Winterhaven
Location
The unimposing town of Winterhaven is situated about 18 kilometres due east of Brindol (11 kilometres northeast of Blackroot), roughly in the centre of the region known as the Kleinius Vale.
Population
Winterhaven is smaller but much more densely populated settlement than nearby Blackroot. With a population of just under 500 Humans (plus a handful of Dwarves) this stone-walled town is still often considered little more than a convenient stopping point between the much larger towns of Brindol and Wayfarer's Rest. Unlike Blackroot though, Winterhaven serves an important function on the area as a trading post/market, civic centre and defensive outpost for the surrounding landowners.
Description
Winterhaven has only three taverns, one inn, one blacksmith, one butcher and one baker in permanent residence. On the upside though it also has a market square where most simple mundane items (of the sort useful to adventurers) may be obtained.
Winterhaven is noted for its heavy stone walls - a remnant from when the town was once a garrison for the Imperial Army (who have long since moved to superior fortifications at Shadowfell Keep - which both cements this town as a valuable defensive structure but also, sadly, heavily limits its potential for growth.
The walls divide the town into two distinct blocks. The larger area is the town proper and is where the main road into town enters. The northern end of town has a further wall which separates out the barracks, town supplies and the manor house.
Inns and Taverns
Inn:
- Wrafton's Retreat
Taverns:
- The Cowardly Prince
- The Sun and the Stars
- The Empty Helm
The local taverns sell two types of beer: Blackroot beer and Winterhaven Original.
Notable Places
Notable People
Like Brindol, Winterhaven has a "town watch" which currently consists of 25 local volunteers. Unlike the watch at Blackroot, Winterhaven's Watch is funded by the town and, as the money is not available it is pretty much only there for show. Its members have practically no combat training or equipment outside of the "barracks" (effectively a long shed). In fact, it is a common joke that Winterhaven's Watch makes Brindol's Watch look like epic heroes. To compensate, the Winterhaven Watch occasionally hires local "muscle" for extra guard duties outside of the town.
In the case where serious military might is required, Winterhaven is at the edge of the zone protected by the 62nd Legion at Shadowfell Keep.
Acknowledgements
The town of Winterhaven originally appeared in the 4th Edition D&D adventure: Keep on the Shadowfell by Mike Mearls and Bruce Cordell and is ©2008-2018 WotC. This version of Winterhaven is only crudely based on the version of the town that appears in that adventure.
