Eyju
…from the distance I saw a magical place shrouded in fog, its mysterious people hidden from the rest of the world. As I approached, the fog slowly gave way to the inhabited wreck they call a village. Sometimes the mystery is much more exciting than reality…
Demographics
Government
Much like its neighbor to the south, Utdanning, the village of Eyju is ruled by a jarl. Jarls of Eyju are not an inheritor of a blood right, but a champion. More specifically the Jarl is the individual who brings in the largest load of fish during a biannual fishing season. The winner is decided by whoever can haul in the most amber tailed snapper, a delicacy which can only be found in this region. The winner of said competition earns the title of Jarl until the start of the next season.
The title comes with many responsibilities. Not only does the jarl have to ensure the wellness of the village and her people, but also the wilderness around them that supports their way of life. Many common laws in the village pertain to punishing those who abuse the natural resources around them including, but not limited to overfishing, destroying natural dams, over logging, and excess waste production. These laws have ensured that the quite village on the lake can prosper as well in the future as it did in the past.
The title comes with many responsibilities. Not only does the jarl have to ensure the wellness of the village and her people, but also the wilderness around them that supports their way of life. Many common laws in the village pertain to punishing those who abuse the natural resources around them including, but not limited to overfishing, destroying natural dams, over logging, and excess waste production. These laws have ensured that the quite village on the lake can prosper as well in the future as it did in the past.
Defences
The greatest defense Eyju has is its location. Floating in the middle of one of the largest lakes of Malnova, most armies would struggle to reach the storm walls of the city. An invaders best option would be to assault the city by boat, but a militia of fishermen armed to the teeth would oppose them. This militia is coordinated by the Fisherman’s Guild in Eyju and is meant to dissuade piracy on the lake, but if push came to shove, they would defend the city from any invading force.
Industry & Trade
Being in a lake, the primary industry of Eyju is fishing. Fishermen from the village catch and sell anything they can get their hands on from the lake. Fish such as sturgeon, bass, loaches, catfish, and even amber tailed snapper, are caught within the waters ofarti Lake Insjö. Other creatures such as beavers, crayfish, and freshwater oysters are also hunted by the populace.
Due to the importance of boats to the lives of the villagers, shipbuilding has become a vastly important trade. Many shipbuilders will work by themselves or in small groups to both build new boats and repair damaged ones. If a shipbuilder finds that a ship is too damaged for repair, they may confiscate it and scrap it for parts for either other vessels or the village itself. Because Eyju is basically one large boat, the shipbuilders also work to maintain the very structure they live on. They use everything to keep the village afloat, from new lumber brought in from upriver, to parts scraped from decommissioned boats.
Eyju also is a prominent hub of trade due to its ease of access to the of Vomethnda’s major cities, Heilagur, Jordmässig, and Utdanning. Barges of goods from across the county pass through the village and often stop for a brief rest before resuming their trek. Eyju also exports goods to other cities and towns by boat as well, with lumber and fish products being the most popular exports.
Due to the importance of boats to the lives of the villagers, shipbuilding has become a vastly important trade. Many shipbuilders will work by themselves or in small groups to both build new boats and repair damaged ones. If a shipbuilder finds that a ship is too damaged for repair, they may confiscate it and scrap it for parts for either other vessels or the village itself. Because Eyju is basically one large boat, the shipbuilders also work to maintain the very structure they live on. They use everything to keep the village afloat, from new lumber brought in from upriver, to parts scraped from decommissioned boats.
Eyju also is a prominent hub of trade due to its ease of access to the of Vomethnda’s major cities, Heilagur, Jordmässig, and Utdanning. Barges of goods from across the county pass through the village and often stop for a brief rest before resuming their trek. Eyju also exports goods to other cities and towns by boat as well, with lumber and fish products being the most popular exports.
Infrastructure
The flotilla that is the village of Eyju is supported by key pieces of infrastructure which keeps the city, and its people, prosperous. A great stone structure lies in the center of the town which acts as an anchor and lighthouse. The lighthouse, known as Ensomt Lys, is the singular stone structure in Eyju. The structure was built as a reaction to a particularly bad storm where many ships crashed into the village, almost sinking it. Residents of Eyju then decided to create a more permanent structure that they could use to not only guide ships on the lake, but to secure the town further.
Even the ships that were wrecked during that disastrous storm even found some use in rebuilding the village. Their hulls were repurposed and now make up the storm wall, a structure that lines the village’s outer edge to protect it from further storms. When looking at the village from a distance it can be easy to mistake the storm wall merely as a crowded dock.
Rather than using mystek or runic sources for light and heat, the villagers of Eyju still use fuel powered devices. Street lighting, stoves, ranges, furnaces, boats, and even the lighthouse are powered using whale diesel, which is imported from the northern Pomatican city of Dásofum. If there is ever a shortage of whale diesel local fishermen will make a substitute using the oils of fish found in the surrounding lake.
Using the water from the lake surrounding them, villagers of Eyju have created an advanced hydroponic system which feeds several public gardens. These gardens are used to grow vegetables and fruits that many in the village would otherwise have no means of getting their hands on. Apples, garlic, potatoes, and onions are just some examples of what is grown here.
Even the ships that were wrecked during that disastrous storm even found some use in rebuilding the village. Their hulls were repurposed and now make up the storm wall, a structure that lines the village’s outer edge to protect it from further storms. When looking at the village from a distance it can be easy to mistake the storm wall merely as a crowded dock.
Rather than using mystek or runic sources for light and heat, the villagers of Eyju still use fuel powered devices. Street lighting, stoves, ranges, furnaces, boats, and even the lighthouse are powered using whale diesel, which is imported from the northern Pomatican city of Dásofum. If there is ever a shortage of whale diesel local fishermen will make a substitute using the oils of fish found in the surrounding lake.
Using the water from the lake surrounding them, villagers of Eyju have created an advanced hydroponic system which feeds several public gardens. These gardens are used to grow vegetables and fruits that many in the village would otherwise have no means of getting their hands on. Apples, garlic, potatoes, and onions are just some examples of what is grown here.
Guilds and Factions
Fisherman’s Guild: The Fisherman’s Guild not only acts as a hub of the village’s center of commerce, but also as the seat of its government. From the guild the jarl of Eyju declares laws and regulates what fish are allowed to be caught and what must be released. The one exception is that of the amber tailed snapper, which can only be caught every other year during the ceremonial competition to choose the next jarl. The guild is most interested in protecting the natural resources of Lake Insjö from being destroyed by the populace, but also allowing for the village to flourish from its bounty. Its headquarters are at the jarl’s personal boat, Sirene, which resembles a floating mansion more than a boat.
Sérvitur Trading Co.: A company of sailors that ferry goods and people along the Frida River and around Lake Insjö. Originally the company was no more than a single boat that would smuggle fantasma crystals all over the country but has since grown to become more of a legitimate business. Although, if you pay enough most sailors of the company will transport just about anything with no questions asked. While they have no official headquarters, a member of the company can be easily found by the crest they wear or the flag they fly depicting an amber tailed snapper against a solid yellow or gold background.
Sérvitur Trading Co.: A company of sailors that ferry goods and people along the Frida River and around Lake Insjö. Originally the company was no more than a single boat that would smuggle fantasma crystals all over the country but has since grown to become more of a legitimate business. Although, if you pay enough most sailors of the company will transport just about anything with no questions asked. While they have no official headquarters, a member of the company can be easily found by the crest they wear or the flag they fly depicting an amber tailed snapper against a solid yellow or gold background.
Points of interest
The Sirene: Acting as both the jarl’s residence and the headquarters of the Fishermen’s Guild this magnificent structure elegantly portrays the villager’s tenacity for their aquatic lifestyle. The Sirene is not attacked to the main structure of Eyju in any way, being itself its own private ship which orbits the village proper. The ship itself resembles a house or mansion more than a boat, with a flat wooden platform acting as the foundation for the structure above it, and a set of pontoons below that keep the whole thing from sinking. The main structure of Sirene mimics the style of architecture seen in Utdanning’s Meadtown district. The structure is complete with ornate wooden panels, tiered roofing, decorative columns, and eyebrow windows.
Ensomt Lys: Acting as both lighthouse and anchor, Ensmot Lys is probably the single most important structure in the village. The structure is made of tabby, a sort of concrete made with burnt oyster shells, sand and water. This makes the structure unique, as it’s the only structure in the village not made entirely from wood. The is cylindrical in shape and reaches almost two hundred and fifty feet tall. At its top, a structure made of wood and glass houses the beacon which signals to fishermen in the night or stormy days as to where the village is. The structure also contains an apartment capable of housing up to four people comfortably. Many of the village’s less well-off fishermen will often volunteer to stay at Ensmot Lys and maintain the structure and beacon until they regain their footing to be able to set off to the lake once more.
Ensomt Lys: Acting as both lighthouse and anchor, Ensmot Lys is probably the single most important structure in the village. The structure is made of tabby, a sort of concrete made with burnt oyster shells, sand and water. This makes the structure unique, as it’s the only structure in the village not made entirely from wood. The is cylindrical in shape and reaches almost two hundred and fifty feet tall. At its top, a structure made of wood and glass houses the beacon which signals to fishermen in the night or stormy days as to where the village is. The structure also contains an apartment capable of housing up to four people comfortably. Many of the village’s less well-off fishermen will often volunteer to stay at Ensmot Lys and maintain the structure and beacon until they regain their footing to be able to set off to the lake once more.
Architecture
Eyju’s location lends to a unique architectural style. Each of the structures, other than Ensmot Lys, are made up completely of materials you would find in ship building. From massive timbers usually meant for masts of large ships, to the sails and ropes used to steer it, Eyju is made from the scraps of discarded ships and boats. Walls and roofs are often made from the hulls of old ships. Old sails are often used as signs and a means for shade. Any glass used on scrap boats is often turned into windows, mirrors, or sometimes even glassware. The village itself resembles many small rafts or house boats that are all connected to each other by ropes or bridges. They are all connected in some way to Ensmot Lys which acts as the village’s anchor. Despite how loosely the individual rafts are tied together, the village becomes more and more cramped towards the center. The center of the village is also where some of the oldest structures can be found, with some dating to the 1100’s AE.
Geography
Eyju resides in the central area of Lake Insjö many miles from any shoreline. It can take anywhere from half a day to a full day’s travel to reach the village from the shore. The Dulspeki Forest lies to the north of the village which acts as its main source of lumber.
Climate
Eyju exists in a cool and humid environment. Temperatures in the summer can reach at most around 90 degrees Fahrenheit while the winters can reach nearly into the negatives. The village is also privy to intense bouts of fog, rain, and storms.
Natural Resources
The village benefits from a wide variety of wildlife found within the lake. A large variety of fish and crustations can be found along with other creatures such as beavers and otters. The Dulspeki Forest to the north provides more common game and nearly limitless lumber. The lake is also home to large deposits of clay and coal.
Alternative Name(s)
The City of Rafts
Type
Village
Inhabitant Demonym
Raft Dwellers
Location under
Related Reports (Primary)
Related Reports (Secondary)
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