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Breman
This is where our Adventure will be starting off
" Founded by dwarf prospectors, the sleepy town of Bremen sits on the west bank of Maer Dualdon, at the mouth of the Shaengarne River. "
(Icewind Dale, 27)
Population: 150
Leader: Speaker Dorbulgruf Shalescar, and elder shield Dwarf Man
Rival Towns: Lonelywood, Targo, Termaline
Exports: Gold, knucklehead trout scrimshaw
There's not a lot to Breman, not anymore. Once a prosperous fishing town, located on the southwestern shore of Maer Dualdon, the deepest of the lakes, where the Shaengarne River meets the lake, the two years of winter now mean the fishermen had to drag their nets over the ice to get to the portion of lake still open to fishing. Although the winter is a reprieve from the seasonal flooding incurred every spring. It does have an inn though, and an unusual Five Tavern center.
Whether you've decided to settle down here, or are just passing through, fate brings your paths together in this out of the way location.
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Bryn Shander
"The first stop for most visitors to Icewind Dale is Bryn Shander, a walled town perched atop a cold, lonely, wind-lashed hill. Bright lanterns suspended over narrow streets twist in the wind and add flecks of color to the town's otherwise drab surroundings.
The friendliness of this settlement has dwindled of late. Auril's unyielding winter has greatly reduced the number of visitors to Bryn Shander, and local trade is suffering for it, eating away al the local's sense of humor and goodwill. Still, there is no safer place in Icewind Dale to Spend coin or spend the night."
(Icewind Dale, 32)
Population: 1,200
Leader: Speaker Duvessa Shane, Young Human Woman
Rival Towns: None
Exports: Scrimshaw
The largest of Ten-Towns, and the only town not on a lake, this town is the gateway to Icewind Dale. Often the first town than anyone new to the area visit, it has the most to offer, and is perhaps one of the most secure boasting a 30ft high wall. It has it's flaws though. It's not the friendliest of places, it's full of politics, and like every big city it has it's secrets.
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Caer-Dineval
"Whether arriving "by land or by lac," visitors are immediately confronted by the fortifications for which the town is famous: its clifftop fortress, known as the Caer, and the ruined watchtower at the mouth of the frozen harbor. Most of the town's buildings, which date back to the town's Cormyrean founders, line the path that winds down the steep slope from the Caer to the harbor, whose docks are perched on the rocky shore. "
(Icewind Dale, 37)
Population: 100
Leader: Speaker Crannoc Siever, Human Man
Rival Towns: Caer-Konig, Easthaven
Exports: Knucklehead trout, scrimshaw
Caer-Dineval is located on the northwestern bank of Lac Dinneshere, not far south of Caer-Konig. The town layout forms a half-circle around Knucklehead Harbor which if overlooked by Caer castle. The Cliffs of Dinev lay to the east.
There used to be a Ferry to Easthaven before the lake froze. And the ferry is a sore point with many of the residents as it keeps them from getting timely deliveries from Good Mead, a place names for it's products. Adding to the unrest of late is the fact that the town Speaker has fallen ill.
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Caer-Konig
"The white, snow-covered slopes of Kelvin's Cairn loom large behind this quiet lakeside town. Caer-Konig started as a camp for a group of mountaineers from the northern Moonsea region. As the camp grew, a wooden palisade was added to discourage raiders. Later came the stone castle of Caer-Konig. Alas neither the palisade or the castle faired well; both fell to orcs before falling into ruin."
(Icewind Dale, 46)
Population:150
Leader: Speaker Trovus, Silver Dragonborn male
Rival Towns: Caer-Dineval, Easthaven
Exports:Knucklehead trout, scrimshaw
Located on the northern shore of Lac Dinneshere, Caer-Konig isn't that far from Caer-Dineval. The two towns share the fishing waters and often engage in a careful rivalry and both need the resources the half frozen lake offers.
With the Easthaven ferry frozen the town has fallen into even further isolation.
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Dougan's Hole
" Dougan's Hole is the smallest and most insular of the ten towns. Its residents aren't fond of visitors, and inbreeding has caused the population to dwindle in recent years."
(Icewind Dale, 53)
Population: 50
Leader: Speaker Edgra Durmoot, Elder Humand Woman
Rival Towns: Good Mead
Exports: Not Much
This town is not the friendliest and has seen a dwindling population. It's also not uncommon for the residents to have more pointed teeth and misshapen ears. With the lake near the town mostly frozen ice fishing is become more and more common. So much so that you may see dark figures out on the ice well into evening.
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Easthaven
"Walking into Easthaven is like stepping into Icewind Dale's past-- The place is a living example of the boomtown way of life that gripped all of Ten-Towns centuries ago. In the generations since, as other towns have settled into a predicable pattern of existence, Easthaven has continued to grow and reinvent itself."
(Icewind Dale, 59)
Population: 750
Leader: Speaker Danneth Waylen, Human Man
Rival Towns: Caer-Dineval, Caer-Konig
Exports:Knucklehead trout, scrimshaw
Located to the south of Lac Dinneshere, Easthaven has boomed in growth with the construction of the Eastway. It's founder were thieves who refused the to bow to the thieves guild. Eventually they made their way to Icewind Dale. In a form of tribute to their founders, pickpocketing is legal in East haven, and it's not unusual to see signs warning people to "watch thy pouch!"
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Good Mead
" Founded by immigrants from Chult and the Vilhon Reach, Good Mead is nestled between Redwaters and a nearby evergreen forest. The town's squat dwelling adorned with carvings of Dinosaurs and serpents are overshadowed by the two story structure of the mead hall, its eaves carved and painted to resemble wyverns.As honey is the key ingredient in mead, the town literally buzzes with the droning of bees."
(ICewind Dale, 72)
Population: 100
Leader:Speaker Kendrick Rielsbarrow , Human man
Rival Towns: Caer-Dineva;, Caer-Konig
Exports: Knucklehead trout, scrimshaw, mead
Good Mead is names for it's main export. In fact it is the prime supplier of mead to Icewind Dale. The Mead Hall is possibly the most prominent building in the town and contained a fire heated space dedicated to the bees, allowing them to keep thriving even in the coldest of winters. This is a good thing as winter refuses to end.
Additionally, The Chultian founders may or may not have brought a dinosaur o two with them. Rumor abound the other towns on the matter but only the locals of Good Mead know the truth. Of course, it's unlikely one of these giant lizards could have survived the two year winter, so by this time the point is probably moot.
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Lonelywood
"Founded by a Sembian family from Urmlaspyr, Lonelywood is a quiet town of loggers, fishers, and scrimshanders scratching out a living on the edge of the world. The town's oldest buildings and docks bear carvings of dragons, lions, and goats that pay deference to the family's crest, which featured a chimera.
Roughly half of Lonelywood's able-bodied residents trawl the lake for knucklehead trout, while most of the others spend their days in the forest felling and hewing the trees that are used to construct boats and buildings. Lonelywood's timber is taken by cart to be sold in other settlements, Termalaine and Targos in particular. "
{Icewind Dale, 79)
Population: 100
Leader: Speaker Nimsy Huddle, Strongheart Halfing Woman
Rival Towns: Knucklehead, Timber
Exports:
While the residents work together quite well, Lonleywood also has a reputation for appealing to a shadier clientele, ever before the winter came. The nearby woods offers a secluded place for dealings every bit as much as it offers timber. A visitor can find quite a few friends as long as they don't ask about anyone's past.
There are no Inns here, but some locals are willing to rent out a room for a night or two.
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Targos
"Like Bryn Shander, Targos is encircled by a wooden wall, which helps to protect the town against orcs and other threats from the wilderness. The wall extends out into the lake, creating a safe harbor for the town's boats. But now Auril's long winter has frozen the water in the harbor, and many of Targos's boats are trapped in the ice. Fishers must drag their smaller vassals across the ice to get to the unfrozen waters beyond the harbor walls.
Almost all the towns in Icewind Dale make their living off the lakes, but nowhere is that fact more evident than in Targos. The town has always had the biggest fishing fleet and the biggest fishing industry, and everything that goes on here revolves around hauling the knucklehead trout out of Maer Dualdon. "
{Icewind Dale, 86)
Population: 1,000
Leader: Speaker Naerth Maxildanarr, Human Man
Rival Towns: Breman, Lonelywood, Termalaine
Exports: Fish, knucklehead, scrimshaw
One of the larger town's of the Dale, Targos could almost be called a city in comparison to places like Dougan's hole. It's industry had always revolved around fishing though, and the winter has hit it hard. However the protection of it's walls and the deeper waters of Maer Dualdon mean the town can still do well enough to maintain it's dominance of the trade.
Also of note, although not born locally Speaker Naerth Maxildanarr is one of the more recent additions to the council. He moved from Luskan a few years prior to the long winter, and a combination of cordial, down to earth manners and money helped him quickly establish a good reputation in the area. This allowed him to be elected to speaker when his predecessor stepped down into retirement.
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Termalaine
"Founded by Calishite settlers who appreciated beauty, Termalaine is widely regarded as the most picturesque town in Icewind Dale, spreading out from the shore of Maer Dualdon and bordered on the north and west by tall pines. its buildings incorporate carvings of wizards, homunculi, tigers, and smiling djinn.
For most visitors, the enchantment of the town is dispelled as soon as they feel the icy claws and teeth of the cold wind sweeping down from the north, shearing through their layers of clothing. Termalaine was built in the path of this dreadful gale, which continues well past the town to harry fishers on the southern half of the lake."
{Icewind Dale, 93)
Population: 600
Leader: Speaker Oarus Masthew, Half-Orc Man
Rival Towns: Bremen, Lonleywood, Targos
Exports: Knucklehead trout, scrimshaw, tourmaline
This town has fishers and shipbuilders, but they also have a mine. This mine provides a spread of gemstones and extends northeast of the settlement. However it is not unheard of for the underdark to occasionally hamper the miners efforts when a creature or wo makes it way in. Any time this happens the mine is promptly sealed until the problem can be taken care of.