History
The village of Kerran was once a prosperous community of artisans and smiths. The specialty of the town was working with blackglass a shiny, hard and slightly brittle rock that the craftsmen pulled from the nearby Dead Hills Mine.
In 1194 ATG, the mining operation uncovered a yellow powdery substance in the mine. They had no idea what the substance was, and simply set it aside. But within weeks, those who had contact with the yellow powder began falling ill. Those with the most contact died within 35-40 days.
The miners closed off that section of the mine and added warning signs. But in late 1194, a mysterious individual came to the village with a unique offer. He did not want their blackglass creations. He wanted the yellow powder and was willing to pay handsomely for it. Enough for the town to never work again. The Kerrans explained they would need to discuss as a group and would need a few days.
The stranger agreed to return in five days. Two days later, Hargus Hurryhouse came to the town looking for some gifts to take to Lawcrane. A few townsfolk mentioned the stranger and the yellow powder. Hargus became very concerned and advised the villagers not to have any further contact with the substance. He warned that the substance, regardless of how much they were paid, would end up killing them all.
Hargus left, and as promised the stranger returned. He was told that the decision was made not to take the offer. The stranger tried to change their minds, to no avail. He asked why they had changed their mind. The Kerrans explained that Hargus had told them they would die if they kept mining the substance. Upon the mention of Hargus’ name, the stranger became quiet but was visibly angered. Without a word, he left. The Kerrans thought that would be the end of it.
But on the 2nd of Prima, 1195, the stranger returned. He yelled in the middle of the village that they would pay for their insolence. He raised his arms and a fog began emanating from his hands. In addition to the fog, a spray of fluid shot 30-50 feet from his hands. He stormed through the town, through the fields, waving and screaming that they would all pay for listening to Hargus Hurryhouse.
Within days, the vegetation in town began to die. Crops began to wither. Nearby trees began to lose their leaves. Within a few weeks, all vegetation had died and crops were decimated. Since that day, nothing has grown, and even the trees have died. With no grain to feed their livestock, the Kerrans had to resort to stealing from nearby villages and shipments on the road to and from Lawcrane.
The word of the blight reached nearby settlements, and the belief was that they had angered the gods, or insulted the earth with their mining. Regardless of their belief, the demand for their blackglass wares disappeared, and many outside Kerran believed the village to be a cursed ghost town. Roads to and from the village have become overgrown and unused, almost as if nature has conspired to hide their existence.
Alternativename
Birthplace of Blackglass
Geography
Kerran sits in a small hollow at the base of the Dead Hills to the north. The hills are a source of blackglass, as well as a powdery yellow substance that has been llinked to deaths in the town.