Woodsend

"It's a fine town, if you ignore the occasional scandal, the eerie disappearances, and the fact that our last mayor tried to drink us all dry."

Woodsend has stood for two centuries, weathering the shifting tides of fortune better than most settlements in Everwealth. Richer than the average township, nearly a city, some might argue, it carries itself with a quiet dignity. Its skyline remains modest, marked only by the occasional windmill, spire, or well-to-do residence rising above the cluster of simple but well-built homes. The people here take pride in their craft, and rightly so, woodworkers, toolmakers, and orchard-keepers form the backbone of its economy, their goods sought after across the country. But for all its industry and wealth, Woodsend is not without its shadows. The town has only recently emerged from an unsettling revelation, its former mayor, a cunning and charismatic woman, was a vampire, charming her way into control of its most valuable assets. She ensnared the hearts and minds of many, including Maxwell Hundt’s father, owner of the Opal Orchard apple farm and the famed Woodsend cideries, their bottles renowned far beyond the kingdom’s borders. When a band of marauders called the Painter Gang rode into town and unmasked her deception, she met a bloody end, but the damage was done.
Now, Maxwell Hundt sits as mayor, elected on a wave of necessity and sympathy. But not everyone believes him the rightful savior of Woodsend. The town’s power had already been consolidated by the vampire’s influence; all he had to do was step in and claim the throne. Was he truly a victim of his father’s ensorcelled misfortune, or has he merely assumed the seat his predecessor so conveniently prepared for him? Whispers abound in the candlelit corners of taverns and tool shops, of a charming young heir, too quick to seize power, too comfortable in the role his predecessor once played. Regardless of where the truth lies, the town moves forward, its people too pragmatic to dwell long on the past. Work must be done, goods must be sold, and travelers must be fed and rested before their fates carry them into the wild unknown.

Demographics

Woodsend's population is predominantly humans and dwarves, with a notable presence of halflings and gnomes, particularly in the toolmaking trade. A small but steady flow of elves and wanderers pass through, often drawn by the Grandgleam’s mysteries or the town’s lucrative markets. Wealth disparity is evident, with affluent merchants and landowners controlling industry while laborers and craftsmen sustain the town’s backbone. Despite its prosperity, Woodsend’s past scandals and its proximity to the untamed west leave an undercurrent of unease among its people.

Government

A mayoral system, with Maxwell Hundt recently elected following the town’s last crisis. While he outwardly preaches stability and good governance, many remain wary of his newfound control over Woodsend’s key industries.

Defences

While not a walled city, Woodsend is fortified well enough to deter common banditry. Palisades and watchtowers provide an initial line of defense, while the town guard, though small, is well-equipped and capable. However, true protection comes from privately hired mercenaries, employed by merchants, landowners, and guilds who have the means to ensure their safety through coin rather than governance. Adding to the town’s mystique is the Painter Gang’s mark, though cutthroat outlaws themselves, the Painter Gang has left Woodsend relatively unscathed since their infamous slaying of the vampire mayor. Whether out of respect or a more secretive investment in the town’s affairs, their influence lingers, leaving many wondering where their true loyalties lie.

Industry & Trade

Woodsend thrives on three primary industries. Timber and woodworking define the town’s namesake, with its lumberyards supplying Grandgleam timber, renowned for its durability and beauty. Toolmaking is equally lucrative, with axes, saws, chisels, and planes crafted to Dwarfish standards, making them some of the most sought-after tools in Everwealth. The cider and agriculture industry is another cornerstone of Woodsend’s prosperity, with the Opal Orchard producing the most renowned cider in the kingdom, bottled and shipped far beyond Everwealth’s borders. The town’s economy is driven by exports of wood, tools, and cider, while iron, luxury goods, and protective services, including mercenaries and armed escorts, are among its most critical imports. Trade routes remain well-traveled, but with the untamed western frontier so close, many merchants invest in hired muscle to safeguard their ventures.

Infrastructure

Woodsend’s infrastructure is built around its thriving timber, toolmaking, and cider industries, ensuring steady production and trade. Windmills on the outskirts process flour and sawdust, while sawmills and timber yards refine Grandgleam wood for export. The Opal Orchard’s breweries and glassworks handle cider production, bottling, and distribution, making it one of the town’s most valuable assets. Well-maintained roads connect the market square, workshops, and Grandgleam Gate, though travel beyond town becomes far more dangerous. The Grandgleam Gate & Trading Post serves as the last checkpoint for travelers heading west, offering supplies, guides, and a final taste of civilization before the wilderness takes hold. Public wells and irrigation channels provide fresh water for the town’s needs, while workshops and forges near Craftsman’s Row keep Woodsend supplied with high-quality tools and goods.

Districts

While Woodsend is not a sprawling metropolis, it has grown enough over its two centuries of existence to develop distinct districts, each serving a unique function in the town’s daily life.

• The Market Square – The heart of Woodsend’s commerce, filled with vendor stalls, general stores, and specialty shops. Merchants sell everything from handcrafted furniture and fine tools to cider and preserved goods. It is the town’s most lively and bustling area, particularly during festival seasons.

• The Timber Yards – Located along the outskirts, this district is dedicated to lumber processing, sawmills, and woodworking shops. Here, raw timber from the Grandgleam Forest is cut, shaped, and crafted into planks, beams, and furniture, ready for export or local construction. The scent of fresh-cut wood lingers in the air, and the sounds of saws and hammers echo throughout the day.

• The Orchard Lands – Home to the Opal Orchard and its cideries, this region consists of rolling fields of apple trees, fermentation houses, and bottling facilities. It is both a place of labor and leisure, as the orchards provide seasonal work, while locals and travelers alike visit the cider halls to sample the town’s most famous export.

• The Craftsman’s Row – A street lined with blacksmiths, toolmakers, and skilled artisans who craft high-quality axes, saws, chisels, and other woodworking tools. This area is known for Dwarfish craftsmanship, with generations of master toolmakers ensuring Woodsend remains a premier supplier of fine equipment across Everwealth.

• The Hearthside Quarter – Primarily a residential district, this is where the majority of Woodsend’s families, workers, and farmers live. Modest yet well-built homes reflect the town’s sturdy, practical architecture, and the streets are filled with the scent of woodsmoke and fresh cider.

• The Traveler’s Way – Situated along the main road leading toward the Grandgleam, this district caters to travelers, adventurers, and mercenaries. Inns, stables, and supply shops provide provisions for those venturing into the wild, and it is here that one finds the Come-On’Inn, a famous establishment run by Bartram Leadhand.

• The Grandgleam Gate – The last outpost before the wilderness begins, this area serves as a checkpoint and trading post where guides can be hired, bounties on missing travelers are posted, and local guards keep a close watch for bandits and beasts that may wander too close. Those passing through often leave, never to return.

Assets

Woodsend’s wealth is tied to its natural resources and the craftsmanship of its people. The most valuable asset is the Grandgleam timber, harvested from the nearby forest and renowned for its durability. Wood from Woodsend is used in everything from fine furniture to shipbuilding, making it a sought-after commodity throughout Everwealth. Another major asset is the Opal Orchard and its cideries, which produce the finest cider in the kingdom. The orchard's fertile land and well-maintained trees provide a steady yield, while the bottled cider is shipped nationwide and beyond, fetching high prices due to its quality and reputation. Ownership of the orchard has long been a mark of power in Woodsend, and its recent transfer to Maxwell Hundt has only fueled speculation about his true ambitions.
The town’s thriving toolmaking industry also serves as a key asset, with axes, saws, chisels, and tills crafted to Dwarfish standards. These tools are used by woodworkers and craftsmen across Everwealth, making Woodsend an essential supplier of high-quality equipment. In addition, the Come-On ’Inn holds a special place in the town’s economy, serving as both a resting place for weary travelers and a meeting ground for adventurers, merchants, and those with coin to spend before venturing into the wilderness. Though less tangible, Woodsend’s strategic location at the edge of the Grandgleam Forest makes it a key stop for traders, explorers, and mercenaries. With well-established trade routes leading to larger cities, the town benefits from steady commerce, though its proximity to the untamed lands beyond ensures that danger is never far from its doorstep.

Guilds and Factions

• The Hundt Family – Wealthy landowners and operators of Opal Orchard, their influence only growing with Maxwell Hundt’s election.

• Woodsend Tradesmen’s League – A loose but influential group of mill owners, toolmakers, and skilled craftsmen ensuring fair trade.

• The Painter Gang – A group of infamous marauders who defeated the town’s vampire mayor, though their continued presence in Everwealth remains a source of concern.

History

Woodsend’s rise to prominence was steady, but its recent history is mired in scandal. The previous mayor, a vampire, had secretly charmed many townsfolk, including Maxwell Hundt’s father, in an attempt to seize full control over the town and its lucrative cider industry. She was ultimately defeated by the Painter Gang, a traveling band of mercenaries, paving the way for Hundt’s election. While his leadership was born of necessity, some whisper that he is merely continuing what his predecessor started, albeit through more subtle means.

Points of interest

• The Come-On 'Inn – Owned by Bartram Leadhand, this storied tavern has served generations of famed adventurers before their journeys into the untamed western frontier.

• The Opal Orchard – A sprawling apple farm and cidery producing some of the most coveted beverages in Everwealth.

• The Grandgleam’s Edge – The town’s gateway into the vast and dangerous Grandgleam Forest, a site of many lost expeditions.

Tourism

Woodsend sees a steady flow of travelers, many drawn by the promise of adventure, trade, or a taste of its famed cider. Adventurers, scholars, and fortune-seekers often pass through on their way to explore the Grandgleam Forest, though few who enter ever return. The town’s Come-On’Inn, owned by the legendary dwarf Bartram Leadhand, serves as a meeting ground for explorers and sellswords preparing for the dangers ahead, making it as much a landmark as it is a resting place. Researchers and naturalists visit to study the unique flora and fauna found at the forest’s edge, while traveling merchants and noble emissaries arrive to broker deals for Woodsend’s timber and cider exports. Seasonal festivals, particularly harvest celebrations tied to the Opal Orchard, attract visitors from across Everwealth, eager to partake in cider tastings, market fairs, and storytelling nights at the inn. Despite the town’s warm hospitality, the ever-present disappearances of those who wander too far westward give Woodsend an air of both charm and quiet dread, making it a destination for the bold—or the foolish.

Architecture

Woodsend’s architecture is humble yet charming, with sturdy wooden homes, thatched roofs, and intricate carvings adorning beams and doors. Windmills and spires break the skyline, though nothing grand enough to rival a true city.

Geography

Nestled at the edge of the Grandgleam, Woodsend enjoys fertile lands for farming, with thick forests providing ample timber. Rivers cut through the outskirts, aiding in trade and irrigation.

Climate

The region experiences cool, misty mornings and warm, dry afternoons, with frequent rain keeping the soil rich and the orchards thriving.

Natural Resources

Woodsend is rich in natural resources, making it a prosperous settlement despite its proximity to the untamed west. The most valuable of these is abundant timber from the Grandgleam Forest, which supplies high-quality wood for construction, furniture, and shipbuilding. The fertile farmland and orchards surrounding the town produce exceptional apples, fueling Woodsend’s renowned cider industry. Though a major river no longer runs through the region, freshwater wells and small irrigation channels provide a steady supply of clean water for both agriculture and daily life. These resources, along with the town’s skilled craftsmanship and trade networks, ensure Woodsend remains a hub of commerce and industry, drawing merchants and settlers alike.

Founding Date

283 CA, though scattered logging camps and farming hamlets had existed in the area long before.

Alternative Name(s)

Among travelers and traders, Woodsend is sometimes referred to as The Carpenter’s Jewel, The Timber Gate, or simply The Last Stop, the latter referencing its role as the last major settlement before the wild frontier.

Population

9,800.

Inhabitant Demonym

'Woodsmen'

Owning Organization

The Monarchy