Map of Bisgen

Bisgen (Altanis; Town, Pop. 2,248 within the walls; TL 4): Population: human 92% [mostly Altanian or Nerathi-Alryan, a few Lagoldurman and other], half-elf 3%, elf 2%, halfling 2%, other 1%); Resources: Horses.  Wealth Limit: 840gp.  Area approx 1200'x1800', 49 acres (1 acre =  43,560 square feet); 960 square feet per person, 45 persons per acre.

Authority Figure: Parre, female Altanian, Baron of Bisgen, ex-adventurer, reveres Mitra (LG)

Important Characters: 

Eldrin, half-elf wizard mistrusted by the populace - Arcane Rituals to lvl 8

Nasan Tara, Altanian veteran master of the herds

Lord Halvath Cormarrin, leader of the Nerathi aristocrat faction

Lady Elizabeth Moondew, young Nerathi aristocrat

Malaarax Astlar the Potion-Brewer, old 'hedge wizard' - Brew Potion Ritual lvl 5

Hans Tegel, jovial Innkeeper

Karad Griven, devious merchant/fence

Harper, rich brothel-keeper

Torgle Mult, sleazy Innkeeper

Arak, master armourer & weaponsmith

Sydow, priest of Bondorr - Martial Practices (MP2) and cult rituals to lvl 8 

Cerille, attractive, auburn-haired priestess of Erathis - Religious/Healing rituals to lvl 6
Kaveri Narr, Half-elf horse trader, also has house in Renth

Tomgar Alhandrus, 'Trader Tom' - cheerful trader in magic trinkets (can typically get PHB 1&2 to lvl 3 at list price)

Bisgen was established several thousand years ago by a wandering tribe of Altanian nomads. Parre, the current ruler, is known as one of the traitor barons in the court of the Overlord. She rules over a prosperous small town made rich by continuing trade with the elves at Renth. She sends troops to help Renth patrol the Carnelian Plains and the areas to the south. Bisgen is noted for the quality of its horses and merchants travel to the village to bid on them.  There is a small herd of elven steeds in the care of Nasan.

Cerille of Erathis

Sydow of Bondorr 

Defense

Bisgen enjoys a strong strategic location at the Bisgen Bridge, the only crossing point on the fast-flowing Endgate River.  To the south are the horse meadows and the estates of the old Nerathi nobility, sheltered on three sides by the Endgate River and by the more placid Onslaught Stream, so named for the many battles fought on its banks.  To the east the land rises towards the Castellan Mountains, and the road towards Bulwark's Breach is kept heavily patrolled against bandits and raiders, although the Altanian Winged Ape clan which roams there has been much depleted recently by Arang-Tok raids, and is considered little threat.  Bisgen is currently allied with the Tigerclaw Clan south of the Onslaught Stream, they provide a useful line of defense against the Arang-Tok.

Originally all of Bisgen lay south of the river, with the river itself providing the defense to attackers' northern approach, but during the Empire of Nerath the Alryans extended the defenses with a northern gate and curtain wall.  This provides a two-line defense for the heart of the city, which remains south of the river - should the north wall be lost, the defenders will abandon the north town, retreat to the bridge and seek to collapse it, thus sealing off the rest of town from attack.  This assumes that invaders approach from the north, as has repeatedly been the case with Altanian raiders from the Carnelian Plains, with Jackalwere packs, and with the gnolls of White Ruin.   A southern or western defense would need to be mounted on the river banks far from town, while an eastern approach remains the major concern.