Tähtitieteilijä (ˈtæhtiˌtie̯tei̯lijæ)

Tähtitieteilijä is a town on the northern coast of Hiidenmaa, that rose around the Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse & University. It is not directly on the Kotimaa Road, but the Uptown Road runs southwest out of town and joins the Kotimaa Road after a few miles.

Demographics

Almost the entire population of Tähtitieteilijä is of the Saarelainen ethnic group, with those students at the University who have travelled from elsewhere to study. Those students are mostly from elsewhere in the Norður Islands, but a few have come from further afield, drawn by the universities reputation in the fields of astronomy and astrology. Humans are the most common species by far, making up over 99% of the population, with the remainder being almost entirely Selkies. Excluding the students, the town has about one thousand residents, mostly employed by the University or as fisherfolk.

Government

The town and university grew up around the Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse, and the government of the town reflects that history. The Tähtitieteilijä chapter of the Order of the Lightkeepers retains administrative authority over the town, and appoints a mayor to execute that authority. By tradition, the mayor is selected from a list of candidates presented by the townsfolk, but this is not a requirement. The current mayor is Hanna Saarikko, and she has served in that position for nearly twelve years.

The town's laws are dictated by the Order, and it is the mayor's responsibility to enforce those rulings. She has the authority to appoint others to assist in this reponsibility; these officials are given the title of Ulosottomi. Each ulosottomi is given authority over a particular area of the town - one is responsible for the wharf, while another might be charged with keeping the peace in town. They are allowed to hire assistants themselves, based on funds allocated to them by the mayor.

Districts

The town can be divided into roughly three areas. These are the University, which surrounds the Lighthouse, and is in the northwestern part of town along the coast. The second district is the wharf, where the fishing fleet is located. The wharf is south of the University district, and there is an unofficial division along Fish Street that marks the border. Under normal circumstances, the fisherfolk don't go north of Fish Street, and the University people don't go south of it. Fish Street is mostly used as an open air fishmarket, and is frequently one of the busiest places in town.

The third district is inland, and is simply called Uptown, due to its being on a low hill overlooking the coastal districts. Uptown is a residential and commercial district, largely made up of those who do not work directly for the university or on the water. Uptown market has tailors, cobblers, smiths, and all the other artisans and merchants the town needs to operate. Travelers to Tähtitieteilijä are most likely to find rooms in Uptown, either at the Tähti Inn near Uptown Road or the less expensive Meri Tavern which sits on the border of the Wharf district.

Type

Large town

Location under

Hiidenmaa

Included Locations

• Tähtitieteilijä Lighthouse

Geographic Details

Location: Hiidenmaa, Northeastern Region
Latitude: 61.89 degrees North
Longitude: 37.46 degrees East

Routes

Land

• Mudassa: Travel south to the Kotimaa Road and then southwest to Mudassa. ~17 miles.

Sea

• Mudassa: Travel southwest along the coast and around the northwestern peninsula. ~20 miles.
• Eldfell: Navigate through the shoals north of Hiidenmaa, and then sail directly north to Vestaeyjar. ~105 miles.
• Saareke: Navigate through the shoals north of Hiidenmaa, and then sail north-northeast to Kuu. ~54 miles.