Vator Avi

Town of the Silver Shells

They come, they go. They try but then fail. Our guns still haunt their minds so frail.

— Toprki of Vator Avi

Vator Avi is a small panedur town on the northern slopes of the Toldenians. The town is completely independent, much to the chagrin of the nearby panedur nation of Tolden. As the settlement is isolated from civilisation and close to the Bedegor Fields, the locals have become experts at scaring off hordes of horsemen.

Military & Defenses

Due to their proximity to the nearby grasslands, the Vatori heavily fortified their settlement. The rough terrain helps with the defensiveness of the town, but raiders are still a threat. The people of Tolden, the panedur state to their south, are also a concern. Although they've been historically peaceful as is common for their kind, the Vatori constructed additional defences on the southern walls of the town.

Fortifications

Orange Pumpkin by Jessica Lewis

The entire town, except the side that faces the mountain range, is behind walls. The walls are short and wide. On each of the corners and a few other key points, there are larger defensive platforms. On the lower parts of the wall near the main gate, the city's hand cannoneers and arbalists can shoot invaders through the machicolations and from behind the crenellations.

Higher up the mountain slope, the defensive platforms have large artillery pieces built into them. During most conflicts, the locals have scared their enemies off by shelling them before anyone could reach the gate.

Defense Force

Vator Avi relies heavily on its excellent fortifications, but for those defences to be useful, they require soldiers. The town's military consists of around 70 volunteers, most of who stand on guard atop the walls. A handful has to patrol the surrounding territory, keeping their eye's out for the signs of an invasion. All volunteers are trained to use the artillery and hand cannons.

When dealing with a large and determined attacker, the town will arm as many healthy men as they can. Gambesons, crossbows, pikes, and helmets are provided from the town armoury.

Geography

The town lies on the slopes of the Toldenians. Next to it is the Avist, a river that has cut through the rocky landscape, flowing out in to the grasslands.

Berry Bushes

A valuable source of food for is the river and the berry bushes that grow next to it. Every morning, townsfolk go out and gather as many basketfuls of them as they can. The foragers are guarded by a few volunteers from the army.

The morberry is a plant that the foragers come across regularly. The Vatori use them for the production of alcohol, dying of cloth, and general consumption. Some have established their own morberry and vegetable farms next to the river, but those farmers have to fend for themselves.

Silver Mines

Vator Avi was originally just a silver mine. As time went on, a settlement formed around it. To this day, the mine still brings in a lot of wealth. The Vatori export it to Tolden and nomadic groups who are civil enough to trust.

Many in Vator Avi believe that once the mines run out of silver, their town will fall into ruin. Without the wealth that the silver brings in, the town won't be able to maintain its armoury and fortification. Without their defences, they would fall as soon as their neighbours realized what had happened.

Type

Town

Population

c. 7,300

Inhabitant Demonym

Vatori

Potatoes by Marco Antonio Victorino

Trade Deals

The government of Vator Avi recently signed a trade deal with Tolden. They are now exporting their silver in exchange for grain, steel, and gunpowder.
Soldiers from the Vatori volunteer army have to escort the merchants when delivering shipments.

Aerial Photography of Blue River Between Mountains by Sebastian Palomino