Runegate is a town of about 1000 people, central to the Narri, Enhyli, and Taraling clans of the Colymar Tribe. It’s a town of new wooden buildings, almost all having been rebuilt after the destruction of the Crimson Bat’s attack on the city in 1602 (17 years ago).
The most important resource of Runegate is its horses. The town was founded as the tribal center of three horse-worshipping clans from the Holy Country. The Taral War in the 1400s brought the clans into the Colymar Tribe and replaced the destroyed Lonisi clan with the new Taraling clan. The Narri clan’s fortified pastures in Horse Town north of the city produces the most famous horses in all of Sartar.
As a town with a larger population than the entire Goodweaver Clan and the support of three clans’ agriculture, they are able to support dozens of craftspeople. As a result, they are a potential source of metal goods (especially bronze and to a lesser extent gold), woodwork, and other crafted goods. Horse-related goods such as tack, harness, horseshoes, etc. are especially abundant in Runegate.
Less concretely, Runegate offers a gateway to the markets of northern Sartar and, beyond it, Tarsh and the rest of the Lunar Empire. Located at the northern endpoint of the Goodale Path which travels from north-south through eastern Lismelder territory, it could offer a trade route to the north that doesn’t require dangerous trips through the Upland Marsh.
There is no unified town government in Runegate; instead the leaders of the three clans regularly meet to resolve disputes and make decisions together. When they cannot agree, disputes are brought to the tribal assembly in Clearwine. The Lord of Runegate leads the militia, deals with foreigners, and defends the town against the Unliving Army.
The Enhyli clan is an Elmal-worshipping clan. Due to their proximity to the Marsh, they also hate the undead and have many Humakti. Like the Narri, they are known for their horses. The Lord of Runegate (see below), Selelmal the True is from the Enhyli, as is the High Priestess of Redalda at Horsetown, Nallindia Horse Mistress (also below).
The Narri clan run Horse Town. The worship of Elmal is common among the Narri but not quite as ubiquitous as it is in the Enhyli. Like the Enhyli, they have many Humakti and despise the undead. The wealthy merchant Jarkandos Longface (both described below) is from the Narri.
The Taraling clan is rich and powerful and makes up about half the population of Runegate (with the other half mostly split evenly between the two other clans). It has produced the last two tribal leaders of the Colymar: the current pro-Lunar King Kangharl, and his predecessor the exiled rebel Queen Leika Ballista.
High Priest of Elmal and Lord of Runegate.
Reputation says he’s extremely dutiful and loyal to the tribe’s leadership, whomever that is at the time. He’s also famously skilled as a warrior and horseman. He rides a fine white horse and has sworn to kill anybody else who rides it. He is responsible for passing judgment over foreigners who cause trouble (at least when the town’s Humakti guards are the ones to subdue them).
Darsten Black Oak (
) was an Orlanthi priest, but after the last failed rebellion he concluded he knew which way the wind was blowing. He travelled to Peloria and converted to the cult of Doburdan Black Oak: a Pelorian storm god, enslaved by Yelm. He returned and has formed a small band of mercenaries, the Black Oak Brotherhood, by recruiting other ex-Orlanth-worshippers. They’re arrogant and bullying, but well-protected by Darsten’s closeness to his cousin King Kangharl.
A company of 100 Tarshite foot soldiers from Dunstop is garrisoned at Runegate. Their captain is Endelkarth 
, a worshipper of the Lunar war god Yanafal Tarnils.
An Issaries merchant priest who, alongside his apprentices, monopolizes all sales of horses from Horestown to outsiders. He’s very wealthy and drives a hard bargain.
High Priestess of Redalda at Horestown.
She has flowing red hair and is good with a spear, but she’s not a Vingan. She is very holy and beloved by the gods. She is said to rarely intervene in tribal affairs, however.
: a sharp-tongued skald and skilled swordsman. Famous for his verses and his sleeping around and hating the Lunar Empire and King Kangharl.
: powerful Ernalda priestess who has travelled widely, although she currently serves as chief priestess at the local Lightbringer temple. Said to be very dedicated to the interests of the Taraling clan. Nicknamed for the huge magical boar she can summon to defend Runegate.