| Type | TOWN |
|---|---|
| Government | Triumvirate. One seat for the Order of the Watchful Eye and two that are democratically chosen by the townsfolk. |
| Location | Northern coast of Isonhound. East of the Snowy Northern Mountains and West of the Chilcrest Forest |
| Inhabiting Race | Dwarves: 58%
Humans 22% Halflings 6% Elves (all types): 4% All Others: 10% |
About
Gammelgard is a town on the northern coast of Isonhound. It was founded by a large cohort of Dwarves sometime after the Holy War.
History
In approximately 990BR, Gammelgard was founded on the remains of an abandoned fishing Hamlet the dwarves had discovered in their search for a new home after the Holy War. As the story goes, these original founding dwarves hailed from some now lost dwarven stronghold that existed in the Snowy Northern mountains about two days travel east from the town. Why the dwarves could not or did not return to the mountain is unknown but the rumors abound. Some say the dwarves that remained behind were left unguarded and were slaughtered by monsters. When the dwarves returned, the stronghold was overrun and in ruins . Other stories say the dwarves who left to fight in the war had angered or dishonored Moradin somehow. They and all their descendants were banned from ever returning under the mountain.
As of 825PR:
The vast majority of the dwarves that live in Gammelgard have ties to the mountains and will dreamily speak of returning there one day. But as to why they don't or why their ancestors couldn't. none of the dwarves in town really know. They turn to the Order of the Watchful Eye for guidance on all things regarding their society and confidently say "When it is time to go, they will know. Then, so will we.".
Notable Places (As of 825 PR)
Cloister of the Order of the Watchful Eye
This collection of buildings surrounded by walls with high parapets overlooks the town of Gammelgard and the sea beyond. The cloister houses approximately 100 people that are exclusively dwarves. The occupants are a collection of Clerics, Paladins and Monks who follow and serve the causes of Moradin. Since the inception of firearms, Artificers have found a prominent role in the Order as well. Many of the best dwarven crafters of firearms, weapons and armor come to collaborate in the Cloister and sell their wares in the market of Gammelgard.
Access to the cloister by anyone not of the Order is restricted to the largest building in the complex, The Great Hall, which is accessed directly from the main gate. Any attempts to enter the cloister through another location or to leave the Great Hall and enter the cloister will be met with swift and harsh resistance.
Additionally, there are a cluster of smaller buildings that stand along with the Great Hall that serve as barracks, a barn, a small smithy and a kitchen to support any persons working for the Order.
High Market Commons
This area of the town is a collection of shops that sell all manner of wares. The shops surround a grassy, tree speckled commons that, once a month during the warmer seasons, hosts a large trade event known as Grand Market Day. Craftsmen and traders from all over the continent and sometimes from abroad will bring their wares to sell at this market. This market functions as an advantageous time for the local shops as well as the cloister to acquire sometimes hard to get items and materials. Though this event is only once a month, it is common for the shops to host a smaller Market Day once a week that, while a bit smaller, draws in craftsmen and traders from the wider region around Gammelgard and commonly becomes a popular social gathering for townspeople.
Permanent craftsmen and shops in High Market Commons
- Taniser's Scrolls and Spells - This shop is an ornate two-story building with brightly colored leaded stain glass windows. It is run by a female elf named Taniser.
- Naga's Vault - A simple stone building with small windows, this shop contains all manner of trinkets and potions that a traveler may need. It is run by a stout middle-aged halfling named Hone.
- The Iron Brace - This blacksmith shop seems to always have its fires stoked. Even in the middle of the night. Though thankfully, they have been restricted from working those late hours unless given emergency authorization by the triumvirate. They are known to make weapons from time to time but mostly service the day to day metal needs of the town. It is operated by Briggs Hammerfoot. An older grey-bearded dwarf.
- The Gilded Helm - This shop is THE place to go to for all manner of arms and armor as well as enchanting services. It is run by two people. A human man named Denethin and an elvin woman named Sara'thil.
- Thunder and Smoke - The sign that hangs above this shop contains two crossed muskets with what looks like a smoking bomb in the middle. Barret and Greegan, the dwarven brothers who operate this business have been known to push the boundaries of alchemical and artificer experimentation. So much so, that they have been restricted from experimenting in their shop and were ordered to move them to an old farmhouse and barn outside town. The shop is sometimes closed for days at a time while they immerse themselves in their trials.
Seaside District
Everything that comes into Gemmelgard from the sea must come through the Seaside District. Few of the sailors even leave the district during their stay in port. The district has all manner of lodgings, ale halls, gambling parlors and other entertainment that a sailor may be looking for. This area of town has some of the lowest concentrations of dwarves in the area.
Gammelgard Polyarcana Insititute
Founded in 636 by the dwarf sorcerer Akron Crowbender, GPI was founded on a dedication to training and advancement of the mystical arts and sciences.
The mascot of the school is the Amalthean Goat who is known to populate the mid and upper regions of the Northern snowy Mtns.
Notable Events
April 825 PR - The Order of the Watchful Eye dispatches messengers to towns all over Isonhound with fliers calling for adventurers to help investigate the Northern Snowy Mountains. Adventurers heed the call and assemble at the barracks of the Order to receive missions. The Order requests that the groups investigate two locations that are suspected of providing access to the lost Dwarven holdings under the mountains. Two groups are assembled and sent into the mountains. They are given instruction on where to go and that the area is very likely populated by some sort of mutated or altered goblin. Additionally, they are to hunt down and eliminate any mutated goblins and bugbears that they should come across. Falgrim, the master alchemist of the Order, offers an additional reward if the group brings back one of these mutated goblins for him to study.
Both groups are successful in locating the entrances, encountering and eliminating the goblins. Both groups were able to bring back bodies for Falgrim to study. In his examinations Falgrim was able to determine that another alchemist known to him by the name of Horatio Cheshire is very likely the source of these mutated goblins.
May 825 PR -
