Buckler Lake

History

Buckler Lake was founded mid-way through the Great Invasion, when the need for resources to supply the war effort was great. Buckler Lake is one of the few mining towns in the Peridot Grasslands and exports primarily iron and silver ore. Most of the mines here are owned by individuals or consortiums in the Free City and, either directly or indirectly, the Cartel gets a cut from each nugget that's mined from the earth. During the early years of Buckler Lake also had a thriving fishing industry. However, runoff from the smelting plant turned the lake the town is named for into sludge where only the most monstrous and inedible of creatures could live.

Locations in Buckler Lake

NOTE: The numbers here do not match up with the numbers on the map, currently.

1. The Emporium: Buckler Lake’s premiere vice den. The first floor is a freak show known as the “Hall of Science” where miners pay hard earned coin to see oddities. A separate fee is required to go upstairs to the gambling den and pub and, beyond that, the Veiled Corridor where any pleasure can be purchased.

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2. Lazare’s House: A gaming parlor specializing in warchess. The entrance fee is steep and patrons are expected to bring their own pieces, though pieces can be rented if need be.

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3. The Feral Dog: The busiest tavern in Buckler Lake. The Feral Dog is a rough and tumble place where miners can bet on Turqouise Shire dogs fighting in a pit. Arguments happen regularly and more than one poor soul has met his end when he was pushed into the pit with the dogs.

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4. Temple of Peridot: This is the largest temple in Buckler Lake and it holds a fairly large Totem shard. There are three services a week where a surprisingly large congregation meet to listen to Brother Wierus’s sermons and whip themselves (literally) into a frenzy. The Temple also offers healing services for a fee.

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5. Tidwoad’s: A jewelry and rare good store run by a rather snobbish gnome. Tidwoad’s is probably the only place in town to fence high end goods. Tidwoad boasts the store is thief proof and there’s a shield-guardian (a form of golem) in the store that helps keep that boast true.

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6. General Store: A run of the mill general store. Taggin, the store owner sells foodstuffs and general gear here but not weapons or armor.

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7. The Hungry Gar: A bland meal, a few rooms and a decent price.

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8. Jalek’s Flophouse: A former fish warehouse that now serves as home to nearly a hundred indigent miners.

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9. Garrison: The Garrison on the edge of town is a small fort dedicated to protecting the southeastern passage into the Peridot Grasslands. It is manned by about 60 members of the Free City Militia. Roughly a third of the soldiers are always out on patrol, marching the roads to keep them safe.

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10. Temple of Scapolite: Occupying a large chamber inside the Garrison is a temple dedicated to Scapolite, Totem of Glory and Purification. Scapolite’s simple message of living right and well appeals to the Militia soldiers. Healing can be had here in exchange for a modest donation.

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11. Lakeside Stables: The only public stable in town, the run-down Lakeside Stables is the last place most people would want to keep a horse. Sadly, for many it is the only option.

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12. The Midnight Salute: A house of ill repute that caters to the Garrison and anyone seeking a less exotic and expensive option than the Emporium.

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13. The Spinning Giant: A tavern that caters primarily to the Garrison, with a few merchants and mine overseers filling out the crowd. The Sheriff and his men are unwelcome here.

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14. The Captain’s Blade: A shop that sells melee weapons. It has a few exotic pieces for sale as well as medium and heavy armors.

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15. Venelle’s: A shop specializing in missile weapons and light armor. The owner keeps a few magical arrows in stock.

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16. Able Carter Wagon Sail Inn: A company that connects the Free City to satellite communities via a fleet of wagon sails, the Able Carter Inn provides lodging for customers who use the travel service.

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17. The Rusty Bucket: A popular restaurant that used to specialize in fish from the lake but now has a land-based menu. A trio of pipers play haunting melodies while people dine in a large common room.

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18. Osgood Smithy: A smithy run by Manlin Osgood. Those who can afford it go directly to the smithy to order armor.

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19. Smelting House: A large factory that smelts the local ore, preparing it for shipment out of Buckler Lake. Pollution from the Smelting House has turned the lake toxic.

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20. Buckler Lake Boneyard: This overcrowded cemetery used to be a source of bodies for necromancers in the Free City. Recently, however, the Cult of the Green Lady has put a stop to that. A collection of Illithid and acolytes of other races, the Cult of the Green Lady was founded to honor a prophetess of Opal, the Totem of Death. Cultists regularly patrol the boneyard to discourage looters. Rumor has it, though, that one of the coffins in the boneyard is filled with treasure.

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21. Old Observatory: Once upon a time, this crumbling building was home to an order of monks who looked for sign from the stars. Now, it is owned by Smenk, the mine owner, and he uses it to house cronies.

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22. Menhirs: An old, stone ring. It is one of hundreds scattered across Krystallos. It serves as a ritual place for any druid who needs it.