Torrentmoot

Location overview

A seasonal encampment on a dusty plateau along the Flood Road, Torrentmoot is situated within sight of the snowcapped Tusk Mountains. During the Flood Truce, when melting snow turns the road into a riverbed, the holds of Belkzen gather resources and observe a rare season of peace. Roughly two dozen aurochs-hide tents ring a great central bonfire, with split-log benches scattered about for feasting, storytelling, and friendly contests of skill. The camp also contains pavilions, guards, numerous sellers, and a central fire pit surrounded by hewn-log benches. Hosted by Ardax the White-Hair and staffed in part by his Empty Hand Hold, the camp draws dignitaries from across Belkzen's holds and beyond, invited to build new alliances and strengthen old ones. Visitors are housed in shared tents and given free rein to explore; day to day the camp bustles with trade talk, games of skill, and friendly rivalries, kept running by a dozen busy staff informally led by the chef Zensh.
The established camp includes representatives from several holds, organized hobgoblins from Oprak, and a Knight of Lastwall beneath her banner. Staff assign work, and idle hands draw disapproval. Arrivals receive space for tents or a northern pavilion and join the camp’s introductions. Notable events include Grothlin accepting and losing an arm-wrestling match, Davor speaking with Fizzik and Vanna, and Kestrel discussing cooperation between the Knights of Lastwall and Belkzen with Vanna. A shifting dumbbell challenge resulted in Fizzik earning fifty gold. Over breakfast, Bonesnap recruited The Party for an aurochs hunt, which led the hunting party to turn back toward Torrentmoot after three days away.
The camp features a fire, piles of books, and an awning-covered table. Gurnak questioned a staff member and Vaska about orc history, legends, and culture; Vaska directed him toward Davor and his books. Grothlin and Vaska split logs together. Several days later, parents from Torrentmoot sought help finding Kar, Xan, and Ilo. After the children’s rescue, residents celebrated and questioned Kar’s claim to have slain the undead leader. The following afternoon, Ardax praised The Group’s cooperation at the puzzle box and warned them of trouble in the main camp involving someone who had lost a tusk.
Torrentmoot is a gathering site featuring camps, visiting delegations, and various activities, including a puzzle box. Grothlin documented the attendees, while Vaska and her companions drew significant attention from Ardax. Grothlin viewed the puzzle as a sign that Belkzen would require intelligence and unfamiliar powers to confront Tar-Baphon. After addressing the tooth-fairy gang war, The Group returned to the main camp, where several days passed. An Ardax guard summoned them to meet Torrentmoot’s organizer, who expressed gratitude for their efforts in rescuing a child, succeeding in the aurochs hunt, and confronting the tooth fairies. The organizer presented Vaska with a Storm Skewermaul and instructed The Group to investigate missing scouts.
The camp’s tents included Grothlin’s, where Vaska saw his map of the camp and discussed recent fights with him. Grothlin examined her Storm Skewer Maul and entrusted her with a returning hatchet. In Kestrel’s tent, Klein proposed an alliance between the Black Jackets and the Knights of Lastwall, and Kestrel gave him a silver scimitar. Gurnak and Davor discussed orc writing and later agreed to work on a book together. Fizzik visited Davor as he packed for the rain. Vaska also sent a boy to buy four potion and elixir formulas for six gold.
One chilly night, two undead bears entered a clearing in camp. Grothlin struck one before moving on to other fighting, and The Party destroyed both. Ardax reported that scouts had killed the bears days earlier, but their bodies had not been thoroughly destroyed. A few days later, a crowd gathered at camp for an insult contest, where Vaska and Gurnak exchanged challenges.
The gathering left camp for Ardax’s overlook to watch the deluge. After undead rose near the floodwater, Ardax ordered everyone back to base camp. The Party led the route through needledown cactus. During a later aurochs stampede and heavy rain, undead attacked stragglers, and The Party fought them alongside Ardax and his guards.
Torrentmoot stands on a low mesa. After attendees were led away to observe the start of the Deluge, they returned toward camp to gather supplies and escape. At Torrentmoot, they prepared to flee, with twenty minutes to ready supplies, mounts, and two wagons. In the center of the former camp, Ardax announced that he would go to Urgir to raise the alarm and that some of his warriors would escort the caravan to Cleft Head Hold. He then departed, leaving the caravan.