Coldbridge.

Coldbridge is, as it has been for over a century, an island of safety in the midst of a vast and dangerous wilderness. Most of the city’s population lives inside its walls, although a fair number of brave and hardy souls do dwell in farms, ranches, and other such lodgings outside the city. The populace of the city is mostly made up of tough folk inured to hard work and the harsh northern climate. About 70% of Coldbridge’s residents enjoy a modest or comfortable lifestyle. Another 25% live in poor or squalid conditions, while the remainder are the fortunate few with a lifestyle that is wealthy or better. The median annual income is about 240 gold.

Demographics

Race: Human 45%; Dwarf 25%; Half-elf 15%; Gnome 5%; Halfling 5%; Other 5%.

Government

Coldbridge’s reigning noble is known to locals simply as Lady Alys Jaspergate. She became ruler with the death of her father, Fairdrew Jaspergate, about five years ago. Alys is in her early middle age now, well educated, intelligent, and very serious about her duty to Coldbridge and its people. She is unmarried, although she has several suitors. The need for an heir could prompt her to accept one of these suits in the near future.
Lady Alys is served by a small bureaucracy that aids her in running the day to day business of Coldbridge. Together, the heads of this bureaucracy are known as the Council of Coldbridge. The Council comprises five positions, each charged with overseeing a specific portfolio.
Lucien Alwine is the Master of Mining. An aging gnome who has spent decades paying his dues in the mines, Lucien is responsible for the operation and profitability of all of Coldbridge’s many mines. Because of the immense importance of mining to the city’s economy, Alwine is in practice the most powerful person in Coldbridge except for the Baroness herself. He has the authority to commandeer the city’s military forces when needed.
Thilda Goodbrook, a sharp, no-nonsense halfling of advancing years, is the Mistress of Justice. Thilda relocated to Coldbridge about a decade ago from Solem. As Mistress of Justice, she is responsible for presiding over many of Coldbridge’s civil and criminal cases.
Doffer Hearthstone, Master of Buildings and Roads, is a dwarf of almost two centuries. He began his career in the area a few decades ago labouring in the mines, but over time he began to be distinguished for his talents in construction. When he discovered structural flaws in a number of mine supports something that if not corrected could well have resulted in a great many deaths, not to mention a significant decrease in mine output – he was rewarded with an appointment to the Council. As Master of Buildings and Roads, Doffer is mainly concerned with Coldbridge’s infrastructure. He ensures that the walls don’t crumble, the bridges don’t collapse, and the sewage doesn’t back up into the streets. Doffer also oversees new construction in and around the city to ensure it meets his (rather exacting) standards.
Lord Garun Jaspergate, Master of Commerce for Coldbridge, is the younger brother of Lady Alys. Garun is three years younger than his sister and has known all his life that the mantle of rulership would fall to Alys. This suits him perfectly, since he abhors responsibility and would rather spend his days hunting and his nights drinking and gambling. As Master of Commerce, he has a nominal duty to oversee mercantile activity in the city, as well as to conduct trade missions to other cities. In practice, since most of Coldbridge’s economy is driven by mining, Garun leaves his portfolio to be managed by Lucien Alwine.
Terg Strongcastle, a hulking human of dour disposition, is Sergeant-at-arms and head of the Coldbridge Guard. The Strongcastle family was given their name by Lady Alys’s father, Fairdrew Jaspergate. Terg’s grandfather was a wandering sword-for-hire with no family name who happened upon Fairdrew being attacked by an owlbear in the Frostwood Forest. He saved Fairdrew’s life and was rewarded with a position in the Coldbridge Guard and the name Strongcastle for his intimidating size. Terg’s father served in the guard as well, as did Terg himself. Terg is not the smartest of men, nor is he the most congenial, but he has proven his courage and loyalty many times and for that Lady Alys promoted him to the Council.

Industry & Trade

Mining.

History

Coldbridge was founded 350bc after rich ore deposits were discovered in nearby mountains. A frontier town it frequently came under attack from orcs and monsters but for everyone torn apart by a manticore or dragged off by orcs 3 more were attracted by the wealth in the mountains. The city became a middle aged Vegas with excess and low taxes encouraging people and business to come far and wide. The excess and debauchery soon got out of control and the arrival of a young half elven priest named Donahue revealed with the aid of an adventuring party the presence of a Rakshasa that they were able to banish back to the 9 hells.
470bc a red dragon named Skaertarnykez (scare-tar-nee-kez) arrived with an offer for the then Lord o of Coldbridge Lord Jaspergate. The dragon would ensure the safety of the town from orcs and monsters in exchange for tribute. To pay the outrageous amount demanded a new tax called the dragongeld was introduced and coldbridge experienced a down swing under this heavy tax.But this was not all told a bad thing the people became more lawful monster attacks stopped almost over night as they moved on fearing the dragons wrath.
498bc the dragon disappeared without a trace. the townspeople celebrated the removal of the dragongeld tax and trade flowed back to coldbridge. But also so did the monsters undead emerge from the forests manticores ride the skys and giants roam the tundra. The large amount of work has attracted adventurers from all over Ithica for fame and fortune.

Type

Town

Population

6,000

Location under

Solem