Slæ̈rn E-mänd

Slæ̈rn E-mänd (/e/ /mæ̝nd/ [other; spare] [lava]) is a subtropical Large City located in the Slïrddáms Principality of the Cochi.

The name Slæ̈rn E-mänd is derived from the Sylvin language, as Slæ̈rn E-mänd was founded by Shurthah, who was culturaly Gnoll.

Climate

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has a yearly average temperature of 4°C (39°F), with its average temperature during the summer being a cold 7°C (44°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cold 2°C (35°F). Slæ̈rn E-mänd receives an average of 227 cm/y (89 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of snow during the brutaly long winter months. Slæ̈rn E-mänd covers an area of nearly 189 km² (75 mi²), and an average elevation of 2752 m (9028 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Slæ̈rn E-mänd was founded durring the late 16th century in spring of the year 1463, by Shurthah. The establishment of the new community went well, though many minor issues had to be solved as time went on. This was enough to delay construction and push back the formal opening ceramony, leading to some embarisment for Shurthah.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd was built using the conventions of Gnoll durring the late 16th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Slæ̈rn E-mänd is no diffrent. The city'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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd is buildings are speckled and packed arround narrow baked earthen streets with seemingly no patern to them. It appears as if the city'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 city. The city is the proud owner of a proper castle-style stone wall complete with all of the trimmings. It has towers, a moat, gatehouses, drawbridges, and even merticulationsshortsizeleadershipname.. The perhapse unnessisarily well built defences has suffered a visible ammount of structural damage, leaving them effectivly useless. One can't help but wonder why the has not yet effected repairs.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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 Slæ̈rn E-mänd ’s existence has dried up and the city is drifting down the stream of history as it dries up. On top of this is an unmistakable feeling that Slæ̈rn E-mänd is in this condition because there is something terribly wrong with the city. 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 Slæ̈rn E-mänd long.

Civic Infrastructure

Slæ̈rn E-mänd possesses a Aethary Link for its accademic, government, and financial institutions. Public Aethary access is available through one or more of these intitutions.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has an animal control department which works to enforce local ordinances relating to the control, impoundment, and disposition of animals.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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 Slæ̈rn E-mänd. They are also responsible for the maintenance of these features. Notably, the OCG is not responsible for Slæ̈rn E-mänd's parks.

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

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has a Guild of Nurses, which is tasked with caring for the elderly and infirm in accordance with local ordinances, religious values, and customs.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has a Department of Firefighters, which is responsible for organizing fire fighting efforts during a fire and enforcing local ordinances relating to fire safety.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

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

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has an Millitary Academy which trains military officers and specilists.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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. Slæ̈rn E-mänd's grid is powered by a boiler and turbine based power plant.

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

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has a first rate hospital which caters to anyone in need of long term medical care.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd has a library, which keeps a large collection of books, scrolls, and archives all manner of physical items. While not open to the public, the librarians and scholars employed by the library will assist anyone with their research needs, and wealthy individuals can purchase membership to access the library's materials themselves. In spite of being generally closed to the public, the library has a room with several Aether Linked devices available to the public during business hours.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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 Slæ̈rn E-mänd's natural decorations nor waterways.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd 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 a relatively new religion in Slæ̈rn E-mänd which is rapidly gaining power. It might be a sectarian offshoot of a major faith, the unique product of a new prophet, or an outside faith backed by wealthy and powerful foreign supporters. Depending on the demands made on believers, the new faith may be a matter of concern only to the existing clergy, or it might be a major flashpoint for conflict in the community.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd's bank was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is based upon new and innovative technologies of construction and the idea that form should follow function. It was an embrace of minimalism and a rejection of ornament. The style became characterized by an emphasis on volume, asymmetrical compositions, and minimal ornamentation..

Due to the actions of local Kami, summer is long in Slæ̈rn E-mänd.

The Spider, Ogre (Huge) near Slæ̈rn E-mänd are known to be almost tame, such that they can be put to domestic use.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in autumn and involves gestures to channel Enchantment energies of tier 1 via recitation of scripture.

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.

Slæ̈rn E-mänd Census Data: Year 2000

16782 of Slæ̈rn E-mänd's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 1019 work in Agriculture
• 3791 work as Craftsmen
• 1346 work as Merchants
• 2520 work as Service Workers
• 1728 work as General Laborers
• 701 work as Skilled Laborers
• 2414 work as Civil Servants
• 1419 work in Cottage Industries
• 947 work as Artists
• 897 work in Produce Industries

25778 of Slæ̈rn E-mänd's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 2239 (5%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

Due to a magical anomaly, Slæ̈rn E-mänd is directly accessible from a nearby river, despite the lack of a physical connection between the town's pond and the river.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the late 2nd century, Slæ̈rn E-mänd was attacked by soldiers from another nation, waging a greater campaign. The details of the conflict are hazy at best due to many conflicting accounts. What is known is Slæ̈rn E-mänd lost 140 people, 371 livestock, and 86 buildings. The conflict ended after roughly 164, when members of Slæ̈rn E-mänd's militia enacted an operation to patrol a specific area to dissuade the enemy from their current activities. The operation was complicated by a significant percentage of the militia choose to go abandon the operation and return home. The conflict ended with pitched battle between both forces, which ended in victory for Slæ̈rn E-mänd's forces. The war is remembered in legend by Slæ̈rn E-mänd's bards, historians, and legend keepers.

History