Dearthkettle Keep

[Havard]

From Fred Weining's description of Greyhawk's Blackmoor in OJ#5, we have the following description of Dearthkettle Keep:

This ageworn tower is home to a covey of greenhags. Their evil presence is strangely tolerated by the local Tuoctish tribes with whom they have a centuries old relationship. Though the fen-folk keep themselves at a distance from the Widows of Dearthkettle, they are not seen as enemies. The hags play the role of wise women and seers, even acting as healers at times, though their skills are more often utilized in the service of personal and clan vendettas. Yet it is acknowledged that the more often one deals with these witches, the higher the price they demand. Still, they generally seem benign, or nearly so, but woe betide any who transgress the obscure rules of their hospitality -- especially unknowing strangers who fall into their clutches, or healthy men when the ladies go "a-husbanding".

The Keep itself is built over a natural geyser, and is always surrounded by heavy fogs. The legendary magic of Blackmoor's hotsprings must be present, for members of the druidic hierarchy are seen to sometimes pay their respects here. The druids view the hags as an inherent part of nature, notwithstanding their evil, and are concerned only that they prey not too heavily upon the natives. These hideous creatures hold sway over all of the many will o'wisps native to the Blackmoor territory. Though utterly chaotic in their evil, the wisps are completely subservient to the hags, spying for them throughout Blackmoor. It is said that no word spoken in forest, fen or moor is safe from the whispering of wisps into the ears of the Widows of Dearthkettle.

This seems like a fascinating adventure location. The reference to "the legendary hotsprings of Blackmoor" is interesting. Although it is not something I recognize from Arneson's campaign, Arneson did have magical rock at the foundation of Blackmoor (DA1, FFC), which could explain why hotsprings would carry the same magic.

Also, the presence of Wil o'wisps is an interesting detail.

Has anyone used this as an adventure location?


-Havard