Gerwin

The large rickety cart rocketed down the old track, speeding along at odd angles carrying its precious cargo back towards the village. Clinging on to any semi-solid piece of the cart they could find were several mine workers coming home from a long days work in the mines of Silder Mountains.
These men brave were riding Ether driven carts that drew their hard-fought ore back to the village for processing at an alarming speed. It was dangerous, riding one of these things. Between the shaky carts, the chipped rails, and the faulty Ether engines the rides could get dangerous. But they knew it was worth the risk, anything to get a few extra minutes to spend in Gerwin's only tavern before heading home for the night.
The shakey cart crested the final hill of its route, revealing the village of Gerwin before it. An almost cute collection of wooden houses and dirt roads clustered together beside the shimmering waters of Tiefe Lake. And at just the right moment at the top of this hill, the vast expanse of the Aldelgis Empire was its background.

Demographics

The people of Gerwin are mostly lower class, there is little wealth in the village. The wealthiest are those that govern the village, with the wealthiest among them being the village Baron. Gerwin is comprised of species that are common to the rest of Aldelgis with a heavier lean towards humans, though the village does see more Dwarves due to their vicinity to the nearby mountains.

Government

Gerwin is overseen by a representative of the Aldegian Empire. For Gerwin, a Baron has been appointed by the Empresses advisors to look after the village. This includes duties that any head of governance would have to adhere to. Collecting taxes, overseeing development and repairs, and deciding upon small local legal matters. Though many of these tasks can be, and commonly are, tasked to people lower in the polictical heirachy by the prosiding Baron. It is common for the Baron to only have a hand in only the most pressing of cases within the town. Typically only have a part in high level decisions regarding the city. Many believe that the Baron passes his duties off so that he can live a lavish lifestyle off of the Crown's coffers.

Industry & Trade

Most Gelwin natives do one of three things for a living, farming in the fields to the north, fishing in nearby Tiefe Lake to the west, or mining the Silder Mountains to the south of the village.
While Gelwin could sustain itself through farming and fishing they make the majority of their tradable industry through the mines to the south. The Silder Mountains lies on the borders of Aldelgis and Heldrin and has been a point of political contention for centuries. The mountain contains numerous precious metals and is of vast benefit to those who are able to mine it.
This has caused many squabbles and even a number of violent clashes over the past few centuries, the worst being a week-long invasion of Gerwin by Heldrin forces in 432 EoC. Thankfully, a truce was met soon after and an agreement was drafted stating that both countries are allowed to equally mine the mountains as long as they stay on their respective sides of the border. This agreement has, for the most part, stood firm throughout the following centuries, minus a few brief skirmishes between the two countries. Production has only halted a handful of times since the mines began operation.

Infrastructure

The village is rather unassuming, mostly consisting of dirt and gravel roads with simple wood and/or stone buildings. The largest building being the residences and office of the town Baron located near the southeastern border of the village.
The most important piece of infrastructure related to the village is a simple iron track that runs from the southern border of town and runs to the mountains to the south of the village. This allows the village miners to easily transport their haul back from the mountains. It has even been equipped with an Ether fueled engine to help speed along the process. The more courageous of the miners hop on board the carts to get a speedy ride home along the magically propelled carts.

History

The village has existed in some form or another for centuries, though its population has never grown past several hundred at any point in time. This is due in part to Gerwin's tumultuous history due in part to its proximity to the southern border between Aldelgis and Heldrin. Several skirmishes between the two countries have broken out over the years, some of which have had severe effects on Gerwin. The village has seen supplies cut off from the village and even had their village invaded by Heldrin soldiers once. Add to that the dangerous work that comes with being a miner in the Silder Mountains and the harsh weather of the Aldelgian winter. Gerwin at times could be a dangerous place to live.

Geography

The village of Gerwin is situated on a flat patch of cleared out forest in the south-eastern part of Aldelgis. To the south and east lies dense forest, a cleared out path has been cut our southward to allow a trolley system to run through towards the wide peaks of the Silder Mountains. To the west of the village is the shimmering waters of Tiefe Lake, a large body of water where many fisherman work.

Type

Village

Population

446

Inhabitant Demonym

Aldegian

Owner/Ruler

Lord Noble Empress Aristea Odessa Sunnhild