Ashford

Ashford is a small town built on the shores of Canyon Lake in the heart of the continent of Ishtar. The town is named for both the ash trees that dominate the woods in the area and the town's founder, the noted archaeologist Fjord Ashmore.

History

Ashford is one of the oldest, non-giant and non-Vanya settlements of Ishtar. It was originally set up as camp by Fjord Ashmore in 1132 A.D. to explore the various Mythic Age ruins in the area around Canyon Lake.

While the ruins and the aeyrie on the mountainside appealed to many Ashmore had particular interest with exploring and mapping out the ruins on the small island off the shore of Ashford that came to be called Cleone's Rest. The dungeon crypt would eventually result in the disappearance of Ashmore himself during one of his many delves

Over time the camp slowly grew into a village and then into a town. Many of the treasure hunters and explorers would eventually move on to other areas, but the townsfolk remained.

In 1194 A.D. a proposal was offered by the Dragon River Conclave to take over the aeyrie as they expanded their influence into the northern continent. Given the various dangers in the wilds and the fear of something emerging from Cleone's Rest, the townsfolk accepted.

Ashcliff Aeyrie was occupied in 1198 A.D. and saw the small township grow further and find some security amid the hostile northern lands of Ishtar.

In 1290 A.D. a Hermetic Engineer, Nikoleta Gabralli, arrived in the town and to ascertain the viability of proper road construction through the area and has used Ashford as a base of operations for ascertaining what needs to be done as she surveys the extent of the seasons will have in her work. The townsfolk seem quite keen on the idea of proper roads and have afforded her a fair bit of leeway in her endeavours though they remain hesitant about any Imperial entanglements.

Geography

On the coast of Canyon Lake, Ashford remains nestled amid the mountains terrain of the northern continent with narrow passages along the lake and the mountains to the surrounding hinterlands where farms are dotted into smaller groupings of villages and protective enclaves. All of these farms in the hinterlands acknowledge themselves as citizens of Ashford.

Winters tend to be harsh with heavy snow and storms. Summer is pleasant without the more tumultuous storms near the coast.

Economy

The bulk of Ashford's economic wealth comes from ash wood lumber exports to other areas of Ishtar. The bulk of further activity in the area is subsistence farming. Imports are often brought in from Beauport or further to provide that which they do not have access to.

While the town does not deal much in coinage amongst themselves, they have been forced to adopt some measure of usage due to traveling merchants or passing treasure hunters.

Government

Ashford functions as a triarchy with a council of three who are elected via sortition every five years.

Anyone who is of eligible mature, adult age, not tied to a critical function of the town, and has not served council before is entered into the lottery on a day long holiday. The previous council is honoured during the afternoon celebrations, then lottery is drawn before dinner, and the evening is held in celebration to welcome to the new council members.

Relationships

Beauport

Ashford has a close relationship with the port town of Beauport who act as the main trading hub to receive ash wood from the agroforestry cultivation the town does while also acting to get in materials that the town may need that is absent in the area. Post from Beauport often contains letters from families abroad or packages of rare ingredients or simply new books for the town's community center and library.

Dragon Rider Conclave

Ashford's relationship with the DRC has remained friendly. The townsfolk offer supplies as the rule of reciprocity demands and the DRC provides safety and assistance where they can. The DRC also utilizes Cleone's Rest as a training ground preventing anything from spilling out while also defending the lands in the area.

Ashford's relationship with the DRC benefits a great deal from the lack of awareness and participation of the Dragon War. While there are some who emigrated to the lands and settled in the area who know of the war and may carry biases toward dragonkind, it is a smaller population than might be found in the southern lands.

Fey

Ashford recognizes that the wilds around them in Ishtar are abundant with fey creatures. While there have been no sighting of any fey for good or ill in the area the town still has established a boundary of trees bound in iron rope. The further away from town one gets sees more sections of trees that contain offerings.

Giants

Ashford has thankfully received little involvement in the giants beyond the occasional peaceful wood giant. Ogres and trolls are known to inhabit the wild places beyond the town, but they have stayed away from Ashford. Most do not look at such fortune with scrutiny, though there are many who wonder why the giants steer clear. Whenever a wood giant is asked, they merely look toward the lake and change the subject.

Kingdom of Ausra

Ashford is seen as just another independent, frontier town to Ausra.

Kingdom of Mercia

Ashford is seen as just another independent, frontier town to Mercia.

Kingdom of Moray

Ashford is seen as just another independent, frontier town to Moray.

Montrose Barony

Ashford has received the occasional envoy from the Baron of Montrose to offer to bring them into the fold if they swear fealty. Ashford, however, retains its independence and the Barony does not press. Most suspect due to their distance from the Baron's lands. Some fear that in due time if the Baron or his heirs decide to expand their territory that they may need to reevaluate the issue.

Republic of Dewyr

Ashford maintains a friendly relationship with the Dewyr Republic across the mountains to the East. Some trade is maintained between the two, but with the mountains between them the bulk of their agreement is ensuring the roads between them remain clear and maintained.

Vanya

Ashford has many deals with the nomadic Vanya and have provided a campsite to the north of the town for usage when any travelling clans make their way through the area.

Wyldspeakers

Ashford maintains a grove within the town's limits that nurtures an ancient hawthorn to which a Wyldspeaker by the name of Larian has invested themselves. Larian has assisted in mediations and warned of natural events that might threaten the town. It is said that Larian liaises with the fey and the wood giants. Many Vanya shamans often pay Larian a visit when a clan arrives in town.

Notable Locations

• Ashford Hall
• Blacksmith TBD
• Alchemist TBD
• Cleone's Rest
• Herbalist TBD
• Carpenter TBD
• Community Center/SchoolTBD
• Temple TBD
• Brewery TBD
• Leatherworker TBD
• Docks TBD
• Taverna TBD
• Wyld Grove TBD

Notable People

• Larian, elven Wyldspeaker of the Green Faith
• Moloch, aiuvarin Sparrow of the Green Faith
• Fjord Ashmore, human Archaeologist (deceased)
• Nikoleta Gabralli, human Engineer of the Hermetic Engineering Corps of the Cult of Hermes.
• Owen Rathe, dromaar Warden of Ashcliff Aeyrie
• Tassa Stoneclaw, iruxi Mountaineer
• Gina Griffith, gnome Alchemist apprentice.