Often
The City of Honorable Viking Warriors
Long ago, Often was the least notable city of The Ward. However this changed significantly when half of the kingdom’s cities were destroyed during The Dragon War. The city was only able to survive its destruction due to its persevering warriors. In modern day, these warriors are most associated with The Ramshorn, a guild of warriors who are known to fight for the The North Honor and the greater good of Zol. The city of cobbled stone and copper roofs is frequently shrouded in a thick, cold fog. Despite its gloomy weather, its people are a known for their jolly community.
# Overview
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Main Opportunity | Within the city, one can find viking warriors greatly skilled at both swordplay and seafaring. Any individual can join these warriors at The Ramshorn if they can prove themselves honorable and worthy. The presence of these warriors keep the city safe in an otherwise hostile environment, and fill its mead halls with stories and comradery. |
| Main Challenge | The city of Often is bound by The North Honor to is sister city of Fike. Often does not have much fertile ground for growing crops, but its ally Fike does. This would be fortunate if not for the rival of two city’s, Hoss. The three cities find themselves in constant squabbles, and occasionally full blown military conflicts. Often plays the role of a protector in this careful balance. This means they must provide fighters, lest their balance be disturbed. |
| Climate | Continental |
| Cuisine | Farmed goods, fish, wild game, Stormdew |
| Export | Ships, mercenaries |
| Size | Medium |
| Outer Villages | Some |
| City Leader | Archon Elanor Blackett |
| Primary Language(s) | Common |
| Majority Racial Group(s) | None |
| Majority Religion(s) | Monotheistic worship of Adrathar, Father of the Wind |
# Major Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Distinguishing Features | Costal |
| Architecture | Cobblestone buildings, copper roofs, protection from Greatwinds |
| Color(s) | Amber and Blue |
| Symbolism | Two crossed axes over a shield |
| Defenses | The Ramshorn, large naval fleet, city military, The North Honor, Stormblessed |
# People Groups
| Group | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Nobility | Social Class | The upper crust of the city’s society. Not as refined as foreign nobility, but obviously more well off than the rest of society. Comprised of the Archon, their supporting council, successful business owners, merchants, and families of long standing wealth. |
| Commoners | Social Class | The general populace. Known as a pragmatic and unpretentious people. They are shipwrights, soldiers, smiths, shop keeps, and many other things of the like. The community that exists amongst them is very close, friendly, and welcoming. |
| Peasantry | Social Class | Those of lesser means. Farmers, builders, dockworkers, Stormdew gatherers, and people of the like. Despite their financial struggles, there is still a beauty to their simple lives. Some struggle to the point of homelessness, but as long as they do not push help away, they can get by. |
| Warriors of The Ramshorn | Guild | A guild of brave and honorable viking warriors. Their home base of Djuperholm lies in the heart of Often. Their mission is to defend The North Honor, and fight for the greater good of Zol. Any who can prove themselves to be worthy may join up with the guild. Their leader Mjelldorn Harms is a Stormblessed Human man who is one of the greatest fighters in all of Zol. |
| Acolytes of Adrathar | Clergy | Members of The Church of Winds. Those who dedicate themselves to the service of Adrathar. |
| The Bannerless | Mercenary/Criminal | A band of mercenaries who do not hold burden themselves with honor like The Ramshorn. These warriors will serve the highest paying offer, and have been known to participate in criminal activity in the past. They are not as formally organized as The Ramshorn, but under the leadership of Jarken Ymir a dangerous Stormblessed Orc man they make bitter rivals for The Ramshorn guild. |
| Stormblessed | Misc. | Individuals who prove themselves to be the most worthy during The Enduring, and are blessed with power by Adrathar. These individuals receive the utmost respect from their community. They are usually a little on the atypical side personality wise. |
# Goods and Services
| Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Copper Citadel | Keep | The city’s main keep |
| Often Convergence | Teleportation Circle | The city’s main teleportation circle. Located within the keep. |
| The Church of Winds | Church | The city’s primary religious site |
| Djuperholm | Guild | The base of operations for The Ramshorn. It is the largest building in Mistrock. |
| The Fresh Dew Tavern | Tavern | The city’s most popular tavern |
| The Cracked Hull | Tavern | A tavern owned by those associated with The Bannerless Mercenaries |
| Three Groves Market | Market | The city’s primary market |
# Authority
The city is overseen by Archon Elanor Blackett, a fierce dwarven woman of advanced age. Archon Blackett has protected Often for many years and is well respected by all. She well is supported by her council, military, and can depend on The Ramshorn when needed.
# Laws
The city enforces its own laws.
| Law | Severity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Murder | High | If one kills outside of self defense, or does not have governmental permission. It is a great criminal act |
| Void Worship | High | One cannot conduct worship of the Void Gods |
| Detrimental Necromancy | High | Necromantic magic that does not heal is considered a great crime. |
| Slavery | High | Owning slaves is an illegal practice, based in passages from the scriptures of Adrathar, Father of the Wind |
| Thievery | Medium/High | Theft, breaking and entering, forgery, fraud, etc. is punished in respect to the severity of the crime |
| Assault | Medium/High | Harming another without due cause in any manner is punished in respect to the severity of the harm done |
| Draconic Communion | Medium/High | Allying with a dragon, be it metallic, chromatic, or otherwise is a severe crime within the city. This does exclude lesser dragons like drakes and faerie dragons, as well as Dragonborn individuals. Note this laws does include the worship of Ayamot. |
| Sacrilege Usage of the Ferric Alphabet | Medium/High | Using the Ferric Alphabet for Iron Light is seen as a severe crime. Within The Ward the Ferric Alphabet are holy symbols not intended for the hands of mortal tampering. This law bans the usage of Apparatum and the presence of Warforged. |
| Cognitive Enchantment | Medium | Manipulating another person’s mind via Enchantment (School) without governmental permission is a crime |
| Slander | Low | Harming the reputation of a staple business or highborn house that would cause financial harm is punishable by a fine |
# Modern Importance
In modern day, Often is most know for The Ramshorn. The warriors that come from this guild are known to make an impact wherever they venture.
# Historical Importance
Historically, Often has not played a major role outside of The Ward. Within the history of the kingdom, it fought during The Dragon War. It was assumed by many to fall to the Dragons, but its stone walls and brave fighters proved greater than the challenge posed.
# Other Things of Note
- Stormdew is minorly acidic as it ferments, making the copper roofs shine after it is blown away in the abrasive Greatwinds