The name Norstadt is derived from the Sylvin language, as Norstadt was founded by Iposha Chebedric Ingram, who was culturaly Sylvin.
Climate
Norstadt has a yearly average temperature of 18°C (64°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a pleasant 22°C (71°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cool 15°C (59°F). Norstadt receives an average of 266 cm/y (104 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the summer. Norstadt covers an area of nearly 271 km2 (108 mi2), and an average elevation of 1168 m (3832 ft) above sea level.
Overview
Norstadt was founded durring the early 12th century in summer of the year 1049, by Iposha Chebedric Ingram. The establishment of Norstadt was only bairly constructed. The sheer number of problems with its founding were enough to make several of the backers funding Norstadt's construction back out of the project. Iposha Chebedric Ingram pushed on reguardles, and Norstadt was finished, but starts off as a terible place to live.
Norstadt was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the early 12th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Norstadt is no diffrent. The city'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.
Norstadt is buildings are grouped arround an odd layout of narrow cobblestone 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 city has a set of well fortified walls, with gatehouses, watch towers, battlments, and even a moat, which are fashioned from stone and timber. Norstadt's walls are, howeaver, fashioned from stone and timber. While unorthadox, the design looks to be functional to a reasonable degree. With luck, the untested design will remain untested for years to come. Astonishigly, the unusual though effective defenses are in pristine condishion, as if they had just been finished before you laied eyes upon them.
Norstadt has the unmistakable air of a city 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 Norstadt ’s existence has dried up and the city is drifting down the stream of history as it dries up. The people are clearly worried about something, and everyone is either wearing a weapon or has one close at hand. Your gut tells you it’s not mere fate which has caused this town to begin failing...
Civic Infrastructure
Norstadt possesses a Aethary Link for its accademic, government, and financial institutions. Public Aethary access is available through one or more of these intitutions.
Norstadt has an animal control department which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals.
Norstadt 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 Norstadt. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Norstadt's parks.
Norstadt has an Office of Civil Vicary, which is responsible for providing a livelyhood for all officialy recognised religious figures within Norstadt.
Norstadt has a government-funded child care program, overseen by the local Department of Nursemaids, which is responsible for providing childcare to working-class citizens according to local ordinances.
Norstadt 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.
Norstadt has a Guild of Nurses, which is tasked with caring for the elderly and infirm in accordance with local ordinances, religious values, and customs.
Norstadt has a Department of Firefighters, which is responsible for organizing fire fighting efforts during a fire and enforcing local ordinances relating to fire safety.
Norstadt 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.
Norstadt has a Hall of Slayers, which is tasked with maintaining the roads and highways leading into town as well as keeping them safe for travelers.
Norstadt has a monistary of an order of Civil Monks, who provide divine-related services to the general public and maintain Norstadt's public wards, blessings, and other arcane systems.
Norstadt has an Administrative Academy which trains individuals in the administrative arts.
Norstadt 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 Large City. Norstadt's grid is powered by hydrogalvanic generators.
Norstadt's old civil lighting system was converted to Galvanic Lamps recently, and expanded to provide nighttime illumination to all city streets.
Norstadt has a first rate hospital which caters to anyone in need of long term medical care.
Norstadt has a library, which keeps a large collection of books, scrolls, and archives all manner of physical items. The library is open to the public, including the Aether Link.
Norstadt 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 Norstadt's natural decorations nor waterways.
Norstadt 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.
Norstadt 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.
Norstadt 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.
Norstadt is home to a University which provides higher education in a variety of fields, and also serves as a research institute for those same fields.
Cultural Notes
There’s more than one leader in Norstadt, but at least some of them are at each other’s throats. It might be a conflict between formal leadership and informal authorities, or it could be a struggle among civil officials. Their interests might diverge sharply, or it could be a personal grudge that’s boiled over. Outside threats and internal problems are likely being ignored until the power struggle is resolved.
Norstadt's bank was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is best known for its functional shapes, abstract shapes used sparingly for decor, simple color schemes, holistic design, and basic industrial materials. Its simple designs were created to be beautiful, functional, and mass-producible. The style used little to no embellishment or ornamentation, instead drawing attention to the streamlined design, such as flat roofs to create a simple, geometric look. The simplicity masks the style's nearly sinister functionality, as every last feature is designed to guide the people living in the building in how to make the most efficient use of the structure.
The Fly, Giant near Norstadt are known to be more aggressive than normal.
Norstadt'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 Summoning 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.
Agriculture
Dairy Farmers: 116
Farmers: 186
Farm Laborer: 352
Hunters: 226
Milk Maids: 154
Ranchers: 85
Ranch Hands: 160
Shepherds: 158
Farmland: 255808 m2
Cattle and Similar Creatures: 15869
Poultry: 190428
Swine: 12695
Sheep: 634
Goats: 126
Horses, Mounts, and Beasts of Burden: 6347
Craftsmen
Arms and Toolmakers: 126
Blacksmiths: 147
Bookbinders: 82
Buckle-makers: 81
Cabinetmakers: 167
Candlemakers: 211
Carpenters: 230
Clothmakers: 167
Coach and Harness Makers: 66
Coopers: 162
Copper, Brass, Tin, Zinc, and Lead Workers: 91
Copyists: 61
Cutlers: 52
Fabricworkers: 144
Farrier: 507
Furriers: 41
Glassworkers: 211
Gunsmiths: 133
Harness-Makers: 59
Hatters: 123
Hosiery Workers: 45
Jewelers: 72
Leatherwrights: 162
Locksmiths: 62
Matchstick makers: 100
Musical Instrument Makers: 100
Painters, Structures and Fixtures: 82
Paper Workers: 91
Plasterers: 88
Pursemakers: 99
Roofers: 66
Ropemakers: 63
Rugmakers: 59
Saddlers: 115
Scabbardmakers: 133
Scalemakers: 67
Scientific, Surgical, and Optical Instrument Makers: 41
Sculptors, Structures and Fixtures: 62
Shoemakers: 62
Soap and Tallow Workers: 195
Tailors: 470
Tanners: 79
Upholsterers: 88
Watchmakers: 85
Weavers: 198
Whitesmiths: 51
Merchants
Adventuring Goods Retellers: 45
Arcana Sellers: 44
Beer-Sellers: 88
Booksellers: 96
Butchers: 171
Chandlers: 162
Chicken Butchers: 178
Entrepreneurs: 67
Fine Clothiers: 162
Fishmongers: 176
Florists: 38
Potion Sellers: 105
Resellers: 302
Spice Merchants: 82
Wine-sellers: 137
Wheelwright: 100
Woodsellers: 62
Service workers
Bakers: 288
Barbers: 282
Coachmen: 91
Cooks: 235
Doctors: 142
Gamekeepers: 102
Grooms: 57
Hairdressers: 226
Healers: 195
Housekeepers: 198
Housemaids: 302
House Stewards: 181
Inns: 58
Laundry maids: 117
Maidservants: 253
Nursery Maids: 113
Pastrycooks: 218
Restaurateur: 275
Tavern Keepers: 253
Specialized Laborer
Ashworkers: 91
Bleachers: 59
Chemical Workers: 36
Coal Heavers: 129
In-Town Couriers: 132
Long Haul Couriers: 141
Dockyard Workers: 132
Gas Workers: 30
Hay Merchants: 53
Leech Collectors: 183
Millers: 141
Miners: 129
Oilmen and Polishers: 93
Postmen: 144
Pure Finder: 80
Skinners: 204
Sugar Refiners: 36
Tosher: 96
Warehousemen: 218
Watercarriers: 145
Watermen, Bargemen, etc.: 176
Skilled Laborers
Accountants: 78
Alchemist: 96
Clerk: 135
Dentists: 65
Educators: 173
Engineers: 85
Gardeners: 61
Mages: 47
Plumbers: 67
Pharmacist: 76
Professors: 28
Scientists: 47
Wizards: 27
Civil Servants
Adventurers: 61
Bankers: 94
Civil Clerks: 135
Civic Iudex: 71
Consultants: 40
Exorcist: 158
Fixers: 75
Kami Clerk: 125
Landlords: 125
Lawyers: 75
Legend Keepers: 104
Militia Officers: 634
Monks, Monastic: 204
Monks, Civic: 186
Historian, Oral: 144
Historian, Textual: 72
Policemen, Sheriffs, etc.: 147
Priests: 244
Rangers: 86
Rat Catchers: 91
Scholars: 104
Spiritualist: 111
Slayers: 35
Storytellers: 230
Military Officers: 244
Cottage Industries
Brewers: 186
Comfort Services: 253
Enchanters: 72
Herbalists: 68
Jaminators: 192
Needleworkers: 186
Potters: 104
Preserve Makers: 171
Quilters: 93
Seamsters: 334
Spinners: 204
Tinker: 68
Weaver: 167
Artists
Actors: 65
Architects: 25
Bards: 102
Costumers: 37
Dancers: 72
Drafters: 42
Engravers: 52
Fine Furniture Carpenters: 30
Glaziers: 66
Inlayers: 60
Musicians: 167
Painters, Art: 32
Playwrights: 66
Sculptors, Art: 56
Wood Carvers: 226
Writers: 218
Produce Industries
Butter Churners: 211
Canners: 176
Cheesmakers: 226
Ice Merchants: 28
Millers: 129
Picklers: 104
Smokers: 80
Stockmakers: 69
Tobacconists: 99
Tallowmakers: 147
24229 of Norstadt's population work within a Foundational Occupation.
1321 work in Agriculture
5596 work as Craftsmen
2015 work as Merchants
3586 work as Service Workers
2448 work as General Laborers
985 work as Skilled Laborers
3595 work as Civil Servants
2098 work in Cottage Industries
1316 work as Artists
1269 work in Produce Industries
37978 of Norstadt's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 1269 (2%) are noncontributers.
Points of Interest
Norstadt is accessed from a nearby river via an intricate series of locks.
POI
History
The the a cube of Transmutation, an a cube imbued with notable amounts of Transmutation energies was created in Norstadt by in time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century.