Oldden

Oldden ([root words not on file] [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Metropolis located in Dellwyn Dutchy, Norwick Shire, within the Norwick Principality.

The name Oldden is derived from the Tauric language, as Oldden was founded by Ha̋g Vú̄̄kī 'Elite Robbi' Coú Cú̄shīy Cú̄w̄b Castellen, who was culturaly Tauric.

Climate

Oldden has a yearly average temperature of 4°C (39°F), with its average temperature during the summer being an icy 27°C (80°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool -19°C (-2°F). Oldden receives an average of 266 cm/y (104 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of snow during the pleasantly short winter months. Oldden covers an area of nearly 189 km² (75 mi²), and an average elevation of 2852 m (9356 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Oldden was founded durring the late 13th century in summer of the year 1252, by Ha̋g Vú̄̄kī 'Elite Robbi' Coú Cú̄shīy Cú̄w̄b Castellen. The establishment of Oldden suffered from several major issues, resulting in the need to develop many solutions to basic problems. Problems such as a lack of fresh water, logistical support, poor quality tools, and the odd monster or two. Howeaver, these were overcome in time.

Oldden was built using the conventions of Tauric durring the late 13th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Oldden is no diffrent. The metropolis's buildings feature delicute timber framework hidden behind layer upon layer of finly ground plaster bleached to an almost glossy white sheen, with green clay tiled roofs and decorative brass-leafed trim. Even the smallest, poorest looking structures appear to be expencive thanks to the extreem elegence of the organic shapes and paterns going into their lofty, spire-y, vagly gothic designs. The more well off folks live in identicle homes, save for even shiner trim and a more whimsical appearance to their structures flowing forms.

Oldden is buildings are arranged within a network of broad split-log ties streets which form a rectangular grid, where each block verries in size given the proximity of the paralell streets forming each section. The ocasional smaller block has been used to construct a park, plaza, and other communal structures. The cliffside metropolis is defended by arcane means. It's hard to spot at first, but there's a tell tell shimmer in the air arround Oldden, and you can spot the ocasional warding glyph carved into a rock or tree all arround town. These mystical defences are ancient, unknowable, and unassailable by current means... Assuming everything is in working order. Otherwise, the wards are little more than a deathtrap. Unfortuantly, these Relic of the World That Was are in extreem disrepair, so much so that one cannot tell if they are decaying from a lack of mantance or damage incured.

Oldden is not quite well. Something happened here, perhapse recently, perhapse long ago. Whatever it was, it settled into the very soul of the metropolis like a festering wound. The people go about their day well enough, but there’s a tention in the air you can cut with a knife.

Civic Infrastructure

Oldden possesses a city-wide Aethary Link which provides Aethary access anywhere within its metropolitan. This allows citizens who can afford the relevant devices access in their places of work, and rarely homes.

Oldden has an animal control department which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals.

Oldden has an Office of Civil Groundskeeping, which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the construction and upkeep up of all plant life, water features, and other natural decorations within Oldden. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Oldden's parks.

Oldden has an Office of Civil Vicary, which is responsible for providing a livelyhood for all officialy recognised religious figures within Oldden.

Oldden has a government-funded child care program, overseen by the local Department of Nursemaids, which is responsible for providing childcare to working-class citizens according to local ordinances.

Oldden has a Gravedigger's Guild, which is responsible for collecting the dead and laying them to rest according to all applicable laws and religious customs.

Oldden has a Guild of Nurses, which is tasked with caring for the elderly and infirm in accordance with local ordinances, religious values, and customs.

Oldden has a Department of Firefighters, which is responsible for organizing fire fighting efforts during a fire and enforcing local ordinances relating to fire safety.

Oldden has a Highwayman's Guild, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.

Oldden has a Hall of Slayers, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.

Oldden has a monistary of an order of Civil Monks, who provide divine-related services to the general public and maintain Oldden's public wards, blessings, and other arcane systems.

Oldden has an Administrative Academy which trains individuals in the administrative arts.

Oldden possesses a Galvanic Power Grid, which brings galvanic current to most if not all buildings in town, and permits a great many consumer goods to function within the Metropolis. Oldden's grid is powered by a boiler and turbine based power plant.

Oldden's old civil lighting system was converted to Galvanic Lamps recently, and expanded to provide nighttime illumination to all city streets.

Oldden has a first rate hospital which caters to anyone in need of long term medical care.

Oldden has a library, which keeps a large collection of books, scrolls, and archives all manner of physical items. While not open to the public, the librarians and scholars employed by the library will assist anyone with their research needs, and wealthy individuals can purchase membership to access the library's materials themselves. In spite of being generally closed to the public, the library has a room with several Aether Linked devices available to the public during business hours.

Oldden has a Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for the construction, management, and usage rights for all of its parks and parklands. They are not to be confused with the Office of Civil Groundskeeping as they do not hold authority over nor responsibility for Oldden's natural decorations nor waterways.

Oldden has a Guild of Roadworkers, who are responsible for maintaining the roadways and public paths within town. They also have the duty of enforcing all civil laws relating to the roadways.

Oldden has a public schooling program overseen by the Hall of Sages who has the responsibility of ensuring access to affordable high-quality education in all basic classes (Reading, Writing, Mathmatics, General Sciences, General Arcana, and Social Education) is made available to all citizens.

Oldden has a public septic system, which allows its citizens to have indoor bathrooms. The septic system is overseen by the League of Sewerkeepers, who posses the legal authority to enforce all laws relating to the septic system, and are also tasked with its maintenance and upkeep.

Oldden is home to a University which provides higher education in a variety of fields, and also serves as a research institute for those same fields.

Cultural Notes

While Oldden might ostensibly be ruled by some other power, real control lies with the senior members of the local craft and labor guilds. Their decisions have the practical weight of law, and much of their time and effort is spent squeezing out competitors and parceling out economic opportunities in the community. Some guilds might have little or nothing to do with their original trade, and now exist purely as shells for political influence.

Oldden's mayor's house was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is characterized by grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, dramatic use of columns, and a preference for blank walls. This design ethos extended to re-imagining earlier styles of structure to create them anew, with a similar overall look and feel to one another..

In Oldden snow is warm to the touch and does not melt within city limits. Also it only happens during summer.

The Tangtal (Dupli-Cat) near Oldden are known to be quite timid.

Oldden's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in spring and involves long periods of drunkenness to channel Wild Magic energies of tier 1 via oath swearing.

Economy

The following information was obtained via the Imperial Census Bureau as part of the Eyom Economic Outreach Program. It differs from Standard Imperial censuses in that many of Eyom's citizens, regardless of culture, work in more than one occupation or hold more than a single job. The Imperial Census Bureau has ruled that a job is a job, hence, the intigers within the data presented here can count an individual more than once.

Oldden Census Data: Year 2000

1193897 of Oldden's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 67104 work in Agriculture
• 270729 work as Craftsmen
• 97655 work as Merchants
• 192324 work as Service Workers
• 119072 work as General Laborers
• 48556 work as Skilled Laborers
• 167326 work as Civil Servants
• 105820 work in Cottage Industries
• 63593 work as Artists
• 61718 work in Produce Industries

1711621 of Oldden's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 185458 (6%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Oldden's is something of a geological and arcane anomaly, as neither physical nor magical law entirely explains its formation.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century a local hero by the name of slew a dragon and brought its hoard to Oldden, where it was shared with all. was immortalized in song for this deed.

History