Emmech at the mouth of the
River Umber hosts a fortress that houses the
Army of the Lion, which numbers about onethird of Aglarond’s soldiers. The Army of the Lion is the first line of defense against Thayan invaders intent on forcing the
Tannath Gap. Despite the current truce between
Thay and
Aglarond, the leader of the soldiers here, Lord Gante Demelin (LG male half-elf Ftr14), keeps his troops prepared for any eventuality. He has seen too many Thayan tricks over the years to trust the
Red Wizards, although the
Simbul has guardedly accepted their offer of peace. It hasn’t been that long since the last Thayan invasion.
Emmech was originally little more than a campsite set up by hangers-on who served the needs of those inside the grim stone fortress. Today, it is a large, ramshackle town with a military air, although the tents have been traded in for buildings. Most homes in Emmech are made of stones hauled up from the coast, typical of architecture in the cities along the rocky shore. Such building supplies are plentiful, and they provide good protection against both the elements and the few Thayan invaders who make it this far into the land.
Fortress Emmech is a simple, gray affair squatting atop a low hill in the center of town, overlooking the river. Two strong towers on either side of the Umber hold a great riverchain that can be raised to bar the passage of ships; the chain lies on the river bottom most of the time. The fortress bristles with towers and parapets. Every wall is crenellated, and the commander stocks enough supplies to hold off a six-month siege. In times of trouble, the townspeople leave their belongings behind and move within the fortress’s gates.
Basic Statistics
Emmech (Small City): Conventional/nonstandard; AL NG/LG; 15,000 gp limit; Assets 5,715,000 gp; Population 7,620 (including 1,500 troops); Mixed (human 85%, half-elf 14%, halfling 1%).
Authority Figures: Lord Gante Demelin, LG male half-elf Ftr14 (commander of the fortress and a marshal of Aglarond). The ruler of the city is Lady Mantelia Parsuns, LG female half-elf Ari7/Sor8 (a noblewoman whose lands stretch from Emmech to the Dragonjaw Mountains).
Important Characters: Canton Karlesad, NG male human Wiz10 (leader of the battle wizards attached to Lord Demelin’s command); Harl Beskel, NE male half-orc Rog9 (Theskian merchant who secretly spies for Thay); Captain Araevil Darkeye, CG male star elf fighter 2/rogue 5/Aglarondan griffonrider 6 (commander of the griffonriders based in Emmech).
