Kernwerk

Stonemason's town outside of Bornheim

Upstream of Bornheim along the Zaber River is a charter town held by the Stonemason Guild of Bornheim. The town is the farthest location downstream that the Zaber is still navigable - even this is only accomplished by a series of locks along the river. At this town the stone quarried upstream is floated down where it is worked before being carted into Bornheim.

The Charter Town has a special tariff dispensation that ensures the Stonemasons Guild can import stone cheaper that any other merchants. Several merchants protested this special privilege, but have since resolved themselves to selling their goods to Kernwerk rather than inside Bornheim.

• Name: Charter Town of Kernwerk
• Location: Kingdom of Dakar, Duchy of Haibach

  • Founded: dakarians 386 AH
• Holder: Stonemason Guild of Bornheim
• Liege: Lord Marshall of Bornheim
• Land Area: xxx km² (xxx acres)

  • Woods: xxx acres (xx km²)
  • Cleared: xxx acres (xx km²), xxx acres cultivated
  • Tenant:
  • Demesne:
• Population: 650

  • Ethnicity: Human (620), Dwarf (30)
• Military:

  • Citizen Militia

The first settlement were several fishermen that settled along the river in 352 AH. They lived here with their families until a raid by goblins in 379 killed everyone. The Stonemasons Guild of Bornheim received a charter for the land from the Lord Marshall in 386 and constructed a yard for working the large stones being quarried in the north.

Colloquially called the Seven Sisters, these seven locks were designed by a young mason after seeing a similar system built by the dwarves in the Iron Mountains. At each point a spur of the river is diverted at a location that it was otherwise impassable. When they were finally completed flat-bottomed river rafts were able to travel along the river from the quarries in the northeast to Kernwerk.

The first lock was started in 427 and the final lock was completed 455. With the completion of the final lock the man, now a Master Mason, was raised to the title of Master of Kernwerk - a title marking him as first among equals of the Master's Council in the town.

One of the first tasks after the locks were finished was the construction of a bridge across the river. The bridge was completed in 459 and after a contentious fight with the City Council of Bornheim, Kernwerk was granted permission to levy a fee for crossing the bridge. Although the crossing the bridge requires merchants along the Bornheim Trade Route to travel longer, the Stonemasons guarantee any merchants using the bridge entrance into the city without the difficulties of the Great Eastern Gate.

The land divides the town into three distinct locations.

The locks is the last set of locks along the river. Any boats that continue to travel downstream will find the river moves faster and littered with rapids and outcroppings. Even fishermen that cannot afford the lock fees pull along the shore upstream of the locks - it is not unheard of for a fishing boat that tries to avoid the locks and continue downstream is mistaken for a goblin raiding party and sunk.

The majority of the town is located on the high bluffs on the northern shoreline. The rapid rise in elevation and rocky terrain makes for a natural defensive location. A two meter (2m) wall covers the most likely approach of any attacking raiders, while the town itself is surrounded by a three and a half meter (3.5m) wall as thick as a man is tall. Perched atop the highest point is a large stone donjon with ballistas that can protect the entire town.

The final location is a small tower that covers the stone bridge that crosses the river. A road runs along the river from the northgate of Bornheim. It splits at Kernwerk with the main road continuing to follow the river upstream, while a smaller road crosses the river and meanders east. The town charter allows for the collection of tolls; although the town is only allowed to keep enough to maintain the bridge. At no time in the history of the town has the Council of Bornheim received any fees from this bridge.

The town charter calls for the town to be governed by the Stonemasons Guild. In real terms this means the town is governed by a council made up of the recognized Master Guildsmen of the town. The creation of the Master of Kernwerk in 455 has eased many of the problems of rule by a council of near equals.

Master Loughnan was the first Master of Kernwerk after having completed construction of the locks along the river. He died suddenly in 460 AH and although she is not a master of any trade his wife, Mistress Eva, held the position awaiting the selection of a new Master. Before that could happen she traveled to Tminir Tower where she died.

The town is now solely governed by the Master's Council and it is unlikely they will select a new Master of Kernwek as none of the masters have sufficient standing among the others to garner a vote naming them.

The majority of town's coffers are filled when they sell the stone that is quarried in the north and rafted down the river. Limestone, marble, and several semi-precious stones all make their way into the town. From this town the guild can send their goods to the merchants whom they have a special relationship. This serves both the merchants and the town. The merchants profit from getting the pick of the goods, while the town sells their goods at inflated rates as each merchant tries to raise the purchase price in order the secure access to the town.

A new secondary source of income came into being when the bridge was constructed. At first only a few desperate merchants traveled around the city to the northern gate, but as the difficulties with the Great Eastern Gate got worse the trickle of wagons has become a steady stream. Although they are required to send these fees to the City Council of Bornheim it has never happened. Instead each year the town masters send the City Council of list of their expenses to maintain the bridge. There is never any more left after it is spent in repairs.

The Guild of Stonemasons control all aspects of life in the town. This is a working town where the stones of the north are worked, weighed, stacked, and shipped to Bornheim.