Longmaple

Longmaple got its charter when the monarchy thought about heading down river and the split toward the bay.  They knew that it would come to the bay eventually and several nobles wanted to get to that land.  Later in that year, the fighting between the magicracy and theocracy started over the land at the mouth of the river and the monarchy decided not to get involved.  The nobles instead got a charter to create the town upriver. 

As it was five different noble families, they each got part of the charter for the town.  As such, they created a council to rule over the town.  It worked pretty well for the first two decades the town existed.  It prospered and did well.  However, fighting soon broke out between two of the nobles and their clients spilled from words to steel and into the streets.  The other three nobles did what they could but it wasn't enough.  Eventually, the Prince in Lisport sent his men to stop the fighting and settle the matter.  He divided the duties among the nobles.  Unfortunately, the divisions didn't sit well with the nobles and within a few years, they were fighting again.  They managed to settle their differences quickly and the crown didn't have to interfere.  They did create an arena, though, which the crown didn't like but knew if they didn't allow their nobles to rule, it could get worse.  So, they made sure that fights weren't to the death unless the combatants themselves agreed to it.  And there are stiff fines and penalties, up to and including death, by any who break this rule.  It still happens from time to time that a noble feud will spill over into the arena. 

The arena is the big "tourist attraction" of the town and what keeps it going.  Longmaple gets more visitors from the other areas than any other.  Even the people from the Empire will come here to see how well the monarchy trains their fighters.  The Empire is known to bring their own fighters and settle feuds here, on neutral ground, rather than in their own.  When that happens, usually once every five years, it's a very big group that arrives in Longmaple and the local merchants and taverns do very well. 

The town has some farming but does a lot more with wines and other luxury items for any visitors that might come.  They have several different types of berry wines, whiskey, and absinthe.  They have rye, wheat, millet and even rice breads.  They have several places that make silk from imported silkworms, although one noble family has started producing silk in a new way and aren't talking about it. 

Taverns usually have one or two bouncers with the higher end having more to keep the fights outside.  The Dwarf and Urchin is a lower class bar, catering to the locals.  The Satyr's Kiss is also a brothel with higher class clientele.  The Bar of the Dull Scorpion is the place to place bets on arena fights.  The Tavern of the Pleasant Queen is the noble bar and they like to keep it that way. 

For Inns, try The Eagle's Arrow, Quick Eric's Inn or Yellow Mountain Inn.  But stay away from The Flying Bodice unless you want company for the night and to be robbed of everything you own. 

 DM Notes:

• That's exactly how I envisioned the arena!  Thanks!