The Orchard.
The Orchard is a haunted set of hills and small mounds, in the foothills North of Mor's End, covered with a wide variety of fruit trees. It is said that each of the thousands of fruit trees is planted over the grave of a fallen hero from some long-forgotten battle, and that at night their ghosts roam the orchard. Despite the beauty of the fruit blossoms in spring, and the abundance the trees provide in autumn, superstition keeps most people away from this place. It is said that no harm shall come to those who pass in reverence, and only pick up the fallen fruit from the ground. But woe on those who should try to pick the fruit from the trees!
In reality, the trees are indeed planted over the graves of heroes, and their (largely benign) ghost do roam the Orchard at night (and in the denser parts of the forest of fruit trees, during the day as well). However, these are not fallen warriors from some great battle. They are volunteers who gave their lives to guard a much darker and Evil presence sleeping fitfully deep underneath the scattered burial mounts. At the order of Cor Mahael, the Wizard on the Island,
there used to be a member of the Mage's Guild permanently stationed at the Orchard. This post has been abandoned for the past 50 years (although the Mage's Guild has not bothered informing Cor Mahael of this).
This locations could also make a good place for a well-hidden enclave of sprites, fairies, dryads and other Fey. One or more Druids, and perhaps some Treants are possible as well. These may or may not be aware of the Evil that sleeps below.
Plot Hooks:
- The party passes through the Orchard and plucks some fruit - or worse: decides to spend the night and builds a fire! The ghosts (leaning toward LN and LG, although Detect Evil may detect a faint Evil aura in the whole area) will try to scare and drive off the party. The more the party resists, the more help they will summon, including any other inhabitants of the Orchard. If the party does significant damage to the Orchard, the Evil beneath may start waking up...
- A lightning strike has set fire to part of the Orchard (or a Blight is spreading among the orchard trees). The party is called in to help
put out the fire and/or restore the Wards. The request for help could come directly from the Orchard ghosts or other inhabitants if the party is nearby, from the Mage's Guild (if they even remember what is buried underneath the Orchard), from Cor Mahael himself (if the smoke is visible from his tower in Mor's End), etc.
- The Ghosts of the Orchard have started terrorizing nearby farms and manors, and the party is called in to investigate. In reality, the
ghosts have been trying to call for help in controlling the Evil they guard. However, communication is not a ghost's strong point, and the farmers (with the possible exception of a little girl) are terrified. Perhaps some ritual needs to be renewed once a century? Perhaps the ancient apple tree in the center of the Orchard is dying and a volunteer is needed to take his place?
