Jerint

Capital of Flatrock, ruled by Count Sir Leauld

Description

Population 6,000

Major trade route crossing, artisanry, music, forestry, hunting.

Jerint is a bustling, healthy community with an artistic edge. Musicians are found on every street corner, most of the townsfolk dance and sing at every opportunity; everyone wears colorful clothing woven of the local wool and embroidered by skilled local talent. Most of the buildings, particularly those built in the last 50 years, are attractive stone and half-timber with elegant carving, many even boast glass windows in the front. Jerint's half-elven population is high, about 15% of the community (400). There are also many elves, about 2% (120). Dwarves are nearly as common, at just under 2% (100). Hobyts make up another 3% (180).

The city is set in a beautiful shallow valley surrounded by ancient rolling mountains and deciduous forest. Cleared farmland is not common close to the city's western bounds, but within a mile or three on the south and east are many small farms and farming villages. To the north and west lie deeper forest and only a few villages. There are tales told and songs sung about walking trees, elf-mounds and sprites that ride on bumblebees within those woods. Only a pair of villages lie in that direction until you cross out of the mountains.

Much of the city's wealth comes from the forest, in the form of logs and lumber, hides, meat, nuts, wild plants and berries. There is a certain rough element composed of loggers and huntsmen and other similar types which gives the city an earthy undertone to its otherwise artistic nature. Jerint's profitable economy and luxury-oriented lifestyle also create a wealth of opportunity for less honest activities. Jerint boasts an active thieves guild and a small but definite underworld of drug use, prostitution, and general criminal activity.

Jerint is ruled by Count Leault, who holds a weekly court to hear the voices of his subjects. He is aided by Marshal Leodegrans , who runs the city watch.  The city council consists of the leaders of the major guilds in town ( Mercantyler's Guild, Timberwright's Guild, Red Wizard's Guild) as well as the High Priest or priestess of the Temple to All Gods, the Temple to Centarius, and the Temple to Kehret (Leault's personal priest), and the Chancellor of the Belflame School. Count Sir Leault also selects the city's High Tax Collector, who does not sit on the council.

Locations:

1. Castle Flatrock: a four-story building with one ancient tower and three newer towers. It is only moderately defensible, but the Count plans to build walls and a moat around the rocky outcropping the castle is built on. Within the walls is the town's chapel to Kehret.

Count Leault rules from here, overseeing the county and holding court. He has some three dozen barons and landed knights sworn to him, and each baron is likely to have one to three knights in his service. Each Baron or Knight owes 30 days' service to his Count each year, and spends it here at Castle Flatrock. Each Baron will bring his knight(s) and from four to twelve men-at-arms with him as part of his service for the land he holds.

Count Leault is unmarried, a human man of about 30 years. He is a knight, and prefers to be called Sir Leault. His heir is his younger brother, Sir Jasper. Jasper is married to a sister of one of Leault's senior Barons. Her name is Rianna. Lady Rianna and Sir Jasper form the basis of a small group of knights, barons and younger sons, as well as their wives, sisters and friends who are all interested in music, dance, fashion and frivolity. They often have dancing parties at the castle or a local inn. They ride hard and play hard, day and night. Essentially they are all in their early to late twenties, without enough responsibility, but are not bad people. Mostly.

2. Temple to All Gods: As in most every town in Greenvale, there is a temple which houses altars to all the gods of Vishteer. Typically Elanora is the most popular and common god worshipped at the Temple of All gods, because she has so few true temples of her own. There are a dozen priests and priestesses here, mostly of low level. The highest level cleric is a priestes of Elanora, L7. She is a half-elf named Dyhanet. A proud, older woman, she was once an adventurer herself, and has a soft spot for the type, though she hides it under a stern demeanor.

3. Temple to Centarius: a large and fine building, richly decorated and obviously well-tended. There are seven priests in the temple, including the L10 high priest, Thoran Blackbeard.. There are also a dozen lay-priests who serve lesser functions in the community. Thoran is proud but honorable, keeping the face of Centarius the oathbinder to the fore. He is aware that some of his followers are more inclined to follow Centarius' less honest aspect, but does not care to investigate more deeply.

4. Temple to Safreth: Not large but prosperous and well-respected. The priest in charge is a half elf named Sithuard. She is L7, and has been here for many years. She has five sub-priests of L1 or 2, and her second in authority is L5. He is an elf named Helramoth. Sithuard is impatient and abrupt. She dislikes warriors and adventurers. Her main goal is to teach the people of Jerint to respect and fear the forest. Helramoth is easier-going, but just as devout. He would rather teach people how to dwell in the forest without harming it, than scare them into staying out.

5. Temple to Diorel: a small but well-tended Temple, favored by many who work daily on the waters of the local river.

6. Jerint Market Square: open from noon to dusk all days except holidays. Typical merchants present sell small trinkets, mend tools and belongings, or do other handiwork. Any craftsman whose work or finished goods is easily transportable will be found here - basketweaver, sandalmaker, soapmaker, weaver, candlemaker etc... Also foodsellers, entertainers, and vagabonds. But the most common person present is a farmer selling his excess produce, and his wife and children shopping. It is also common to see young musicians attempting to win scholarships to Belflame performing here, even in impromptu competitions.

7. Sawmill: Callon Portmin - the two major sawmills in town operate in cooperation not competition. Callon handles rough cutting of planks, trimming of logs, and other tasks such as shingle-making which take moderate skill and heavy tools. His saws are strong enough to handle the rare heavy barausk log. Once the rough work has been done, however, he frequently passes the finer work to his fellow miller, Rodrey. Callon owns two buildings across the way from his actual mill. One is his residence, and the other is the building where he stores much of his cut lumber before it is sold.

8. Gristmill: Jud the Lame - Jud is an honest but canny merchant. His grist is of good quality, and he never cheats on his weights or measures, but neither does he offer any discount or reduction in fee for a hard-up customer. His only son disappeared several years ago to go adventuring, so his only assistants are his nephew and niece. Jud may find himself both resentful of adventurers, and wishful to ask them of possible news of his son, especially if they are from the west, where the boy went.

9. Sawmill: Rodrey Redbeard - Rodrey does finer milling. He makes veneers, handles burl and birdseye woods, as well as other fine woodmilling requests. He has a lathe and a drill press for making unusual cuts. However, he is not a carpenter and does not make assembled pieces.

10. Jeweller: Josith has made several trips to Haroth and works in the dwarven style. He has a number of dwarvish friends here in Jerint. His work is only average for a dwarven jeweller, but quite high by human standards.

11. Weaponsmith: Caro Nsoyan; average quality and price

12. Potter: Mollel Udibis: reknowned for his high quality shimmering glazes, this potter's work is sold across Greenvale to wealthy merchants and nobles. He requires unusual gemstones and minerals for his glazes on a regular basis, and thus entertains visitors and adventurers frequently.

13. Jeweller: Lonbar Dargareth; quality and price average

14. Silver Way Inn: Inkeeper Horsa Bydarf ; prices high, quality high. Good food and accomodation. Horsa claims to have lived in Haroth and captivates all with his tales of dwarven myth and legend. This inn serves most of the visitors for the Count, and high ranking guests for the Belflame school as well. Only the finest of performers are invited to entertain here.

15. Riverman Inn: Uchdred the Fat; quality poor, prices low. This inn is favored by the local loggers and heavy laborers. Common room floor and loft dormitories only. Noisy and fights are common.

16. Phoenix Inn: Inkeeper Jasper Flamebreath; quality and prices average. This inn serves the common traveler and lesser merchant. Better food can be commanded than the ordinary fare cooked in-house, but it costs a good bit extra. Jasper is a retired adventurer who once amazed the townsfolk by breathing fire at a marauding pair of ogres who came into the town out of the nearby mountains. Many prospective music students stay here, and good entertainment is common.

17. The Dove Inn: this inn and brothel hides a sordid character under a seemingly quiet and cultured face. The Dove is run by Almina Fireskirt, a half-shalani woman of late middle years. She keeps a very clean place that serves a good meal and fine drink, but customers who were unaware of the second business will be surprised by the number of 'special' dinner guests and visitors the Inn boasts. There is a second "common" room behind the first where men meet the Dove's doves. All but a few of the Inn's rooms are occupied by the two dozen girls Almina keeps on staff.

18. Kiera's Inn: this is the quietest place in town, a sleepy Inn with a slightly run-down look that caters to a regular clientele of scholars, small merchants and discerning travelers. It is actually very good quality, moderate priced. However, Kiera's guests are frequently repeat customers and it is difficult to find a room, especially for more than a night or two, without sending word ahead. She keeps certain rooms for certain guests' expected visits and will not break her previous plans for less than a great deal of money. Kiera is very honest, 1/2 elven. She was a teacher at Belflame for many years, and only retired to run the family Inn when a bad accident crippled her playing hand 20 years ago.

19. Mercantyler's Hall: the favored place for wheeling and dealing. At any given time of day 2-10 mercantylers and craftsmen can be found negotiating, dining or simply passing the day here.

20. Timberwright's Guildhall and Hostel: here loggers selling goods stay, while deals are made. Also visiting craftsmen and buyers of lumber come here. It is a busy place and very profitable.

21. Metalsmith: does fancy wrought ironwork and cast iron.

22. Red Wizards' Hostel

23. Blacksmith:

24. Master Mason

25. Apothecary

26. Mercantyler/Moneylender

27. Hideworker and Tanner

28. Salter

29. Woodcarver

30. Metalsmith: Grisson Tomar: does most of the less-than-simple tool-making in town

31. Tentmaker

32. Lexicographer and Scribe

33. Woodcrafter

34. Chandler

35. Mercantyler

36. Herbalist

37. Clothier

38. Locksmith

39. Brothel

40. School of Music; known as the Belflame School outside Jerint, here it is just 'the school'. Perhaps 100 students, mostly of upper ranks (children of wealthy landed knights, counts, priests and wealthiest merchants), study music here. They are taught to sing, play, dance, compose, build instruments, and a few are taught to become bards. About 10-15 students are on 'scholarship or grant' and are from poorer backgrounds. Most of these students will become wandering minstrels, while others will go home to play for their families. About 30% are women. Students range in age from about 12 to 25. 12 is the minimum age of acceptance, except in rare circumstances. The course of study is from 2-8 years, depending on skill and interest.

The school is managed by a council of the Deans, led by their Chancellor, who also has a seat on the city council. While the Chancellor is elected by his fellow Deans, his election is approved by the Count - which makes this position quite a political one, in the town.

Other businesses include carpenters and woodcarvers, while many residents are loggers, huntsmen, saw-mill yard workers and common laborers.

Secrets about Jerint