Ilford: City of Wine and Commerce
Key Statistics
Size: Approximately 6,000 in the city with thousands more in the surrounding farms.
Terrain: Lush open fields alongside a fairly wide river. Rolling hills can be spotted off to the north with woods to the south.
Imports and Exports: Primary export is bottled wine. People come into the city to hawk their wares at the bazaar.
Government/Leadership: An elected Lord Protector who acts as the chief executive, with an appointed Watchmaster and Guildmaster to handle the finer points of the bureaucracy.
Unique Trait: Ilford is widely renowned for its vineyards, artisans, and fine temples.
Shops, Inns, Commerce
6.) Bazaar. Near the center of town, the open-air bazaar is a place where merchants, farmers, and artisans come to sell their goods. There are no storefronts, but many of the regulars have stalls or carts that they sell from. One can find any number of interesting foods, art pieces, and supplies here.
8.) Blissful Bites. A local cafe and bakery that specializes in grape jelly tarts and donuts. The proprietor is Keyrora Bigwyn, a soft spoken female high elf. She is short and easily flustered, but kind.
11.) Crystal Vineyards B&B. An upscale Bed and Breakfast located in the southeastern vineyards of Ilford. A room for the night is pricey (4 gold), but offers a relaxing getaway with plenty of access to high quality bottles of wine (5-15 gold a piece) as well as a high quality dinner and breakfast included. Derstorn Stillhide, an elderly human man, is the owner and operator of Crystal Vineyards. He is very stuffy and a bit uptight in his appreciation of fine wine, but gets along well with others who live a comfortable lifestyle.
10.) Decent Danny’s Discount Defectives. A small, one room shop that is overflowing with various oddities. The half-elven proprietor, Danny Dokov, fancies himself an inventor. In addition to this being his workshop, he sells a variety of items that may not work exactly as intended. A good rule of thumb for what might be in stock at Discount Defectives is to take a common or uncommon magic items and either reduce or tweak its effect. For example, a Staff of Flowers that can only produce a foul spell orchid. Or, the Fists of Fury; brass knuckles that deal 1d6 bludgeoning and 1d6 lightning damage, but also deal the lightning damage to the wielder.
4.) Meesfiz The Intrepid’s Emporium of Eccentricities. A curio shop run by a curious being. Meesfiz the Intrepid is a djinni from the Elemental Plane of Air. He set up shop here about a year ago after being drawn to Ilford by the thriving art scene in the city. He collects and sells a number of interesting trinkets, including a magic item or two that may be available to trusted allies and acquaintances. If the party is hurting for gold or looking for direction, Meesfiz has probably heard of some lost treasure nearby that he would pay the party to recover for his collection.
9.) Tea and Fortuity. A tea shop run by the eccentric Enitol, or “Eni,” Dena. Eni is an extremely frail elderly human woman with a hunched back and stringy white hair. While friendly enough, there are rumors around the city that a human of her condition should not be able to live as long as she reportedly has. She makes tea and can read the leaves to catch small glimpses of the future, for a price.
12.) The Berry Bistro. An upscale wine bar and restaurant with vintages from the vineyards of Ilford and beyond. The well-to-do in Ilford often come here to discuss their business dealings, you never know what you will overhear from the next table over.
7.) The Lute and The Flute. The inn and tavern for the everyman. This tavern has clean, but simple, furnishings and offers the basic services needed by travelers to Ilford. They do have live music every night, which helps keep the bar full even during the off-season.
Other Places of Interest
2.) Carnan Farydark's Tower. A tall stone tower made out of polished white stones that looks a bit out of place in the city. This is the residence of Carnan Farydark, the reclusive elven mage who specializes in Divination. He spends so much of his time fretting about possible futures that could come to pass that he is rarely seen out and about. He could prove to be a valuable resource, to those who can manage to secure an audience.
3.) City Hall. A small stone keep with defensive walls and turrets that is the regional center of government.
Townmaster: Davben Panborin, a middle-aged half-elf. He is 5’8”, with a strong but wiry build and a faintly golden skin tone. He was a former member of the town guard before moving into politics. He is stern, but holds a soft spot in his heart for music and often plays the flute.
Watchmaster: Urdal Bimerga, a male human fighter in his 40’s. He is tall with a stocky build, roughly scarred and pale skin. He has a shaved head with a closely trimmed reddish brown beard. A former mercenary, Urdal is always seeking to protect his own interests above all else. But, under his leadership the town guard has been well-trained and deployed.
Guildmaster: Dorien Vafir, a middle-aged high elf with a slender build. As guildmaster, she is charged with regulating the different industries in Ilford as well as resolving financial disputes.
1.) Divine Corridor. A section of the city filled with nearly a dozen temples of varying sizes to different deities. These deities change depending on the setting you play in, but are often associated with artistry, leisure, and self-determination.
5.) White Orchid Theatre. A theatre house that puts on shows and concerts several times a week. People of great renown travel far distances to see the White Orchid troupe perform.
Download the map for Ilford here.
