Oakhurst
The Empire’s Granary
Sprawling Rural Settlement, Agricultural and Textile Hub
Settlement Summary
- Population: 11,000 (primarily humans and halflings, with smaller numbers of dwarves and elves)
- Government: Administered by a council of landowners and guild representatives, with oversight from Wildacre’s monarchy
- Alignment: Neutral Good
- Languages: Common, Halfling
- Notable Locations: The Harvest Hall, The Spinning Yards, The Livestock Market, The Greenfield Shrine
Notable Features
- The Harvest Hall: A central building in Oakhurst where harvests are tallied, trade agreements are made, and communal gatherings are held.
- The Spinning Yards: A large area dedicated to textile production, with spinning wheels, looms, and workshops producing cloth from local wool, cotton, and flax.
- The Livestock Market: A sprawling open-air market where farmers trade cattle, sheep, and other livestock. It is one of the largest markets of its kind in the empire.
- The Greenfield Shrine: A humble but well-kept shrine dedicated to Lera, goddess of nature, where farmers and ranchers come to pray for bountiful harvests and healthy herds.
Special Qualities
- Breadbasket of the Empire: Oakhurst’s vast fields and ranches produce a significant portion of the empire’s food supply, making it indispensable to both Wildacre and the greater Kyneshelm Empire.
- Textile Centre: The town’s textile industry thrives on the abundant supply of wool, cotton, and flax, creating high-quality fabrics for domestic use and export.
- Sprawling Nature: Oakhurst is less a traditional town and more a collection of farms, ranches, and workshops spread across the rolling hills and plains of northern Wildacre. Oakhurst more traditionally refers to the central village that houses the Harvest Hall, Spinning Yards, and the Livestock Market.
Defenses
- Local Militia: A militia of around 100 guards protects the town’s key locations, such as the Livestock Market and the Harvest Hall.
- Hired Caravan Guards: Traders and ranchers often employ guards to escort shipments of goods to Markethome and beyond.
- Natural Barriers: The surrounding open fields and hills provide clear sightlines, making surprise attacks difficult.
Notable NPCs
- Elder Maren Fieldsong: A halfling leader of the landowner council, Maren has decades of experience managing Oakhurst’s sprawling farms and ranches.
- Master Spinner Bryna Greenweave: A human artisan who oversees The Spinning Yards, ensuring the quality of Oakhurst’s textiles remains unmatched.
- Livestock Master Harrek Broadhoof: A burly human rancher who manages the Livestock Market and organizes seasonal drives to other towns and cities.
- Caretaker Alora Windshade: An elven priestess who tends to the Greenfield Shrine and provides spiritual guidance to Oakhurst’s farming communities.
- Scout Kael Embergrass: A human ranger who patrols the surrounding fields and hills, ensuring the safety of Oakhurst’s scattered settlements and trade routes.
Challenges and Opportunities
- Bandit Activity: The sprawling nature of Oakhurst makes it difficult to defend all areas, leaving some farms and ranches vulnerable to bandit raids.
- Weather Dependency: The town’s economy relies heavily on good weather, with droughts or floods posing significant risks to food and textile production.
- Labour Shortages: During peak harvest and shearing seasons, Oakhurst struggles to find enough workers to meet demand.
- Trade Negotiations: Disputes occasionally arise with Markethome over pricing and distribution of goods, as Oakhurst’s success depends on strong trade agreements.
The Harvest Hall
"Heart of the Fields"
The Harvest Hall serves as Oakhurst’s administrative and communal centre, where landowners meet to discuss agricultural policies and plan for seasonal challenges.
The Spinning Yards
"Threads of Prosperity"
The Spinning Yards produce a wide variety of fabrics, from sturdy wool for winter cloaks to fine linen for imperial attire. The sheer quantity of raw materials results in several spinning yards across the region of Oakhurst, but the finest products are produced in Central Oakhurst.
The Endless Fields
"A Landscape of Plenty"
The rolling hills and plains around Oakhurst stretch as far as the eye can see, filled with golden wheat, grazing sheep, and the sounds of rural life. Government of Oakhurst as a singular entity is extremely difficult, and many debates have come and gone over the years about designated suburbs or sub-regions, but nothing has ever changed.