Laketown
The smallest of the Free Cities, Laketown has been booming since the end of the War Against the Darkness. As one of the most civilized southern cities, Laketown was a frequent waypoint for the good forces as they made their way towards Bariadan. The recent influx of money and goods has made most of the Lake-folk (as they term themselves) prosperous and happy. They are ruled over by Silas Todd, a well-spoken half-elf who has made a good name for himself during these years of plenty.
Laketown rests along the banks and over the surface of parts of Lake Estel, the largest, deepest freshwater lake on the western continent. It is, naturally, a marine based economy with fisherfolk, shipwrights, boatsmen, stevedores, and other water based laborers and professionals comprising most of the population. The water is a way of life. When in Laketown, you are just as likely to walk down the boardwalk as you are to travel by canal in a finely built gondola.
Laketown is often a stopping point for those on their way north to the Dwarven citadel of Stoneheart, and the Lakefolk have had a long (centuries old) and prosperous history with the dwarves of that city.
Laketown, like Calorn to the north, is also a major stopping point for adventurers on their way west to find glory in the wild Plains of Despair. Because of this, the town's general store, The Lake Estel Provisional (the L.E.P. to the locals) carries a larger than usual variety of goods and services albeit at a slightly increased price for outsiders.
As travelers approach Laketown, the most easily spotted points of interest are the large Laketown Docks and Marina, the large-domed Temple of Hysterion in Laketown, the sailboat shaped Lazy Scooner Tavern and Inn, and the above mentioned three story Lake Estel Provisional.
Other places of note in Laketown include:
The Gates of Laketown, and the Subterranean Aqueduct.
The Aquaduct:
Built during the Forgotten Years, this ancient architectural marvel runs from Stoneheart along the west side of Lake Estel to Laketown. At the halfway point at the lake, the aquaduct splits off and continues on a southeastern passage, eventually wending its way to far underneath Dal-Takar. Just after the Nuclear Holocaust of the Forgotten Years, the survivors who had fled underground built this passage as a means of travel and a waterway that could avoid the blasted, irradiated world above. This information is unknown to all but the most learned loremasters and it has gone unused for centuries. A variety of horrible creatures live within the dark shafts and broken ruins of this ancient world’s marvel. The aquaduct connects at various parts to the Malatorian Underdark and there are strange passages and openings abound within its dark caverns.
Demography and Population
3,000 mixed humanoids. 80% Human, 15% Dwarven, %4 Half Elf, 1%Other
Military
Since much of Laketown floats directly on Lake Estel, only a very small wall is needed to protect its citizens from the wild lands to the south. There is a single gate in the wall, at which all travelers are subject to question and search if need be.
Laketown also has a city watch of approximately 25 people, and a militia of several hundred that can be roused when the need arises.
Religion
Due to living in such close proximity to Lake Esterl, most Lake-folk worship Hysterion.
Agriculture & Industry
The people of Laketown have a deep respect for Lake Estel and have mastered the arts of fishing and sailing. They are able to keep the lake clean with the help of their prized artifact, the Staff of the Lake. This magical staff has been in Laketown since its inception and once a week is able to purify the waters that the Lakefolk rely on.
Additionally, farms outside of the city proper grow a thin varietal of maize and a large of amount of rice in patties.
Trade & Transport
Lake Estel is fed by the waters that run off of Stoneheart and down the short Stonewater River that runs between Stoneheart and Lake Estel. Thus amongst the residents of Laketown are a fair number of dwarven expatriates, tradesmen and travelers. Twice a week, barges make the the week and a half (upstream) passage from Laketown to Stoneheart carrying goods back and forth.
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