Freelatch

Freelatch (/freelatch/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Nigfokshi County, Wowoufada Kingdom, within the Sylvanian Empire.

The name Freelatch is derived from the Sylvin language, as Freelatch was founded by Manrodon Huxtable, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Freelatch has a yearly average temperature of 18°C (64°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a warm 26°C (78°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cold 10°C (50°F). Freelatch receives an average of 108 cm/y (42 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Freelatch covers an area of nearly 4 km² (1 mi²), and an average elevation of 4844 m (15892 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Freelatch was founded durring the early 18th century in early summer of the year 1708, by Manrodon Huxtable. The establishment of Freelatch was somewhat plagued by a lack of willing colonists, leading to Manrodon Huxtable electing to pay people to resettle in Freelatch.

Freelatch was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the early 18th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Freelatch 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.

Freelatch is is constructed arround a series of restrictive split-log ties mainstreets which form concentric circles, with smaller strait roads linking the circiles to each other at varrious points. The town is protected by a renforced stone fence which sits atop earthwork defences, for some of the best inexpencive defences a town of Freelatch's size could have. The well-designed, yet cheep have not been wellmaintained over the years, and while functional are in dire need of some loving care and perhapse light renovation.

Freelatch has the unmistakable air of a town on its last legs. Everything is a bit slipshod and ramshackle. Everyone is at work, or drinking. No one has anything in their eyes other than fear and despair. Whatever industry once fueled Freelatch ’s existence has dried up and the town is drifting down the stream of history as it dries up. On top of this is an unmistakable feeling that Freelatch is in this condition because there is something terribly wrong with the town. Maybe it’s the way fog blankets the ground, but only in the connors of places. Maybe it’s the vermin scuttling 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 which makes you worry someone might stab you in a dark ally for your boots. It’s not filthy, or dark, but the smiles seem strained, the locals seem to glare daggers in eachothers backs a little too much, and everyone is armed at all times. You may want to keep an eye on your valuables, and make sure you don’t wind up in any position of power. Regardless, you do not feel it would be wise to remain in Freelatch long.

Civic Infrastructure

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

Freelatch 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.

Freelatch 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.

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

Freelatch 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 Town. Freelatch's grid is powered by a boiler and turbine based power plant.

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

Freelatch has a Parks and Recreation Department, which is responsible for the construction, management, and usage rights for all of its parks and parklands.

Freelatch 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

Freelatch's chapel 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 Freelatch birds speak prophesy.

The Bonewrought Willow near Freelatch are known to be a mutant strain of the creature.

Freelatch's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in summer and involves orgies to channel Transmutation energies of tier 1 via moments of science.

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.

Freelatch Census Data: Year 2000

350 of Freelatch's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 24 work in Agriculture
• 75 work as Craftsmen
• 27 work as Merchants
• 61 work as Service Workers
• 32 work as General Laborers
• 12 work as Skilled Laborers
• 51 work as Civil Servants
• 34 work in Cottage Industries
• 16 work as Artists
• 18 work in Produce Industries

783 of Freelatch's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 23 (2%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Freelatch is known for its odd use of round-a-bouts, small ring roads used in place of intersections.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the early 2nd century a local hero by the name of slew a monster which had been terrorizing the streets of Freelatch. One of Freelatch's festivals remembers the hero.

History