Map of Espen<br/><img alt="Image" src="http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o42/Kitsunea/Espen.jpg"/><br/><br/>A bit about Espen...<br/><br/>Espen is having financial problems - that much is apparent. So bad are their financial problems, the current crafter's guild (A group of individuals actually brought in from Falteen to build Espen's wall), has abandoned the project. No pay makes for hungry bellies, and they'd have no part of it. 90% have dispersed, using whatever money they were able to save to make their way back to one of the more populated cities. The other 10%, finding themselves moneyless, have turned to the slums. The wall remains unbuilt in places, allowing all manner of wild creatures in - when noone is watching.<br/><br/>The slums have grown considerably over the last few months. Refugees from the outlying settlements and individual homesteads have flooded in to Espen, making the small township VERY overcrowded. Those already living in Espen would have no part of it - thus forcing everyone into one area, in the southwestern portion of the city. It has turned into the slums, where people live on the streets, in tents, or just whereever they can find. It is also turning into a major hangout for thugs, eager to prey on those with any money - or, just make a meal of them.<br/><br/>The southeastern portion of the city is currently under the control of a Mercenary band called the 'Iron Roses', also a group of individuals called in from out-of-city to help with the problems. Once more, Espen's financial situation bit them in the butt, and now the Mercs have pretty well taken over that portion of the city. There seems to be an unspoken agreement between them and the guards...<br/><br/>The northern portions of the city are safeest, and where most merchants have relocated (If they had the opportunity). It is heavily patrolled by guards or hirelings, and the peace is kept there - in a way. Outsiders are sometimes arrested for artificial crimes,  and some of them never even make it to the jailcells... >:3