Fareme
The Tradeway links the eastern cities of Freegate, Derinden, Arendia, and Bard’s Gate to the lands of the Grand Duchy of Reme to the west. The farthest eastern extent of the Duchy of Waymarch, the city of Fareme lies on its border with the Suzerainty of Bard’s Gate. Here, Fareme serves as a waystation for merchants traveling east and west. During the caravan season, which runs from the beginning of Eostre until the end of Blótmond, the population temporarily swells to roughly 10,000 souls, though its full-time permanent inhabitants shrink significantly shortly after the caravan season ends. The numerous transients passing through town often bring more than their provisions and wares with them. Countless days of monotonous travel wearies the mind and body, prompting many visitors to drop their inhibitions and indulge their wild sides for at least a few days in a rough-and-tumble town catering to such folks. Fareme boasts a disproportionate number of inns, taverns, brothels, and gaming halls to suit every taste in addition to meeting the caravans’ practical demands including open-air markets, general stores, pastures, paddocks, warehouses, wheelwrights, and other services necessary to properly outfit traveling merchants.
Despite its hard-partying reputation, Fareme’s authorities display little tolerance for bad behavior in public. Drinking, gambling, carousing, and haggling are accepted pastimes in Fareme, but its city guards do not tolerate fighting or thievery conducted out in the open. What happens behind closed doors, however, is none of the guards’ business, especially when it comes to the city’s thriving black market of stolen relics and evil magical objects supposedly salvaged from the ruins of Tsar and Tsen. In addition, large quantities of illegal intoxicants exchange hands here for final distribution to High Karst far to the north. While the city largely turns a blind eye to these clandestine affairs, murder, rape, and other violent offenses incurring bodily harm are severely punished regardless of where they occur. The city can call upon 150 mounted soldiers to assist in this endeavor, complemented by 350 pikemen who also serve as an auxiliary police force alongside 100 constables who keep the peace on the streets.
Though it is geographically on the boundary between Waymarch and Bard’s Gate, Fareme is firmly under the political control of the duke in Panetoth. However, Bard’s Gate exerts far more economic influence over the city, especially among its caravan workers who frequently find work from a sign posted at a tavern, an inn, or a place of ill repute. Although more than two weeks march from Bard’s Gate, the Wheelwrights’ Guild makes its subtle presence known throughout the city. No one hires onto a caravan without the organization receiving at least a small cut from the transaction.
No institution benefits more from the steady stream of new arrivals than the Temple of Sefagreth. His followers always pay homage to their patron deity before stepping out on the road again into the great unknown. An upstart church dedicated to Belon the Wise has also taken root in Fareme. Its worshippers include many travelers, but it appeals more to wizards and other arcane practitioners who dabble in the trade and exchange of rare mystical tomes and other curiosities. Many residents and visitors alike believe his priests control the distribution and sale of magical items within the city. Others speculate that the Church of Belon the Wise is merely a front for another more insidious organization because of their propensity for dealing with vile objects best left undisturbed. Regardless of the truth, the god’s followers maintain a well-respected public façade.
Settlement
Fareme, City of
Type
City
Owning Organization
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