Asmundskiir (ahz-moonds-keer)
Once a separate and independent town, the area of Asmundskiir is now basically a suburb of the larger capital city of Lakewatch, with the furthest eastern portion of Asmundskiir being just over a full day's walk from the outskirts of the capital. Before the founding of the capital, Asmundskiir was the lone lakefront town in the Demesne and enjoyed the bounties of the water. Since the capital's founding and growth, the two towns have shared the wealth of Lake Syber.
Because the capital city of Lakewatch does not have an official member in the Thing, many Lakewatchmen look to Asmundskiir's jarl as their own - though they recognize the authority of Lakewatch's mayor in local affairs. As one of the traditional towns of the Demesne, Asmundskiir is ruled by a Frost Giant jarl. Unlike giants in most other fantasy settings (and especially those of 5th Edition D&D), the families that have settled and populated the Demesne of Ice for millennia are benevolent, though there are more traditional aggressive, nomadic giants that live in the wilderness areas of the Demesne and the Forbidden Forest. The current jarl has been on the throne for over 300 years, taking over after his father died in 1151 2A. The Asmund dynasty has been in charge of the town for close to 2000 years, stretching back into the First Age when they took over from the previous dynasty and renamed the town to reflect its new leaders.
Because the towns of the Demesne were isolated geographically and culturally (the Demesne was almost entirely giants and giant-kin such as goliaths and firbolgs) from the rest of the world, their cities were not affected by The Smiting. They had no idea such an event had even occurred until several decades into the Second Age when settlers from other parts of Dalkaria made contact and began to spread history and legend to the people of the Demesne. Because of this heritage, the Demesne is the only place in the world with complete records and oral histories dating back to the First Age.
Demographics
Owing the traditions and cultures of the past, the town of Asmundskiir - like much of the Demesne of Ice - remains predominately Giant and giant-kin (goliath and firbolg). The town also boasts a small portion of huundari with thicker coats more accustomed to the wintry climate. Around 20% of the town is human, halfling, dwarf, and various other peoples that have settled here over time.
The primary industries in Asmundskiir are fishing and agriculture, though trade and goods transportation are also prominent, to move goods to and through other towns in the northern tundra. The outskirts of the town feature many root vegetable and moss farms that supply food for Asmundskiir and Lakewatch, as the two are essentially one large settlement.
The only nobility in town is the jarl's family and the two or three other frost giants in town. Even the richest and oldest of giant-kin families do not have the cultural clout that would elevate them to true nobility. And it is a mark of this land's culture that Frost Giants are viewed as superior in all facets of society. Like most of the Demesne, Asmundskiir is very community-focused, with many taverns opening their doors to everyone, even those who are too poor to afford the food and drink they offer. The roaring fires heat the entire interior of the tavern, so those who are not patronizing the establishment can sit in a corner and still be warm.
Government
The town of Asmundskiir is led by a jarl from among the Frost Giants of the north. The jarl serves for life, and the title passes to a designated child - not necessarily the eldest. If a jarl dies without a clearly designated heir, the town convenes a moot to decide between the heirs. This moot is made up of one representative of every family in the town, usually one of the elders, and is the closest thing to a democracy the Demesne has.
The jarl appoints all judges and council advisors, which can be from among the Giants or any other people in the town - though the positions tend to go to giant-kin (goliaths and firbolgs). These positions are life-long, or until the jarl decides to make a replacement. In times where a jarl makes too many replacements and the townsfolk start to suspect corruption or rampant nepotism, they can call upon the Thing - the meeting of all the jarls - to investigate and potentially depose the offending jarl. There has only been one occurrence of this throughout history, in 207 2A when the jarl of Dagmarskiir was corrupted by infernal influence and had to be overthrown.
Defences
The town had a perimeter wooden pallisade wall several centuries ago, but growth outstripped that area long ago, and now most of the pallisade has been dismantled and converted to houses or other buildings. Parts of it still stand, especially around the central district, but are mostly defunct and not manned anymore. The town relies on patrolling guards to maintain order and protect the citizens when the odd beast comes ravaging.
The lake does not usually pose much threat, so there are no watchtowers or siege defenses on the waterfront. The most dangerous creatures are the occasional shark or orca that swims into the shallow waters and tries to hunt dockworkers or small dinghies. In those events, the fishermen and nearby guards grab weapons from a meager armory near the docks and rush to kill the aggressive beast.
Industry & Trade
Fishing is by far the largest industry in Asmundskiir, followed by agriculture and then trade. Every morning, droves of fishing boats take to Lake Syber - some with a crew of only one and others with two dozen or more to fish deeper in the lake and pull up larger nets and larger catches. The farms that exist around Asmundskiir and Lakewatch grow mostly hearty root vegetables and different mosses that are able to thrive in the frigid temperatures. Like most of the Demesne, there are few game animals nearby, so meat is a rarity and costs quite a bit at various taverns that have it. Cuisine tends to be focused on stews made from the root vegetables and what scraps of meat can be procured, as well as grilled or charred vegetables and moss - and the mead and tart berry wines are exceptional. Ale is another rarity, as it must be imported from other parts of the world fairly quickly before it spoils.
Infrastructure
The harsh tundra environment makes most forms of infrastructure difficult to build and maintain. Cobblestones or other road pavers would freeze and crack within months of being laid. Sewer systems would freeze up and stop running, causing a massive backup that never thawed. Wells would only work a few months out of the year when the ground had warmed enough to allow flowing water.
So, the town does the best it can with its situation. Many roads are littered with loose gravel to decrease the muddiness and slog, and others have wooden walkways installed to aid in traversal. Most buildings have outhouses that empty into deep pits where bacteria and other organisms decompose the waste. The lake supplies most of the town's freshwater, with several bottling facilities located away from the busy harbor to package water in clay vessels and distribute them throughout the populace. In short, the town's infrastructure is not sophisticated compared to other parts of the world, but they make do with what they can.
History
Like most of the Demesne, the town was founded by the roving Frost Giants in the First Age, then slowly settled by giant-kin and the occasional human groups who would scour the tundra from the southern lands. The lake was what drew the first settlers to this area, and the first giants set up a small fishing outpost. Over time, this small village grew slowly and sporadically, but it wasn't until the Second Age that more settlers found themselves on the tundra looking for new living spaces.
The town was called something different in its first few centuries, but it has been known as Asmundskiir since 2548 1A. Its previous name was lost to history, as the conquering Asmund clan replaced the former name with theirs on all monuments and documents. Since that time - almost 2000 years ago - the Asmund family has held a tight grasp on the city's jarldom, through a few leadership controversies and necessary moots to determine the heir. Now, Jarl Asmund Hjortr has been on the throne for close to 300 years and is nearing the end of his life - perhaps in less than a decade - and his children are lining up to be declared his preferred heir. Several are currently serving in positions of leadership - on the town's council, primarily - and it is expected that Hjortr will pick from among those when he finally declares his heir.
Architecture
Like most of the Demesne of Ice, architecture here tends to resemble traditional Norse villages. High-pitched thatch roofs with smoke holes and chimney covers adorn almost every building, though very few other embellishments can be seen externally. Instead, the people of the Demesne tend to save the finery for the furniture and dishes inside their houses and businesses. Most buildings are made of wood or stone, with some combining the two. Taverns tend to be more in the vein of a Norse mead hall, with large fire pits filling the place with warmth, and long benches to encourage community discussion and engagement. Part of the building is set aside with furs and crude mattresses for those who wish to sleep overnight, instead of a traditional inn with separate rooms.
Founding Date
2085 1A
Type
Town
Population
4,298
Inhabitant Demonym
Asmundii
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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