Priory of Snowstill
The Priory of Snowstill is a small monastic cell in the Diocese of Myrken Wood.
Snowstill's main crop consists of potatoes and other tubers. Due to Snowstill's more mountainous location, it is extremely important that the monks harvest before heavy frosts begin. Field frost damages potatoes in the ground and cold weather makes potatoes and other root vegetables more susceptible to bruising and rotting, which can quickly ruin a large stored crop. As a result, the priory's yield is carted to the Priory of Stonebrook, where it is stored for monastic consumption. Since little-to-no farming can be done at Snowstill during the winter, the priory is largely abandoned during the winter months.
Snowstill is currently in a state of disrepair after a large fire at the priory.
The Priory also served as a lair to the notorious Teron Ashfiend for several months. Upon kidnapping the barmaid Teddi he brought her there. He also used it as the staging ground for numerous unprovoked attacks upon Myrkenfolk. The Battle of Snowstill was the result of the Ashfiend's presence here: an alliance of native and foreign forces that broke apart the Ashfiend's undead forces and drove him from the Priory. The battle also left Alastir Savoy insane as well as precipitated the Great Madness upon Foggy Bottom.
Exterior
The Priory consists of two structures. The first is the main building, which serves as the monks' living quarters and dining facilities.
The other building is a small chapel that is rarely used by layfolk. It, like most other chapels of the One True Faith, was built in the shape of the Crusorbis.
The Fire
In the cruel depths of a recent winter, three warriors made the long ride to the Priory, on the basis of information given to them by the cultist Fawn. Throughout the coldest months of that winter, Fawn had explained, the Priory had stood abandoned -- and her master, Thadius Dhrin, had taken its empty halls for his home. On the night following this revelation, Ariane Emory, Councilor Kerrak al'Nerun and the drow Jirai along with the physician David D'Rael, Councilor Suede Roschen, and the engimatic Nightshade rode to the Priory with two aims: the rescue of Governor Bromn, and the destruction of Thadius Dhrin -- along with the remnants of his cult, the Order of the All.
In order to secure the rescue of Altias Bromn, a distraction was needed. It was Ariane Emory who made the suggestion that burning the place to the ground would suffice in that. Following a pitched battle against several cultists and Thadius Dhrin himself, the rescue went off soundly leaving a blackened priory in its wake.
The Battle of Snowstill
The Battle of Snowstill was the first pitched battle of Myrken Wood against Teron Ashfiend. His kidnapping the barmaid [Teddi]] from the Broken Dagger Inn and Tavern precipitated the joining of many personages in alliance against the Ashfiend. Amongst them were Cinnabar Calomel, Seth Bloodmoon, Glenn Burnie, Patience Mayfield, Sir Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea, Alastir Savoy, Zalin Savoy, along with a host of constables, Shepherd Knights of the Silver Staff and Gray Lancers.
While a harsh battle, it is generally considered a victory for Myrken Wood. The Ashfiend's undead minions were destroyed, Teddi was rescued, and he was driven from the site, never again to use it as a lair. However, during the conflict, the Ashfiend also used fell magic to drive Alastir Savoy insane, while the attack itself also precipitated the Great Madness of Foggy Bottom. However, many Shepherd Knights perished on the battlefield holding the line against the tide of undead.
