Cartographers Corner, For DMsRichard OstranderAugust 19, 2021Map, Village, DMComment

Cartographer's Corner: The Small Village

Cartographers Corner, For DMsRichard OstranderAugust 19, 2021Map, Village, DMComment

Welcome to the to Karlenn, a small town with big ambitions. Karlenn is well situated between several nearby smaller towns and farming communities. This gives them access to the raw materials that are refined by the craftsman that make up Hearth’s Square. Karlenn is a good stop off point before a grand adventure, or even better, a plot filled resource that can be slotted into a parties journey.

Hearthstone Inn - With a large kitchen and dining hall on the first floor and over a dozen rooms on the second, this inn can support a surprising number of travelers. It is rumored that it’s cellars are home to a hidden vault, storing the accumulated loot of the adventurer who built the inn and founded the town, Jorn Karlenn.
Hilllman’s Stable - The Hillman family are primarily known as horse breeders, owning a much larger ranch located several miles to the west. The stable, maintained by the youngest, and often drunkest Hillman Brother, Farno Hillman, mostly exists to keep him as far away from the ranch as possible.
Ironwrought Forge - The Iron, as most townspeople call it, is a hotspot of activity day and night. Producing work for the other businesses in town as well as the general public, the forge is always hot, and the hammers never stop their work. It’s owner, Urgan, is the only half-orc in town, and has earned much respect for his calm and steady demeanor despite the chaos of the forge, and the reputation of his people.
The Gladsow Market - The Gladsow sources the finest fruits and vegetables from the farming collective that works the majority of the fields and orchards in the surrounding area. Their offerings are entirely seasonal, and overseen by Ma Gladsow, who shutters the Market in the winter months, taking up residence at the grand hearth that dominates the center of the Hearthstone Inn.
Gurlow’s Woodworking - Gurlow’s is home to both a workshop for smaller goods, as well as acting as a headquarters for a larger building crew that takes on major projects throughout the surrounding area. Owned by Thom Gurlow, Thom was the original builder of nearly all the buildings that make up Karlenn, continuing to oversee his staff’s work up until this past summer, when he handed over the reigns to his son Brae.
Grand’s General Store - Grand’s is a store that has a little bit of everything, as long as that everything is mostly dry goods. Owner Millie Grand sources all her offerings from nearby producers, which arrive by wagon on a weekly basis. As bandit activity has increased in recent months, more and more of her shipments have been delayed or gone missing entirely, which has left her short several key items.
Cozy Corner Bakery - Operating just of the corner of Hearth Square, the Cozy is known for amazing bread, pastries, and pies. It’s owner, James “Pieman” Peamon, sources all his ingredients directly, selecting only the finest the surrounding valleys have to offer. He stores excess goods in his own cellar, allowing him to bake through the winter months.
Callie’s Fine Fashions - Callie Longbottom, perhaps the only Longbottom of quality, is the sole employee of her fashion house. Though she happily produces simple clothes for the townsfolk and mends that which needs it, her passion is the designing and production of fine gowns and dresses. Her work is of such quality that many nobles will travel for days to have a custom piece made by her hands.
The Longbottom Estate - The Longbottoms’ own a series of mines in the area, their riches fueling several purchases around town. Refusing to get their hands dirty, despite their profession, they mostly lounge in their estate and buy whatever goods strike their fancy. Although they are universally disliked by their fellow residents, their coins often pad the accounts of several local businesses, especially in the winter months.
Nix’s Apothecary - Run by a man simply known as Nix, the apothecary keeps erratic hours, only open when Nix is not off making house calls or gathering ingredients. While most of the town dislikes the man for his quiet nature and unwillingness to make small talk, many have been saved by his homemade remedies and formidable healing skills.
Barstow’s Brewery - Barstow’s is a small brewery, closed to the public and mostly concerned with filling orders for inns and taverns in the surrounding area. They produce several varieties, including a honey mead that is only produced and supplied to the Hearthstone Inn. The bar’s owners, the Barstow brothers, Sven and Hans, have grand dreams of opening a much larger brewery, but have yet to secure the necessary funds.
Town Hall - Home to the sheriff’s office, the town clerk, and the local judiciary, all municipal business is conduced out of this single building, save for whatever occurs in the Mayor’s residence across the street. The clerk’s office also doubles as the town’s historical archive, and is the only source of blueprints used in the original construction of the town.
The Mayor’s Residence - The Major’s residence is a town owned building, provided to whomever is the current major of Karlenn. For the last twenty years that has been Lorne Cooper, nephew of Thom Gurlow, and former owner of Callie’s Fine Fashions, back when it was know as Quality Coopers. After the failure of his barrel making business, Lorne turned to politics, campaigning for years to oust the former Mayor, Barson Karlenn. After finally succeeding at his task, he has done whatever he can to hold on to his position, which mostly involves currying favor with the Longbottom clan. Despite his loose ethics, he has never actively harmed the town, and does his best to keep it prosperous.