Hyarpendë

The most important town in Harithilien was the trading haven oh Hyarpende (Q. "South Slope"), opposite Pelargir on the bank of the Anduin and at the northern terminus of the Hyarmentie.Life was intimately connected with that of Pelargir, and it had grown accordingly. Hyarpende was built around the Númenórean ferry station linking the Hyarmentie to Pelargir. As Pelargir became a major trading center, Hyarpende was transformed from a lazy village into a bustling gate to the eastern Vale of Anduin. As roads were built and connmunication established, its business changed from principally fishing to exclusively trading. Merchants ponding horses and mules for the caravans to and from Pelargir prospered, and the town became renowned for its high quality of horses. The link to Pelargir was a ferry whose operation dated back to the time of the Pelargirean League and through it people and goods were shipped to and from the city every two hours. The ferry- was almost always full, with lines of people waiting in turn on both sides. To be ferried across the Andiun costed 20 cp for one person, adding 1cp for each man's load carried, Livestock and horses were not allowed on the ferry. If one wanted to transport such goods, special arrangements had to be made. There were plenty of fishermen willing to ship strangers and cumbersome goods, providing the payment was high enough. Since the risks of trusting in strangers that could be criminals were high, so were the prices. The unwary traveler could end up paying ten times the fare of a ferry trip. There was a local coach line that connected Hyarpende to the towns along the Poros as far as Tir Ethraid.From there it was possible to travel to Harondor or Minas Ithil. The cost of a coach trip was 1cpp per mile. Hyarpende was centered around the ferry berth, where an engraved, thirty-foot tall obelisk marking the end of the Hyarmentie was all that remained of the original Númenórean ferry station. There were a few shops, mostly providing equipment and provisions for people traveling within the country. Three local merchants sold horses and mules, and also ran the coach line.There was a small smithy, where only basic services were offered. The Five Falcons, a large establishment, provided meals and a place to sleep for the weary traveler. Prices were high and the service poor, but as it was the only alternative on the east bank of the Anduin, it flourished.