Trarr
At a Glance
A spiral wooden wall encircles the crowded and rank loghouses of this Fhokki city. An odor comes from the constant tanning in the city's common area, which serves as both work area and market. The wall has a single entrance that stands open at night, only closing in case of attack. The gate is thick and freezes over seasonally, so it might not close the next time it is needed.Temples
The Way of the Berserk, the Parish of Love, the Church of the Silver Mist, the Thunderer's Temple, the Order of the Passionate One, and the Church of Everlasting Hope. The most vocal and visible cleric is the Brandobian, Srin Nortord, of the Order of the Passionate One. Stin is a great braggart and has a fondness for splashing about in the frigid waters of the Jorakk River late at night (usually after services, when he is quite inebriated).Mages & Sages
Rejel is younger brother to Sturr, and the two have nor spoken to each other For six years. Rejel married Agis, whom Sturr had courted at one time. Agis left Sturr because he drank too much, and their breakup was both very public and awkward. Rejel studies fire and lightning spells and prides himself on his original applications of these old standbys. Few other wizards brave this frontier city. The Sentinels of the True Way, although not as prevalent as in other cities, still intimidates wizards into practicing in seclusion. Several adepts who do not wish to attract attention to themselves use their magic to aid in the execution of whatever craft or skill they use to earn a living.Underworld
Pickpockets ail the market, stealing silver and gold when they can. Those who can bear the cold paddle out to passing boats on the Jorakk at night. lifting small items as the rafts float down river toward Narr-Rytarr. The boisterous Fhokki ger into frequent and bloody fights as well, which visitors find disconcerting. Penalties for fighting are light, but if a person inflicts permanent harm, the law takes a harsher stance. The law is also forgiving of crimes committed while intoxicated, which makes excessive drinking a common excuse for crimes.Government
Fhokki duke named Aggdar rules
from retirement, allowing his pliant son Limed to bear the
responsibilities of daily duties. Urred refuses to believe that
his father has any influence on him, although he rarely goes
against his father's wishes. Recently, Urred has been secretly
meeting with an old crone who worships the Fate Scribe
and falsely claims to be a member of the Prophets.
Trarr is currently on the brink of war with Gothmerr
over an insult From Gothmerr's lord, Count Tharnak.
Tharnak had agreed years ago that his son Egrek would
marry Aggdar's oldest daughter, Tavve. A week before the
wedding, Egrek snuck out in the middle of the night ro
marry a household slave. Tharnak shrugged off Aggdar's
outrage at the affront, claiming "Egrek makes his own
decisions. Your brat should try it one day." The flame of
war smolders, but for now hostilities are limited to harsh
words between traveling merchants and landowners near
the border between the two cities.
Defences
Trarr depends on 120 large and strong men
in chainmail with axes and greatswords for defense. They
swear loyalty to Sturr, an energetic man who lost his right
arm in his first battle, 15 years ago. Sturr carries his
greatsword in a single thick paw now, hammering away at
his enemies with unmatched vigor.
Realizing that even the powerful warriors were no
match for a mobile force on horseback, Sturr reached an
agreement with a mercenary band known as the Silver
Soldiers. They number 30 light infantry (leather armor,
throwing axe, and light flail), 45 archers (leather armor,
longbow, and dagger), and three wizards. The wizards each
specialize in a different area: one in offense, one in defense
and another in divination and communication. These
soldiers answer to Ratak, a somewhat greedy leader who
has yet to face a serious challenge.
Industry & Trade
Trarr relies on river trade from the Jorakk
to bring goods from warmer climates. Lamp oil, pitch (for
sealing log homes), barley, millet and vinegar are welcome
goods, but wheat is always the best product For merchants
to bring. The citizens of Trarr can't get enough wheat.
Sturdy buffalo skins make excellent leather products,
including armor, saddles for the Drhokkeran horses, and
backing for heavier armors. Workers also make sheaths,
helmets, and other martial gear for sale, keeping mundane
items for local use. HaImak the Thrice-Risen has acquired
a modest reputation as a leatherworker along the Jorakk
River; he makes masrerwork items for soldiers and adventurers
on demand.
Points of interest
The Parish of Love once operated a
separate hospital in conjunction with the Church of Everlasting Hope. The two clerics assigned to it detested
each other. After a particularly fierce blizzard trapped them
in the hospital with two dozen sick and injured patients,
their animosity became violent and erupted into a battle
with divine magic. Four bystanders died in their spells'
effects, and the faiths closed the hospital. Neither priest
survived his punishment. The hospital is abandoned and
houses thousands of bats. Recent rumors place a vampire
there as well.