Barrenford

Barrenford is a rustic frontier town on the edge of a dark forest, surrounded by rolling hills and farmland and a small river that is only just about navigable downstream towards the coast and larger towns. The town has grown up around a trade route that connects coastal cities to the inland areas of Pacedonia and features a large stone bridge that was built prior to the Dark Ages which still looks new due to the magic used in its construction. Recently, caravans have slowed to a trickle, the town's economy has stagnated, and tensions are rising. Most of the locals remain unaware of the true forces behind these events.

The village is laid out around a central square where a small weekly market arrange them stalls around a central fountain, a temple dedicated to Gaeda, the Earth Mother, a weathered inn called The Rusted Crown and a brick built town house occupied by the elected mayor. A river flows southwards along the East side of the village, curling around the southern edge before heading south again. A small dock south of the bridge marks the highest navigable part of the river.

Three main roads lead into the village, one from the west, one from the south, following the river edge towards the larger towns nearer the coast, and one from across the bridge and the countryside to the east. Various farms are mostly found to the south, and a Manor House sits on a lone hill to the west, looking over the village and its narrow streets. To the north, a sizeable forest covers the rocky hills that eventually rise towards distant mountains in the centre of the Pacedonian peninsular.

1. The Rusted Crown (Inn & Tavern)

• Owner: Bert, the shrewd but genial innkeeper.
• Description: Located near the town square, The Rusted Crown is the largest and most popular inn in Barrenford. It offers warm meals, hearty ales, and a place to rest for travellers and locals alike. It’s a hub for gossip, deals, and occasional under-the-table meetings with the town’s underworld—arranged secretly by Bert if patrons ask for “Fred.”
• Services/Products: Lodging, meals, and drinks. The inn also serves as a neutral ground for merchants to strike deals. Unknown to most, Bert arranges clandestine meetings between patrons and the local rogue.
• Economy & Relationships: The Rusted Crown thrives due to its central location and reputation, attracting both travellers and locals. Its proximity to the town square means it works closely with the markets, offering meals and accommodation for visiting merchants.

1. Dylan’s Coopering (Barrel & Cask Maker)

• Owner: Dylan, a cooperative and unassuming tradesman (secretly a rogue).
• Description: Just a short walk from the inn and the dock, Dylan’s Coopering shop creates high-quality barrels, casks, and wooden containers used by local breweries, traders, and the inn itself. His shop has a modest exterior, but his craftsmanship is well-respected.
• Services/Products: Barrels, casks, buckets, and other wooden containers. Dylan also handles repairs for local businesses.
• Economy & Relationships: Dylan’s Coopering is essential to Barrenford’s trade, particularly for ale and food storage. He maintains close ties with The Rusted Crown and local breweries, providing essential supplies.

1. The Silver Spindle (Tailor)

• Owner: Agatha Thornberry, an elderly but sharp-witted tailor.
• Description: Located off the town square, The Silver Spindle is known for its quality garments, from simple work attire to fine clothing for the town’s wealthier citizens. The shop is cozy but filled with bolts of fabric and half-finished garments.
• Services/Products: Custom clothing, repairs, and alterations. She also sells pre-made garments for the less wealthy.
• Economy & Relationships: Agatha works closely with the weaver and tanner for fabric and leather. She also supplies fine clothing to merchants and wealthier citizens who frequent the inn.

1. The Iron Anvil (Blacksmith)

• Owner: Thomar Brighammer, a burly and dependable smith.
• Description: Situated near the edge of town by the river, The Iron Anvil produces tools, horseshoes, nails, and weapons for the town. The constant clanging of hammers on metal can be heard from afar.
• Services/Products: Blacksmithing, weapon repairs, farming tools, horseshoes, and custom metalwork.
• Economy & Relationships: Thomar is crucial for local farmers, providing tools and equipment. He also repairs weapons for the town guard and adventurers staying at The Rusted Crown.

1. Barrenford General Goods (General Store)

• Owner: Elara Greene, a sharp and shrewd merchant.
• Description: A large, well-stocked shop on the main road near the square, Elara’s store carries a wide variety of goods, from everyday items to adventuring gear. It’s the first stop for both locals and travellers.
• Services/Products: Basic supplies (food, rope, tools), adventuring gear, and small luxuries like spices and wine.
• Economy & Relationships: The general store is a vital hub, supplying the town’s day-to-day needs and working with traders to import exotic goods.

1. The Brass Boar (Butcher)

• Owner: Walden Cragg, a gruff but skilled butcher.
• Description: Located near the square, The Brass Boar sells fresh meats and preserves, supplying much of the town’s population as well as local inns and taverns. It has a rough wooden façade, with the smell of roasting meats often wafting from the rear.
• Services/Products: Fresh cuts of meat, sausages, salted pork, and preserved meats.
• Economy & Relationships: Walden works closely with local farmers, buying livestock, and supplies The Rusted Crown and other eateries with meat. His preserved goods are sought after by traders.

1. The Verdant Bounty (Greengrocer)

• Owner: Mara and Finn O’Dell, a husband and wife team of farmers.
• Description: This small but bustling shop near the square sells fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs grown on their farm just outside town.
• Services/Products: Fresh produce, herbs, preserves, and seeds.
• Economy & Relationships: The O’Dells supply fresh ingredients to local taverns and inns. They work closely with other farmers and the general store for trade.

1. Craghold Tanner & Leatherworks (Tannery)

• Owner: Harker Craghold, a burly man with a stern demeanor.
• Description: A tannery near the outskirts of town, the smell from Craghold’s Leatherworks is strong but his products are unmatched. He supplies leather to various artisans in Barrenford.
• Services/Products: Leather goods (saddles, armor, boots), repairs, and custom work.
• Economy & Relationships: Harker supplies leather to The Silver Spindle for fine garments and to The Iron Anvil for tools and equipment.

1. Old Oak Brewery (Brewery)

• Owner: Jarred Alder, a jovial middle-aged brewer.
• Description: A family-run brewery near the river, the Old Oak produces ales, beers, and the town’s famous honey mead.
• Services/Products: Ales, beers, meads, and other drinks.
• Economy & Relationships: Old Oak is an essential supplier for The Rusted Crown and other taverns. They also work with Dylan’s Coopering for barrels.

1. Windmere Apothecary (Herbalist/Alchemist)

• Owner: Carys Windmere, a quiet but knowledgeable herbalist.
• Description: A small, mysterious shop near the temple, filled with drying herbs and strange bottles. Carys treats illnesses and sells herbal remedies.
• Services/Products: Herbal remedies, potions, salves, and medicinal herbs.
• Economy & Relationships: Carys works closely with The Verdant Bounty for herbs and with the temple for healing the sick.

1. The Silent Quill (Scribe/Bookbinder)

• Owner: Lorrik Tallow, a meticulous scribe.
• Description: Located near the temple, The Silent Quill provides the town with writing services, books, and record-keeping.
• Services/Products: Bookbinding, transcriptions, and personal letters.
• Economy & Relationships: Lorrik works with local merchants to handle records and correspondence, often employed by the temple for archiving.

1. Brightwater Stables (Stable & Farrier)

• Owner: Owen Brightwater, a cheery and reliable horseman.
• Description: Just outside the town gates, this stable offers care for horses and mounts as well as horse rentals.
• Services/Products: Horse boarding, shoeing, and rentals.
• Economy & Relationships: Brightwater Stables caters to merchants, travellers, and the town guard, working closely with The Iron Anvil for horseshoes and equipment.

1. Ladley’s Larder (Bakery)

• Owner: Evelyn Ladley, a plump, smiling baker.
• Description: A small bakery near the square, Ladley’s Larder is filled with the scent of fresh bread and pies.
• Services/Products: Fresh bread, pies, pastries, and sweets.
• Economy & Relationships: Evelyn’s bakery supplies the Rusted Crown and the general store with bread and sweets, working closely with local farmers for grain.

1. The Gilded Galleon (Jeweler)

• Owner: Orin Flint, a sharp-eyed jeweler.
• Description: A luxurious shop near the market square, Orin creates fine jewelry for Barrenford’s wealthier citizens.
• Services/Products: Rings, necklaces, and other jewelry. Also buys and sells gems.
• Economy & Relationships: Orin supplies trinkets to wealthy merchants and occasionally receives custom commissions from visiting nobles.

1. Hearthfire Forge (Pottery)

• Owner: Malya Hearthfire, a skilled potter.
• Description: A warm, earth-scented shop filled with clay pots, plates, and jugs near the edge of town by the river.
• Services/Products: Pottery, dishes, and ceramic wares.
• Economy & Relationships: Malya supplies wares to The Rusted Crown, Old Oak Brewery, and the general store.

1. The Maiden’s Braid (Barber & Wigmaker)

• Owner: Tilda Weaver, a chatty middle-aged woman.
• Description: A bright, bustling shop near the square where Tilda cuts hair, gossips, and sells wigs.
• Services/Products: Haircuts, grooming, wigs, and beards.
• Economy & Relationships: Tilda caters to locals and wealthier merchants, and she often provides wigs for the town’s elite.

1. The Drake & Dagger (Weapons Dealer)

• Owner: Bronn Stone, a retired soldier with a tough exterior.
• Description: Near the outer edge of the town, this shop sells weapons and armor, catering to adventurers and town guards.
• Services/Products: Weapons, armor, and repairs.
• Economy & Relationships: Bronn works closely with The Iron Anvil for repairs and The Rusted Crown for patronage from adventurers.

1. Barrenford Livery (Animal Trader)

• Owner: Holgar Tharn, a gruff trader.
• Description: On the outskirts of town, the livery buys, sells, and trades livestock and mounts.
• Services/Products: Livestock, mounts, and animal feed.
• Economy & Relationships: Holgar supplies animals for farms and mounts for merchants, and he works closely with Brightwater Stables.

1. Weaver’s Loom (Cloth Merchant)

• Owner: Janna Weaver, a skilled artisan.
• Description: Located near the square, this shop produces fine cloth for clothing and upholstery.
• Services/Products: Wool, linen, and custom fabrics.
• Economy & Relationships: Janna supplies The Silver Spindle and local households with fine cloth.

1. The Whispering Wood (Woodcarver)

• Owner: Eirik Thorne, a quiet and contemplative craftsman.
• Description: Situated on the far side of town near the forest, Eirik carves wooden furniture and trinkets.
• Services/Products: Furniture, toys, and wooden tools.
• Economy & Relationships: Eirik supplies The Rusted Crown with furniture and repairs and Dylan with custom barrels.

In the market, once a week, additional market stalls spring up, setting up in a rough semi-circle around the central fountain.:

1. Herbal Remedies Stall

• Owner: Old Merin, a wizened herbalist with a deep knowledge of local flora.
• Description: A small stall adorned with baskets of dried herbs, colorful tinctures, and pouches of herbal teas. Old Merin offers advice on ailments and remedies.
• Products: Dried herbs, herbal teas, salves, and tinctures.

1. The Wandering Bard

• Owner: Lyra, a charismatic traveling bard with a talent for music and storytelling.
• Description: A lively stall with a small stage for performances. Lyra sells her own musical instruments and offers storytelling sessions.
• Products: Lutes, flutes, and storybooks, as well as entertainment for passersby.

1. Artisan Candleworks

• Owner: Pippa Glow, a cheerful candlemaker with a knack for crafting unique candles.
• Description: A stall filled with colorful, fragrant candles of all shapes and sizes, some infused with local herbs.
• Products: Beeswax candles, scented candles, and decorative candle holders.

1. Fisherman’s Catch

• Owner: Cedric, a grizzled fisherman known for his tall tales and expertise.
• Description: A stall with a variety of fresh fish and seafood caught from the nearby river, alongside fish preserves.
• Products: Fresh fish, smoked fish, and pickled seafood.

1. The Iron Petal

• Owner: Sylva, a blacksmith with a passion for creating intricate metal flowers and decorative items.
• Description: A visually striking stall displaying delicate metal flowers and other garden ornaments crafted from iron.
• Products: Metal flowers, garden stakes, and custom metalwork.

1. Fur & Feathers

• Owner: Marla Harthorn, a skilled trapper and furrier.
• Description: A rustic stall featuring pelts, furs, and feathers from local wildlife, offering both raw materials and crafted goods.
• Products: Animal pelts, feathered accessories, and handmade fur garments.

1. Cider & Spirits

• Owner: Rafe Tallwood, an energetic cider maker known for his unique brews.
• Description: A vibrant stall with barrels of different flavored ciders and spirits for sampling, often accompanied by festive music.
• Products: Apple cider, fruit-infused spirits, and small bottles of homemade liqueurs.

1. Woolly Wonders

• Owner: Tansy Grimsby, a cheerful shepherdess with a talent for wool crafting.
• Description: A cozy stall showcasing hand-spun wool, knitted goods, and wool dyeing kits.
• Products: Hand-spun wool, knitted scarves, hats, and dyeing supplies.

1. Trinkets & Curios

• Owner: Oren Flick, a mysterious traveler with a collection of rare and odd items.
• Description: An eclectic stall filled with trinkets, oddities, and foreign artifacts, each with a tale to tell.
• Products: Rare stones, curios from distant lands, and unique collectibles.

1. Barrenford Bakers

• Owner: A group of local bakers rotating their goods.
• Description: A bustling stall featuring a variety of baked goods made from local ingredients, ranging from bread to pastries.
• Products: Fresh bread, sweet pastries, and seasonal treats.