Davenport
The town of Davenport was one of the earliest conquests of the Jakonian Empire. Prior to the rise of the Jakonians, Davenport was a prospering independent town, which had survived the end of the Nameless Empire fairly intact. Many of those displaced or opposed to the Jakonians ended up in Davenport, and they stood against the empire's rise first and foremost. The town was destroyed by the much more powerful attackers, and it is said that the Davenportans fought to the last man and woman. What was left of Davenport emerged from the ashes, and today it is a small farming community, on the edges of the Villages.
Demographics
Davenport is fairly evenly divided demographically between Jakonian humans and halflings. The town is built primarily for humans, but a decent number of halfling sized residences have emerged. Davenport has also gained a reputation for being a small out of the way town for those seeking solace, and isolation from other people. Numerous halfbreeds, Nasites, and other minorities from across the empire have formed a sizeable minority in the town and surrounding farmsteads.
Government
Davenport is ruled directly by House Kneller and its representatives. The head of House Kneller is responsible for appointing delegates to oversee the rule and management of the town, both in terms of collecting taxes and providing services. Some of the delegates tend to be family members of the House or close local friends. It is not unheard of for local wealthy merchants to buy positions in the town's government from House Kneller.
Defences
When the town of Davenport was reestablished following the growth of the Jakonian Empire, a law was placed on the books reminding the people of the cost of their act of defiance. It was declared illegal for Davenport to construct large walls or fortifications, to forestall any chance at rebellion or unrest. Therefore, walls have never been built in the town as the law was never passed. The town relies upon House Kneller to provide the majority of defenses, and the House Kneller regiment dutifully patrols the region, protecting farmers and tradesmen alike.
Industry & Trade
The majority of productivity and trade taking place in Davenport is local, and very few wish to see anything different. The farms surrounding Davenport provide most of the region's food and supplies, and the local blacksmiths typically rely on imported iron to see towards other demands. The only handful of exports that Davenport offer are various furnishings and and carvings from local lumber mills. They predominantly supply the halfling communities in The Villages, and most of what is sold is simply excess created from local demand. Davenport cattle are also well thought of, and local ranchers provide significant amounts of beef to neighboring Poinciana.
Infrastructure
The town itself is fairly well maintained, with the roads kept clean of debris and garbage. Only the central roads are paved, while most of the town continues to rely on dirt paths. A previous head of House Kneller invested a surprising amount of funds into providing nighttime magical lighting for every street, which automatically illuminates the town come every night. These lights have degraded over the past one hundred years, and roughly a third of them no longer function as the house no longer sees the need to pay for their continued maintenance, favoring employing local residents to maintain more traditional oil lamps.
Assets
Davenport possesses only a single market and inn, although there are a handful of small taverns that let out rooms for travelers. The market mostly provides for local demand, featuring sellers from elsewhere across the Jakonian Empire. The town itself remains idyllic, keeping quiet and away from the chaos of larger towns and cities. Very little here has much to offer to travelers or adventurers.
Guilds and Factions
Davenport is firmly under the control of House Kneller, but there are those who seek to sway the people. House Wooding, for example has long sought to add Davenport to its holdings and constantly makes efforts to sway and coerce the leadership of the town. House Kneller has always resisted these efforts, and have been often aided by the halflings, who are the house's closest allies. Many halfling families buy their way into positions of authority in Davenport, helping with administration, while preventing Wooding infiltration. As of late, House Jakson has been frequently making attempts to win over halflings, viewing the Village as an essential part of the Empire, and Kneller has made a temporary peace with the Woodings in an effort to stave off imperial domination of the hinterland.
Founding Date
First Time: 239 BF, Second Time: 125 AF
Alternative Name(s)
Castle Davenport
Type
Town
Population
2,100
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Davenportan
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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