Annville

Industry Never Rests

Annville is a city in the Teioran Province of Rhoan. With a population of roughly 40,000, it's one of the largest industrial centers in the region. The city is dominated by its central ironworks factory which employs nearly a third of the population. While primarily known for manufacturing, Annville also serves as an important trading port, with its extensive canal network connecting to the Arasan Sea.

Welcome to Annville

The first thing one notices upon entering Annville is the stench - an unholy alliance of sweat, seaweed and sulphur. How the locals have managed to get used to this malodour I'll never know. Safe to say, I'll not be staying longer than needed.

— a disgruntled visitor to Annville

Annville, while not the most aesthetically pleasing to look at, is a bustling trade hub along the coast of Rhoan. At the centre of the city, untop an imposing hill is a huge ironworks factory, the employer of a signifcant percentage of the population. Canals network throughout the city, their waters tinted slightly orange from the factory pollution. The constant rhythm of the factory's machinery is a constant background noise to city life amongst the cries of seagulls and clash of hammers from the few remaining traditional forges. The streets are a maze of narrows alleys and cramped houses in the worker districts, contrasting sharply with the grand mansions and botanical gardens of the wealthier areas.

History

Annville was once a quiet town renowned for its talented blacksmiths. Known then as Ettercroen, it drew visitors from across Teior who sought to commission the finest weapons and armour from its local craftspeople. During the Shadow Plague, the village could no longer sustain itself, and most locals fled to larger cities in Rhoan and other provinces in Teior. Ettercroen was nearly abandoned completely, save for a few brave workers and their families who remained to keep the forges burning.

Guberbroth's statue vandalized

Shortly after the ending of the Shadow Plague, a wealthy merchant named Guberbroth recognised potential in the iron-rich hills and offered to buy the land off the Duke. He settled in the town, and envisioned restoring Ettercroen's reputiation as a smithing powerhouse throughout the realm. Inspired by the industrial innovations of the new arcane age., Guberbroth concieved a plan to establish an ironworks factory. He invested heavily in the project, hiring and importing hundreds of workers (mainly halflings and gnomes to maximise space efficiency) and constructing rows of compact houses for their accommodation.

As the town grew into a city, the memory of Ettercroen's heritage as a centre of artisinal craftsmanship gradually faded. Many came to know it solely for its factory, referring to it simply as "the Anvil" - a name that eventually evolved into "Annville". The years went on, and Annville became a leading industrial centre. The Guberbroth family became richer and richer over several generations, while factory employees worked themselves to the bone for pitiful pay.

Today the city has evolved into more than just a simple factory town, and is considered one of the most important settlements in Rhoan. The factory itself remains a controversy, for though it brings much to the local economy, with that comes harsh working conditions, pollution, and plenty of conspiracy theories as to what they're really manufacturing in there.

Crest of the Province of Rhoan

Table of Contents

Founding Date

47 AoE (as Annville)

Type

City

Population

40000

Characters in Location

• Malachi Crane

Official languages

Common

Motto

Industry Never Rests

Districts and Points of Interest

1. Hammer District

The working hub of Annville, the Hammer District hasn't changed much since its origins as a factory town. Tiny houses just about big enough for halflings or dwarves are crammed into rows beneath the towering ironworks.

• The Annville Anvil Factory - an imposing ironworks building on a hill at the centre of the city. Green-tinted smoke pours out of its many chimneys. Everyone knows that the Anvil Factory no longer makes simple anvils or horseshoes, but no one can say for certain what their current products are. Each overworked employee only sees a tiny part of whatever mysterious objects they run down the production line each day and night
• The Breaking Bell - the go-to inn of choice after a tough shift. The Breaking Bell operates 24 hours a day to facilitate the varying shift workers at the factory. A small shop runs out of the back room.

2. Coppergate

An up-and coming-area on the edge of the city.

3. Old Ettercroen

The only part of Annville that bares any resemblence to the artisinal village it once was. Some families that live here can trace their roots back to the original settlers.

• The Flame and Forge - an independent blacksmiths that deals with specialised weapons and armour.

4. Castle District

At one point this whole district was the Guberbroth family's personal private castle and gardens, but eventually it got sold to the city council, and now most buildings here are for administrational and governmental use. The Guberbroth Gardens are now open to the public for leisure.

5. Silver Ward

The wealthiest part of the city, this is where the nobility of the city live.

6. Smithmarket

Both the cultural and merchant centre of Annville, this is the area to go to if you're looking for shopping or leisure.

• The Moose and Goose - an upmarket inn
• Humblewoods' Herbology - an apothecary shop specialising in niche remedies and potions

7. Dockside

Where the canal networks meet the sea, and ships carry on to trade with further settlements.

8. Easthorn / Westhorn

A pair of large residential areas in the south of the city.

Governance and Infrastructure

Annville City Watch

Annville is governed by the City Council, which in turn answers to Duke Emler Oakbrand of Rhoan. The Council consists of representatives from the city's major institutions and noble families, including the Guberbroth Estate, The Church of the Lumeni, The Workers Union Coalition, the University and the Merchants Guild amongst others. The relationship between these factions is often tense. The Workers Union Coalition frequently clashes with both the Guberbroth Estate and the Merchants Guild over labor conditions. The Guberbroth family maintains significant unofficial influence through their control of the Anvil Factory, though their power has waned somewhat in recent years as other merchant families have gained prominence.Council meetings are held in the former Guberbroth castle, which now serves as the city hall. While most meetings are open to the public, many citizens believe the real decisions are made in private dealings between the more influential council members.

Law enforcement in Annville is maintained by the City Watch, who operate from stations in each district. While officially independent, the Guard's priorities are heavily influenced by both the Council and wealthy merchants. The Dockside and Hammer Districts require the most attention, while guards in the Silver Ward often serve more as private security for noble families.

People

1. Demographics

Like most of Rhoan, Ettercroen / Annville was historically a predominately human settlement. However, the current Age of Endeavour has brought increasing diversity to the city. The unusually high proportion of halflings and gnomes compared to other cities in Teior is a direct result of the Guberbroth family's historical recruitment practices. While the Silver Ward remains predominantly human and home to most of the city's noble families, including several branches of the Guberbroth line, the working districts show much more racial integration, particularly among the younger generations.

2. Notable People

• WILLOW-heather-toes - a Murin playwright whose shows remain popular across Teior even long after his death
• Darrak Wolfhood - current master of the Flame and Forge
• Whistler - a kenku private eye