Briarwood
At the mouth of the Rhynn River lies Briarwood, a bustling trading port filled to the brim with merchants and artisans of all kinds. The market stalls of the trade district bristle all manners of trinkets and novelties, as well as fresh produce and exotic fruits. The docks hum with the dull roar of commerce and barking sailors. In the center of the city, academics and scholars of the Mystic Archive rub elbows and squabble with stinging quips and long, pretentious words.
The city borders the eponymous Briar Woods to the west and the Meridian Sea to the south. To the seabound ships on the river, Briarwood serves as the final supply hub before the open ocean. As such, the city is often teeming with transients and travelers looking for one last drink on dry land. Such a high concentration of strangers and vagrants can often lead to trouble. Rumors abound of an underground network of criminals, all conspiring to leave the good folk of Briarwood penniless. Whether or not the theory holds truth is up for debate, but the town guard nonetheless are happy to provide work to enterprising adventurers with an interest in freelance law enforcement.
Demographics
Due to its location on the mouth of the Rhynn, the city of Briarwood hosts a diverse spread of cultures and races. From Elvish scholars to Dragonborn merchants, the myriad peoples of the world have all left their mark on the city in one way or another. Even the architecture tells a divergent story with a mishmosh of spires, scaffolding and brickwork of varied tradition.
Government
Like many settlements in Dielynor, the city is governed by nobility who owe fealty to the Crown. Much like in the country side, taxes are levied by local lords, who in turn keep order and respond to local threats. In Briarwood, the Baron is entrusted with a much larger population, thus much more power than rural nobility. Unlike smaller settlements, Briarwood enjoys the protection of a dedicated garrison, the Briarguard: Many who join their ranks do so in hopes that word might reach Baskhaven, so that tales of their valor may one day reach the recruiting office of the Wyvern Knights.
With power comes responsibility, however, and Baron Leopold Finneas Godfrey is no stranger to the myriad troubles of the Rhynn Valley. Often relying on the dependable, albeit expensive services Adventurers' Guild, he understands the value of nipping a problem at the bud. Whether a pack of feral Gnolls takes up residence in an abandoned mine, or a band of Orc brigands preys too close to civilization, the baron knows that a coinpurse in the right set of hands can keep a problem from snowballing into a crisis.
Ultimately, Briarwood is a thriving market town that pays its taxes. In doing so, the populace remains staunchly on the "good side" of the Dragon Crown, thereby bringing no undue attention to themselves. In the end, it suits them-- most folk in the @rhynn want little more than to be left alone.
Defences
The outer edge of the city is constantly expanding and contracting with the ebb and flow of trade in the area, and as such is defending by palisades and other wooden fortifications. This allows the Briarguard to redeploy assets where they are most needed. As one approaches the center of the city, the defenses become more and more formidable. To reach the market district, visitors pass through permanent walls through manned gatehouses. The very center of the city, home to the rich and noble, is protected by truly impressive battlements designed to repel all but the most stubborn invaders, decorated on the inside with exquisite carvings mused by local artisans and sculptors.
Industry & Trade
The bread and butter of the city is the agriculture of the surrounding area as well as the trade made possible by the river. Many of the merchants of Briarwood import exotic treats and trinkets directly from Baskhaven, the capital of Dielynor. Ships from all over the world resupply within the docks before making the journey north to the capital, affording the denizens of Briarwood ample access to the fruits of the Meridian.
Infrastructure
Surrounded on all sides by fertile land and bustling maritime trade, the residents of Briarwood have access to a dizzying array of facilities compared to villages such as Scabberdale. Public mills process the bounties of the harvest, while public bath houses maintain a semblence of hygiene toward the center of the settlement. Cobblestone roads connect the myriad trade districts for swift access to commodities, while formidible guard towers dot the perimeter of the city ensuring stability.
Assets
Briarwood is home to more shops and market stalls than most due to its importance as a trading hub. From bakeries to smithies, there are few items that cannot be found, so long as one knows where to look and carries a hefty purse. The true jewel of the city is the Archive, a massive library operated by the Arcane College. The library hosts a massive collection of ancient and contemporary literature, as well as several artifacts of unspeakable value. It is here that the academics of the continent gather to exchange ideas and participate in discourse. It is hard to imagine a question whose answer could not be found within the halls of the Archive.
Guilds and Factions
Governed indirectly by the crown, Briarwood is home to a wide variety of guilds and factions, each vying for what power is left in the absence of direct rule. While the Baron commands the Briarguard with the authority of the High King, not every corner of the city can be reliably watched. As such, underground black markets, extremist cults, and petty crime are no strangers to the city.
Tourism
Visitors to the city are invariably drawn to the market district, the Archive, or the Temple of Heroes-- an effigy celebrating the Heroes of Old and revering each member of The Broken Pantheon equally.
Architecture
The architecture of Briarwood is a mosaic, peppered with the cultural stylings of each of the plethora of races that call the city home.
Geography
Briarwood lies at the mouth of the River Rhynn. To the west, the Briarwood Forest stretches for miles. To the north, the Dragonspine Mountains keep vigil over the valley. To the east lies the River Rhynn, Scabberdale, and the Goblinwood. To the south, only the Meridian Sea.
Natural Resources
The area is teeming with lumbermills, grain fields, fishing encampments, and quarries that provide stone for the constant civil projects within the city. By far, Briarwood's most valuable resource is indeed the very location of the city itself, acting as a trading hub for the Meridian.
Founding Date
359
Type
City
Population
Several thousand men, elves, and other sentient folk.
Location under
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Secondary)
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