Bournedon
A central point in the peninsula and astride the Long Road, the bustling town of Bournedon sees a fair amount of traffic each day. It seems nearly every resident has something to sell or trade — homes along the main road all have storefronts open to travelers as they pass. Clothes, food, weapons, armor, supplies, and trinkets are found in plenty along the wide, stone road. Dwarves from the Cumorian Mountains have been allowed to bring their wares to sell at the northern and southern ends of town, displaying well-crafted weapons and armor at reasonable prices.
The town of Bournedon was formed around a temple to Hel long ago, bringing acolytes and worshippers to the central plain village where three dirt paths intersected. Over time, the village grew into a town boasting two great taverns (both still exist, the Rolling Mug and Broken Wheel) and several merchants with access to excellent wares. Although the temple of Hel was eventually destroyed, the town continued to thrive from its constant traffic. As a hospitable location on the Long Road, Bournedon has become a welcome stop for most travelers heading north or south.
Most of the people make their living trading and selling goods to travelers. Although nothing like the markets of bigger cities, travelers can find common supplies at affordable prices, whether they wish to pay in gold or silver, or trade an unwanted item or two. Nearly every merchant in Bournedon is agreeable to a reasonable deal. About a fifth of the town’s residents still herd sheep along the hills and plains and provide the much-needed wool for many of the clothing shops on the town’s main road.
Shrines for several deities have been erected within the town’s borders, though the vast majority of its residents worship the common gods of the Heldring, both Tyr and Eostre. A small pocket of believers still pay homage to Hel although their practices are quiet and in secret. Most travelers can find a shrine serving a god or goddess from their homeland as they pass through this town.
Iken Forewolden, the ealdorman of Bournedon, also holds the traditional title of the chieftain of the Long Road. He has now been providing leadership over the slow-growing town for two decades. More businessman than warrior, the chieftain ensures that the families of Bournedon continue to prosper by limiting growth of new homes and businesses. Although Forewolden listens to the advice of many, he is the lone voice of leadership in the town. He makes and changes the rules, administers punishment to criminals, and negotiates deals with merchants and dwarven clans.
Although a score of lightly trained soldiers protects the inner portion of the town, Forewolden enlists the services of sturdy dwarves of the Bloodbeard clan and pays them in much-needed supplies. Nearly a hundred dwarven veterans, each with years of battle experience in the depths of the Cumorian Mountains, devoutly protect the borders of Bournedon. The stout Bloodbeards have quickly thwarted several orc and goblin raids from nearby hills.
The town’s hired forces can easily contain and quash most humanoid raids from the west, but when hill and frost giants descend down from the eastern peaks of Hatlu, the town seeks reinforcements from dwarven clans and Heldring settlements from the north. Hundreds of mounted and armored dwarves often rout the slow-witted giants before they can do much damage to the town.
Settlement
Bournedon, Town of
Type
Town
Owning Organization
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