OK, the reason that I choose going east was that Roog told me it was a mining town. I have no information on the town of Tepentor. Since it is sitting up against the mountains (in the map) I can assume that is also has an income from mining. Since any village would assume to have some agriculture income (people have to eat) i was looking for a supply of something different to bring people to the village. We could sit it on a small river to allow the siting of a mill, or some such. Also the small river (too small to be put on a map) would allow transport of goods, a source of protein (fish), and fresh water.
I am seeing hard grains (winter wheat, barley) and the like being raised here. Perhaps some hardy fruit trees. This would allow the production of Ales, Ciders and cordials that could be shipped to Rapata. All of this gives the adventurers a reason to be here (guarding the brewery or an ale shipment) Being the crew of a small coastal freighter bring good to the village from the Big City Since we are starting with a sort of "the house that Jack built" (again an assumption for AP0, Adventure Path 0), we need a basis of economy so we can have the appropriate merchants and village people and a method of paying the heroes (a free night's stay? a chicken? a few copper coins?)
Off to beat up on some poor unsuspecting gamers at RPG tables.
-BP