Bryn Shander is the largest of ten settlements known collectively as Ten-Towns, located in the frigid heart of Icewind Dale. Here, caravans from the south converge with traders from across Icewind Dale to swap goods and rumors.
Fishers, trappers, furriers, and sellswords rub elbows in the town’s taprooms, and gruff dwarves, wide-eyed travelers, and skulking ne’er-do-wells wander its streets.
Geography
The city is the only member of the Ten-Towns not located on the shores of either Maer Dualdon, Redwaters, or Lac Dinneshere. Instead, it is located on top of a hill south of Kelvin’s Cairn. The Eastway connects the city to the town of Easthaven. An unnamed trail connects the city’s North Gate to the village of Targos, and the Caravan Trail leaves the city to the southwest toward the Spine of the World.
Architecture
The buildings of Bryn Shander are plain wooden structures with pitched rooftops to keep snow from settling. Clouds of white smoke issue forth day and night from stone chimneys and holes in rooftops.
Defences
From its windswept perch, Bryn Shander has a commanding view of the surrounding tundra, and an attacking force must climb the barren hillside under fire from archers before assaulting the outer wall. The circular wall stands 30 feet high, made of tight-fitting stone blocks. Defenders stand atop a planked walkway along the interior. Spaced along the wall are stone watchtowers where guards can shelter during blizzards.
Government
Each community in Ten-Towns has an elected speaker. The current speaker of Bryn Shander is Duvessa Shane, who has appointed Markham Southwell as her sheriff, responsible for training the town’s militia and keeping the peace.
History
In 1485 DR, Bryn Shander was attacked by a group of Frost Giants led by one named Drufi, looking for Artus Cimber to acquire the Ring of Winter. The attack was thwarted by the city’s inhabitants with the help of adventurers.
Industry
Merchants from the south trade dyes, hardwood, dried herbs and spices, textiles, fruits, wines, and other commodities for scrimshaw and other items made from the bones of the knucklehead trout that populate the region’s rivers and lakes.
Demographics
Population approximately 1,200. Humans, Shield Dwarves, and Half-Orcs.