View source for Eshpurta

{{GA}}
{{Location
| image          = EshpurtaLoIMap.png
| caption        = Eshpurta, in eastern [[Amn]].
| name           = Eshpurta
| aliases        = 
| type           = Fortified City
| size           = Large city
| capital        = 
| area           = [[Amn]], [[Lands of Intrigue]], [[West Faerûn]]
| georefs        = <ref name="FRAtlas-5">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Atlas|5}}</ref><ref name="CS-14">{{Cite book/Castle Spulzeer|14}}</ref><ref name="FRCS3e-154">{{Cite book/Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting 3rd edition|154}}</ref>
| demonym        = 
| languages      = 
| races          = {{percentage table|[[Humans]]|95|Other|5}}
| religion       = [[Helm]], [[Ilmater]], [[Tempus]], [[Torm]], [[Tyr]]
| currency       = 
| population1    = 105,000&ndash;175,000
| popyear1       = 1370
| population2    = 24,252
| popyear2       = 1372
| population3    = 
| popyear3       = 
| imports        = 
| exports        = Arms and armor, military equipment and training, iron ore
| alignment      = 
| allegiances    = 
| socrefs        = <ref name="FRCS3e-154" /><ref name="CS-19">{{Cite book/Castle Spulzeer|19}}</ref><ref name="LoI-Amn-39">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|39}}</ref>
| government     = Military council
| rulertype      = General
| ruler1         = [[Labak Craumerdaun]]
| ruleryear1     = 
| ruler2         = 
| ruleryear2     = 
| ruler3         = 
| ruleryear3     = 
| ruler4         = 
| ruleryear4     = 
| ruler5         = 
| ruleryear5     = 
| rulertable     = 
| govrefs        = <ref name="LoI-Amn-39" /><ref name="CS-18">{{Cite book/Castle Spulzeer|18}}</ref>
| usethe         = 
| useon          = 
| inhabitants    = yes
| locations      = yes
| organizations  = yes
| settlements    = 
| events         = 
| food and drink = 
| items          = 
}}
'''Eshpurta''', the "Shield City" of Amn,<ref name="LoI-Amn-38">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|38}}</ref> was a bustling military trade town in eastern [[Amn]].<ref name="FRCS3e-154" /> Before the [[Sothillisian War]] in [[1370 DR]], Eshpurta contained about 70,000 townsfolk with another 10,000 in the surrounding ranches and farms. Additionally, there were 25,000 Amnian troops garrisoned in the city, bringing the approximate population to 105,000. During the trade season, the population could reach 175,000.<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" /> During the war, a census in [[1372 DR]] reported the population as less than 25,000,<ref group="note">This sudden drop in population is unexplained and is likely a [[Wikipedia:Retroactive continuity|retcon]]. Given that Eshpurta was far from the Sothillisian War and apparently did not come under attack, even if the entire military sector left the city and never returned the population would still be at least twice this number.</ref> which downgraded the once-thriving metropolis to a large city.<ref name="FRCS3e-154" />

==Geography==
Eshpurta was located at the confluence of [[Trifin Creek]] and the [[River Rimril]] where they merged to later join the [[Amstel River]], which eventually flowed into [[Lake Esmel]] in the heart of [[Amn]].{{Amstel sources}} Eshpurta was south of the [[Snakewood]], south and west of the [[Troll Mountains]], north of [[Trollford]], and far to the east of [[Keczulla]] along the [[Eshpurta Road]].<ref name="LoI-Map">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Map of Lands of Intrigue}}</ref>

==Government==
This fortified city had a strong military tradition and was governed by a council of six, called the [[Shield Council of Eshpurta|Shield Council]], whose members were the leaders of the local merchant families and clans. The unelected "advisor" of the Shield Council was General [[Labak Craumerdaun]] who held the position mainly by force of personality. The fact he also had troops garrisoned in the city certainly didn't hurt his standing, and the council members usually listened to his advice and even curried his favor.<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" /><ref name="CS-18" /> The Shield Council members in early [[1370 DR]]<ref name="LoI-Amn-26">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|26}}</ref> were:<ref name="LoI-Amn-40-41">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|40&ndash;41}}</ref>
* Lord [[Marcos Craumerdaun]]
* Lord [[Mikaal Dannihyr]]
* Lady [[Jazzomyn Gheldieg]]
* Lord [[Tanis Keltronn]]
* Lord [[Jharvex Krimmevol]]
* Lord [[Bhaem Shumokh]]
* General [[Labak Craumerdaun]] (advisor)
* [[Heralds of Faerûn|Herald]] Swanmantle, [[Ard Roton]] (advisor)

==Trade==
Eshpurta was known as the "Shield City" because it had more troops stationed there than anywhere else in Amn. The business of the city largely revolved around the military with hundreds of blacksmiths, weaponsmiths, armorers, leatherworkers, stablekeepers, etc. which occupied the northern and western quadrants of the city. Large mining operations pulled iron and nickel out of the [[Troll Mountains]] to feed the smelters and ultimately produce the trappings of martial might. The eastern portion of the city was almost exclusively dedicated to the mining and related industries.<ref name="LoI-Amn-38" /> The chief exports of Eshpurta were arms, armor, military equipment and training, mercenaries, and iron ore.<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" /> Less lucrative but important for civic pride, the southern ward of the city was home to sculptors, artisans, and musicians.<ref name="LoI-Amn-38" />

==Defenses==
[[Image:EshpurtaCityLayout.JPG|thumb|right|150px|Eshpurta city layout]]
The city was naturally defended by creeks or rivers on three sides, as well as walls fortified with towers around the entire city proper. Three large gates connected the city to the major roads and the countryside. The southwest gate led to a crossing of the swiftly rushing<ref name="LoI-Amn-38" /> Trifin creek and the Eshpurta Road that ran westward to [[Keczulla]]. Just up from this road was the [[Golden Fortress]], overlooking the confluence of the creek and the river. The gate in the south-southeast opened on a crossing of the River Rimril and connected to the [[South Road (Amn)|South Road]] to Trollford. The north gate led to the settled countryside and eventually the Snakewood.<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" /><ref name="LoI-Map" />

===Troops===
Before the Sythillisian War, Eshpurta had a garrison of the [[Council of Six|Amnian Council]] Army 25,000 strong. This included 18,000 troops, 6,300 officers, and about 700 support personnel such as weapon and armor smiths, instructors, logistics managers, cooks, etc. In addition, the Golden Fortress housed some 3,000 trainees and the city was policed by the Shield Militia of 1,400&ndash;2,000<ref name="CS-18" /> mounted officers, which was under the direction of the Shield Council.<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" />

==History==
In the {{YearlinkName|491}}, [[Kadar el Aktorral]],<ref name="GHotR-89">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|89}}</ref> an ambitious [[Calishite]] noble, led a group of immigrants from [[Tethyr]] and Calimshan to the lands east of [[Lake Esmel]] and founded the Duchy of [[Cortryn]] in what was formerly the [[halfling]] realm of [[Meiritin]] and the [[Shoon]] territory of [[Valashar (kingdom)|Valashar]]. Eshpurta was established as a fishing village and was the northernmost city in Cortyrn.<ref name="GHotR-88">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|88}}</ref> The Duchy of Cortryn lasted until the {{YearlinkName|731}} when a [[beholder cult]] called the [[Ring of Eyes]] wiped out the ruling house and captured Cortryn. The Ring was eventually defeated and in the {{YearlinkName|760}}, Amn conquered the Duchy and added it to its territory.<ref name="GHotR-101">{{Cite book/The Grand History of the Realms|101}}</ref>

==Rumors and Legends==
* Eshpurta was one of the few cities that contained a ''gate'' to [[Swordsmere]], the secret subterranean lake surrounding [[Herald's Hall]].<ref name="CotH-81">{{Cite book/The Code of the Harpers|81}}</ref><ref name="LEoF-119">{{Cite book/Lost Empires of Faerun|119}}</ref>

* The [[Shadow Thieves]] were thought to control or operate some gambling establishments and festhalls, and run a payday loan business that appealed to some soldiers. All rogue activity was kept inconspicuous by necessity due to the heavy military presence in the city. If any misconduct was blatant enough to be noticed at the top of the chain of command, the General was not above turning the tables and having a siege weapon misfire and accidentally hit these shady businesses.<ref name="LoI-Amn-40">{{Cite book/Lands of Intrigue/Amn|40}}</ref>

==Notable Locations==
===Inns and Taverns===
* The [[Fierce Flumph]] &mdash; tavern<ref name="LoI-Amn-39" />
* The [[Hamstrung Giant]] &mdash; inn/tavern, had comfortable beds, good food, moderate prices<ref name="CS-18" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />
* The [[House of the Iron Rose]] &mdash; boarding house, exclusive to officers and the well-to-do; top quality, high prices<ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />
* The [[Knight's Detente]] &mdash; inn/festhall, rowdy, catered to soldiers; low quality, medium priced<ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />
* [[The Roots of the Earth]] &mdash; tavern/shrine to [[Grumbar]], rowdy, catered to miners; low quality, cheap<ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />
* [[Three Roldons]] &mdash; tavern, opulent, quiet, and very exclusive; good food/drink, high priced<ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />

===Shops===
* [[Bhamm's Herbs]]<ref name="CS-19" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-39" />
* [[Gray Goose Provisioners]]<ref name="CS-19" />
* [[Major Cargunn's Military and Equipment Shoppe]]<ref name="CS-19" />

===Temples and Shrines===
* The [[Towers of the Vengeful Hand]] ([[Tempus]])<ref name="CS-19" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-39" />
* The [[Towers of Willful Suffering]] ([[Ilmater]])<ref name="CS-19" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-39" />
* The [[Golden Fortress]] housed chapels to [[Helm]], [[Tempus]], [[Torm]], and [[Tyr]]<ref name="CS-19" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />
* Shrines to nearly every other [[deity]] worshiped in [[Faerûn]]<ref name="CS-19" /><ref name="LoI-Amn-40" />

==Notable Inhabitants==
===Lords and Ladies===
[[Bhaem Shumokh]] • [[Jazzomyn Gheldieg]] • [[Jharvex Krimmevol]] • [[Marcos Craumerdaun]] • [[Mikaal Dannihyr]] • [[Tanis Keltronn]] • [[Varytha Gheldieg]]
===Merchants and Workers===
[[Cargunn]] • [[Carn Wittsome]] • [[Eudhis Bhamm]] • [[Marlyn Lurraxol|Marlyn "Luxor" Lurraxol]] • [[Nethris Perndle]]
===Military Personnel===
[[Balacer Macefist]] • [[Dannal Harftevor]] • [[Labak Craumerdaun]] • [[Namble Swiftleg]]
===Clergy===
[[Benitus]] • [[Heldatha Dhussta]] • [[Jak Errins]] • [[Niskam Tresdaap]] • [[Peris Whallnsor]] • [[Torgan Minerson]]
===Wizards===
Due to the general censure of [[arcane spellcaster]]s in Amn, these persons kept their wizardly inclinations private.<br />
[[Dannal Harftevor]] • [[Eudhis Bhamm]] • [[Marlyn Lurraxol|Marlyn "Luxor" Lurraxol]] • [[Varytha Gheldieg]] • [[Vimal Craumerdaun]]
===Other===
[[Ard Roton]] • [[Korienna Redarm]]

==Appendix==
===Notes===
{{Notes}}
===Gallery===
<gallery>
Amn-2e-cropped.jpg|2e map of Amn, showing Eshpurta in the east.
TrollMountains2e.png|Eshpurta and the Troll Mountains<br />from 2nd ed. [[Lands of Intrigue (boxed set)|Lands of Intrigue]]
Amn map.jpg|3e map of [[Amn]]
Eshpurta.jpg|[[Castle Spulzeer (adventure)|Castle Spulzeer]] map of eastern [[Amn]].
</gallery>
===Appearances===
{{Appearances
| adventures          = ''[[Castle Spulzeer (adventure)|Castle Spulzeer]]''
| video games         = 
| video game refs     = ''[[Baldur's Gate III]]''
}}
===References===
{{refs}}
[[FR:Eshpurta]]
[[Category:Large cities]]
[[Category:Settlements]]
[[Category:Locations in Amn]]
[[Category:Locations in the Lands of Intrigue]]
[[Category:Locations in West Faerûn]]
[[Category:Locations in Faerûn]]
[[Category:Locations on Toril]]
[[Category:Locations]]
[[Category:Locations on Trifin Creek]]
[[Category:Locations on the River Rimril]]
[[Category:Locations on the Esmelflow]]