Nestled on the western edge of the Greenmarsh, beneath the towering Breaklight Cliffs, lies Eldbrook, an inland fishing town known for its bustling trade and vibrant markets. The marshwaters are deep enough to accommodate barges in the section near Eldbrook, making it an essential hub for goods traveling to and from the heart of the kingdom.
This key positioning allows the town to serve as a melting pot for a variety of industries—from mining to fishing, farming to artisanship. Merchants from all corners of Endon converge in Eldbrook, where they can buy, sell, and barter everything from fresh fish to precious metals, farm goods to textiles.
Though it may seem like an ordinary fishing town at first glance, Eldbrook’s cultural and economic significance extends far beyond its humble origins. Each year, the town plays host to The Endonian New Year Festival at the nearby Greenmarsh Henge, a large stone circle where people gather to celebrate the changing of the seasons with feasts, dances, and rituals tied to the land.
The event attracts traders, adventurers, and pilgrims alike, cementing Eldbrook’s place as a hub of social and economic activity in western Endon. While the town has no single ruling lord, having been governed for much of its history by the Merchant's Guild and overseen by the Eldbrook Guard, it thrives as a town built by commerce rather than feudalism.
On Arrival to Eldbrook
"Poets may describe Eldbrook by the sounds of the fishermen on the docks, the bells of the ferrymen, or the colours of the boats bobbing softing on the water. But what greets the traveller first is the smell: strong and pervasive, the sharp tang of brine and rotting plants, wafting from the marshes."
Boater's Dockmarkets. At the heart of Eldbrook's commercial activity lies the Boater’s Dockmarkets, where goods of all kinds are brought ashore and exchanged in a flurry of negotiation and bartering. These markets are considered the largest commercial trading activity in western Endon, with trade rivaling that of Riverbend, though the latter deals mainly in luxury items and fine arts. In contrast, Eldbrook is where the common goods - the lifeblood of everyday life - are traded in bulk. Barges and boats line the docks, their cargoes of fish, grain, timber, and ore exchanged between merchants eager to strike the best deals. It is here that the influential trading families and guilds of Endon meet to haggle over the price of raw materials, labor, and even precious commodities like gold and gemstones.
Eldbrook Hall. Eldbrook Hall stands as a testament to the town’s history and its transition from dwarven stronghold to bustling trade hub. Originally constructed in the third century by dwarven miners as a keep to protect the valuable ore seams within the Breaklight cliffs, the Hall was designed to withstand sieges and provide shelter for the miners. However, when the mining operations eventually ran dry and the dwarves abandoned the area, the Hall remained standing as a silent witness to the passage of time. The building was left empty for many years, slowly falling into disrepair until humans came to the region and established the market town of Eldbrook. In time, the Hall was repurposed, and now it serves as the base of operations for the Eldbrook Guard, who maintain order in the town and protect its vital trade routes.
Fenwater Church. The Fenwater Church, located in the heart of Eldbrook, stands as a rare place of respite in the midst of the town’s busy markets and commerce. Though the population of Eldbrook is transient and largely made up of vagrants and traveling merchants, the church provides a sense of stability and sanctuary for those in need. Like many of the churches in Endon, Fenwater Church is both a place of worship and a haven for the weary.
The church here is another example of those found throughout the Kingdom: inhabited by a simple Abbot and some clerics or monks, all dressed in simple white frocks.
Salted Minnow Inn. The Salted Minnow Inn is not the grandest of establishments, nor is it a luxurious place to stay, but it is undoubtedly one of the most important locations for Eldbrook’s itinerant merchants. This modest inn, more of a boarding house than a traditional tavern, caters primarily to the merchants, barge owners, and traveling traders who pass through the town.
Though it lacks the comforts of more upscale accommodations, the Salted Minnow provides a place for weary travelers to rest and prepare for their next journey. The inn’s creaky wooden floors and simple furnishings make it more utilitarian than inviting, but for those with few options, it serves its purpose.
Trademaster’s House. In Eldbrook, the business of trade and commerce takes precedence over traditional forms of governance. Unlike most towns, which have a mayoral house or a reeve’s office, Eldbrook is governed by the Trademaster’s House. The Trademaster’s House serves as the administrative heart of the town, where disputes are settled, contracts are finalized, and the town's tolls are collected.
The Trademaster is an influential figure in Eldbrook, responsible for overseeing the town's vast markets and ensuring that trade runs smoothly. This position is held by an elected member of the Merchant’s Guild, and the Trademaster’s House is the site where most of Eldbrook’s legal matters are resolved. Here, merchants from all over Endon come to discuss business, pay their tolls, and formalize agreements.