Darktower
Darktower is the home base of many adventuring groups in the region. It is located a long day's march through the Haunted Hills north of Duvik's Pass, beyond the northern borders of the Kingdom of Alterac. The region around Darktower is known as the Northern Frontier.
Darktower is a true frontier town, on the edge of the North Forest and near the Black Forest to the east. The town is populated primarily by adventurers and other ruffians drawn by the promise of quick (if not easy) money. It has a population of around 800. The population consists of about 50% humans, 30% dwarves, and the remaining 20% a roughly even mix of elves, half-elves, halflings, half-orcs, and gnomes.
A few of the prominent businesses in town are the Black Boar Tavern, Mork's Magic Shoppe, the Dwarven Brothers' Fine Weapons & Armor, the Adventurer's Guild, the Goldon Griffon Inn, and Darktower Bank.
Other prominent features of the town are the commons (a large muddy field in the center of the town), the Dark Tower (a mysterious tower after which the town is named, and the home of the town founder, a powerful wizard who is seldom seen), the Elven Tree (an enormous tree holding a dozen treehouses inhabited mostly by elves), and the Swiftcurrent River, which runs through the northern end of town.
Due to adventuring income, the Darktower economy is stronger than nearby regions, and thus goods and services cost quite a bit more than elsewhere.
Darktower and the Kingdom of Alterac are on friendly terms, although many Alterans are unhappy that Darktower does not pay taxes to the kingdom despite using it as a source of most of its goods, and services, and immigrants. Darktower also has good relations with the Free Cities, located to the west, where the Swiftcurrent River empties into the Western Sea.
Darktower is currently at war with advancing hobgoblin forces moving south from the Northern Wastes.
The region was at various points in history a minor dwarven kingdom, a human kingdom notable for it's cults to minor demigods, and a hobgoblin territory. There are numerous ruins holding unknown riches throughout the North Forest. There are also many ruins in the Haunted Hills to the south, but most of these have been looted over the years, as the area often serves as a training ground where inexperienced adventurers cut their teeth.
The region has never stayed civilized and inhabited for long stretches of history, due to it's population of dangerous creatures, and it's location at a center point between Alterac to the south, ancestral Orcish lands to the west, and the lands of the hobgoblin warlords to the north.
The Adventurer's Guild
to do
The Black Boar Tavern
The Black Boar is notorious for it's rough and rowdy patrons. A good bar brawl can be found there late most nights, although the intimidating bartender Dunbar breaks up the worst of these brawls quickly. It's also a popular spot for gambling; dice and card games can be found here throughout the evening. For such a rough place, the drink and food is surprisingly good (and not cheap). Many an adventurer has wiled away his riches here.
The Black Boar also acts as a front for the thieves' guild. Jimmy often makes deals in the back room to the left of the bar.
Mork's Magic Shoppe
This is the place to go if you need potions, scrolls, rings, cloaks, or any other magic item that might come in handy. However, she doesn't deal much in high-end magical weapons and armor; the Dwarven Brothers are a better source of such items.
The shelves of Mork's shop are crowded with esoteric knickknacks of all shapes and sizes. Mork is a tough but fair bargainer. He/She is often in need of various reagents and ingredients for potions and other magical creations, and is often willing to pay generously, in gold or magic items, for such things.