Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp (/ə˞xˈcə˞/ /urˈkɑp/ [central] [desert]) is a subtropical Small City located in the Digitznä Principality of the Nika.

The name Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp is derived from the Sylvin language, as Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp was founded by Bovria, who was culturaly Gnoll.

Climate

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp has a yearly average temperature of 1°C (33°F), with its average temperature during the summer being an icy 15°C (59°F) and its average temperature during the winter being a cold -13°C (9°F). Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp receives an average of 250 cm/y (98 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of snow during the pleasantly short winter months. Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp covers an area of nearly 13 km² (5 mi²), and an average elevation of 3174 m (10413 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp was founded durring the late 14th century in fall of the year 1262, by Bovria. 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 Bovria.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp was built using the conventions of Gnoll durring the late 14th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp is no diffrent. The city's buildings feature delicute timber framework hidden behind layer upon layer of finly ground plaster bleached to an almost glossy white sheen, with green clay tiled roofs and decorative brass-leafed trim. Even the smallest, poorest looking structures appear to be expencive thanks to the extreem elegence of the organic shapes and paterns going into their lofty, spire-y, vagly gothic designs. The more well off folks live in identicle homes, save for even shiner trim and a more whimsical appearance to their structures flowing forms.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp is buildings are arranged arrounded highly ordered system of narrow flagstone streets which form octogonal paterns, allowing the incides of the octagons to be common grounds for the buildings on the edges, be it for parkland, yardspace, plazas, or markets. The city sits behind an impressive looking clay brick wall. The wall is notable for querried stone blocks being used to renforce the clay bricks in the expected manner and locations. While the wall was built to the exact specifications of modern fortifications, one has to wonder why the money invested into creating such a well fortified wall wasnt spent on a less impressive looking wall crated from sturdier materials. Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's walls would endure a brief bombardment, but only from light siege weapons. It seems more likly the city's walls were not designed with defence in mind but rather lending the town a certain air with visitors. The city's boondoggle-of-a-fortified wall 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 city.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp has a very calm atmosphere. People can be seen relaxing, scocilizing, and going about all manner of business other than the daily grind. Men, women, children, all can be seen enjoying life in a laid-back way in the many parks which line Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp’s streets. The city is very clearly a joyfull place as well as relaxing. Music can be heard often, as well as laughter. The smell of food and drink permiates the air. You can’t help but smile.

Civic Infrastructure

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp possesses a city-wide Aethary Link which provides Aethary access anywhere within its metropolitan. This allows citizens who can afford the relevant devices access in their places of work, and rarely homes.

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

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

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

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

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp 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 Small City. Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's grid is powered by a god's will and kindness.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp 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 ághká-urkäp's natural decorations nor waterways.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp 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 ághká-urkäp 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 ághká-urkäp 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

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's mayor's house was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is characterized by their massive, monolithic and 'blocky' appearance with a rigid geometric style. It was best known for its rough, unfinished surfaces, unusual shapes, heavy-looking materials, straight lines, and small windows. Modular elements were often used to form masses representing specific functional zones, grouped into a unified whole.

Due to the actions of local Kami, spring is skipped in Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp.

The Blood Hawk near Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp are known to be more aggressive than normal.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in autumn and involves sex to channel Necromancy 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.

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp Census Data: Year 2000

1179 of Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 66 work in Agriculture
• 259 work as Craftsmen
• 93 work as Merchants
• 179 work as Service Workers
• 117 work as General Laborers
• 47 work as Skilled Laborers
• 192 work as Civil Servants
• 101 work in Cottage Industries
• 63 work as Artists
• 62 work in Produce Industries

2000 of Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 132 (4%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

The center of Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp's town square was built around an ancient standing stone.

POI

History

Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp used to be much richer, but something happened in the last 2 years to crush its source of prosperity. Different factions of the community might be trying to grasp at the remaining dregs of wealth, others might try to restart the failed industry, and some might look for a new livelihood. Any group or entity thought responsible for the collapse is likely to be treated very harshly, and some locals might find profit in shifting the blame to their enemies.

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the early 2nd century an unusualy harsh winter spawned a deadly blizard to Slæ̈rn ághká-urkäp. The ice, snow, and wind killed 295 people, 162 livestock, and destroyed 96. The event is remembered as Suffering's Breath.

History