Vexguard

[History]

Dedicated to the study of herbology and arcane components Vexguard is an unaffiliated town whose ties to Tabaxi, Dwarvish, and Gnomish culture positioned them rather nicely to maximize on their local economy. To the Tabaxi they provide the means of purifying Everore. To the Dwarves a steady supply of tools was required for their ongoing mining operations and to the Gnomes the material components for the seemingly unlimited amount of tinkerers in need.   As if their commercial dependence wasn't enough to secure their place in Espen, the town is surrounded but a number of tar pits that serve as environmental protections for the town but also provide the raw materials used in the production and purification of many arcane components.   Pitch, resin, and tar are all naturally occurring in abundance in the town and account for a large portion of the industry. Specializing in high-quality torches, and resins that are turned into adhesives, varnishes, and aromatics; and the oils that make up a number of bases for paints the town has a surprisingly booming commercial industry. Vexguard also boasts a small tourism industry though its residents would prefer to avoid discussing this aspect of their commerce. This is due to the fact that the tourism is related to a group that believes Vexguard sits atop a number of occult ley lines. Though there is little evidence of this Sorcerers and Warlocks do report feeling very at home in the town.

[Locations]

Torchbearers has a number of well-made torches that serve both a variety of purposes and work well in a number of environments. Owned and operated by Olympia Bellowspring, a student of the The Metallurgist Institute in Mithrigal.   The town, having made its name in resins and adhesives commemorated its founder Shonn Holdon in a rather peculiar manner, commissioning a 40-foot-tall black resin statue of him that sits at the center of town and just in front of his original shop Hold-On Accessories.   Pitchlake Inn is a common stop for most travelers throughout the area. Run by Wong Gistal, the inn is without question, a relaxing stop, though the smell of the tar pits just outside the inn's grounds can make for an occasionally noxious environment.   Green Collar Workwear is one of the few stores on the eastern coast that specializes in workwear. At the rate the more acidic resins and tar ate away at their original designs, Green Collar had to become increasingly innovative to create products that could stand up to the work done in their town. Owned by Emar-Eau De-Nil a former worker within the Borros Tar Pit, Green Collar has been a favorite of locals and recently has gained a following in Nin and Nattan Mal .   Pitch Perfect Ale Hall is the village's only ale hall and while the taste of their wares is on par with the finest the in any of the city's offerings, the high viscosity of the local water supply creates an unpleasant thickness in the ale produced at Pitch Perfect. The surly dwarf known only as "Captain" mans the one-room ale hall while his dog, "admiral" stands guard.