Old Owl Well — A Netherese Ruin in the Hills
A crumbling watchtower and a half-collapsed well, lost in the foothills of the Sword Mountains northeast of Phandalin.
Overview
Old Owl Well is what remains of a Netherese outpost — built more than fifteen hundred years ago, abandoned when the empire fell, and never properly inhabited since. A crumbled watchtower stands on a rocky rise. A stone-lined well at its foot is half-collapsed and choked with weeds. A few foundation stones from outbuildings poke up through the grass. Wind moves through the ruin and makes a soft, hooting sound — which is, the locals will tell you, why it is called Old Owl Well.
It is a half-day’s hard ride northeast of Phandalin, across rough hill country. There is no proper road — only a track of pressed grass that disappears in the rain.
What People Are Saying
A trusted shepherd of Daran Edermath’s saw walking corpses near the tower a tenday ago and barely escaped. He has since refused to take his flock anywhere near the ruin and is sleeping at Alderleaf Farm until his nerve returns.
Daran is concerned. He believes something has taken up residence in or near the ruin and that someone competent ought to investigate before it spreads further. He has asked the party to ride out, find out what is there, and bring him a true report.
Travel Time
- Phandalin → Old Owl Well: Roughly half a day on horseback over rough country. A full day on foot. Add an extra half-day for the return.
- Risk on the road: Low to moderate. The hills north of Phandalin are sparsely populated and occasionally harbor small groups of orc raiders down from Wyvern Tor.
Connections
- Quest giver: Daran Edermath
- Region: Hills northeast of Phandalin
- Nearby: Wyvern Tor (orc raiders), Conyberry (ruined town, banshee)