Varg Barges

The Varg Barges is a chain ferry system connecting the town of Aktrout to the southern shore of Red Lake. The barges provide manual transport between the landings on the shore and in the floating town without the need for a boat.

Description

The Varg Barges is a chain ferry system. It runs between two landings, one on the southern shore of Red Lake and the other at the southern end of Aktrout.
There are two, large orcish chains that run between these landings. The distance between these landings is nearly a half mile. The ferries hook over these chains, allowing laborers to pull each ferry and its passengers or cargo from landing to the other.
Each ferry is a flat-bottomed wooden boat, with metal connector hooks that can be placed over the orcish chains. While the ferries are capable of floating without the support of the chain, they are somewhat unwiedly and rely on the chain for guidance.
The majority of the ferry ships are small, capable of seating five passengers and their belongings, with enough space for the barge laborer to pull the chain from one end to the other. There is a larger barge with connectors for both chains for larger cargo, such as carriages or bulk supplies.

Shoreside Landing

Near to the Aktrout Crossroads are two large stone obelisks set into the shore about twenty feet apart. They are short and wide with four sides and a rounded bottom. Faded stain lines show on the sides from different water levels over time. Dark, orcish chain is tied around the obelisks and leads out into the lake towards Aktrout.
On this part of the lakeshore, there are many reeds and lily pads. Among that are a number of small ferries pulled onto shore or moored to stakes. There is a nearby stable for housing the mounts and wagons of travelers to the town.

Thalassian Anchor Landing

The southern area of the Thalassian Anchor District is an open docking area for the Varg Barges ferries to attach to the city. Other local fishing boats and Scow barges are moored often moored here as well.
On the docks are two metal statues bolted into the planks of the city. They are heavily stylized, appearing as an orc biting the links of the chain, which is bolted to the building behind it.
Between the two chain statues there’s a larger landing dock with posts for ties and connections, which is used for the larger Varg Barges cargo ferry.

Notable People

• Talc: Male goliath chain worker

• Alden: Male halforc stableboy

History

The Fifth Age: The Age of Beginnings

In the early Fifth Age, Aktrout was rebuilt on the waters of Red Lake. At some point, the Varg Barges were created to facilitate easy movement from the lakeshore to the town.
5A 352
On 16 Adroth 5A 352, Andras Ashforge and a number of dwarves from the Hands of Ore guild arrived in Aktrout from Thoriktown. They took the larger cargo ferry into the town.
In the night of 16 Adroth 5A 352, the Varg Barges chains and Zenthai's Dragon Anchor were damaged by some type of attack under the water. This left one of the orc chains severed, the leftmost orc statue was torn from the docks, and the large cargo ferry was sunk.
On 26 Adroth 5A 352, Arwin stabled his horse with Alden, and the Lightbringers used the Varg Barges to travel from the lakeshore into Aktrout.

Type

Transportation station

Parent Location

Aktrout

Region
Desecrated Hills
Continent
Tarteria
Plane
Material Plane