Spruce Point
As you approach via the Timber Road from the southeast, the village and its almost picture-esque surroundings come into firmer view. A small and hearty rural community built up on the eastern shores of Pyr's Run. Two large lumber yards and logging operations very much present, the likely economic driver for the settlement, clearing the land around the village proper, which is naturally protected by a simple but sturdy palisade. A bridge spans the river here, a crossing of stone and timber that spans some fourteen hundred feet to join with the road heading west towards Needle-Grove and onwards to larger towns, cities and a railyard beyond. Upon the west side of the river bank, the bridge is guarded and encompassed by a Suranthi River Watch station, housing about twenty or so members of the Suranthi River brigade and their families.
As you ride through the southeastern gate into the village proper, you find exactly what one may expect. A village of simple sturdy dwellings, buildings of mostly timber, though some stonework foundations have been used. A bustling community, seeming healthy, vibrant and content enough, living the simple life. No merchants hawking the 'latest fashions' and cosmetic goods of that nature, no overly pompous wealthy folk wandering the streets with nothing better to do. Even the wealthy here, those whom hold station and property, whom live in the manors on the northeastern block of the village neighboring town hall and the local village militia headquarters are known to be busy folk, having to put time, and effort into maintaining and growing their wealth and station. Spruce Point has a bit of a reputation, a positive one. A community of well meaning and hard working individuals, and the view of the loggers and woodsmen, working outside the village definitely immediately lent to that image, one that you do not imagine will be dispelled any time soon as you cross the threshold of the gate into the village proper.
As you ride through the southeastern gate into the village proper, you find exactly what one may expect. A village of simple sturdy dwellings, buildings of mostly timber, though some stonework foundations have been used. A bustling community, seeming healthy, vibrant and content enough, living the simple life. No merchants hawking the 'latest fashions' and cosmetic goods of that nature, no overly pompous wealthy folk wandering the streets with nothing better to do. Even the wealthy here, those whom hold station and property, whom live in the manors on the northeastern block of the village neighboring town hall and the local village militia headquarters are known to be busy folk, having to put time, and effort into maintaining and growing their wealth and station. Spruce Point has a bit of a reputation, a positive one. A community of well meaning and hard working individuals, and the view of the loggers and woodsmen, working outside the village definitely immediately lent to that image, one that you do not imagine will be dispelled any time soon as you cross the threshold of the gate into the village proper.
Demographics
As one may expect the age demographics of such an industry town are tilted more heavily towards adults and those of age. There are those with families and their are children being raised here of course, but such a young settlement mostly at current sees its population grow by having more people move in than are leaving or dying. At current there are only around some 150 children (So under the age of 14 if human, or applicable comparative age for longer lived races) of various race with families within the population, a noteable number for such a young village, but not a wildly absurd number by any stretch of the imagination. The population of Spruce Point also has a notable single male populace within it, though that number has decreased drastically since its founding. However there are likely still 150-200 single males of various race, many of them either lumberjacks or timber haulers. Hard and tough men, rough around the edges, hot blooded and with a potential for rowdiness. As such, as one may expect there is a blind eye turned towards a certain small subset of individuals whom run a venture of sorts out of one of the two inns in town, the Pine Pillow-House. Such....availability of certain relief helps keep this rowdy sort better behaved.
Spruce Point is predominantly inhabited by humans and dwarves, which make up almost fifty percent of the village's population. The rest is a varied assortment predominantly of Halfmen, Tantur with a smattering of elves. Only one gnomish family calls the village home at this time.
Spruce Point is not a wealthy village, not like some mining towns or their ilk, however the Ironhide Pines, along with the general softwood lumber trade see the village in good enough economic standing. Stable and balanced, especially given its key location as a supply depot for the River Watch Station on the western side of Pyr's Run as well. Besides that the river has a healthy fishing industry up and down its length, providing subsidary value and income to the village, particulary with the recent opening of a canning factory but some twenty miles east in Fisher's Rock. Catches can be shipped in half a day by wagon or dog sled in the winter, and as such, there is value to be had in that industry as well.
However a large part of how Spruce Point functions is very much a level of self contained barter and trade in its economics. They are a true rural community, utilizing and leaning on each others skills to survive and thrive, even as they continue to grow.
Spruce Point is predominantly inhabited by humans and dwarves, which make up almost fifty percent of the village's population. The rest is a varied assortment predominantly of Halfmen, Tantur with a smattering of elves. Only one gnomish family calls the village home at this time.
Spruce Point is not a wealthy village, not like some mining towns or their ilk, however the Ironhide Pines, along with the general softwood lumber trade see the village in good enough economic standing. Stable and balanced, especially given its key location as a supply depot for the River Watch Station on the western side of Pyr's Run as well. Besides that the river has a healthy fishing industry up and down its length, providing subsidary value and income to the village, particulary with the recent opening of a canning factory but some twenty miles east in Fisher's Rock. Catches can be shipped in half a day by wagon or dog sled in the winter, and as such, there is value to be had in that industry as well.
However a large part of how Spruce Point functions is very much a level of self contained barter and trade in its economics. They are a true rural community, utilizing and leaning on each others skills to survive and thrive, even as they continue to grow.
Government
Spruce Point, whilst being one of the four villages encompassed politically under the township of Needle-Grove, like all such villages in Suranth, does have its own local governing structure, as well as an elected representative sitting in Needle-Grove town council. The current representative in that seat is the brother of Regivald Bylorn, one of the village's credited founders. At current the village council consists of five individuals officially, three of which will be up for election every ten years as is standard and law in Suranth. These three are the Lord-Mayor, the Sheriff and the First Citizen. Of these only First Citizen is open to everyone. Lord (or Lady) Mayor is only open to those whom run one of the few business establishments in the village, you must be a business owner within the village to hold this position. The Sheriff naturally must be elected from among the constabulary, a force numbering but sixteen individuals at current time. Outside these three positions, the other two belong to the current ranking officer in command of the West Pyr River Watch Station, and the current Shield-Father or Shield-Mother of the local church. Each of these individuals are amongst some of the most important and influential individuals in Spruce Point and are locally well known and well recognized.
Lord Mayor Nadin Tirimac: This surly dwarf is the owner of Tirimac Grocer and General Goods, the oldest store or shop in the village. He has been open since the beginning, providing the service of both warehouse and general goods store to the lumber yards and their workers. As the village has grown around him, he has altered his business appropriately. No longer a warehouse, as the two lumber operations each have their own facilities up and fully running, he is now the local grocer and a general goods store. Working with local fishermen, hunters, and foragers, as well as having his own small farmland sectioned off in the village walls where simple crops such as blackberries, blueberries, potatoes and corn are grown in decent enough numbers, he holds a strong sway and is the place everyone goes for their grocery goods. He does have a quiet business partner, one whom holds no direct sway or position with the town council but is no less notable an individual. The Emerald Magister Yin'af'il Eri'vina'le, a woad elf and fully licensed Emerald Magister whom is his business partner, utilizing her presence and simple weavings of emerald magicks to help insure his crops can get two harvests even in the short Suranthi growing season.
Sheriff Ivar Nardirsson: Another dwarf, one a bit older than Tirimac, and a grizzled veteran retired from the infantry, whom now works in law enforcement. He didn't want the job, but no one else was qualified, and felt duty bound to take it. Never comfortable with leadership, he does display a skill for it regardless of that discomfort. He looks forward to the day he can return to being a mere constable, as one can only serve a single ten year term in any elected position by Suranthi law. However he takes his duty seriously, and has only appointed two permanent deputies, leaving the rest of the force to be mere constables. These two deputies he is doing his best to groom and teach, to insure that the village has two strong candidates to choose from for the position in five years when it is time to elect a new sheriff. He is savvy, well spoken, and sharper than one may expect, despite his very direct and blunt demeanor from his military days.
First Citzen Holly Mannil: This woman, the Hall head of Spruce Point's small but busy office for the Suranthi Shipper's and Transportation Guild, is a stubborn and relentless woman, and a worker's champion, and as such, when they held elections for the position but one year ago, it is unsurprising that she won in a landslide. In her mid fifties now, she hasn't slowed down and is well known amongst the village council as 'Hardnose Holly' a moniker born of respect for her dedication, though with some decidedly less respectful underpinnings as well in some circumstances. Her term is not up for election for another nine years, as she is the staggered office in the structure, given the village simply did not have the population to justify installing the position until but last year.
Shield-Father Kirk Duhan: The local head of faith, the human priest of Sir Kartheart whom runs the and cares for the Temple of the Shield, his wife a priestess of Talia, which sees her shrine having a small seperate wing for itself, unlike the other seven gods, whom merely have the normal small alcove and private room and shrine, with no direct spiritual advisor available, though one can make offerings to these shrines. Kirk himself, though a priest of Sir Kartheart, is well versed in religion in general and does his best to offer what little spiritual guidance he can even to those whom pray to one of the other Ascended besides Kartheart or Talia. His seat on the village council is well filled, though for most part he does his best to defer to the popular opinion, and if he is to be a deciding vote, he will often follow either the Lord-Mayor or Captain Veroma, whom he shares an assigned seat, not elected, with.
Captain Sara Veroma: Sara Veroma is a River Watch Patrol captain, commanding four river watch crews, so twenty marines. She is in charge of the West Pyr River Watch Station, and has a seat within Spruce Point's village council by right of Suranthi law, which dictates the highest ranking military officer stationed within less than a half day's travel to a settlement has a seat they can fill themselves or assign a trusted service member to hold for them. She chooses, due to proximity and ease, to fill the seat herself. She is notably quite young for her rank, having it for the last five years and being but thirty years of age, yet she has the full confidence of the village, and the service members and their families under her. She is passionate, strong spoken and sharp of wit.
Lord Mayor Nadin Tirimac: This surly dwarf is the owner of Tirimac Grocer and General Goods, the oldest store or shop in the village. He has been open since the beginning, providing the service of both warehouse and general goods store to the lumber yards and their workers. As the village has grown around him, he has altered his business appropriately. No longer a warehouse, as the two lumber operations each have their own facilities up and fully running, he is now the local grocer and a general goods store. Working with local fishermen, hunters, and foragers, as well as having his own small farmland sectioned off in the village walls where simple crops such as blackberries, blueberries, potatoes and corn are grown in decent enough numbers, he holds a strong sway and is the place everyone goes for their grocery goods. He does have a quiet business partner, one whom holds no direct sway or position with the town council but is no less notable an individual. The Emerald Magister Yin'af'il Eri'vina'le, a woad elf and fully licensed Emerald Magister whom is his business partner, utilizing her presence and simple weavings of emerald magicks to help insure his crops can get two harvests even in the short Suranthi growing season.
Sheriff Ivar Nardirsson: Another dwarf, one a bit older than Tirimac, and a grizzled veteran retired from the infantry, whom now works in law enforcement. He didn't want the job, but no one else was qualified, and felt duty bound to take it. Never comfortable with leadership, he does display a skill for it regardless of that discomfort. He looks forward to the day he can return to being a mere constable, as one can only serve a single ten year term in any elected position by Suranthi law. However he takes his duty seriously, and has only appointed two permanent deputies, leaving the rest of the force to be mere constables. These two deputies he is doing his best to groom and teach, to insure that the village has two strong candidates to choose from for the position in five years when it is time to elect a new sheriff. He is savvy, well spoken, and sharper than one may expect, despite his very direct and blunt demeanor from his military days.
First Citzen Holly Mannil: This woman, the Hall head of Spruce Point's small but busy office for the Suranthi Shipper's and Transportation Guild, is a stubborn and relentless woman, and a worker's champion, and as such, when they held elections for the position but one year ago, it is unsurprising that she won in a landslide. In her mid fifties now, she hasn't slowed down and is well known amongst the village council as 'Hardnose Holly' a moniker born of respect for her dedication, though with some decidedly less respectful underpinnings as well in some circumstances. Her term is not up for election for another nine years, as she is the staggered office in the structure, given the village simply did not have the population to justify installing the position until but last year.
Shield-Father Kirk Duhan: The local head of faith, the human priest of Sir Kartheart whom runs the and cares for the Temple of the Shield, his wife a priestess of Talia, which sees her shrine having a small seperate wing for itself, unlike the other seven gods, whom merely have the normal small alcove and private room and shrine, with no direct spiritual advisor available, though one can make offerings to these shrines. Kirk himself, though a priest of Sir Kartheart, is well versed in religion in general and does his best to offer what little spiritual guidance he can even to those whom pray to one of the other Ascended besides Kartheart or Talia. His seat on the village council is well filled, though for most part he does his best to defer to the popular opinion, and if he is to be a deciding vote, he will often follow either the Lord-Mayor or Captain Veroma, whom he shares an assigned seat, not elected, with.
Captain Sara Veroma: Sara Veroma is a River Watch Patrol captain, commanding four river watch crews, so twenty marines. She is in charge of the West Pyr River Watch Station, and has a seat within Spruce Point's village council by right of Suranthi law, which dictates the highest ranking military officer stationed within less than a half day's travel to a settlement has a seat they can fill themselves or assign a trusted service member to hold for them. She chooses, due to proximity and ease, to fill the seat herself. She is notably quite young for her rank, having it for the last five years and being but thirty years of age, yet she has the full confidence of the village, and the service members and their families under her. She is passionate, strong spoken and sharp of wit.
Defences
The defensive palisade naturally is the first like exterior defense, and having a river patrol station on the opposite bank connected directly via a bridge also helps. Beside this, like all such settlements in Suranth, they have a militia structure. Most people with a day job only do that job for five days, their sixth day of work instead an assigned day of militia training, drilling or localized patrolling paid for by the village council coffers. The local militia consists of some four hundred or so volunteers, a massive fighting force for such a small village, though these should not be confused with hardened warriors, mighty adventurers, or battle-tested soldiers. They are at best enthusiastic amateurs. Capable enough, given many of them are hunters or woodsman, knowing their way around bow, rifle, blunderbuss or axe, but by no means are they armored and hardened veterans or even military recruits. Similarly the constabulary, whilst its officers may be slightly more familiar and skilled at arms, barring Sheriff Nardirsson and perhaps one or two other dwarves on the force, most do not have any formal military training or history, and are merely local law enforcement. Capable enough in a pinch if needed, but not true well drilled military, or adventuring heroes or their like.
Industry & Trade
Logging, naturally is the major trade here, the lumber industry being quite dominant, employing around some five to six hundred of the working age adults within the village full time across all facets. Lumberjacks, timber haulers, millers, dockhands, laborers, wagon drivers/shippers, boatmen, and necessary office and logistics staff. They are both large operations, close in size, with Bylorn and Sons perhaps currently larger by a slim margin. That said, there are rumors whispered over cups and meals, small town gossip, that Evers Timber and Lumber may not be as healthy as the Evers family and its owner Jakob Evers would wish people to believe.
Besides this, the grocery and food industry, to merely feed the village, is likely the next biggest industry when one counts the fishermen, hunters, trappers, and the field hands and grocery staff Tirimac employs. After that you have the docks, and the small local businesses, most of which employ at least one or two individuals, and of course the inns, which each employ likely ten to fifteen individuals all told.
Besides this, the grocery and food industry, to merely feed the village, is likely the next biggest industry when one counts the fishermen, hunters, trappers, and the field hands and grocery staff Tirimac employs. After that you have the docks, and the small local businesses, most of which employ at least one or two individuals, and of course the inns, which each employ likely ten to fifteen individuals all told.
Infrastructure
Spruce Point is an industrious village that is expanding, however it is still very much a small rural community. They have a well built up docks, capable of handling notable traffic, but of naught but simple wood and earth. The village proper is much the same, most buildings but simple timber construction, some perhaps on a stone foundation, and with a well constructed but simple timber palisade of a roughly fifteen foot height surrounding it. The Everlorn Bridge perhaps stands as the most impressive bit of infrastructure within the village, a stone and timber plank bridge that only finished construction but two months ago, a project started in 1572. It is a project that was partly vanity and only partly practical, funded by the two lumber magnates of the village, the Evers and Bylorn families. It was difficult, and very dangerous to build, though fatalities were thankfully few, only three in total. Injuries, even loss of fingers, hands, feet or an entire limb were more common, with twenty occurring over the project. Thankfully, most of those were less serious, like fingers and toes due to frostbite when working to crack the ice, or working within and on the frigid water, guiding ropes lowering large hunks of granite carefully into the river to build the support columns. The project only worked because though the river is deep enough for docks and piers at this stretch at its banks, it is actually quite level in its depth over this stretch, never exceeding a depth of about twenty or so feet. That's deep enough to provide great difficulty, but by no means was it impossible.
Assets
The reason Spruce Point exists and is a sustainable community is the presence of many small groves and patches of Ironhide Pines, highly valued timber for its unique qualities, having some similar heat resistant and structural integrity traits as iron. Besides this, however the dominant lumber harvested in this neck of the Iron-spine Woods is spruce, which is where the village gets its name. This softwood, as well as various pine and fir, are favored timber for lumber construction due to their ease to work with, and their willingness to accept protective coatings, absorbing them deep. Besides this, their location is viable, given its access to a river that feeds eventually to the Nordjeim, so attached to one of the 'highways' of waterways in Suranth, as well as the Timber Road, running from Needle-Vale east and south to Vorigstal, a notable trade route that was limited up until a year ago by the speed of ferry travel across Pyr's Run, but no longer. As is the way of such projects, given the benefits it is providing to travelers whom are not locals, and that it was built at the expense of the local community, there is a small toll that must be paid at the River Watch Station or in Spruce Point itself, depending which way you are crossing, to be allowed to cross, unless you are a local to the village. This toll is not much, a mere half moon (5 copper pieces) per person and full moon (1 silver) per wagon, cart or dog-sled. Trade barges and boats do recieve similiar docking fees on Spruce Point's docks, though that fee is merely 1 moon per night, regardless of vessel type or number of people, as the thought process is the sailors will spend more than half a silver at one of the two inns and drinking houses in the village anyway, so better to let that coin enter the village that way.
Guilds and Factions
Only two guilds have yet officially opened guild halls in the village, though that in and of itself is a large and notable deal even if the halls themselves are small operations, run by a mere two or three people. The first, the Suranthi Foresters and Woodsman Guild is of no surprise to anyone, considering the substantional number of workers whom would fall directly into their ranks that are employed in the village. Given this a local office and guild hall only makes sense. The second is similarly logical and unsurprising, that being the Shippers and Transportation Guild, the guild that represents dockhands, shipping laborers, commerce wagon and cart drivers, and sailors whom work in the cargo transportation industry.
Beyond this, though no guild hall has been funded, recognized or officially opened, both the fishermen and the hunters and trappers have their own buildings, sort of unofficial guild halls, that they utilize.
Beyond this, though no guild hall has been funded, recognized or officially opened, both the fishermen and the hunters and trappers have their own buildings, sort of unofficial guild halls, that they utilize.
History
Spruce Point was founded but five years ago when two old business partners (whom have since gone their seperate ways) recieved surveying reports about the area, noting a richer than normal density of Ironhide Pines. Former woodsman and lumberjacks seeking to get out of the labor side, invest their earnings as younger men to operate a business instead, both Jakob Evers and Regivald Bylorn, together with a third investor, one Nardin Tirimac, set about the herculean efforts of organizing an expedition, a camp and eventually a more permanent settlement. The first winter was the toughest, and almost wiped out the dream forever, however despite heavy losses and both Evers and Bylorn nearly succumbing to hypothermia, the venture survived to the following spring. Once that was accomplished and the first trees started being felled, and Ironhide timber started shipping out it was off to the races. The population would boom every logging season, though for the next two years it wasn't permanent, not yet. The infrastructure, lumber mills, tools and lumber roads were simply not in place to make winter logging yet viable.
However by 1574 with the bridge project well under way, and with heavy investment of coin and manpower, by autumn the lumber roads and trails were well carved out, stables and kennels for working horses, dog teams and sledges well in place at both lumber mill yards, and the docks well and truly fully operational, the population boomed and then sustained through the next winter and the following winter beyond that, even growing ever so slightly. Now a healthy and sustainable village, growing at a steady rate, Spruce Point is a prime example of the frontier expansion gone right, a shining example of Suranthi stubbornness and stick-to-it mentality.
However by 1574 with the bridge project well under way, and with heavy investment of coin and manpower, by autumn the lumber roads and trails were well carved out, stables and kennels for working horses, dog teams and sledges well in place at both lumber mill yards, and the docks well and truly fully operational, the population boomed and then sustained through the next winter and the following winter beyond that, even growing ever so slightly. Now a healthy and sustainable village, growing at a steady rate, Spruce Point is a prime example of the frontier expansion gone right, a shining example of Suranthi stubbornness and stick-to-it mentality.
Points of interest
The above map has various locations pinned for reference. Those locations will each have a small snippet article embedded under this article at a later time, however for now, a brief little guide is presented here;
The Pine-Pillow House: One of the two inns and taverns in Spruce Point, this location is run by the only gnomish family in the village, the Silverdrews. Its name is no sultry choice without impact, but a purposeful bold one, for Madame Illia Silverdrew has no shame for the sort of business she runs. In fact she is very aware that the sorts of business conducted within the four walls of her fine establishment, well some of those services have a very direct and positive impact on overall community behavior, providing a notable demographic of individuals a place to let off steam and to....'unwind' as it were. She is also a strategic and shrewd business woman, and it is by no mistake or chance that her business is across the square from the local constabulary.
Spruce Point Constabulary: The offices and local jail house, for Spruce Point is to small to have a proper courthouse of its own yet, though they do hold their own legal proceedings, barring it being for something that necessitates kicking it up the ladder. However a Justice of the Peace only makes the rounds of the villages outside Needle-Vale once every two months in the warmer seasons and perhaps twice at most (and potentially less) over the winter. The constabulary employs fourteen constables, two deputies and of course Sheriff Nardirsson himself. For the most part they don't really deal with anything that impressive and most times any of the cells in the buildings blasted out basement are filled are with drunk and disorderly types, basic catch and release the next morning sort of affairs.
Spruce Point Town Hall: The center of government for Spruce Point, they meet twice a month for town councils, though due to recent events (the goblin attacks on the Timber Road) they've had three meetings in eight days deliberating what they should do.
Spruce Point Militia Quarters: Not actually quarters in the sense one would consider it, this facility is where the various donated (and town purchased) armaments are kept and where people whom first sign up as militia volunteers spend their one day a week each week for the first four months to train and work out and insure they are in shape enough for the task. Most provide their own armament, however their are spare rifles, bows, and simple weapons and shields and bits of armor kept here, maintained by a full time staff of six individuals.
Evers Family Estate: The eastern most manor of the four surrounding the town hall and militia quarters, this is the homestead of the Evers family. Jakob Evers and his wife, along with their two sons, their eldest daughter and her husband and her twin little ones call this homestead their place of residence. Evers eldest son whom has just become a man, Petr, has some juicy gossip surrounding him. Many whisper he's gone 'off reservation' and fallen for a bit of the wylde side, that is the daughter of Magister Yin'af'il Eri'vina'le, which naturally his father disapproves of, since they would not be capable of reproducing. However Jakob Evers firmly denies such talk, and reacts rather poorly to it.
Tirimac Family Estate: The homestead of the Tirimac family, one of the town's founders, and its current Lord-Mayor Nadin Tirimac. The surly dwarf lives here with his wife and two sons, whom are quite close to manhood by dwarven standards, only a year or two away.
Bylorn Family Estate: The homestead of Regivald Bylorn, the third founding family of Spruce Point, this lumber magnate has perhaps the most majestic homestead of all three. He lives here with his wife, her sister and husband and both their kids, totalling five children in all. He and his wife are blessed with both a son and a daughter, three years apart, the daughter the eldest, just about at her third decade. This home is the gem and talk of Spruce Point in many ways, from its beautiful copper finishes upon the roof to its slate roofing tiles, stone work finish and fine silver fir structure. The home even has reinforced oak doors, imported at no great expense over great distance and with great difficulty no doubt.
Eri'vina'le Family Estate: The homestead of Yin'af'il Eri'vina'le and her two daughters and her husband. Her oldest daughter, An'indri'ol is rumored to be having an affair and romantic relations with Petr Evers, a bit of a scandolous story, though Yin'af'il seems unbothered by such talk, which is perhaps unsurprising given her daughter is also but a few months from her sixth decade, an adult in all but name, and is incapable of reproduction with a human under any normal circumstances. Besides she would still be a young woman long after he'd grown old and died, so why concern herself. This home looks every bit the homestead of an Emerald Magister, overgrown, with a lively garden and obviously vibrant and healthy plant life all about. Nothing exotic or foreign, but very much beyond what one would expect to grow healthy in both size and scope in a sub-arctic climate.
Temple of the Shield: The local temple, run by Shield-Father Kirk Duhan and his wife Annette Duhan, a priestess of Talia. Kirk himself is a priest of Sir Kartheart, and as such the main chapel hall is dedicated to the dwarven god, however as any properly laid out temple of an Ascended, small shrines exist in flanking side rooms to the main hall, places for those whom would wish to go and offer quiet prayer or offerings to little shrines dedicated to each of the other seven of the Ascended. Talia is not present in this manner, for instead a smaller second hall of worship is built off the main temple, capable of seating about two dozen or so, a place for his wife to offer guidance and spirituality and sermon in Talia's name for those whom would wish to attend. Kirk himself is well versed in all matters religious and though Sir Kartheart is his patron diety, he understood his role when he found out he was to be the pilgrim to open and build such a temple in this new community, so he is well versed in the basics of the various other Ascended and the beliefs and spiritual concepts tied to their faiths, insuring that he can offer at least limited spiritual counsel to those that would seek it.
Spruce Point Cemetary: Part of the duties of the priest couple naturally is also tied to this task, maintaining the graveyard. However they do not handle this task alone, as they have hired a Tantur groundskeeper, one Tob Vary, whom lives in a cozy two room home upon the grounds of the cemetary. Though he is a big fellow, he never complains about his quarters and is industrious, dutiful and attentive in his duties.
Spruce Point Heartwood: Anywhere there is an actual full on shrine or temple to Talia, one will find a small wooded area designated a Heartwood. This heartwood in particular, much to the chagrin of some in the lumber industry, includes a solitary Ironhide Pine at its center, and a big one at that, easily thirty feet tall. Some worry it is a bit close to the palisade, an arguably valid concern that does see talks in progress about perhaps knocking down part of the palisade at the south western corner of the village and extending the distance of the palisade itself.
Hunters and Trappers Lodge: The as of now unofficial guild hall of local hunters and trappers.
Fisherman's Rest: The as of now unofficial guild hall of local fishermen.
Suranthi Forester and Woodsman Guild Hall: The largest labor hall in the growing community by far, representing the lumberjacks, log-haulers and millers in the lumber industry.
Suranthi Shipper and Transportation Guild Hall: The second largest labor hall in the growing village, representing wagon, coach and cart drivers, dock hands, cargo loaders, caravan guards, and stevedores.
Tirimac Grocer and General Goods: The local grocery and general store, run by Nadin Tirimac and his family. They have quite the selection for somewhere so rural, even able to provide a limited amount of fresh produce at certain times of year.
Tirimac Produce Garden: The method by which Nadin Tirimac provides the fresh produce that he does at his place of business, with some added help from Magister Yin'af'il Eri'vina'le of course.
Spruce Point Market Square: Besides the five more permanent establishments, during the late spring and short summer and even into the early autumn, one will likely find at least two or three people here most days willing to do a bit of business, be it simple goods such a pelts or foraged herbs and plants and the like, or traveling traders, tinkerers, or even the odd merchant willing to part with some limited goods.
Maeve Mixtures and Curatives: The local herbalist and apothecary, the closest thing to a proper doctor one is likely to find, Maev'wyr'ya Toli'car. She is a Skye Elf, a herbalist and apothecary with plentiful knowledge of basic treatments and salves which make her a good living her in a village with such a large volume of brute force type laborers.
Spruce-Side Tannery: Run by a Anders Linseed, a human of Mogol heritage, and his wife, they are a majority customer of the local trappers and hunters, producing a variety of leather and hide goods in their workshop.
Blackstone Smithy and Metal-Working: This smithy, run by one Igor 'Blackstone' Gildimac a dwarf toolsmith with a knack for all metal work, and his nephews, whom he adopted after their mother and father both succumbed to hypothermia in that first winter Spruce Point suffered through. He raised the boys, seperated by almost ten years, as well as he could and they apprentice under him now, the youngest but one year from adult-hood, the eldest, only a year away from being able to go and attempt his trade license testing and become a fully fledged toolsmith, a test that will see him journey almost 100 miles by road west and south to eventually arive at Needlevale, and from there almost 150 miles north-east to Cuanthoir, the closest city with a full Smiths Guilding Hall, a place where apprentices can complete their examinations for quality and tests for skill and knowledge and recieve their trade licenses. The smithy employs several others, about half a dozen, all at best apprentices or simply laborers, to run the forges. Being the only toolsmith and blacksmith in the village sees Blackstone very busy, and contrary to what one would initially expect, Igor is actually excited by the idea that his eldest nephew may soon be able to open up his own smithy. The village could actually sorely use it.
The Charcoal Horn: The charcoal horn is a unique establishment, given it is made up of three buildings. A stable and wagon house, where travellers may see their steeds and pack animals rested, their wagons or cart under lock and key. An inn and tavern as one may expect, with about forty beds spread amongst about twenty rooms, including five private rooms with only one bed. However the third building is the reason the place truly works, a simple brewery, where ale is produced, the 'Spruce-Side Blend' as it is called. Its this cheap, relatively high proof, and manageably palatable ale that truly keeps this business afloat and living well. The proprietor, a human woman of Koltani blood named Elsie Grael is also, in some circles, rumored to perhaps have some 'questionable' financial backing and financers.
Spruce Point Dockside: The docks of Spruce Point, during the day, are a bustling and generally rather busy area, as much as one can expect from a small village. Dozens of people, a handful of boats, barges and the like, cargo moving off, timber and lumber and other such things moving onto those vessels in the place of whatever goods were off loaded in many cases.
Bylorn and Sons Logging Yard: One of the two major employers in the village, employing a little over 250 people between lumberjacks, mill workers, log-haulers, office staff, dock hands for their warehouse and shipping docks, and various other jobs to keep the business running properly. Of course the majority of these are lumberjacks and log-haulers, followed by mill-workers and that is by quite a large margin. Bylorn and Sons are the more successful outfit, though visually it would at first seem not by much, though in truth, their competition is rumored to be in some dire straits behind closed doors.
Evers Timber and Lumber Yard: The other major employer in the village, the business run by Jakob Evers has done well visually, employing around 250 or so people, and keeping pace with their competition Bylorn and Sons, easily matching their productivity over the last few months as both operations really hit their stride.
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However due to some questionable choices of financial backing two years ago, Jakob Evers and his business find themselves in far from a stable position, and being lorded over in a distinctly undercutting and anti competitive fashion by the Vorgi, having to sell timber to them for bottom coin to pay back a sizeable loan and interest that Evers took from them two years ago to ramp up his operation to match Bylorn when the halfman seemed to come into a rich backer of his own. Evers felt he had no choice, and likely was right if he intended to keep the operation running, however looking back now the old man finds himself honestly thinking he perhaps should have closed up shop. He's running out of coin and after this summer, paying out the wages of his workers whilst still basically selling most of the timber they produce at the slimmest of margins (or a loss since all three raids were upon Evers shipping wagons) well he doesn't know how he'll keep things going over the winter and into the next year.
West Pyr River Station: A Suranthi military outpost, specifically a river watch station, so a naval installation, complete with a dry dock, its own pier and a fortress within which is housing for the four boat crews, the boat-maker assigned to the station to do regular maintence, and their families, as well as Patrol Captain Sara Veroma, the officer in command on the facility.
Climate
Spruce Point is located in the heart of Suranth, and in the Fir-jeim River Valley. The summers are short but quite warm for a sub-arctic climate. Spring and autumn are also quite short, however between all three the region has about a four and a half to five month effective growing season. The rest of the year belongs to winter, which this far inland but along a mountain range are frigid affairs, with brutally low temperatures, harsh bone cutting winds, and a notable amount of snow. The near eight months are harsh, yet have a sort of cold and still beauty they create amongst the conifer forest, one that cannot be understated or under appreciated.
Maps
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Spruce Point
Founding Date
6-3-1571
Founders
Type
Village
Population
1319
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