Laistead

A human town established almost 2500 years ago at the foot of the Grimleche Peaks. For centuries, rumours of buried riches have attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Laistead. In recent years, many people have resettled the area. Laistead is now a rough-and-tumble frontier town. Wizards have long traveled to Laistead in search of a mysterious forge, which legend tells is capable of crafting many rare and powerful magical objects.

Five centuries ago, clans of dwarves and gnomes made an agreement known as the Pact of Laistead, by which they would share a rich mine in a wondrous cavern known as the Shrieking Cave. In addition to its mineral wealth, the mine contained great magical power. Human spellcasters allied themselves with the dwarves and gnomes to channel and bind that energy into a great forge (called the Spellforge), where magic items could be crafted. Times were good, and the nearby human town of Laistead prospered as well. But then disaster struck when orcs swept through the North and laid waste to all in their path.

A powerful force of orcs reinforced by evil mercenary wizards attacked the Shrieking Cave to seize its riches and magic treasures. Human wizards fought alongside their dwarf and gnome allies to defend the Spellforge, and the ensuing spell battle destroyed much of the cavern. Few survived the cave-ins and tremors, and the location of the Shrieking Cave was lost.

For centuries, rumours of buried riches have attracted treasure seekers and opportunists to the area around Laistead, but no one has ever succeeded in locating the lost mine. In recent years, people have resettled the area. Laistead is now a rough-and-tumble frontier town.