Lakemouth
Lakemouth is a city built on the southern slope that descends into Faewater Lake. It is nestled between where the Lanbelt River and Sæweg River. The city is most well-known for the presence of a Faecrossing, a portal that opens during the Summer and Winter solstices. When the Faecrossing is opened, the town hosts the Faewater Solstice Festival.
Demographics
41% Human, 30% Elven, 15% Fey, 10% Dwarven, 4% Other
Government
Lakemouth is the seat of the Barony of Faewater, more commonly known as the Lakemouth Barony. The Baron of the land, currently Lord Sæwine Ælfsonne, resides within the citadel of the city. The Barony is subject to the laws of the Kingdom of Ælnea, as wells as the Duchy of Kinleigh.
Traditionally, the title of Baron is inherited patrilineally, passed down from father to eldest living, legitimate son. By law of the ruling Duchy, the legitimate son has to be descended from the father and his current spouse at the time of crowning the heir-apparent of the barony. With permission from the Duchy, the Lakemouth Barony has implemented heir-general title inheritance. In the event of the Baron not possessing any living, legitimate sons, the title may be passed on to his daughter. However, since there is now legal preference regarding which of the daughters inherits the title, this can lead to abeyance, as the title cannot be shared between two or more individuals. Should the Baron have neither any living sons nor daughters, the title then goes to the eldest eligible nephew/niece on the spouse's side of the family.
Defences
The city has two stone walls and a citadel. The citadel is located at the peak of the cliff between the "wing" and "body" of the Lake Faewater. The inner walls of the city are half-way up the slope, while the outer walls are built at the Lanbelt River at the base of the slope. Both walls have watch towers built into them.
The Barony possess a sizeable military force, consisting of 1,000 trained soldiers. During peace times the size of the force is cut down and the soldiers act as lawmen, and are therefore educated in the laws of Barony. They do regular patrols through the streets of the city, as well as being stationed along the walls, towers, and citadel. Gatehouses along the both walls have iron portcullises, and hidden along the lengths are postern gates that only guards can use.
Industry & Trade
Lakemouth is a trade city. The Solstice Festival attracts people from far and wide, both from within the kingdom and without. This tourism has allowed for the merchants and nobles of the city to make connections and trade agreements with a plethora of neighing villagees, baronies, duchies, and even neighboring nations. Many goods that are transported from the [Neighboring Country to the West] pass through Lakemouth along their journey further into Ælnea.
Nearby mines in the hills to the south bring in valuable metals, such as iron, silver, and gold. As such, a number of smithies, jewelers, minters, and other industries related to metallurgy. What cannot be found in the nearby mines is imported from elsewhere.
The land surround the city is fertile and much of it has been converted into farmland. Some fields grow crops can be found in the Feywilds, given to the people of Lakemouth by fey creatures who are appeased during the Solstice. The majority of the permanent fey population of the city help out on these fields to ensure that the plants can grow properly in the Material Plane.
Infrastructure
The roads of the city are made of cobblestone. The city is divided into four districts: the Citadel, the Upper Houses, the Middle Houses, and the Lower Houses. The Upper Houses district is located between the citadel in inner wall of the city; the Middle Houses between the inner and outer walls, and the Lower Houses are beyond the outer wall.
Assets
A wide range of items can be found and bought at the many vendors in Lakemouth. This includes weapons and armor, adventurering gear, food and drink, and even exotic goods that fey bring into the city, though the latter can be expensive.
Guilds and Factions
Many guilds have taken up residence in Lakemouth, many of which have set up their halls in the Middle or Upper Houses. From alchemy to woodcarving, there are guilds associated with most artisan crafts, as well as several merchant guilds and even a bank, which can be found in the Middle Houses.
Architecture
The Lakemouth Citadel, the inner and outer walls, and many buildings in the upper districts of the city are build out of stone, which has been covered in lime plaster water erosion and mold. Below the upper district of the city, buildings are typically built out of wood, some of which have been whitewashed by those who can afford it.
Market squares have fountains depicting historical figures, such as the founder of Lakemouth and particularly accomplished barons.
Geography
Lakemouth is located at the mouth of the Lanbelt river as it empties out into Faewater Lake. Much of the city is built upon a cliffed slope between the "wings" and "body" of the Faewater. An island close to the Lanbelt mouth is the location at which the Solstice portal to the Feywilds is located, the exact site on the island being a circle of stones around a singular ancient tree, which is known by the locals as the "fae stones".
Natural Resources
Fishes, precious metals (iron, silver, gold), coal, flora native to the Feywilds.
Alternative Name(s)
Faecross
Type
City
Population
24,651
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments