Hanar's Glass Menagerie

Hanar the Sculptor, also known as Hanar the Mad and Hanar the Lost, was a dwarf sculptor that lived about two hundred years ago. He spent most of his life in Northgate and perfected the art of sculpting stone and crystal using traditional tools there. He carved a series of masterworks in the stone walls of a small, secluded valley near Northgate and then left the settlement to travel and study the works of other sculptors. He was gone for over a decade.

When he returned, he settled in the valley rather than return to Northgate. He built a sturdy stone house near a stream and started working on his menagerie. Hanar claimed that he had spent time with an elfin master sculptor, learning their methods of sculpting crystal using song and resonance. He claimed that he had not only perfected their art but improved it, allowing his sculptures to live and move.

Whether his claims were true or not, Hanar spent the rest of his days secluded in the valley, creating beautiful crystal sculptures of all manner of wildlife. The sculptures were inanimate but perfect in every detail.

A few decades later, a party of elves found Hanar dead in his valley. His body was lying just outside his house next to a stunning sculpture of a unicorn. The elves interred his body in a crystal casket where they had found it.

Since Hanar's death, visitors to the valley have reported a variety of strange phenomena. The wind often causes the statues to hum, creating an eerie natural song near the cabin. Some claim to see the spirit of the sculptor singing to the crystal sculptures scattered around the valley. Others claim that when the moon or stars are right that the menagerie can move about the valley and gather around the casket of their maker in homage to his skills. Rumor also has it that if anyone disturbs Hanar's body, the unicorn will animate and defend its creator.

The dwarves of Northgate stay away from the valley entirely. They believe that the place is haunted and cursed, that any dwarf that spends the night near Hanar's house will be driven mad by the old sculptor's spirit. A few elfin sculptors come to the valley occasionally to pay homage to Hanar, but they are quick to leave the valley when they do.

Hanar's valley is in hex 07-02 on the Coastlands map, just north of Northgate.