“Careful with that one - some fool of a lad left an echo on that crate when he fell off the side two stops down. Don’t worry, he’s okay, but-”
”Blimey, the river's cold this time of year!”
”Warned you.”
Little Avoning is a market town and, even before the changes brought about by the construction of the ironworks, it had grown large and prosperous by virtue of being both on a river and on a route between two nearby cities.
The vast majority of goods passing through Little Avoning arrive by river. Upriver lies the dam and the lock at its side through which boats may travel to the farms and smaller settlements beyond. Downriver lies the sea, and from there cargo is further passed up or down the coast.
The docks are therefore a hub of activity, day in and day out, with many hands needed to move goods and produce on and off the boats. Several warehouses sit just back from the water’s edge, temporary storage before items are sold in the town or moved on to their next destination.
Farms and other local settlements not on the river must trade by land instead, and Little Avoning is the largest market town for miles around. A twice-weekly market is held in the square for farmers to sell fresh produce, and for those from out of town to come and buy the necessities of daily life. Most local businesses keep regular hours as well but the market remains a strong tradition.
The General Post has been serving the country for the best part of two centuries, and while the Little Avoning Post Office isn’t quite that old, the town’s position on a route between major cities means that it was one of the first. The recent increase in the number of new residents has seen a similar increase in demand to send private letters back to friends and families in now-distant hometowns.
The building consists of two parts: the post, with a stables for the horses and lodgings for the mail carriage drivers and guards as they pass through; and the office, where letters can be sent or received at the main desk. Those expecting particularly momentous news are asked to please wait until they are home before opening them, to prevent the creation of unfortunate echoes within the post office.
If you would like to play a character with ties to trade, here are a few ideas - though this list is by no means exhaustive.
Note that PCs are expected to be permanent residents of Little Avoning, so may not be couriers or the like who are just passing through.