An ancient dwarfhold in the High Forest
now controlled by former adventurers
(see chapter 8).

This cavern complex is a former
dwarfhold rebuilt by the Nine, a
famous adventuring band led by the
female archmage Laeral. This group,
now mostly retired, makes its home in
the seclusion of the High Forest, as far
up The Unicorn Run as men dare go.
The Stronghold is known to have
strange and powerful magical guardians
(including nagas and golems) not to
mention their retainers, followers and
several mercenary bands. The Nine are
known to have gathered much treasure
over the years?much of it is undoubtedly
in the Stronghold.

GAME INFORMATION: The Nine
are now the ?Five.? A disagreement over
an item in Laeral?s possession began a
feud, dividing the once close knit band
into three warring factions. The item is
an artifact known as the Crown of
Horns, a many-horned helm of
unknown properties (one property
should be obvious, it causes dissension
and a desire to possess it). Those who
investigate The Stronghold will find its
above-ground buildings abandoned and
in poor repair. The large underground
complex is ill-defended and in constant
turmoil as ragged, paranoid warbands
gain, lose and regain control of the
Crown. To them, everything else in the
world pales in comparison to the ugly
iron helm.

The five who survive are 15th level or
higher and include a fighter, a cleric,
two magic-users (Laeral and one other),
and a thief. Most of their followers are
2d level or higher.
 

FR1
This cavern complex is a former
dwarfhold rebuilt by the Nine. This famous
adventuring band, led by the archmage
Laeral, is largely retired today; they make
their home in the seclusion of the High Forest,
as far up the Unicorn Run as men dare
go. The Stronghold is known to have
strange and powerful magical guardians
(including nagas and golems). The Nine are
known to have gained much treasure over
the years, however, and much of it is
undoubtedly in the Stronghold (if any are
foolhardy or desperate enough to face nine
veteran adventurers, the least of which is
14th level, on their home ground!).