Endelmarch

The barony of Endelmarch and the town it surrounds are sleepy and provincial. Of present-day Endelmarch, there is little to note that is of interest to the average person. The Barony has been overseen by House Bourting for four generations. Bourting is a vassal to House Eisseldon. While Endelmarch is self-sufficient in terms of resources and food, when trouble direr than a group of bandits rears its head, it relies upon its ties to Eisseldon and the duchy for military power.

Infrastructure

The town of Endelmarch was once an Imperial fortress. As the Empire's Flame brightened, the light of reason and civility reached ever further, and there was no need for the fortress. The fort had served for nigh a century before it was repurposed into the town it is today. Its solid stone walls continue to provide protection to the villagers, and the sewers beneath the town are grander and more intricate than many larger, more recent towns due to the contrivances of Imperial engineers.

Industry and Trade

Endlemarch is known for its potatoes and woodwork, though few outside the duchy of Chentrie know of the little barony. Endelmarch potatoes are assumed by the larger world to be a breed of the humble tuber, and Endelmarch woodwork is known more broadly as Chentrais or Fidiran woodwork. Within the borders of Chentrie, the barony of Endelmarch is known for its cattle, sheep, workhorses, wool and flax. The community, like most on the continent, is largely self-sufficient, and each member of the community is expected to contribute in their unique way.

Guilds & Factions

Owing to its size, Endelmarch's inter-guild and faction politics are relatively simple. While there are common concerns among the farmers, which are probably the largest professional interest group in the community, these are addressed as they can be by the Baron and the community, and there is no formal guild of farmers. Of formal guilds and factions, there are three to speak of in Endelmarch. The Adventurer's Guild of Fidira has a small branch in the Horse and Harrow, nurtured by the boisterous innkeeper and organised and staffed by his daughters. Then there are the two governing factions, the Endelmarch Council and the Knitting Circle. Traditionally, the former is for men and the latter for women. While it was initially that the Council was the more powerful, the Circle has for a long time been its peer, and laws or significant decisions affecting the town and barony must be agreed to by the majority of both groups.

The Horse and Harrow: Endelmarch's Hub

The Horse and Harrow is the largest building in Endelmarch. Its current proprietor, Lugh Hartis, inherited it from his brother when he suddenly decided it was time for him to travel. Previously little more than an inn and meeting place for the people of Endelmarch, it has expanded under the surprisingly creative mind of Lugh and his late wife Sila. It now acts as an inn, general store, and as a small rural branch of the Fidiran Adventurer's Guild. The Horse and Harrow's primary business remains as a tavern, and for the locals, payment is largely done through a trade of goods and services. Lugh is the main cook, the proprietor, and the inn's security. His two daughters, Anna and Maple, assist him and bring a much-needed sense of femininity to the establishment.

Owing to the remoteness of the barony, the Adventurer's Guild holds little power in Endelmarch. The Horse and Harrow receive a small stipend from the Guild for maintaining the small branch, which is little more than a counter, two noticeboards, a few coffers and a shelf displaying trophies, treasures and curios. The people of Endelmarch rarely ask for the help of the Guild, perhaps owing to their self-perception of being descended from frontier warriors.

The Endelmarch Council

The Council was, far back in the barony's history, comprised of representatives of groups within the fortress -- the soldiers, the artisans, and the peasants. This slowly changed with time, and now the Council is the heads of families and businesses. Owing to the patriarchal systems and thought of the Morbhaine people, this group is entirely composed of men. These men are as open to manipulation as any other person, however, and throughout the history of the Council, many have found ways of bringing Councilmen to see their ways of thinking. Sticking steadfast to tradition even as much of wider Fidira abandoned vestiges of misogyny, Endelmarch's Council remains staunchly exclusive of anyone who is not male. The Council is responsible for the education of young men, the militia, the town watch, and brewing of alcohol.

The Knitting Circle

The Circle began as a simple group of women, a space to talk as they mended and made. It slowly grew in influence and transformed into the feminine equivalent of the Council. The Council predates the Circle's formal recognition of power by approximately 800 years, and there are yet growing pains to sort out. Clashes between the "stubborn, foolhardy" Council and the "soft, indecisive" Circle still happen. The previous descriptors are those of current consensus; they are frequently swapped between the groups depending on current affairs and who is describing them. The Circle and Council must agree on changes to local laws, with majorities from both groups supporting them. The Circle is largely responsible for the education of young women, children, care of the weak, and the creation and brewing of tea and coffee.

Demographics

With a population of a mere two hundred, the racial demographics of Endelmarch are 5% dwarf, 30% elf, 40% human, and 25% mixed or other. The average living situation is largely equal between residents. The have's and have-not's do not differ significantly in their means. Endelmarch's lifestyle is rural and humble compared to the average Fidiran, but stable and principally peaceful.

House Bourting

With the full title House of the Resplendent Nightborne Swan, House Bourting perhaps sounds a little more impressive than it actually is. This is not uncommon among Fidiran nobility, however, and most ignore the longer title. House Bourting is a longtime vassal of House d'Chentrie, reaffirming its ties through marriage every few generations. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, Bourting is a very minor power. As a whole, it seems that Bourting is content with its lot, and the current Baron of Endelmarch, Baron Fendelfry Bourting, and his wife, Baroness Esterlie Bourting, seem to confirm this. House Bourting has held the barony of Endelmarch for seven consecutive generations.

Inhabitants of Note

• Lugh Hartis. Age: 53. Since losing his wife eighteen years ago, this man has poured his heart and soul into the development of his business and his daughters. He is a gregarious and boisterous fellow who was a lumberjack in his younger years. Somehow he has maintained a burly, muscular physique that makes anyone think twice about flirting with his daughters.
• Ilyanna (Anna) Hartis. Age: 18. A quiet girl who inherited her mother's dexterity, legerity and ability with a bow. She explores the woods for fun, and is a skilled hunter, but is loathe to hurt another living creature. She has always been a helpful and eager daughter, and assists her father in the management and running of the inn, store and adventure guild branch they operate. She is often seen in the company of her sister, Maple, and her best friend, Selkie.
• Maple Hartis. Age: 13. Quieter still than her sister, this girl was discovered on the doorstep of the Horse and Harrow as a swaddled child. Born with the inability to talk, Maple communicates with her eyes, lips, squirrelly ears, and body. Kind, observant and light of step, she enjoys cooking, cleaning, and map-making. Though she is clearly not blood relative of Ilyanna or her father, all three think of each other as family.
• Lady Selkie Bourting. Age 19. Daughter of Baron Fendelfry Bourting, and heir apparent to House Bourting and the barony of Endelmarch. She eschews the life expected of her by her parents and the nobility, and instead studies magical theory despite being capable of only the smallest bit of magic. Energetic, lively and personable, Selkie has a force of personality to be reckoned with. Often seen with her best friend Anna and her sister Maple. Though Ilyanna herself is unaware of it, it is a rather obvious secret that Selkie harbours improper affections for her friend.
• Anael Karolemaine. Age 20. A young man who has not forgotten his childhood dream to be a legendary hero. He continues to practice daily with his pitchfork. Though none deny his skill with it, most believe it would be best put to use mucking out stables. The son of dairy farmers, Anael has long had feelings for Selkie, and holds the unfortunate belief that they are fated lovers. He has the utmost trust in his friend Belegar, and a great deal of respect for Anna's skill with the bow.
• Belegar Frosneth. Age 20. Like his best friend, Belegar has long dreamt of becoming a storied hero. Having recently found a rusty sword in the river, he is now surer than the every that a great destiny awaits him. His parents just wish he'd help around the house more. Though Belegar is obviously a dreamer, he has an uncanny aptitude for most things, and stumbles and fumbles his way through life with a bizarre sort of luck that might just see his dreams one day come true.

Defences

The wall hurhur The Eisseldon River to the west.

Architecture

Some stone mined from the NEARBY MOUNTAINS has been used in the old fortress' construction, and it is still maintained today. Newer buildings are of wattle and daub, with thatched or tiled roofs. The wood used is primarily birch, which is common across west and south Fidira.

Nearby

The Darkwood

Type

Village

Population

Estimated 200