Shardstand
Shardstand is a settlement which is dangerously close to being claimed by the Stoneleaf forest. They're known for the heavy use of the petrified trees in much of their equipment, though unfortunately, their location is also prone to Living Spells coming close to the buildings.
Demographics
Species
| Species | Number (%) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human | 84 (61%) | 37 (44%) | 47 (56%) |
| Dwarf | 32 (23%) | 19 (59%) | 13 (41%) |
| Dragonborn | 14 (10%) | 4 (28%) | 10 (72%) |
| Elf | 7 (6%) | 3 (42%) | 4 (58%) |
Jobs
| Career | Number (%) |
|---|---|
| Fisherman | 63 (46%) |
| Lumbermason | 6 (4%) |
| Labourer | 18 (14%) |
| Guard | 21 (15%) |
| Priest | 3 (2%) |
| Unemployed | 26 (19%) |
Government
Shardstand is lead by a trio of priests, who guide the population. The theocracy preaches the core tenets of living with, not on, the land and that what they now exist upon is a world scarred by the greed of the previous eras. They gather fish and ocean plants for sustenance, but only take what is needed; they use the products of the world that they are supplied with such as naturally hewn rocks or fallen boughs from the Stoneleaf forest.
Defences
The town has little to no combat defences maintained. The remnants of an old, wooden wall lie in ruins around the town, buried under drifts of sand. A scant few walls have been constructed at gaps between the outermost buildings, which have been converted into a crude wall that goes uncared for. The majority of their defensive structures have been consolidated to the west, in an attempt to prevent another disaster from striking the town.
The guards of the town are similarly laid back, content to simply patrol the outskirts or stand on guard at certain locations. However, that does not mean they are lax in their training, and they are coldly resolute in their duties.
Industry & Trade
Some trade occurs when travellers pass through; often for a safe place to sleep, or for some supplies to make further trips. The stoneleaf items that they produce are highly sought, and rarely they will produce and trade extras for supplies that are desperately needed.
Infrastructure
A decent portion of the town has been repaired, or at the least made habitable once more, while the old docks have been cut up into crude rafts fitted with lengths of woven rope for fishing platforms. Towards the flows, many of the buildings have been torn down, the bricks repurposed to create a shield against any errant expulsions from Flows, The.
Assets
One of Shardstands few assets are the skills of their lumbermasons; those who have the skill and training to work with the materials gathered from the Stoneleaf forest. The weapons and armour produced are of fine quality and not often traded, instead created for those who serve in the town's guards.
While little food or supplies are stored in excess, those who wish to trade can make their payments in advance; the inhabitants will gather or produce the requested products over a few days of extra work.
Guilds and Factions
The centre of the town has an old, ruined building which once belonged to the Five Rings mercantile guild. Though the surface is in a bedraggled state, much of its underground infrastructure remains intact and useable.
History
Shardstand was founded to provide a resupply point for ships to stop at; the nearby forest and farmable land allowed for grains and fruits to be easily gathered and preserved for trade. The settlement grew over time, particularly during an ore rush from test mines revealing large seams of valuable ores when excavation pits were tested in the western lands.
The mines were torn apart when the Cataclysm triggered the Flows to surge into the sky, the town and its occupants erased by toxic gasses and pyroclastic flows. It took several decades before the remains of the town were eventually excavated and re-settled by a group who set out from Farmloss when the population grew too large to survive on the farmable lands alone.
Tourism
Some travellers make the journey to barter for Stoneleaf equipment or other items in exchange for materials. Some even make the journey to join the settlement, bringing what skills and items they can to pay for their acceptance.
Architecture
The architecture is composed of sandstone, though many of the engravings or decorations are long-since worn away. The interiors are somewhat less worn down and feature many engravings of geometric patterns across the walls.
Geography
Sand forms the terrain around Shardstand, moistened through tidal wind and spray. The ocean itself rapidly drops away, though the seabed is rich with aquatic plants, to the point that there have been drownings from divers becoming tangled in the lengths of weed. The western land soon meets The Flows, though it is rare for any to make the journey there.
Natural Resources
The ocean is frequented for fish and crustaceans via spears or divers. Seaweed and other plants are collected for drying into food and equipment such as woven hemp. Despite the risk, scavengers will at times approach the Flows to search for valuable rocks and resources spat up from beneath the surface.
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