Stonebridge
Stonebridge is a small, quaint town in the Northwestern Empire, named after the stone bridge over the Ilfarius River that serves as the primary crossing point between the deeper Achaean Empire and the Northwest.
History
Established fairly early into the settlement of the Northwest, Stonebridge first began as a small camp around the ramshackle bridge used by those venturing north. As the bridge itself grew, so did interest in it, and soon a village sprung up. That village became a town, and now Stonebridge is a small but thriving place.
Reputation
Often considered to be the gateway from true Imperial civilization into a sort of Imperial wilderness in and around the city of Illikon, Stonebridge frequently catches harsh criticism from those deeper in the Empire. They consider it to be a backwards, superstitous place full of poor farmers - which it is. However, it is also peaceful, almost idyllic, and there are still those who see its pastoral beauty and the gentle, simple lifestyle of its citizens as a thing of beauty.
Bridge Troll
Stonebridge has gained more renown of late thanks to the actions of Caiden Voros and Gwenevere Vergil, as it is now home to a peaceful stone troll who guards the town's bridge, keeping it in immaculate repair but demanding tolls of those who use it. Though something of an attraction, the troll, Krug, has gained considerably infamy deeper within the Empire. Many nobles, in particular, are outraged at such tolerance for a hideous monster taking tolls from Imperial citizens. However, Stonebridge has indicated no plan to remove the troll anytime soon, if ever.
Structure
Stonebridge is a small town of various buildings, most rather small. Along the main street are most of the larger shops and an inn, and as one goes outward, the buildings become smaller and quainter still. The town has little deliberate structure overall, no specialized districts, and has no protective wall, but it is surrounded by many outlying farms.
Religion
Being such a small town, Stonebridge has little by way of great temples. There rests one temple to the goddess Demeter, though the locals practice worship to a wide variety of Olympian gods.
