Landsbridge

“Everwealth’s lucky town, until luck runs dry.”

Landsbridge stands as a rare success story in the unforgiving frontier of the Grandgleam, a town that should have collapsed like the countless others before it but instead thrives against all odds. It is the deepest settled town in the frontier, a place where civilization clings stubbornly to the edges of the wild, surrounded by thick woods, untamed rivers, and a history of failed settlements buried beneath the soil. Its survival is owed to its rich natural resources and hardworking people. Landsbridge is a center of timber production, grain milling, and toolmaking, with steady work, fertile fields, and a booming lumber trade making it one of the most productive settlements in Everwealth. But prosperity here is not evenly shared. Despite its growing industries and steady expansion, the town is held back by greed. Mayor Stanton Oswald, a lazy and opportunistic ruler, sits atop Landsbridge like a bloated leech, taxing the people into perpetual toil while offering nothing in return. Traders, craftsmen, and farmers work themselves ragged, their profits drained away into Oswald’s pockets, while the town itself remains functional but never truly flourishes. Yet even more than corruption, there is something else that keeps people from staying too long. Travelers speak of an unease in the air, a lingering sense of dread that grows the longer one stays. There is no visible danger, no immediate threat, yet the feeling of impending disaster never fades. Those who have lived here long enough seem immune to it, either desensitized or resigned, but visitors often leave long before they ever planned to, unable to shake the chilling sense that something terrible is coming. For now, Landsbridge endures, a town of opportunity and unseen doom, a thriving settlement on the very edge of the unknown. It is Everwealth’s lucky town, but luck as history has proven, does not last forever.

Demographics

Landsbridge is a rare anomaly in Everwealth, not just in its survival, but in the makeup of its people. Where many settlements cling to old prejudices and rigid class structures, Landsbridge is a town built on labor, and in a town like this, a willing hand is worth more than a noble name. The population, estimated to be around 7,000, is a diverse mix of humans, dwarfs, goblins, and the occasional orcish folk, making it one of the most socially progressive settlements in Everwealth. Unlike the 'more developed' settlements, where goblins are often mistreated and barred from many trades, Landsbridge sees no such barriers, not out of kindness, but out of necessity. Anyone willing to swing an axe, push a plow, or lift a hammer is welcomed with open arms, no matter their skin, stature, or station. Goblins, in particular, make up a significant portion of the workforce, especially in carpentry, farming, and toolmaking. Their natural dexterity and ingenuity make them invaluable in the sawmills and workshops, and in Landsbridge, they are seen as no different than any other laborer. Some of the most respected craftsmen and merchants in town are goblins, a reality that would be unheard of in much of Everwealth.
Dwarfs, though fewer in number, are key figures in the town’s smithing and masonry trades, their expertise ensuring that Landsbridge’s tools, weapons, and structures stand the test of time. Meanwhile, a handful of orcish workers have carved out a place for themselves, their sheer strength making them invaluable in the heavier aspects of the logging industry. Humans still make up the majority of the population, though even among them, Landsbridge is not defined by bloodlines, but by work ethic. In this town, it does not matter where you come from—only that you are willing to earn your keep. Those who arrive expecting privilege without labor do not stay long, as no one in Landsbridge has the patience to carry those who will not pull their own weight. The town’s youthful, pragmatic population has fostered an environment where prejudice is a relic of lesser places. The people of Landsbridge are too busy surviving and thriving to concern themselves with the ignorant traditions that hold other parts of Everwealth back. Here, a goblin blacksmith, a dwarven carpenter, a human farmer, and an orcish laborer all stand on equal footing—united not by race, but by the simple truth that in this town, work is what earns you respect.

Government

Landsbridge is technically under the jurisdiction of the Governor of Middleglade, though in practice, it governs itself. The town’s mayor, Stanton Oswald, is an infamously greedy and incompetent figurehead, preferring to hoard wealth rather than use it to strengthen the town’s defenses or infrastructure. He is seen as a parasite, collecting higher taxes from Landsbridge’s booming industries while contributing nothing in return. Despite his unpopularity, he has remained in power because Landsbridge operates without him. The town’s workers, merchants, and laborers manage their own affairs, knowing that if they wait for governance, they’ll never get anything done.

Defences

Despite being one of the deepest settlements in Everwealth’s frontier, Landsbridge has remained remarkably intact, untouched by the fate that has claimed countless other towns before it. It lacks great stone walls or towering battlements, yet it endures, not through brute force, but through sheer necessity and the hardiness of its people. The town’s primary defense is its isolation. The Green Thumb River acts as a natural barrier, slowing down potential invaders, while the surrounding wilderness is often more of a deterrent than any man-made fortification could be. The forest itself is an unkind host to those who would seek to raid or conquer, and few outsiders are willing to brave its depths for a chance at sacking a town that is not so easily taken. What formal defenses do exist are practical rather than grand. Landsbridge maintains a small but disciplined town guard, a force of roughly trained men and women who have learned that help will not come from the capital should trouble arise. Their numbers are too few to fend off a full-scale assault, but for brigands, lone beasts, or internal disorder, they serve well enough. More importantly, the laborers and tradesmen of Landsbridge are no strangers to hardship, many carry axes, hammers, or crude weapons at all times, prepared to fight if survival demands it. Unlike most towns, Landsbridge’s greatest strength lies in its unity. The people do not wait for leadership or outside forces to protect them, they have endured the frontier for decades and know that their survival is in their own hands. Whether that will be enough, should the true dangers of the Grandgleam ever turn their eyes upon the town, remains to be seen.

Industry & Trade

Landsbridge thrives on hard labor and steady production, its industries built upon the abundant resources of the Grandgleam and the fertile lands surrounding the Green Thumb River. The town’s economy is driven by logging, agriculture, blacksmithing, and millwork, making it one of the most productive settlements in the frontier despite its isolation. Logging is the backbone of the town, with sawmills constantly processing freshly felled timber, providing high-quality wood for construction, shipbuilding, and fine carpentry. The timber trade alone keeps countless laborers employed, from lumberjacks in the deep woods to craftsmen shaping raw planks into valuable goods. Alongside it, blacksmiths and toolmakers, led by dwarves and skilled goblin artisans, produce axes, nails, wagon parts, and farming tools, ensuring that both loggers and farmers have what they need to keep the town running. The Green Thumb River’s waters sustain the town’s agriculture, with fields yielding potatoes, carrots, cabbage, and grains. These crops provide not just for the people of Landsbridge but for merchants seeking food supplies to sell further south. Flour mills along the river refine grain into meal and flour, ensuring a steady supply of essential foodstuffs despite the harshness of the frontier. Despite its strengths, Landsbridge is not entirely self-sufficient. The town exports vast quantities of timber, processed lumber, grain, and crafted tools, but in return, it relies on outside traders for iron, textiles, and finer weapons, resources too difficult to produce locally. The cost of imported goods is high, and Mayor Oswald’s corrupt taxation practices only make life harder for those who rely on them. Landsbridge’s industries should have made it one of the wealthiest towns in Everwealth’s frontier, but wealth here flows unevenly. While merchants and overseers profit from the hard work of others, the laborers themselves toil endlessly, kept in place by heavy taxes and a town that seems built to keep them working, not rising. Despite its booming economy, the people of Landsbridge see little of the fortune they build, their prosperity siphoned away by those who sit idle at the top.

Infrastructure

Landsbridge has functional but simple infrastructure, built for utility, not beauty. The Snake-Tongue River provides freshwater and irrigation, while rudimentary stone bridges and reinforced sawmills allow for steady production. Unlike cities in Everwealth, the roads here are rough and practical, leading directly to workshops, mills, and farmland without the excess of wealthier regions.

Districts

• The Splitwood Ward – The heart of Landsbridge’s logging industry, where sawmills, timber yards, and toolmakers thrive. The scent of freshly cut wood and sawdust lingers in the air, and axes never stay dull for long.

• Greenbend Fields – A fertile expanse along the Green Thumb River, home to farmers, grain mills, and the town’s primary food stores. Crops grow strong here, but only through constant effort and backbreaking labor.
• The Riverhand Docks – A bustling stretch along the river, where rafts and cargo boats are loaded with timber and goods bound for Everwealth’s cities. The town’s lifeline to trade and the wider world.

• Hearthstone Row – The residential heart of Landsbridge, where laborers, craftsmen, and their families live in sturdy, practical homes. No luxuries here, just solid beams, warm fires, and roofs that hold against the storms.

• Oswald’s Roost – A wealthier pocket of town, home to Mayor Oswald’s estate and the few merchants who benefit from his rule. It stands in stark contrast to the rest of the town, a symbol of greed amid industry.

Assets

Landsbridge, despite its corrupt leadership and isolated position, possesses a wealth of natural and industrial assets that have made it a vital part of Everwealth’s frontier economy. Its greatest resource is its lumber, drawn from the endless supply of high-quality timber within the Grandgleam. The town’s sawmills are among the most productive in the region, ensuring that processed lumber, planks, and beams make their way downriver to fuel the construction of buildings, ships, and fortifications across the kingdom. The Green Thumb River itself is another invaluable asset, providing freshwater, fertile farmland, and a natural transportation route for trade. Without the river, Landsbridge would struggle to sustain its crops and livestock, but with it, the town produces enough food to sustain itself and export surplus grain, potatoes, carrots, and cabbage to other regions. The town’s mills and granaries, built along the riverbanks, allow for steady food production and storage, ensuring that even in times of poor harvest, there is always a reserve to fall back on. Beyond agriculture and timber, the town’s blacksmiths and toolmakers provide a steady supply of iron goods, though iron itself must be imported at a high cost. What little local stone and clay deposits exist are used for construction, brick-making, and roadwork, reinforcing key buildings against the unpredictable weather of the frontier. Weapons and armor are rare but not absent, with many laborers carrying basic iron axes or knives, though few can afford the finely crafted blades and mail shipped in from the wealthier cities. For all its resources and economic strength, the town’s most undervalued asset is its workforce. The people of Landsbridge are resilient, adaptable, and hardworking, ensuring that despite mismanagement, corruption, and the ever-present dangers of the frontier, the town continues to function, grow, and endure.

Guilds and Factions

• The Timberman’s Lodge – A powerful guild overseeing logging operations, pricing, and exports. They ensure fair wages and prevent overharvesting.

• The Riverhand Traders – A loose faction of merchants, raft-workers, and trade barons controlling the flow of goods into and out of Landsbridge.

• The Greenbend Farmers’ Union – A coalition of farmers and millers who dictate crop rotations, trade agreements, and food distribution.

• The Ironfell Smiths – A dwarven-led group of blacksmiths, toolmakers, and masons who forge weapons, tools, and metal fittings for wagons and homes.

• Oswald’s Inner Circle – A group of wealthy merchants and opportunists who benefit from Mayor Oswald’s corrupt rule, exploiting taxes and resources for their own gain.

History

Landsbridge was officially established 60 years ago, though the region saw many failed settlements before it. Unlike those that came before, Landsbridge managed to endure, growing into a stable, self-sufficient town despite its hazardous location. Landsbridge was settled by a coalition of lumberers, farmers, and hopeful tradesmen, all drawn by the promise of opportunity in the Grandgleam’s resource-rich frontier. Unlike other failed attempts to colonize this region, Landsbridge’s founders were pragmatic, ruthless, and careful, securing strong defenses, a structured economy, and enough labor to sustain their settlement through its most vulnerable years. For these oddly easy sixty years, Landsbridge has defied the fate of countless fallen settlements before it. But its survival has bred complacency, and its prosperity has been leeched by corruption. If history has taught Everwealth anything, it is that no frontier town lasts forever.

Points of interest

• The Hollow Hearth Inn – The largest inn and tavern in Landsbridge, a hub for workers and travelers alike. The air is thick with woodsmoke, ale, and weary conversation.

• The Greenbend Mills – A series of grain mills powered by the Green Thumb River, ensuring Landsbridge has a steady supply of flour and meal.

• The Splitwood Sawmills – The heart of the logging industry, where lumber is processed before being sent downriver. The constant buzz of saws and scent of fresh pine fills the air.

• The Riverhand Docks – A vital lifeline, where rafts and trade boats are loaded with timber, tools, and food bound for Everwealth’s cities.

• Oswald’s Keep – A misnamed estate rather than a true keep, Mayor Oswald’s gaudy home stands as a symbol of corruption, wealth hoarded rather than shared.

Tourism

There is no tourism in Landsbridge, yet, outsiders come for work not leisure. Travelers pass through quickly, uneasy at how deep they have wandered into the frontier. It is Everwealth’s lucky town, but luck has never been a lasting thing.

Architecture

Landsbridge is built in a style that reflects both resilience and pragmatism, shaped by the demands of the wilderness rather than the indulgences of nobility. The town is a mixture of sturdy timber-framed houses, stone-reinforced foundations, and the occasional thatched-roof home, mirroring a rugged yet functional aesthetic. Most buildings in Landsbridge are constructed from the very wood harvested in the surrounding Grandgleam, with thick beams and heavy supports to withstand the brutal winters and frequent storms. The wealthier sections of town, particularly where merchants and overseers reside, feature larger two-story homes with wattle-and-daub walls, shingled roofs, and intricate wood-carved eaves—simple by the standards of Everwealth’s cities, but far more refined than the frontier’s usual hovels. Among laborers, however, more modest dwellings persist. Some homes are little more than deep-set timber lodges, dug into the earth to retain heat in the winter and remain cool in the summer. Others are dirt-mounded cottages, their roofs woven with straw and moss, a style dating back centuries, used by those who can’t afford proper stonework but still wish to keep the cold at bay. Public buildings such as mills, blacksmiths, and workshops are built for endurance, often reinforced with stone at the base to prevent structural collapse under heavy use. The Hollow Hearth Inn, one of the largest and longest-standing establishments, is a massive timber structure with thick beams, a wide hearth, and an upper gallery where weary workers drink in dim candlelight. Despite its simple design, Landsbridge’s architecture is not without its flourishes. Many homes feature elaborate carvings along their beams, depicting knotted patterns, family sigils, or crude warnings against the dangers of the Grandgleam. Doors are often painted in deep, earthen colors, and many windows feature wooden shutters rather than glass, as glass remains too expensive and difficult to import. While it lacks the grandeur of Everwealth’s larger settlements, Landsbridge’s architecture speaks to a community hardened by the frontier, where buildings are made to endure rather than impress, yet still bear the marks of those who call them home.

Geography

Landsbridge sits on the farthest edge of civilization, nestled within the Grandgleam’s wild frontier, where the dense forest breaks just enough to allow for farmland, roads, and industry. It is surrounded on three sides by towering woods, with the Green Thumb River cutting through the land, providing freshwater, irrigation, and a natural boundary against the relentless spread of the wilds. The Green Thumb River, though deceptively gentle in its shallower stretches, has carved deep into the land over centuries, forming narrow ravines and unpredictable currents further from town. Its waters are crystal-clear, lined with reeds and moss-laden stones, but those who have lived here long know better than to trust its placid surface—more than a few unlucky souls have vanished beneath its depths, swept away by hidden undertows or something far worse. The land surrounding Landsbridge is fertile but treacherous, shaped by the ever-shifting magicks of the Grandgleam. While the soil is rich, the wilderness is always reaching inward, creeping into roads, farmsteads, and settlements when left unattended. The town’s croplands stretch eastward, where fields of cabbage, carrots, and potatoes thrive under the watchful hands of laborers. To the north, the Grandgleam grows denser, its canopy thick enough to blot out the sky. Roots tangle in great knotted webs, creating pathways where even the sun’s light struggles to reach. To the south, the land flattens, leading toward scattered farmsteads, windmills, and dirt roads that connect Landsbridge to the greater kingdom. The western roads, rarely traveled, lead into the unknown, places where the forest swallows up trails overnight, where old ruins lie untouched, and where no traveler lingers for long. Despite its prime location for trade and expansion, Landsbridge remains a fragile beacon of civilization, a border town perched on the knife’s edge between prosperity and inevitable ruin.

Climate

Landsbridge experiences harsh but survivable seasons, with cold springs, humid summers, and brutal winters. The Grandgleam’s unpredictable weather also leads to irregular storm patterns, making some years more treacherous than others.

Natural Resources

Landsbridge sits upon one of the richest resource veins in Everwealth’s frontier, making it a crucial supplier of timber, crops, and crafted goods.

• Timber from the Grandgleam – The backbone of the town’s economy, providing high-quality wood for construction, shipbuilding, and trade.

• Fertile farmland – The soil near the Green Thumb River allows for successful harvests of hardy crops such as potatoes, cabbage, and carrots.

• Freshwater access – Unlike many other settlements, Landsbridge enjoys a steady supply of clean water, ensuring its people, crops, and livestock remain healthy.

• Stone and clay deposits – Small quarries provide basic stone for buildings and roadwork, while the riverbanks yield clay for brick-making and pottery.

• Skilled labor – More valuable than any material, Landsbridge’s hardworking population ensures its industries remain strong.

Founding Date

422 CA

Alternative Name(s)

'The Lucky Town', 'Little Kingdom'.

Type

Town

Population

5,400.

Inhabitant Demonym

'Bridgers'.

Owning Organization

The Monarchy