Ottberg (oat-berg)

Ottberg is the central town in the northern province of Nordtvein, which is part of the nation of Oestbernia. The town started off as Zenteberg, though it is only referred by that name in modern times by historians; the name was changed sometime in or around 2853 1A by then-king Ott VII (self-styled as The Great).
Today, Ottberg is largely a farming town and trade crossroads. It is the only northern town with a road directly to the south, so all goods and travelers going between Castillon and the rest of Nordtvein pass through this quiet town. Due to its wealth of farms and variety of crops, Ottberg has recently emerged as a leading producer of beer and spirits - much to the chagrin of some of the older and more conservative townsfolk. The first major brewery in town laid claim to the Ottberg moniker, and others have been named after people or the Nordtvein region. These products are sold at the inns and taverns of Ottberg but are also exported to the southern parts of Oestbernia and on occasion to other parts of the world.

Demographics

Ottberg is fairly diverse, though around half the population is made up of humans. Dwarves have historically lived in the area, and some migrated to the open plains of Ottberg from the mountain caves of Engelberg in the First Age, and their descendants are still in Ottberg today. Goliaths and other peoples from the Frozen North are also present in Ottberg, as it is one of the more common places to resettle those who come peacefully looking for a new life.
A good number of people in Ottberg are farmers or otherwise involved in the agricultural industry. Other large industries include the hospitality industry - with taverns and breweries/distilleries catering to the many merchants and travelers passing through - and the trade/merchant industry that helps goods move between the southern part of the nation and the various northern settlements.

Government

The citizens of Ottberg elect a Meister every five years, during the same elections they choose their representatives for the National Council. This mayor can serve two consecutive terms at most, and they appoint a group of five advisors from different segments of Ottberger society and industry to help formulate policies. The judges of the few courts are appointed by the Meister and serve ten year terms that can be renewed indefinitely (the offset of the terms ensures a different Meister will re-appoint the judge than the one that originally gave them the post).

Defences

The older part of Ottberg, the central district, has a circular wall surrounding it, though the town has mostly grown beyond this perimeter in the millennium-plus of its existence. The outlying parts of the town have guard towers that watch for trouble coming from the plains, though this is rare and usually consists of small bands of goblins, gnolls, or beasts. Every Watch station has at least two members well trained in archery and quick movement that can respond to trouble anywhere in the town or its outskirts. Some neighborhoods have remedied their lack of an official wall by pooling money to build some sort of palisade or fence around parts of their area.

Infrastructure

The main trade roads in Ottberg are paved and well maintained, as are several roads peripheral to the central area. A vast reserve of fresh water lies underneath Ottberg, and many wells are dug to access this aquifer. The breweries and distilleries own some of the largest of these wells and use the fresh water to produce their quality alcohols.

Founding Date

2381 1A

Alternative Name(s)

Zenteberg

Type

Large town

Population

5,348

Inhabitant Demonym

Ottbergers

Owning Organization

Oestbernia