Welcome to Gneiss

Eldecrynn Tuesday, July 06, 2021 No comments

 

Welcome to Gneiss -  small town located by the foot of the Skyscraper Mountains. A settlement comprising of both humans and dwarfs, with the odd smattering of half-orcs thrown in for good measure. Distinctly located on both sides of the river Flomma, midway between the two falls of the Giantstep Falls, the town is home to many a miner working the nearby hills and mountains. The stamp mill and ore refinery is the main industry in town, powered by the river, the stamp hammers usually audible throughout the day. All the while, the Abbey of St. Sevren overlooks the town in a majestic and tranquil manner.

In times of trouble, the citizens can retreat into the walled off sections of the Hightown district. Its walls and natural steep hillsides providing excellent protection from most invaders.

History.

There has always been trade between the dwarfs of the Skyscraper mountains and the humans of the Winding Vale. What was to become the settlement of Gneiss initially came into being as nothing more than a meeting place between human and dwarf traders, possibly chosen because of the easily recognizable landmark of the double Giantstep Falls at the site.

Soon one of the parties had the bright idea to set up a trading post at the site, humans to the south, the dwarfs to the north. Which part was the first to do this is uncertain, and is hotly debated among the citizens. Both the Journeyman's Rest and the Broken Hammer claim to be built on the site of the oldest building in town.

Regardless of which came first, once the two were established it did not take too long before more came to, to settle the site, and gradually a small town grew up around the two trading posts. Initially the dwarfs kept themselves to the north side - the Hammer district, while the humans stayed to the south of the river, on what's called The Shelf. As more mines were opened in the surrounding area, more and more laborers came to, most of them settling a new south eastern district, known as The Slide (or The Slippery Slide by some, because of all the drunk patrons making their way though the area after a wet night at the Blushing Barmaid).

Key.

1. The Gatehouse

In times of crisis The inhabitants can take refuge within the walled off section of town, called The Shelf by the locals. Naturally steep cliff walls, coupled with a stone wall facing north and east makes The Shelf almost as impenetrable as the strongest keep or castle. Entry is gained through the massive north facing gatehouse. A massive gate can be closed to seal the inner town off, though in times of peace they are usually kept open at all hours. Instead the smaller gate just east of the Dwarftosser span is usually closed and locked up during sundown, to the chagrin of many a late guest at the Blushing Barmaid.

2. Temple to St. Grond

Having grown up around a trading post, it is no surprise that the main temple in Gneiss is dedicated to St. Grond, the patron saint of merchants, minters and traders - and even more fitting as the good saint is by many thought to be an alter ego of Grondal, the father of all dwarves (who is said to have taught the secret of trade and metalwork to humans back in ancient times). Minor shrines within are dedicated to other saints, and most anyone with a coin to spare, even a miserly copper, is welcome to seek shelter within at any time.

3. The Market Square

The market square within the walls on the Shelf hosts a communal well, as well as space for market stalls. During spring, summer and early autumn a food market is held twice per week, with farmers and traders peddling goods and foodstuff from the Winding Vale. In addition, major markets or fates are held in spring, on midsummer and after harvest, in addition to the traditional Glowfeast at midwinter.

4. The Guardhouse

The guardhouse is a large stone building that houses the local constabulary and gaol. The guard captain is a sturdy dwarf veteran, Frambor Tveskjegg (use the statistics of a Knight, or a Veteran if you have access beyond the Basic Rules). Aside from Frambor, only four deputies are permanently employed by the watch. Beyond that, locals are conscripted in on regular basis to perform guard and watch duty, meaning that at any time about eight guardsmen are on duty in total.

As well as his duty as captain of the guard, Frambor is also in charge of the local militia, mustering most eligible and able bodied commoners from town for drills on a regular basis, and calling them to arms should the need arise.

5. The Journeyman's Rest

The most luxurious inn found anywhere within Gneiss. The prices might be a bit steep, but the comfort is undeniable. The landlord is a portly, elderly halfling, Buttleborr Bramblefoot, who runs the inn with his wife Belladonna, and their own small army children and grandchildren. The Journeyman is famous for its tasty dishes, fine brews and soft beds. The only real complaint would be that anyone of more than average height might find themselves bumping into items placed to accommodate persons of halfling height.

 6. The Abbey of St. Severn

The abbey of St. Severn looms on a ledge overlooking the Hammer district. A quiet and secluded order, only about six monks and nuns (Acolytes) serve the abbot, father Aelfric (a Priest), along with an equal number of lay brothers and sisters (Commoners). St. Severn is the patron saint of hidden knowledge, and the abbey's library is said to hold numerous tomes of forbidden, or secret lore.

7. The Stamp Mill

 The most prominent building in the Hammer District, the stamp mill, is the cornerstone of Gneiss' industry. The large mill wheel is turned by the waters of the Flomma, driving large hammers used to crush ore for processing. During daytime the constant hammering can be heard from within, echoing loudly throughout the whole of town. While visitors and strangers might find the incessant knocking disturbing, most locals have grown accustomed to the noise, and would probably find it more unnerving should the hammering suddenly stop.

8. Austri's Smithy

In a town with so prominent a dwarven population, it might come as a bit of a surprise that the local smith is in fact a human, and a woman at that. Still, despite any initial misgivings, everyone in town will (although begrudgingly for some) admit that she does an excellent job - "almost as good as a dwarf", as some of the locals would say it. Austri is a powerfully built woman, with fiery red hair to match her occupation and temper. While most of her stock consists of mining supplies, she can also offer some simple weapons, armours and shields.

9. The Broken Hammer

The Broken Hammer is the local watering hole within the Hammer district. It largely caters to a dwarven clientele, which is largely reflected in the distinctive features of the establishment. The drinks are stronger, the bar stools lower and the bread staler than elsewhere. Mostly known for is strong ale and spirits, anyone not a dwarf might feel a bit out of place at first, as the local patrons sit gruffly at their tables playing board games, or just sipping at their drinks.

10. Verfoki's supplies
Fregir Verfoki

The merchant Fregir Verfoki, probably Gneiss' wealthiest dwarf, lives and has his shop in this building. Verfoki's shop sells most normal items found in the Adventuring Gear list (except poisons, holy water and healing potions). A shrewd businessman Verfoki has no family, but in addition to his shopkeeper and his wife (who works as a cook), Verfoki employs half a dozen dwarven guards, as well as a pair of large guard dogs for security.

11. The Blushing Barmaid

The Blushing Barmaid is a rowdy drinking house within the Slide district, known for its unruly patrons and cheap, but watered down, drinks. While the dwarfs of Gneiss prefer the Broken Hammer, the Blushing Barmaid is frequented by humans and half orcs, as well as any outsiders who doesn't know any better. Brawls are frequent, and though the place has a few beds for those who feel they cannot afford the Journeyman's Rest, there is little hope of a good night's sleep, as drinking and carousing usually goes on way into the small hours.

12. Dwarftosser Span

This stone bridge crosses the river Flomma between the two Gianstep falls. It is built on the location of the very first bridge that crossed the river at this spot. According to local legend, the bridge takes its name from an incident where a group of dwarves stranded on the north side, after the first bridge had collapsed, had to be thrown across to safety, as a band of orcs descended on the town from the Skyscraper Mountains.

13. The Eastbridge

A much newer bridge than the Dwarftosser Span, the Eastbridge was built only some twenty years back to ease the crossing of the Flomma, which previously had to be crossed at a ford some six miles downstream. Saving almost a full day's worth of travel , the bridge is a welcome addition for most travelers and merchants, even though a toll is collected from anyone crossing with goods. While most pay the toll gladly, some miserly and penny pinching merchants dislike the extra tax so much they'd rather travel down the old path to the ford to avoid paying, even though the time lost is probably a lot more costly than any tax the would have to pay.

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