Stonewake Crossing
Region: Borderlands between Valin and Heterland
Notable Feature: River Lornwater
Character: Wary, weathered, quietly tense
Stonewake Crossing is not a destination—it is a necessity.
Perched along the banks of the River Lornwater, the town exists for one purpose: to get people, goods, and animals safely across water that is otherwise impassable for miles in either direction. Everything else has grown around that need.
First Impressions
Stonewake feels like a place that has learned to endure rather than prosper.
- The river is wide, dark, and steady
- The air smells of wet rope, woodsmoke, and cold water
- Buildings lean inward, as if bracing against wind and rumor alike
Travelers are common, but trust is not.
The Crossing
Nightwake Ferry
The ferry is the lifeblood of the town.
- Operates day and night, weather permitting
- Charges a steep fee (20 gold for wagons or parties)
- Run by locals who do not explain delays
When the ferry is not running, Stonewake waits.
No one argues with the river.
Places of Note
The Broken Span (Inn)
The only inn in town.
- Old stone foundations, newer wooden additions
- Warm food, limited cheer
- Conversations drop when strangers enter
Rooms are clean, but sleep is light.
Rook & Line Provisioners
A general store serving travelers and ferrymen alike.
- Rope, dried food, tools, lantern oil
- Prices fluctuate with rumors and river conditions
- The proprietor asks questions only after payment
The People
Stonewake residents are practical and guarded.
- They watch the road before greeting travelers
- They know when to speak and when to stay silent
- They have seen soldiers, merchants, refugees, and worse
No one here is surprised by trouble.
Only disappointed when it arrives.
Current Mood
There is tension beneath the town’s calm.
- Talk of unrest in Heterland
- Whispers of false atrocities and blamed elves
- Armed riders seen on the hills beyond the river
Stonewake does not choose sides.
It survives whoever wins.
What Travelers Learn Quickly
- Don’t linger on the docks
- Pay the ferry without complaint
- Don’t ask why something burned unless you want answers you won’t like
Stonewake Crossing remembers everything.
It just doesn’t volunteer the stories.