Post by Artaxerxes Hirren on Jun 3, 2007 15:44:21 GMT
Politics[/u]
One person, leader of the circle of the trusted, runs Hirren. He has the ability to decide what will be done in any part of Hirren, however should his decisions be deemed back and untrustworthy, he can be removed by a full agreement of the circle of the trusted. The circle of the trusted are best described as advisers. They work together to bring ideas together to benefit Hirren on the whole. These ideas are either approved or discounted by the first in the circle, the leader.
The members of the circle of the trusted are all people of the town, specialising in different areas. One is a ship builder, another a farmer, another a smith or a trader, all the various trades and aspects of the town are represented in a hope that none with be quashed.
The leader of the town is always a direct descendant of the first pirate captain to colonise the area, the one that legend would tell us removed the sword of the land god from the lost island. There has not yet been a case where the leader has not had an heir, and only one woman has ever run the town. Being pirates, they do feel that it can be back luck to have a sea faring woman, although she was accepted freely, rather than loose the line of the pirate captain.
The current leader is a man going by the name of Artaxerxes Mathias Hirren, a seemingly irresponsible drunkard of a man, but he is well respected by most of the people and most know his capabilities as a leader, should he sober up for long enough.
Employment[/u]
The moderation of the town’s people are either ship builders or sea faring men. Their ship building it renowned through the lands and they require many people to train and carry on the trade. Smiths and metal workers are also popular jobs in town, and most of the town’s food is supplied through a series of fishermen.
Although the moderation of the native towns people can use magic, very few have the skill to develop in into a career, and those that do tend to either take to mercenary positions and travel across Septrem, or they become pirates. Some people specialise in just magics, but there is little use for their skills in everyday life.
There is a calling for those with skill in looking after animals, and also farmers to work the fields some way away from the town. Not only that, but travelling tradesmen are welcomed with force. But most fields of occupation can be provided for in the town, and anyone except perhaps bounty hunters are welcomed to Hirren.
Agriculture[/u]
Farming in the marshlands in nearly impossible. Crops do not grow well in the wet, this means that farmers must live a little way out of the marshland, or travel everyday. There is a large amount of farmed land just beyond the borders of the swamp that provides nearly all of the food that Hirren uses. Much of their loot must be traded however to supply the town with enough grain and such like.
Although the marshlands are unfit for growing crops, the higher ground is ideal for cattle and livestock. They have a form of cow, adapted to living in the damp lands, rather than having hooves, they have three large toes, rather like their prehistoric predecessors. There are several breeds of goat and a rather large amount of chickens left to roam a large amount of the ground.
All of the area around the chickens is well fenced off to protect them from the common marsh predators and those that would steal them from the communities’ farmers.
Landscape[/u]
The landscape itself is rather typical of a marsh. Pools of water lie across the muddy floor, deceitfully firm pieces of ground give way into deep heavy mud that can pull even the strongest man down. It is not a place that most people wish to wander.
A few stunted trees grown, enough to prevent you from seeing the edge, once you are lost, making the already dangerous marsh a lethal maze. Mossy hangs from the skeletal and seemingly lifeless trees, giving the whole area a rather haunted and unwelcoming feel.
Much of the swamp is uncharted, although there is a network of raised paths covering most areas. The main paths are made from wood, lifted over a metre up into the air on stilts, however some of the smaller paths are liken to rope bridges slung in between trees or stands, with pedestals every few metres to save on wood.
The town goes right down to the coast with provides most with the food they require. The seas are fruitful, clear blue water that taints some of the seaward marsh with salt water. The pirates often remove salt from the water and sell it on to countries far further away from the source of salt.
The beaches are mostly pale silver sand, very fine, often blowing into dust clouds in high winds, meaning that often the workers and ship builders must cover their faces as the weather harshens.
Wildlife[/u]
The animals around the Hirren area are rather hardier than their inland relatives. The harsh sea weather and the terrible swamp conditions mean that they must be strong to survive. This brings larger varieties of their cousins.
Some of the most common animals in the marsh are amphibians, several variations of newts and toads, some of them poisonous to protect them from the few predators that manage to survive in the area.
The magnificent elk wander the inland borders of the marsh, sometimes travelling onto the grass lands to feed on the fresher shoots and stems. Along with them are the white tailed deer, although they are fairly rare near Hirren. However, deer are common, and are often hunted for their furs and meat by the people of Hirren, their meat a good change from fish and beef.
River otters are found in the larger parts of water, feeding on the various type of marine life that swim beneath the murky waters. Small vermin such as mice and rats thrive in the area, although many are preyed upon by the red wolf.
The normally elusive animal thrives in the marsh, being one of the largest predators, it can picked and choose which prey it will take advantage of. The only competition it faces is the bobcat, although the two tend to avoid each other.
All in all, the animals of the swap are little more than intangible shadows, disappearing at the first sign of human life and only the skilled come back with any meat. Although those are only the more common animals, there are a few more that only are rumoured to exist, no definite proof of them has yet been found. People talk about huge snakes, bigger than people and large bears, but talk is only talk.
Weather[/u]
The coast of Septrem is harsh; giving various degrees of heat waves and blasting winds in the summer while retreating to icy cold temperatures in the winter and pouring rain, sometimes snow.
Much of the marshland is warm and stagnant, and rarely does the sea breeze push hard enough to break the protective coat of dwarfed trees that the marsh pulls around itself. When it does however, the marsh instantly becomes more liveable for the locals, feeling fresher and cleaner, the waters disturbed from their torpid pools into little flowing streams.
Rain is the main provider of the marsh waters, along with several rivers and lakes. This means that the town is regularly given a wash of heavy rain, blown to them by the battering sea winds, filled with the harsh salt spray.
Clothing[/u]
The clothing worn by the people in Hirren is often more practical that decorative. All of the inhabitants have learned to wear layers, usually some type of undershirt, a waistcoat and an overcoat, could they afford all of them. Heavy and durable boots are favoured by most for those occasional trips that they do take to the marsh floor, usually made of leather or some other water resistant material.
Perhaps another common style of clothing was that of the pirates. They themselves layered against the weather, but their clothes usually more decorative with varieties of lucky charms, belts and weapons from the armoury and traders. In the heat of summer, many people are reduced to wearing short trousers and loose shirts while working out on the beaches and fields, very few ever wear formal wear for work.
Trading[/u]
Due to the method in which most of Hirren’s goods are obtained, the people of Hirren are often rather anxious to trade with whoever possible. The stolen and pillaged goods are traded to whatever faction, apart from the imperials themselves, for whatever the city needs at the time.
Silk goods and gold are often the results of boarding, however they are just as likely to get hold of food, weapons, metals, anything that can be transported by sea. This means that they have access to a wealth of goods, meaning their port is the best place to go if you are on the lookout for something specific and don’t mind where it comes from.
They trade often with the Urthans usually for weapons and pieces of technology to increase the power of their ships and their efficiency. Much is traded to smaller villages in exchange for food and cattle, although they do not have many regular trades.
Architecture[/u]
The moderation of Hirren is built from local wood, using the stunted trees that they cannot use to build ships to extend their houses. The houses are made from straightened logs, and built at about 1.3 metres above ground level.
Much of the town is old, and the buildings, although pained, show some signs of aging, but in recent years, there has been an explosion of interest, meaning that a whole new sector has been built, stretching far further out into the swamp than before.
All of the houses are reasonably large, and detached from each other, they house on average around 4 people each, although if they were filled they could house up to around 8.
Ships and Boats[/u]
Almost all of the smaller vessels are built from local timber, split and curved in unique techniques used only by the people of Hirren. Because they have no regular source of metal, they must either trade for it, or bring it in from the raids on ships. Some of the ships that they capture are dismantled and rebuilt in a way deemed worthy by those of Hirren.
The ships of Hirren are known throughout Septrem as being the fastest and strongest, and also the most expensive. The ships are light and fast, armed to the teeth with cannons, filled with secret storage areas, perfect for a pirate to use.
The ships tend to be made from imported timber, as the trees that grow in the area are often too small or too warped for them to be used in the very complex ships. Instead, they often import wood from the ancient forest or even the forest that grows near the coast to their east, as it is far closer.
There is always a large number of ships in the docks, and on land being repaired in the boatyard. The harbour is busy, crowded with boats large and small, after all, it is their main source of income, and they must always have spare ready should anything go wrong.
One person, leader of the circle of the trusted, runs Hirren. He has the ability to decide what will be done in any part of Hirren, however should his decisions be deemed back and untrustworthy, he can be removed by a full agreement of the circle of the trusted. The circle of the trusted are best described as advisers. They work together to bring ideas together to benefit Hirren on the whole. These ideas are either approved or discounted by the first in the circle, the leader.
The members of the circle of the trusted are all people of the town, specialising in different areas. One is a ship builder, another a farmer, another a smith or a trader, all the various trades and aspects of the town are represented in a hope that none with be quashed.
The leader of the town is always a direct descendant of the first pirate captain to colonise the area, the one that legend would tell us removed the sword of the land god from the lost island. There has not yet been a case where the leader has not had an heir, and only one woman has ever run the town. Being pirates, they do feel that it can be back luck to have a sea faring woman, although she was accepted freely, rather than loose the line of the pirate captain.
The current leader is a man going by the name of Artaxerxes Mathias Hirren, a seemingly irresponsible drunkard of a man, but he is well respected by most of the people and most know his capabilities as a leader, should he sober up for long enough.
Employment[/u]
The moderation of the town’s people are either ship builders or sea faring men. Their ship building it renowned through the lands and they require many people to train and carry on the trade. Smiths and metal workers are also popular jobs in town, and most of the town’s food is supplied through a series of fishermen.
Although the moderation of the native towns people can use magic, very few have the skill to develop in into a career, and those that do tend to either take to mercenary positions and travel across Septrem, or they become pirates. Some people specialise in just magics, but there is little use for their skills in everyday life.
There is a calling for those with skill in looking after animals, and also farmers to work the fields some way away from the town. Not only that, but travelling tradesmen are welcomed with force. But most fields of occupation can be provided for in the town, and anyone except perhaps bounty hunters are welcomed to Hirren.
Agriculture[/u]
Farming in the marshlands in nearly impossible. Crops do not grow well in the wet, this means that farmers must live a little way out of the marshland, or travel everyday. There is a large amount of farmed land just beyond the borders of the swamp that provides nearly all of the food that Hirren uses. Much of their loot must be traded however to supply the town with enough grain and such like.
Although the marshlands are unfit for growing crops, the higher ground is ideal for cattle and livestock. They have a form of cow, adapted to living in the damp lands, rather than having hooves, they have three large toes, rather like their prehistoric predecessors. There are several breeds of goat and a rather large amount of chickens left to roam a large amount of the ground.
All of the area around the chickens is well fenced off to protect them from the common marsh predators and those that would steal them from the communities’ farmers.
Landscape[/u]
The landscape itself is rather typical of a marsh. Pools of water lie across the muddy floor, deceitfully firm pieces of ground give way into deep heavy mud that can pull even the strongest man down. It is not a place that most people wish to wander.
A few stunted trees grown, enough to prevent you from seeing the edge, once you are lost, making the already dangerous marsh a lethal maze. Mossy hangs from the skeletal and seemingly lifeless trees, giving the whole area a rather haunted and unwelcoming feel.
Much of the swamp is uncharted, although there is a network of raised paths covering most areas. The main paths are made from wood, lifted over a metre up into the air on stilts, however some of the smaller paths are liken to rope bridges slung in between trees or stands, with pedestals every few metres to save on wood.
The town goes right down to the coast with provides most with the food they require. The seas are fruitful, clear blue water that taints some of the seaward marsh with salt water. The pirates often remove salt from the water and sell it on to countries far further away from the source of salt.
The beaches are mostly pale silver sand, very fine, often blowing into dust clouds in high winds, meaning that often the workers and ship builders must cover their faces as the weather harshens.
Wildlife[/u]
The animals around the Hirren area are rather hardier than their inland relatives. The harsh sea weather and the terrible swamp conditions mean that they must be strong to survive. This brings larger varieties of their cousins.
Some of the most common animals in the marsh are amphibians, several variations of newts and toads, some of them poisonous to protect them from the few predators that manage to survive in the area.
The magnificent elk wander the inland borders of the marsh, sometimes travelling onto the grass lands to feed on the fresher shoots and stems. Along with them are the white tailed deer, although they are fairly rare near Hirren. However, deer are common, and are often hunted for their furs and meat by the people of Hirren, their meat a good change from fish and beef.
River otters are found in the larger parts of water, feeding on the various type of marine life that swim beneath the murky waters. Small vermin such as mice and rats thrive in the area, although many are preyed upon by the red wolf.
The normally elusive animal thrives in the marsh, being one of the largest predators, it can picked and choose which prey it will take advantage of. The only competition it faces is the bobcat, although the two tend to avoid each other.
All in all, the animals of the swap are little more than intangible shadows, disappearing at the first sign of human life and only the skilled come back with any meat. Although those are only the more common animals, there are a few more that only are rumoured to exist, no definite proof of them has yet been found. People talk about huge snakes, bigger than people and large bears, but talk is only talk.
Weather[/u]
The coast of Septrem is harsh; giving various degrees of heat waves and blasting winds in the summer while retreating to icy cold temperatures in the winter and pouring rain, sometimes snow.
Much of the marshland is warm and stagnant, and rarely does the sea breeze push hard enough to break the protective coat of dwarfed trees that the marsh pulls around itself. When it does however, the marsh instantly becomes more liveable for the locals, feeling fresher and cleaner, the waters disturbed from their torpid pools into little flowing streams.
Rain is the main provider of the marsh waters, along with several rivers and lakes. This means that the town is regularly given a wash of heavy rain, blown to them by the battering sea winds, filled with the harsh salt spray.
Clothing[/u]
The clothing worn by the people in Hirren is often more practical that decorative. All of the inhabitants have learned to wear layers, usually some type of undershirt, a waistcoat and an overcoat, could they afford all of them. Heavy and durable boots are favoured by most for those occasional trips that they do take to the marsh floor, usually made of leather or some other water resistant material.
Perhaps another common style of clothing was that of the pirates. They themselves layered against the weather, but their clothes usually more decorative with varieties of lucky charms, belts and weapons from the armoury and traders. In the heat of summer, many people are reduced to wearing short trousers and loose shirts while working out on the beaches and fields, very few ever wear formal wear for work.
Trading[/u]
Due to the method in which most of Hirren’s goods are obtained, the people of Hirren are often rather anxious to trade with whoever possible. The stolen and pillaged goods are traded to whatever faction, apart from the imperials themselves, for whatever the city needs at the time.
Silk goods and gold are often the results of boarding, however they are just as likely to get hold of food, weapons, metals, anything that can be transported by sea. This means that they have access to a wealth of goods, meaning their port is the best place to go if you are on the lookout for something specific and don’t mind where it comes from.
They trade often with the Urthans usually for weapons and pieces of technology to increase the power of their ships and their efficiency. Much is traded to smaller villages in exchange for food and cattle, although they do not have many regular trades.
Architecture[/u]
The moderation of Hirren is built from local wood, using the stunted trees that they cannot use to build ships to extend their houses. The houses are made from straightened logs, and built at about 1.3 metres above ground level.
Much of the town is old, and the buildings, although pained, show some signs of aging, but in recent years, there has been an explosion of interest, meaning that a whole new sector has been built, stretching far further out into the swamp than before.
All of the houses are reasonably large, and detached from each other, they house on average around 4 people each, although if they were filled they could house up to around 8.
Ships and Boats[/u]
Almost all of the smaller vessels are built from local timber, split and curved in unique techniques used only by the people of Hirren. Because they have no regular source of metal, they must either trade for it, or bring it in from the raids on ships. Some of the ships that they capture are dismantled and rebuilt in a way deemed worthy by those of Hirren.
The ships of Hirren are known throughout Septrem as being the fastest and strongest, and also the most expensive. The ships are light and fast, armed to the teeth with cannons, filled with secret storage areas, perfect for a pirate to use.
The ships tend to be made from imported timber, as the trees that grow in the area are often too small or too warped for them to be used in the very complex ships. Instead, they often import wood from the ancient forest or even the forest that grows near the coast to their east, as it is far closer.
There is always a large number of ships in the docks, and on land being repaired in the boatyard. The harbour is busy, crowded with boats large and small, after all, it is their main source of income, and they must always have spare ready should anything go wrong.