Merstat

Coal Town.

Overview:

Merstat is known as the "Gate to DeepDark" or "Coaltown" to locals. The town consists of a main keep, thirty five buildings of stone and wood, and about three dozen wooden shacks or "miner huts". It is a bustling town with the mines being the sole activity, plus the shipping from Merstat to the south keeps this town moving almost all day and night. Miners, adventurers, explorers and even religious bands all come to Merstat, to either, work, get hired for their skill, or to enter and explore the DeepDark. The town is built along the Snake River and at the base of the sets of mountains its people mine. Obvious superior dwarven engineering can been seen in the reinforced embankments as well as the bridges. The town consists of about 30% humans, 45%Dwarves, and 15% half orcs. The remaining 10% are elves, halflings or other races. The population changes as miners burn out and go home, or others leave after pocketing enough diamonds to make their own fortune to the south.

Location:

Merstat is the middle north town along the Nordwand Mountains. The semi large frontier town is nestled in a small open between the feet of three tall, wide mountains. It is the middle point for those going from Olto along the Northern roads west to Bretto or Achtburg. The closest town to Merstat is Clove Hill five days travel on foot, or 4 days down river to the direct south.

Leadership:

Merstat is governed by a Dwarven noble, Sir Anker Gemshot, of Clan Gemshot. Sir Anker is the Patriarch of the clan and his kin all help patrol and keep Merstat safe, from things above ground, and below. Clan Gemshot is known for having ten full time bear-riding "Rapid Response Riders" as well as a trio of Battleragers. The remaining twenty dwarves handle other jobs, such as patrolling or guarding. Anker is a taller dwarf, with reddish brown receding hair, and a long triple-braided beard, tucked into his belt. He wears leathers and chain when out and about, refusing to wear clothing that is afforded his station as Governor. He is gruff to outsiders, but smiles and handles his Merstatan citizens with care. His brace of handaxes are always on his belt.

Organizations Within Merstat:

Gemshot Mining Guild
Rockshadow Gem Guild
Frostaxe Adventuring Guild
Ice Spiders Thieves Guild
Drakewald Shipping
Hill Hunters Guild

Points of Interest:

A warm, stone and wood three story building with a huge common room. Inviting and always buzzing with activity. Owned by Brother Hadrian Bramblebucket, halfling cleric(retired).Taproom is run by Tedd, A Dark skinned Gothmyri male. Rooms are 3sp a night, or 1gp with food and a bath (but thats prices for citizens, not visitors)
The Wiggling Axe festhall - The feasthall is a long squat longhouse which holds 40 people seated, or 50 people total. Nightly feasts are had for miner and noble alike. Three Dwarven brothers, the "Ironlung clan" runs the festhall.
Castle Merstat -
Temple of Grummbarr - Dwarven church run by High Champion Grunhilde Blackboot. 13 clerics and acolytes available for help or guidance.
Diamond Del's Tavern - Diamond Del's is a busy, three storied building with thick walls of stone and wood. A mug of diamonds is displayed on sign. inside, warth, three hearth common room with 20 separate tables and six booths. Chairs and couches scattered near fireplaces. Del-Veenu Ironaxe, a male mountain dwarf with a big curly brown beard and hair. He has a diamond ioun stone floating around his head. His eyes also faceted like diamonds. Its rumored he can see invisible things and ghosts.
Temple to Eilyene - Massive tall 3 story temple with walled property, yard, hospital, garden and well. Run by Brightshield Annavar Drusil and 5 other clerics, 2 paladins.
Hospital of Keylis - Hospital of Wounded Soul - Church and hospital run by a single Cleric of Keylis named Lender Euric.
Morrain's Goods and Gear - Human female of sixty winters, Lady Morrain Freemar runs this shop. High prices to visitors, and discounts to citizens of Merstat. Her two sons and a half elf female cousin help run the shop.
Von Rictor's Fine Armors - high end opulent and pricey clotheir and armor. gilded fluted armor with ceremonial level quality. No discounts. Sells to nobility mainly.
Taharr's Goods and Equipment - Run by House Taharr, picks, shovels, lanterns, mountaineering goods and leathers. Sells out quick, but also buys raw gems. Gives discounts to citizens and more to allies of his House.
House Fornhurst
House Taharr
House Druval
House Malthorn
House Greve
House Mortoss
House Freemar
House Ven'draken
Veramuut's Tower Sorcere
Nondenominational temple

A. South Gate to Kinhght's Rest
B. North Gate to Mines
C. Local Mines (Ven'Draken owned)
D. missing
E. East Gate to Mannus
F. Snake River
G. Miners shacks (shanty town)
H. Market Square
I. Lonely Mine (dead- ven'Draken owned)