Handout - What Tom Knows About Karnstown

The city sits on the north shore of a huge freshwater lake. When the first Humans arrived, they started calling it "Lake Karn" after the founder of the city, but the Elves in the region still refer to it simply as the Lake of the Southern Feywood. (It sounds prettier in the Elven tongue.) In Spudbarrow, it's just called "the Big Lake".

To the west of the city is a river. You'll be traveling along that river on the last stretch of road before the city. Humans renamed it Karn's River, but the Elves still call it by its old name: the Everclear. Sadly, because of all the crud the Humans have been dumping into it just before it empties into the lake, some Elves now call it the Neverclear - and so do the Halflings of Spudbarrow (as long as they're not talking to one of the Karn family).

The city is run by a Mayor and a Magistrate, both hand-picked by the Karn Family. Everybody in the city knows the real power in the city is the Karn Family itself. The descendents of Jasric Karn have their fingers in everything that could generate coin. They either own outright... or have interests in... practically every business of any concern. All of the Halfling business owners - and you'd guess anyone else not part of the Karn family - have to pay what they call "rent" to keep their businesses going. But this is really "protection money" to keep "bad things" from happening to the business.

Despite this graft, Karnstown is one of the safest places in the Frontier to live if you keep up your payments. There is no street crime, and hooliganism isn't tolerated. Quite a few Halflings have migrated there since there's not a lot of opportunity or excitement here in Spudbarrow.

It costs money to enter the city. The gate guards will expect an entry duty of 1 silver piece per person and 1 copper piece per living animal in order to pass through the gates. Citizens of the city are exempt, but must present an identity document to prove they are residents of the city.

Most of the residents of the city are Human. There are lots of Halflings, a fair number of Half-Elves and even a few Half-Orcs and Orcs. Dwarves, Gnomes, and Goblins are also present and run various businesses. Some of the other races of Folk are present as well - it's pretty cosmopolitan for this corner of the world.

There are four inns in Karnstown, each catering to a different class of folk. You expect either RIverside Inn or the Traveller's Hearth will be most to your liking. (The Traveller's sees a lot of business from Halflings that have come down from Spudbarrow on business or to visit; they definitely know how to cater to Halflings.)

Besides the inn common rooms, there are a few sizable taverns, and who knows how many "hole in the wall" places near the docks. Generally, the closer to the waterfront you go, the seedier they get. One place you absolutely must check out is called "Almost Home". It's run by Arabella Whitfoot - she's related to the Spudbarrow Whitfoots - and it caters mainly to us "smallfolk". She's likely to even give you a free night if you're willing to perform! That, and the entertainment of watching tallfolk like Draangg banging their heads on low ceilings and doorways are the main sources of mirth in the place - except for the excellent ales and meads, of course!

There are three large casinos in the city. One is an uppercrust, members and invites only affair. The other two are open to the public. One of them (but you're not sure which) is crooked; the other is at least fair. But both are great ways to lose your fortune in a night.

The East Market District and its open-air bazaar is the place to go for food. Farmers from Spudbarrow sell their preserves and in-season produce. Mmmmm... Spudbarrow Strawberry Preserves... Spudbarrow Strawberry-filled Pastries... Spudbarrow Strawberry hand pies... The street food is excellent, too - definitely worth sampling.

There are a couple of other market centers in town where you can get things other than food. You suppose that in a "city", you should be able to find almost anything. (Affording it is another issue.)