Largest and most populated of the ten towns, positioned at a crossroads to the others, Bryn Shander serves as the trading center for the Icewind Dale. It is the youngest of all the towns, attracting scrimshaw artists at a humble crossroads and growing into what it is today. Despite several attacks, it has become a stronghold for the people of Ten Towns against hordes of tribes of Orc, Unknown, Goblin, and barbarian alike - even a group of Unknowns.
Following the Chardalyn Dragon Desolation, launched by Xardorok Sunblight in the Year of Three Ships Sailing (1492 DR) and the end of the Council of Speakers of the Ten Towns - formed the Free Towns alliance (with Termalaine and Easthaven) and the Dwarves of the Valley (of Clan Battlehammer). Great hardship was endured due to the refugee numbers compared to availability of shelter and food. While Targos and Bremen closed themselves off and focused on capitalist opportunism - fiercely competing for resources in a "survival of the fittest" mindset, the Free Towns attempted a more "community-based" order - banding together and sharing resources to survive the harsh environment.
This had limited success - while well-meaning, it was limited by the realities of what was available and the actions of selfish and desperate groups and individuals. Easthaven's fishing and the lumber from the caravan forest and Lonelywood became essential. The Northway built as the Eastway had been - bypassing Targos to connect with Termalaine and Lonelywood. The Bright Moon Caravan, equipped by the Valley Dwarves, patrols and escorts along the greater roads. To honor heroes protecting the Ten Towns during the Desolation, towers were given their names and a room in the tower's floor level offered as a free and safe (guarded) location for them to reside.
While technically there is a rivalry with the Targos-based Chardalyn Syndicate, that organization is so deeply-entrenched in Bryn Shander, Easthaven and Targos' underworld (the criminal sort - not the subterranean one) that their profiteering offers more value than any direct confrontation.
About
Leader: Duvessa Shane (human/noble), Speaker for the Free Towns
Population: 1200 (many refugees of the Desolation remained)
Industry: Center of trade, political seat, blacksmithing (iron/coal from valley dwarves), also now center of of the Bright Moon Caravan - an alliance with the Battlehammer Dwarves escorting caravans on the Ten Trail, Eastway, and Northway.
Construction: 30ft wall enclosure, now being reinforced and fitted with weaponized towers - as hostilities rise in the dale.
Map
(see also: wiki which includes an interactive map)