Lower Caffery, The Lake City

 

Lower Caffery

Lower Caffery is an independent lake city that feeds into the River Shore that flows down to Haddonfield and the other city-states that make up the Free Rivers to the south. Unlike the city-states below that are controlled by a prince of a ducal senate, Lower Caffery is a free city with only an elected Lord Mayor and Guard Captain seeing to the day-to-day operations of the city. 

The city stands as a gateway to the northern valley, which is bordered on almost all sides by the Cloudtop Mountains. The lack of patrols and few fortified towns means the region is a haven for criminals, monsters, Polnezna Travelers, and a few farmsteads that are managed by hardy clans who have banded together to make their fortunes with as little interference for nobility as possible. A major attraction to the region is last homely valley that stands above the rest of the region, the township of Barrier Peaks and its famous Suspirium Hostel. Nobility and merchant lords from the Free Rivers like to take trips with retinues of guards and servants to holiday at the Hostel and in the town of Barrier Peaks, taking advantage of the natural springs that are said to offer medicinal and magical benefits. The existence of Barrier Peaks is why Lower Caffery can remain independent and prosperous. It supplies goods and luxuries from the south up to Barrier Peaks, and as different lords use the site for a holiday, none of them are comfortable with anyone house controlling the main supply point and connection to the south, they are content for Lower Caffery to be as it is, independent and relatively neutral.

Hallmarks 

• Visit the Ivory Tower - Chase Hightower's tavern, casino, and lounge of leisure filled with beautiful men and women of various ancestries to provide aid and comfort to travelers and holidaymakers.
• Lord Mayor Polson Selkirk is the current leader of Lower Caffery. His father, Drake Selkirk, is one of the first families to settle this region after making some money in the Free Rivers and decided to head north and abandon his original senate seat in one of the city-states. His Captain of the Guard is a former gladiator named Jannake Veltman, a female human who has been hardened by the arena and devoted herself to Mayor Selkirk.
• Need a guide and guard? A number of beastfolk, such as Bruinkin (Bearfolk), Wolvers (Wolverine Folk), and other hard figures offer to guide and protect travelers either heading to Barrier Peaks, or wanting to explore the North Valley.
• There is said to be a ruined keep in the Spiderwood Forest that is north and east of Lower Caffery. The forest in general is believed to be haunted by monsters, possibly drawn to the dark history of the keep.
• The Polnezna often trade in trinkets and amusements before heading south or temporarily settling in the wild country to hunt and live off for a period. They invite travelers and adventurers to share their fires for a time in exchange for a nominal fee.