Soulford - Cursed Ferry Town 

The river city of Soulford is a place of darkness. This port town is situated on the banks of a river, seemingly untouched by the passage of time. It has many narrow, cobblestone alleyways that connect to a bustling market plaza that is encircled by dilapidated, old buildings. Wooden structures line the streets, their deteriorating walls and rotten roofs revealing their age.

The town is strangely quiet, and the air is heavy with fog, giving the impression that something horrible is hiding in the shadows. Strange sounds come from the river at night. People spread rumors of evil spirits roaming the area and the undead lurking in the shadows. Anyone who ventures outside after dark often never return. The villagers are terrified of the unknown dangers.

This enigmatic presence disturbs the village, and its residents are plagued by perpetual anxiety and dread. The people of the town who are unable to leave the place they call home continue to live there, despite the danger.

After dark, the fey nightmares lurk in the shadows. At night, the town locks its doors and shutters their windows. Anyone who does dare to go outside won't go alone. They exercise extreme caution and keep to well-lit areas. The threat posed by the fey terrors is not only physical but also psychological, as their fright is palpable. Many suffer from nightmares, anxiety, and psychological trauma.

Soulford Abbey

The historic abbey on the river's edge is the town's most prominent building. Constructed of dark stone, its design combines Romanesque and Gothic elements. This three-story structure is squarish, with a single square tower that rises tall and proud. It has small windows and features a large clock that chimes on the hour. Elaborate carvings decorate its sturdy walls, as well as statues that represent scenes from religious scriptures and historical figures associated with the abbey.

Boats frequently moor at the little pier close to the entrance, which is a convenient way to approach the abbey from the river. The vessels are regularly used by monks dressed in their traditional garments to access and exit the abbey . They are somber, solemn, and typically have their heads bowed in thought or prayer. Also seen are visitors to the abbey stepping off the boats and walking up the path to the entrance, many clothed in finery. The monks bow and make a welcoming gesture as they welcome them. Chanting and prayer frequently resonatest among the halls, and the interior is serene and meditative.

The Haunting

The hamlet is plagued by horrific undead fey terrors who live in the river. They are said to be the ghosts of extinct fey creatures awakened by dark magic. They sprout elongated limbs and contorted faces. They are corrupted, warped shadows of who they were before. Their motions are erratic and unnatural, and their eyes glow with an unearthly brightness. Nightly, they reappear from the river's murk. Their ghostly laughter echos in the streets.

The inhabitants of the city are always in mortal peril from these undead fey terrors. Unwary victims have been known to be snatched from the streets and dragged into the river, never to be seen again. They possess the living, taking over their bodies and using them to wreak havoc and to spread their horror. They cannot be spoken to or bargained with and are immune to most conventional weapons.

The Source of Evil in Soulford

An ancient lich, a potent undead sorcerer on the other side of the river near the town of Trisden has gained immortality through dark magic, is responsible for the curse plaguing the town. According to legend, the lich is a master of necromancy, the art of raising the dead, and he has been using this power to bind the fey spirits to the region around Soulford.  Its soul box lies in an ancient tomb that serves as the lich's final resting place.

Powerful undead mummy servants of the lich were created to protect his tomb and carry out his bidding. They are believed to be the mummified, dark-magic-revived remains of ancient priests and warriors. They are charged with raising nearby fey from the dead who are slaughtered in the Feywild Crossing to the southwest. These mummy servants bind the undead fey to the region near Soulford and Trisden on the other side of the river crossing. They are fiercely devoted to the lich.

They have the ability to command the undead fey creatures, which they exploit to frighten the residents on the Soulford side of the river and near Trisden. They are also in charge of watching over the lich's tomb, guarding it from trespassers, and making sure that the lich's spirit box is preserved.

The lich is reported to be restricted to the vacinity nearby the tomb, but because of its enormous potency, it can still corrupt the surroundings through its loyal undead servants. The land has been afflicted by the lich's curse for generations.  Fey terrors prowl the countryside, and the natives live in perpetual fear and dread. Although the lich's ultimate objective is unknown, it is thought that it wants to become more powerful, perhaps by amassing more fey spirits to enlarge its army of ghastly monsters.

A strong army of fey spirits who have been returned back from the grave are subservient to the lich's command makes up the lich's undead forces. There are multiple of various types of undead beings in the army, including twisted fey like wraiths, ghosts, and other spectral creatures. It is rumored that they are impervious to the most weapons and possess the ability to pass right through solid objects, making them challenging to slay.

The lich aspires to spread its power and reach through the exploitation of its undead army. Although the lich's ultimate aim is undetermined, it is speculated that the creature ultimately wants to have more authority and control over the region and its residents. The army may be deployed to threaten the local populace, undermine the local economy, drive residents away, or seize control of the region's vital resources.

In order to bolster its army, the lich could also utilizing the army to recruit more fey spirits. This could be accomplished in a number of ways, including by transferring the curse to neighboring locations, causing additional fey to pass away nearby, or even by capturing or slaughtering them. Any opposition would be annihilated by the lich's army, enabling it to seize command of ever more territory.

It's also conceivable that the lich has even greater goals, perhaps attempting to conquer the town or perhaps the nearby villages and towns. The lich would be able to defeat any opposition and cement its domination over the region with an army of undead warriors at its command. The army is possibly being deployed by the necromancer to intimidate the populace, undermine the local economy, expel residents from the area, or take full control of the region's vital resources.

The lich's key aim is unknown, but it is undeniably a formidable and destructive creature that threatens the villagers and the region as a whole.

Celestial Protectors

According to legend, the abbey's angelic spirits are powerful beings of purity and light charged with safeguarding the town against malevolent fey powers. They are said to be able to see through the fey terrors' illusions and lies and drive them back into the spirit world. They are frequently portrayed as angel warriors with shining armor and swords of light.

In some parts of the town, especially in the vicinity of the monastery, it is said that the angelic spirits are succeeding in restraining the wicked fey forces. The abbey is believed to be surrounded by a shield generated by the spirits, providing the townspeople with a protected sanctuary.

During the night, when the fey terrors are most active, many residents of the town seek sanctuary in the abbey.

The fey terrors are nevertheless observed in the town, despite the heavenly spirits' valiant efforts. The fey terrors are still prevalent in other parts of the town, despite their efforts to keep them at bay in regions near the abbey. The spirits have restrictions as well, and they are only able to exercise so much force to safeguard the locals. The citizens of the town continue to live in terror and danger because they are unable to stop all of the attacks.

The residents of the town are unaware of the existence of the angelic forces and are unaware of how vital it is for them to keep the town protected. The villagers sometimes become mistrustful of the abbey as a result, and many may choose not to seek refuge there because they do not appreciate the security it may provide.