Portglen

A small farming settlement 75 miles west of Fort Marin.
Known for their grain and livestock, the town remains fairly prosperous even after the Undead War nearly reached it.
During the Undead War, the Dead had surrounded Fort Marin and had pushed past it onto the plains. As the travelled across the heartland of the Empire, they burned and destroyed everything in their path. Several small villages between Portglen and Fort Marin were destroyed by the advancing horde of the dead. Only the dispatch of two Legions, the Wave Crest Legion and the Thunder Rider Legion, by the Emperor to protect the plains stopped the advance of the dead before they reached Portglen. These legions were stationed just east of the city for most of the war, until they were able to push the enemy forces back and free Fort Marin from its seige.
Each fall, the town herds its livestock and goods for the year onto a caravan that is driven across the plains to Salindar for sale. The departure and return of the annual trade mission are celebrated in the village with a pair of festivals. The Harvest Festival marks the days before the departure of the caravan and is celebrated with a feast of freshly harvested food and accompanied by dancing and music. The Winterdawn Festival marks the return of the caravan to the village and is celebrated with the exchange of gift between members of the community.

Government

The village is ruled by the House Betrad, the former house of the Emperess Thesellia of Illyria.  All criminal or judicial issues are adjudicated by the head of the household.  Additionally, items that require taxes or monetary funding also usually are dealt with in a similar fashion.
Day to day governing of the town is handled by a council of Elders.  They manage the local festivals, the coordination with the Farmers Guild for the annual caravan and any small issues that may arise between the townspeople.   If an issue arises that requires the attention or judgement of the head of House Betrad, a local Elder will present the request to them along with any other individuals involved in the dispute.

Defences

Despite being closely involved in the Undead War, Portglen only maintains a small, volunteer militia to protect the village.  This militia is primarily a mounted, cavalry as most of the village folk are comfortable working with horses and use them daily as part of their farming and livestock raising.
House Betrad also maintains a private guard force that they hire and manage to protect their manor house and their surrounding holdings. These guards are usually hired from either the Adventurers Guild or from retirees from the Imperial Army.

Industry & Trade

Agriculture is primary industry of Portglen. The majority of its residents are involved either in crop or livestock raising or in support of these activities. Wheat, corn and barley make up the largest crops grown by the village, with the majority of the corn being used for feed during the winter for the local livestock. Most of the animals raised for sale are beef cattle and sheep but some dairy cows, goats, pigs and chicken are also raised for consumption by the town folk.  Horses are also raised locally and used by many of the ranchers who graze their livestock on the wild grasslands surrounding the village.  These cowboys are quite famous for their ability to ride and are often recruited by the cavalry divisions of the Imperial Army.
Additional support industries can also be found in the village. Blacksmiths and leatherworker tend to the needs of the farmers, shoeing horses, repairing plows and tack as well as providing other goods necessary for daily life in the town. A small general store serves much of the rest of the needs of the town, importing basic staples such as cloth, glassware and pottery that are not produced locally.

Guilds and Factions

Only the Farmers Guild has a presence within the town itself. Many of the local farmers either belong to the farming guild or have direct relations with it. The Farmers Guild coordinates with the individual farms and works to organize the annual caravan that takes the local produce and livestock to Salindar.
The Adventurers Guild does have a representative at the House Betrad estates that can be used to contact the main guild or reach out to other Guild members.
The village also supports a small shrine on the outskirts of the main square.  Maintained by a single Priestess, the shine is dedicated to all of the gods of Order and the town does not have a major patron among the pantheon.  Villagers often visit the shire to make offerings, particularly when in need for a specific purpose, such as the healing of a sick family member or for blessing for a new child or marriage.   The priestess tends to much of the healing needs of the people and performs blessings for newborns and weddings.  Organized worship does not happen regularly, but the town does gather to present offerings twice a year.  The first is on the spring equinox in celebration of the first plantings and foaling of the year. The second happens during the Harvest Festival to give thanks for the harvest and bounty of the land for the year.

Type

Village

Population

453