Jongrath ' s Mill Jongrath ' s Mill was a " waterless " grain mill in Tethyr , known locally as Stump Hill , owned and operated by Ilmurk Jongrath . On the property was the working mill , a cottage that could be rented , livestock , and a large horse stable . It was in operation around the Year of the Tankard , 1370 DR Location . Jongrath ' s Mill was located about a day ' s ride east of Krennasar in rural Bardshyr county in the Duchy of the Purple Marches , Tethyr . Structure . There were three main buildings all surrounding a millrun where draft horses were harnessed to the spokes of a large wheel . The mill itself was tall enough to house the shaft - and - gear mechanism — a thick horizontal shaft made from tree trunks held up by tripods so the horses could walk beneath — that turned the millstone . There was also a secondary shaft that was used to pump water from a deep well . All doors and windows were adorned with " snap - traps " of Jongrath ' s own design to keep vermin from spoiling his grain and flour . Jongrath slept in the millhouse to guard his valuables and left the house available for renters . The stables were large enough to hold a phalanx of draft horses and their winter fodder was kept on the second story . Plus , there were high rafters that anchored hoists and pulleys and served as a drying area for Jongrath ' s painted works ( shields , carriage doors , " etc . " ) . The cottage was a modest two - story house with furnishings . Atmosphere . Jongrath ' s holdings were mostly scrub land on which his livestock were free to roam . The borders were made of large stones and tree stumps , thus giving Jongrath ' s Mill the local name of Stump Hill . There was no running water . All water came from deep wells , some of which were dry and used by Jongrath to store his coinage , and were sealed with heavy , worn - out millstones . Snakes were plentiful and encouraged to keep the rodent population down . Visitors might have been taken aback by the slithering inhabitants of Stump Hill , but the snakes and Jongrath lived in harmony . Services . In addition to making good money as a grain mill far from any river , Jongrath rented out the cottage to traveling merchants dealing in livestock ( including his own ) , and hunters and falconers from around the Purple Marches , but mainly Krennasar . He also plied his hobby of heraldry into a business , doing simple design work , repair , and painting of blazons on various equipment at prices greatly discounted from those of " official " standing — the local Heralds — much to their ire and indignation . He charged less than 6 gp for a simple design ( less than three colors ) on a small shield , or up to 20 gp for a complex blazon on a large shield . Rush orders cost an additional 5 gp , as did works on body armor and other surfaces that were challenging to paint . Touch - up work ran from 3 to 12 gp depending on size . Defenses . There were no formal defenses other than Jongrath ' s considerable skill with a crossbow . Rumors and Legends . It was rumored that Ilmurk Jongrath was in possession of a powerful magical shield that had belonged to a cleric who fell in battle before returning to claim her newly decorated property . It was said that Jongrath hid the shield well somewhere on his land and waited for her return .