Solminster

Solminster (/solminster/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Large Town located in Beachholt Dutchy, Ipoulan Kingdom, within the Sylvanian Empire.

The name Solminster is derived from the Sylvin language, as Solminster was founded by Maita Salter, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Solminster has a yearly average temperature of 21°C (69°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a warm 30°C (86°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool 12°C (53°F). Solminster receives an average of 278 cm/y (109 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the summer. Solminster covers an area of nearly 6 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 1662 m (5452 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Solminster was founded durring the late 13th century in spring of the year 1154, by Maita Salter. The establishment of Solminster was plagued by a lack of willing colonists. After attempts to pay people to resettle failed Maita Salter struck deals with nearby nations and communities to establish Solminster as a prison colony.

Solminster was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 13th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Solminster is no diffrent. The town's buildings feature waddle and daub construction with good timber frames and a stone foundation protected by thatched or shingled rooves. Most buildings with second floors are built in such a way as to overhang into the streets on the upper floors for more space, as building size seems to be the primary indicator of wealth within the community. Most buildings are not decorated with any integral features, but instead use ivy, flowers, and other natural elements in planters of on trellices to breathe life into the structure they grow upon.

Solminster is buildings are arranged arround a network of crampt carved bedrock streets which form a grid, where each square verries in size given the proximity of the paralell streets forming each section. The ocasional smaller square has been used to construct a park, plaza, and other communal structures. The town posesses a mighty albit amaturly crafted stone wall. It was built using querried stone blocks and posesses all of the standard defencive features, including a few watch towers. While it would last against a siege, the wall's outdated and simplistic construction method percludes the possability of Solminster weathering a full scale bombardment durring a siege. The town's budget focused millitary grade defenses have recently undergone extensive repairs and renovations, such that the repairwork is imeadiently apparent and can be spotted due to the diffring ages of materials. One can't help but wonder what brought the need for those repairs to the town.

Right off the bat Solminster hits you in the face with its success. Everyone, even the peasants, are dressed in well made clothing. Every tool and implement you can see is finely made, and people will boast to you as obvious strangers of the wonders which can be found in their markets. More interestingly is a total lack of beggars, and plenty of new buildings are going up even as you speak. Somehow this town has come into quite a lot of wealth, and recently from the looks of things. This wealth has brought the town nothing but neurosis, if you can believe your eyes. Everyone acts as if you’re out to take a piece of them. Every door is locked and every window barred. Efforts are made to make you feel welcome, but only in the public areas of the town, particularly the market.

Civic Infrastructure

Solminster 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 Solminster. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Solminster's parks.

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

Solminster 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.

Solminster 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.

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

Solminster 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 Solminster's natural decorations nor waterways.

Solminster 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.

Solminster 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.

Solminster 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.

Cultural Notes

Solminster's bank was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is inspired by the natural world, characterized by sinuous, sculptural, organic shapes, arches, curving lines, and sensual ornamentation. Common motifs included stylized versions of leaves, flowers, vines, insects, animals, and other natural elements. Decorative elements found on the inside and outside of buildings include intricate mosaic work, curved windows, and decorative trim work. .

In Solminster rainbows form quite often above the Large Town.

The Gremlin near Solminster are known to be a mutant strain of the creature.

Solminster's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in summer and involves embarking on a group pilgrimage to channel Invocation energies of tier 3 via oratory performances.

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 Tom'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.

Solminster Census Data: Year 2000

526 of Solminster's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 31 work in Agriculture
• 116 work as Craftsmen
• 42 work as Merchants
• 85 work as Service Workers
• 53 work as General Laborers
• 19 work as Skilled Laborers
• 80 work as Civil Servants
• 48 work in Cottage Industries
• 25 work as Artists
• 27 work in Produce Industries

1005 of Solminster's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 80 (5%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Due to a magical anomaly, Solminster is directly accessible from a nearby river, despite the lack of a physical connection between the town's pond and the river.

POI

History

Solminster used to be much richer, but something happened in the last (27800 % 6)+1 years to crush its source of prosperity. Different factions of the community might be trying to grasp at the remaining dregs of wealth, others might try to restart the failed industry, and some might look for a new livelihood. Any group or entity thought responsible for the collapse is likely to be treated very harshly, and some locals might find profit in shifting the blame to their enemies.

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the early 2nd century, Solminster was attacked by soldiers from another nation, waging a greater campaign. The details of the conflict are hazy at best due to many conflicting accounts. What is known is Solminster lost 138 people, 371 livestock, and 24 buildings. The conflict ended after roughly 210, when members of Solminster's militia enacted an operation to assassinate an enemyreligious figure. The operation was complicated by aggravated civilians, who cause problems for the militia for a host of reasons. The conflict ended with the defense of the depot against a siege, which ended in defeat for Solminster's forces. The war is remembered in legend by Solminster's bards, historians, and legend keepers.

History