Sterngate

A Fort of Breland, and Trading Post along two main Trade Routes, the town of Sterngate lies on the border of three nations, Breland, Zilargo and Darguun.  Download this article as a PDF.

The Population of the town of Sterngate…

Within the walls of the town, reside some 877 people, and another 520 people reside in the surrounding countryside within a few miles of the town.  The majority of the town's population is made up of humans (who number 68% of the population), then a hodge-podge of races make up the remainder, including: Halflings (7%); Elves (6%); Dwarves (5%); Gnomes (5%); Half-elves (4%); Goblinoids (4%); and Other races (1%).

History of the town of Sterngate...

Sterngate stands at the broad western end of the Marguul Pass.  This pass cuts through the Seawall Mountains and spills into Darguun.  The Marguul Pass has always been an important trade route from the east and west trade.  It holds a great importance to the gnomes of Zilargo to the south and the elves of the Valenar and halflings of the Talenta Plains to the east.  Also, with the invention of the lightning rail, Sterngate lies along the line from Korranberg and the north.  While not the bustling and brisk trade of Sharn or other great cities, Sterngate sees major trade caravans in the spring and fall, as House Orien and the other independent traders travel to the east in search of wines and cheeses of the halflings and elves.  With the destruction of Cyre and the great Mournlands cutting these trade routes, the travel through the pass has dwindled to a trickle of its previous numbers.

The major purpose of Sterngate, since the Thronehold Accords, has been to guard the eastern border between Breland and Darguun.  The local military presence has slowly escalated since the Accords and recent tensions has caused the numbers to swell to 175 able-bodied soldiers in the Keep and surrounding defenses.  The city is located on a plateau at the center of the Marguul Pass, and offers a great vantage of any advancing army or traders that come through the pass.  The local garrison also shares duties as the local constabulary and is often policing the various traders coming into and out of the city.  In addition to the standing army, the local townsfolk can be mustered for an additional 145 able-bodied individuals in the town militia.

Sterngate – Town Overview

Government of the town of Sterngate...

The town of Sterngate is overseen by the appointed military commander Captain Eredenn Davoh (male human fighter 6).  He is entitled to appoint a seneschal every two years.  The seneschal is taken from one of the seven members of the elected town council.  The seneschal is responsible for the commercial and administrative duties of the town.  The town council is made up of a representative from the seven sections of the town.  One taken from the army (usually appointed by the Captain), another elected from the various merchants, another three from the various neighborhoods within the town, one from the temples of the Sovereign Host, and finally a representative for those living in the outlying areas of the town.  The posts are hotly contested, with the various neighborhoods, guilds and Houses offering no limit of choices for the post.

Defenses of the town of Sterngate...

The area around Sterngate is a maze of earthworks, defensive trenches and fortified positions.  The constant vigilance of the Sterngate Regiment of the Royal Brelish Army guarantees the safety of the eastern border of Breland.  Without the constant maintenance and upgrade on the town's defenses, the Marguul Pass would be a font of destruction pouring into Breland.  The area surrounding the immediate east of the town is filled with varying degrees of defensive positions and structures.  The winding trade road loops around the town from the west and then travels to the south along the base of the plateau, before navigating the maze of defensive structures that lead to the Marguul Pass.

Inns of the town of Sterngate...

As the town of Sterngate stands at the crossroads of several trade roads, the options for the weary travel are actually quite good for such a small town.  For the well-to-do traveler, the best options include the Pristine Rose Inn, as well as Hippogriff's Roost.  Both offer sumptuous local foods and an excellent assortment of wines and ales.  For the more budget conscious traveler, the Badger's Den and Balzethar's Inn offer a warm hearth and decent rooms for a reasonable daily cost.  For those truly conscious about costs, the Maiden's Head as well as the Fez & Gherkin offer limited rooms for rent.

Taverns of the town of Sterngate...

As well as several selections for a place to stay, the options for food and drink are equally as varied.  Catering to the finer palettes, the Spinning Wheel is one of the most posh taverns in the town.  The mid-range taverns include the Maiden's Head Public House, as well as the taproom at Balzethar's Inn.  On the lower end the Fez & Gherkin offers simple fares, as well as varied flavors of ales and wines from both sides of the Brelish and Darguuni borders.

Suppliers of the town of Sterngate...

As Sterngate is along a major trade route, the suppliers and provisioners of Sterngate carry items as varied as the traders that pass through the gates of Sterngate.  The most varied and diverse provisions can normally be found at Eyre's Trading House.  Another decent provisioner of fine goods and specialty items is the Aberdeen Provisioners.

Temples and Shrines of the town of Sterngate...

Two Shrines to Kol Korran exist.  A minor shrine and garden is located next to the Lightning Rail Station, and the larger of the two Shrines is located in the northwest of the town, sharing the space with the town's major graveyard.  Also in the immediate area is a temple to Arawai, Boldrei and Olladra.  This temple also shares space with the other graveyard of the town.  Also in the east of the town, a small copse of trees and an observatory are dedicated to the Sovereign Host.

Dragonmarked Houses within the town of Sterngate...

Of the twelve dragonmarked houses, only a handful maintain an active presence in the town of Sterngate.  Houses Cannith, Jorasco, Lyrandar, and Tharashk do not maintain an active presence in the town.  Houses Deneith (Defenders Guild), Ghallanda (Hospitallers Guild), Kundarak (Banking & Warding Guilds), Medani (Warning Guild), Orien (Couriers & Transportation Guilds), Phiarlan (Entertainers Guild), Sivis (Speakers & Notaries Guilds), Thuranni (Entertainers Guild) and Vadalis (Handlers Guild) maintain at least a token presence within the town.  Details on each Dragonmarked Houses presence in the city can be located below.

Locations of the Interest

Within the town limits of Sterngate

Lightning Rail Station

Grid Location G-29:  Also includes the main House Sivis Enclave (Speakers & Notaries Guilds), as well as a House Orien representative.  The Lightning Rail Station is set on a small clearing to the northwest of the town of Sterngate.  The Station is the central piece of a small group of outbuildings from the town of Sterngate.  These outbuildings include a shrine to Kol Korran, the station itself, as well as an enclave for House Sivis and House Orien.

Minor Shrine to Kol Korran

Grid Location E-25: This minor shrine holds a small figure bearing the likeness of Kol Korran and is used by those embarking on a lightning rail journey or those freshly arrived.  The shrine offers minor healing and rejuvenating services, as well as minor blessings.  Those seeking a larger dedication to Kol Korran are better entering the town and heading to the Temple district in the northwest corner of town.

Major Shrine & Temple to Kol Korran

Grid Location G-19: Also includes major graveyard of the town to the east of the Temple.  The Shrine to Kol Korran was a dedication from the first families of Sterngate.  As the town prospered due to the brisk trade from Cyre through into Breland, the town’s founding fathers dedicated this area to the various aspects of the God of Trade.

Temple to Arawai, Boldrei & Olladra

Grid Location J-20: Also includes the other graveyard of the town.  This temple combines aspects of Arawai, Boldrei and Olladra to foster the wealth and bounty of the area surrounding the town.  While most of the other members of the Sovereign Host are depicted within the Temple, the entryway clearly is dedicated to these three deities.

The Hippogriff's Roost

Grid Location U-22: Also a member of House Ghallanda.  Has Gwyneth d'Thuranni, of House Thuranni in residence as a frequent entertainer.  The Hippogriff’s Roost specializes in traditional Brelish cuisine and takes pride in the freshness of its food, as well as the variety of its cellar.  The Hippogriff’s cellar boasts one of the best collections of Brelish wines and ales.  It was once featured in an article in the Korranberg Chronicle describing the varied Brelish berry wines, as well as the summer blood sausages.

Balzethar's Inn

Grid Location L-19:  Run by a retired dwarven adventurer, obviously known as Balzethar, this inn is a welcome place for the road-weary traveler.  Balzethar is typically working the bar or trading stories with the clientele or occasional traveler.  He runs a very good inn and takes great pains to keep his prices affordable for those with an adventurous spirit.  He’s even been known to offer the occasional adventurer free room & board, usually in exchange for tales of their journeys.

The Badger's Den

Grid Location K-18:  The Badger’s Den is a raucous inn, catering to those whom seek a bit more of a pleasurable time, or those seeking a decent game of chance.  The Badger’s Den is run by a longtooth shifter known to his friends as Kelvin Chance.  Kelvin has only recently become the owner of the Den, having won it from the previous owner, after he was unable to pay his gambling debts to Kelvin.

The Pristine Rose Inn

Grid Location S-10: Also a member of House Ghallanda.  Has Reginald d'Phiarlan, of House Phiarlan in residence as a frequent entertainer.

The Maiden's Head Public House

Grid Location L-16:

The Fez & Gherkin

Grid Location I-16: Run by Temur Batu, a wily goblin, the Fez & Gherkin caters to all walks of life and all desires.  The Fez & Gherkin caters mainly to those from the poorer districts in town, but the location does a fair trade with people from all walks of life.  Those seeking a discreet location to meet up, or a place where they can be anonymous, the Fez & Gherkin offers many different things to its clientele.

The Spinning Wheel

Grid Location S-9: Also a member of House Ghallanda. Arranges for either Reginald d'Phiarlan or Gwyneth d'Thuranni to play on the more festive occasions.

Eyre's Trading House

Grid Location P-18: Also affiliated with House Orien, and manages any excess items from the merchant caravans heading into or out of the Marguul Pass.

Aberdeen Provisioners

Grid Location S-9: The Aberdeen Provisioners was established by two families.  One, a clan of halflings and the other consists of an extended gnomish clan.  Each was looking to capitalize on contacts and friends within their respective homelands and working on exporting these delicacies into Breland.

Defenders Guild

Grid Location K-12: Outpost for House Deneith's Defenders, traditionally hired out to the merchant caravans that head through the Marguul Pass.

Banking & Warding Guilds

Grid Location T-9: Outpost for House Kundarak.  Also, a small desk is dedicated to House Sivis (Notaries Guild), as well as House Orien (Couriers Guild).

The Old Stern Gate

Grid Location Q-10: These are the ancient gates to original settlement of Sterngate.  The stone walls surrounding this portion of Sterngate are commonly referred to as "Old Sterngate" or the "Old City".

Arawai's Blessed Market

Grid Location Q-17: This market specializes in fruits, vegetables and other delicacies gathered from the areas surrounding Sterngate.  Here most of the butchers and cheesemongers of Sterngate can be found plying their trade.

The Azure Tower

Grid Location R-7: Here the old sage Abrim resides.  He collects pieces of historical lore and has one of the largest personal collection of books in Breland.  The small squat tower houses his collection, as well as doubling as a storefront for his sagely advice.

Timuir's Steel

Grid Location R-14: Here the dwarf Sergey Timuir has set-up shop and trades in wares of his making.  His weapons and armors are some of the finer quality available in the town.  His wares are usually purchased by the local regiment to keep the soldiers in high-quality arms and armor.

Locations of the Interest

Outside the town limits of Sterngate

The Red Lion Coaching Inn

Grid Location Y-8: This fortified coaching inn is a safe stop for the House Orien coaches on their way to or from Darguun.  The inn also houses a small contingent of the Sterngate Regiment.  This regiment is usually rotating out with those along the Gates to Marguul Pass, or patrolling the base of the Seawall Mountains.

The Gates to Marguul Pass

Grid Location AE-8:  The western end of the Marguul Pass is blocked off by a low-lying stone wall.  At the center of the pass, the Royal Brelish Army has built a series of squat, round towers to watch over those entering or exiting the Brelish and Darguuni borders.