A small community of Humans and Halflings, Sundown is located near the end of the Cedar River, within the Gulthmere Forest and a bit north of the Orsraun Mountains. And although that seems a long way off the beaten path, frankly, it's inhabitants tend to prefer it that way.
The Dragon Coast, which lies on the southern shore of the Inner Sea, is infamous for its corruption and lawlessness. "Everyone has a price. But the price is more reasonable on the Dragon Coast," is a popular saying that speaks volumes of the people who live in the region. With no central government, the city-states are left to do as they please, usually falling under the sway of the most powerful group or individual motivated enough to grab the reigns of power.
Sundown, however, is nothing like that - ever since it's rather tumultuous founding 60 years ago by Molly Arahnrod, priestess of Lathander, god of sunrises and patron of renewal, the town has been a haven of peace and tranquility. Though being so far out of the way makes trading rare, it also keeps away the bad influences that are rife throughout the rest of the region. Aside from the occasional wild animal that settles too close to town, the residents have found very little to fear in their secluded haven. That is, until recently.
A map of the Dragon Coast, including Sundown.
Over the last several weeks, something sinister has awoken within the forest. Though none know for certain what it might be, it has brought with it pain and misfortune for Sundown and its inhabitants. It all began with clawed footprints that couldn't be tracked, and the capture of a young boy in town. After having fallen into a pit trap created by the mysterious creatures, the boy was taken to a mine where he was assaulted by a centipede of monstrous proportions. Fortunately for the boy, a group of adventures composed of visitors and residents alike banded together to find him. Fortunately for the town, they decided to stay and help.
Just a week later, a thunderstorm rent the area bringing with it a forest fire and elemental creatures composed of lightning. With some help from the adventurers, the townspeople extinguished the fire before it could spread much further. By the next day, however, things seemed to have gotten worse. Animals and people alike were succumbing to a bestial madness that reduced them to savage, unthinking killers. The heroes acted quickly to investigate the matter, aided by the mysterious urgings of the Oracle of the Eclipse. The clues finally led them to a nearby camp of hunters and brigands known as the Pack. The Pack had its own problems, however, and it became apparent that though the trail might lead to them, it did not stop there. Mysterious, small, booted footprints and the disappearance and death of their leader's brother had them nearly in arms against their Halfling neighbors, for all evidence pointed to them being responsible. A recent attack by a satyr was curtailed only through the heroes' intervention and led them back to town to search for the satyr's son.
They found the son, but sacrificed and trapped within the lightning-struck clearing where just a few days ago the forest fire had begun. The fel magic brought to life by the sacrifice of a fae being tried to protect itself. It summoned creatures to defend itself, but the group handily disposed of them and dispelled the curse. The victory was not without a price, however. One of the heroes had lost her companion, a wolf, as what little fel energy remained began to afflict him with its curse.