Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Northeast Fenlock: Stuff Everyone knows part four

[2. Dry moat, see part one.]

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.