Esthall and Vesthall

Modest Border Cities at the South Edge of the Darven Forest

Esthall and Vesthall are the two modest cities that lie at the southern edge of the Darven Forest.  Historically they have been trading places and bastions of defense against the creatures (mainly orcs) of the Antir Hills and their environs.  In trade, the two cities did fairly extensive business with Elvendell to the east, bringing in Darven goods from the east in exchange.  This trade route still holds, although not as it once was 100 years ago.  Estahall and Vesthall have become less reliable locations, suffering--especially Vesthall--from an implosion of crime and crime rings.   The Vesthall Guild of Assassins is particularly keen on covert robbery and murder of any stature and wealth.  In fact, the lives of nobles have become quite valuable in these cities, and they live only with a great deal of guard, or they quit completely and pull out to places farther west of south.  This is done reluctantly, as trade with Elves is always lucrative.
Also, many of the more "good" persuasion have reason to attempt a root-out of the criminals.  They have recently attempted an alliance with the Elves along these lines, but Elves are wary of human assassin guilds, and the usually want nothing to do with them.  The nobles are on their own, and the price is high in resources and life should they pursue a cause for justice.
Needless to say, any extremely wealthy individual or company who does business in Esthall or Vesthall draws risk.  Even the road between the two cities is frought with lesser criminals and bandits, looking for an opportunity to take lives and the money going with them.
As for their defensive positions, the two cities still play in important role defending the lands further south from orc hordes.  There are municipal or even "alliance" guards--trained in defense of both cities, powerful and fairly well-disciplined--that patrol the roadways between and within the cities.  Powerful merchants employ their own guard-force, sometimes hired out by the city government as well.  The most dangerous criminals, however, do not act on the open street.  The patrols are more effective against orc-raids, and they have kept the cities safe (but for a few exceptional aggressions) for decades now.

Type

City