NPCs
Ferrin Kastilar
Druid guardian of the Sea Grove of Obad-Hai
Role: Guardian of the Grove
Faction: Neutral; Ferrin avoids the politics of Saltmarsh
Race: Male Halfling
Alignment: Lawful Good
NPC Type: Druid
Appearance
Ferrin wears faded brown robes and a threadbare cloak, both weathered by salt air, rain, and nature. Several necklaces hang around his neck, strung with shells, old coins, smooth river stones, feathers, and bits of carved driftwood.
His face is wise and often lost in thought. Deep worry lines cross his forehead, and there is a quiet sadness of someone who remembers too much.
At the Table
Ferrin speaks softly, but with purpose.
He respects those who listen, show patience, and treat the grove with reverence.
He avoids the politics of Saltmarsh and has little interest in the rivalries of the town council, merchants, smugglers, or crown officials.
He shows quiet warmth toward those who protect nature, honor the old ways, or come seeking wisdom rather than power.
Ferrin works best as a grounded, calm presence. He knows much of the ancient history of the region, especially the older druidic traditions tied to the marsh, the Silverstand, Tideholm, and the lands west of the Kingfisher River.
Overview
Ferrin was born and raised among the elven and halfling druids of the Silverstand. As a young initiate, he studied the old rites of Obad-Hai, learning the language of birds, tides, reeds, frogs, and storms.
When he came of age, Ferrin was chosen to serve the order beyond the forest. Several decades ago, he was sent to the Sea Grove of Obad-Hai to restore the neglected shrine near Saltmarsh. When he arrived, the grove was overgrown, the stones were choked with moss, and the pond had gone dark beneath weeds and reeds.
In the pond, Ferrin found a large bullfrog watching him.
Over time, Ferrin came to believe the bullfrog was no ordinary creature. It seemed to understand speech, react to old druidic names, and grow troubled whenever the lost settlement of Tideholm or the cursed cairns were mentioned. Ferrin believes the frog may be the cursed form of Lorys, a previous keeper of the grove from centuries past.
Since then, Ferrin has cared for the bullfrog and named him Lorys.
Ferrin lives in a small hut near the grove. He spends his days tending the shrine, communing with nature, watching for signs from the marsh, and welcoming druids, hunters, swamp folk, trappers, and travelers who come to pay tribute.
Hooks / Use
Ferrin can serve as an introduction to the ancient history of the region.
He can reveal fragments of lore about Tideholm, the Tower of Zenopus, the Standing Stones, the Kingfisher River, the Drowned Forest, and the old dangers west of Saltmarsh.
He can introduce the characters to the elves and halfling druids of the Silverstand, including those near Burle.
Ferrin knows Wanderroot of Burle and may send the characters to him for deeper forest lore, old druidic rites, or aid from the Silverstand.
He can serve as the quest giver for adventures involving the two cursed cairns in the marsh.
He is especially interested in rumors of aberrations, strange creatures, unnatural dreams, malformed animals, and anything that suggests the old abolethic corruption beneath the marsh is stirring again.
Secret
Ferrin’s true role is not merely to tend the grove. He is to watch for any signs of old troubles, perhaps a sign of aboleths or a reopening of the Endless Nadir.
Ferrin also believes that Lorys was once the previous Keeper of the Sea Grove. Lorys was an elf of the Silverstand and Keeper, who helped guard the old rites after the fall of Tideholm. Something from the Endless Nadir cursed him into the form of a bullfrog, binding him to the grove and the marsh.
Ferrin protects Lorys and quietly searches for a way to restore his true form.
Lorys
Cursed Keeper of the Sea Grove
Role: Ferrin’s companion; hidden guardian of the grove
Faction: Silverstand Druids
Race: Elf, currently cursed as a bullfrog
Alignment: Neutral Good
NPC Type: Cursed Druid
Appearance
Lorys appears to be a large, old bullfrog with dark green skin, golden eyes, and a heavy, watchful stillness. He is usually found near Ferrin, sitting in the pond, resting on a mossy stone, or cradled gently in Ferrin’s hands.
Though he looks like an ordinary frog at first glance, there is something strangely aware in his eyes.
At the Table
Lorys understands Common, Elvish, and Halfling, but cannot speak.
He may answer simple questions by croaking:
One croak: Yes
Two croaks: No
He is especially alert when the Sea Grove, Tideholm, the cursed cairns, the Silverstand, aberrations, or the Endless Nadir are mentioned.
Lorys should feel old, patient, and sorrowful a trapped guardian who remembers more than he can say.
Overview
Lorys was once an elf druid of the Silverstand and the former Keeper of the Sea Grove of Obad-Hai. He protected the grove long before Ferrin Kastilar was sent there.
During his time as keeper, Lorys watched over the old druidic wards tied to Tideholm, the cursed cairns, and the sealed entrance to the Endless Nadir. At some point, something from the Endless Nadir cursed him, trapping him in the form of a bullfrog.
Ferrin believes Lorys was once the previous keeper of the grove and quietly seeks a way to restore him.
Hooks / Use
Lorys can confirm or deny simple information through croaks.
He may react strongly to signs of aberrations, abolethic corruption, cursed relics, unnatural dreams, warped sea life, strange lights over water, or anything connected to the Endless Nadir.
He can guide the party toward the cursed cairns, old druid stones, or forgotten places tied to Tideholm.
If magic allows him to speak, or if his curse is lifted, Lorys can reveal ancient lore Ferrin does not fully know.
Secret
If restored to his true form, Lorys can tell the characters that the entrance to the Endless Nadir beneath the marsh near Tideholm was sealed long ago. The seal was costly, but it held.
However, Lorys fears the Endless Nadir may have more than one opening.
He remembers old stories from the south, near the mouth of the Javan River. There, close to the delta, once stood a coastal town called Port Torvin. Even centuries ago, Lorys heard troubling rumors from that region: strange lights beneath the water, warped sea life, unnatural dreams, missing sailors, and voices heard near the tide.
To Lorys, these are not ordinary ghost stories. They are the same signs the druids ignored before Tideholm fell.
He warns the characters that if another entrance to the Endless Nadir exists near Port Torvin, it must be found and sealed before whatever waits below rises again.
Lorys also warns them to be careful. Aboleths are ancient, patient, and dangerous. They do not merely kill their enemies — they remember them, enslave them, and turn their own thoughts against them.
The Styes
Restoring Lorys is a strong way to foreshadow or introduce the events of The Styes (Port Torvin)
Lorys does not know the full truth. He does not know about Sgothgah, the juvenile kraken, Mr. Dory, or the cult of Tharizdun. He only knows the old signs of abolethic corruption and fears that Port Torvin may hide another path into the Endless Nadir.