A Tale of Four Bridges: Oakenshire's border bridge towns

Land has always been ruled by those of noble blood, granted and given by the Throne to Lords and Ladies of the realm. Even those born of the commonfolk who later become landowners are then raised to the ranks of nobility through the very act, being granted the rights to heraldry and inheritance. This is the law of the land.

There is, however, one - or should we say four - exceptions to this universal law: The Bridge Towns of Oakenshire. Once they were simply bridges, each dedicated to the export and import of one category of goods in the county of golden fields, but now they stand as major towns - each a thriving community built across and around those central stone bridges. Each of these towns is ruled not by the nobility of their surrounding areas but instead by an elected mayor, chosen by the merchants and lesser nobility in a public election. The mayor then serves for a term of four years before being reelected or removed from office. Unlike their noble neighbours, the mayor is granted no rights of inheritance, nor the right to heraldry or a host of soldiers.

In Applebridge, Mayor Sam Thatcher sits in office - adorned with a chain of office with a golden apple dangling from his neck. Applebridge is dedicated to the import and export of Apples, Alcohols, Livestock and Equipment dedicated to the operation of farms and orchards. Applebridge is the largest of the four border towns and by a long shot the wealthiest, though often it is considered a dangerous place to live, with cutpurses and alleycats being commonplace. Many taverns operate along Applebridge, with the term "green apples" being commonly used to mock the many bastards born to drunken one-night stands along its stone bridge. In Cornbridge, Mayor Ellie Prattle is the elected leader - her chain of office depicting wheat and barley tied together in a cast bronze. Cornbridge is much smaller by comparison but wealthy nonetheless, dealing in the import and export of Corn, Wheat, Bread and other Grains. Mayor Prattle, ever a religiously devout woman, has banned the practice of tavern operation along the bridge - instead operating many auction houses and rest stops that keep the produce moving and the coin in the pockets of the right people.

In Pearbridge, Mayor Gordon Grower is a favourite of his local people - his chain bearing a silver pear long since left covered in dust in the top drawer of his desk. Mayor Gordon oversees the import and export of luxury fruit and meat, but rarely does he indulge in the wealth gained himself. Whilst the goods that pass through his gatehouse go on to supply the feasts and tourneys of the realm's wealthiest, Mayor Gordon dedicates himself to the redistribution and education of the commonfolk of Oakenshire, going as far as to side with The Four Knights Court during Ser Cledwyn's escape from the heist at the Northhold Bank.

Finally, in Clambridge, Mayor Grace Hook is the voice of authority - a chain of a steel clam around her neck. Handling the import and export of all seafood and fishing supplies, Mayor Grace has a strong relationship with both the coastal town of Bearsport and their connections in Southshire and along the Stone Coast. It is no secret that Mayor Grace allows for certain... favours in exchange for the right amount of silver, with many shipments passing unchecked through the gatehouse if a plentiful donation is made. Although this corruption is known of, acting to root it out would see the fury of many coastal nobility - a dangerous action in light of the rising unrest along the stormy Stone Coast.

The four towns, ruled over by their four mayors, each act as the gateways into the great golden fields of Oakenshire - vital points of access for both the flow of commerce and the passage of armies and individuals. The Bridge Towns of Oakenshire each have a rich history of their own, being vital but often overlooked players in the historical wars of Cornay. Today, with the rising tension in Oakenshire from the Longreed's Revolt and the rise of the Four Knight's Court, who knows what importance the Bridge Towns may play in the great war to come?