Ruler: Wido Gall
Government: Overlord
Population: 4,734 (4,634 humans, 15 dwarves, 3 elves, 11 half-elves, 8 half-orcs, 63 halflings)
Alignments: LG, NG, N, LN, LE, NE
Languages: Common, Dwarven, Elven
Resources & Industry: Lumber, pottery, wool
Dulwich stares out across the Salt Mire towards Hard Bay, the Forest of Gray Spires at its back. Just a few hundred years old, it rests on the remnants of numerous older structures built on a strip of dry land between the swamp and forest. One of the largest settlements in the Duchy of Ashlar, Dulwich serves as a major hub for merchants and travelers. A stout stone wall surrounds the main town, offering protection from the dangers lurking in the Salt Mire.
Wealth flows through the town in aplenty due to the lucrative timber industry and Dulwich’s position as a trading center. Its citizens live in well-constructed two-story homes of stone (harvested from earlier settlements) and wood. While most of its streets remain hard-packed dirt, cobblestone paved roads appear in more affluent areas. A recently built keep lies at Dulwich’s center, built over an older wooden fortification. Its towers barely top the tall spire of the nearby Temple of Conn, a magnificent cathedral built with contributions from the town’s affluent citizens.
Many of Dulwich’s citizens are craftsmen, merchants or traders of some sort, with many more involved in logging. Guilds form the backbone of Dulwich, not just as a source of trade and income but also as a way of life. A few businesses cater to outsiders, particularly adventuresome types. To the west and south lies the ruins of Valentin’s Folly, a small castle frequently sheltering wanted bandits (and—it is rumored— much worse things). Within the forest, a day to the south lies the feared and legendary Shunned Valley, believed by the locals to be haunted. These are just two nearby attractions. The great and illimitable, doom-drenched halls of Gloamhold lie far to the north.
Dulwich still mourns the recent death of the former high priest of Conn, Taistro Rintala. His successor, the young priestess Vuokko Laiten, now heads the temple.
TOWNSFOLK
Appearance: Dulwichians are typically fair-skinned with brown or sandy-colored hair and blue, hazel or brown eyes. Men prefer long moustaches without beards, while women wear long hair in buns or piled up with elaborate tresses and pins for the wealthy.
Dress: Fine-spun woolen tunics and breeches for the working class are the norm, dyed in the colors of the various trades or guilds the Dulwichian is assorted with.
Nomenclature: male Einar, Jarmo, Pekka, Vesa; female Elena, Irja, Riita, Ulpo; family Eskola, Leino, Salonen, Takala.
TRADE & INDUSTRY
Dulwich is mostly known for its booming lumber industry, which employs many citizens and brings in great wealth. Though a significant source of income for the town, it is not Dulwich’s only notable industry. Many citizens belong to the town’s guilds, making everything from pottery to clothing, and members wear their guild’s colours to denote their membership. The various guilds typically occupy entire streets. No craftsman may operate in a trade without joining the relevant guild.
THE GUILDS
The Gall family rule Dulwich, as they have since the town was founded centuries ago. However, the merchant class are becoming increasingly influential in the town's day-to-day affairs, and a clandestine struggle is going on for power. Recently, this struggle has spilt out into the town’s religious life, with both the guilds and Wido Gall attempting to secure the support of the new high priestess of Conn—Vuokko Laiten. Four guilds, the Blacksmiths’, Potters’, Lumber and Woolmans’, dominate Dulwich’s mercantile life.
LAW & ORDER
A well-equipped town guard imposes order in Dulwich, led by the respected captain, Tuula Tenbaran. Lawbreakers are imprisoned in the dungeons beneath Dulwich Keep. Because Wido Gall oversees all trials of note, many of the merchant class suffer stiffer fines and penalties, which compel them to scheme against their lord even further. The merchants, of course, would love to have Tuula Tenbaran in their pocket, but she remains stubbornly loyal to Wido.
THE THIEVES
Unlike Ashlar’s capital city, Languard, Dulwich does not have a single, dominant thieves’ guild. Rather, a patchwork of minor gangs struggle incessantly among themselves for territory, standing and profit. Most such gangs number no more than a dozen individuals, and most of their members are not particularly skilled. Dulwich’s two most notable gangs are the Shadow Spiders (the most powerful and violent of the gangs) and the Black Cats (who are popular with the common folk as they liberally share their ill-gotten gains).
NOTABLE LOCATIONS IN BRIEF
Most of Dulwich comprises peasant homes and businesses. A few locations, however, are of interest to adventurers:
1. Dulwich Keep: Seat of the Gall family, the squat Dulwich Keep lies at the heart of Wido Gall’s machinations. The town guard is based here, and the dungeons below the keep house lawbreakers and those who fall foul of Wido.
• Wido Gall (male human wizard) rules Dulwich. He seeks to extend his influence to the nearby village of Longbridge, at the expense of his rivals.
• Tuula Tenhunen (female half-orc warrior) leads the town guard and is fiercely loyal to Wido Gall. She is nicknamed the “Iron Maiden” due to the mask she always wears.
2. The Lawgiver’s Hall: The lofty spire of this elaborate cathedral dominates Dulwich’s skyline.
• Vuokko Laiten (female human cleric of Conn) serves as Conn’s high priestess in Dulwich. She is young for the role, and some see her as unsuitable. Both Wido Gall and the merchants vie for her favor.
3. Lumberyard and Guild Hall: The lumber guild is wealthy and influential; their holdings reflect their status.
• Ossi Karppanen (male human) leads the lumber guild and seeks to instate a ruling council of merchants. He is one of Dulwich's richest citizens and consequently has much power and influence.
4. The Dancing Bear: Run by the former half-elven adventurer Nurlon Rekinen, this is a popular drinking establishment for adventurers and off-duty guardsmen.
• Nurlon Rekunen (middle-aged male half-elf warrior) runs the Dancing Bear, which caters to adventurers and travelers. He is a former adventurer and Nalthra’s twin.
5. Nalthra’s Jewellery: Nalthra is Dulwich’s most renowned jeweler. She might not offer the best price for gems and jeweler, but she can handle large deals.
• Nalhra Rekunen (middle-aged female half-elf) frequently seeks precious gems to work into pieces of art but is renowned for not offering good prices. Nalthra is a renowned jeweler.
6. The East Gate: This sprawling inn is popular with Dulwich’s wealthy.
• Hannu Mieho (old male human) owns the inn and loves rubbing shoulders with his rich and powerful customers. He does little actual work these days.
7. The Golden Skull: This dingy, forgettable watering hole has a fighting pit and gambling hall beneath the tavern.
• Voitto Markku (male human) owns the tavern and has the look of one who does not often see the sun.
8. Eronen’s Safe Travels: The retired, one-armed adventurer Henni Eronen runs this large, well-stocked general store.
• Henni Eronen (female human warrior) is extremely knowledgeable about the town’s surrounds.
9. Saini Alanen’s House: Home to Dulwich’s most renowned sage, the ground floor also serves as a public library. Saini is available for private research projects.
• Saini Alanen (female human) oversees a small, independent library where she researches the local area and assists in political matters.
10. Cemetery and Catacombs: Recently, rumors of strange goings-on have begun to cluster about these catacombs and mausoleums.
11. Dulwich Marketplace: This bustling daily market hosts numerous stalls and booths. Street performers are rife here, as are wandering merchants and pickpockets.
• Zado (male human) works in the marketplace as a street performer or, perhaps, street performers.
12. Dulwich Poorhouse: Here dwell those who have nowhere else to go. It is a hard, bleak place.
• Chancellor Aadam Ehtaro (middle-aged male human) presides here and oversees the daily hire.
13. Vilimzair's Arms: Named for the near-mythical bard and legendary pirate captain Vilimzair Aralivar, this tavern offers cheap, plentiful drink and bawdy, joyful entertainment.
• Sofia Ehtaro (middle-aged female half-elf warrior) can’t sing, can’t play any instruments and can’t act. Nevertheless, this charismatic woman loves entertaining people
14. The Crooked House: This general store offers a vast variety of things for sale.
• Kerttuli Ilmarinen (female human) runs the Crooked House.
15. Badger's: Guarded by loyal mercenaries, this crenellated manor is a bank, moneychangers and home.
• Bernhard “Badger” Ilmatoivia (middle-aged male human warrior) has a reputation as a man of character. He is an ex-adventurer and is rumored to be fabulously wealthy.
16. The Three Bells: This inn is popular with pilgrims visiting Lawgiver's Hall.
• Valto Ilakka (middle-aged male human) runs the Three Bells as his family has done for generations.
