Ovidio

Ovidio is a small rural town, with approximately 1,200 inhabitants. The town is part of the Duchy of Acqua Draconis and lies near the borders of the Republic of Vatalli. It is named after a local hero, Ovidio Iannelli, who died many centuries ago.

Demographics

Ovidio is primarily populated by Human residents of Lurian descent, but also has significant numbers of Dwarf and Halfling residents. A handful of Half-Orcs call the town home.
As is typical in the Trading Coalition, most residents primarily worship Absyun. The town also has significant number of devotees of Kotala, especially given the town's agricultural heritage. Many sailors also pay their respects to Sakira before setting sail.

Government

Ovidio is led by an elected mayor, who is elected in the spring every two years. The mayor is responsible for resolving civil issues. He also selects the leader of the town guard. For severe crimes, criminals are arrested by the town guard, with judicial sentencing carried out by the county bailiff. The bailiff is appointed by the Doge and visits the town on a regular basis for judicial responsibilities and tax collection.
Until recently, the town was part of the County of Brichesi, ruled for generations by the Quinto family. The Count of Brichesi, Rafael Quinto, and his family were slain in the Orc uprising over a decade ago. The ownership of the lands were disputed until they were claimed by Doge Nicomedi. Doge Nicomedi appointed the Bailiff Adrik Kulgir, who manages the County in his stead. The county capitol, San Rhodope, is a day's ride from Ovidio.
Currently, the mayor is Osvaldo Marinelli, who was just re-elected following a campaign against Carlo Rajani. Both Marinelli and Rajani are descendants of the original Roseguard.

Defences

There are less than a dozen members of the town guard, who mostly patrol and break up bar fights. Many adults belong to a militia which can be called into service in times of need. For serious military threats, aid must be requested from the county Bailiff, and by extension, the Doge.

Industry & Trade

Ovidio's two primary industries are fishing and farming.
Ovidio lies along the coast of the bay, but the harbor is relatively shallow, preventing large ships from docking. Still, a number of small fishing boats operate out of Ovidio, who bring back healthy catches of anchovies, clams, and crabs.
Northeast of Ovidio are many farms tucked into the hillsides. These farms primarily grow wheat and olives, which do well in the local climate, although there are a number of farms with chickens, goats, and sheep. Many homes also grow herbs, including basil, oregano, and thyme. Much of the local grain is processed in a large water mill in Ovidio, which is owned by the Marinelli family.
The bounties from local agriculture and fishing are brought together in the local specialty dish - fresh fish pan-fried with herbs and olive oil and served with bread.
Ovidio’s worst kept secret is a smuggling ring across the border with the Republic of Vatalli, which has grown in importance as the trade war cuts off access between the two markets. The smugglers primarily deal in luxury items from Vatalli that have been embargoed. They are believed to use an overland route to avoid naval patrols. Most Ovidians turn a blind eye to the situation as the smuggling brings in quite a bit of wealth during an economically difficult time, and the criminal activities do not spill into the town.

History

Founding (6045-6063): In 6045, a band of heroes called the Roseguard came to the area from Acqua Draconis. The band consisted of Alessandra Marinelli, a devout cleric of Kotala; Vasuda Rajani, a Daderran princess and expert swordswoman; Ovidio Iannelli, a thief with a heart of gold; and Rangrim the Seeker, a Dwarven wizard. The Roseguard fought and slew the wicked sorceress Belcorra Havreux in what are now the Gauntlight Ruins. Their victory came at great cost as Ovidio Iannelli was killed during the fighting. The remaining heroes honored Ovidio’s memory by founding the small town of Ovidio nearby.
Abandonment (6063-6204): Ovidio remained a prosperous village until old age claimed the last of the original heroes in 6063. The village's remaining population steadily left the town. A landslide occurred, burying what was left of the town's abandoned buildings. The abandoned settlement was claimed by goblins many years later, who used the village as an outpost for their raids in the region. In 6198, the goblins were driven out by Atathian Legionaires.
Rebirth and Stability (6204-6510): To prevent the town's reclamation by goblins or other bandits, the town was resettled in 6204. Among the settlers were descendants of Alessandra Marinelli and Vasuda Rajani. The Marinelli Mill was constructed using an innovative water wheel powered by the Wolf River. The mill formed the backbone of the local agricultural economy, and the town blossomed. Ovidio had ups and downs during the centuries, but life remained relatively stable in this rural small town.
The Coup and the Aftermath (6510-6521): The takeover of Acqua Draconis by The Throat Crushers had profound effects for Ovidio, even though no fighting occurred in Ovidio or the county. Rafael Quinto, Count of Brichesi, and his family were among the nobles slain by the Orcs in 6510. The County title remained in dispute between distant relatives of the Count until personally claimed by Doge Donatello Nicomedi in 6513.
The years since have been economically difficult. Doge Nicomedi increased taxes on rural areas to rebuild the capitol, putting a strain on the local economy, a stress further compounded by the trade war between Vatalli and Acqua Draconis. Many small farmers in the region have struggled, with several receiving offers to sell to Signore Garza, a wealthy merchant.
In 6516, there were a series of brutal murders in the town. The culprit was eventually tracked to a druid of Kotala named Jacobo Mirena, who was found to be a werewolf. Jacobo was believed to be killed when he attempted to flee the town, but rumors persist that he survived.
The Year of Foul Omens (6522): There is a ominous sense of growing danger in the town. Lasda Vaebrek went missing late last year. The Thirsty Goat, a local tavern, mysteriously collapsed a few months ago, killing multiple people inside. There are persistent stories of strange sightings and weird disturbances outside of town.
A call for help was issued, and a Holy Paladin of Absyun, Signora Teresa Avallone, and her squire answered. They began an investigation three months ago, but they too have both went missing a few weeks ago. Most recently, the town fortune teller Valeria claims to have seen a magical light in the old Gauntlight Ruins.

Points of interest

Notable people in Ovidio include:
Alda Iadanza: Alda is the heiress and elder sister of the Iadanza family, which owns much of the nearby farmland, including a successful olive farm and mill. There are rumors that she plans to run for mayor in the next election. She lives at Villa Iadanza in town, but often visits her fields at Iadanza Farms.
Brelda Vaebrek: Brelda is the Dwarven owner of the Rowdy Rockfish. Despite it's name, the Rowdy Rockfish is known for its calm, orderly ambiance and home-cooked meals. Her son Lasda Vaebrek went missing last year, and she holds out hope that he will be found.
Carlo Rajani: Carlo is the town blacksmith who boasts of being descended from Vasuda Rajani. He has run for Mayor four times, and lost each time. In his youth, he was known as a troublemaker and criminal. He is the owner of Rajani Blades - despite the name, he mainly works on shovels and horseshoes.
Cirillo De Luca: Cirillo owns the Ovidio General Store. Cirillo's wife, Ana De Luca, was brutally murdered by the werewolf druid Jacobo Mirena in 6516. He swears that the killer is still out there, a theory which has only gotten more traction with recent disappearances. Cirillo claims to be a distant relative of the De Luca merchant family in Vatalli.
Dorotea Marinelli: The youngest daughter of Mayor Marinelli, Dorotea has long been inspired by the stories of the Roseguard. She hopes to become an Avventurerio, a prospect which terrifies her parents.
Gloria Galenti: Gloria Galenti owns Galenti Deliveries, providing a postal service both in the town and surrounding countryside as well as a wagon route to San Rhodope and Acqua Draconis. Gloria is known for her adventurous side and enjoys hunting and horse racing. She is often accompanied by her falcon, Liberto.
Greagoir Sweetberry: Greagoir is the halfling foreman of Iadanza Farms, where he has worked for decades. He is respected by the workers and farmers in the area.
Kaitlin Highstep: Kaitlyn is the friendly halfling leader of the Farmer's Guild, which acts as a distributor and representative for many of the small farms in the area. She maintains a shrine to Kotala at the Guild.
Karash Ercolano: Karash is the half-orc foreman of the Marinelli Mill. He was known to have once been a mighty warrior, but retired to Ovidio long ago.
Lavinia Scaletta: Lavinia and her brother Romeo are young farmers. Their parents died in the collapse of the Thirsty Goat tavern months ago, and the two have struggled to keep the farm going.
Captain Luciano Leone: Captain Leone is the foul-mouthed and short-tempered leader of the town guard. Formerly a member of the Ducal Guard, Captain Leone retired to Ovidio after the Orc coup. Lately, the guard has been tasked with regular patrols and keeping watch given the strange occurrences in town.
Maria Iadanza: The younger sister of the Iadanza family. She is known for her charitable works, including helping to fund a school for the town children. She lives at Villa Iadanza with her sister and she is friends with Dorotea Marinelli.
Melchiorre Rosetti: Melchiorre is a writer and scholar, commissioned by the Doge to contribute local histories to a "New History of Acqua Draconis". He has an extensive personal collection of books, which he is known to occasionally sell or trade, making his collection a de facto bookstore in this small town. Melchiorre is awkward in social circles, but he is happiest speaking on scholarly topics.
Mayor Osvaldo Marinelli: Mayor Marinelli is descended from the Roseguard hero Alessandra Marinelli. His family is one of the oldest and wealthiest in the small town as their Olive Mill has provided centuries of wealth. He has been elected Mayor multiple times. He is known as fair and hardworking, even if a bit eccentric. He lives at Villa Marinelli with his wife Sabrina and their three children, including his daughter, Dorotea Marinelli.
Noemia Rodrigues: Noemia is the town alchemist. She is a half-elf, originally from Destina, and she wears the colorful and flowing clothes of her homeland. She is known to have an inquisitive side and experiments with new alchemical concoctions.
Torbera Torunn: Torbera is the dwarven Harbormaster and head of the Fisher's Guild. She is respected as an elder in the town, despite her gruff demeanor. Once a fisher herself, she lost her leg in an accident many years ago, and rarely takes to the sea anymore.
Father Umberto Biancini: Father Umberto was selected as the town priest by the Archbishop of Acqua Draconis in 6517. He earned the respect and trust of Ovidio through his good nature despite his youth and inexperience. He is blessed by Absyun and can call on holy magic. As the town priest, he holds regular Absyunic services and maintains the nearby graveyard.
Valeria Siannodel: Valeria is the tiefling-elven owner of Valeria's Wonders, a store filled with strange trinkets collected in her journeys. Originally from the Atathian Empire, Valeria wandered the world, including an extended stay with a Vistani caravan, before settling in Ovidio. She claims to be able to predict the future and receive visions from the stars. Most Ovidio residents see her as strange, and some rumors say that she is a witch connected to the town's troubles.
Xanaphia Sunmeadow: Xanaphia is a half-elven druid, who maintains the Grove of Kotala outside of town. Xanaphia has tried to repair the damage done to the reputation of the Grove by the werewolf druid. In particular, she has aided the farmers of the area.
Yasmin Messaoudi: Yasmin is the bold and charismatic owner of the Great Wolf Lodge, a tavern that is widely believed to act as a front for a smuggling ring. She is rumored to have been a pirate who sailed with the Pirate Sultan a decade ago. Her connections make her one of the most influential people in town.

Tourism

Ovidio takes a great deal of pride in celebrating the heroes of the past. The annual Founder's Festival regularly includes a play retelling the story of the Roseguard and the founding of the town, as well as events dedicated to the heroes. Some prominent figures of Ovidio, including the Mayor, are descendants of the original Roseguard. Several items of the Roseguard are on display throughout the town, including Rajani's Sword at the Church and Marinelli's Holy Symbol at the Mayor's home office.

Geography

Ovidio sits where the Great Wolf River empties into the Bay. The river begins in the rugged Kallinikos Mountains and winds through the Great Wolf Valley. Most of the nearby farms are in the Valley to the northeast. There are a handful of hamlets and small villages dotting the Valley. Both the River and Valley are named after the Great Wolf, a fey spirit said to be encountered by early Lurian explorers in the area. However, no one has ever encountered the Great Wolf since the founding of Ovidio.
To the west is an extended wetland known as the Drakemarsh, home to the Gauntlight Ruins. The Gauntlight Ruins where the Roseguard slew the sorceress are known to now be empty of all but pests, vermin, and tales to scare children with. The wetland beyond is home to some dangerous beasts, including drakes and alligators, and there are many tales of wisps leading travelers in the wetlands to their doom. Some brave hunters come to the Drakemarsh to hunt waterfowl and reptiles. The Drakemarsh is 20 miles long and from the coast extends 10 miles deep, where it ends at the Kallinikos foothills.
San Rhodope, county capitol, lies about a day's ride (25 miles) to the east. Acqua Draconis is a week's ride away (175 miles), although it can often be faster to travel via ship.

by Peter H

Founding Date

6045

Type

Town

Population

1,240

Inhabitant Demonym

Ovidiano

Owning Organization

Trading Coalition