Barrowley

**Barrowley** is a medium sized town north of Pendlehurst in the Varramine Kingdom.

## City Description

Barrowley is a walled town, larger than many in this region. There are two guarded gates through which to enter, the East and West Gates. There is an extensive sewer system beneath the town.

## Society

### Demographics

As a larger town than most in this area, Barrowley's population is more diverse than those of its neighbors. Its population is primarily a mix of elves and humans, but there is a strong halfling population, and it is not uncommon to see other races represented in the community to a smaller extent.

### Factions

* The criminal underworld organized by The Countess.
* The Clerics of Ilmater.

## Points of Interest

### Residential District

The Residential District of Barrowley is located in the northwest region of the town. It contains housing for most of the population, barring only those who find abodes above their shops, holy people who reside in their places of worship, or those important officials that reside in the Cityworks district. The house of Lady Emmerlin, the noble Lady and ruler of Barrowley, may be found here.

### Upper Quarter

The Upper Quarter of Barrowley, encompassing the West Gate and extending just south of it, encompasses many of the town's guilds and inns, with a few shops, mostly those selling food.

* **The Crooked Oak:** tavern run by Innogen Ridley.
* **Fighter's Guild.**

### Lower Quarter

The Lower Quarter, also known colloquially as the Crafts District, is home to the majority of the shops and stores of Barrowley. It resides just south of the Upper Quarter, in the southwest area of town.

* **General Store:** owned by Aleg.
* **Apothecary:** tended by the sorceress Eloise Kingsley.
* **Oriole's Oddities and Antiques:** curio shop run by Oriole.

### Arts District

The Arts District's claim to fame is The Barrows, a well-maintained theater that has been around as long as the town itself. It also boasts artistic galleries and is a hub for street performing bards. It encompasses the southeasternmost region of Barrowley.

* **The Barrows**: functioning theater and front for The Countess's criminal underground network. Plays performed include *The Crimes of Passion.*
* **The Galleries:** large halls housing paintings and sketches by notable artists.

### Cityworks

Just above the Arts District reside the Cityworks, a large swath of land devoted entirely to the more bureaucratic aspects of the town. Buildings relating to governance stand here, along with the abode of the Mayor of Barrowley.

* **City Hall:** where town councils and trials are held.
* **The Mayor's Manor:** currently home to Darius Connelly and family.
* **Jail.**
* **The Ilmatari Hospital:** run by the clerics of Ilmatar, humble devotees.
* **Barrowley Children's Asylum**: home to Barrowley's unusually large orphan population.

### Holy Row

Holy Row contains Barrowley's places of worship, of which there are several. Besides the Ilmatari Hospital, which, due to its functionality as a working hospital, resides in the Cityworks, all religious institutions are sequestered in this tract of land. It is on the northeast side of town, near the East Gate.

* **The House of Knowledge:** populated by monks of Oghma.
* **The Morninghouse:** a temple to Lathander.
* **Chauntea's Shrine.**

### Ardour Park

Ardour Park, which is positioned directly in the centre of town, is home to a large fountain and manicured greenery.

### Sewers

The earth below Barrowley is home to an extensive sewer system. This is not common knowledge to the common people or governing bodies of the town, as The Countess and her associates are able to use these tunnels and their openings to infiltrate the Mayor's home and, presumably, other buildings. It is not uncommon for the Orphans to traverse these sewers. As evidenced by the Player Characters' descent and scuffle, giant rats are also inhabitants of these sewer systems.

Known entrances/exits to the tunnels are found beneath The Barrows, in the basement of the Mayor's Manor, and through the fountain in Ardour Park. The sewers extend throughout all regions of the town, with an especially large area called The Underworks beneath the Cityworks district.

## History

Barrowley is known to celebrate the Honey Moon Festival, a late springtime celebration. This is an occasion of merriment, and many vendors sell honey-filled foods.

## Trivia

* Barrowley's name is derived from the Germanic term for ancient burial mounds.
* The Barrows is the only establishment that bears the same naming origin as Barrowley, betraying its position as the true source of power and control in the town.