Guywoode (ghee-wood)

Guywoode is a forest town in the kingdom of Skerritt. Historically, the town was a stopover for merchants traveling from northern lands, where they could restock and hire guides to traverse the forest on the way to Southby. After the founding and growth of Geva's Clearing, some of this importance diminished and began to be shared by Guywoode and Geva's Clearing - which is the situation today. Both settlements provide forest guides and supplies to travel through the forest more safely, and both are important rest points for travelers on the way to Southby.
Since the Dwarven Civil War and the subsequent conflict between Skerritt and its northern neighbor, Guywoode has become a substantially more fortified town than it previously was. Though Skerritt maintains several forts along the border, Guywoode is positioned between two of these forts and along an old trade road that has since been allowed to overgrow and fall into disrepair (to prevent enemy soldiers from having too easy a time getting through the forest). The simple wooden palisade that kept out the forest's predators was upgraded to a thick stone wall with turrets and watchtowers every few hundred feet. The Watch - much like that of Geva's Clearing - is very highly trained to combat forest creatures and Inquisition operatives alike.

Demographics

Guywoode is largely human (about 40% of the population), with a large contingent of dwarves as well (about 30%). About a quarter of the town is at least partially elvish, owing to the ancestral settling and taming of the forest. And the remainder of the citizens are halfling, gnome, tiefling, and other races. The majority of the town is in the lower-middle class, as they are mainly laborers, forest guides, and craftsmen. There is also a small group of noble families who have been in Guywoode for many generations in a variety of industries, including a few who hire and train experienced warriors and rangers to contract as guards for merchants and other forest travelers.

Government

Guywoode is run by a Seneschal who is usually a close friend or relative of the ruling monarch in Southby. In cases where this leader is inept or loses the favor of the public, they can convene a popular moot and petition the monarch to replace them. The Seneschal is assisted in their duties by a small council of townsfolk from different walks of life and backgrounds. This five-member council is the main regulatory and legislative body of the city, debating on policies and procedures that they approve and send to the Seneschal for final enactment. Guywoode's tax system is largely based on merchants and travelers paying a fee for protection in the city, as well as a small income tax on all citizens that is levied seasonally and thus can be adjusted for recent events or complications.

Defences

Historically, Guywoode had a wooden palisade whose main objective was keeping out wolves, owlbears, and other forest predators. After the Dwarven Civil War and the ensuing conflict, the palisade was quickly torn down and replaced by a thick stone wall. In this remodeling, the town expanded the wall's perimeter, allowing for population growth inside the limits. The Watch the monitors the town and mans the wall's many turrets is highly trained and well equipped to deal with all manner of threats the town faces. It is not uncommon for soldiers who have retired from frontline duty after fighting in The See to move to Guywoode or Geva's Clearing and put their martial skill to use on the Watch.

Infrastructure

Guywoode has mostly paved roads, with the major trade roads being the most well maintained. A few areas on the outskirts of town, closer to the walls and away from the heavy traffic areas, still have dirt or gravel roads. Guywoode is not far from the Hiram River and has a series of aqueducts and canals that bring fresh water from the river to the people of the city. This freshwater supply is augmented by a series of wells and cisterns the populace can also access.

Founding Date

2867 1A

Type

Town

Population

5,648

Inhabitant Demonym

Guywoodites

Owning Organization

Skerritt