Rushbrooke

Government

Rushbrooke is governed by Lady Niamh Caelan with the aid of a council consisting of guild leaders and respected community figures. The city’s laws, known as The Waters’ Decree, prioritize trade fairness, ecological preservation of the lakes, and strict river safety codes. Taxes are collected on all riverborne goods entering the docks, as well as a small civic tax on citizens. The proceeds fund public infrastructure, defense, and festivals.
Justice is enforced by a local court under the Lady’s oversight, where crimes against trade or public order are dealt with through fines, labor service, or exile for severe offenses. Lady Caelan has earned respect for her judicious rulings and for personally mediating disputes between the guilds.

Defences

Rushbrooke is fortified with high stone walls lined with guard towers overlooking the riverbanks. A small standing militia, known as the Sentinels of Rushbrooke, patrols the walls and enforces order. The river serves as a natural barrier, while chain-linked barriers can be drawn across the water to halt any approaching vessels. A small fleet of swift riverboats patrols the Three Sisters Lakes, ensuring the city’s waterways remain secure.

Industry & Trade

Rushbrooke thrives as a river trade hub, connecting settlements along the Three Sisters Lakes with distant cities through water routes. The city’s industry includes:

Fishing

The lakes provide ample fishing, and dried fish from Rushbrooke is a prized commodity across Hildenor.

Textile Weaving

Known for its high-quality cloth, the city’s looms produce dyed fabrics, tapestries, and river-washed wool.

Agriculture

Fertile riverbank fields yield grains and vegetables, feeding both the city and outlying villages.

Trade Routes

Goods move swiftly between the lakes, with boats loaded with textiles, grains, and pottery. Rushbrooke also imports metals from dwarven cities and rare woods from forest settlements.

Infrastructure

The River Docks

A large, multi-tiered docking area bustling with river traffic and merchant ships, central to the city’s economy.

The Great Aqueduct

A marvel of engineering, this aqueduct channels fresh water from Loch Beag, running through the city to provide for both residential and agricultural needs.

The Arched Bazaar

A vast covered marketplace near the docks where traders from across Eldarias gather to exchange goods, including exotic spices, textiles, and crafted wares.

Guilds and Factions

The River Guild

A powerful faction in Rushbrooke, the River Guild oversees all river-based trade and transport, controlling pricing and routes. Members include shipbuilders, traders, and dockworkers.

The Weavers’ Collective

A cooperative of artisans responsible for Rushbrooke’s textile trade, this collective maintains high standards of quality and enforces regulations on materials and dyes.

The Fellowship of the Lakes

A semi-religious group that honors the natural beauty and resources of the Three Sisters Lakes, working to preserve the purity of the waterways and promoting rituals tied to the lakes.

History

Founded centuries ago on the banks of the great river, Rushbrooke has always been a city of water. Initially a small fishing village, it grew as river trade increased and became the keystone of the three lakes, uniting settlements around Loch Beag, Loch Cailanlar, and Loch Seanchailín. Over the years, Rushbrooke became a point of strategic importance, and Lady Caelan’s ancestors fortified it against raiders from the west. Lady Caelan now upholds this legacy, nurturing Rushbrooke’s role as a central trade and cultural hub.

Points of interest

The Lily’s Heart

The city’s finest inn, located near the docks, known for its picturesque view of the river. Famous for its warm hospitality and dishes featuring local fish and lake herbs.

The Shrine of the Three Sisters

A sacred site on the river’s edge where locals offer thanks to the lakes’ spirits for safe journeys, bountiful fish, and good fortune.

Caelan Keep

A fortified stone manor housing Lady Caelan and her family, overlooking the Three Sisters Lakes. The keep is a center of political activity, where city council meetings and important ceremonies take place.

The Rushbrooke Aquatic Gardens

A series of tiered ponds and flowering aquatic plants where the city’s people relax, enjoy seasonal festivals, and offer prayers to Idara for the prosperity of the rivers and lakes.

Type

City

Population

22,000

Location under

Hildenor

Owner/Ruler

Niamh Caelan

Ruling/Owning Rank

Mayor

Owning Organization

Riordan Clan