Acsaside (Aks-a-syd-e)
Demographics
Government
The village of Riverside is administered by a Baronet, who was appointed by the Baron of Lakemouth. The Baronet is typically a local of Riverside, though in the event that the Baronet produces no heirs, the Baron will temporarily assign a "capable cousin" (typically a member of a branch family or bastard) to rule over Riverside, until a permanent Riversidian is selected for the Baronet.
Taxes are collected once per year, every first day of Summer, and at the same time, a census of the village is taken. The Baronet sends out his tax collectors in the month prior to the deadline, and once collected, personally transports the tax money to the Baron. When the Baronet returns, he typically holds a single-day festival for the village, which features games, contests, music, dances, and on particularly prosperous years, parades. In the weeks prior to this festival, the Baronet and his men do their best to advertise the event to nearby villages.
Defences
Riverside as a local militia consisting of 10 trained guards, though in times of crisis, many of the laborers will pitch in for the defense of the village. Recently, a troop of 150 soldiers was stationed in the town at the request of baronet Readric Eaton after the discovery of a goblin fort in the Grene Hyllas .
The outer perimeter of Riverside is surrounded by a picket fence, offering minimal defense against bestial predators though little in the way of preventing more malign creatures from entering the village. These fences are regularly checked for damages and repaired. In 765, the townsfolk and the recently stationed Ælnean soldiers built a palisade wall around the perimeter of the town.
Industry & Trade
Riverside predominately exports timber and charcoal to the kingdom, while importing metals and tools from it's neighbors. Since the village is located on a river, the locals use boats to travel down it to transport their wares.
Charcoal. The charcoal burning mounds are located on the southern bank of the river, with the lumberyand beyond the northern bank. The lumberjacks carry some of the wood over a small bridge to the charcoal burners, of which there are 4 that live on-site to constantly monitor the mounds. The coal-burners often recruited village children to stamp down the mounds at the burning process progressed.
Infrastructure
Dirt roads run west-east through the village. In the center is a plaza around which the general store, tavern and gathering house are located. The plaza is often used to events, particularly sowing/harvest festivals, and flea markets. Smaller roads lead out from the plaza to individual residences.
Assets
General Store and a Tavern are located on the main plaza in the center of the town. Across the plaza is the local Gathering House, where the Baronet lives and acts as the administrative seat of the village.
A lumberyard lies to the west of the village on the eaves of the Blainberry Forest .
Guilds and Factions
While not directly present in the village, the Riversdians do have members of the Forestry Guild living in the village, and a representative from Riverside frequently reports the going-ons to the Guild in the branch office at the Baron's Capital city.
History
The Red River Affair
In January of 635, during the yearly Scopham Convention in which town budgets and baronets are selected, the temporary baronet of Riverside, Ealhere Ækelson, refused to step down when Ælfnoð Heardson was appointed as the town's new baronet. After the convention ended, Ealhere and Ælfnoð traveled back to Riverside together from Scopham, but Ælfnoð did not survive the journey. Ealhere Ækelson assumed the role temporary baronet once more. In the following months, several members of Ælfnoð's family living in the village disappeared, as well as others who voiced suspicions of Ealhere in public. Ealhere was said to have become increasing reclusive during these months, and townspeople reported sightings of unknown figures moving about in the night on the days of the disappearances. A total of 14 people went missing before a Oathbinder of the Lawsworn arrived in Riverside. Oathbinder Sunngifu Winfriðdohtor investigated the disappearances, discovering the bodies of the 14 missing people in a cave in the Blainberry Forest, and she also looked into the disappearance of Ælfnoð Heardson, following the tracks of his and Ealhere's journey between Riverside and Scopham. Ælfnoð's body was found tied to a boulder in the Frið river. Oathbinder Sunngifu, certain that Ealhere was responsible went to the Lawsworn court in Kinleigh to confer with Sworn Judge Caderyn the Fair, who agreed with the Oathbinder's judgment. Sunngifu returned to Riverside with the Blade named Arthmael. The two arrested Baronet Ealhere, who confessed to his crimes in a Zone of Truth. On August 25, 635, Ealhere was convicted of the assassination of 15 people, usurping the baronet of Riverside, and defying the Scopham Convention of 635. Blade Arthmael executed Ealhere on the same day in the town square of Riverside.
Architecture
Buildings are constructed out of wood with thatched roofs. Walls are whitewashed due help keeps water erosion at bay during flooding/ raining seasons. Picket fences surround the perimeter of the villager.
Geography
Riverside is located on a stretch of mostly flat land between the Blainberry Forest and Lanbelt River. The Lanbelt has its source in the Greenboro Mountains and flows from west to east. It passes through the Blainberry before reaching the village and turns southeastward. Most of the village lies beyond the northern bank of the river.
Natural Resources
Wood from nearby forest. When a purchaser in a downriver settlement buys lumber from the mill, the workers will often just set it adrift in the river, to be carried to its destination by the currents. The purchasers will have men ready to haul the logs out of the river when it arrives. For larger purchases of lumber, the wood is stacked onto barges that are carried downriver.
Edible flora and fauna in the forest that hunters/gatherers get. Many of the lumberjacks also act as hunters, as the villagers are allowed the privlege free warren. There are, however, a handful of dedicated, full-time huntsmen and women. Edible plants, such as fruits, herbs, and vegetables, are collected by gatherers.
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