Arshen

by DALL-E-3

A line of hills cuts through the marsh, running all the way from Fishholme to well past Arshen. From atop the Carpens the entire world opens up, giving anyone bold enough to brave the winds a commanding view of the land for miles around. The castle at Arshen does just that. Built at the confluence of two mighty rivers, the Gan and the Oswine, it was able to dominate the trade and enforce its control on the land.
Long before the first stone was hauled to the top of the crag there was a village at the bottom. Simple huts where fisherfolk lived, selling their wares to boats travelling along the rivers. An example of what it once looked like can be found less than ten miles away on the Oswine at the hamlet of Tell's Corner.
Under the rule of the Commaln family Arshen steadily grew but it was Aeld Commaln and his northern bride Queen Galean that changed the town's fortunes. Under their rein the Thousand Lakes was brought under control and taxes flowed into the castle coffers.
It is now a prosperous town with merchant homes and warehouses fronting the well mantained wharf. A steady stream of barges stop to unload or collect cargo to be shipped to Sentinel at the far mouth of the Oswine.

Liandra's Grove

A narrow crevice cuts the castle off from the Carpan ridge but a bridge spans the gap. On the other side is a walled in grove of birch trees, long known as the gateway to Liandra's Hall. Before the arrival of Aeld it a site of pilgramige but they refused entry to all but those deemed worthy by Father Aldwin.

Demographics

While the lakes are home to marsh elves and humans the towns are not welcoming to nonhumans. Those marsh elves not driven from the town are given work at the edge of the town on the funeral sands, or put to collecting the night soil.

Defences

The castle is near impregnable with any invader having to deal with either a steep cliff or a wide chasm only broached by a single bridge. The lower town is undefended and open to the river but the inhabitants know to run up the castle.

Industry & Trade

Arshen has grown fat on the marshes, taxing all goods that travel on the river. There is very little industry in the town but merchants keep warehouses where they store furs until they are ready to be shipped to Sentinel.

Infrastructure

A dock runs the length of the waterfront providing ample space for the constant flow of barges and boats that ply the river.

Guilds and Factions

The throne has a tight hold on the merchants in the town and stamps out any talk of guilds.

Tourism

Before the cult of the red hand arrived Arshen was a place of pilgrimage for followers of Liandra. They would travel from as far as field as the Sondaran Empire to visit the sacred grove and experience the sacred light of the goddess but the grove was closed on Queen Galean's order and the pilgrimage ended.

Founding Date

185

Type

Large town

Population

3,000

Location under

The Thousand Lakes

Owner/Ruler

Aeld Commaln

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Queen Galean

Characters in Location

• Avani Commaln

Related Plots

• Green Fox Chapter 22
• Red Fang Chapter 1
• Red Fang Chapter 10
• Red Fang Chapter 15
• Red Fang Chapter 18
• Red Fang Chapter 22
• Red Fang Chapter 24
• Red Fang Chapter 25
• Red Fang Chapter 26
• Red Fang Chapter 27
• Red Fang Chapter 28
• Red Fang Chapter 29
• Red Fang Chapter 3
• Red Fang Chapter 30
• Red Fang Chapter 31
• Red Fang Chapter 32
• Red Fang Chapter 33
• Red Fang Chapter 34
• Red Fang Chapter 35
• Red Fang Chapter 36
• Red Fang Chapter 4
• Red Fang Chapter 6
• Red Fang Epilogue
• The Last Herald
• The Red Fang