Caldshire
Sat on the northern edge of the Sunless Jungle, Caldshire is a small logging village that has found itself making its greatest contribution to the region via its trade of mahogany, rosewood trees, and highly sought after peaches. Those who call the village home believe it to be their small slice of the celestial realm, with its citizens all knowing one another, sharing and caring in the everyday process of running the town, and having genuine love and hospitality for those who find their way to the village.
Demographics
The village is made up of a 30% human, 20% halfling, 15% elven, 15% tabaxi and 20% other population. The majority of the inhabitants find themselves living a modest lifestyle, with only a handful finding themselves living either above or below.
Government
Caldshire is led by two councils, the Village Council with the mayor and six other members, and the Council of Harmony made up of the women in the village.
The Village Council is voted upon by the citizens of Caldshire every five years with only men taking positions on the council. Five of the council seats and mayor are voted upon using a popular vote system, with three members being from the village proper and the other two representing the nearby farms, and the final council seat being held by the leading member of The Emperors Guard. The men handle business dealing with economics and setting prices for trade goods such as wood, sugar cane, and coffee beans. It is understood that these topics are sensitive and should not be talked about outside of formal council meetings. The council will intervene if villagers believe they have been traded with unfairly, or if local residents are in a disagreement over property. The council will also negotiate with Councils of neighboring villages over matters jointly affecting communities. Though elections for mayor have at times been contentious in Caldshire, Mayor Kormos is well-liked and has served multiple unopposed terms during his tenure.
Current members of the Village Council
The Council of Harmony brings balance to the Village Council and can often be at odds with them. Members of Harmony are always elder females who are chosen to join the body by village agreement and include at least 2-3 women from outlying farms. Unlike the Village Council, the size of the Council of Harmony is not set and has been known to fluctuate over time. The village Enlightened generally serves as the leader of Harmony, but she is considered co-equal during times when a consensus is needed. There are currently nine women on the Council of Harmony.
The Council of Harmony's main purpose is to serve as a guardian of culture. They convene on a wide array of social issues such as when a young woman is of marriageable age, whether a villager should be punished for misbehavior that would be considered a minor infraction, and keeping the culture and history of Caldshire alive. Members will conduct meetings in secret and always seek to achieve complete consensus in decisions. Harmony members are generally knowledgeable in weather and herblore and will advise when to plant and harvest crops. Because they are a nexus for both culture and tradition, the Council of Harmony is the body that conducts marriages in Caldshire.
Members of the Council of Harmony
Politcal control of Caldshire exists as an ongoing wilfully struggle between the Village Council and the Council of Harmony. In general however, it is understood and accepted that the Village Council sets policy regarding economics and security while the Council of Harmony holds sway over social issues.
The Village Council is voted upon by the citizens of Caldshire every five years with only men taking positions on the council. Five of the council seats and mayor are voted upon using a popular vote system, with three members being from the village proper and the other two representing the nearby farms, and the final council seat being held by the leading member of The Emperors Guard. The men handle business dealing with economics and setting prices for trade goods such as wood, sugar cane, and coffee beans. It is understood that these topics are sensitive and should not be talked about outside of formal council meetings. The council will intervene if villagers believe they have been traded with unfairly, or if local residents are in a disagreement over property. The council will also negotiate with Councils of neighboring villages over matters jointly affecting communities. Though elections for mayor have at times been contentious in Caldshire, Mayor Kormos is well-liked and has served multiple unopposed terms during his tenure.
Current members of the Village Council
- Brontes Kormos, Mayor of Caldshire and the co-owner and operator of Peach's Pub
- Jason Thanos, head of Caldshire Logging Co.
- Crispus Cruscellio, owner of Hydra Warehouse
- Maximus Moonshadow, noble from the Moonshadow family
- Tim Rolfe, Northern farmer
- Thomas Fairview, western farmer
- Camila Vatia, Emperors Guard Captain. The first woman to hold the position, there has been strife over her appointment.
The Council of Harmony brings balance to the Village Council and can often be at odds with them. Members of Harmony are always elder females who are chosen to join the body by village agreement and include at least 2-3 women from outlying farms. Unlike the Village Council, the size of the Council of Harmony is not set and has been known to fluctuate over time. The village Enlightened generally serves as the leader of Harmony, but she is considered co-equal during times when a consensus is needed. There are currently nine women on the Council of Harmony.
The Council of Harmony's main purpose is to serve as a guardian of culture. They convene on a wide array of social issues such as when a young woman is of marriageable age, whether a villager should be punished for misbehavior that would be considered a minor infraction, and keeping the culture and history of Caldshire alive. Members will conduct meetings in secret and always seek to achieve complete consensus in decisions. Harmony members are generally knowledgeable in weather and herblore and will advise when to plant and harvest crops. Because they are a nexus for both culture and tradition, the Council of Harmony is the body that conducts marriages in Caldshire.
Members of the Council of Harmony
- Lucilla Vatia, the village Enlightened and Camila's wife
- Helen Kormos, the mistress and co-owner of Peach's Pub and wife of Mayor Brontes
- Athia Moonshadow, a noblewoman from the Moonshadow family and younger sister of Maximus
- Ysabeau of Ysabeau Healers
- Emeline Keates, the owner of Druid's Hedge
- Avani Shan, alocal resident
- Calie Rolfe, farmer and wife of Tim Rolfe
- Adria Nalío, a logger that works within Caldshire Logging Co.
- Penna Jamjar, a clergy member of the Temple of Melora
Politcal control of Caldshire exists as an ongoing wilfully struggle between the Village Council and the Council of Harmony. In general however, it is understood and accepted that the Village Council sets policy regarding economics and security while the Council of Harmony holds sway over social issues.
Defences
While they are the smallest population within the Lost Empire since Caldshire sits on what is considered the southeastern border of the region there is a decent presence of the Emperors Guard along the Starlight Road with their being 15 soldiers from the Guard within the town and in times of need they can must an additional 16 towns folk.
Districts
The village is split into four districts; West Hill, South End, Peach Row, and North Ward.
West Hill holds the Town Hall which is used both for meetings for the Village Council and for important events such as weddings and festivals. The district also holds the Temple of Melora and village graveyard along with Celestial Wines, the only winery within the village.
South End holds the local Emperors Guard posting, Peach's Pub which is owned and operated by the Kormos family, the main building for Caldshire Logging Co., Serrano Woodcutters a local furniture maker whose items have gained minor notoriety within the region, and the Raven Mill.
Peach Row holds the Druid's Hedge the home of a local witch who aids Caldshire, Moonshadow Farms who primarily grow the sought after peaches the town is known for, and Fairview Farms who primarily resemble a traditional farm in their growth of grain, vegetables, and livestock. It also holds space for the local Rally Ball teams the Peaches and the Steel Saws.
North Ward holds the Hydra Warehouse the local general store and where one can send and receive parcels from Couatl Couriers, Ysabeau Healers the only true healer within the town, and Caldshire Stables.
West Hill holds the Town Hall which is used both for meetings for the Village Council and for important events such as weddings and festivals. The district also holds the Temple of Melora and village graveyard along with Celestial Wines, the only winery within the village.
South End holds the local Emperors Guard posting, Peach's Pub which is owned and operated by the Kormos family, the main building for Caldshire Logging Co., Serrano Woodcutters a local furniture maker whose items have gained minor notoriety within the region, and the Raven Mill.
Peach Row holds the Druid's Hedge the home of a local witch who aids Caldshire, Moonshadow Farms who primarily grow the sought after peaches the town is known for, and Fairview Farms who primarily resemble a traditional farm in their growth of grain, vegetables, and livestock. It also holds space for the local Rally Ball teams the Peaches and the Steel Saws.
North Ward holds the Hydra Warehouse the local general store and where one can send and receive parcels from Couatl Couriers, Ysabeau Healers the only true healer within the town, and Caldshire Stables.
History
Founded in the year 872, in the month of Horros by the Rosewood Logging Co. Caldshire started off as nothing more than a seasonal worksite that stayed open from spring through mid-fall and closed for the wet season. During site closings, a small contingency of workers would stay behind to keep the equipment and buildings safe from the elements and potential marauders. As off-seasons went by the number of workers staying behind grew, and by the sixth year most considered Caldshire to be hamlet during this time and it only grew from there.
Years went by and the small logging industry helped Caldshire build up to the point that a thriving community was able to form year-round. With it being built up a small two-pronged elected government council formed and they worked together to push out the logging company given their unfair wages and dangerous practices. The hired swords for Rosewood didn't last long against the village people as some had come from the local Emperors Guard posting. They were able to take the town for themselves and set up and more lucrative trade industry that aided the people and not just faceless barons from far away.
By the year 960 Caldshire had grown to a population of over 350 beings, made a name for themselves with their unmatched skills in woodworking, and their general hospitality towards their fellow "man". When the War of Red Waters began, Caldshire like the rest of the Lost Empire felt a great toll on their population. Sending seventy-five citizens to the front lines and only getting back five. The town spent the next two decades rebuilding what was lost and help the towns and villages near them do the same.
Years went by and the small logging industry helped Caldshire build up to the point that a thriving community was able to form year-round. With it being built up a small two-pronged elected government council formed and they worked together to push out the logging company given their unfair wages and dangerous practices. The hired swords for Rosewood didn't last long against the village people as some had come from the local Emperors Guard posting. They were able to take the town for themselves and set up and more lucrative trade industry that aided the people and not just faceless barons from far away.
By the year 960 Caldshire had grown to a population of over 350 beings, made a name for themselves with their unmatched skills in woodworking, and their general hospitality towards their fellow "man". When the War of Red Waters began, Caldshire like the rest of the Lost Empire felt a great toll on their population. Sending seventy-five citizens to the front lines and only getting back five. The town spent the next two decades rebuilding what was lost and help the towns and villages near them do the same.
Tourism
The major site to see in Caldshire is the Tomb of Xavier; found just 2 miles south of the town proper the temple-like tomb has acted as a place of pilgrimage for those who hold a deep belief in Pelor. Tourists usually find themselves heading to the town during the second to last week of Lorasitr when the town celebrates the Peach Festival and a member of the community is crowned as Miss Shirepeach, and on the 28th of the month they make an offering to Xavier.
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