Bryn Shander

Bryn Shander is the biggest of the Ten Towns and is known for being a trading center in Icewind Dale. It is the gateway to its fellow towns of the dale, as well as their lifeline to the rest of civilization to the south.
The circular walled town itself is placed upon a hill, with snowy plains stretching in all directions. There are three gates: north, south, and east. City Hill sits just outside the wall to the northeast of the city.

Defences

Because of its defensive location, residents of cities east of Bryn Shander often took refuge within the city walls during wartime.
The town's security is overseen by its sheriff and their deputy. They maintain a small town guard of twenty militiamen and can rally a force of about 400 in dire times of need. Additionally, the sheriff was granted powers to hire on adventurers to complete any tasks that ensured the safety of Bryn Shander's people and secured its trade interests.

Industry & Trade

Bryn Shander is considered the heart and mercantile hub of the Ten Towns. Folks from all around the surrounding settlements gather in the Tenth Town to sell their goods, primarily consisting of scrimshaw made from the bones of knucklehead trout.
Merchants from the lands south of the Wall bring in goods that could not be found in the Frozenfar, such as spices, fruits, wines and hardwood lumber, from as far away as the Heartlands.

History

Bryn Shander was last of the Ten Towns to be founded. Only single cabin stood in the town's location, used as a stopover by those traveling to the other settlements of the dale. At some point, craftsmen began to sell scrimshaw outside the cabin, and other scrimshanders from other towns followed their lead.
The town expanded rapidly, and new buildings and trading posts were built in succession to accommodate all the new businesses. The traders brought with them their long-standing rivalries and feuds from their hometowns, and violence erupted. Eventually the folks of Bryn Shander settled their differences, which led to the system of representation that continued for years after.

Geography

The city is the only one of the Ten Towns not located on the shores of either Maer Dualdon, Redwaters, or Lac Dinneshere. Instead, it is located on top of a hill south of Kelvin's Cairn.
The Eastway connects the city to the town of Easthaven in the east. An unnamed trail connects the city's North Gate to the village of Targos, and the Caravan Trail leaves the city to the southwest towards the Spine of the World, where it is called the Ten Trail.

Type

Town

Population

1,200