Luth Merrygold The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Luth Merrygold is a plump and cheerful halfling with curly auburn hair, laugh lines around her deep brown eyes, and an ever-present apron that smells of butter, herbs, and fresh-baked bread. She wears a simple tunic with rolled-up sleeves and well-worn boots. Her voice carries the warmth of a hearth fire on a cold evening.

Always warm and welcoming, treating everyone like family. She often calls her regulars “love” or “dearie” and frequently spends time sharing the latest gossip or stories that travellers of the Long Road have shared. She is focused on creating perfection in the kitchen and fiercely protective of her recipes and secret foraging spots.

Growing up in the eastern foothills, her siblings took to the fields, and Luth took to the kitchen. She learned early that a well-cooked meal could ease tension, mend friendships, and turn a house into a home. She settled in Westbridge and opened Merrygold’s Table, a cosy restaurant specialising in hearty, rustic farmstead meals.

Elias Timberwheel The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

A 58 year old, wiry man, Elias Timberwheel sports a bushy moustache and calloused hands, always smelling of sawdust and oil. He wears a simple work shirt and trousers, his sleeves perpetually rolled up. His left eye is cloudy from an old injury, but he still sees well enough to judge the balance of a wheel with uncanny precision. Elias Timberwheel is a no-nonsense craftsman who values durability and practicality over fanciness. He’s prone to muttering about how things were “built better back in my day” but secretly delights in finding ways to improve his designs.

Harlan has been building and repairing wagons for over thirty years and is widely considered the best wainwright in the region. His shop, Timberwheel Wainwright, serves the farmers and merchants of Westbridge, crafting sturdy carts and repairing shattered axles with efficiency.

Byrony Thistlebranch The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

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.

Ghaliver Longstocking The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Ghaliver Longstocking is the halfling ruler of the settlement of Westbridge. Ghaliver is a very able businessman: he possesses the farmer's market, a stockyard, several Tenements, a walled grain warehouse complex, and an inn in Westbridge, and a few houses in Waterdeep. His goal was to find a means to protect himself in the years ahead after retiring from the adventuring life.

Ghaliver was a charming individual, and was always working on new schemes. He was a good judge of others. His dream was to rule the North but oover time he had attracted only the attentions of the Zhentarim and similar groups.

Kryptgarden Forest The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Kryptgarden Forest, also known as Tsordvudd, is a small but ancient and foreboding forest on the Sword Coast North in northwest Faerûn and one of the so-called the Moonwoods of the North. It is a site that once housed long-lost realms of the elves and dwarves. The name 'Kryptgarden' arose from the dwarfhold known as Southkrypt Garden, which stood in the northern region of the forest but has since been lost to time.

The forest is itself sometimes called Southkrypt Garden. The name also seems to originate in the orc realm called Uruth Ukrypt, meaning "Home of Uruth" in Orcish, that rose in the Sword Mountains in the 10th century DR.

It is located east of the Sword Mountains. It lies just west of the Long Road and the village of Westbridge and north of Waterdeep. It is an old-growth forest and local humans know little of what lay within as of the mid-1300s DR.

Kryptgarden is a hilly woodland, and is covered in a thick layer of foul-smelling fog. Parts of the wood has an unexplained reddish hue about the forest floor and the bases of the trees. The forest contains many ruins of bygone dwarven civilizations. A deep hole in the ground—known to some as "the orifice"—in the red forest east of the Sword Mountains leads to the Underdark and a passage to the Hanging City of Dolblunde. Large sections of the wooded region are thick with various colors of giant mushrooms.

Small game animals lives in the forest, but larger creatures also dwell within, as they are rumors to be readily eaten by Kryptgarden's most fearsome predator, the dragon Claugiyliamatar. Folk from Westbridge hunt animals along the eastern edges of the forest during the 1300s DR, but do not dare go deeper than a few hours on foot. At times, some of their fellows have gone missing while hunting in Kryptgarden. Some logging also goes on around the edges of the forest.

The huge, old trees of this forest are so broad and leafy as to make the ground beneath dark on the brightest days. Terrible creatures like tenebrous worms and slow shadows abide elsewhere within the forest. Today, Kryptgarden Forest is perhaps the most dangerous location in the region. The trees remain standing, but they long ago lost their graceful beauty and are now tall and gnarled, and many rotting timbers projecting out of the ground. Mushrooms and other fungi sprout everywhere. A thick cloud of spores fills the air and blots out the sun, allowing the unnatural growths to flourish. Kryptgarden Forest is a dense, ancient woodland where towering evergreens loom overhead, their gnarled roots twisting through uneven ground.

Moss-covered ruins and half-buried relics hint at civilizations long forgotten, while thick underbrush conceals hidden dangers. Near-constant mist clings to the forest floor, shrouding shadowed glades and stagnant pools, while treacherous ravines and tangled brambles make navigation difficult for anyone brave enough to actually enter the forest. Whether well-worn or newly forged, every path holds the potential for discovery—or disaster.

Ancient trees form an almost unbroken canopy. Occasional shafts of sunlight pierce the gloom. In some places, the foliage is so dense that day feels like dusk; in others, patches of golden light create serene, dreamlike clearings.

Moss-covered boulders, creeping ivy, and tangled brambles make travel slow and treacherous. Fallen logs serve as makeshift bridges over sunken ravines while shallow, sluggish streams wind through the undergrowth, their waters black with tannins. Paths where they exist are narrow and winding and often obscured by ferns and fallen leaves.

The terrain is uneven, riddled with jagged ridges, hidden sinkholes, and deep hollows. Massive stone formations jut from the earth, often covered in runes, overgrowth, or faintly glowing fungi. Small, secluded clearings serve as gathering points for what few wildlife, fey, and those who call the forest home.

Notable Locations
• Southkrypt Garden
• Uncle's Keep
• Deeping Cave
• Tomb of the Dead
• The Undercave
• Kryptgarden Falls

Riverbend Stables The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

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.

Deeping Cave The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

Deeping Cave is a cavern in Kryptgarden Forest on the Sword Coast North. It is the lair of the ancient green dragon Claugiyliamatar, a.k.a. Old Gnawbone, but its name comes from local humans, who named it for some forgotten reason before Old Gnawbone arrived.

Deeping Cave lies in Kryptgarden Forest, at the end of a deep ravine that runs from one of the mountains that bounds the old, thickly grown woods to the north. Several tombs and abandoned dwarfholds, including the infamous ruins known as Southkrypt, are in the nearby mountains. The cave's entrance is rumored to be at the end of a gloomy vine-filled gully that contained old oaks and duskwoods, although no one is quite sure since no one has been foolish enough to investigate.

The cave is close enough to civilization that it is likely to be discovered by adventurers eventually. Legends whispered among hunters, foresters, and caravan guards claim that the ravine surrounding Deeping Cave is cursed by the dragon’s presence. Animals grow strangely silent near the gorge, and travelers report hearing soft voices in the fog calling them deeper into the woods by name. Some tales speak of vanished adventurers whose rusted armor and broken weapons were later found tangled in the roots and moss near the cave’s hidden approach. Others insist that Old Gnawbone deliberately spreads such stories through her agents and illusions, cultivating fear as carefully as she guards her treasure hoard.

Old Gnawbone's lair contains creeping phosphorescent lichens, giant toadstools, and hanging mosses draped over more than a dozen statues of imperious human women (mostly warriors) looted from tombs. At the back, Old Gnawbone rests in the dark on her bed of coins (which isn't that much for a dragon of her stature, since she values other things more). She also has an alcove with her glowing crystal balls where she spent hours scrying.

Old Gnawbone employs humans and woodland creatures to guard her lair and lead intruders astray with sound-based illusions into traps or the perils of another nearby cave. One reason she did not mate was that she did not want any male dragon to have too much knowledge of her lair and defenses.

Sages believe that Old Gnawbone arrived in Deeping Cave in the Year of the Evening Sun, 1303 DR. At some point, Old Gnawbone emerged from her lair in Deeping Cave, picked up a boulder from the nearby mountains, and dropped it on a sleeping red dragon, Smergadas, whom she had been scrying on. That rock became Lance Rock, a landmark west of the Long Road south of Red Larch.

Old Gnawbone temporarily left Deeping Cave after tricking Lord Brokengulf and drawing the ire of Waterdeep. She brought her loot to Neverwinter Wood just as she knew another green dragon, Endracritar, would be entering Kryptgarden Forest. After Endracritar was killed by Waterdhavians, Old Gnawbone returned to Deeping Cave.

The dragon Old Gnawbone resides here, along with at least one human male servant. This was always a man clad only in (fake and decorative) manacles and chains. He oils her scales with tree-sap and ointments made from leaves, fungi, and roots. She is also visited by agents under her employ.

The Happy Halfling The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The Happy Halfling is unquestionably the heart of Westbridge and the most beloved establishment in the settlement. Situated near the center of the village overlooking the market square, the large inn serves as a gathering place for locals, travelers, merchants, adventurers, and farmers alike. Built from sturdy timber and river stone, the inn is larger than one might expect for a settlement of Westbridge's size.

Warm golden light spills from its windows each evening, while the smell of fresh bread, roasted meats, and rich stews drifts out into the surrounding streets. For many visitors, the Happy Halfling is their first impression of Westbridge and often their fondest memory of it. The inn is owned by Speaker Ghaliver Longstocking, who considers it his greatest achievement despite owning several other successful businesses throughout the village.

While his duties as Speaker keep him occupied with the affairs of Westbridge, Ghaliver can still be found walking the common room most evenings, greeting guests personally and ensuring every visitor feels welcome. He often says that a good inn tells the true story of a community, and he has spent years transforming the Happy Halfling into exactly that. The establishment reflects his personality perfectly—warm, welcoming, practical, and quietly prosperous.

Inside, the inn features a spacious common room filled with heavy wooden tables, comfortable chairs, and several large stone fireplaces that keep the building warm throughout the colder months. Colorful tapestries depicting local scenes decorate the walls, while polished wooden beams support a high ceiling blackened slightly by decades of hearth smoke. A small stage occupies one corner of the room where traveling musicians, storytellers, and performers occasionally entertain guests. The inn's kitchen enjoys a reputation that extends far beyond Westbridge, serving hearty meals prepared from locally sourced ingredients, fresh river fish, game from the Kryptgarden Forest, and produce harvested from nearby farms.

Despite its cheerful atmosphere, the Happy Halfling has become an important center for information in recent months. Travelers arriving from distant roads bring tales of raiding orcs, missing livestock, strange creatures emerging from the Kryptgarden Forest, and rumors of ancient ruins hidden beneath the trees. Merchants exchange news beside crackling fireplaces while adventurers quietly discuss expeditions over mugs of ale. Ghaliver listens carefully to these conversations, gathering information that may affect the safety of Westbridge. Though guests see only a hospitable innkeeper and community leader, the Speaker understands that the Happy Halfling has become the settlement's eyes and ears, providing invaluable insight into the growing dangers threatening the region.

BREAKFAST
Honey Wheat Bread: 6cp
Creamy Oat Porridge: 3cp
Farm Fresh Eggs: 3cp
Fried Ham Slices: 8cp
Berry Preserves & Toast: 4cp
Apple Cakes: 5cp
Smoked Trout: 9cp
Sausage and Potato Skillet: 1sp

AFTERNOON MEALS
Longstocking Beef Stew: 1sp
Roast Chicken with Herb Gravy: 1sp
River Trout with Buttered Vegetables: 1sp
Venison Pie: 2sp
Hunter's Sausage Platter: 9cp
Roasted Pork Shoulder: 1sp
Stuffed Bell Peppers: 8cp
Steak and Mushroom Pie: 2sp
Roast Duck with Honey Glaze: 2sp
Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops: 2sp
Dim Forest Rabbit Stew: 1sp
Fresh Garden Salad: 5cp
Cheese and Onion Tart: 8cp
Baked Potatoes with Butter and Herbs: 4cp
Farmer's Feast Platter: 3sp

BEVERAGES
Whiskey: 7cp
Blackberry Wine: 8cp
Rum: 7cp
Beer: 2cp
Heavy Beer: 3cp
Ale: 4cp
Spiced Ale: 6cp
Honey Mead: 8cp
Mulled Wine: 1sp
Apple Brandy: 1sp
Riverbank Cider: 5cp
Hot Herbal Tea: 2cp

TRAVEL RATIONS
Smoked Venison, Hard Cheese, Dried Apples, Honey Oat Cakes and Trail Nuts (wrapped in waxed cloth): 5sp

The upper rooms are exceptionally clean and comfortable. The inn maintains twelve standard rooms and six private suites, each furnished with sturdy beds, thick blankets, wash basins, chamber pots, fresh towels, wardrobes, and comfortable chairs. Every room is heated during colder months, and the staff takes great pride in ensuring guests enjoy a restful night's stay.

ROOM NIGHTLY PRICES
(12) Standard Room: 5sp
(6) Private Suite: 2gp

General Store The Time of Troubles & Era of Upheaval Inspired By Ed Greenwood

The General Store is often the first building travelers encounter upon entering the village. Its location is no accident; for generations it has served as the community’s primary trading hub, supplying farmers, hunters, merchants, and adventurers alike. The large timber structure dominates the roadside, its broad front porch sheltered beneath a steep roof designed to shed the region's frequent rains. A brightly painted sign hangs above the entrance depicting a cooking pot, a plow, a grain sack, and a lantern—simple symbols that promise nearly everything a traveler might need. The building was rebuilt several years ago following a devastating fire, yet it retains the original name that has become synonymous with trade and commerce throughout the region.

The store is operated by the Elrand family: Elara, her husband Beren, and their two hardworking sons. While Beren and the boys spend much of their time unloading wagons, organizing shipments, and negotiating larger business deals, Elara serves as the public face of the establishment.

During business hours she can almost always be found behind the counter or moving through the aisles assisting customers. Her colorful patchwork dress has become something of a local landmark in its own right, and she often jokes that each stitched piece carries a bit of luck from a satisfied customer. Whether or not that is true, few can deny that she possesses a remarkable ability to judge character and quickly determine exactly what a customer is looking for. Inside, the store feels larger than its exterior suggests. A maze of shelves, bins, crates, and display racks fills the main floor, while numerous alcoves line the upper walls.

Ladders lead to these elevated storage spaces where additional merchandise is stacked almost to the rafters. Lanterns suspended from heavy wooden beams cast a warm glow over the polished floorboards, and the scent of lamp oil, leather, dried herbs, and fresh lumber mingles pleasantly in the air. Despite the constant traffic, everything appears surprisingly organized. Elara seems to know the location of every item in the building and can produce even obscure goods with astonishing speed.

Unlike many village shops, the General Store encourages visitors to linger. Several sturdy tables and benches occupy one corner of the building, creating a gathering place where locals exchange news and travelers rest their feet. New arrivals are often offered a glass of wine or cider while discussing their needs. Farmers stop in to compare crop yields, merchants negotiate prices, and adventurers gather information about local roads and conditions. The store serves as one of the few places in Westbridge where people from all walks of life regularly mingle, making it an excellent place to gather rumors and hear tales from the surrounding countryside.

Although Westbridge has seen numerous businesses come and go over the decades, the General Store has remained a constant presence. It is effectively the settlement’s commercial heart and the only reliable source for trade goods within many miles. Nearly every wagon entering or leaving the village eventually stops here. Beren oversees much of the larger commerce, arranging livestock sales and connecting regional farmers with distant buyers. The Elrand sons help manage inventory, load freight, and maintain relationships with suppliers who travel from neighboring towns. Through these efforts, the store somehow remains remarkably well-stocked even when shortages affect other settlements in the region.

Visitors quickly learn that if an item cannot be found on the shelves, Elara may still be able to acquire it through her network of contacts. Such special orders often require patience and considerable expense, and the results are not always exactly what was promised. Nonetheless, the General Store enjoys a reputation for having almost everything one might reasonably need. From simple household goods to adventuring supplies, it serves as a lifeline for Westbridge and the surrounding farms. In a village increasingly plagued by uncertainty and fear, the familiar sight of the General Store's open door and welcoming lanterns offers a small measure of comfort to locals and travelers alike.

Food & Provisions
Trail Rations (1 day): 5 sp
Fresh Bread Loaf: 2 cp
Wheel of Cheese: 8 cp
Dried Meat (1 lb): 5 cp
Sack of Potatoes: 1 sp
Barrel of Apples: 5 sp
Waterskin (filled): 2 sp
Local Cider (jug): 3 sp
Skull-Shaped Butter: 1 sp per pound

Adventuring Gear
Backpack: 2 gp
Bedroll: 1 gp
Blanket: 5 sp
Rope, Hempen (50 ft.): 1 gp
Rope, Silk (50 ft.): 10 gp
Grappling Hook: 2 gp
Lantern, Hooded: 5 gp
Oil Flask: 1 sp
Torch: 1 cp
Tinderbox: 5 sp
Waterskin: 2 sp
Sack: 1 cp
Belt Pouch: 5 sp
Crowbar: 2 gp
Hammer: 1 gp
Pitons (10): 5 sp
Iron Spikes: (10) 5 sp

Clothing & Travel
Traveler's Clothes: 2 gp
Cloak: 1 gp
Winter Cloak: 5 gp
Boots: 2 gp
Gloves: 5 sp
Wide-Brimmed Hat: 1 gp

Farm & Trade Goods
Shovel: 2 gp
Pickaxe: 2 gp
Hoe: 1 gp
Sickle: 1 gp
Handcart: 15 gp
Wheelbarrow: 5 gp
Feed Sack: 3 cp
Seed Grain (1 sack): 1 gp

Hunting & Outdoor Supplies
Hunting Trap: 5 gp
Fishing Tackle: 1 gp
Small Net: 2 gp
Large Net: 5 gp
Skinning Knife: 5 sp
Quiver: 1 gp

Miscellaneous Goods
Candles: (10) 1 sp
Soap: 2 cp
Cooking Pot: 5 sp
Iron Kettle: 1 gp
Wooden Bucket: 5 cp
Lock: 10 gp
Mirror, Steel: 5 gp
Writing Kit: 10 gp
Parchment Sheet: 2 sp
Ink Bottle: 8 gp
Chalk (10 pieces): 1 sp

Special Orders
The Elrands can attempt to acquire uncommon weapons, armor, livestock, tools, books, alchemical supplies, or luxury goods not normally stocked. Such orders generally require 50% payment up front, take 1d4 weeks to arrive, and may cost 25–100% more than normal market value depending on rarity and availability. Magical items are never bought or sold through the General Store.