Red Larch

An important stop on the Long Road for two centuries now.
Red Larch became a settlement in the first place thanks to a drinkable spring that fed a sizable pond ideal for watering horses, oxen, and pack mules.
The east-west trail meets the Long Road at the pond, running west to the logging community of Kheldell and east to Bargewright-Inn and eventually Secomber. Another trail leads to quarries in the Sumber Hills and to ruins of stone keeps long ago left to monsters and outlaws, also come to be known as The Haunted Keeps

Demographics

The town is located atop a low ridge along the western edge of The Dessarin Valley

Defences

Around the Year of the Staff, 1366 DR, the town had a militia of around 100 skilled archers, mostly younger boys, who train by keeping predators away from the poultry farm

Industry & Trade

In recent years, new quarries have been opened on the northwestern edge of town. So far these have yielded up great slabs of marble much prized in Waterdeep for facing large new buildings and repairing older edifices. Red Larch is also a center for stonecutters quarrying slate on the fringes of the Sumber Hills.

Guilds and Factions

The Harpers is a predominant faction that upholds in this village, and the population often prays to Tymora.

History

The town was named after a small forest stand of larches that extended along the ridge. The trees, however, were felled by the first settlers in the region,[1] who chose that particular location thanks to a natural water spring that fed into a small pond that could serve as drinking water for burdened animals.

Population

600

Location under

The Dessarin Valley

Related Plots

• Act 1: Early Investigation
• Chapter 1: The Troubles of Red Larch
• Scene 1: No rest for the Wicked
• Scene 2: Kaylessa's Inn, The Swinging Sword
• Scene 3: The Helm at Highsun

Related Historical Events

• 1491 DR
  Garaele's escort to Red Larch