Deep in the forest, a steep-sided natural amphitheatre plunges downwards several hundred feet. A rugged outcropping of jagged rock at the bowl’s lowest point has given rise to numerous rumours of demon worship and foul sacrifices.
A nameless hamlet of shacks and rude cabins straggles through the bowl. Its people are displaced, hapless folk. Here they dwell far from Lord Wido Gall’s easy grasp, trusting to the dark legends of the place to keep Gall’s soldiery and roving bandits away. Along with the outlaws and dispossessed a small band of lepers also dwell here in a small network of dry caves far away from the other bowl’s other folk.
The bowl’s folk are foresters, hunters and—occasionally— thieves of opportunity surviving however they can. The community numbers roughly 100 souls, 18 of which suffer with leprosy. Some have nowhere else to go while others dwell here because they like the peace, seclusion and freedom. Most of the bowl’s inhabitants know the surrounds well, and could serve as local guides. Money has little use for these folk; rather most prefer payment in useful tools, luxuries such as wine and other finished goods
Notable Folk
- Heta Ihamuoto (CG female human bandit captain) serves as the de facto leader of the bowl’s folk. Friendly, but wary, toward newcomers she suspects visitors of being Wido Gall’s spies and watches them closely. Earning her trust, is difficult. She does not, however, turn anyone in true need away.
- Iisak Jurva (NE middle-aged male human commoner) suffers from leprosy and with a bitter heart rails against his fate. Angry at the world, and furious with anyone he thinks could heal him but chooses not to, he particularly hates clerics and the like. Murder lurks in his heart, and he is not above deliberately attempting to infect newcomers who fail to help him. Iisak has no eyebrows and the disease has begun to melt his nose.
- Esko Paasia (NG young male human commoner) exhibits endless curiosity about the outside world, and could easily become infatuated with an adventurous newcomer. He might become obsessed with a heroic warrior type or develop a devastating crush on an attractive woman among the group. Barely 15, and full of the invincibility of youth, he might follow an adventuring party when they set forth to explore the southern woods. He knows the area well and is an athletic youth blissfully unaware of his own shortcomings.
LORE
A character making a DC 10 Intelligence check knows one or more pieces of information about the Demon’s Bowl. A successful check gains all the information revealed by a lesser check.
- DC 10: The Demon’s Bowl is a refuge for those escaping the harsh rule of the Galls in Dulwich.
- DC 15: The Demon’s Bowl is reputed to be a site of ancient demon worship. A jagged rock at the lowest point of bowl served as an altar.
- DC 20: Some of the folk dwelling in the bowl suffer from leprosy. They dwell in caves and roam the surrounds.