Venator Lancea

A town facing a political schism, Venator Lancea is a frontier town, close to the border with the Authenian Republic, and extremely close to the Ceilic Region.

Demographics

Almost everyone in Venator Lancea is working class. Many work as copper miners, though farmers and hunters are also common occupations.
Those within Venator Lancea seem to be rather disillusioned by the propaganda of the Empire, and they are sited to be the least zealous location within Venatorian territory. Even the soldiers that patrol the town rarely show any respect for their emperor unless an out of town supervisor is present.

Government

The town is ruled by the centurion Iustus Proditor, and his optio, Amator Ducis. Taxes are low, but so are public services. Taxes go to funding the security of the town, and little else. Compared to other centurions, Iustus Proditor seems to be less patriotic, and more involved with the lives of those in his town.

Defences

The Legionnaires of Centurion Iustus Proditor patrol the town regularly, with Velites taking watch positions. Velite Foresters roam the nearby wilderness, in order to repel any potentially dangerous animals from getting close to Venator Lancea.
Venatorian Dire Wolfhounds roam the town, eager to maul anyone disturbing the peace. These hounds are supervised by their handlers at all times. These handlers often form strong bonds with their hounds, and often take them home with them once their patrol is finished.

Industry & Trade

The economic prosperity of Venator Lancea hinges on its lucrative copper industry. Abundant copper mines dot the town's surroundings, generating substantial revenue through the processing and sale of this valuable metal. Primarily utilized for the creation of tools and jewelry, copper also finds its way into the production of brass—a vital component used in crafting locks, embellishing armour, and adorning weaponry.
A large amount of wheat and barley are grown in farmland within Venator Lancea. These grains are extremely important, both for feeding the large population of the Venatorian Empire, and for creating alcohol.

Assets

Within the fabric of the town's vibrant community, several notable establishments emerge as focal points of social interaction. The Spilling Goblet, owned by the enigmatic Dio Theïkós—a man with peculiar purple eyes, purportedly hailing from the Authenian Republic—stands as Venator Lancea's most popular tavern. Dio's benevolence and extensive selection of exotic beverages have earned him widespread admiration, while his optimistic and laid-back disposition creates an inviting atmosphere. In addition to serving as a tavern, The Spilling Goblet offers a few rental rooms, one of which currently hosts a nervous healer from the Authenian Republic seeking to harness his abilities to their fullest potential.
Lost, Found and Resold is a miscellaneous shop owned by Antrem Dounes, an elderly halfling known for his tendency to hoard. His shop has an incredible variety, selling anything from unlabelled potions, to maps to magical items to books.
Frontier Fletching is a hunting supplies shop owned by Hadrian Aran, a wood elf known for his great love of his Venatorian Dire Wolfhounds, of which he has three which roam his shop freely. Frontier Fletching sells high quality arrows and crossbow bolts, as well as fishing equipment, camping supplies such as preserved food, and weaponry such as bows, crossbows, spears and javelins.
The Museum of Mystery is owned by Octavius Cimber. A peculiar human with a large collection of strange and anomalous objects and artifacts, Octavius opened the doors to his collection, and while entry is free, in order to hear the stories behind the objects, one must pay a small fee to be given a guided tour. While many of the objects have been seen as unnatural or eerie, the locals of Venator Lancea are just happy to have another source of entertainment, even if it may be considered heretical.
Domitilla Farms is the largest farm in Venator Lancea, and one in twenty bales of wheat in the Venatorian Empire comes from Domitilla Farms. The Domitilla household is led by their patriarch, Gilver Domitilla. The Domitillas consider Ceres to be their patron goddess, though they regularly visit and donate to the Temple of Pluto in town. The Domitillas have recently provided the group of Areites that have visited Venator Lancea with a place to stay, in exchange for coin, of course.
Marcellus Ranch is a medium sized ranch in the south-eastern corner of Venator Lancea. Marcellus Ranch breeds both cattle and turkeys in order to feed the people of Venator Lancea, and the Empire as a whole. The leather they produce is used in the creation of Venatorian armour, and the feathers produced by turkeys are essential in the production of arrows and crossbow bolts. Marcellus Ranch has recently had a run of bad luck. Animals have been going missing in the night, never to be seen again, and cow blood has been found in their fields.

Guilds and Factions

Amidst the dynamic tapestry of Venator Lancea's society, various guilds and factions leave their indelible marks. A small contingent of Areites, weary of their endless journey, have sought respite in Venator Lancea. Though their presence may evoke unease among the townsfolk, these Areites conduct themselves with civility, generously compensating the Domitilla family of their temporary abode.
A handful of members of the Church of Hades, or Pluto, as he is known as in the Venatorian Empire, have travelled to Venator Lancea. They have arrived out of concern of the spirits of Adhmhar Dun, due to its close proximity to Venator Lancea.

History

The town of Venator Lancea was not worthy of notice until the beginning of the Venatorian-Ceilic War. Due to the close proximity between the town and the Ceilic Region, many legionnaires set up camp at the town during the assault on Clan Spartach. Many of the citizens of the town disliked the outbreak of war, but kept their mouths shut out of fear of what these travelling legionnaires would do to them.
Now that the military campaign has gone deeper into the Ceilic Region, the only legionnaires that remain are the ones that have always lived in the town. Due to the returned safety of their unofficial free speech, the people of Venator Lancea are making their anger known, and Iustus Proditor is letting them. Some Venatorian officials are beginning to worry that seditious activity and possibly rebellion could be brewing within Venator Lancea, but Iustus Proditor has assured them that their is no political unrest.
In the past two weeks, a group of Areites have entered Venator Lancea and have been staying in Domitilla Farms, though they frequently roam the town. In the last week, a healer from the Authenian Republic has arrived in town and is currently staying in a room in the Spilling Goblet. In the past five days, animals have started to go missing from the Marcellus Ranch. While first it was just a couple of turkeys, recently a prized bull has gone missing, and cow blood has been found in the fields of the Marcellus ranch.

Geography

Venator Lancea is housed at the edge of the Venatorian Empire, incredibly close to both the Ceilic Region and the Authenian Republic.
The town is surrounded by green hills and fields of farmland.

Founding Date

1195

Type

Town

Population

4,000

Owning Organization

Venatorian Empire

Characters in Location

• Frank Pióni