Briarsville

Overview ~ History ~ Map ~ Your Profession ~ Leading Citizens

Last Updated: 2/16/03

Briarsville in Brief

Briarsville (a name that has no fathomable origin) is a medium-sized town on the border of the Forest of Shadows. The location is rather curious... both grounded in the world of commerce and hovering close to enchantment. Most of the town's inhabitants seem to regard the Forest something like a supposedly tame circus tiger—it's probably not all that dangerous, but no one goes close enough to find out.

Travelers are always coming and going here. In addition to the endless stream of adventurers & travelers in and out of the Forest, the town is situated near the intersection of two major trade routes. As a result, Briarsville is more flexible than remainder of the Mountain Alliance—but it remains more conservative than the "modern" cities far to the east.

Briarsville's prosperity translates mainly into strong defenses, a top-notch garrison, and the supplies necessary to survive the blessedly brief, but unusually harsh, winter that prevents the town from becoming a large metropolis.

There are many inns and taverns here—such as the famous Rising Phoenix—and every kind of merchant imaginable comes to the annual Summer Fair. One can always find blacksmiths, carpenters, clothes merchants, bakers, grocers, magic shops, and many other useful enterprises in Briarsville. (The aptly named Market Street is a good place to look.) The town is also the home of an academy of Healers and a branch school of the Blue Dragon mages, as well as hostels, offices, outposts, and representatives of many other groups. And of course, every town has a darker side if one looks in the right places. (Rumor has it that Briarsville's underworld operates under the command of a mysterious "Boss" or "Master." It's only a rumor, of course...)

A Council, figureheaded by a mayor whose position is usually hereditary and for life, runs Briarsville. There are remnants of an old nobility in the older quarters of the town, with varying degrees of wealth and power. Interestingly, the Briarsville Constabulary (mainly responsible for policing) operates under the mayor's jurisdication, while the Briarsville Guard (responsible for defense and security) is an independent organization with a seat on the Council.

There are opportunities in Briarsville for everyone to interact with locals, visiting trade caravans, and other adventurers.

History

As the kingdoms of Morendia and Torellia established themselves in the north and south of the Mountain Kingdoms, Briarsville began its existence as a tiny trading post at the Forest’s edge. The great trading roads transformed the little post into a prosperous town, coveted by the powers of the region. For years, Briarsville was alternately Morendian or Torellian territory.

Eventually, the townspeople grew in strength and numbers, building strong defenses that made them a less tempting target. At about the same time, Morendia and Torellia had other concerns. Briarsville was no longer a high priority for either kingdom, and the dispute became increasingly costly. Finally, they established the Briarsville Neutral Zone, and withdrew their armies completely.

(A side note: in the official histories of both kingdoms, current-day independent Briarsville came into existence on that day, and is treated as a completely new town. Thus, the anniversary of the treaty is "Founding Day," despite the fact that the town was well-established by then.)

Morendian and Torellian soldiers and officials did not enter Briarsville until invited in during the Great War of Alliance, and the subsequent formation of the Mountain Alliance, of which the independent town of Briarsville is a member.

Town Map

View a map of Briarsville

Briarsville for Professions

Note: I tried writing this without using specific genders. It was confusing, so I stopped. Just read every "he," as "he or she," and every "her" as "him or her."

Blue Dragon Mages: The Blue Dragon School, on a side street off of New Main or Forest. Maybe you'll see Master Heron, Lady Trinka, or Ruscina.
Eastern Order Mages: There are four Eastern Order Masters in Briarsville: Bess Kemenar-Alagoss, Elric Narell, Suren Alagoss, and Winter Aithel.
Former Guardsmen/Mercenaries: A warrior might be interested in the Travelers Bazaar, where someone is always looking for protection or service, or perhaps the Briarsville Guard.
Bards/Dancers/Acrobats: Entertainers are welcome at most taverns in town. For bards, the hospitality of the Bardic hostel on Fiddler's Way is almost famous. Master Feldan can approve an apprentice's ballad and declare him officially a journeyman.
Healers: Any resident could point a healer to the local academy of her profession.
Merchants: Merchants are likely to find people to sell them things or buy their goods in the Travelers Bazaar.
Thieves: Rumor has it that the overambitious thief might earn himself notice from the organized crime in town... if he's lucky, they'll only warn him away. A thief could, however do very well for herself in the Travelers Quarter.

Some Leading Citizens

This list will probably never be complete or comprehensive. Nevertheless, we've met a few of Briarsville's leading citizens...

Rena Fenly
The Fenly's have run the Rising Phoenix for as long as anyone can remember, and Rena herself is a well known figure in town, often speaking up for tavernkeepers.
Master Heron
The head of the local Blue Dragon School, and an extremely powerful mage, Master Heron is extremely well respected by the town. Even the powerful look to him when they need strictly impartial guidance.
The Eastern Order Masters
Although they generally keep to themselves, the four Masters of the Eastern Order (Bess Kemenar-Alagoss, Elric Narell, Suren Alagoss, and Winter Aithel) can be extremely influential, backed by both their own considerable powers and the prestige of the order they represent.
Master Bard Feldan Vortas
Feldan is mostly retired, and he rarely leaves his home, but he is nevertheless a full Master Bard. Should he chopse to exert himself, local leaders have no choice but to listen to him, and listen well.

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