Hilgard

From Stormravengaming

Hilgard is a dwarven wagonwright from Kingsport. In his youth he was probably a siege engineer in the King's military; he certainly built siege engines at an earlier time in his life. It is likely that he turned to wagonwrighting as he slowed down with age.

Hilgard operates his own shop in Kingsport, under a wrought iron arch with the simple name "Hilgard's." Two of his nephews help him operate the business.

Quest for Galenvale

Hilgard is descended from a clan of dwarves that enjoy being near the sea, a possibly from the dwarves that inhabited Galenvale when it was still a living city near the sea, in a time long past when the sea came all the way to the foothills of the Whitefang Mountains. It is his belief in his connection to these ancient dwarves that inspired him to seek out Galenvale when his friend Shin brought him news of the trouble in Danloc, where local dwarves were accused of altering the flow of the Danloc River and of raiding human settlements. Galenvale was supposed to be near the headwaters of the River Danloc.

When Hilgard's nephew Bernard, a priest of Moradin, found out about the quest, he volunteered to come along. He hoped to see the wonders of the ancient city, and some dwarven cities and temples as well.

In the Merry Maiden, a tavern in Kingsport's waterfront district, Hilgard and Shin met the sailors Aralos and Clint and offered them the chance to join the quest for Galenvale. He tried to lure them with promises of the treasure to be found there, but Clint was interested only in the barmaids, and the half-elf wasn't piqued until Hilgard mentioned ships "faster than any built nowadays" that might be found in the ruins. Aralos accepted the proposition and became the fourth member of Hilgard's adventuring party. They left to seek Galenvale the next day.

Their journey took them through Danloc, where the local unrest led to mistrust of dwarves and fierce, baseless accusations. Hilgard and Bernard both wound up imprisoned, and Shin and Aralos had no choice but to leave them behind and try to find the cause of the city's problems in order to see them freed.

Eventually Aralos and several other adventurers were able to restore the flow of the Danloc River, and Aralos returned to Danloc at the helm of a preserved Galenvale corsair. Hilgard and his nephew were rescued from their imprisonment, but they never got to see the wonders of Galenvale for themselves.

Role: Associate.