Crownmarch

**Crownmarch** is a large town built at the intersection of the Pine Road and the High Road. It is located 41 miles almost directly north of Stormsong City in the Fourth District. It is the second-largest settlement in the District after the capital and is the seat of House Centyre.

**Population:** 80,857

**Ruling House:** Centyre

**House Seat:** Crowncastle

**Current Leader:** Arthas Centyre

**Standard:** A silver collared hound cordant across the middle standard. Standard background is solid blue. Behind the hound are two crossed silver swords, blades pointing downward. Above the hound between the pommels is set a golden crown.

### Location

Crownmarch is built at the crossings of the Pine and High Roads. It spreads out on both sides of the High Road and the eastern side of the Pine Road when facing the capital. From the outer limits of the town, the High Road continues to run east while the Pine Road lies north, leading right to Stormsong and up to the Valley Gates.

On the western side of the Pine Road lies the Andoren Lake. It is a small, clear lake popular for fishing during warm months. The lake is surrounded by small hills covered with copses of evergreens that partly shield it from the road.

The town is built largely on a flat stretch of land between the roadways. Once the site of an ancient sacred redwood forest, the trees are now long chopped down for miles around the town limits.

### Layout

Due to the flatness of the land, much of Crownmarch is built in ordered, grid-like rows along its dirt and cobbled streets. Many of these streets are relatively narrow. The buildings are largely made of a combination of stone and wood, particularly material from bright sacred redwood. In many places the upper stories of buildings overhang the streets and grow close to touching each other.

The town itself is surrounded by a heavy stone wall, reinforced by stone guard towers and wooden ramparts. House Centyre employs a local guard in a small garrison built alongside the wall near the main entrance into the town. This garrison is called the Hound Fortress or Hound Fort.

The main entrance exists alongside the High Road. The northern exit, closest to the capital, opens onto a wide stretch of open land dotted by pine copses. A wide dirt road has been worn into the grass from this gate to the Pine Road.

The walls enclosing Crownmarch ensure that the majority of the town exists within the boundaries of a large square. However, there are also buildings and a small marketplace outside the wall limits.

Crowncastle is built in the northeastern portion of the town. It is reached over a bridge that passes an artificial moat and is surrounded by stone walls.

There are many inns, taverns, and brothels along the streets that service the thousands of travelers that pass through Crownmarch each day. Notable inns include the Crown, the Houndsinn, the Old Redwood, the Blackpool Roomhouse, the Young Daughter, and the Resthouse.

### People

The members of the Hound Fortress garrison, known as the Crown Guard, watch the walls, patrol the streets, and keep order. Most of them are employed at Crowncastle, keeping guard over House Centyre.

The local residents dress in the typical linen clothing of the Fourth District. Many dye their cloth in dark colors. Fur cloaks and mantles are often seen during the winter months. Brooches in the shapes of pine trees and hounds are popular among women to fasten their cloaks or to pin up parts of their skirts.

Residents are used to strangers and living in close, crowded quarters with one another. Some families are willing to take in extra boarders into their homes if the inns in the vicinity are full.