Os Gulch
Settlement in the Shield of Life near Castle Blackfist and the border with Ishta. Os Gulch was established due to the presence of ample fresh water in relatively shallow wells.
The claim to infamy of Os Gulch is that it was once the site of a Temple to Orcus that was destroyed by a number of adventurers and the garrison of Castle Blackfist. The followers of Orcus fled to Rappan Athuk.
Demographics
Population 2,600, mostly human, some dwarf and gnome. The town is encircled by a crumbling stone wall. The people of Os Gulch speak with a unique local accent.
NG Large town
Corruption -2; Crime -6; Economy +1; Law +7; Lore +1; Society -1
Qualities military presence, prosperous, strategic location
Danger -5
Government
Martial law is the state throughout the Shield of Life. A group of notable citizens operate Os Gulch in reality.
Defences
Os Gulch has 17 armed watch that can be augmented by up to 500 militia and the defenders of the Cathedral of Zaphkiel when required. The majority of the town is surrounded by a crumbling wall that is in poor repair but still services as a checkpoint for the town guard and a funnel point for traffic.
Industry & Trade
Base Value 3,000 gp; Purchase Limit 15,000 gp; Spellcasting 5th
Minor Items 3d4; Medium Items 2d4; Major Items 1d4
Os Gulch has the following businesses and services available:
2 Stables (Northhost Stables, Eastway Stables)
1 Apothecaries
2 Fishmongers
3 Bakers
10 Furriers
2 Pursemakers
7 Barbers
1 Glovemaker
1 Roofer
1 Bather (Backdoor Bathhouse)
1 Harness-Maker
1 Ropemaker
2 Beer-Sellers
3 Hatmakers
1 Rugmaker
2 Blacksmiths (Snog the Blacksmith, Iron Man Armory)
1 Hay Merchant
3 Saddlers
1 Bleacher
1 Illuminator
3 Scabbardmakers
1 Bookbinder
1 Inn (Skyfall Escape Inn )
1 Sculptor
1 Bookseller (Book Nook)
7 Jewelers
17 Shoemakers
2 Buckle Makers
4 Lawyers/Advocates
2 Spice Merchants
2 Butchers (Get Ur Goat)
1 Locksmith
10 Tailors
5 Carpenters
10 Maidservants
1 Tanner
4 Chandlers
5 Masons
7 Taverns/Restaurants (The Known Spider, Smiley's, Summerhouse, Lefty's, The Limp Blade, Towering Beaver Bar, The Tipsy Serpent)
3 Goat Butchers (Get Ur Goat)
4 Mercers
3 Watercarriers
2 Priests, 65 Clergy and Defenders (Cathedral of Zaphkiel)
13 Noble Households (House of Einus,)
4 Weavers
4 Coopers
7 Old-Clothes
3 Wine-Sellers
1 Copyist
2 Painters
1 Woodcarvers
1 Cutler
5 Pastrycooks
4 Woodsellers (Bordware Wood,)
2 Doctors
2 Plasterers
Infrastructure
The streets of Os Gulch are rutted dirt roads, deeply carved from centuries of wagon and foot traffic. The central trade area of the Town Well Market is the only portion of the town that is cobbled.
Districts
Eastway:
Fishknot: ramshackle collection of tenement housing, largely constructed from random pieces of lumber and other scraps. Poorest portion of Os Gulch. Named for the piles of fish scales remaining from seafood brought from the coast to trade with the caravans that pass through Os Gulch for water.
Northway:
South District:
Summerward:
Trade District:
Guilds and Factions
Natural Resources
On first blush, it may seem odd that Os Gulch is located a day's travel from the coast. However, this belies the greatest treasure of Os Gulch: fresh water. Os Gulch is located directly over a shallow portion of the Sildach Aquifer that flows from the Manforge Mountains to the northwestern entrance of the Straits of Heredia. The aquifer delivers unlimited amounts of sweet fresh water to the wells dotted throughout Os Gulch, making it a highly desired stop for trade caravans travelling into and out of the Shield of Life. Providing various services for the trade caravans and nearby Castle Blackfist drives the economy of Os Gulch.
Maps
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Area Map of Castle Blackfist and Os Gulch
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Os Gulch
Type
Large town
Population
2,600
Included Locations
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Reports (Secondary)
Comments