Kemp Hyläböm (town)

About

Names: Kemp Hyläböm - Kemp's Bluff; A small Kythan free-town on the Celvan River. The town proper is located on an island that splits the river into twin falls, and the town ascends the steep cliff in a series of ledges and switch‑back streets. As one of the only reasonably safe points to ascend the escarpment, Kemp Hyläböm holds strategic import for travel and trade between the coast and the interior of Kythus.

Location

The town is located on the great escarpment of the same name, where the Celvan River forms a twin waterfall. The bluff is a steep cliff some three hundred feet in height on average, and generally in three distinct, but narrow tiers. It splits the forest in two as it extends for hundreds of leagues both to the north and to the south. Along the bluff's length there are many tall water falls, where streams cascade down form the higher elevations, and numerous caves and deep gorges have been carved from the rocky ground by flowing water. The topside is a crumbling precipice, with evidence of landslides and rocky scree at the base. In some areas the bluff is actively quarried for the red sandstone, slate, or brownstone used for building.

Above the bluff, and east of the town is primarily forested lands. A few farms and pastures are located closer to town along the banks of the Celvan River, and some maintained woodlots have thinned out the forest for about half a league either side of the road and river arriving from the east. Beyond these areas, however, the old growth forest dominates; a thick mix of mostly cedar, birch, maples, oaks, and pines, with smaller shrubs, bushes, ferns, and ground cover plants growing between the taller trees.

Below the bluff, and west of the town is a multitude of small farms belonging to free farmers. Roads leading west and south lead to nearby manor lands with the villages and fiefs of noble landholders. The Celvan River flows from the large pool below the twin falls, under a arched stone bridge, and away through the fields to the west.

Population

Size: 2,700 (estimate)

Composition

Kythan 95%
Other Ethnicity 5%

Local Government

Flätäzaëdhëna

Ëthëvna Kallëus

Klëpëdhëmü

The town has a small council of elected officials which see to the bureaucratic needs of the town. This council elects a Flätäzaëdhë - Town-Master - from amongst their ranks to be the town's leader. Elections occur every three years unless the death of a councillor or the flätäzaëdhë shortens this period, requiring a by-election. The next election is due inext year. Historically councillors have been from the richer guild persons or nobles dwelling within the town.

The current town Klëpëdhëmü - Wise-Masters - are:

Drekäva (treasurer)
Ejena Ethyger (councillor/noble)
Hähna Adhoah (councillor/noble)
Lyfeva Pälëźäpäwru (councillor/noble)
Tëkana Tröpexule (councillor/noble)
Thäthava (councillor)

The council holds a town moot once a ten-day to discuss important town matters. These meetings are open to the public and residents may petition to have matters brought before council.

Security

Captain of the Watch: Tövna Banadlyu; The Captain of the watch is a man of many vices, and a dark past. He is rumoured to be corrupt, but has kept his position through possible blackmail of the current council.
Town Watch: The town maintains an active guard of 24 trained militia who act as the town watch, patrolling the streets to deter and respond to criminal activity within the town proper. These patrols consist of three regular members and veteran sergeant, armed with spears, clubs, and round shields. The sergeants also carry broadswords.
Watchposts: There are two watch posts, which contain barracks, emergency stores, small armouries. These also double as jails, for persons awaiting trail or punishment. One is located near the ferry crossing at the east end of town, and the other is located central to the docks and warehouses in the lower west end of the town.
Yeomen: Additionally many of the nearby farmers are yeomen who have pledged military service to the town, in exchange for rights to their acreage of fields and pastures. In times of crisis these professional men-at-arms will add to the towns standing watch.

Religion

The overwhelming majority of Kythan people worship the Twinned Goddess. The population of Kemps bluff is large enough to support seven churches; six dedicated to Pëölüva, which cater to the common folk, and one to Rylava, which caters mostly to the upper class citizenry.

A very small minority of Kemp Hyläböm's populace follow the old faith of the region that predates the formation of the nation of Kythus itself. This minority religion is tolerated by the majority, mostly because they keep to themselves, and many practitioners are skilled healers, herbalists, and quite knowledgeable in local woodscraft.

History

Founded: ~150 BG; Originally a tiny fishing camp located on the down river end of the island Kemp Hyläaböm, grew up the bluff as more people made homes in the safety between the twinned waterfalls. Kemp Hyläböm enjoyed a lengthy period as a regular trading post for goods and resources travelling both up and down river. A small wooden fort, tower and bridge was built at the up river crossing in 101 YG. As the settlement grew and became a contested location by various clans, the bridge was intentionally removed and replaced with a ferry barge by 229 YG.

Chartered: 342 YG; Kemp Hylaböm was granted a royal charter declaring it a free town with the right to self rule, being subject only to royal law, in 342 YG. Üprewyna Sköharna II decided this was necessary to prevent regional Wynü from fighting over the strategic location. This charter included a grant of 3,000 acres of land to help provide pastures and fields to support the town's populace. The town's current population exceeds its agricultural capacity, and thus trade with nearby manors and villages is required to keep enough food flowing into the town. This trade is further supplemented by a large population of hunters, trappers and fishers who call the town home.

Key Events: ~150 BG - Earliest year-round settlement; 14 YG - Saint Pabrëna's sacrifice; 101 YG - Bridge fort constructed at upriver crossing; 229 YG - Upriver bridge destroyed; 342 YG - Freetown charter granted