Ravenstepp

Governed under Ortegan laws, Ravenstepp is the northernmost part of Ortegue, connecting Borrozia with Dizdrul. This large village was originally formed purely for the state's functional purposes, as a pitstop on the way to Borrozia; eventually, over time, families of those employed by the state or the Ortegan Messengers settled here. While mostly content, a lot of families have half a mind to move out north to the more lucrative Borrozia when they get the chance.
Most of the dwarves who live here are representatives from the Borrozan Kingdom who liaise with various traders in Ortegue. They are either always traveling or receiving guests at their houses, which is why all the dwarves here maintain a wealthy or noble stature. Additionally, they don't involve themselves in matters of the village council unless it affects their liaisons.
Most of the humans here, on the other hand, take up services and trades essential to the village. Most of the halflings here are employed by the Ortegan Messengers working on dispatches to Borrozia and Timberwind.
Among Ravenstepp's many travelers and visitors are wayfarers and the unemployed looking for a passage into the Borrozan Kingdom or a job in Borrozia.

Defences

As well as the towers being manned, Ortegan guards are posted at the two roads heading out of the village. River palisades are equipped toward the north of the village, blocking shipping vessels or boats from coming into Ortegue.

Districts

Ravenstepp has a walled section inside which most residents live, while services and trades take place outside the walls. 
North quarter: This is the district to go for woodworking, carpentry and smithing services. Being close to the woods also makes this a popular place for small-scale wood trade, as well as wood-processing services.  
Harbour: Home to the village's plenty markets, two inns and a popular tavern, this is where many of the locals spend time once they're done with their day's work. Fishing boats and fish nets complete the look of this area. 
Riverside: A small area with expensive housing, the mansions here are owned by nobles from Stahlia who either give these out to their friends for short stays or let other VIPs stay for a price. Most locals would have never seen the owners of these mansions, only their guests. 
Mudclaw: This is where the bulk of the village is located, consisting mainly of housing. The village chief's house, a lodge as well as the village's only tavern within the walls are located inside. On the outside, extending toward the road to Shimmerport and Borrozia, are cheap inns and stabling services, as well as a few markets.

Points of interest

Captain Shovelhand's Tavern

A popular spot in the Harbour district, this tavern is not, in fact, run by a captain who has a shovel-hand. Its owner, Gazatir "Gaz" Grayborn, a rare half-dwarf, claims to have been on a ship captained by one, who was his mentor and had even saved his life from a shark attack by wedging his shovel-hand in its jaw and breaking its teeth.
Locals frequent this tavern for its plentiful cheap ale and seafood delicacies, made with ingredients and spices imported from Borrozia. Along with the food, Gaz organizes "story nights" for people who love regaling each other with stories of valor and close-calls on a stage. Unlike other taverns, the bards here don't get to do much entertaining, only providing background music.

Village chief's house

Thengretynn "Greta" Snowmace is the dwarven village chief, who has held the post for the longest time, since anyone can remember. Greta is known for her open-house policy, where residents of the village can pay her a visit to discuss administrative issues. She is also famous for being a key source of local and national gossip, which brings many people to her house simply to exchange the latest rumors.
She also encourages meetings with tourists and travelers, most of whom hope to deal in some gossip about Stahlian and Sha'Lenor nobles or aristocrats and their latest scandals, in exchange for a promise of good word with the Borrozan Crown or a passage to Borrozia.
It is well known (but not proven) that she is related in some way with the Borroza family, or has some sort of influence with them. This is presumed to be the reason behind why particularly spicy news about Ortegan or O'Lenor politicians or royals reaches the Borrozan Crown's ears, especially if it would help foreign relations tip in favor of the Crown. No one from the Ortegan polity has been able to prove this though, and most politicians would rather look the other way when they want to use this to their advantage.

Quenched Axe Inn

Run by old Colbat Kneight, a 75-year-old human who hasn't lost his athletic champion abilities of his youth, this inn offers 12 modest rooms and is the largest, most comfortable inn in the Harbour district.
Beside the inn is the dwarven weaponsmith, Snykmor Steadfast, and the human armorsmith, Prias Hawton, the best in the village. Patrons who stay at the inn get a special discount for using their services, a deal worked out by the three to increase their customer base and attract travelers.

Sowed Fish Lodge

The cheapest lodgings in all of Ravenstepp, Sowed Fish is run by Cecylia Beck, a human, who was a former sorcerer who lost her abilities (and therefore her Ortegan Spellcasters' Council rank of "Credence").
While struggling with her lost magic and trying to get it back, she also struggles to keep this inn from falling apart. With its 7 squalid-level modest-sized rooms and barely functioning kitchen, this inn is frequented by wayfarers who aren't able to afford anything else.
The lodge, which was supposed to be named "Swordfish Lodge" but for a misunderstanding with the local carpenter, is located in the far end of Harbour, near the chicken farms and cow sheds. 
Although Beck is against it, the chicken farm runner, halfling Grace "Ari" Silenthand, makes food for the tenants, out of sympathy for the young haphazardly innkeeper. Some locals believe Ari is in love with Cecylia, but the ex-sorcerer is too obsessed with her own problems to notice the halfling's advances.

Mudclaw-Borroza Markets

Situated outside the village gates, this cluster of markets is the hotspot for Borrozian supplies in Ortegue, from spices to gems and metallic furnishing. The market throngs with visitors from Dizdrul, Stahlia and Marblise, as people try to catch the best batch before it gets passed on to retailers in their own cities or towns. Every five days, a caravan of Borrozian traders stop at Ravenstepp on their way south, and bring a special haul of items for this market.

Bearded & Breaded Tavern

The only tavern inside the village walls, this is frequented by the dwarven nobles and their guests, as well as other local residents and tourists or visitors who live nearby. Owing to the size of the tavern, it never really feels filled-up, even though the profit margins say otherwise.
Owned by Krarith Opalfury, a dwarf noble from Borrozia who also owns the house next-door and Marbleslate Lodgings, the tavern is run by his human assistant, Marco Hoptus, with chef Snataer Lavaborn, a former dwarven slave from Nu Fraia, and brewer Halstrom Flailpike, a half-orc from Dizdrul.
While Krarith is rarely around (he spends most of his time in Borrozia or Stahlia), he manages to make time to visit to collect his earnings every new moon.
The food and drink in this tavern is exceptional fare, priced moderately. Known for its spicy ales similar to Borrozan specialties, this tavern makes most Borrozan dwarves feel at home. The meat dishes have influences of the exotic flavors of Ouranisia, from Snataer's time in Nu Fraia.

Marbleslate Lodgings

Krarith Opalfury's second most-lucrative property, this comfortable-quality inn attracts nobility and tourists. Navari, a tiefling, maintains the front desk of the inn and ensures that the 10 suites are well-kept.

Maps

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  Ravenstepp

Type

Village

Population

800

Location under

Ortegue