Vanden's Rest

The town that Vanden made great.

Named after the nearby resting place of the great hero Vanden the Strong-Handed, the town itself is relatively small and inconspicuous. By all means, this is a farming community like any other in Argolen. In the shadow of the mighty Mount Argent, settlers came here many centuries ago and established a small hamlet on a nearby hillside. The surrounding landscape is rich in resources that sustain its inhabitants, who live a modest yet comfortable life in the tranquillity of the countryside.

Government

A Constable and small contingent of lookouts take shifts throughout the day. However, their schedule is far from strict, as the worst crime that's ever been committed here is theft of livestock, and one account of structural sabotage. The Constable of the Rest attends to the day-to-day running of the small town, and works closely with the clergy, who are known as the Pastorals of Chauntea.
Taxes tend to be poured into maintaining the surrounding roads, as well as the patchwork of low walls that encompass the village. A small percentage goes towards the upkeep of the Church of the Grain Goddess, which receives additional donations throughout the year. Any excess collected goes towards the next village celebration, usually Greengrass. On a normal day, the populace are content with their lives, and live in the Rest safely.

Defences

Small inspection towers flank each side of the roads running into and out of the Rest. A low and patchy wall spans the perimeter. However, its natural defences are its greatest strength.
The settlement itself was built on raised land, lending a natural advantage to spotting approaching forces, especially if they are travelling down the South or West roads. As it is situated between the fork of the River Skilja, it is almost impossible to approach from the West without crossing. The river is too deep to wade through, so the few narrow bridges provide a choke-point to thin out large groups. The steep cover provided by Mount Argent to the North beyond the River Skilja makes it difficult for large bands to become organised for attack. Landslides are also relatively common on its slopes, having injured individuals in the past.

Industry & Trade

The traditional exports of Vanden's Rest have always been corn and wheat. The surrounding wetland is home to rich soil, irrigated by the nearby River Skilja, yielding a healthy supply of crops year-round. Hemp mattresses and feather-filled pillows are also manufactured here, which are likewise sold in other settlements nearby.
In recent years, locals struck high-quality iron in Mount Argent, amongst other semi-rare resources, which called for a mineral processing complex to be constructed on the other side of the river with the profits. The main imports include paper, alcohol, fruit, fertiliser, and leather.

Infrastructure

The low walls surrounding Vanden's Rest are derelict in places, but have been patched up here and there over recent years. Harrigan's Forge in the Old Hamlet area of the Rest is an impressive set-up, and his bellows are worked regularly. Since the discovery of the mine on the slopes of Mount Argent, more people have been seen carrying the pendant of the Lord of Smiths, Gond, including forgemaster Harrigan.
The Town Hall, located nearby, is an impressive building that used to be the home of the hero Vanden, who left it to the community upon his death. It serves as a meeting hall, courthouse, and jail. The Constable of the Rest's living quarters can also be found within. The town's most popular inn, The Corn Cradle, likewise hails from Vanden's time, and is one of the oldest structures in the Rest.
Erstrye Château was built by the mine owner Ingrid Vaardmur in the South-East of the town to celebrate her new-found wealth. Controversy arose during the initial proposal, as the structure's style did not match the Old Argonitian architecture of the town's other buildings. So strong were some peoples' oppositions to this divergence from tradition, that one individual was caught attempting to sabotage the construction. Nowadays the grudge is forgotten, save for the occasional grumble here and there. As for The Mines of Vaardmur, more information can be found at its original entry.
On the other hand, staying true to the Old Argonian style, The Church of the Grain Goddess is attended by almost every inhabitant of Vanden's Rest. Chauntea, the Goddess of Harvest, is worshipped here, and the time of Greengrass is a festival much anticipated by the community. Whilst this is the only religious establishment in the town, the God of Renewal Lathander - the lover of Chauntea - is also worshipped openly by many. A small shrine to River Guardian Eldath lies on the banks of the River Skilja on the town's outskirts, where travellers frequently pause to offer prayers and take a moment to rest.
While Chauntea, Lathander, Eldath and Gond are the only four deities publicly worshipped in the Rest, the hero Vanden the Strong-Handed is often thanked at public gatherings and festivals throughout the year for his deeds and the prosperity he brought way back when.

Assets

The Town Hall used to be Vanden's very own home, and was left to the people of the Rest upon his death. It now serves as the residence/workplace for the Constable of the Rest, as well as housing many old relics from Vanden's time. It also provides a place for community meetings, and contains makeshift holding cells in the back for the Constable's use.
Harrigan's Stable and Forge is the first stop people tend to make when looking for repairs or a mount, where the eponymous Harrigan works the bellows with his forge-hand Jalmir. People who spend the night at the local inn tend to leave their mounts here.
The Corn Cradle is considered to be the most successful tavern and inn of Vanden's Rest, run by Morgannwg y'Galed. The inn has been a part of the community since Vanden's time, and is one of the oldest buildings in town.
The Mines of Vaardmur were discovered a few decades ago, and its iron led to the town's economical growth, along with the construction of the mineral processing plant on the other side of the River Skilja.
Fulheim Farm is the largest farm in the area, and is the greatest source of food for the town. Its main crop yield comes from corn and wheat. Many of the Rest's inhabitants work the fields here for Anaro and Eleonora Fulheim.
The Nooked Book, run by Miki 'Bookie' Thipplewhip, is the town's bookshop.
Nolton's Nook provides all manner of everyday wares, run by the Halfling couple, Nolton and Merridel Mumples.
Hoskins' Hemp 'n Slump outsources straw bedding to Edge, Várnor, and Navïs.
Bake and Barley is, predictably, a bakery, owned by Lillith and Ulfric Anrova. Their daughter Verity helps out.
The Herbfröst is the home of the famed herbalist Fidelia Croxwynn, who concocts and sells natural remedies.
Arrian's House, whilst not an official business, is home to Arrian and Evelyn Malvern - a weaver and tailoress.
Kharam Hospit is one of the more recent additions to the town, headed by the chirurgeon Dr Dexter Morganroth.
The Church of the Grain Goddess, dedicated to the graces of Chauntea, is led by Pastor Ludevic Archibald.
Aelissa's Shack lies on the outskirts of the town on the banks of the River Skilja. She tends to the Shrine of Eldath.

History

Nobody remembers what the tiny town used to be named before the fall of Vanden the Strong-Handed . In Vanden's time, this was no more than a hamlet, with only the northernmost section of the settlement having been built. This was the place where Vanden grew up, and where he returned to settle near the end of his life, in peace. The recorded history of Vanden's Rest begins from Vanden's time forth:
Circa 300 Years Ago:

• Vanden is buried in the tallest hill at the outskirts of the hamlet, which is renamed Vanden's Rest

• Increased traffic through the hamlet following the deeds of Vanden, which brings in additional wealth

• Objects from Vanden's home are catalogued and preserved by a local historical group

• Vanden's home renovated and opened to the public as the new Meeting Hall

Circa 50 Years Ago:

• Corn demand increases in neighbouring settlements as population sizes increase

• Vanden's Rest experiences a population boom with the increase in trade and wealth

• New businesses and small independent manufacturers open

Circa 40 Years Ago:

• Iron and semiprecious resources unearthed within Mount Argent; temporary mine is established

• Hamlet expansion begins, along with new roads and the construction of the mineral processing plant

• Vanden's Rest officially granted 'village' status

Circa 30 Years Ago:

• The now sole mine owner Ingrid Vaardmur purchases land to the South-West, and Erstrye Château begins construction; mine name officially registered as The Mines of Vaardmur

• Attempted sabotage of the Château's construction; culprit apprehended

• Château's construction is completed with the village expansion

Circa 20 Years Ago:

• Unusual locust migration from overseas destroys 68% of the surrounding corn fields; cultivation work begins to reinvigorate the farmland

• A selection of Vanden's old possessions go on display at the Village Hall to raise money for the local farms

• Goblin war party attempts to lay siege to Vanden's Rest but are mysteriously decimated by a sudden and timely landslide as they declare attack from the slopes of Mount Argent

• Vanden's Rest officially granted 'town' status

1 Year Ago:

• Seismic tremor collapses town structures and causes partial mine collapse, killing several workers

• Tremor also splits Vanden's Mound, leading to rumours of his spirit appearing near the site

• Lady Vaardmur funds the refurbishment of local medical establishment, Kharam Hospit

• Mine is secured once more and work recommences

6 Months Ago:

• Statue erected in memory of those who perished in the mine

• Renown herbalist Fidelia Croxwynn retires from academia to Vanden's Rest to open The Herbfröst

• Less than a year after the first tremor, a second collapses the West Bridge and parts of the old wall

• Construction of a new bridge begins and funding is organised to replace the old sections of the town wall

3 Months Ago:

• Fidelia Croxwynn leaves The Herbfröst to collect ingredients; she does not return
• Harvest fails amidst rumours of disease amongst crops
• Reports of locals being assaulted by apparitions lead to an exodus of townsfolk; many leave to stay with relatives in neighbouring settlements or temporarily abandon their homes

1 Month Ago:

• Dense mist moves into the valley from all directions, marking the last recorded day of sunshine
• Reports of missing people sharply increase, most notably the inhabitants of Fulheim Farm; searches of the area led by Constable Grem Tabbot yield no results

• Populace experience shared hallucinations and night terrors

1 Week Ago:

• A third tremor splits Vanden's Mound, leading to rumours of his spirit appearing near the site; more miners killed

• Mine announced temporarily closed due to the combined disappearance, exodus and death of workers

• Missing individuals officially recorded as 1/6th of the town's inhabitants

• Rumours of a 'curse' afflicting Vanden's Rest reaches the Capitol

Architecture

Due to the sheer age of the town as having been around for several centuries, its buildings retain the Old Argonite style, even in the newer parts. The only exception to this rule is Erstrye Château. When the village expansion first began upon the discovery of iron in Mount Argent, the community unanimously agreed that new structures would adopt the same architectural design as those in the original part of the settlement; yet another reason why Erstrye Château caused so much controversy in diverging from tradition.
The general style consists of thatched roofing accompanied by a heavy lumber framework and walls, which are traditionally held together by daub, but iron nails are more commonly used nowadays. It is not uncommon to see High Argonite Runes carved into door-frames, invoking old prayers of protection and warmth in the cold climate of this area. The Church of the Grain Goddess is an incredibly impressive example of the traditional style.

Geography

Situated on a low hillside in the shadows of Mount Argent, Vanden's Rest is in a safe geographical location, being able to spot approaching parties from the South and West with ease, as well as remaining on high ground during the wet seasons. The hill sits between the fork of the River Skilja, branching to either side of the settlement.
An even higher hill is situated just to the East of the Rest, where Vanden's Mound can be found. Other notable geographical features include a large expanse of rich farmland to the West, Mount Argent to the North, and sparsely forested areas ringing the base of the mountain.

Natural Resources

Corn-and-wheat fields; iron and semiprecious minerals from The Mines of Vaardmur of Mount Argent; apples and cider; lumber; wool.

Viking Village by Brooke Olson

Alternative Name(s)

The Rest

Type

Town

Population

800

Included Locations

• The Mines of Vaardmur

Characters in Location

• Vanden the Strong-Handed

Forgotten Realms Deities Mentioned:

• Chauntea, Goddess of Harvest

• Lathander, God of Renewal

• Eldath, Guardian of Rivers

• Gond, Lord of Smiths

by CG-Zander

by Animaniax