Ratwater, a small town situated on the farthest northern edge of the Westreaches. Where civilization fades into cold winds, hard ground, and the constant threat of the Frozen North, No Man's Land as the locals call it. Barely more than a frontier town by southern standards, it's positioning along the northern border has made it a successful staging grounds for adventurers, hunters, mercenaries, traders, and explorers seeking their fortunes. For many, it is the final stop before the wilderness takes over.
Ratwater itself is a mix of military necessity, opportunistic commerce, and most importantly stubborn local pride, all attracted by the unpredictable influence of the frontier life. Westside is where Hax Axebane, a dwarven commander, calls home holding responsibility for maintaining some semblance of order, coordinating defense across the northern border, and reconnaissance in the Shield Mountains. His holdings there include a small fortified keep, barracks for soldiers, armory, stables, guarded storage warehouses, and proper training grounds. Thanks to Hax, Ratwater has a far larger military presence than most settlements it's size. Though despite that, the town rarely if ever feels orderly, due to the vast amount of travelers, adventurers, sellswords, and drifters constantly coming through often with coin, rumors, and almost always violence and trouble.
For the locals though, much of daily life revolves around the business district and the arena. Both situated on the north side of town serve the purpose of both entertainment and livelihood for them. Fighters across all of Westreach come here seeking fame, money, and some simply survival amongst some of the most brutal fights seen across the lands. Inns, gambling halls, taverns, bathhouses, pawnshops, craftsman and traders alike have gathered around this activity over the years. This combined in equal measure ambition, desperation, and honest trade keeps the town thriving. The larger inn, the Fuzzy Gentleman, caters to travelers and arena participants mainly. The smaller older inn serves as a second home for the working class, preferring superior quality over appearances.
Ratwater is home to many and unusual mixture of notable persons; orc craftsmen, dwarven soldiers, wandering adventurers, priests, thieves, hedge merchants, retired explorers, and stranger figures still. All of whom coexist in a precarious balance. Temples dedicated to common worship and specific gods provide spiritual services and aid to the people, most notably the followers of Eudora. The Eudoran clergy are well known throughout town for their charity and assistance to the needy. And just on the otherside of their temple walls, surrounded by their own walls, is the local thieves guild. Well organized, and holds control over the surrounding area's underground trade.
Beyond Ratwater's edges, lies many a ruins and untamed lands which for many represents opportunity, others simply the last warm bead before they disappear beyond the edge of the map.