Griffondale


     This medium sized town is situated in a region of the Hornback Foothills where the hills are more low and rolling.  The area near the town is lightly and sporadically forested, though several miles east of town there is a dense forest.  The town is ringed by a band of small-to-medium farmsteads and their fields.  It is located on the Griffon River, where Piedmont Road meets Walker’s Way, nestled between three hills. 

     The northern hill is covered by the Endicott vineyards and winery, the western Hill is mostly forested, but has a large cemetery on the side facing town,  The southern hill is the smallest and is flat on top.  This area is used to host seasonal festivals that attract large crowds from the nearby villages and around the region.

     While the population is mostly (70%) human, there are small communities of hill dwarves (originally from the Graymere region) and elves (from the lands west and southeast).  There are also a small handful of gnomes and halflings as well, comprising about 5% of the populace.

     The town features a large central square with a five story wooden clock tower.  There are merchants, both local and travelling, in the square every day. There is a 50% chance of a travelling sage or wizard being present on any given day.  The town proper extends out a few blocks north, west and south.  To the east it stretches several blocks.  Almost all buildings in town are of wood construction, the church and town hall being two notable exceptions.

     Due to the festivals and the abundance of wine, there are more bards and minstrels in town than one would expect.  The Endicott winery is the cornerstone of the local economy and is known throughout the Duchy and beyond.  Griffondale is also home to the Duchy’s “largest” general store.  

     Griffondale is run by a mayor and a magistrate.  The mayor is usually a local, while the magistrate is appointed by the Duke and is not always from Griffondale. 
The Mayor is responsible for maintaining what infrastructure there is and is the public face of the town.  The magistrate collects the taxes, allocates the money for the towns’s budget, and upholds the laws of the Duke.  

     Town guard consists of about 30 men, though there are never more than 8-10 on duty at once.  Of those two or three are stationed at the guard office and the jail.  The captain of the guard is experienced and effective.  He hears about the goings on in other towns and is determined to keep his town a nice and safe place.  There is no nearby garrison of the Duke’s forces and no military presence in the area.

     Griffondale is a small town and, as such, the availability of goods and services here is limited, though not severely.  One can get all the basics as well as some intermediate items as well.  There is no sage or wizard in town at the moment.  Those looking for rare or exotic items must look elsewhere.  As a result, there is a very limited thieves guild presence.