Triboar
Description
Triboar, nicknamed the Town Where Only Gwaeron Sleeps, was a proud trading town in the North. It was a lively crossroads frontier town full of the hustle and bustle of roaming merchants, caravanners, and other travelers. Some locals called it "the Gateway to the North", but other towns claimed this title too.
Triboar was a small town rising majestically at the crossroads of the Evermoor Way and Long Road. It was a bustling trade town and full of activity all day and night, giving it its sobriquet 'the Town Where Only Gwaeron Sleeps'. At the heart of the town, where the roads crossed, was a vast marketplace where local farmers, ranchers, and roadside salespeople offered their wares. The majority of stores and services faced the market. Rising over it was the Tower of the Lord Protector, a simple two-story stone keep with a markedly eastward lean.
Surrounding the town were paddocks, the horse market, and stockyards; the fenced yards of the two caravan outfitters; and two camping grounds. In the late 1400s, the Caravan campgrounds covered the north and east sides of the town center. It was noted for having two fine blacksmiths and a famous wagonmaker, Skulner Wainwright. Most houses were simple stone cottages and farmhouses with outhouses surrounded by gardens and pastures. The old cemetery lay atop a ridge beside the Long Road to the south; Triboar's first settlers lay here, in graves marked by weathered headstones, with the very oldest in the center, in an area contained by an old and unpainted picket fence.
Opposite it was the marshaling field wherein armies had historically assembled and camped before going on campaign. In the late 1400s, it was a large field, often muddy, ringed by an old and partly broken wooden fence.
Geography
Triboar was nestled in the Dessarin Valley, strategically placed where the Evermoor Way intersected with the Long Road.As a crossroads town, it was centrally located amidst a number of prominent settlements. Triboar was located about 225 miles (362.1 kilometers) east of Phandalin, if traveling along the Triboar Trail; 60 miles (95.6 kilometers) west of Yartar, as traveled along the Evermoor Way; 80 miles (128.7 kilometers) north of Westbridge, and 200 miles (321.9 kilometers) north of Red Larch, by way of the Long Road. In 1358 DR, a wagon from Waterdeep to Triboar along the Long Road took around 13 days and one from Triboar to Yartar took 2 days, to Everlund took 15 days, and to Silverymoon took around 20 days.
The landscape in and around the town was fairly flat, with only a few natural rises in some parts. It was also fertile, making it well-suited for farming.
Government
The town was ruled by a democratically elected Lord Protector, with elections held every seven years in winter. The lord protector swore an oath to protect Triboar. Their task was to command the town's militia and to settle disputes. The town's legal system was called the 'Lord's Decrees' and the lord protector had the power to make, amend, or remove decrees at will. The lord protector's banner displayed three black boars running toward its head, on a blood-red background. This commemorated the story of a traveller once killing three boars in one day, which gave Triboar its name. One hung over the entrance to the Tower of the Lord Protector. Its insignia showed three boars face-on as if charging the viewer. A 50-gp platinum badge was given to emissaries of the Lord Protector.
DM Note (History)
The veteran warrior Faurael Blackhammer served as lord protector during the mid-to-late 14th century DR. He'd held the role for three decades by 1357 DR, and was one of the most noteworthy leaders of the North, until he was killed in 1369 DR fighting the Tanar'ri of Hellgate Dell. Following him was Jalimin Frindos, a retired adventurer and aide to Faurael.
DM Note (Defenses)
Defenses
In the mid-to-late 14th century DR, the town maintained a well-armed militia. When pressed, they could quickly rally together some fifty fighters in a night and raise this to three hundred by highsun the following day. The regular militia served as part of the Twelve, a twelve-strong mounted patrol force, in tenday-long rotations. They guarded and policed the town, patrolled the roads around it, and enforced the Lord's Decrees. If many adventurers or caravan guards were present, they could bolster their defenders by up to twice as many, and the lord protector could draft them if they must. Under Lord Protector Faurael's leadership and training, the small Triboar militia was the equal of many a standing army.
Trade
The Triboar economy revolved around trade, by selling wagons and caravan services, as well as by farming and dealing in horses, cattle, and forged ironware. Bred on a number of ranches west of town, the well-trained riding horses, draft horses, pack mules, and mountain ponies were sold to travelers in Triboar, along with premade and bespoke harnesses and wagons. The ponies were not fast, but possessed astonishing fortitude. Triboar sold almost everything a caravanner could require. The surrounding farms harvested wild grains. Leather goods from Triboar were commonly traded up and down the Long Road.
“Bring in business, that will.” — Triboar guide Borth Jhandelspar to Volothamp Geddarm, on hearing he was writing a guidebook
Triboar was also home to a number of experienced and expert guides, all of whom were knowledgeable about destinations anywhere in the North.
Relations
Given their close proximity in the Dessarin Valley, Triboar and Yartar were natural competitors for local trade. Although the rivalry between Triboar and neighboring Yartar was usually friendly, there were occasions when it erupted into violence over a particular incident, such as a dispute over pasture rights between ranch hands but often just a practical joke gone bad. On several occasions, people from Triboar vandalized or hijacked the Waterbaron's Barge in Yartar, apparently as a practical joke. Armed skirmishes were a not-infrequent outcome. If a citizen of Triboar and a Yartaran met in a tavern or inn anywhere in the North, a brawl seemed inevitable. This rivalry was at its most intense between the guides of the two towns. A guide who learned a prospective client had previously traveled with a guide from "the other place" would flatly refuse to work with them. Fortunately for their clients, working guides would not start brawls with their rivals, but they would leave abruptly to avoid one, and took their clients with them if they could.
Inhabitants
In the mid-to-late 14th century DR, Triboar was a town with a population of around 2500 individuals. In the late 15th century DR, almost half of the residents lived in the farms and ranches located beyond the town itself, mostly in the north and east.
DM Notes (Shops)
Shops
The Cart and Coin: This business offered horses and other draft animals for sale.Foehammer's Forge: The Foehammer forge was run by Ghelryn Foehammer "Goldhand", Royal Armorer of Citadel Felbarr.
Happy Horse Ranch: This stables and paddock was run by the Karnveller family.
The Lion's Share: The Yartaran branch of the Lionshield Coster was not well-received by the citizens of Triboar.
Merivold Pony Park: The Merivold sisters bred and sold ponies from this small cottage.
Othovir's Harness Shop: The owner, Othovir, was the most-skilled craftsman of elk skin in the entire Dessarin Valley.
Ransor's Open Road: While this store once sold draft animals and supplies for caravan travel, it fell to ruin during the 15th century.
The Triboar Travelers: The town's eponymous caravan company regularly made trips to Everlund and Waterdeep.
Uldinath's Arms: This smithy enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Foehammer's.
Wainwright's Wagons: This wagon shop was a mainstay of Triboar for many decades.
Triboar playhouse: A shabby theater for various small performances.
Restaurants & Taverns
The Pleasing Platter: This pretentious restaurant offered quality dishes at exorbitant prices.
The Talking Troll: Despite its comprehensive list of drinks, this bar was wholly unpleasant.
The Triboar Arms: This otherwise-unremarkable tavern was twice burnt to the ground and rebuilt.
Inns
Everwyvern House: The most luxurious, and most expensive, establishment in Triboar catered to Waterdhavian nobility and refused to take in anyone who didn't have similar affluence and influence.
The Frost-Touched Frog: Since abandoned, the Frog was once a lively establishment run by Alatha Riversword.
Northshield House: This tidy, unassuming inn was well-suited for those passing through town.
Six Windows: Patrons who couldn't find rooms in Triboar's other inns were left to stay at this drafty boarding house.
Landmarks
Tower of the Lord Protector: The stone keep of Triboar's head authority was located in the center of the town square.
Caravan campgrounds: Fenced fields in the heart of town where caravans could park their wagons and keep their oxen.
Residences
Boar's Rest: This grand manor was the residence of the arrogant, retired adventurer Hyuth Kolstaag.
Home of the Boars: A lodge on the edge of town in the late 1400s, and a refuge for Harpers.
Alternative Name(s)
the Gateway to the North, the Town Where Only Gwaeron Sleeps
Population
2500
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Comments