76: Fenlock Tannery and Dyeworks. Second in depth of smell only to the Muckhouse itself, the tannery and dyeworks sits in the far northeast of town, the tanner’s yard, with its pits of solvents and acids, is one of the most dangerous places in town for a midnight stroll, which is why the yard is surrounded by 10ft of wrought iron fence with sharpened pikes, itself surrounded by druidshaped hawthorn trees. The attached shop sells bulk leather and hide products, dyed fabrics and refined chemicals and dyes.
77. The Crooked Tower. An irregular stone tower set at the
curved edge of the wall, this twice-rebuilt tower has a large winding stair at
the outside that provides easy access to the flat stone roof, which is 4ft
below the level of the wall. The tower itself houses the seven rooms of the
city’s jail, and leads to a lower storage area full of spears, fuel bricks,
arrows, sling bullets and slings, and a small amount of flammable oil. 24 hours
a day, 7-10 men guard the jail, which regularly exceeds the number of people in
the jail.
78. Warehouse. Owned by the city, this warehouse is filled
with dried foodstuffs, as well as a small supply of water, blankets and probably
other things.
79. Arden Vale Militia Barracks. Owned by the City-State
of Arden Vale, this small stone building, with attached stable, is manned by
twelve rotating permanent soldiers, plus two to five times that in men
stationed in the evenings or for brief periods. The barracks is the place to
visit to send a government message by runner (2 days to Carago, 10 to Arden
Vale [faster in emergencies]), join the military or get information from people
very familiar with the local countryside. The soldiers stationed here are not
within the chain of command of the city guard or the thane.
80. City Armory. This small stone building holds a large
number materials used in the defense of the city.
81. The North Castle. Not really a castle, and not the
northernmost fortification, the North Castle is a 150ft high square tower that serves
as a watchtower and gatehouse. Fenlock is raised above the surrounding
countryside to begin with, and the North Castle is visible for great distances
in all directions. The signal fires used in this line of castles have never
been lit in the city’s history.
82. The Feed Bag. This small pavilion houses one of the
city’s cheapest dinners, usually nothing more than a bowl of soup and a loaf of
bread, with clean, pure water or copper-piece tankards of cheap ale, with
benches and tables. They also employ a number of runners who stand beside the
canal and sell cheap food to people on barges.
83. The Canal Road (North) and Northern Canal gate. The
canal at Fenlock is raised above the surrounding countryside, and enters the
city at the level of the road, which is made of crushed stone as it enters the
city, and plank over sand in the city itself. The gate over the road, closed at
night and only capable of being entered in emergencies by summoning a guard,
consists of a heavy, reinforced wood door and two portcullises.
84. Bridgehouse
This stone ‘shed’ (for lack of a better term) holds the 6ft wide lumber and
rope ‘bridge’ used to move herds across the canal, as well as chains, ropes and
other things used by the guards manning the gate. During the evening, this
building holds the only person who can open the small door in the city gate.
85. Double
portcullis/tightrope ‘bridge’ Where the canal crosses the road, two
portcullises (which can also be removed, in the event of particularly high
barges), block off the canal from sunset until the lock’s reopening, shortly
after dawn.
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