Havenport#

Status#

Active. On 2026.09.22, Duke Tristan Blackwood sent the party by teleportation circle to Havenport to lie low with Mauve Marigold until he sends word. They arrived at Westermere Manor above the decaying seaport — Aldric’s hometown, which he left 8–9+ years ago and has never been eager to revisit. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.

The town is in decline since House Westermere fell 15 years ago. The Wither has been taking victims there for years. Undead haunt the manor’s undercroft. The party found lodging at Salt House, the survivors’ community center, where Mauve Marigold — Blackwood’s contact — is in charge. Source: 2026.09.29.

On 2026.10.06 the party set out to pass the black veil. Odine Dunmere learned it can be opened with a shared offering of life force (10 HP of maximum hit points). Ian is under Oathkeepers orders not to enter the undercroft and could not help. Mauve Marigold told them of the town’s failed attempts, offered her own blood, and released them from any obligation. The party rested at the Salt House, planning to go through the veil in the morning. Source: 2026.10.06.

What Brought the Party Here#

Blackwood’s reasons for sending them to Havenport, in order of certainty:

To let tensions cool after the manticore scandal at the Menagerie — the party needed to disappear from the tourney grounds for a while. Source: 2026.09.15.
To stay with Mauve Marigold specifically — Blackwood named her as their host, and said he doesn’t send people this far west by accident. Source: 2026.09.22.
Aldric’s connection — Havenport shares Aldric’s surname. He admitted it’s his home and that he has “a little bit of a past there,” but was evasive. The GM held a private aside with Aldric’s player on this. Source: 2026.09.15, 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.

The Westermere Manor Undercroft#

The manor’s undercroft holds two things the party has already encountered:

The Curtain — a floating sphere of black mist, a gate between the material and ethereal planes. Azrith leapt into it on 2026.09.22 and was lost to the realm of death; he returned on 2026.09.29 (see Find Azrith, resolved). Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.
The black veil — a shimmering black wall sealing off part of the undercroft. It appeared after the Curtain opened. It is impenetrable to the ghost Samantha Westermere and feels like entropy to the living. Radiant energy repels it. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.

Beyond the veil lies the spirit behind the black veil — a putrid, foul entity that commands the undead. Eleanor Gray (Aldric’s mother) escaped its control. Azrith declared he will kill it. Source: 2026.09.29.

Havenport’s People#

Mauve Marigold — runs the Salt House. Has known Blackwood since before his dukedom. Believes House Westermere “brought something into that manor that they couldn’t control.” Source: 2026.09.29.
Ian — old Oathkeeper guarding the manor’s teleportation circle. Surname Wren (confirmed). Told the party the Dark King legend. Has a romantic interest in Edith Rooke. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.
Samantha Westermere — ghost of a Westermere daughter. Won’t pass on until Havenport is restored. Her family was killed by a House Wulfhelm coup 15 years ago. Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.09.29.
Edith Rooke — bartender at the Salt House. Finds Ian charming. Source: 2026.09.29.
Hesta Cole — practical healer at the Salt House, tending Wither victims. Has reached her limits. Source: 2026.09.29.

Known Threads#

The Wither in Havenport — confirmed here 15 years ago, matching when Odine’s markings appeared. Spreading. See Investigate the Wither in Havenport. Source: 2026.09.29.
The spirit behind the veil — commands the undead; enthralls spirits; Eleanor escaped it. Azrith declared he will kill it. See Confront the Spirit Behind the Black Veil. Source: 2026.09.29.
The Westermere-Wulfhelm coup — Samantha’s family discovered something dire about House Wulfhelm and was killed for it. The truth lies beyond the veil. See Uncover the Westermere-Wulfhelm Coup. Source: 2026.09.29.
Aldric’s past — his real surname is Havenport, this is his home, and he left under unclear circumstances. Mauve was puzzled that “Havenport is not a surname.” Source: 2026.09.29.
Blackwood’s word — the party is to wait at the Salt House until Blackwood sends word. He has not yet done so. Mauve now suspects Blackwood sent them to her because of the veil: “He sure does know how to measure his bets.” Source: 2026.09.22, 2026.10.06.
Passing the black veil — two ways through: a divine smite, or 10 HP of maximum hit points of shared life force. Aldric and Odine have offered 5 each. See Confront the Spirit Behind the Black Veil. Source: 2026.10.06.