Griffon Hill

Griffon Hill was a thorp in the East Reaches of Cormyr, close to the Stonelands.

Description
Griffon Hill was an unremarkable collection of buildings sat atop a rocky hill.

Geography
The hill upon which the settlement was found sat about halfway along the Stonebolt Trail, from Gnoll Pass to Shadow Gap. Roughly to the west was a noted goblin burial ground.

Somewhere below the hilltop was a good-sized aquifer that the residents used to draw drinking water.

Flora & Fauna
Griffon Hill's inhabitants raised sheep.

Trade
Griffon Hill traded the meat and wool of its flocks for whatever they could buy from the merchants who visited them. Those in need of healing also traveled to the site to visit priests of Chauntea who lived there, who supplemented the thorp's income by selling holy water. More expensive goods were imported from Arabel via trusted messengers hired by the priests.

Defenses
Apart from lying at the top of a hill, the cottages of Griffon Hill were somewhat fortified against attack. During the mid–14 century DR, one of the priests living there gained the ability to summon earth elementals and control the weather.

History
Long ago, the hill was associated with griffons. After it was settled, Griffon Hill became the target for frequent orc attacks, but the folk living there survived and rebuilt time after time.

Rumors & Legends
It was said that when under dire threat, the residents of Griffon Hill retreated to a cavern within the hill itself for safety. Legend also had it that this cavern was deep enough to connect to the Underdark, and that they could flee there to escape pursuit.

Notable Locations
One of the cottages built atop the hill was set aside for visiting travelers to sleep in—it was marked by faerie fire, had cots set up inside, and was stocked with firewood and water. However, it was also kept in a far less tidy state, with the door left open unless occupied.

Inhabitants
Only a few people lived in Griffon Hill. They were wary of outsiders since brigands had manipulated their trust in the past.