Hewen’s Rest
A trading settlement that serves barge traffic along the River Pleska and travelers coming across the Great Causeway. The settlement is surrounded by an abattis-studded earthen rampart topped by a palisade of thick logs. The settlement includes a pair of inns, artisans geared towards serving the needs of travelers on both land and water, and merchants selling products drawn from the surrounding swamps. The village is a popular base of operation for monster hunters who make their money selling the organs of their victims to alchemists and sorcerers. More benignly, the settlement is known for high quality reed baskets typically woven into intricate patterns. The village is the domain of Baron Gothrim Garhard, whose family has held the island for three generations. The Baron is a rough middle-aged warlord who enjoys engaging visitors in all night drinking bouts. The Baron’s primary source of income is tolls from the causeway, but he makes sure he gets of piece of any business done in the village.
Demographics
Most of the population is human, but perhaps thirty five Coergians, Danites and Dark Corgerians reside here.
Government
Hewen's rest is the seat of a feudal barony. The word to the Baron is basically the law here. Judicial proceedings are handles by the Baron's Court which meets once a week and consists of the Baron and few of his close associates.
Defences
The settlement is surrounded by an abattis-studded earthen rampart topped by a palisade of thick logs. Sturdy wooden watchtowers are placed a regular intervals along the wall. A 50' tall stone watchtower is attached to the Baron's hall. This tower provide and excellent view of the river, the causeway and the surrounding swamp for many miles in every direction.
Industry & Trade
The local economy is built on dried fish, reed baskets and rare animal/monster parts. Local merchants import large quantities of salt for the fish industry and wood for boat building.
Infrastructure
The settlement has extensive docks and warehouses. Fish drying sheds are also crowded near the waterfront.
History
The village is about three hundred years old. It originated as a construction camp when the Great Causeway was built by King Jamaris of Wallen. Some eighty years ago the village was granted to the Garhard Family as the seat of a newly established barony.
Architecture
Housing in the village mainly consists of workaday wooden framed houses thatched with swamp reeds. The Baron's hall has a stone foundation and tower, but it otherwise a well-crafted wood and plaster structure.
Geography
The village is located on an island in the center of the Pleska River and is linked to the mainland by the Great Causeway. The island shrinks to narrow points of land at both ends. It's lower reaches mainly sit on loose, sandy soil, but the center of the island is mainly on bedrock and hard-packed clay soil.
Natural Resources
Reeds, fish.
Type
Village
Population
850
Inhabitant Demonym
Swampies
Location under
Owning Organization
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