Meridian
A town based in Rebellion Bay towards the south of The Empire of the Runekeepers.
Demographics
The vast majority of Meridian's population is made up of Elves, and Half Elves, with an equal number of both Sun, Moon and Wood heritage. There is additionally a selection of Halflings, numbering around 90 in total. On the smaller spectrum of the populace, there are around ten Gnomes, five Tieflings, and two Eladrin.
Government
The town is run by a Mayor or Mayoress who is elected by public vote once every fifteen years. It is not uncommon for a single body to remain for an extended period of time if the population appreciates the work that had been done during that time. The longest reigning Mayor to date is Eudor Laeryn, who remained Mayor for fifty years.
The current Mayor is a Drow named Ranatar Eleneth, he joined the recent election to replace Eudor Laeryn after his bravery was displayed during the disruption of Meridian's Lunar Hallowing. After a landslide majority voted in his name, he has shyly taken the position and after many long years of being passively shunned due to his heritage, he now holds his head just a little higher as the people of Meridian have come to rely on him and believe in him.
His husband Gilderoy Eleneth has opted not to run in office alongside him, and will continue his day to day work as the town tailor, so he can allow his husband to shine.
Defences
Meridian is surrounded by a decent quality stone wall, standing at approximately fifteen to twenty feet tall and ten feet thick; the only two entrances into and out of the town are large gates crafted from specially treated oak wood (the treatment is believed to have made the wood less susceptible to fire damage), equipped with heavy metal cross braces which create firm and steady barricades.
In addition, the town has a decently trained standing guard force of around thirty men and women, taught in the techniques of martial combat and defence.
Industry & Trade
Despite the relatively boggy terrain surrounding the town, Meridian has been able to make a stable living and income off their hardy wheat fields and lumber yards.
Along side their farming trade they rely heavily upon trading with other towns and settlements, seeking iron; coal; herbs; alchemical supplies and knick-knacks.
Districts
Noble District:
Home to the higher quality buildings and upper echelon of Meridian's population. The nobility of the town are predominantly made up of former merchants and traders, while the smaller percentage of nobles belong to households who inherited their position over the years. The new money and old money have very little rivalry, as they focus most of their attention on keeping the town afloat. The Noble District itself is relatively small, with no more than eleven or twelve households present. Of those eleven or twelve, approximately seven are home to nobles who have bought their way into the area after making their money from various former businesses and trade deals. The other five belong to the nobles who have inherited their position over the years, and represent the lingering bloodline of those who founded the town. Most noticeably, the Mayor's Estate resides in the Noble District, currently under the ownership of the Laeryn family. The Estate is much larger than the other noble households, and far more extravagant in terms of infrastructure and décor. It is rumoured, though unconfirmed, that there is a large series of catacombs beneath the Estate, housing the dead of those who have resided within the manor over the years.Merchant District:
The second largest section of the town, the Merchant District is home to all of the business and trade within the walls. There are a variety of different stores and functional business abodes, including: Lock and Key Agammon's Apothecary General Store Gilderoy's Glorious Garments Bertrand's Blacksmithy Bartholemew's Butchery Bellisa's Bathhouse Along side these main buildings, there is a small number of market stalls which set up in the town centre near the Temple of Sehanine. These stalls tend to deal in small trinkets and goods, the occasional cheeky under the counter deal for alcohols, gems and potions, and fruits and vegetables grown and harvested just beyond the town walls.Residential District:
By far the largest area of Meridian, this district houses the general populace of the town. The buildings are often quite large, and have multiple living abodes within, acting as apartments for multiple families. The Residential District houses approximately 160 residents, though it is worth noting that some of the population lives in housing steads above some of the stores as well.Farming District:
The series of farming lands on the outskirts of the town make up the bulk of their trade and food supplies, the wheat and grains being the only things capable of surviving in the boggy landmass. Yolas's Farm Briar's Farm Euphoria's Farm Ilquen's Farm Fjarden's Farm Urilen's Farm Silas's Silo Sybil's StableGuilds and Factions
The town has a small Farmer's Guild to give the local farming workers a community where they can work together and help one another if ever there is a negative environmental issue with the crops. The Farmer's Guild is run by Euphoria, a Tiefling woman who owns the largest acre of farmland in the town. Other current members include: Yolas Rainrest; Ilquen Firbeam; Fjarden Cildri; Urilen Alphe, and Briar Thon.
History
Meridian was founded around two hundred and twenty years ago, and was initially a small barely hospitable farming village. Over time, as the residents learned better ways to deal with the poor conditions of the region they settled in and started expanding their farmland, they began expanding and adapting to become a small town with a population of around two hundred and fifty to three hundred citizens.
Around the time of their expansion they decided upon a ruling body of an elected Mayor who would run for no more than fifteen years at a time before an election was run to see if the populace wished for a change of leadership.
Points of interest
Tamara's Tassels is a popular Adult Establishment in town.
Lock and Key is the town's main tavern and public house, dealing in various different alcohols and offering wholesome home made food, as well as temporary accommodation for travellers.
The Temple of Sehanine is the focal point of the town, and has stood for almost the entire time Meridian has existed for. Initially having started as a small chapel, and being improved and expanded alongside the growth of the town, it now stands as the tallest building in Meridian and boasts being the most beautiful structure present too.
Tourism
The majority of the town's tourism comes from rumours about Tamara's Tassels which is enjoyed not only for its high class adult entertainment, but also for the beautiful music and dance performances often shown on stage there.
In particular, the Madam of the establishment, Kaibis is in her own right a tourist attraction, and she relishes the attention. Known to be a marvellous singer, dancer and musician, as well as an accomplished orator and companion, she is as beautiful as she is sultry. She can charm coin from even the most tightly held purses, and she is worth every platinum.
The Temple of Sehanine often garners some tourist trade, as some worshipers of the Lunar Lady make their way to visit her known temples on pilgrimages around the The Empire of the Runekeepers .
Architecture
Buildings in the Noble District are made from higher quality wood and stone, with blue pigmented slate roofing and intricately patterned glass windows. The stone appears to be finely polished granite with dark grey marble accents.
The buildings in the Residential District are mostly made from wood and sandstone, by no means as extravagant as the higher quality homes, but they still maintain decent warmth in winter months and shelter against the weather.
The Temple of Sehanine is carved from pristine white marble and jade glass, leading to a dome roof of brightly coloured stained glass which depicts the Lunar Lady cradling a full moon between her cupped hands, with moon rays shooting off in all cardinal directions.
Tamara's Tassels is possibly the second most elaborate building in Meridian, vibrantly coloured in comparison to most others, it has an ornate Elven chalet theme to its structure and stands out like a sore thumb from the rest of the structures.
Geography
The region's terrain is quite marsh-like and boggy, which often caused issues with what crops were sturdy enough to be grown and requiring the foundations of buildings to be dug a little deeper than normal.
There is an abundant woodland around Meridian which has provided amble wood for the Lumber Yards and construction of many buildings.
South of the town is a relatively large lake which provides natural water to the towns two wells and a small number of fish to be harvested when needed by the local chefs.
Due to Meridian's location on one of the islands of Rebellion Bay it naturally has the beautiful views of the open waters leading into the mouth of River Helvetios as well as the towering and monumental structures of Mount Canid and Mount Raven . To the eastern side of the town the wide sprawling swamps of the Liiros Wetlands are also visible on a clear day.
Natural Resources
Meridian brags natural resources in the form of its vast array of wheat fields, woodland lumber and fish reserves from the lake.
Founding Date
220 years ago
Type
Town
Population
Around 250-300 permanent citizens
Included Locations
Ruling/Owning Rank
Characters in Location