Stratum
Stratum is a large town/small city that is walled that keeps it safe from both the elements as well as any possible attackers. It is the northmost large settlement on the continent that is an integral part of the workings of the Scorchlands. It is a hotspot for adventurers due to it being the home of the Gauntlet faction. Due to this, many powerful adventurers will set out to Stratum in order to prove themselves or to become a Swordsman of the Gauntlet.
Demographics
Many of the inhabitants are wealthy individuals or adventurers that have come to the city. Since the Gauntlet is a prominent force in the walled settlement many of the nobles there fund the force of the Gauntlet to be sure that they are protected.
Government
Stratum is the satellite of the Tribunal that is supervised by Duke Loffel, but the Gauntlet holds most of the power in the city. Due to the high standards of the Gauntlet and their benefactors, there is a strict code in regards to crime and punishment.
Defences
The city itself has a wall with three gates where there are a squadrant of Gauntlet Swordsman watching over the gates and walls. Each gate is also guarded by automated ballistas courtesy of the artificer which can fire several bolts simultaneously. Additionally, squads of guards will walk through the city and the nobles will each have a small group of body guards following them.
Industry & Trade
Trade is primarily done through the sea ports as well as some wagon groups that will set out to smaller settlements. The settlement also works with the mountain dwarfs of the pass to extract the valuable materials from the many mountains and due to this they have a lot of the wealth of the Scorchlands. Additionally, a lot of bounties will come this way that can be commisioned by the Gauntlet.
Infrastructure
The Gauntlet keeps their armada of ships at the coasts of Stratum and there is a large amount of port space that is available for traders to coast in. Additionally there are many courtyards that are scattered through the city that can be used for training and for recreation and trade. There are additionally windmills with fields around the city that are used to harvest and store some crops during the few months of good weather.
Assets
There are many general stores and blacksmits or adventurers guilds that are willing to barter some common goods as well as magical items but there is not much in terms of exotic goods. There is however the only artificer shop of the Scorchlands who can modify various objects for a fee to help the party.
Guilds and Factions
The Gauntlet is easily the most prominent faction that is present in the city but they additionally do feel the presence of the Tribune.
History
Stratum used to be the hotspot for adventuring due to the proximity it held to the pass, which held many of the dangers of the Scorchlands. As more expiditions embarked to tackle the different beasts and hordes of the pass, they began to start attacking the beginnings of the settlement. This resulted in The Great Clash, a siege of Stratum lead by the mad wizard Powell who was rejected from the city due to his practicing of necromancy on the dead citizens. During this two week long attack, Ignis Finley brought the first members of the Gauntlet together to fight off Powell.
Tourism
The fountain in the center of the city has two statues facing each other, the statues are of Ignis and Powell at their final battle where both of them were said to perish.
Climate
For half of the year the city is covered in snow and for the other half there are only a few clumps of weeks where there are many crops planted that are quick to harvest.
Founding Date
137
Population
7,228
Inhabitant Demonym
Stratian
Related Reports (Secondary)
Comments