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The Blackmoor family, a minor but well regarded vassal house to the Barony of Fortenbras, has been granted lordship over the newly taken Upper Gryffnil Valley. Located at the headwaters of the Vyland River, this feudal holding consists of one war-damaged castle and accompanying village, and several small settlements. It is like most of Pine March, densely wooded, thinly populated, and relatively poor due to centuries of mismanagement. Being granted lordship over this territory is not so much of a boon as one might think. The previous lord was a knight named Sir Ancellard Tancreti, vassal to the Baron of Murtova. Despite the size of the territory, it is not a wealthy land. The territory is hilly, covered in dense pine forests, and there is relatively little good farming land. On the other hand, the forests teem with game, there is ample water, plenty of wealth in the ground to be had, and the views of the FarSpar Mountains are spectacular.
Vyland Portage - The first sign of the new fief that the PC's will encounter is the portage on the Vyland River, a separate settlement that is part of Upper Gryffnil. It is surrounded by a fairly beefy wooden palisade, larger than would normally be possible for three families. The portage only has three families there, largely centered on the docks. Forest products are loaded onto small rafts, which then sail downstream to markets. A small dirt track runs three miles through the woods, up into the hills to Gryffnil Village itself.
Village of Gryffnil - The primary village is relatively small, twenty seven households clustered into clumps of stout stone buildings with few windows. An extensive set of earthworks, surmounted by rude stakes and an incomplete palisade surround the actual village grounds. The farm fields have been hacked out of the surrounding forests, and small pasture plots contain goats and pigs. All but a handful of the villagers are farmers or foresters - several have armed themselves with bows and crossbows taken from the looted keep, or made on their own. The villagers are willing to feign deference to their new lords, but have are actually quite willing to abandon their fields and rebel.
Smithy - A single blacksmith (Tolmar) and his three sons supply the metalworking needs of the village.
Mill - Built near the keep, along the river, this was traditionally owned by the Tancreti family, but operated by a miller named Quentus
Farrier - Though primarily a shoer of horses, Cleven has become the local veterinarian by default.
Leatherworker - One of the only money making businesses in Upper Gryffnil, Enmore the Tanner prepares hides and furs, buying them from local hunters and selling them to markets downstream. As a result, he is both better dressed and fouler smelling than most of the villagers.
Tavern - The lone entertainment in Upper Gryffnil is the one-story tavern, consisting of a single large room in the front, and a brewery in the back. Olmstead the Brewer has a potent swill of a recipe he claims was given to him by the dwarves of Durham. Regardless, it is potent enough to make the evenings merry on occasion.
Temple - Reverend Enfirth, brother to Enmore, ministers to the spiritual needs of Upper Gryffnil. He is a Linealist by leaning, but must tend to the shrines of all of the gods. Despite his age and mild alcoholism, it is he who leads the expeditions to clear the woods when a wight is spotted. This is taking a toll on his sanity, as he feels quite isolated up here.
Gryffnil Keep - The keep is less of a castle, and more of a fortified tower house; specifically it is patterned off of Affleck Castle in Scotland. It is four stories tall, with a wall around a central courtyard with stables and a central well. The wall is about 10' high, with a parapet suitable for archers. It is mainly built to defend the landowners against revolting serfs, goblins, and raiders, rather than assault with any sort of siege engines. It is grim and unpleasant in aspect. Once word arrived that the lord of the manor had either fled or been slain at a particular battle, the serfs attacked the local garrison, and then looted the house. They will cheerfully explain that raiders arrived some weeks ago and rampaged, and that by the time the PC's arrive, they have been without the protection of a feudal lord for some time. The ground floor is a large vaulted ceiling storage area, and a single spiral staircase grants access to the upper floors. In general, the lord resides on the top floor, while underlings reside below. The building lacks a kitchen or a hall for holding court; cooking is normally done in an outbuilding built along the inside of the wall. Water is supplied by a small well, which in this case is a cunningly dug well in the corner of the ground floor. Every floor has a large fireplace at each end of the single large room. In addition to the features of the illustration, Gryffnil Keep has a catwalk extending from each of the turrets, allowing the lord to survey his surroundings.
Floorplans and explanations of interior details are available at the Affleck Castle website.
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