Henbane is governed by a council made up of Packmaster of the berserkers, the High Ranger or the conclave, the mazîn of the Ordning, and the trade master of the Cragroads. Council members are selected every 10 years, with a council speaker being selected from among them by the people during each election.
The Speaker is the voice of the council, and holds court for one week each month. The current speaker is the bearfolk mazîn Artyom, who has been elected speaker over 10 times during his long tenure on the council.
Henbane exports two resources without which most of Gizovad would be doomed. Ice from the frozen lakes is quickly sent up Morinn's Lifeline and on to the Cragroads, providing invaluable water to distant settlements. Lumber from the foothills is gathered and used to create beams and other construction materials useful deeper in the desert.
An aqueduct was built connecting a natural spring in the Direwood to the central cistern of Henbane. This undertaking was proposed and funded by the Firmament, but many laborers and warriors of the Galoksbrud lost their lives during the ordeal. The warriors of the woods call the aqueduct the blood river, and hold a grudge against the Firmament to this day.
The Silos
Henbane was built around the ruins of an Ostorian farm, and the remaining structures were adapted to the survivors needs. Three massive silos contained grain that kept the townsfolk fed for years, but as they hollowed out, the gigantic structures were converted into vertical neighborhoods.
Joshi's Redoubt
The central citadel of Henbane has only been needed twice in the city's history. Once during the scourge of the Ouroban's in the Quiet Year, and when the revermaug Punfallir breached the fog wall at that year's end. Ever since, the redoubt has stood as the final line of defense should the walls be breached. The citadel contains the great hall where the council meets, as well as the guard barracks and apartments for diplomats and guests of honor.
Sulfur Street
The trading center of Henbane
The Firmament
Known as the ferdvamynte in Old Ostorian, the traders of this guild carry much needed food, magic items, and other crafted goods between the Ten Temples. They navigate the Gizovad using secret roads known only to them. These caravans are made up mostly of Ramag, who only ask for the occasional initiate from amongst the magically inclined of their customers. Master Kaspar has been their representative for nearly a century.
The Galøksbrud
The berserkers of the woods have protected Henbane for centuries by following the teachings of their founder Ol' Joshy. Their martial tradition and lifestyle is frowned upon by those who reside in the the city, but those who have seen them at work understand their importance. They recruit only those who seek out honor in battle, and their induction ceremonies weed out all but the strongest. Keeping to their forest camps during times of peace, their howling and revelry can be heard echoing through the woods for miles around. The Broodchief is a female ogre named Millava, known to be the first in all things.
The Waste Watchers
Where the Galoksbrud seek to dominate the nature the waste watchers bond with it. With boons from Hiatea and Thrym, the rangers and druids of this guardian group form close bonds with creatures others consider impossible to approach, much less befriend. Creatures such as worgs, grey renders, and owlbears are tamed and trained to fight alongside the Watchers in defense of the city. The Watchers headquarters is set up in central tower of the Fogwall. A shrewd and cautious verbeeg named Zimfir is the current Captain of the Wall.
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