The town of Euper
Although technically not really part of the castle it is intimately tied to the Keep both physically and economically. This large town is located at the base of the southern end of the ridge that the castle rests upon. The road leading to the castle and the Outer gate runs through Euper.
Euper has a large marketplace and several inns, residences, warehouses and all other accoutraments of a small medieval city. The Metamor common marketplace is here in the central square of Euper though lesser plazas and alleys act as impromptu markets during the busiest season and festival times. The restriction of the walled town and Keep do not allow a great deal of space for a large market so much of Metamor's active trading takes place here, and in animal trading areas to the south of Euper. Those visitors too frightened by the curse or unsettled by the higher concentration of animal-aspected citizens tend to stay in Euper as well. This also due to the larger number of quality nighting establishments with enough space to house entire caravans if need be.
It is an important enough place to have it’s own curtain walls which connect to the castle's outer curtain wall. These walls are small, 8-10 feet, built of unmortared stone, and generally not manned save at the gates of which there are four. The South gate, large enough for two fully laden wagons to enter abreast, is the largest leading down an avenue to the central square. The Gate of Dawn, or east gate, and the Gate of Dusk, or west gate, are little more than postern gates large enough for a single wagon or carriage. The Duke's Gate, or north gate, is large enough to let a fully laden caravan wagon through following the same avenue from the South Gate through the central square. All gates are manned by sentries of the Wardens at all times and close after dark. Though closed at night the gates are manned and will open to allow entry after a challenge. Euper is an independent town with it’s own mayor and political body unlike Metamor Town (also called 'Keeptowne' for short) inside the walls of the castle which is considered just a part of the castle itself.
On foot at a liesurely pace Euper can be crossed in approximately fifteen to twenty minutes (approx. 3/4 mile) within the curtain walls, while the central civic area in only three minutes (less than 1/4 mile), but due to two wars occurring before 700 CR and the Curse the population has dropped to only half of its peak. Many farmsteads, minor estates, and other private residences sprawl outward beyond the curtain walls a considerable distance, several abandoned. Inside the walls there are also a considerable number of fallow, unused areas left vacant by wars and curse. There have been many connecting walls erected and disassembled over the centuries that define and quarter the town into distinct presincts or wards but these walls are little maintained and have gaps rather than gates between presincts.
Euper and Metamor Town maintain a single shared policing body, The Wardens, whereas the inner Keep maintains its own policing body.
Places of note
- The town square This large paved,open area is the center of town life. In the center is a large ornate fountain. On one side of the square is the town hall. Approximately an acre per side (200' by 200', but this is an entirely rough estimate).
- The Jollie Collie Until the Yule tide attack this three story inn stood on one side of the town square. It was leveled to the ground in the fighting and only recently has it's reconstruction been started. It is notable in that is own by Misha Brightleaf.
- Warehouses & storehouses - As the place where most of the visiting merchants stay there are several warehouses & storehouses that allow these visitors to store their goods. Since the curses taking hold most of these are now empty. The Thirsty Scholar, an artisain's tavern, is located in an old warehouse here.
- A Little Hole in the Wall This small restaurant on the outside consists of a single door sandwiched between two large buildings. The interior is decorated like the inside of a giant mousehole. Owned by a family of mice. First appeared in 'Dreams' by Hallan Mirayas.
