Krucifax - Trakaris' Lost Hope
Foundation
In the year 7604, trakarian rulers decided that if they want to have a chance in securing their independence from the Empire of Teran, they need an own secure source of food. Over the span of five years, many explorers died while trying to find a habitable spot until a lucky group, dispatched by the famous Adventurer's Guild, managed to find the land bridge connecting Ignis Aeterna to the North Star. When they returned from their expedition, trakarian officials immediately began to prepare a big excursion into the new-found land. As soon as imperial officials found out about this operation, they demanded that a small team of observers would join the colonial caravan. Another four years later the preparations were finally completed and a massive caravan with 813 people began their journey. The way through the desert is treacherous and when the caravan arrived on the other side less than 300 remained.
In the following year they were busy with rebuilding the ruins of an old settlement they found right on the other side of the land bridge. As the 13.03 was seen as an auspicious day, the colonists decided to take this as an omen to lay the founding stone of Krucifax. With some pushes from the imperial observers, the colonists decided to adopt a semi-democratic system and elected their first major: Joel Walton. They also implemented a council with seven members that divide the various sectors of government beneath them. Away from the influence of trakarian officials, most of which mysteriously died on the journey, the council and Major Walton decided to declare their independence from Trakaris only a year after the foundation. The Empire was quick to announce their support of krucifician independence and established an official embassy in the year 7617.
Locality
Krucifax lies directly on the sourthern border of the North Star and has a small watchtower on the desert side. Currently there are only a handful of houses for the few families. There are many more ruins surrounding the village that are in the process of being rebuilt. Several buildings are of note:
- Right behind the land bridge is an old inaccessible tower with runic inscriptions that is called the Wizard's Tower by the townsfolk.
- In the middle of the village is the Krucifax Town Hall: Meetingplace of the council and residence of Major Walton.
- Surrounding the town hall is a market place that is currently only used when the yearly trade caravan arrives in Krucifax.
- On the eastern side of the marketplace lies King's Fall: The village inn and gathering place.
- A little distant in the east lies Nokia's Smithy to prevent fires spreading into the village in case of accidents.
- Right next to King's Fall is an archive run by a few scholars that also serves as the village library and mail room.
- On a hill to the west lies the Imperial Embassy
Demography and social structure
As a newly founded settlement over 60 percent of the inhabitants are farmers who tend to the massive fields surrounding Krucifax. About 20 percents are miners who try to open up a mine in a nearby cave system. Artisans are another 15 percent and take care of rebuilding and similar tasks. The remaining five percent are officials, scholars, imperial staff and scouts.
All inhabitants, except the council members, are technically equal under the law. Of course there are a few special regulations but all inhabitants vote for the council. In general the scouts and artisans are highly valued by the rest of the populace as they protect and improve the village. In difficult situations the scouts also serve as law enforcement but they don't have the numbers to do it on a regular basis.
Government
Krucifax is ruled uncontested by the major and their council. The major is elected for a lifetime and the current one, Joel Walton is the first who holds this title. He can be forced to step down if all council members and the current imperial ambassador are in favour of it. All decrees and major decisions have to be approved by the major but also need a majority in the council first. The major serves as the public face of Krucifax and leads all negotiations with foreign powers. Treaties between Krucifax and other nations are only valid with the signatures of 4 council members and the major's. The structure of the council is described in more detail here.
Current official goal of Krucifax politics is to secure independence and to secure the rest of the North Star region. Imperial ambassadors support both goals, preventing Trakaris from taking open actions against Krucifax.
Significant persons
- Joel Walton - Current major and former merchant
- Tamiel Carel - Council member and assistant major
- Hamex Karel - Council member and treasurer
- Ushi T'lam - Council member, ambassadors of the Dark Elves and scout leader
- Relia Carel - Council member and construction overseer
- Hina Famiral - Council member and merchant represantive
- Har Malel - Council member and farmer represantive
- Nick Zulam - Council member and miner represantive
- Havald Nokia - Master blacksmith and inofficial sheriff
- Ambas A. Dor - Imperial representative
Flora
- Cutgrass
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