The Legend...

Temperance Longbottom was a formidable woman!

According to local folklore, she was raised by her father, John Middling. Little is know of her mother, barring a story that she had disappeared into thin air leaving only an old shoe behind. By all accounts a happy child, Temperance showed an exceptional aptitude for both horticulture and cryptozoology. The North Star's garden still provides ample evidence of these twin passions.

Upon reaching her majority, Ms. Longbottom took her mother's maiden name and set off to make her fortune. Tales abound of her explorations and adventures. Eventually she became captain of a privateer ship, the Avellana. After a particularly daring adventure chasing down a small fleet of bloodthirsty pirates, Temperance found herself in possession of a rather large collection relics from the far corners of the earth. Apparently, Temperance claimed that much of this collection was magical in nature — though she claimed not to be able to use any of it herself. She was determined to return these curiosities to their proper homes and set out on a series of fantastical voyages to do just that. There are even tales of an ill-fated visit to the lost city of Atlantis! No one knows what happened to Temperance, or exactly how the stern of the Avellana became lodged in the side of her house — according to one story it literally flew (as if by magic) into the North Star's tower! However, the North Star and its grounds are littered with ancient statues and arcane paraphernalia — remnants of her collection.

Many long years later, our family acquired Temperance's ramshackle house and (after substantial renovations) opened it up as a guest house for travellers and passers-by.