Willowshade will be the starting point for my adventures using Pathfinder 2e. Its location is somewhere just outside of Echo Woods in lands of the Bandit Lords known as the River Kingdoms.

Willowshade.

Willowshade, nestled in a picturesque valley surrounded by rolling hills and dense forests. The village is known for its lush meadows that bloom with vibrant wildflowers in the spring and a sparkling creek that winds through its heart, providing a soothing soundtrack to daily life. Willowshade’s charm lies in its simplicity and the warmth of its inhabitants.

Villagers are friendly but wary of strangers, as rumours of strange occurrences have begun to circulate. The village’s quiet markets are filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and the chatter of merchants selling their wares. Rustic homes, built from timber and stone, line the cobblestone streets, each with a unique charm and a story to tell.

At the center of Willowshade stands an old wooden inn called “The Singing Creek,” a beloved gathering place for locals and travelers alike. The inn’s cozy interior is adorned with tapestries depicting the village’s history, and its hearth provides a welcoming warmth on chilly evenings. The innkeeper, a jovial figure with a knack for storytelling, often entertains guests with tales of adventure and mystery.

As the characters explore Willowshade, they may encounter the village leader, Eldrin Greendale, an elderly and wise figure troubled by reports of missing livestock. They might also meet Liora Windwhisper, the mysterious ranger who roams the outskirts, or Thorn Blackwood, the reclusive herbalist with a vast knowledge of plants and potions. Garrick Stonefist, the local blacksmith, can provide valuable equipment and repairs, while Elara Moonshadow, the ambitious mage, offers magical assistance. Finnian Lightfoot, the charming rogue, knows the ins and outs of Willowshade and can be a useful informant or a cunning adversary.

The village’s serene beauty and the friendly yet cautious demeanour of its inhabitants create an atmosphere of both tranquillity and underlying tension, setting the stage adventure.

Village secrets and clues.

1. Ancient Ruins: Deep within the forest surrounding Willowshade lies the remnants of an ancient civilization. These ruins, overgrown with vines and moss, hold forgotten knowledge and powerful artifacts. Only a few villagers know of their existence, and they guard this secret closely.
2. Hidden Cave: Near the sparkling creek, there is a hidden cave that can only be accessed during certain times of the year when the water level is low. Inside, the cave is adorned with mysterious symbols and contains a hidden chamber that may hold treasures or clues to the village’s past.
3. Forbidden Magic: Eldrin Greendale, the village leader, possesses a forbidden tome of ancient magic. This book contains spells and rituals that could alter the fate of Willowshade. Eldrin keeps it hidden, fearing the consequences if it falls into the wrong hands.
4. Secret Society: A clandestine group of villagers, known as the “Order of the Whispering Leaves,” meets in secret to protect Willowshade from supernatural threats. They are skilled in various forms of magic and combat, and their existence is known only to a select few.
5. Cursed Artifact: An old, seemingly innocuous trinket in the village’s market is actually a cursed artifact. Those who possess it are plagued by misfortune and nightmares. The villagers are unaware of its true nature, but its dark history is waiting to be uncovered.
6. Lost Heirloom: A valuable heirloom belonging to one of Willowshade’s founding families was stolen generations ago. The thief’s identity remains a mystery, and the heirloom’s whereabouts are unknown. Some believe it holds the key to unlocking the village’s hidden potential.

More to come.

This is just a quick post with some background about the village. I will update it with maps and NPCs and enough background for three of four short adventures. Stay tuned.

Thanks for wandering through Willowshade with me. Your thoughts keep the lanterns lit.