Tearstoke

Tearstoke (/tearstoke/ [Translation Unavailable]) is a subtropical Town located in Hb-65fkhun Zone, Hesan County, within the Kingdom of Helsteria.

The name Tearstoke is derived from the Sylvin language, as Tearstoke was founded by Pelogale Forbes, who was culturaly Sylvin.

Climate

Tearstoke 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). Tearstoke receives an average of 144 cm/y (56 in/y) of precipitation, most of which comes in the form of rain during the spring. Tearstoke covers an area of nearly 4 km² (1 mi²), and an average elevation of 2130 m (6988 ft) above sea level.

Overview

Tearstoke was founded durring the late 13th century in winter of the year 1155, by Pelogale Forbes. The establishment of Tearstoke suffered from several major issues, resulting in the need to develop many solutions to basic problems. Problems such as a lack of fresh water, logistical support, poor quality tools, and the odd monster or two. Howeaver, these were overcome in time.

Tearstoke was built using the conventions of Sylvin durring the late 13th century. Naturaly, all settlmentss have their own look to them, and Tearstoke is no diffrent. The town'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.

Tearstoke is buildings folow an organic layout of narrow cobblestone streets whihch gives the town a shape simmilar to a tree, if one views its streets from above. The town emploies a series of defencive earthworks and fences to provide minimal protection against wild beasts and smaller groups of intelegent foes. Tearstoke's somewhat suffishent has sufferd soem light damage, reducing its function a little in some spots, but could almsot certainly preform as expected... Though some of the worse spots could lead to the loss of defenders lives if attackers identified the weaknesses ahead of time.

Tearstoke has the unmistakable air of a town 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 Tearstoke ’s existence has dried up and the town is drifting down the stream of history as it dries up. On top of this is an unmistakable feeling that Tearstoke is in this condition because there is something terribly wrong with the town. 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 Tearstoke long.

Civic Infrastructure

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

Tearstoke 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.

Tearstoke 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.

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

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

Tearstoke 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.

Cultural Notes

Tearstoke 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.

Tearstoke's bank was built using a different architectural style from the rest of the town. The style used is characterized by dynamic designs and complex architectural plan forms; intended to heighten feelings of motion and sensuality, and frequently based on the oval. It made extensive and extreme use of: Grandeur, Contrast, Curves and twists, Rich surface treatments, Gilded statuary, Bright colors, Vividly painted ceilings, Fragmented or deliberately incomplete elements, Large-scale frescoes, Dramatic central projections on an external facade, the use of plaster, stucco, or marble finishing, Illusory effects such as trompe l’oeil, and pear-shaped domes. While beloved by the nobility, the common folk tended to despise the style due to the massive consumption of resources required for even a small building constructed in this style.

In Tearstoke all of the cats speak in a dead language.

The Bee, Giant near Tearstoke are known to be more aggressive than normal.

Tearstoke's citizens partake in a curious ritual relating to their local kami. It takes place in winter and involves line dance to channel Transmutation energies of tier 2 via divine sermons.

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.

Tearstoke Census Data: Year 2000

345 of Tearstoke's population work within a Foundational Occupation.

• 23 work in Agriculture
• 77 work as Craftsmen
• 25 work as Merchants
• 56 work as Service Workers
• 34 work as General Laborers
• 12 work as Skilled Laborers
• 51 work as Civil Servants
• 32 work in Cottage Industries
• 16 work as Artists
• 19 work in Produce Industries

782 of Tearstoke's population do not work in a formal occupation, but do contribute to the local economy. 22 (2%) are noncontributers.

Points of Interest

The center of Tearstoke's town square was built around an ancient standing stone.

POI

History

In time immemorial, reportedly some time during the early 2nd century a most peculiar disaster struck Tearstoke, causing great chunks of ice to fall from the sky. Tearstoke lost 195 people, 378 livestock, and 79 buildings in the disaster.. The ice rain is generally remembered as the Doom Rain.

History