Erstland
A town of clay rulled by iron fists
Image from Darby Sawchuk
Built onto the sides of the mountain, there are stone gates which lead to an ancient dungeon whose depths have not been reached, from which the town takes the Cupracotta armours it is known for.
We are the originals, and all others must bow before us.Erstland is the first recorded city of humanity, despite its relativelly small size. It is mostly known by its classist culture and the cupracota armours harvested from the ancient dungeons beneath the city.
The Town
The town has been build more or less at random over the ages, with a richer, well built section near the mountains, where the higher clases live, and a poorer, more chaotic section running down to the lake. The inner city is surrounded by small stone walls, but the outer city has only a wooden palisade which constantly changes as the wood rots or the town grows.Built onto the sides of the mountain, there are stone gates which lead to an ancient dungeon whose depths have not been reached, from which the town takes the Cupracotta armours it is known for.
Demographics
The population is entirely composed of Homo Sapiens Antiqui of various etnicities.
Due to the harshness of winter, having many children is seen as a sign of wealth and so the lower classes are encouradged, by resources and dogma, to only have one or two children. This however is far from the vast majority of case, and this is why the chilren taxation was necessary to keep the status quo
Government
Erstland is a town steeped in hereditary tradition. Sons follow on the footsteps of the fathers and every class and status is tightly controlled and contained by both law and taboo.
The main governmental organ is the council of nobles:
There are everal noble houses (the exact number varies over the ages as brothers and cousins form their own houses or nobles fail to produce offspring in time), with the four larger houses receiving the bulk of the town taxes, production and area of government. The amount of power they possess is directly proportional to the number of minor houses supporting them. Thus, the four house heads rule over Erstland with absolute power, all the while scheeming and maneuvering to get the the maximum individual influence.
1. The lower clases are servants and tax payers to the higher clases, who serve as rulers.
2. A man, as the head of the family, is to fulfill his role and tasks until death or until he is no longer able to, at which point he will be replaced by his eldest son, whom he has trained for the purpose; or failing that, he may be replaced by a younger brother. This applies to all classes, from the lowest dung farmer to the highest ruling noble.
3. A woman is the property of her husband, father or failing either, her older brother. Their role is to help with the tasks of her legatee, care for the family and arrange the marriage of her daughters, this, of course, with the blessing of the head of the family.
The main governmental organ is the council of nobles:
There are everal noble houses (the exact number varies over the ages as brothers and cousins form their own houses or nobles fail to produce offspring in time), with the four larger houses receiving the bulk of the town taxes, production and area of government. The amount of power they possess is directly proportional to the number of minor houses supporting them. Thus, the four house heads rule over Erstland with absolute power, all the while scheeming and maneuvering to get the the maximum individual influence.
Culture
The class organization of the town is almost static, there being a few main points to the traditional dogma:1. The lower clases are servants and tax payers to the higher clases, who serve as rulers.
2. A man, as the head of the family, is to fulfill his role and tasks until death or until he is no longer able to, at which point he will be replaced by his eldest son, whom he has trained for the purpose; or failing that, he may be replaced by a younger brother. This applies to all classes, from the lowest dung farmer to the highest ruling noble.
3. A woman is the property of her husband, father or failing either, her older brother. Their role is to help with the tasks of her legatee, care for the family and arrange the marriage of her daughters, this, of course, with the blessing of the head of the family.
Architecture
As stated before, the town is devided into the inner city and the outer city.
The former has larger streets and the buildings are made of imported or mined stone and wood in several kinds of architectures, which arise from the constant struggle for the status of the noble houses.
The latter is home to the majority of the population, who built their houses mostly out of clay, with wood and mined stone being used to fortify whenever the owner can afford it. The streets are maze-like and unplanned, generated as the people build their houses without regard for any kind of city planning.
The former has larger streets and the buildings are made of imported or mined stone and wood in several kinds of architectures, which arise from the constant struggle for the status of the noble houses.
The latter is home to the majority of the population, who built their houses mostly out of clay, with wood and mined stone being used to fortify whenever the owner can afford it. The streets are maze-like and unplanned, generated as the people build their houses without regard for any kind of city planning.
Alternative Name(s)
City of Clay
Type
City
Population
~50 000
Inhabitant Demonym
Erstlander
Related Tradition (Primary)
Motto:
Those born to serve would do so until their last breath, those born to lead would do so until they can no more.Edge Cases
What happens when people fall outside the traditional dogma?Younger brothers
All man have a role within society, which will be filled by his eldest upon his death or retirement. His younger brothers, if any, on the other hand, are free to go out and seek an ocupation, usually under someone without any elders to whom to pass his business. In addition to this, it is comon for successful artisans or merchants to have more tan one protegée, to whom to pass their knowledgeOrphan Women
A woman is the property of her husband or older brother however, in case both die, she can still find her place in society. Some women can offer themselves to another family as a bride or daughter to be married. Others may take a business onto themselves if they are willing the face the social stigma and the increased taxation.There is also the rumor of the house of Esfuer, who are said to educate and uplift orphan women they take, ostensivelly, as servants. This might be but rumors spread by other houses to weaken the influnce of Lord Esfuer.
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