Lonelywood Information
Lonelywood is the northern-most of the Ten-Towns. Accessible only via a snow covered path to nearby Termalaine, Lonelywood is mostly home to loggers (working the Lonelywood forest to the east) an fishermen (working Maer Dualdon to the west). It is a place where folks seem to go to leave their pasts behind.
Lonelywood is one of the smaller of the Ten-Towns with a population of just over one-hundred. It is considered overall a friendly town (as long as folks abide by the unwritten rule to never pry into someone else's past) with average services and comfort. Lonelywood does not have a standing militia, but the Speaker does have a few locals she can count upon in times of emergency.
As is the custom in all the Ten-Towns, Lonely makes sacrifices to appease Auril and stave off her wrath. On selected days, all residents and visitors must go without food. Additionally, piles of knucklehead trout are left just outside the far-side of the Lonelywood Forest as a gift to Auril's chosen (yeti, snowy owl bears, crag cats, and other icy predators).
Locations of Interest
Lonelywood Forest
The nearby forest that gives the town its name stretches to the east and north. The logging industry is not just vital to Loneywood, but essential to the Ten-Towns in general. The firewood and building materials that come from the Lonelywood forest are welcome commodities everywhere in Ten-Towns.
However, the Lonelywood Forest is not without its dangers. Intermittent (and occasionally deadly) appearances of the dread "Lonlywood Banshee" cause loggers to never work alone. The forest is rumored to hide clandestine and criminal activity, but these rumors are always second hand.
Maer Dualdon
Maer Dualdon is the deep, dark, and icy body of water located in the western region of Icewind Dale. It is the largest and deepest of the three major lakes that sustain the Ten-Towns—the others being Lac Dinneshere and Lake Redwaters. With many towns having access to the lake (such as Termalaine, Targos, Bremen, and of course Lonelywood), there is some rivalry over the water. However, being the furthest north, Lonelywood seems to rise above such issues.
The Lucky Liar
The only tavern in Lonelywood is, as might be expected, the most heavily trafficked location in the town. Fishers and woodcutters gather here in the evenings to weave tall tales — the more outrageous and embellished, the better. From time to time, patrons whose tongues have been loosened by drink let slip valuable or dangerous secrets.
The Happy Scrimshander
The only store in Lonelywood is the Happy Scrimshander (scrimshandry is the hobby/trade of making objects from fish bones). This little shop facing the docks sells the tools of the scrimshander’s trade: needles and knives in a wide array of shapes and sizes, inks in a rainbow of colors, and wax used to seal an engraving when it’s done. The Happy Scrimshander also serves and the town's general goods store.
The Ramshackle
The Ramshackle is the (only) inn for Lonelywood. Unfortunately, it has been closed for the past few months following the death of DeGrootz, the orcish innkeeper. These days, the Ramshackle sits empty. While the Ramshackle is closed, visitors can obtain lodging on the second floor of the Speaker's home.
People of Interest
Nimsy Huddle, Town Speaker
Nimsey is a kind mid-aged halfling. She is a sticker for maintaining the balance (and boundary) between her personal life (primarily as the mother of three children) and her role as Lonelywood Town Speaker. As the landlady for guests using her second floor, she is fair and reasonable as long as her rules are followed: 1: No loud noises; 2: No comings and goings at odd hours (after the children have been put to bed); and 3: No loitering downstairs.
Kenz Pinesplitter
Kenz is a relatively new arrival in Lonelywood, but he already seems to be friends with just about everybody. There are rumors that he is independently wealthy (at least to the point where financial constraints do not seem to concern him). However, he is actively self-employed as a logger. He does have a dim view of Nimsy's leadership and often can be heard in The Lucky Liar complaining of a lack of strong action to address the dangers faced by the town (particularly in the Lonelywood forest).
Iriskree Harrowhill
Iriskree is the owner and shopkeep for The Happy Scrimshander. She spends her time when the store is closed in maintaining and coordinating sleds of wood and knucklehead trout being delivered to Termalaine. She seems to view her activities as a public service rather than as a business.
Danae Xotal
Danae Xotal is the name on record for the person who owns The Lucky Liar. But, no one seems to know who he actually is. So far, aside from Nimsy and Iriskree, no one recalls actually seeing him.
DeGrootz
DeGrootz was the owner of the Ramshackle until his death a few months ago. No one seems to be willing to discuss the circumstances of his death, but one patron with a ale-loosened tongue has said that "his past seems to have caught up with him."
Termalaine Information
Termalaine is a mid-sized entry in the Ten-Towns. It has a population of approximately six-hundred. It is a friendly place with average services and comfort. It is large enough to have a (small) standing militia and a devoted building serving as Town Hall. As a sacrifice to Auril, the Residents of Termalaine go without warmth on specific nights. On days of sacrifice, no fires larger than a candle may be lit within the town.
Although larger, Termalaine is not as prosperous as neighboring Lonelywood. Logging isn't as easy here due to the limited access the town has to the Lonelywood Forest. Also, since it is closer to its rivals (Targos and Bremen), fishing is more competitive and less bountiful. That's not to say that Termalaine is poor or impoverished, but it lacks the surpluses that Lonelywood has.
Locations of Interest
The Blue Clam
The fishers of Termalaine typically finish their days at this dockside tavern, seated on benches near one of the building’s long hearths to warm their feet while they fill their bellies with spiced chowder. Beautiful works of scrimshaw are hung on the walls.
The Gem Mine (also known as the Tourmaline Mine)
This small gem mine is located approximately a half-mile outside of town. A small number of miners work the mine, collecting mostly tourmalines and geodes.
People of Interest
Oarus Masthew, Town Speaker
Oarus Masthew was declared speaker after a close and contentious election. The child of half-orc adventurers, he was adopted by Shaelen Masthew, the previous speaker, who retired from her leadership role but still lives in Termalaine. Oarus is bright, with a sharp sense of humor, but he has political enemies in town and lacks the full support of the town militia.
