0711 King Pusskin’s Road
HexDolmenwood Campaign Book · p.270
Open source p.270Quiet country lanes wind among farmers’ fields and windswept hilltops.
Quiet country lanes wind among farmers’ fields and windswept hilltops.
- Terrain: Farmland (2), High Wold
- Lost/encounters: 1-in
The Quivering Doily (Inn)
A cute, thatched-roof cottage stands amid apple orchards at a crossroads where Swinescombe Road and several farm tracks meet the Swallop Road.
Sign: A lady’s gloved hand holding a doily whose lacework hints at a smirking face.
Common room: Floor strewn with straw, bales as seats, barrels for tables. The landlady, Agnel Chudrow, mingles congenially with guests. Her pet goat, Mable, roams freely.
Portrait: In a place of prominence near the fireplace hangs a portrait of a fluffy pussy cat wearing a plush crown.
Guests: Rustic farm folk telling tall tales, playing lively fiddle music, and goggling at travellers.
Roadside Shrine
In the north-east of this hex, close to the eaves of Dolmenwood, a gloomy shrine stands beside the winding, well- used Swallop Road beneath a weather-beaten wooden roof.
Pussy cat portrait: Inside can be found an old lacquered portrait of a fluffy pussy cat wearing a plush crown (identical to the one at the inn, though more weathered).
Inscription: The portrait bears an inscription: “King Pusskin’s Road—travellers upon the road must leave tribute in the form of milk or mice.”
Beneath the portrait: A small table houses an array of mouse skeletons and chipped china saucers (also enamelled with images of the regal cat).
Not leaving a tribute: Although travellers often scoff at the shrine, dismissing it as rustic nonsense, the power of King Pusskin (see p33) is very real. Anyone passing along the road without leaving a fitting tribute in the shrine displeases King Pusskin, manifesting upon awakening the following morning (see King Pusskin’s Displeasure).
The Moggle Door (Hidden)
Just under the eaves of Dolmenwood, in the far east of this hex, is a quiet glade with a circle of mouse skulls at its centre.
Stepping into the ring: Whisks one away to the fairy road Skipping-a-Derry (see Fairy Roads, p26).
Grimalkin: There is a 1-in chance of a grimalkin (DMB) entering or emerging from the Moggle Door as PCs arrive.
Services at the Quivering Doily
Lodgings and food: Of common quality (DPB). Only one private room is available.
Cider (“Lanklow’s”): The landlord’s bowel-blasting scrumpy is the locals’ favoured drink. 1sp a mug.
Mead: Is always in stock. 12sp a glass.
Agnel Chudrow—Quivering Doily Proprietor
A tiny (4′5″), quick-footed human woman in her middle years, white apron always pristine and brown hair tied in a long braid down her back.
Demeanour (Lawful): Kindly, motherly, scolds the disorderly.
Speech: Breathless. Broad rustic accent. Woldish.
Desires: Fairy wines. To visit a fairy carnival.
Family: Husband (Lanklow) is an orchard man and cider brewer. Children are grown up and moved to High-Hankle.
Knowledge: If questioned about the pussy cat portrait, Agnel beams with pride and says: “That’s our protector there: King Pusskin. When he’s happy, we’re safe.” She discloses nothing else about it.
King Pusskin’s Displeasure ()
Manifestation 1 Feverish dreams of being trapped in giant cats’ claws. 2 A dead mouse discovered on the pillow. 3 Cat-scratches on hands and arms. 4 An item of clothing shredded by cat claws. 5 Coughs up furballs. 6 Attacked by any dogs encountered this day.