Recent History
The Thydian Civil War going on has left marks on the city - recent battlegrounds litter the north, leaving many of the dukedom's troops in their towns and cities while trying to recover from injuries and losses while defending the locals instead of leading the charge for war.
Most of the farms had been left with enough to survive, though some farmers were forced to "host" officers, or serve up would-be prized stock to their "guests" while the forces marched southeast to the Arling capital.
The Order of Speared Light, claiming to be operating on behalf of the future High King currently Arle of Capital Tilde Magnusdotr, has taken an interes tin the mines, demanding to know of any information about ruins, even though most people are confused and don't know of any.
During the fall and winter of year 36, the Order had comandeered the mines and had been extracting large chunks of stone while leaving the rest of the mine to handle the large unsupported holes.
The mines are ready to fall apart because of what you and those Caps did to our mine! We're one bad strike away from total collapse because of your carelessness!— Mine Overseer to members of the Order
In the early spring of year 37, the Capitolist's army had begun a northwestward retreat away from the direction of Felkhath City, with word spreading the Siege of Felkhath had ended with the invader's defeat.
Local pride about the victory was cut short, however, as the retreating army had absconded with most of the local blacksmiths - generally better suited to crafting items and tools like pickaxes, saws, nails, and horse shoes more than weapons or armor.
The last of the Order left after a mob had gathered, demanding to resume their actual work and threatening to overwhelm the small armed and armored group.
City Defenses
Stenskog began as a stone mining town, and much of the older buildings are made from stone, and the city has stone walls. These walls are not as tall as the ones of Felkhath City but most of the buildings have been rebuilt and reinforced to compensate. People have suggested there are underground evacuation routes leading towards the mines, but the truth of those routes has been shrouded under the cloak of city defense.
The city also uses catapults and ranged siege weapons and defenses against a siege, though the excact effectiveness of these weapons has fallen out of favor with popular opinion for being difficult to aim or reload in the case of catapults during a seige.
Trade and Industry
For the most part, the city of Stenskog is a stone mine, stone masonry, and lumber based city. The forests used to be closer to the city, though the growth of the city has reduced the spread of the forest.
Lumber
The lumber industry is managed through a logging camp, which often becomes a centralize point for the starting of a makeshift town or hamlet, but these camps are generally built to be temporary structures to allow for migration. Some who cut the trees plant clusters of tree seeds from the ones they fell as a way of giving back to the forest for what they take.
"Why are you planting stuff whenever we cut down a tree?"
"To appease the local Maidens, the last thing we need is to be lost in the woods or for the trees to rot under our axes."
"Ah, one of your small town superstitions?"
"Sure, call it that, but don't come crying when you find yourself lost and trapped with no way out. Nope, better to appease her and keep her happy. Besides, the trees that grow here will be good to harvest in a couple generations. You do what your kids to have a job, right?" — Pair of tree cutters
Stone Mining
The hills the city is near do not contain many rare minerals or stone, but are generally considered an excellent source of basalt. This stone is often used for foundation building and road maintenance.
The Adrakian Empire had made many roads across Soplas let alone Theydim and maintained the roads until sometime shortly before the Empire's fall to Saint Antral and her rebellion.
While most Thydians are far from the Empire's greatest supporters, the roads have remained in use and under maintenance since. The basalt mined by Stenskog has been one of the main resources used to keep Felkhath united as the Arle of the Arlingis generally tasked with road maintenance.
The traders prefer to travel on marked and clear roads as they generally increase their travel speed from place to place.
The mined stone is generally also found to be excellent for statuary work, building ornamentation (though some other stones may be preferred for their looks when compared to the dark stone).
Stone masonry
As a result of the nearby stone mine, stone masonry is a prized trade. The city is a partial hub for more experience stone masons to teach and train apprentices before sending them off elsewhere to work the trade and build for other cities.
While raw stone may weaponized, crafted stone is meant to build. The two uses of the stone is seen as a balance.
When you build from stone, you are making a mark on the world. The mark is your claim to say you were there. You lived there, and a challenge to those who would try to drive you away. It is permanence, and a victory against Nature who tried to make you leave.— Master stone mason to an apprentice
Architecture
The older buildings are built with a stone ground floor and foundation, while the upper levels are built of wood. Newer buildings are generally built with wood, though often have their walls reinforced with stone inside the city.
Outside the city walls, most structures are built of local wood.
Geography
The city is near some larger hills and forested lands, while the side of the city opposite from the hills and forests is flatter and more suited for agriculture.
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