Drosven’s Gate is a settlement known for its central plaza, featuring a Sacred Pyre that serves as a focal point for the community. Surrounding the plaza the ground is cracked and unstable. The climate is characterized by a permanent high-altitude cloud cover, diffusing sunlight and creating a dim atmosphere. The inhabitants maintain the Sacred Pyre, which is vital to their rituals and community identity. Historically, the pyre has been a source of light and magic, though it is capable of being extinguished. Drosven’s Gate is located near the entrance to Grithmaar Deep, known for its sacred pyres and the ritual use of Blessed Branches. A cut-stair route winds down from an old temple near Tern’s Watch into the cavern approach. The climate in the area is variable due to its proximity to mountain terrain.
Recently, the Sacred Pyre was snuffed out during a gathering, plunging the plaza into darkness. This event triggered the eruption of a large chitinous creature from the cracked ground, resulting in chaos as hostile creatures emerged. The inhabitants, including Sylvie Cerridwen, Heyou, Jamal, and Draz, fought to defend themselves in the darkened plaza. After successfully combating the threats, the group realized the pyre could not be relit without a Blessed Branch. Sylvie suggested a journey to Ulmira’s Step to retrieve this branch, prompting the group to gather provisions for their departure under the muted light of the overcast sky. Drosven’s Gate is integral to rekindling the pyre with the delivery of a Blessed Branch, as confirmed by Ygva, who emphasized the requirement of this item for the pyre's restoration. The need to potentially trade for a new branch has also been discussed.
Ulmira’s Step is a settlement built around the fossilized remnants of a colossal titan, incorporating its skull, a ruined fortress, ribs, and plate armor embedded in the mountainside. Once the first stair of a sacred pilgrimage to a now-collapsed shrine, the settlement was founded by giants and later joined by dwarves and humans, resulting in a distinct local dialect. The town is kept warm and bustling by a central Sacred Pyre, which prevents a pervasive miasma affecting the surrounding area. The community is largely self-sufficient, featuring a mingling of inhabitants, including children of giants and dwarves.
The atmosphere of Ulmira’s Step is lively, marked by laughter and the scent of baking bread. A great gong summons the townsfolk to a communal midday meal around a central firepit, managed by a Kelbar. Dimmers operators are present in the back of the meal area, with one dwarf displaying the Dimmers emblem. The locals explain that rekindling a pyre requires a Blessed Branch from Ygva, Ygva of the mountainside shrine, whom they avoid due to her connection to the Umbra. Sarru, a dwarven pyre-keeper, is identified as a contact for guidance regarding Ygva and the path to the shrine. He confirms the branch's location and warns of the dangers associated with the pilgrimage stairs leading to Ygva's lair, noting the risks of physical and spiritual changes for those who linger too long.
In recent days, Drosven’s Gate has become increasingly intertwined with the events in Ulmira’s Step, as The Enduring Lesser Lights convened there to discuss the dead pyre. Sylvie proposed seeking a Blessed Branch from Ygva at the high shrine, while others considered alternative options. They ultimately decided to form a party to explore the caverns, joined by new companions. Before descending, Sylvie cast protective wards and shared a personal gift with Heyou. The atmosphere grew oppressive as they descended switchback steps, with the air saturated by a kerosene odor.
During their descent, Sylvie noted reliefs depicting the dark gods Tlellic and Kreth, signaling impending dangers. Draz discovered a dark, oily slick on the cavern walls, identified by Heyou as the secretion of an ooze, indicating flammable material in the passage. This understanding heightened their sense of danger as they moved deeper into the crevice, which limited visibility. An ambush awaited from goblins above, leading to a chaotic battle against a hulking brute and the goblin attackers.
The fight escalated as fire ignited from the ooze's ichor, forcing the group to navigate the chaos. After defeating the brute, they faced further challenges, including a goblin rockfall that sealed off part of their path, through which Mellon passed insubstantially into the stone. Draz reported on the goblins' fortifications and preparations for a kill-corridor, revealing a more organized threat. The Enduring Lesser Lights chose to press on through the treacherous corridor, preparing to confront the goblins in their territory.
In addition to these events, Drosven’s Gate features an imposing stone bridge over a deep underground chasm, serving as a critical passage in the region. The area includes a Sacred Tree, previously protected by a Guardian beast, which has been significantly damaged, showing signs of being burned and regrown, with brittle wood and no signs of vitality. The site has become a focal point for conflict, particularly with goblins who have rigged explosives as a defense against intruders. Recent events have involved the goblins warning about explosives and the danger posed by the Guardian beast, claiming that those who attacked it never returned. A tactical conflict ensued, resulting in the defeat of the Guardian beast but at the cost of destroying the Sacred Tree. After harvesting Blessed Branch and discovering seeds that may allow for regrowth, the atmosphere shifted as the goblins returned with more explosives, leading to a catastrophic detonation that further devastated the site. Their actions drew the attention of higher powers, as indicated by the presence of Kelun, a stone figure blocking their escape.
Drosven’s Gate is located in a mountainous region, characterized by rugged terrain and ancient stone structures. The area features large pictographs embedded in the mountains, some reaching heights of 20 to 30 feet, suggesting historical significance. These pictographs align with smaller stones found at a nearby witch's camp. The climate reflects high altitudes, with snowline conditions affecting travel and visibility. Drosven’s Gate serves as a waypoint for adventurers navigating the treacherous mountain paths, offering routes to significant locations such as Stoneheart Peaks and Thistleglass.
The nearby witch's camp is a notable feature influencing travelers' choices while exploring the region. As adventurers consider their next moves, they may encounter challenges such as avalanches and threats from creatures in the area. The settlement of Verrow's Span, predominantly inhabited by simiah, is reached after navigating the mountainous paths, further extending the exploration beyond Drosven’s Gate.
In recent observations, Drosven’s Gate has shown signs of recent turmoil, with inhabitants displaying physical mutations. The town is presently associated with the Blessed Branch, a significant entity that has not returned after being taken by a group, causing distress among the locals. Concerns have emerged about missing families, specifically Sarru and Savel, who departed with a companion named Draz. Additionally, townsfolk exhibiting mutations have been observed traveling towards Ulmira’s Step, including a brewer and a councilman, both altered by an unknown dark force, indicating the severity of Drosven’s Gate’s current plight.
The atmosphere has grown increasingly malign, with the settlement appearing abandoned and non-humanoid monsters active in the streets. The oppressive environment, reminiscent of a humid day that weighs heavily on the lungs, indicates a dark influence. The absence of a Sacred Pyre has left the area vulnerable, and the presence of Umbra-distorted figures adds to the unsettling nature of Drosven’s Gate. Travelers are advised to remain cautious of the threats posed by the surrounding environment, as uncertainty about the ritual to relight the pyre without a priestly guide discourages direct engagement.
In addition to these challenges, the settlement has suffered significant destruction due to a raid by organized attackers. The inhabitants, primarily miners, were skilled in dealing with vermin but unprepared for a full-scale assault. Jamal, a survivor from Drosven’s Gate, recounted the slaughter of his people, highlighting their lack of preparedness for the organized raid. The area surrounding the settlement is remote, away from civilization, compounding the difficulties faced by the remaining inhabitants.