The settlement itself is modest, consisting of some sixteen families of shepherds who dwell in tiny stone cottages scattered across boulder-strewn slopes. Some of these homes are little more than caves walled over with stone. The folk here live by wandering with their flocks, descending to market only when there is coin to be had.

Wyvernhunt Keep

The grandly named Wyvernhunt Keep is less impressive than its title suggests. It is little more than a single large chamber built against a rocky slope, though its construction makes it useful in troubled times. The roof and the walls on the downhill side form a high-walled platform, allowing defenders to look or fire weapons down over the ground below.

Though abandoned by the Crown, the keep remains useful to travelers caught in foul weather or seeking a defensible place to sleep. It is often used as shelter by those passing through, though no one should expect comfort, welcome, or anything resembling proper lodging.

Deepwell Market

At the heart of the hamlet lies Deepwell Market, named for its well, whose waters are clear and fresh-tasting. When merchants arrive to buy livestock or wool, they ring the Buyers’ Bell, and the shepherds of Wyvernhunt come racing down from their scattered homes and pastures.

The market is a lively place when trade is underway, with villagers vying to sell sheep, raw wool, and the small amounts of goat’s milk cheese they produce. Many families keep a few goats alongside their sheep for this purpose, though the hamlet’s true wealth is in its flocks.

Spear Rock

Wyvernhunt’s most famous site is Spear Rock, a rough but honored shrine to Tempus. It stands on a knoll several fields above the well and can be seen clearly from the hamlet. Beneath its shadow lies the great Shield Stone, a boulder shaped much like an altar table.

The faithful say that Tempus listens closely to prayers offered at the Shield Stone. This is not mere tavern talk, for several devotees who prayed there before battle have later been aided by lightning bolts striking their enemies, even from clear blue skies. Lone warriors come to Spear Rock throughout the year, and priests of Tempus visit regularly to cleanse the shrine and remove offerings left by petitioners.

The place also has a martial reputation. A strong archer standing at Spear Rock could send arrows down into Deepwell Market, and local legend insists that archers faithful to Tempus cannot miss with missiles fired from the shrine. This claim is not entirely idle. It is said that missile weapons loosed within forty feet of the Shield Stone fly with uncanny surety, and another manifestation of the god has been reported: when a devout supplicant prays in a manner pleasing to Tempus, a voice may speak from the stone and reveal the whereabouts of a named foe. Often the answer is brief, such as “Suzail” or “Sembia,” but at times the god is said to have answered with far greater precision.

The shrine has served as a last stand more than once. The most famous tale concerns Saeragus the Sly, an outlaw who was cornered at Spear Rock and used his archery to fell an entire patrol of Purple Dragons.

Mines and Mountain Dangers

High above Wyvernhunt lie several copper mines. The monster aeries that gave the place its name are now thankfully rare, making the mines safer than they once were, though few would call them safe in any easy sense.

The mountains remain wild, and local legends still speak of hidden dangers. The most persistent tale is that of Black Shaernauba, a brigand said to be a werewyvern. According to the stories, she waylays travelers on the road, and if a robbery goes ill, she takes wyvern shape and flies away. She is said to dwell in a cave filled with coins and gems, where she keeps handsome male captives.

Some tales claim Black Shaernauba slew Purple Dragons who tried to establish a waypost in Wyvernhunt, and that she likewise drove off those who attempted to build inns there. This sounds more like wishful storytelling than sober history. If the Crown truly wished to place a guardpost in Wyvernhunt, one werewyvern would not long stand against the War Wizards who could be sent to make it so.

Trade and Exports

Wyvernhunt’s trade is small but practical. Sheep, raw wool, goat’s milk cheese, and copper from the mines are the hamlet’s chief goods. Merchants come when they have need, ring the Buyers’ Bell at Deepwell Market, and bargain with whatever shepherds arrive first.

Faith

Tempus is the only deity strongly associated with Wyvernhunt, through the shrine of Spear Rock and the Shield Stone. His presence here is taken seriously by warriors, hunters, and those who expect battle.