Stratforth

Stratforth (/stratforth/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Senjiqtmevimusu Parish, Emada County, within the Kingdom of Helsteria.

The name Stratforth is derived from the Sylvin language, as Stratforth was founded by Håkh́ Feetham, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Stratforth has a yearly average temperature of 22°C (71°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a warm 26°C (78°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool 18°C (64°F). Stratforth receives an average of 141 cm/y (55 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Stratforth covers an area of nearly 5 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 8984 m (-13474 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Stratforth was founded durring the late 11th century, by Håkh́ Feetham. The establishment of Stratforth 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.

Stratforth was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 11th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Stratforth is no diffrent. The town's buildings feature timber framed wooden shiethed or brick construction, which gives form to a very formalized, rational, expence effishent arcatectural style based on strictly symmetrical designs which universaly feature pitched roofs, shutters, and the occasional column or pilaster for a decorative touch.

Stratforth is buildings are arranged within a network of spacious gravel 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 town has a defencive wall made from querried stone. The wall is equipped with a full set of battlments but the nature of its construction methodology leaves it somewhat vulnerable to siege equipment. That said, the town is well defended against anything short of an army. Unfortuantly, these cost-cutting-focused defences are in extreem disrepair, so much so that one cannot tell if they are decaying from a lack of mantance or damage incured.

A look around Stratforth has something terribly wrong with it. It’s impossible to put one’s finger on, but something is horribly wrong. Maybe it’s the way fog blankets the ground, but only in the connors of places. Maybe it’s the vermin scutteling between shadows in the corner of your eyes. Perhaps it’s the overcast sky which seemed to creep out of nowhere, or the distant howling of wolves. Maybe it’s all of those things together, or perhaps it's the way these elements combine with the abundance of schools, libraries, and other academic structures. Locals can be overheard having academic discussions, as well as talking about scholarly subjects in general. It’s quite clear the town places a lot of value on education and being a learned individual. Regardless, you do not feel it would be wise to remain in Stratforth long.

Civic Infrastructure

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

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

Stratforth 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.

Stratforth 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.

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

Stratforth 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 Stratforth's natural decorations nor waterways.

Stratforth 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.

Cultural Notes

Stratforth's town hall was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is best known for its striking sculptural forms and often dazzling ornamental detail that characterizes the buildings general shape. The radiant colors, rich patterns, and symmetrical silhouettes employed by this style were backed up by rich decorative features including gardens, courtyards, extruded arches, domes, pointed domes, vaulted ceilings, elaborate painted and inlaid designs, and decorative sculptures.

Due to the actions of local Kami, summer is long in Stratforth.

The Magmin near Stratforth are known to be quite timid.

Stratforth's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in winter and involves consuming a local narcotic to channel Conjuration energies of tier 1 via chanting.

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.

Stratforth Census Data: Year 2000

414 of Stratforth's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 25 work in Agriculture
• 92 work as Craftsmen
• 32 work as Merchants
• 66 work as Service Workers
• 41 work as General Laborers
• 12 work as Skilled Laborers
• 63 work as Civil Servants
• 40 work in Cottage Industries
• 21 work as Artists
• 22 work in Produce Industries

809 of Stratforth's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 106 (8%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Stratforth's roads were poorly made when first laid. Rather than repairing them correctly, a series of new roads was laid atop the old, leading to the streets of modern Stratforth suffering from potholes, cracking, and even sinkholes. The locals often repair the road by putting down wooden decking.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century the Kami blessed the town with good fortune for a year and a day. One of Stratforth's local festivals commemorates this miracle.

History