Weathersby

"Everyday I wake up and half expect to see that the forest has swallowed us back up. Life in Weathersby is quiet, quiet and unnerving." - Townley, Owner of The Barking Tree Inn, Weathersby
Weathersby is an Astoran settlement set deep within the Ironwood Forest. It was founded and constructed many years after the end of the Ironwood War, after the woods were deemed safe for travel. As the only human settlement in the Ironwood, Weathersby is an essential checkpoint for travel upon the southern Astoran Road.

Geography

Weathersby is Astora's central-most settlement, though it's surrounded by the vast trees of the Ironwood. The town itself is mostly clear from the forest's towering canopy, though certain districts such as The Hollows, do remain under the dark of the woods. The perimeter around the town is made up of a thick tree-line, though many of these trees have been cleared in recent years as the town prepares to expand it's borders.
Just to the south of Weathersby lies the lakes Leafell and Twin, as well as the Glade River. This makes the Weathersby region quite busy with a diverse cast of flora and fauna.

Government

Like most other Astoran settlements, Weathersby is overseen by a Town-Master, in this case a man named Gorvenal Farlight. Gorvenal operates out of The Manor, a large estate used by all previous Town-Masters in Weathersby's relatively short history.
Weathersby also contains an Astoran Ministry building, a complex that can often be found in Astora's larger settlements. Weathersby is an exception to this rule, for regardless of Weathersby's small size, it's strategic and economic importance cannot be understated. The Ministry building in Weathersby, like all other Ministry buildings, works to serve the greater purposes of the Astoran government and Council of Nine, while the Town-Masters focus more on the day-to-day running of the settlement.

History

Foothold in The Ironwood

By AoR 530, The Ironwood had become safe enough, at least in the minds of Astoran officials, to attempt the building of a settlement deep within the woods. This town would act as a bastion among the trees and a checkpoint along the southern Astoran Road. In AoR 536, Weathersby was founded and construction began on the woodland village.
By AoR 546, Weathersby had already flourished to a respectable size, growing quickly due to the amount of humans ready to tap into the resources of The Ironwood. Elves quickly made Weathersby their preferred homestead as well, many of them ready to once again live in the Ironwood as they had done before. With the nearby usage of Il'Eska by The Lodge, Weathersby also became a prime destination for many of Astora's finest hunters and adventurers.

Raid on Weathersby

In AoR 569, Weathersby was the site of a small scale raid by The Remnants. This was the main fear of the town's citizens and officials come to fruition. Luckily, the elven rebels were beaten back and dispatched by a group of adventurers who had been seeking refuge at nearby Il'Eska. Kezro the Curious, then a young mage, was the most notable member of this group.
In response to this event, Astora would up the security in Weathersby, with intention for expansion and wall building put into the planning stages. The town became the site of an Astoran Ministry building, a complex usually found in larger settlements. This aided the government with keeping constant watch on the small forest village. The added security and military presence seemed to have done it's job, as The Remnants have not attempted subsequent raids since.

Expansion Renewed

Now in AoR 608, the Astoran Ministry has resumed it's original plans for expansion, the very same that had been put on hold for almost 30 years. This is perhaps in response to the current state of emergency around The Ironwood Forest and the surrounding areas. Remnant activity has seemed to swell in the area, with attacks on The Crossroads, Kimberly and a missing Astoran garrison.

Culture

Organizations

Weathersby, perhaps because of it's position in the Ironwood, does not house a large number of organizations. Most larger Astoran companies, such as the White Rock Mining Company, have little interest in this region. Pinedraw Lumber employs the highest number of workers in the area, likely making it Weathersby's largest organization. This is the company responsible for the expansion and logging around Weathersby's perimeter. They were hired many years ago by the Astoran government, but just recently have been approved to accelerate their normal activities.
Additionally, The Guardians have a permanent headquarters inside Weathersby. This also the conservation group to launch activities and missions from inside the Ironwood Forest, one of their chief targets for protection in the entire country.

Religion

As an Astoran settlement, Weathersby adheres to the same principals as any other town in-country. Shrines to all Astora's most popular deities can be found in Weathersby, specifically within the House of the Divines. There are several other temples that offer worship to certain gods and goddesses as well. Waterhouse for example, is centred around the worship of Sune and Eldath, while the Siblings Shrine speaks for itself.

Humans, Halflings & Elves

Weathersby, as a forest settlement, is dominated by elves and halflings, with humans being an ever-present staple of any Astoran town. Many of Weathersby's elven citizens have returned to the forest after long stretches of their lives lived outside Eldath's embrace. Weathersby has given them a chance to reconnect with that style of living, even if it is still under the official watch of the government. The same can be applied to the population of Halflings within Weathersby. With Firfoot so close, many of Halflings that find themselves ready to strike out into Astora find themselves in Weathersby.
Both of these races can be found in significant positions in-town, such as the elven-owned blacksmith alchemy shop and Waterhouse, and the halfling Captain of the garrison; Captain Gert Trout. Weathersby

Basic Information

Type: Town
Region: Ironwood Forest, Astora
Population: 2,450

Society

Races: Humans (64%), Halfling (16%), Elves (14%), Other (6%)

Politics

Ruling Type: Townmaster
Townmaster: Gorvenal Farlight