Towering Oaks is a tiny village, not more than 200 people in it, which is only tangentially associated with a nation. They occupy land in Xalliman, but owe no true allegiance to a lord or country, as is somewhat common for the area. The village has no outstanding resources to speak of, and is on the frontier of Xallimanian settlement, but consists of mainly human settlers from Ossia, as opposed to the Xallimanian elves.
Nearby settlements are the Elven town of Thaywood to the Southwest about 3 days ride, and the Ossian frontier trade town of Wintersmith another 2 days ride to the east. Also in the area is the Eladrin phasing city of Kavartu, which actually appears in several spots around the forests, usually to the northwest. The only reliable way to go to Kavartu is through a permanent portal in the Elven treetop city of Silver Falls, but it is entirely possible to be out hunting and stumble across a piece of the city existing in two planes at once, or a road which suddenly appears leading to the front gate.
The current Baron of the town is Malchai Fairchild, though it is only by necessity, and he has been fairly bitter as of late due to the unwanted responsibilities. Town council has a few spots open, but skilled applicants have been hard to come by and it is not a position given away lightly as with council membership comes a house in Founder Estates and the title of Sir/Lord or Madame, as well as a monthly stipend.
Threats: Local goblins, kobolds in a quarry some way off, and occasional unexplainable undead.
Bandit raids, growing increasingly bold and organized.
Fey tricksters and occasional angry fey who oppose the "taming and rape of their land".
Problems
1. Packs of wolves have been roaming the forest, and as a result the game in the forest is becoming scarce.
2. Bandits have been raiding the roads, and attacking farmlands. Dagvo is trying his best, but it's hard to keep up to mounted bandits with so few men under his command. Village rumors is that it could be the elves trying to browbeat the village into swearing fealty to Xalliman for protection.
3. The town is losing money. There are several things that could fix this. #1) Claim more farmland to reduce consumption #2) Find either a new baron so Malchai can become Treasurer, or a suitable Treasurer. #3) Fill the Spymaster spot so that they can get to the root of the bandit raids on trade routes. #4) Bring in some solid cash to infuse into the town treasury, either via hard donation or selling magic items for the town.
4. (Town Council Problem) With the recent deaths caused by bandits it has become apparant that the city lacks a graveyard (4 BP), the people wish one built.
Statistics
Size: Small Town (Pg 203 Pathfinder GM Guide)
Population: ~500
Alignment: LG
Base Value: 3,000 gp
Purchase Limit: 5,000 gp
Spells for Hire Limit: 3rd level
People of Interest
Malchai Fairchild - An Ossian entrepeneur, youngest son of the Fairchild family based out of Azure Peak. He took his inheritance when he came of age and went as far west as he could, so that he could set up shop. He opened the General Store and bought the stables and horses, so that he owns the majority of easy trade within the town. He charges a small fee to transport lumber and goods out of the town to market, and uses his income from that to bring in essentials for the villagers, namely tools. Currently acting as the Baron of Towering Oaks, although he has little interest in his position. He would prefer to act as treasurer, but has taken on the mantle of Baron in the absence of a decent candidate.
Gareth Xerinak - An elven druid who tends to the lake and visits the fields on harvests. He was elected as the town's religious official on council.
Rianna Woodsman - The wife of the leader of the Woodsman's Guild, she acts as liason between the guild and the town council, and was elected councilor by the town to represent their interests.
Hirelings
Kennith Stark - Teamster 3sp/day, brings goods to the market in town, or picks up goods. 4 day round trip to Ossian town, 6 day round trip to Elven market.
List of People in Towering Oaks
Places of Interest
Town Council - A meeting hall for the town council, also holds the town treasury.
One-Horn Lumbermill - Owned and Run by Bessa Onehorn, an escaped Minotaur Slave of Gigantes. Employs 2 teamsters.
The Old Oak Keg - Town Pub and Tavernhall; Owned by an ex-Ostivakian soldier Dagvo Strongshield, went AWOL when Ostivakia declared itself a communist nation. His wife Aola was a talented brewer and cook, so he took what they had for spices and went as far away from the civil war as he could, which brought him to Towering Oaks, where he setlled and started the tavern.
Woodsman's Guild - A town guild which protects the interests of the lumber and woodworking craft in town. The guildhall itself is in a built-up garage attached to the Lumbermill for now, the town is building up funds for a proper Guildhouse (Cost 38 BP) to be built.
General Store - Owned by Malchai
Oaksaddle Stables - Owned by Malchai; Stabling costs 2 sp a day per animal
Sharpest Nail - Carpenter
Militia Guardhouse - Also owned by Malchai, as he has the most invested in this town. Acts more like his personal security.
Founder Estates - Middle Class homes, Land owned by Bessa and Malchai
Recent History
- March T+14
The militia guardhouse is finally built, the final touches being paid off by a generous donation from Baron Malchai. People in town are starting to grumble with hunger, though the building of the barracks has certainly helped to ease their concerns at the management of the town. The reality is that the town council is too sparsely populated and needs an influx of skilled personnel to bring the town up to speed.
Rianna's token recruiting drive over the past few months has brought in a flood of lumberjacks and farmers looking for work, and the town's inability to collect taxes has thankfully been mistaken as a desire to let people live tax free. Unfortunately the recruiting drive has yet to bring them the manpower that they truly need; new councilmen, and brave frontiersmen to clear and claim new farmland to support the new arrivals. An artistic masterpiece, a gloriously carved statue of Huld for the Woodsman's Guild, is made however which brings an influx of cash and awe from pilgrims and traders.
- 22nd March T+14 - Players Arrive
Could they be the answer to the town's prayers?
