THE CITY OF MANIFEST
CHAPTER 2:
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rarely crowded—a few vendors hawk wares amid the pedestrians, selling fresh baked goods, colorful clothing, or freshly sharpened cutlery from carts they wheel throughout the district. The warder of Forestview is Milla Kreshton (female human Ari7), the daughter of a duke in Salkiria who gave up her noble lineage to live and work in Manifest. She is short, plump, and a natural leader. Milla has no obvious preference for either the living or ghostly members of her community and is considered to be the most unbiased member of the Council of Warders. Locations within Forestview
The following entries detail locations of interest in Forestview: F1. Walker’s Bowery: Undari Walker (female half-elf Exp5) runs a shop that carries only materials directly attached to the making and use of bows and arrows. She produces fine quality stock, particularly her masterwork and mighty (and, of course, mighty masterwork) bows. F2. Lumber Yard: Red Heddrick (male dwarf Com3), a muscular, red-haired dwarf missing two fingers on his right hand, runs this lumberyard with great care. Red has arranged for his lumberjacks to always work side-by-side with members of the Arboreal Guardians so as to insure that they only fell trees that are safe to cut down and never those that are actually resting places for elf spirits. As a result, it is considered good luck to purchase timber from this establishment, and Red’s business continues to grow by leaps and bounds. F3. The Blueleaf: This tavern is a good-sized establishment that serves food as well as ale. Its exterior is carved with a detailed forest scene in which it is often difficult at first glance to tell whether a particular figure is an elf or a tree. The Blueleaf is one of the few places frequented by both the Arboreal Guardians and the local townsfolk. The clientele is usually at least 50 percent elf, and the owner, Piotran Lorestrae (male elf Com4), is an elf himself. Piotran is tall and thin, with a hawkish nose and brown hair tied into dozens of long, beaded braids. He suspects that Shail is no simple candlemaker—he’s heard strange sounds coming from the shop in the middle of the night (see Red Candleshop, below).
F4. Red Candleshop: This small candlemaker’s shop is run by an unassuming fellow named Shail (male human Wiz9). His wares are not especially artful or well crafted, but he still manages to eke out a living. In fact, the store is merely a front. Shail is a necromancer from Xaphan who keeps a number of ghouls locked in the cellar beneath his shop. At night, he sends them out on raids to the Tombyards in order to bring back bodies for him to use in his twisted experiments. Shail’s laboratory can be reached only by going past the ghoul lair and down a deep shaft. He has a half-made flesh golem stored there, as well as a small number of zombie servants. Shail has seen Piotran of the Blueleaf (see above) poking around his shop after dark—Piotran may not be long for this world. F5. Laphen’s House: There is no sign to mark it—you have to know where you’re going to find Laphen, a powerful sorcerer (he prefers the term “warlock”). Laphen (male elf Sor14) works as a sage and a spellcaster for hire. He knows a wide variety of useful spells and has a large collection of scrolls for spells he does not know. Laphen casts spells for others, and even makes potions, wands, or staffs to order (for the prices listed in the Player’s Handbook). F6. The Ox and Stag: Known throughout the city for superior craftsmanship, the Ox and Stag is a huge smithy that works in all sorts of metals. A full dozen workers toil here every day and keep the numerous forges continually in use. Anywhere in Manifest, if you ask for a recommendation for someone to craft a weapon, a suit of armor, or a fine gold urn, you’re likely to be directed to the Ox and Stag. Wares: The smiths at the Ox and Stag take only special orders and never buy merchandise; they only craft it.
CITY GOVERNMENT AND LAWS
As mentioned previously, Manifest is governed by the Council of Warders, one representative from each of the city’s five wards. They have established and maintained the latest version of the city’s laws, which are not particularly long or draconian, but are occasionally unique in their wording, including references to (and sometimes special exceptions for) ghosts.
