Lowgrad

Lowgrad (/lowgrad/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Hu̹ Va Kingdom, Yutate County, within the Kingdom of Helsteria.

The name Lowgrad is derived from the Sylvin language, as Lowgrad was founded by Vrungurk Sparrow, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Lowgrad has a yearly average temperature of 27°C (80°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a hot 32°C (89°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a pleasant 23°C (73°F). Lowgrad receives an average of 138 cm/y (54 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Lowgrad covers an area of nearly 5 km² (2 mi²), and an average elevation of 3132 m (10275 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Lowgrad was founded durring the late 16th century in spring of the year 1563, by Vrungurk Sparrow. The establishment of Lowgrad suffered from many setbacks, delays, and obsticles, most notably a group of Lowgrad which required millitary assistance exterminate before the community could finish being built.

Lowgrad was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 16th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Lowgrad 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.

Lowgrad is buildings are speckled and packed arround restrictive paverstone streets with seemingly no patern to them. It appears as if the town's residents simply built streets as they pleased and squeazed buildings in wherever and howeave rpossible, creating an organic, frustrating to navigate, maze of a town. The town posesses a fortified albit thin wall of querried stone. This wall posesses most of the features of a castle wall, though it is constructed from cheeper inferior stone. It would pose a minor chalange for an attacking army, though it's clear the wall's true purpose is to crush the hopes of bandits and marauders. The town's failry decent fortifications 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 Lowgrad 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. The new wealth has created some worrying attitudes in many passers by, such that it’s clear new laws have recently been enacted and enforced with such extreme scrutiny the locals seem to be going about their day as if by clockwork.

Civic Infrastructure

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

Lowgrad 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.

Lowgrad 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.

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

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

Lowgrad 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.

Lowgrad 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

Lowgrad has a long tradition of martial expertise. This may be a crisply-organized history of skilled native levies, or it may be a natural belligerence in the people that leaves them familiar with bloodshed. While their neighbors and liege doubtless respect their talents, this very aptitude might make them more willing to turn to steel than prudence would advise.

Lowgrad's town hall was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is characterized by order, symmetry, formal design, grandiosity, and elaborate ornamentation. Architectural characteristics include balustrades, balconies, columns, cornices, pilasters, and triangular pediments. Stone exteriors are massive and grandiose in their symmetry; interiors are typically polished and lavishly decorated with sculptures, swags, medallions, flowers, and shields. Interiors will often have a grand stairway and opulent ballroom..

Due to the actions of local Kami, summer is skipped in Lowgrad.

The Azer near Lowgrad are known to be quite timid.

Lowgrad's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in spring and involves embarking on a group pilgrimage to channel Truename Magic energies of tier 1 via speaking in tongues.

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.

Lowgrad Census Data: Year 2000

402 of Lowgrad's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 25 work in Agriculture
• 88 work as Craftsmen
• 30 work as Merchants
• 70 work as Service Workers
• 39 work as General Laborers
• 13 work as Skilled Laborers
• 59 work as Civil Servants
• 36 work in Cottage Industries
• 22 work as Artists
• 20 work in Produce Industries

836 of Lowgrad's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 65 (5%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

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

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 Lowgrad, where it was shared with all. Lowgrad created a local delicacy in 's honor which is served at festivals.

History