The settlement of Julkoun would be small and forgettable if not for the ancient shrine that has stood on the outskirts of town for centuries, a subject of superstitious awe to the neighbouring villagers. People still travel many miles to investigate this relic of a forgotten past, though few will approach it closely, as it is rumoured to be the haunt of vicious ghosts and spectres. Though nobody has broached the heavy iron walls and doors of the shrine in living memory, any disappearances or strange goings-on in Julkoun are always put down to the effect of the spirits said to dwell in the shrine.
Five hundred years ago, sorcerers in Lemarchand’s Lament — either evil, or misguided — summoned a host of devils who they intended to capture and study. This, of course, went horribly wrong, and the foul horde unleashed itself upon the town, enslaving and torturing the townsfolk. Though the sorcerers managed to subdue or kill most of the devils, a group of them was beyond their power — a gravity controlling, small but fast, devil named Gravigas that wields flamed whips. The three flowed through Julkoun like a plague, enslaving and torturing all who crossed his path.
After years of struggle and death the remaining sorcerers managed to subdue the three, but they feared to banish them back to the hells; if they ever found a way back to the material plane, they were sure the devils would bring his vengeance upon them. Instead they built the Hall of Lament on the ruins of the original Julkoun, sealing the three devils inside it behind vicious traps and powerful constructs designed to keep them from ever again seeing the light of day.
Today, the name of the devils — and the original purpose of the Hall of Lament — is all but forgotten. The people of present-day Julkoun think that the Hall is simply an ancient tomb. Many adventurers and tomb raiders have attempted to gain entry to it, but none have succeeded. Until a fateful day in 1486 DR.
On that day, Seekers arrived in the village and the mayor at the time offered them a substantial amount of gold to investigate the mysteries and treasure that the Hall truly held, in hopes of using the treasure to defend against recent Hill Giant attacks against the village. There, the group traversed the treacherous traps in the place and defeated its many guardians, while reuniting the keys necessary to open the prison to the devils. Thinking that the Hall held a great treasure, they opened the seal, releasing the three devils. The battle was hard-fought, but the party emerged victorious. Unfortunately, Redd, member of Seekers, took a cursed infernal dagger from the Hall of Lament, cursing him to be targeted by a very powerful devil.
Population: ~50. Demographics: mainly Halflings and Humans.