Merchant's Rest

Merchant's Rest is a small hamlet situated south-west of Dawnhaven, at the southern end of the Pioneer's Road. Consisting of no more than 15 homesteads, the population of Merchant's Rest is primarily transient. The settlement serves as a starting point for travellers seeking to journey to E'ilon, who must first brave passing over the treacherous Telemnar Mountains.

History
Merchant's Rest originally served as a workers' outpost during the construction of the Pioneer's Road. Upon the completion of the roads' current state in 1870 DR, the Dawn Council sought to extend the construction over the Telemnar Mountains. Due to the inhospitable climate further west towards the mountains, The West Marches Trading Company invested heavily to develop the outpost in order to support the growing number of workers employed for the project. Farmlands were cleared, and it was not long before the outpost became a self-sufficient settlement. After years of failed attempts at extending the Pioneer's Road, the project was eventually abandoned. Many workers opted to build homesteads and stay within the settlement, and thus the hamlet of Merchant's Rest was established.

Government
Despite its small population, Merchant's Rest's unique location makes it both a strategic military and economic asset. Dawnhaven maintains political control of the settlement with the employ of a bailiff and constabulary within the hamlet; of whom the local populace relies upon to keep order over the large transient population who pass through the area.

Trade & Industry
The local economy of Merchant's Rest primarily thrives upon the provision of basic goods and services to travellers passing through the region. Due to the high number of merchants staying in the hamlet at any given time, a wide variety of additional goods and services are often available.

Society
With a local population of no more than 50 residents, the culture of Merchant's Rest varies wildly with coming and going of visitors to the region. The local populace consists of primarily earnest and hard-working farmers and tradesmen.

Geography
Due to the settlement's elevated inland position, and close proximity to the Telemnar Mountains, the region experiences extreme changes to the sub-tropical climate throughout the year.

The hamlet itself is seated within lush grassy highlands, suitable for farming during the warmer seasons. With sub-tropical forests and freshwater lakes in close proximity to the south, residents of Merchant's Rest have access to most basic natural resources throughout the year.