Eben’s Spur is named for the city’s founder, a privateer turned family man named Eben LaRille. When he retired he built a small inn on a rocky spur jutting into the river Eldinore near it’s intersection with the inland sea.
The inn became a popular resting point for passing ships, and before long Eben constructed a dock to accomodate them. He married and later fathered several children who began families of their own. Before long a small village grew around Eben’s home, complete with a set of docks to allow his family to fish, trade and host guests.
Nearly three decades later six Valysian warships showed up at Eben’s door. They explained that his village was a part of the Hasran Imperium, and that as such it belonged to the crown.
The Valysian’s built a garrison alongside the village, which quickly swelled into a large town. A thick iron chain was constructed to span the river Eldinore, blocking any ships attemping to pass. The chain could be raised or lowered by a pair of winches housed in guard towers on either side of the river, which allowed Valys to control the flow of trade from the river Eldinore to the inland sea.
Once the war was over and Olivantia was no longer a threat Eben’s Spur diminished greatly in importance. However, it still serves as a mouth of trade for the river Eldinore. A constant flow of goods passes through the town, and this influx in trade has greatly increased both the town’s prestige and size.
The chain is still used as a means of restricting traffic so that tolls can be charged to all passing vessels. The bulk of these tolls are ceded to the Valysian government, who uses them to support the border fort built upriver.
The town is allowed to keep one coin in five, which accounts for a large part of the prosperity the town has experienced. Because of this influx in coin Eben’s Spur has swelled in population, currently housing nearly five thousand people.
Many citizens run inns, smithies, candlemakers and even dry docks to help repair and build ships. As the town grows larger it requires more food than can be had simply from fishing the waters of the Eldinore, or even the inland sea.
This has led to the creation of dozens of large farms in the valley neighboring Eben’s Spur, so that many of the town’s citizens no longer live behind the safety of its walls. These new farmers are more indepent than most and some don’t consider themselves residents at all.
Yet that opinion tends to change whenever they have a dispute or suffer the rare attack by Orokh or bandits. When such events occur they don’t hesitate to call on Eben’s Spur for aid, and since the town depends on them for food it’s only too happy to comply.
Notable Locations in Town
Eben’s Manor- When Eben first settled on the spur he created a large manor, which grew along side his family. By the time of his death it was three stories and had twelve rooms. Three generations later it has swelled to fifteen rooms, and has both a stable and a servants’ house.
The manor still belongs to the LaRille family, who have also ruled the town since it was founded by their great grandfather. The current head of the household is Marcus LaRille, who presides over a seemingly endless array of cousins, nephews and nieces. Over twenty members of the LaRille family reside in Eben’s manor.
Harl’s Smithy- The largest smithy in town is run by a beefy man named Harl. The sprawling structure holds three forges and an adjacent shop, and is run by Harl and his three children. His two boys assist him with the forging, while his daughter Marlene handles the shop.
Giselle’s Sweet & Candle Shop- Lamp oil is both rare and expensive in Eben’s Spur, because not enough fish oil is made to meet the demand. Giselle opened her candle shop as a cheap alternative that many of the town’s poorer residents take advantage of. Her candles are made from the several beehives kept behind her shop, which also sells honey alongside the candles.
The Barracks- When the war with Olivantia ended Valys no longer saw a reason to garrison Eben’s Spur. They pulled out their troops, leaving the barracks deserted. The building was designed to hold nearly a hundred men on narrow rows of bunk beds, though it has since been converted to hold far fewer troops. The militia still uses a large part of the building, though much of it has been converted into a makeshift jail.
Temple of Dalanthar- A small temple to Dalanthar was erected in Eben’s Spur shortly after the Valysian garrison took up residence. After they pulled out the temple remained, though it has fallen into disrepair in recent years. The temple is currently run by an aging Orokh paladin named Tark, a rarity in a civilized town.
The Rusty Spigot- The Spigot is the oldest of the town’s three taverns. It was founded by Eben’s eldest son, a man named Lark who had little interest in anything besides making beer and drinking it. Most of the town’s older residents gather at the Spigot, which is the only tavern to also have inn rooms for patrons. It is currently run by Lark’s grandaughter Millie, a phenomenal cook well known throughout the town.
The Square- The center of Eben’s Spur is dominated by a cobblestone square, which is ringed by various shops selling everything from clothing to armor to furniture. The center of the square contains a gallows and a stockade where particularly offensive criminals are executed. Those whose crimes are serious, but not enough to warrant death are often left in the stockade for passers by to jeer at. It’s a particularly effective form of punishment, and most offenders only need one treatment to mend their ways.
The Academy- Upon returning to town from his many adventures Daffyd LaRille founded a small school. He teaches everything from mathematics to literacy to the town’s younger children, and is more than happy to teach any touched the secrets of sorcery. The academy currently has nearly forty younger students, and a half dozen touched apprentices of various types.
The Blessing- The Blessing was originally founded as The Blessing of Thandres, but so many people shortened the name that even the sign out front simply identifies the tavern as The Blessing. When Elora LaRille returned from her adventures she used her wealth to aquire the tavern. Since then she has expanded it to include an inn with a dozen rooms, and also a large game room where patrons can play at cards or dice.
It is a whispered fact that The Blessing is where you want to go if you’d like to find information, but any request had better be discreet.
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Notable People
Giselle- Giselle is a young widow of about thirty. She founded her shop just over a decade ago, and in that time has become a town staple. The honey, honeycomb and sweets she sells are by far and away the most popular in town. Her candles are also in high demand among the farmers outside town proper, though those inside the wall tend to favor fish oil lamps.
Some whisper that Giselle is some sort of witch, which is why her food is so addictive. If that’s the case no proof has yet been found.
Daffyd LaRille- Daffyd is the great grandson of the legendary Eben. He is a fire touched who left the town to adventure, and gained great renown throughout Valys as a powerful battlemage. He’s seen a half dozen Catalysts and has a powerful Eldimagus staff. Daffyd has retired to become a scholar, though he occasionally takes apprentices. He is skilled in Fire, Air, Water, Void and Destruction magic.
Elora LaRille- Elora is Daffyd’s first cousin and the two share an age. She went on his early adventures with him, though she returned to town long before he did. She runs one of the town’s three taverns, but during her day was a skilled rogue who was invited to join the Unseen Hand.
Marcus LaRille- The current governor of Eben’s Spur is a powerfully built man with salt and pepper hair and a winning smile. He is very astute politically and an able fighter to boot. When Orokh or bandits raid he always leads the parties sent to track him down. The people of Eben’s Spur respect him, and for good reason. Marcus takes his job very seriously and does everything possible to protect the people.
Tark Longspear- Tark is an oddity in Eben’s Spur. He is not only the sole Orokh resident, but also the only devout follower of Dalanthar within the city. He tends to a small Temple of Dalanthar, though no one has come to worship there in several years. Tark is a paladin of some strength, though he is aging and no longer as quick with his spear as he once was. Tark is the last surviving member his tribe, which was wiped out in an atrocity he rarely speaks of.
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Rumors & Current Events
The Orokh Advance- more and more Orokh tribes are crossing the river Eldinore. They’ve been assaulting caravans and the roads are no longer considered safe. Most people are sticking to riverboats for travel, as the Orokh rarely take to the water.
The Massacre at the Fist- The Fist is the closest border citadel to Eben’s Spur, and also the seat of Valysian military power in the region. Rumors say that the war captain there ordered the slaughter of several hundred refugees who attempted to cross the Eldinore from Olivantia. No one is sure if this rumor is true, but if so it certainly sets a troubling precedent.
Missing Merchants- A steady stream of Valysian merchants has headed south into Olivantia since it was liberated a decade and a half ago. In the last several months these merchants have simply stopped returning. No one is sure what’s happening to them, and as of yet no one has gone to investigate.
