Kethira-720TR-Harn-Kaldor-Kathane

Kathane (fortified manor)

The north end of the village has a cluster of ramshackle homes, clearly wattle and daub construction. It seems more haphazard than most villages and the garden plots were neither as old nor as well-kept. The gardens do seem extensive, though.

The fields of the village are well-tended and it was clear that land is still being cleared. The crops are in the ground and seem to be in good shape, and the peasants seem healthy enough. The oxen are a bit thin but their ribs aren’t showing and they seem to have plenty of energy.

South of the village proper, to the left is a brightly-painted wooden building surrounded by rose bushes; it does not show the sign of a business but has the smell of a herb garden (a healer). The manor itself is off to the right, set back from the road. The outer palisade and the manor walls are heavy wood rather than stone, noteworthy but not unusual.

Opposite the manor on the large open space that is clearly the caravan commons, is an inn. The tankard out front is a clear enough sign even without the stables. There seems to be a lot of businesses. The inn but also a clothier – rather a luxury business for a frontier manor – and a mercantyler. There is also a woodcrafter’s shop. And that without even looking through the village.

Kathane is either the first stop on the Salt Route to Kanday, or the last stop on the Salt Route to Kaldor, depending on which way you go. It’s days from here to Trobridge, and all of them in Kath land. Most caravans are happy to see Kathane, whichever direction they’re going, and they spend their money.

A bad fever run through town a few years back and the place is still recovering. About twenty people died and there are still folk around town blind from the fever. Kathane has been short of field hands ever since. There are some migrant worker huts up on the north side of town; Sir Tarabon quietly hopes that they’ll take tenant contracts rather than stay in such poor lodgings.

People

Sir Tarabon

Sir Tarabon not the actual Lord of the manor. He’s the bailiff; he holds the manor for Conwan Elendsa, related to the King. They’re very good friends and Lakern Taraban is very loyal to him. He’s also quite the knight even though he’s getting old – nearly fifty. He has a reputation for being fair and honorable. He treats his serfs well and holds parties for the whole village from time to time.

Shadin of Strand (yeoman)

Shadin moved to Kathane a few years ago. Before that, he campaigned all over Kaldor's borders as a longbowman. He's even won a few contests. Though bows are not chivalric weapons, he'll defend those who use them as being "honorable" even though they are shunned by the nobility. He makes his own arrows (of excellent quality) with ash shafts and obsidian heads; he does not sell them but sometimes gives them as gifts to those he deems worthy.