Croston - General Description
The Island, doesn't really have a name. To the residents, it is just The Island, while outsiders rarely refer to the island itself, and only seem interested in the town of Croston. And, to be fair, there isn't all that much of interest on the island. Rocky hills in the middle, good for sheep and live stock, but limited in the crops it can grow. Down by the water, the ground is fertile, but damp, again limiting crops and livestock. Worse, coastal settlements are prone to attack from orcs, Kobolds or other wetland dwellers. There are three settlements on the island.
Croston is still a frontier town, it is built inside a strong stockade and with regular wall patrols. Lord Croston, and his entourage, live inside a central compound that serves as a second line of defence. The town is quite small, and residents cultivate small fields in the surrounding area. Inside the wall, the citadel, market and most other buildings sit in the main district. There are two other, smaller, districts. Barham is a residential area for the better off, while Flower Quay acts as the town's port. Fisher-folk from Flower Quay bring in edible seaweeds and a variety of fish to form the basis of the local diet.
Tulip, a hamlet on the deltas side of the island, and home to Scun Kenyr, is the only settlement on the swamp side of the island. It has a trade arrangement with some of the wetland inhabitants, and its foragers and scouts collect Samphire, Romeritos and Purslane (for their leaves that can be cooked), easy game such as Duck, Mussels, Crab and Eel and Reeds for thatching.
Banmar, is a small farming community in the middle of The Island. Smallholders run flocks of goats to produce milk and cheese, with a sideline in hair and horn, while Chickens are kept for eggs. They also grow small quantities of fruits and vegetables, although that is mainly to support themselves.
Notes
The economy almost breaks even, but relies on Venture Companies, hunting, working the hills around the delta, and exploring further upriver. Raids on local humanoid settlements are banned.
- Imports: Grain, Flour and most alcoholic drinks, along with metal, cloth, rope etc.
- Exports: Preserved Fish, hides and leather from swamp creatures, and their products (crocodile skin handbag, anyone?)
In the taverns (etc), Fish Stew is the most common meal, often with more fish than vegetables.