Osric Wainwright

The Lost Miller of the Old Stone Mill

Race: Human (Spirit)

Class: Commoner (Formerly) / Ghost (Now)

Alignment: Neutral Good

Age at Disappearance: 42

Current Age (if alive): Over 100

Height: 5’10”

Weight: Unknown (Ethereal)

Eyes: Deep brown, filled with quiet wisdom

Hair: Once dark, now appears as wisps of silver mist

Background

Osric Wainwright was once a humble but skilled miller, inheriting The Old Stone Mill from his father and grandfather before him. He was a quiet, kind-hearted man, well-respected in the village for his dedication to his craft. To Osric, milling was not just a trade—it was a responsibility.

He worked tirelessly, ensuring the village always had flour, even during harsh winters. But as the years passed, Osric grew convinced that the mill was more than just stone and wood. He spoke of whispers on the wind, of the wheel turning without touch, and of shadows moving just out of sight. Many dismissed it as a hardworking man’s exhaustion, but Osric believed the mill held ancient power—and that someone, or something, wanted him to protect it.

Then, one fateful night, Osric vanished.

His disappearance left behind only mysteries:

  • No signs of a struggle.
  • The mill still running as if someone had tended it.
  • His journal left open, with cryptic final words:

    “The whispers grow louder, but I do not fear them. The mill must stand.”

Now: The Ghost of the Mill

Osric remains bound to the Old Stone Mill, his spirit lingering in the place he swore to protect. Unlike many restless ghosts, Osric is not malevolent—he does not haunt out of anger or vengeance but out of duty.

Ghostly Traits & Behaviors:

  • Guardian of the Mill – If the mill is threatened, Osric’s spirit manifests to defend it. He might lock doors, turn the millstone against intruders, or cause flour to swirl into spectral shapes to frighten off trespassers.
  • Unfinished Business – He does not fully remember why he disappeared but knows the mill must endure. Perhaps he was a guardian of an ancient power, a victim of dark magic, or even part of the mill itself.
  • Ethereal Presence – Villagers claim to hear his voice in the grinding stones or see his silhouette against the lantern light. The mill’s wheel sometimes spins backward when danger approaches.
  • Selective Manifestation – He may appear only to certain people—perhaps those with ties to the mill, an interest in history, or those sensitive to spirits.

Adventure Hooks

  • Osric’s True Fate – The party must uncover what really happened to Osric. Was he sacrificed to the mill’s ancient magic, taken by the fey, or trapped between worlds by a forgotten ritual?
  • Breaking the Curse – If Osric is bound against his will, the party must determine how to free him—without endangering the mill or the village.
  • The Mill’s Secret Purpose – The mill is more than it seems, and Osric was its last guardian. The party must take up his mantle to protect it from those who would exploit its hidden power.
  • A Spirit’s Request – Osric asks the party to find his lost descendant, return a keepsake to an old love, or complete a task he left unfinished.
  • The Mill’s Last Stand – A powerful noble seeks to destroy the mill for profit, and Osric’s spirit grows desperate. Will the party help him defend it, or uncover the truth and let him move on?