Emberhelm

City Description
Known as the door to Arborlund, (the continent above Ellarith) and one of the only ways into it via lands from the south. Emberhelm isn't much but holds great importance, tactically. As a result there has been constant political and actual battles for it and although interesting in the land is high, holding it is near impossible. However that all stopped quarter of a century ago when a wealthy but unknown Baron and Baroness took Emberhelm by force and moved into the castle, they also brought a small number of people with him and since that day it hasn’t been taken since. Although the town may of changed hands many times they doesn't mean the towns folk are useless, they are expects at building their life back from the ground up as they have done it many times before. However now there is stability in the land the citizens relish the opportunity to actually build something to last. As a result the people are now passionate about what they do.

There is also a rumor that the town is home to a noble vampire family and they have secretly been in charge and controlling the town for centuries, and the true reason the town changes hands so much is because whoever in charges finds out and they have them killed. This rumour also has created a false curfew, in that many dont go out at night due to the myth.

Geography
Being built in a halfway through the road of land there's not much apart from mountain either side but both the paths do lead to the civilizations, down south leads to the dwarven city of Broadcove, and north to Arborlund and the freelands, where hordes roam.

Weather
Due to being the highest point in Ellarth covered by mountains it can be one of the coldest places with constant snow cover. It is dark and wet a very high majority of the time.

Gods
Although the people in Emberhelm can be helpful and give a helping hand to a neighbour, one they they keep very private is their religion, you rarely see anybody practice theres in public and only your closest friends or family would know who you pray to.

City Life
The day to day life in Emberhelm is tough, hazardous mountains either side of the town, the thick dark forests around the roads and even the conditions of the town itself make it a hard place to survive let alone live in. However if you can make it through that and strive your efforts will be rewarded. The outlook of the town can change on whatever you perspective is, some look at it as a town full of hardworking people who want to make something of themselves, others see dirt trodden peasants doing absolutely every to just survive. A majority of the town dont use money but instead use the outdated method of bartering to gain services and goods while the smaller percentage who can afford to live comfortable have an endless amount of people that will do a nearly anything for next to nothing. This causes the town to have a much higher mortality rate than others, however this is counteracted by the poorest townsfolk having as many children as possible to have more bodies to help bring food or goods in.

Many have tried to move on and start a new life somewhere else but its very rare to ever hear from any of them ever again. Who knows if they made it out or if something happened to them on the road.

Demographic
The population fluctuates all the time and even depending on the time of the year. In the harshest winter months population will sky rocket down but when sun starts to come up in the spring so does the population. it many people even plan their children towards the end of winter so there are less mouths to feed.

Notable Locations
Shops

The Always Broken Chair - A pub a lot of the works go and can sometimes get rowdy.

Frost Giants Folly - A tavern in town that most travers stay, not that they get many of them, most people that come to visit are guests of the Barons and stay in the castle.

The Red Robin - A House of Ill Repute, also has a private club for the more niche pleasures.

The Mountaineer’s Bandolier - Sells survival kits to help traverse the weather and terrain as well as remadise and herbs.

Pinchers Need: A store full of knick-knacks.

Mistledough - A bakery in town.

The Basic Hammer - A very basic blacksmith that can just about do the basics, the more expensive or bigger jobs are imported from Broadcove.

Locations

Ashfall Temple - When the Von Steins took over one of the first things they rebuilt was this temple although you will be lucky to see anyone in there it was important to the Baron and Baroness. They deigned it to match the aesthetic of the Fortress and also a neo gothic look with a bell tower visible from most of the town

Last Wish Well - A now mostly dried up and outdated well near the town center, peasants come here because and for one reason. Its there last resort, they say when you're at rock bottom and your life cant get any worse throw your last coin in the well and the gods may take pity on you. Because of this superstition there is a lot of markings for a number of different gods either near or close to the well, hoping they looke down on them more.

Soulriver Crypts - Once the resting place of the Emberskull clan (the original lords of Emberhelm) These underground crypts were once a sacred place, however they have been raided and robbed so many times now nothing much is here. It's has changed from a place lords lay to rest to a place peasants discard the bones of their relatives and friends. The people named it Soulriver due to its thick layer of mist thats flows along the floor, that many believe are the souls of the dead either running though these tunnels or being led to the afterlife.

Blackgrin Fortress - Even though the town has been destroyed many times due to the fighting over the past centuries this neo gothic fortress has been completely destroyed. Its have repairs and improvements but this ancient castle hasn't completely fallen since it was finished. As a result who knows what ancient secrets it holds.

The Slate Mine: One of the 2 main exports of Emberhelm. The slate they mine is perfect when fighting the weather due to being so durable and waterproof. The mines are owned by the Dark Depths Mining Corporation based in Russar.

Crossroad Brewery - Another one of Emberhelms export, they trade a lot of the beer they make with the dwarves of Broadcove as they love to drink. They even have a special deal which includes first trade options with any sort of wine that comes into the port city.

Military
The military in Emberhelm is very well protective. One thing the Von Stein's did when arriving was instead of trying to overwhelm the emery with numbers, they heavily armed and armoured their fewer troops. As a result the Black Guard are heavily defended. Another interesting fact about the military within Emberhelm, is they are forbidden to kill anyone. Due to a very strict set of rules (A lot fo the weather peoples workforce are obviously the poorer citizens and they see it as owning them) the guards are not allowed to kill anyone as it would anger the bosses and only under extreme circumstance is it permitted and excused. In some cases the punishment for the guard is death.

Due to their chain mail and breast plate all being black the guards are very hard to see at night. This add fuel to the flame of the vampire myth. Their reasoning is you wouldn't need as many guards at night when the vampire roam the town taking criminals or people up to no good.

The 3 Overseers - The overseers are the highest rank you can get in Emberhelm and obviously there can only be 3 at a time. Each oversee's an important section of the town and makes sure everything is running smoothly (Mining, Merchant and living). These 3 individuals are especially cruel and does whatever is necessary.

The Black Guard - Donned in all black with an even darker trim the Black Guard are heavily armoured in mostly chain mail with the exceptions of some which wear a breastplate. Their standard issue weapons are a mace and a shield with some more veteran guards wielding a flail instead. If the guard wants a ranged weapon they have to undergo specialist training to know how to shoot and not aim for a vital organ.

History
Was once just a passage into Ellarith

Clan Emberkull made the fort due to the mine