A Visitor's Guide to Brumeford

City of Eastern Trade

Welcome, traveler, to Brumeford - the kingdom's premier port city where the Rustmere River meets Merchant's Bay. Whether you're here on business, seeking adventure, or simply passing through, this guide will help you navigate our bustling trade hub.

Getting Your Bearings

Population: 7,500 souls
Location: 125 miles southwest of the capital
Best Known For: Trade hub, exotic goods, foreign cuisine
Language: Common (kingdom standard), with many merchants speaking multiple tongues

Districts Worth Knowing

The Trade Quarter

The heart of commerce, where most visitors spend their time. The Grand Bazaar operates from dawn to dusk under a massive covered pavilion - perfect for rainy days. Merchant's Row features the finest shops if you have coin to spend. The Goldscale Exchange handles currency conversion and letters of credit.

Harbor District

The main waterfront area where ocean-going vessels dock and foreign merchants conduct business. Busiest during ship arrivals, with cargo handling and customs operations. The harbor master's office oversees all maritime traffic here.

Riverside District

Where river barges unload goods from upriver settlements. Great for watching the constant flow of inland trade, but mind the dock workers - they're busy folk with little patience for gawkers. More focused on domestic trade than the Harbor District.

Craftsman's Ward

The skilled artisan district where you'll find the city's finest workshops. Blacksmiths, jewelers, tailors, and other craftsmen both live and work here. Excellent for custom orders or watching masters at their trade.

City North (including The Narrows)

The old town with winding streets, cozy taverns, and local flavor. The Narrows section features the oldest buildings with narrow, maze-like streets. Less expensive than the Trade Quarter and more authentic to city life.

City South

Residential district housing many laborers and their families. Practical accommodations and local eateries serving working folk. Generally quieter than the northern districts.

Noble's Hill

Where the wealthy live. The Duke's manor commands impressive views of all trade routes, and the area offers a respite from the commercial bustle below.

Accommodations

Taverns & Inns

The Copper Crown - Trade Quarter
Upscale establishment favored by foreign merchants. Excellent food, private dining rooms, multilingual staff. Expensive but worth it.

The Wanderer's Welcome - City North
Budget-friendly local tavern. Simple rooms, hearty stew, friendly atmosphere. Popular with adventurers.

The Rusty Anchor - Harbor District
Sailors' tavern with weathered charm. Fresh fish, strong drink, sea shanties, and tales from foreign ports. Can get rowdy when ships are in port.

The Dockside Dive - Riverside District
Rough bar for river workers and smugglers. Cheap drinks, gambling, occasional brawls. Great for information if you can handle it.

Several other taverns and inns available throughout the city

Essential Services

Craftsmen & Services

Master Korvain's Forge - Craftsman's Ward
The city's premier blacksmith. Finest weapons and tools, specializes in working with exotic metals.

Threadwork & Fine Tailoring - Trade Quarter
Upscale tailor specializing in silk garments and foreign textiles.

Hammerfall Carpentry - Craftsman's Ward
Skilled woodworkers. Furniture, ship repairs, and custom construction.

Brightgem Jewelers - Trade Quarter
Fine jewelry and gemwork. Specializes in foreign stones and precious metals.

The Cobbler's Last - Harbor District
Sturdy boots and shoes. Famous for waterproof sailor boots.

Moonwell Pottery - Craftsman's Ward
Quality vessels, decorative pieces, and storage containers.

The Grand Bazaar - Trade Quarter
Covered market with dozens of merchants selling everything from spices to silks.

Merchant's Row - Trade Quarter
Upscale shops for fine goods, jewelry, and luxury items.

The Goldscale Exchange - Trade Quarter
Currency exchange and banking services. Letters of credit available.

Harbor Shipwright - Harbor District
Ship repairs and nautical supplies. Can outfit vessels for long voyages.

Stables & Transport
Grand Stable (Trade Quarter) and Hillside Stables (Noble's Hill) for horses and coach hire.

Shopping & Trade

What to Buy

Gnomish Crafts: Intricate clockwork and precision tools from upriver
Exotic Goods: Spices, silks, and curiosities from foreign kingdoms
Quality Weapons & Armor: Local smiths work with imported metals
Maritime Supplies: Charts, rope, waterproof gear
Fine Wines: From distant vineyards

Market Days

Daily: Grand Bazaar operates every day
Riverday (weekly): Special market when the big barges arrive
Foreign Ship Days: Irregular but announced by harbor bells

Getting Around

On Foot: The city is walkable, though the hill district requires some climbing
Porters: Available for hire at major inns and the harbor
Private Coaches: For hire from the Noble's Hill stables

Local Customs & Etiquette

Business Hours: Most trades start at dawn, break midday, continue until dusk
Tipping: Expected for service workers, especially dock hands and porters
Bargaining: Acceptable in the Grand Bazaar, less so on Merchant's Row
Languages: Don't be surprised to hear a dozen different tongues in one morning
Harbor Protocol: Stay clear of working areas unless you have business there

Useful Phrases

"Fair winds and profit" - Standard greeting among traders
"What's the morning rate?" - Asking about current exchange rates
"River blessing" - Local equivalent of "good luck"
"Tide's turning" - Things are about to change

Safety & Warnings

Pickpockets: Common in crowded areas, especially during market days
Dock Safety: Working waterfront can be dangerous - watch for moving cargo
Foreign Laws: Some visitors claim diplomatic immunity - they don't have it
Weather: River fog can roll in quickly, making streets slippery
Harbor Lights: Red means harbor closed, green means open for traffic

Local Festivals

Merchant's Moon: Monthly celebration when the full moon rises over the bay
First Ship: Spring festival celebrating the season's first foreign arrival
Harvest Tide: Autumn celebration of the river trade season
Winter's End: When the ice breaks and river traffic resumes

Emergency Information

City Watch: Report crimes to the nearest patrol or the Watch House in Trade Quarter
Harbor Master: For all maritime emergencies or disputes
Temple Healers: Available day and night for serious injuries
Duke's Guard: For matters involving foreign visitors or major trade disputes

Miswardens: So important the king’s men need to hear it.

Parting Advice

Brumeford thrives on trade and information. A kind word, genuine interest in local customs, and a willingness to share news from your travels will open more doors than a heavy purse. The city rewards those who contribute to its prosperity and punishes those who threaten it.

Remember: everyone here is either buying something, selling something, or moving something from one place to another. Find out which category you fit into, and you'll do just fine.

May your purse stay heavy and your information prove valuable.

Updated by the Merchant's Council
Approved by Harbor Master Valdris Grimwater
Sanctioned by Order of Duke Percival Mordaunt