mexal
29th November 2007, 07:20 PM
Yarbroughton is the chief town and port of the World's End Marches. It was founded 395 years ago by the explorer Yarton, who built the first docks and a castle on the clifftop, where the Lord Marcher's castle is now. The town soon acquired importance as a trading centre, both for its hinterland, which is richly agricultural, and for the other towns along the eastern seaboard. There is also a sizeable fishing fleet.
The town is the seat of government for the World's End Marches. Although the Marches are governed by the Lord Marcher, the town itself is controlled by a council formed of leading members of the town's Guilds, mainly those involved in trading and manufacture. The Scarlet Order of Mages refuse to send representatives, although they make their views clearly known.
The Marches are still quite wild; and so Yarbroughton serves as a gathering point for adventurers, mercenaries, explorers and the like. Thus there are many in the town who cater for such people... the armourers and weaponmakers, the horsemerchants and the victuallers, and so on. Naturally there are a large number of inns where adventurers may exchange gossip, rumours and news; eat and drink; and prepare for their next trip.
The population of the town is mainly human, although visitors of other races are common. There is some prejudice against dwarfs and gnomes (mainly due to their size), but there is no active discrimination. Most of the non-humans live outside the town walls - since the walls were built 260 years ago the town has grown considerably, and there has been much building to the north. For many years there have been moves to build a new northern wall - there are still marauding raids from orc tribes, bandits and other such nasties - but, like many civic projects, the funds are not there. The chairman of the town council, a fish merchant called Elbert, is always suggesting schemes of taxation to raise the money.... his latest plan is to charge all adventurers 10% of their loot, and to licence all weapons. Not surprisingly there is a lot of resistance to this scheme and it is unlikely to ever come about.
Taxation is at the moment fairly light - a hearth tax of 5 g.p. per year, and gate fees of 5 s.p. (2 c.p. for residents). The docks charge 1 g.p. a day for berthing, and there are also charges for bringing livestock in.
The law is upheld by the Watch, a troop of 30 men. They patrol the town, and try to investigate crime. Most of the citizens regard them as a bit of a joke, but they are actually quite good at their job. They wear chainmail, and carry long swords and shields with the town arms (vert an eagle displayed or), and have green cloaks.
The laws are fairly simple. It is forbidden to murder or steal, or to fight except in the Arena (which may be used for the settling of private disputes, if both parties agree). Because of the large number of adventuring types, the carrying of any weapons apart from short swords and daggers, and the wearing of any armour, is strongly discouraged. Civil suits can be brought for cheating, insult and for damages; and the priests of any faith may bring a charge of disrespect, except in the case of an ongoing theological dispute.
The town is the seat of government for the World's End Marches. Although the Marches are governed by the Lord Marcher, the town itself is controlled by a council formed of leading members of the town's Guilds, mainly those involved in trading and manufacture. The Scarlet Order of Mages refuse to send representatives, although they make their views clearly known.
The Marches are still quite wild; and so Yarbroughton serves as a gathering point for adventurers, mercenaries, explorers and the like. Thus there are many in the town who cater for such people... the armourers and weaponmakers, the horsemerchants and the victuallers, and so on. Naturally there are a large number of inns where adventurers may exchange gossip, rumours and news; eat and drink; and prepare for their next trip.
The population of the town is mainly human, although visitors of other races are common. There is some prejudice against dwarfs and gnomes (mainly due to their size), but there is no active discrimination. Most of the non-humans live outside the town walls - since the walls were built 260 years ago the town has grown considerably, and there has been much building to the north. For many years there have been moves to build a new northern wall - there are still marauding raids from orc tribes, bandits and other such nasties - but, like many civic projects, the funds are not there. The chairman of the town council, a fish merchant called Elbert, is always suggesting schemes of taxation to raise the money.... his latest plan is to charge all adventurers 10% of their loot, and to licence all weapons. Not surprisingly there is a lot of resistance to this scheme and it is unlikely to ever come about.
Taxation is at the moment fairly light - a hearth tax of 5 g.p. per year, and gate fees of 5 s.p. (2 c.p. for residents). The docks charge 1 g.p. a day for berthing, and there are also charges for bringing livestock in.
The law is upheld by the Watch, a troop of 30 men. They patrol the town, and try to investigate crime. Most of the citizens regard them as a bit of a joke, but they are actually quite good at their job. They wear chainmail, and carry long swords and shields with the town arms (vert an eagle displayed or), and have green cloaks.
The laws are fairly simple. It is forbidden to murder or steal, or to fight except in the Arena (which may be used for the settling of private disputes, if both parties agree). Because of the large number of adventuring types, the carrying of any weapons apart from short swords and daggers, and the wearing of any armour, is strongly discouraged. Civil suits can be brought for cheating, insult and for damages; and the priests of any faith may bring a charge of disrespect, except in the case of an ongoing theological dispute.