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Player’s Guide

A Player’s Guide to Freemen’s Wood

Welcome to Freemen's Wood, a thriving frontier town built on industry, craft, and community. Nestled on the northern shores of Lake Ailin, this settlement has grown from a simple logging camp into a center of trade, artistry, and scholarship. Whether your character was born here, migrated from a distant land, or simply passed through, this guide provides the foundation to build your story.

A Brief History

Freemen's Wood was founded by pioneers seeking fortune and freedom. With the help of the Orontinórë, a secluded group of mountain elves, they survived the harsh frontier and eventually settled near Lake Ailin. The town grew as a logging industry flourished, with loggers felling the vast forests and rafters transporting lumber downriver to the wealthy halfling town of Fairshore. However, conflicts arose between these two groups, leading to a near schism—until a druid named Cathbad united them in an oath of cooperation, giving birth to Freemen’s Wood as it is today.

Over time, the settlement evolved beyond its logging roots:

  • A school was established, spreading literacy. - The artisan class emerged, transforming raw wood into fine goods.
  • Halfling farmers from Banterbury migrated here, adding agriculture and a love of celebration to the town.
  • The Lakeside Revel, an annual festival of music and art, cemented Freemen's Wood as a cultural hub.

Factions and Community

The town thrives due to the efforts of several key groups. Your character may have ties to one of these factions, either by birth, apprenticeship, or affiliation.

The Logger’s Guild – The Oakbound Hall

  • Tough, hardworking, and deeply connected to the land.
  • Loggers take pride in their labor but often feel overshadowed by the growing artisan class.
  • Many logger families (like the Brennachs and O’Dairns) have worked in the forests for generations.

The Rafter’s Guild – The River’s Pact

  • Cunning traders and skilled boatmen who control the flow of lumber to Fairshore.
  • Rafters live by wit and speed, often earning more wealth than loggers.
  • Prominent families include the MacRaeghans and Tualaghs.

The Artisan’s Guild– The Carver’s Hearth

  • Skilled woodworkers, sculptors, and furniture-makers.
  • This group represents the new wave of Freemen's Wood, turning labor into artistry.
  • Notable artisans include Maeve Kinneagh, a master craftswoman.

The Scholars of Dunleigh Archive – The Dunleigh Library

  • Keepers of knowledge, historians, and educators.
  • Many scholars seek to uncover the deeper history of the region.
  • Led by Sibéal Dunleigh, a brilliant but no-nonsense librarian.

The Halflings of Banterbury – Farmers & Traders

  • Known for their agriculture, hospitality, and joyful nature.
  • Many have settled in Freemen's Wood, running taverns, bakeries, and mills.
  • Famous figures include Brother Lyle Bramblebrook, a cleric.

The Merchant’s Guild – The Copper Exchange

  • Handles trade, finance, and the growing commerce of the town.
  • Led by the sharp-witted Eoghan Lochlaney, a man who always finds profit.

Notable Locations

When creating your character, consider where they might spend their time.

The Raven’s Roost – Tavern & Gathering Place

  • The heart of town life, serving hearty meals and dark ales.
  • Owned by Eamon Brennach, a former logger with a sharp ear for gossip.

The Dunleigh Archive – Library & Learning Center

  • A grand building filled with books on history, magic, and philosophy.
  • Scholars and researchers spend their days here, deep in study.

The Lakeside Inn

  • A high-end establishment near the festival grounds.
  • Run by Ailis Tualagh, a sharp-witted innkeeper who knows everyone’s business.

The Verdant Glade – Druidic Sanctuary

  • A grove where Brighde Dunleigh, the local druid, watches over the balance of nature.
  • Some townsfolk view her with deep respect, while others are wary of her influence.

The Carver’s Hearth – Artisan’s Guildhall

  • A workshop filled with masterfully carved woodworks and sculptures.
  • The center of innovation and artistry in the city.

The Festival Grounds

  • Home to the annual Lakeside Revel, a celebration of music, art, and storytelling.
  • Many adventurers, bards, and merchants visit during this time.

Common Backgrounds for Characters

Here are some ideas for how your character might fit into Freemen's Wood:

  • Logger’s Child: Raised in the woods, trained with an axe, and deeply connected to nature.
  • Rafter’s Apprentice: Learned to navigate the river, barter deals, and survive on wits.
  • Artisan’s Prodigy: Grew up crafting fine woodwork and dreaming of masterpieces.
  • Scholar’s Disciple: Spent years in the Dunleigh Archive studying history or magic.
  • Halfling Farmer’s Kin: Tied to Banterbury’s traditions, skilled in agriculture and social graces.
  • Festival Performer: A bard or entertainer who thrives during the Lakeside Revel.
  • Druid’s Acolyte: Raised in the Verdant Glade, taught to respect the land’s balance.
  • Merchant’s Assistant: Grew up in the Copper Exchange, learning trade and finance.

Your character could also be an outsider—a traveler drawn by the festival, a wanderer seeking fortune, or an investigator curious about the town’s growing mysteries.

Current Events & Mysteries

While much of the town is peaceful, change is on the horizon.

  • The Sinkhole Mystery: A massive sinkhole has appeared near the lake, swallowing part of an old logging camp. Strange, eyeless creatures have been spotted near the site.
  • The Lakeside Revel Approaches: This year’s festival promises to be the biggest yet, but tensions between factions could cause unexpected conflict.
  • Old Tensions Remain: The logging and rafting guilds still argue over power, while artisans push for more influence in town affairs.
  • A Stranger in Town: Five years ago, a mysterious wizard named Zephandriel the Unmoored arrived in Freemen’s Wood. Claiming to study unseen forces beneath the land, he has built a floating tower on the outskirts of town. While some see him as a harmless eccentric, others whisper that his presence signals something stirring beneath the lake.
  • Newcomers and Travelers: Strange scholars, wandering bards, and mysterious merchants have been arriving in increasing numbers. Some claim they are here for the festival—others speak of something stirring beneath the town.

Final Notes for Players

Freemen’s Wood is a town rich with history, culture, and conflict. Your character’s background should reflect how they fit into or stand apart from this setting. Are they a native, proud of their lineage? A newcomer, eager to make their mark? A rogue, a scholar, a merchant, or something else entirely?

Your journey begins here. How will you leave your mark on Freemen’s Wood?