Gorsen

A settlement that became a village and can now call itself a town, Gorsen has thrived due to its advantageous setting. It is believed that the first settlers came for the abundance of reeds in the marshes on the south side of the river, but the other natural resources benefitted them as well. 
Forests to the north of the community provided lumber for building and the reeds supplemented that with roofing materials. The river is wide enough to be navigable upstream and down for many miles, so it was a good trading location that enterprising inhabitants benefited from with trade goods as well and amenities for travelers.
When paper was developed the preferred material to make it soon became hemp. Gorsen turned out to be an excellent place to grow the plant. Mills powered by the river were developed to pound the plant, extracting the inner pulp which is the best part for paper and making the bast fibers available to be spun into yarns for both fabric and rope. While there is some mechanization, much is still done by hand, and the majority of the town is involved in some way with production of the finished goods, or the growing and harvesting of the hemp.
The need for both paper and clothing indicates that Gorsen should be prosperous for generations, assuming the politicians stay out of things.

Industry & Trade

• Harvesting and preparing of the abundant reeds in the southern marshes.
• Growing of hemp, both to spin into yarns for fabric and ropes and for paper-making.
• Making paper from hemp and from reeds.
• Spinning hemp.
• Producing hemp ropes.
• Producing hemp fabric.

History

The original settlers built here for the easy access to water and the prolific reeds that grew along its banks, suitable for building and roofing. The river was navigable so travel and trade were fairly easy. Grasslands away from the river were good for agriculture and the grazing of herds.

Geography

Situated at a bend in the river, the village was established on the north bank. There is forest upriver as well as a wide expanse of grassland to the west and north of the town. The landscape is mostly flat with some rolling hills where the trees grow best. The river flows south then turns more westerly at the bend where the village was established. Flooding is not uncommon but mostly occurs on the southern side of the river, as that is where the moving water wants to go anyway. That side is marshy and swampy as a result, but the soil is also rich.

Natural Resources

• Some wood to the north of the village.
• Reeds and sedges in the marshlands on the south side of the river
• Herds of herbivores on the grasslands
• Mushrooms in the marshes and the forests

Alternative Name(s)

Reeton, Reed Town

Type

Town