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

Karelëa Province, Kythus

The town is located on the great escarpment of the same name, where the Celvan River forms a twin waterfall.

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 five years unless the death of a councillor or the flätäzaëdhë shortens this period, requiring a by-election. The next election is due in two years. 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.

History

Founded: ~300 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 201 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 458 YG.

Chartered: 684 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 684 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: ~300 BG - Earliest year-round settlement; 29 YG - Saint Pabëna's sacrifice; 201 YG - Bridge fort constructed at upriver crossing; 458 YG - Upriver bridge destroyed; 684 YG - Freetown charter granted