Bremen
Bremen is the westernmost of the Ten Towns of Icewind Dale. It attracts all manner of gold prospectors, travelers and treasure-hunters, especially during the gold rush era.
Founded by dwarf prospectors, the sleepy town of Bremen sits on the west bank of Maer Dualdon, at the mouth of the Shaengarne River. Bremen's harbor has frozen, requiring local fishers to haul their boats across the ice to put them in the lake. Visitors who lack a boat can reach Bremen only by crossing the river, which is mostly frozen over. Targos, Termalaine, and Lonelywood are all visible from the docks on clear days.
If Auril's everlasting winter has one benefit, it's that the hardy folk of Bremen are spared the seasonal floods that normally threaten the town in early summer. That's not to say that the long nights, frigid air, and howling blizzards provide any comfort. They don't.
Twice in the past two months, residents of Bremen have had to mount search parties for their town speaker and oldest living resident, Dorbulgruf Shalescar, and twice they've found him wandering the frozen shores of the Shaengarne in heavy furs, with no memory of how he got there. Dorbulgruf, old even by dwarf standards, isn't long for this world. Many locals fear the same is true of the town itself, if Auril's brutal winter does not abate.
Heraldry
A gold circle on a white field, with a horizontal blue band extending to the left under the circle, and a flaring blue triangle opening away from the circle on the right. The gold circle represents treasure found in the wake of local floods, the blue band is the Shaengarne River, the blue triangle is Maer Dualdon, and the white field represents snow.Demographics
Bremen, staying true to its dwarven founders, has a large dwarven presence in the town. That's not to say that they are the only folks living in the town, but they are by far the most populous.
Government
Speaker Dorbulgruf Shalescar speaks for the townsfolk. Age has addled his mind, and his vacant-eyed stare is often mistaken for unflappable calmness.
Defences
Militia. Bremen can muster up to 25 soldiers and 2 veterans.
Districts
The area closest to the river is known as the Flood District, and easily recognisable by each of the houses being built on stilts.
History
The town was nearly destroyed just prior to the Year of the Griffon, 1312 DR in the invasion of the Icewind Dale by the Legion of the Chimera.
In Year of the Worm, 1356 DR, Bremen and Caer-Konig were given to the barbarians of Icewind Dale after the war with Akar Kessell. Revjak, the king of the Tribe of the Elk, served as "speaker for the barbarians" in council until his leadership was successfully challenged by Berkthgar in 1364 DR, ending the period of cooperation between the Reghed tribes and Ten-Towns.
The spokesman of the town around the Year of the Turret, 1360 DR was Gil Haerngen, who, like other Bremenites, had a hobby of searching for gold and treasure on the floodplains along the banks of the river.
In 1483 DR, the adventurer Catti-brie set up a home base in Bremen while waiting for her appointed rendezvous with her friends.
During the years of the Everlasting Rime, Bremen offered the sacrifice of warmth to Auril. Residents of the town forewent any fires one day each month.
Points of interest
Taverns:
Geography
Bremen is located on the southwestern shore of Maer Dualdon, where the Shaengarne River meets the lake. Bremen's position made it susceptible to flooding, although Bremenites know the signs and lives were rarely lost because of it. The yearly flooding is also taken into account in recent architecture, as most newer buildings have been built on stilts and require stairs to get to from street level.
Natural Resources
The Shaengarne river lends itself to the Watermill, which dominates the river scenery.
Type
Village
Population
150
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Comments