Longoak

Longoak (/longoak/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Sageacre Dutchy, Niuohiewan Kingdom, within the Sylvanian Empire.

The name Longoak is derived from the Sylvin language, as Longoak was founded by Hêbèb Malve Swain, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Longoak has a yearly average temperature of 17°C (62°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 8°C (46°F). Longoak receives an average of 181 cm/y (71 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the fall. Longoak covers an area of nearly 5 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 4018 m (13182 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Longoak was founded durring the late 11th century, by Hêbèb Malve Swain. The establishment of Longoak was plagued by a lack of willing colonists. After attempts to pay people to resettle failed Hêbèb Malve Swain struck deals with nearby nations and communities to establish Longoak as a prison colony.

Longoak was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 11th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Longoak 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.

Longoak is buildings are grouped arround an odd layout of restrictive canals streets, which seems to be based on an overlapping squair patern such that there are small squares at the cornor of every bigger square. Sometimes buildings exist in the smaller squaires, other times they are open spaces, or occupied by temporary structures. The town lacks any defencive features, though certainly constructing even a simple fence or digging a ditch is at the forefront of the 's mind. At least, one would hope so.

A look around Longoak 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 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 Longoak long.

Civic Infrastructure

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

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

Longoak 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.

Longoak 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.

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

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

Longoak 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 Longoak's natural decorations nor waterways.

Longoak 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.

Longoak 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

Longoak's town hall was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is characterized by vertical proportions, pointed arches, external buttressing, and asymmetry in the general shape of its buildings. The decorative features of the style were key, consisting of large arched windows, pointed arches, vaulted ceilings, flying buttresses, and sculptures integrated into the structure itself. Occasionally, for very important buildings, an array of sculptures or one colossal sculpture might replace the entirety of the entrance to said building.

In Longoak rain occurs in reverse with water pooling up from the earth then falling into the skies to from clouds, this unsettles every visitor that sees it.

The Phase Flea near Longoak are known to be almost tame, such that they can be put to domestic use.

Longoak's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in summer and involves destroying a prepared ritual vessel to channel Truename Magic energies of tier 1 via proclamations.

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.

Longoak Census Data: Year 2000

413 of Longoak's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 26 work in Agriculture
• 90 work as Craftsmen
• 31 work as Merchants
• 68 work as Service Workers
• 39 work as General Laborers
• 13 work as Skilled Laborers
• 68 work as Civil Servants
• 37 work in Cottage Industries
• 20 work as Artists
• 21 work in Produce Industries

834 of Longoak's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 79 (6%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Longoak has a substantial mill pond located a short distance from town.

POI

History

The the a stone of Abjuration, an a stone imbued with potent amounts of Abjuration energies was created near Longoak by in time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century.

History