Berda

Settlement Type: Town

Region: Grasslands

Population:7009

Description:

The town of Berda lies in the Kingdom of Kalada. It lies along a popular trade route and is, itself, a popular tourist destination.  Just a few miles south of Berda are the Pools of Radiance, a series of freshwater pools with magical properties; the waters store and refract light, slowly releasing it over time as a continuous display of rainbow lights that can be seen for miles during the day and even further away after sunset.  Priests and sages have stated that the affect is purely arcane, not divine, but that doesn't stop unscrupulous hucksters from claiming that the waters have healing abilities. 

Berda has a large market and several trade caravans pass through the town every week. It has a thriving hospitality industry, but everyone agrees that the best place to stay in Berda is (2)The Golden Swan.

The Golden Swan is a three story stone inn run by Pekav Zatophie, a dwarven adventurer who wisely retired after a particularly lucrative mission.  The Golden Swan is famous, not only for its hospitality, but for its namesake, a golden swan on display in the common room, a trophy from Zatophie's last adventure.

Berda is also the site of a large temple to the Devourer, the God of Death. It stands on the north side of town, in an area inhabited primarily by ghouls. The Berda Temple(01) is of some religious significance to the ghouls, and is a popular destination with ghoul pilgrims and devotees of the Devourer.  Every autumn, there is a huge celebration held in the Berda Temple, honoring the Devourer, and the town fills to overflowing with ghouls. Many other visitors find the celebrations offputting, but locals are used to it and, indeed, the Autumn Death-Fair contributes significantly to the town's financial success.