Ostford
The town was a small, motley collection of stone buildings and thatch roofs slowly suffering the wrath of time. To the right, a windmill slowly turned, and to their left, fields stood golden with grain. The ground was muddy, well-trodden with hoofprints, cart-trails, and the tracks of people of all races. Farther ahead rushed the river Norië under the bridge leading across, and the path across it vanished further into the last trees before turning left and vanishing from sight. This was Ostford. The low wall surrounding the town opened up at a gate across the road, at which stood a lonesome Watcher, spear in hand, watching the traffic that entered and left the city.
Thriving on grain, flour, and fish, Ostford lies on the eastern bank of the river Norië, or 'Running' in Common within the Cyren Basin. Founded in 962 PC as a trade-stop between the dwarven city of Nalgrim and the city of Tor Tirista, the City of the Guard, under the Iressar Conclave, Ostford was founded where it has been due to its strategic location along the River Norië, and came to prominence around the turn of the century when a particular type of fish was discovered to thrive in the waters of the river. This attracted an influx of fishermen, which set up profitable businesses within the town
Building from such prosperity, a tavern (and inn), the Wandering Satyr, was quickly constructed to serve as a resting spot for travellers and other wandering folks that travelled east or west along the long, winding roads. It has since developed into a quiet stop on the Iron Road between the Iressar Conclave and the Darethian Empire.
Demographics
Ostford plays home to a sizable population of
Sea Elves, which have emigrated from the Dual Union of Ar'Qualesh to settle in Ostford and make a living. Mostly, however, its population is made up of Humans, Halflings, and a small minority of Iron Dwarves from the Spine of the World.
Defences
Ostford is home to one regiment of Watchers from the Darethian Empire, the police force and military in one. Armed with shields and simple spears, they serve as the main defensive force of the town. Their uniform is dark maroon robes with a bronze breastplate and helm. Further, they wield a spear, sword, and long shield, with the emblem of the Darethian Empire emblazoned on the shield. They answer to Guardmaster Erich Harom, who answers to the Lawmaster Tath Duskdane.
Industry & Trade
Ostford's main trade is fish and grain; the latter transformed into beer and other wheat products. The grain is of high quality for the region and supplies the Darenthian Empire with a part of its alcohol, bread, and other grain-related products, including flour. Another major export, as mentioned, is fish and fish-related products. Caught fresh from the Norië, it is salted or smoked and then brought by road to the rest of the Darethian Empire.
Districts
Ostford is divided into three Wards - areas of the city. These are judged by geographical location, and each has a distinct character (or purpose) for the town at large. Each Ward is surrounded by the city's low wall, and throughout the wards are defensive positions, as is required of a city close to the Dreaming Weald.
The Stromward holds the town's harbour and plays host to fishermen and a shipwright to repair what traffic comes up and down the river from Tor Tirista, though most traders pass it by for the richer Tor Tirista upstream. The Stromward is the longest ward of the town and mostly consists of dock structures that protrude into the rushing water of the Norië. Fishing boats and traders are often anchored here; the docks host several small watering holes, though the main tavern and drinking locales of the city are further in.
The Midward is the central ward of the city and is where the town's wealthy reside. It is also the location of the Watcher's barracks: the city guard, which protects the city and enforces its laws under the authority of the local Lawmaster—Tath Duskdane. This features a stockade and prison, which also serves as the Lawmaster's home, and a bathhouse for the wealthy and those willing to pay. It also features some high-end shops and a library, though its collection is minimal and it is well-observed by the Watchers.
The Usward is the outer and northern ward of the city and is a place of industry and work. It hosts the most popular and vibrant inn and tavern in the town, the Wandering Satyr, and plays host to several breweries and other kinds of industry. It is what produces the trade that Ostford exports and most industries are used to keep the town alive and prosperous. Included in the Usward are the large fields of grain that stretch beyond the town border and are used to produce the beer for which the town is moderately well-known.
Guilds and Factions
Ostford's main organisations are the fishermen, headed by the Husmann, Fang, and Von Angel families. It fishes and produces fish for the village to consume. Another family present is the Brennhaus clan, which owns the town's brewery. It makes beers and other alcoholic beverages, but has, over time, come to also lead the town's efforts in producing and developing its famed grain. Another faction is the Watchers, who seek to uphold the law of the Darethian Empire.
History
Founded in 962 AC as a trade-stop between the dwarven city of Nagrim and the Elven city under the Iressar Conclave of Tor Iseri, the City of the Guard, Ostford was founded where it has been due to its strategic location along the River Norië. It has since risen to prominence in the 11th century AC after the opening of a direct trade route with the heartland of the Empire in the Eternal Plains through the Dwarven cities of Nalgrim and Gar-Kadrin. This brought wealth to Ostford, and with it, immigrants and thus more labour and thus more work and wealth.
In the modern-day, Ostford serves as a quiet stop on the Iron Road between the Iressar Conclave and the nascent Darethian Empire. And yet, tensions are heating up: the newly-crowned king of the Darethian Empire seeks territorial expansion even beyond the agreed-upon borders between the Conclave and the Empire. Time will tell what role Ostford will play in this.
Points of interest
The Wandering Satyr (inn):
Staff: Yora (Sea Elf owner, Female), Genevre/Gen (Human, barmaid, Female)
Description: A squat building of stone with a timber roof, the Satyr stands two stories tall and is, barring the windmill and mayor's house, the tallest in the town. Attached are small stables of timber construction, and in the wide common room stand multiple smaller tables with chairs. Above the hearth is an engraving of a Satyr, dancing with a pan-flute in his hands; Yora is often heard regaling that she actually met the creature. Upstairs are five rooms, one of which is private. The Satyr is the only building in town to have a cellar, which it uses for storage.
The Drowned Mug (tavern):
Staff: Osmar (Human owner)
Description: Located in the Stromward District, the Drowned Mug is a small tavern and hostel built from stone with several rickety additions that causes it to faintly lean over the river. It is said that it is faintly sinking into the river, though its owner and proprietor, Osmar, always denies this to be the case..
Linnan's Goods (general goods):
Staff: Linnan Goodberry (Halfling owner, Male)
Description: A large rectangular building of one (ground) floor, Linnan's Goods is of a timber frame and a thatched roof. The storefront is small, with a counter and little else, illuminated by torchlight that hangs from a sconce in the wall. Behind the counter is a door, leading to the store's storage, which takes up most of the store's building.
Lawmaster's Home:
Staff: Tath Duskdane (Human, Male)
Description: One of the larger buildings in town, the only building other than the Satyr to have more than one floor, the Starosta's home serves as the residence of the Starosta, Tath Duskdane, the appointed representative of the Darethian Empire in these parts. It also serves as the local jail: the bottom floor is made of stone and boasts a small holding cell. Outside stands a billboard with local jobs and missives.
Staff: Yora (Sea Elf owner, Female), Genevre/Gen (Human, barmaid, Female)
Description: A squat building of stone with a timber roof, the Satyr stands two stories tall and is, barring the windmill and mayor's house, the tallest in the town. Attached are small stables of timber construction, and in the wide common room stand multiple smaller tables with chairs. Above the hearth is an engraving of a Satyr, dancing with a pan-flute in his hands; Yora is often heard regaling that she actually met the creature. Upstairs are five rooms, one of which is private. The Satyr is the only building in town to have a cellar, which it uses for storage.
The Drowned Mug (tavern):
Staff: Osmar (Human owner)
Description: Located in the Stromward District, the Drowned Mug is a small tavern and hostel built from stone with several rickety additions that causes it to faintly lean over the river. It is said that it is faintly sinking into the river, though its owner and proprietor, Osmar, always denies this to be the case..
Linnan's Goods (general goods):
Staff: Linnan Goodberry (Halfling owner, Male)
Description: A large rectangular building of one (ground) floor, Linnan's Goods is of a timber frame and a thatched roof. The storefront is small, with a counter and little else, illuminated by torchlight that hangs from a sconce in the wall. Behind the counter is a door, leading to the store's storage, which takes up most of the store's building.
Lawmaster's Home:
Staff: Tath Duskdane (Human, Male)
Description: One of the larger buildings in town, the only building other than the Satyr to have more than one floor, the Starosta's home serves as the residence of the Starosta, Tath Duskdane, the appointed representative of the Darethian Empire in these parts. It also serves as the local jail: the bottom floor is made of stone and boasts a small holding cell. Outside stands a billboard with local jobs and missives.
Founding Date
962 PC
Type
Hamlet
Population
4,618
Inhabitant Demonym
Osfordian
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Reports (Primary)
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