely disappoints. Though not particularly talkative, he listens carefully to customers and takes obvious pride in his trade.

Inside, racks of finished tools line the walls while barrels overflow with nails, spikes, and metal fittings awaiting purchase. Half-finished projects rest upon workbenches beside tongs, hammers, and other specialized implements. Sparks occasionally leap from the forge while the bellows roar like some slumbering beast awakening beneath the workshop. To visitors, the smithy appears exactly what it has always been: a hardworking family business built upon honest labor and craftsmanship. Yet beneath the familiar sounds of industry, Taero watches visitors more carefully than most realize, his dark eyes quietly measuring everyone who passes through his forge.

Temple of Wee Jas The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

The small Temple of Wee Jas stands on the outskirts of Westbridge, removed from the bustle of the market and the warmth of the village's gathering places. Constructed from dark stone rather than the timber commonly used throughout most settlements, the small temple possesses an austere beauty that many find both fascinating and unsettling. Its architecture is elegant and orderly, with carefully carved pillars, polished marble accents, and stained-glass windows depicting arcane symbols and stylized roses.

The building is meticulously maintained, and not a single weed grows within its grounds. Despite its beauty, however, most villagers rarely visit unless they have a specific reason to do so. The temple is dedicated to Wee Jas, goddess of death, vanity, and law—a combination of domains that inspires both respect and caution among the people of Westbridge.

Few residents actively dislike the goddess, and none openly oppose her worship. Instead, most simply find her portfolio difficult to understand or somewhat intimidating. Farmers, laborers, hunters, and merchants often prefer the comfort of more familiar deities whose concerns more directly affect their daily lives. As a result, the temple remains quiet for much of the year, attended by only a handful of local devotees and the occasional curious visitor. Father Abercrombie takes care of the grounds of the temple. Those who do worship at the temple tend to be scholars, scribes, magistrates, spellcasters, and individuals dealing with matters of inheritance, law, or death.

Travelers passing through Westbridge are often surprised to discover such a well-kept temple in a settlement of its size. Visiting wizards, learned clerics, and wandering sages occasionally stop to offer prayers, consult ancient texts, or pay their respects before continuing on their journeys. The temple maintains a small library containing legal records, magical treatises, and funerary texts, making it one of the more unusual repositories of knowledge in the region.

The atmosphere within the temple is peaceful but solemn. Soft candlelight reflects from polished stone floors while the scent of incense and dried roses hangs in the air. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves with dignity and respect, though they are welcomed regardless of their station. Even villagers who avoid the temple often admit that it serves an important purpose within the community. When disputes require impartial judgment, when the dead must be honored properly, or when travelers devoted to Wee Jas seek sanctuary, the temple stands ready to fulfill its role. Though rarely crowded, it remains a quiet reminder that order, knowledge, beauty, and mortality all have their place in the world.

Riverbend Stables The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

Riverbend Stables occupies a large tract of land near the northern edge of Westbridge, where the village roads begin to spread out toward the Stone Bridge and the surrounding farms. Built from sturdy oak timbers and topped with a weathered shingle roof, the stable complex consists of a main barn, several fenced paddocks, feed sheds, and a small bunkhouse for workers.

The scent of fresh hay, leather, and horses fills the air, while the sounds of nickering mounts and clattering hooves can be heard throughout the day. Travelers entering Westbridge often find the stables among the first businesses they encounter, making it an important stop for merchants, adventurers, and farmers alike. The stables are owned and operated by Garrick Stonefield, a middle-aged human whose broad shoulders, weathered face, and permanently sunburned complexion reflect a lifetime spent working outdoors. Garrick is a practical, hardworking man who speaks plainly and values honesty above nearly everything else.

While not particularly talkative, he possesses a quiet sense of humor and an exceptional understanding of animals. Few people in Westbridge know horses better than Garrick, and many locals claim he can calm even the most stubborn or frightened mount with little more than a few whispered words and a gentle touch.

Riverbend Stables provides boarding, feed, horseshoe replacement, wagon-team rentals, and basic veterinary care. Farmers regularly bring injured draft animals to Garrick for treatment, while merchants traveling the Stone Trail often leave exhausted horses in his care for a few days before continuing their journeys. The stable maintains a modest selection of riding horses, workhorses, and sturdy pack animals available for purchase or lease. Garrick employs several young stablehands from local families who assist with feeding, grooming, and cleaning, though he personally oversees every animal housed within the facility.

In recent months, the stable has become an unexpected source of rumors and concern. Several horses returning from routes near the Dim Forest have displayed unusual behavior, becoming agitated and refusing to approach certain wooded areas. Garrick himself has noticed strange tracks near some of the northern grazing fields and has lost a small number of livestock to predators larger than any wolves known to inhabit the region. Though he dismisses most wild stories told by travelers, he has quietly become convinced that something unnatural has been moving through the forests surrounding Westbridge. As a result, the stable now locks its gates earlier than it once did, and Garrick has begun keeping a loaded crossbow hanging beside his office door.

Tenements The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

Scattered throughout the village are six modest rental cottages collectively known by locals simply as the Westbridge Tenements. Unlike the crowded and often unsanitary tenements found in larger cities, these are small but respectable homes intended for laborers, seasonal workers, traveling craftsmen, and families who have not yet purchased property of their own. Each cottage is constructed from timber and local stone, featuring a simple common room, a small hearth, one or two sleeping chambers, and a tiny garden plot. While modest in appearance, they are clean, sturdy, and well maintained, reflecting the values of the community that surrounds them.

The tenements are owned by the mayor of Westbridge, who purchased several aging cottages over the years and renovated them into affordable housing for residents and newcomers. Unlike many landlords in larger settlements, the mayor views the properties as a community service rather than a means of extracting every possible copper from his tenants.

Rent remains fair, and tenants who experience hardship are often granted additional time to pay. This generosity has earned him considerable goodwill among the villagers, though some merchants quietly insist he could be making far more money if he were less compassionate.

The cottages house a constantly changing mixture of residents. Farmhands hired during harvest season, merchants establishing new businesses, craftsmen seeking opportunities, and travelers staying for extended periods can often be found living within the tenements. Several of the mercantile families who arrived in Westbridge over the past year initially rented these cottages before purchasing homes of their own. As a result, the tenements have played an important role in the settlement's recent growth and prosperity. The small gardens surrounding the homes are frequently filled with vegetables, flowers, and children at play, giving the area a lively and welcoming atmosphere.

Recently, however, vacancies have become increasingly rare. The troubles affecting the surrounding region have driven a number of displaced farmers and laborers toward the relative safety of Westbridge. Several cottages now house families who fled isolated homesteads after raids by orcs, hobgoblins, or other creatures emerging from the Kryptgarden Forest. The mayor has quietly allowed some of these refugees to remain despite their inability to pay full rent, believing that maintaining the village's sense of community is more important than short-term profit. Consequently, the tenements have become more than simple rental properties; they have become a symbol of the village's determination to endure together during uncertain times.

Thistlebranch Tonics The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

The shop is overflowing with hanging bundles of drying herbs, jars of colourful powders, and a sweet, earthy scent. The store stocks a mix of mundane remedies, mild potions, and occasional rare finds for adventurers. Bryony refuses to sell poison, but she does keep a few “vermin deterrents” for those who insist.

Bryony Thistlebranch has an uncanny knack for finding the right remedy for any ailment, whether it be a poultice for an aching back, a soothing tea for troubled sleep, or a pungent concoction that “puts a bounce back in the step”.

Bryony occasionally stocks rarer potions, but they require special requests. She may also be willing to buy rare herbs, alchemical ingredients, or monster parts for a fair price.

Bryony Thistlebranch is a 72 year old halfling and the owner of Thistlebranch Tonics, an herbalist shop. Bryony is a sprightly, silver-haired halfling woman with a sun-kissed complexion and bright green eyes that twinkle with knowing mischief—a lifelong forager of herbs, fungi, and flowers. Bryony grew up roaming the edges of the Dim Forest, learning the secrets of plants from her grandmother, who always said, “The land tells you what you need—if you’ve got the ears to listen”. Bryony is well loved in Westbridge for her warm demeanour and sharp wit.

Always in Stock
• Incense Sticks (1 gp per bundle)
• Glass Vials (1 gp each)
• Pouch of Fine Salt (5 sp)

1d6 each in stock per ten-day
• Antitoxin (50 gp)
• Potion of Healing (50 gp)

2-in-6 chance of 1d4 each in stock per ten-day
• Potion of Greater Healing (200 gp)
• Potion of Water Breathing (100 gp)
• Potion of Climbing (50 gp)

Church of Procan The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

The Church of Procan stands as the spiritual heart of Portown, its sturdy stone walls and modest bell tower overlooking the settlement green. Unlike grand cathedrals found in larger cities, the church is built with practicality rather than splendor in mind. Thick stone blocks, oak doors reinforced with iron bands, and narrow stained-glass windows reflect the faith's emphasis on Seas, Sea Life, Salt, Sea Weather, and Navigation. Inside, polished wooden pews face a simple stone altar bearing the emblem of Procan—a The Trident and wave.

The sanctuary is quiet and orderly, serving not only as a place of worship but also as a refuge where settlement seek guidance during uncertain times. The church teaches the virtues for which Procan is The Trident. Sermons are sermons are often unpredictable and chaotic. They view nature as a wild force, and their preaching style tends to be just as passionate, stormy, and impulsive.

Most of Portown's farmers, craftsmen, and merchants attend services regularly, trusting the church to settle disputes, bless marriages, comfort the grieving, and celebrate the changing seasons. Although the priests preach kindness, they are equally firm in reminding their flock that wickedness left unchecked only grows stronger, and that good people have a duty to stand against it. The church is overseen by Canon Tershon, the senior priest of Procan in Portown. A respected and capable cleric, Tershon carries himself with quiet authority born from years of service. He is known for listening carefully before speaking, offering wise counsel without unnecessary ceremony. While approachable to honest folk, he possesses an unshakable resolve when dealing with criminals, heretics, or servants of darker powers.

Tershon works closely with the settlement elders to ensure that Portown remains a safe and orderly community, believing that faith must be demonstrated through action as much as prayer. Assisting Canon Tershon are several junior clergy and devoted lay brothers who maintain the church, care for the sick, and provide aid to travelers in need. The church also houses a modest library of religious texts, settlement records, and historical accounts, making it a valuable source of knowledge for those seeking information about the surrounding countryside.

Adventurers are welcomed with cautious optimism, particularly if they show respect for the church and its teachings. Those who earn Tershon's confidence often find a steadfast ally whose blessings, wisdom, and knowledge of the region can prove invaluable when darkness begins to gather beyond the peaceful fields of Portown.

Mayor's Residence The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

The residence of mayor Bramwell Harker stands upon a gentle rise overlooking much of Westbridge, making it one of the most recognizable homes in the settlement. Though often referred to as Harker Manor by locals, the building is far from the grand estates found in larger cities. Instead, it reflects the practical prosperity of a successful mayor.

Constructed from fine timber and local stone, the sprawling home has grown steadily over the years through numerous additions and renovations. Flower gardens, fruit trees, and carefully maintained hedges surround the property, while a white-painted fence encloses the grounds. Warm lanterns illuminate the porches each evening, making the manor appear welcoming rather than imposing.

The interior reflects mayor Harker's success and love of comfort. Rich wooden furnishings, colorful rugs, and polished brass fixtures fill the spacious rooms. Shelves display curiosities collected from merchants and travelers who have passed through Westbridge over the years, including unusual carvings, foreign coins, and small works of art from distant lands. Despite his wealth, Bramwell Harker avoids excessive extravagance, preferring practicality over luxury. The residence frequently hosts community meetings, merchant gatherings, and celebrations, reinforcing its role as both a family home and an unofficial center of village affairs.

As mayor of Westbridge and owner of several local businesses, Bramwell Harker spends much of his day conducting meetings from a large study located near the front of the manor. Maps of the surrounding region cover the walls, while ledgers and business records occupy nearly every available shelf. Farmers, merchants, travelers, and local leaders often visit seeking advice, financial assistance, or help resolving disputes. Bramwell has earned a reputation as a fair and approachable leader whose investments have helped improve the quality of life throughout the settlement. Many villagers credit him with much of Westbridge's recent prosperity.

Recently, however, the manor has become increasingly busy as concerns about the region's growing dangers continue to mount. Reports of raided farms, missing livestock, and attacks along the Stone Trail arrive almost daily. Bramwell Harker has begun organizing community defenses, funding repairs to roads and fences, and quietly supporting efforts to investigate the strange happenings within the Dreadwood. Though he maintains an optimistic public demeanor, those closest to him have noticed that the mayor often works late into the night, studying reports by candlelight and worrying about the latest news.

Thranick Karn The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

Thranick Karn cuts an imposing figure wherever he walks, a man whose years have carved wisdom and hardship into every line of his weathered face. Tall and broad-shouldered despite his advancing age, his long steel-gray hair and neatly kept white beard lend him the appearance of a seasoned noble rather than a simple administrator. He favors finely tailored dark robes embroidered with subtle gold thread, layered over practical attire befitting someone who expects trouble as often as diplomacy. Ornate medallions and ancient symbols hang from silver chains across his chest, hinting at both his authority and a lifetime of service to the city. His piercing gray eyes miss little, often fixing others with a stern, calculating gaze that can silence a room before he speaks. Though rarely quick to anger, Thranick carries himself with quiet confidence and unwavering resolve, earning the respect of honest citizens and the wary caution of smugglers, merchants, and criminals alike. Beneath his reserved demeanor lies a shrewd political mind, one that has kept Portown prosperous through storms, piracy, and countless intrigues that would have broken a lesser leader.

The Barrow Hills The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

Just north of Portown rises a bleak chain of weathered hills known throughout Salinmoor as the Barrow Hills. Unlike the gentle, rolling countryside that surrounds them, these ancient mounds are steep-sided and strewn with broken slabs of gray stone that jut from the earth like the ribs of some long-dead giant. Sparse grasses cling stubbornly to the rocky slopes, while twisted hawthorns and blackthorn thickets choke the narrow valleys between the hills.

Even on clear summer days, a cool wind seems to linger among the barrows, carrying an unsettling silence that muffles birdsong and leaves travelers eager to return to the open roads before nightfall. The Barrow Hills predate every kingdom that has ever claimed Salinmoor. Local scholars believe they were once the sacred burial grounds of an ancient Flan people who inhabited the coast thousands of years before the rise of Keoland.

Great cairns of fitted stone once crowned nearly every hill, though most have collapsed into little more than moss-covered rings of weathered rock. Farmers occasionally uncover carved stones or rusted bronze ornaments while plowing nearby fields, but such discoveries are almost always buried again before sunset. The people of Portown consider it foolish to disturb the dead, believing the hills remember every hand that steals from them.

Dark tales have clung to the Barrow Hills for generations. Shepherds speak of ghostly lantern lights drifting silently across the ridgelines during moonless nights, while hunters claim to hear distant horns echoing beneath the earth where no tunnels should exist. Livestock that wander too deeply into the hills are sometimes found days later standing motionless among the ancient stones, refusing food or water until they perish without injury or illness. More than one traveler has sworn they glimpsed armored figures watching from the hilltops at dusk, only for the silent sentinels to vanish when approached. Whether these stories are born from fear or truth, few people are willing to find out. Today, the Barrow Hills remain one of the most avoided places in Salinmoor.

The road from Portown skirts their southern edge, and even the boldest merchants hasten their pace when passing beneath their shadow. Fishermen whisper a quick prayer to Procan whenever the hills come into view from the coast, while children are warned that anyone foolish enough to climb the tallest mound after sunset will hear the whisper of the forgotten king who sleeps beneath the stones. Few believe such stories outright, yet fewer still are willing to spend a night among the ancient barrows. In a land filled with marsh monsters, pirates, and haunted ruins, the Barrow Hills possess a quiet, patient evil that has endured far longer than any living soul can remember.

Concerning the Old-School Essentials 2026 Core Books The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax

I backed the new Old-School Essentials core books on Backerkit as soon as they went live. At the time I was super excited but recently I got my new books and sat down and gave both of them a good reading. First impressions . . . they both felt very underwhelming for the most part.

I did not feel like the two books brought much to the overall Old-School Essentials system, nothing that had me overly excited. I had high hopes that these new books would completely change the playing field for Old-School Essentials but for me . . . they didn't.

Now, I'll go on the record by saying, sure they were a solid set of books but did I get my moneys worth out of them? If I had to be honest . . . no, I didn't. All in all, I think they are solid books but, I do not think these new books are good enough to pull me away from my "slightly modified" Old-School Essentials Advanced Fantasy system that I am already using.

To be honest, the few new rules and/or mechanics that the 2026 core books introduced, I can simply migrate them into my existing Old-School Essentials system that I use now. One thing I did notice about the new changes is most of these changes, I was already using in my current system so, that makes this decision easier for me to make and the remaining few rules/mechanics that I currently am not using, I can simply import those into my Advanced Fantasy system. I also think these rules/mechanics that I bring into my current Advanced Fantasy system only makes it stronger in the long run. The current house rules that I use will remain in place, I don't think any of the new stuff in the new 2026 books will replace anything.

I'll continue using my same "slightly modifed" Old-School Essentials Advanced Fantasy system that I have been using with a few imported Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition rules/mechanics since it is working perfectly fine as it is now. Any questions any of new players might have, feel free to get with me so I can clarify any confusion you might have.

Thieves Quarter The World of Greyhawk & The World of Greyhawk Wiki The current year for our World of Greyhawk campaign is set during 579CY. Inspired By Gary Gygax