The Lore of Hood's Bay!
The Discovery of The Land
After battles and storms, the Black Swan was taking on water, and the ship's pumps were only just keeping up with the influx of the sea. Because of the bad weather, the Navigator had little idea of where they were. All she could tell was that they were far north of their usual waters. When the lookout sees a light through the rain-lashed sky, they are desperate for a haven. Corynda, the ship's navigator, steers deftly towards it and manages to dock in the harbor. No other lights are seen except the ephemeral light from the Lighthouse. When the sun rises and the storm breaks, the crew is amazed to find a village, all but abandoned, but in relatively good condition. Although there are no dry dock facilities, they can make temporary repairs to their vessel enough to stop the below-decks from flooding.
Over the following six months or so, the crew of the Black Swan, now sadly knowing that their ship is no longer seaworthy, start to settle in the buildings of the abandoned town. Surrounded by steep peaks and water, this land is not discernible on any maps or charts that were possessed by the crew. They explore the land surrounding the bay and find wandering farm animals and game to be hunted. The ruins of a keep stand just outside the settlement, and what appears to be a library or mage's tower stands overlooking the village. The occasional ship arrives in the bay, bringing a few hardy souls who wish to try the frontier life and stay.
The land was rich and fertile, with tall forests, rich farmlands, and a safe deep-water harbor. The architecture is a diverse mixture of styles, showing the crafting hands of elves, halflings, and men. While most arrive by sea after hearing rumors of this place from the crews of the occasional ship that finds respite here, arriving by magical means, or by flight for dragons and gryphons, and who knows what else might fly in, is not unheard of. The tall, craggy cliffs overlooking the harbor bay are good for roosting creatures of size.
Recent Events
Several inhabitants decided to reestablish the derelict library, in which all the shelves had fallen and collapsed, spilling books and scrolls into chaotic piles. While doing so, they discover a thin Black leatherbound book which appears to be the journal of a local magic user. Following the clues within, they are led to the stone circle, where a small quake shakes some of the stones out of their positions in the henge. Tree roots come boiling from the forest floor, and within mere minutes, a giant olive tree grows, pushing aside the stones of the Circle that stood there before like pretenders at a coronation. Skeletal remains of several humanoids are found entangled in the roots of the massive tree.
The captain is reported to have heard several tales of a tall, white-haired, and horned man. He puts these down to drunken ghost stories and laughs them off.
Garrack established a group of selectmen and used it to start the benevolent governance of the town. When asked what authority he used to start this committee (of which he is the head), he states that he was "Elected" by a majority of residents in the town, which now mainly consists of his crew. People are coming to the land. Some to escape tyranny and evil, some with the adventurous spirit of pioneers, but some with nefarious motives that turn to establish smuggling opportunities and a haven from which to run their criminal enterprises, or to escape their criminal past
The Past and Future
There are clues to the past of the Land to be discovered. Knowing the past of this small realm might well be pivotal to shaping the future. Life is seemingly peaceful, but what mysteries lie beneath the calm veneer of tranquility of the land? What happened to the previous residents, and whose remains lay entwined in the roots of the great olive tree? The settlement is growing as new arrivals decide to lay down their packs and make it their home.
Taxi to Hood's Bay
