Parnast is an isolated village on the route to the Desert, mostly known as the southern midway point between the horrors of the desert and the “civilized” lands of the Sword Coast. Barely more than a hundred people live here, and most of its visitors are those passing through toward the desert — usually not returning. Due to the bizarre curse of the desert affecting divinity, the village itself has also been affected by its proximity: divine symbols in temples have degraded and religious followers of the gods find that their powers have begun to malfunction.
Locations and NPCs
- The Golden Tankard: A modest but popular tavern. The owner is Ragnus Red-tooth, a former adventurer who attempted to explore the desert but retired to Parnast after a few weeks. The tavern takes its name from a Tankard of Plenty Ragnus found — speaking the command word “Illefarn” while grasping the handle fills it with three pints of dwarven ale.
- Shrine of Axes: A statue of Angharradh (spring) stands alongside Auril (winter), Chauntea (summer), and Mielikki (autumn). The symbols of the deities subtly conceal the hidden symbols of unknown entities, a testament to the madness of the populace and the degradation of divinity near the desert.
- The Corrupted Oasis: The general store of Parnast, owned by a madman known only as “Victor,” who turned insane after travelling the desert decades ago. Despite his condition, his ramblings conceal a genuine understanding of the desert’s true horrors.
- The Library of Secrets: Parnast’s library holds more information about the desert than anywhere except Calimsharn itself.
History
In 1486 DR, the Seekers arrived at Parnast before departing for the desert. They bought supplies from the Corrupted Oasis after a frustrating exchange with Victor, researched the Library about the desert’s ancient past, and it was here they first encountered Father Rogers — who revealed that he knew far more about them and their enemies than a chance meeting would suggest.
Rumors of the Desert (from Victor)
- The Crawling Disease
- The Tower that found the Truth
- The God-king, the Defiler, and the Constructor
- The impaling god of scorpions
- The lost civilization of the demigods with the faces of beasts (Animal-headed Demigods)
- The Doom of the Desert
- The City of flesh who drains the veins of the desert and whose blood flows freely (Calimsharn)
- The Titan that wounded God (Copper Titan)
- The One Whose Flesh is Above All