Eskard

Eskard is a mining town in the south of the hold of Ironstar. Although it is not very large, it is a large name in ore export as it lies right next to the Titan’s Rush river, providing a direct route to various port towns like Andar, Titan's Hand, and Ira, and thus also to Nessur's Eye. It is also the only settlement south of the Titan’s Rush that belongs to Ironstar hold, instead of Kesava.

Demographics

Most of Eskard’s permanent population are there for work, which almost always involves the local mines in some way. It also sees a great deal of people passing through, often carrying materials from one location to another. Eskard has an ageing population, with most of the younger people moving away, most commonly to Andar or Mig Dural, but sometimes also further than that, to other Aspects.

History

Eskard was originally established as a camp near a complex of Elphead-built caves within the Neverending Mountains towards the beginning of the eighth century. Intended to be a temporary place for archaeologists to remain while they explored the cave, that changed when one of them discovered that there was a strong abundance of silver in that area. After excavations were wrapped up, the news of this spread, and various mine-owning families and organisations in Miennach raced to get the rights to dig there, with the Carbonhill Clan winning in the end. This is also the reason the town belongs to the Ironstar hold.
Throughout the following centuries, Eskard grew into a small town with an important contribution to Miennan exports. It is one of the settlements built during the Great Mending.

Founding Date

732 CY

Type

Town

Population

~11’000

Inhabitant Demonym

Eskardian

Owning Organization

Miennach

“The bridge that leads across the Titan’s Rush to Eskard’s main street is most likely the town’s best feature. While I did not enjoy the musty taverns and loud, brash people, I did very much enjoy observing the bridge as I rode across it, finally escaping that dirty and quite frankly boring place.”

—Amos Crawbridge, An Account of the World (published 1338)