Grunal is the most easterly of the three baronies in the region, which makes it the furtherst from the centre of the continent and the hardest for the Guild ships to reach. However
Baron Gilbert, who rules here, controls the largest farming and arable lands on the whole of
Ibini. So it is certainly worth the Guild ships with large holds making the longer journey to this far barony.
Grunal is a walled town with a 15' tall wooden palisade surrounding the whole settlement. The walls have two gates - the southern one leads out towards the village of
Zaneth; the northern one leads up towards the hamlet of
Hillsend. The fast flowing
River Ardeth flows into the town and out the other side, effectively splitting the settlement in half. Two wooden bridges span the river. The manor house of
Baron Gilbert sits on the eastern side of the river and naturally this is where the nicer properties are located.
There are two inns in the town -
The Torrent, which lies on the eastern side next to the river, and
The Shack on the western side.
The Torrent is more upmarket, but is still only pretty rudimentary.
The Shack is as bad as its name implies. It is ramshackle, under disrepair and in need of some care. However the food, as cooked by the owner
Mrs Ramsbottom, is exquisite. Rumour has it the Baron has tried to recruit her to his kitchens but she has always refused. Food in
The Torrent is acceptable, but the overall ambience of
The Torrent makes it the eatery of choice for most.
The town boasts a few simple shops and businesses - notably a smithy, a baker, a general goods store and a coal merchant. All of these buildings display the fox and scales symbol of the Guild somewhere on their premises, indicating their membership of the ubiquitous organization. There are two warehouses, one of which stores coal, the other stores farm produce from the surrounding area. Trade tends to be centred around coal and farm produce exports with imports being most everything else. A fair amount of fish also finds its way into the town from the port of
Zaneth.
The town is controlled by the enforcers, led by
Overseer Varnell. The enforcers typically wear light armour and carry an assortment of weapons. They are easily recognised by their orange bandanas or waist sashes. Varnell is easily recognised by his facial scar and missing eye. The enforcers are generally protective of the populace, proud of their role in defending the Baron's territories. Varnell is one of few people in the town to own a horse - which was a gift from the Baron.
