Kreuzstadt
Kreuzstadt is located at the point where the road from Drakenburg Castle joins the road through the Grey Mountains.
The vegetation is sparse and Kreuzstadt mainly exists to exploit the trade route through the mountains. It is the first shelter and sustenance available to those traders and travellers who have crossed over the mountain pass from the west.
They rear sheep and goats on the open moorland of the valley surrounding the settlement and the area is also rich with wild game. The Duchy is a feudal autocraticy ruled by Duke Konstantin from Drakenburg Castle, but local affairs are handled by a steward and village elder. Both are selected from amongst the settlers themselves although the Duke reserves the right to approve the appointment of the Steward as he is nominally responsible for the defence of the village.
The nearest landmark is an old tree with a fox shaped canopy when viewed from the South East called 'The Old Fox'.
A population of around 60, the settlers of Kreuzstadt live a hand to mouth existence with few of the luxuries that those living in the Vorbergland provinces enjoy.
Economics
Trade in Kreuzstadt is heavily regulated, with taxes, tariffs, and restrictions on what can be brought in and out of the hamlet. The trade guild strictly enforces the rules, and costs of doing business in Kreuzstadt are high. There is not formal health or welfare provision in the town and settlers must travel to Drakenburg if they need a physician or priest. Likewise, there is no Temple of Morr or Garden of Morr in the settlement and so settlers must deal with their dead as best they can according to their own funeral rites. The local children get very little education and are generally taught by their parents. Those who are unable to work or fend for themselves usual starve unless someone takes pity on them.Law and Order
The law in Kreuzstadt is extremely strict, partly as a result of appointing a dwarf to oversee it. Settlers are required to carry Guild Licenses authorising any sort of trade or work in the settlement. The local watch is extremely well-armed and brutality is commonplace. Law in Kreuzstadt is overwhelmingly punitive and those that break it can be expected to be deal with harshly as justice demands. Typically penalties include large fines, periods in the village stocks, the lash and public execution. Crime is seen as a stain on the community which cannot be erased and only by retribution can it be redeemed. Magic is reserved only for those with a license, which can only be issued by the Duke, stating what type of magic can be practised. A non-refundable bond must be paid to cover any damage arising from its use, whether it was for official or personal benefit.Demographics
- Dwarf 8-9%
- Elf 2-3%
- Gnome 1-2%
- Goblin (None)
- Halfling 8-9%
- Imperial Human 75-76%
- Bretonnian 4-5%
Government
The people of Kreuzstadt are largely self-sufficient and work the land in exchange for regulating the trade along the mountain road. There is no steward in Kreustadt at the moment, but the settlers have appointed a dwarf called Morgran Eversharp as village leader and he maintains a good best semblance of order.
Defences
The settlement is surrounded by a ditch and wooden palisade and is guarded by a watchtower with a bell and beacon to warn the hamlet of danger and summon help.
Industry & Trade
Apart from subsistence farming, the main purpose of this settlement is to gather tariffs from merchants or other travellers wishing to travel across the Grey Mountains. It also makes a small income from gathering local plants and lichen for sale to herbalists and apothecaries.
Infrastructure
- Most day to day trade takes place in the Town Square where those with goods to sell hawk their wares to those gathered around the well.
- There are official Market stalls available for hire but these are expensive and not worth it unless you have a lot to sell.
- The town has a single watchtower which usually occupied by at least one member of the watch with a bell and beacon to warn of approaching danger.
- There is a local barber who is capable of basic surgery such as pulling teeth. He also favours bleeding as a cure for most things.
Guilds and Factions
- A minuscule Herbalists Guild
- A small Merchants Guild
- The Watch
Architecture
Kreuzstadt's wooden buildings are liberally adorned with carvings of dragons. These are largely the result of a local artist who is obsessed with carving the beast and encouraged to do so by the Duke who thinks it gives the Duchy a bit more character.
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