Ryde Hill
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Ryde Hill

Ryde Hill

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A medium city along Toll Road 12

Score 2322

11/17/22

Ryde Hill is a good-sized town sitting on the edge of the wilds. 

Ryde Hill’s residents produce most of their own food, but the town does have a grocer and several shops that provide bread, meat, and other food products. It’s quite common for townspeople to get at least some portion of their daily food and drink from these businesses, and this is especially true of the skilled craftspeople.

 

1 Main Gate

2 Inside the Main Gate

3 Gatekeeper;s House

4 Wainwright’s Shop

5 Coldstone Bridge

6 Grezen Gold’s Warehouses and Stables

7 Ryde Hill Mill

8 Brickmaker’s Trail

9 Bakers Corner

10 Ryde Hill Bakery

11 Glassblower's Shop

12 Fegel’s Butcher Shop

13 Market Street

14 Furniture Maker

15 Leatherworker

16 Moneylender

17 Ryde Hill Outfitter

18 Evwyn’s Cheese Shop

19 Market Square

20 Ryde Hill Market

21 Green Briar Tavern

22 Ryde Hill Trading Post

23 Old Oak Stage

24 Wool Trader

25 The Keep

26 Old Forester’s Manor

27 Eastern Lakeshore

28 Abandoned Winery

29 Grezen Gold’s Emporium

30 Gold’s Estates

31 The Lodge Road

32 Mayor’s House

33 The Count's Hunting Lodge

34 Temple Road

35 Northland Brewery

36 Broadfoot’s Grocery

37 Stallman's Smithy

38 Temple Crossroad

39 Cooper’s Workshop

40 Temple Road

41 Carpenter's Workshop

42 Cemetery

43 Gravedigger's Cottage

44 Temple of Soliri

45 Dwarf Corner

46 Dor Ternvald Brygerhem

47 Dwarftown

48 Stonemason’s Workshop

49 Woodcarver's Workshop

50 Cliffside Crossing

51 Alchemist's Shop

52 Wizard’s Workshop

53 Potter's Shop

54 Smithy

55 Switchback Trail

56 Butcher’s Home and Slaughterhouse

57 Abernathy Corner

58 Farmer’s Gate

59 Herbalist's Shop

60 Brickmaker’s Workshop

61 Wheeler Family Lodge

62 Grezen’s Manor

MORE TO COME

112 Forest Gate

113 Old Stone Circle

115 Upper Lake

116 West Water Gate

117 Westwood

118 Grotto

119 Lower Lake

120 Crawler Caves

121 Echo Cave

122 Tanner

123 Elf Bridge

126 Forester’s Cave

128 River Gate Towers

135 Castlekeep Cave

137 Eastwood

138 The Old Manor

139 North Watergate

140 Burned Lodge

 

 

LEADERSHIP AND PUBLIC SERVANTS  

No noble lord or lady rules Ryde Hill. Rather, a collection of appointed officers carry out the documented will of the late Count 

The Duke’s Seneschal

Lord Drakewyn Crestleford, the Seneschal of Ryde Hill, is the Count’s representative. He is charged with the application of justice and control of the county’s administration. The current seneschal, Crandell Crestleford, is quite old. Before the Count’s death, he had intended to retire. Now, he feels he has no choice but to remain in his post until a new Count is named and they can appoint a new, younger seneschal.

Crestleford once traveled extensively around the county to inspect the Count’s holdings, but due to his advanced age and deteriorating health, he no longer leaves Tatarton.

Mayor The mayor’s duty is to see that the lord’s wishes, in this case, the wishes of the late Count of Tatarton, are carried out, and the town is administered according to his intentions before his death. The mayor also sits in judgment of legal and civil disputes. Finally, it is the mayor’s duty to run council meetings.
 
Ryde Hill’s mayor is appointed by the town council. Although the appointment is by vote, to call it an election is inaccurate since one does not have to run for the office to be appointed to it. The current mayor of   Ryde Hill  is a 65-year-old human man named Yurgin Hayward. Typically, a person only holds the position for a year or two at most, but in the case of Mayor Hayward, the council has repeatedly appointed him over the past 25 years. This is due in no small part to Hayward’s even-handed approach to both big and small problems and his objective, impartial stance on most issues.
 

Council

The council’s primary responsibility is to manage the day-to-day affairs of the town. This includes maintenance of public works, collecting taxes, and provisioning for the town’s security. The mayor oversees the council to ensure that their actions are in line with the desires of the lord Seneschal.
 
Ryde Hill's council consists of six representatives from the community. Although the seats are initially filled by lottery from a pool of likely candidates selected by the council, once filled, they are often passed down to a chosen successor. As long as the council continues to manage the town effectively, most townspeople have no issue with this process, but on a few occasions, a council member who failed in their responsibilities has been ousted by the mayor, the other council members, or the populace.

The current members and their locations are:
• Malia Ablehand (10)
• Lord Borlin Drezel (an out-of-towner who holds a
ceremonial position on the council) (Kjent)
• Vida Elgenkett (21)
• Grezen Gold (29)
• Joachim Ordlin (7)
• Brother Basil Underwood (44)
 

Chief Constable

The chief constable‘s duties are to enforce the law within the town’s borders, organize the town watch, and command the local militia. In times of need, they may appoint temporary deputy constables to assist them. The chief constable is elected in an open, show-of-hands election and continues to hold the post at the town’s pleasure as long as they are deemed fit to serve. The chief constable’s jurisdiction ends at the town walls. The current chief constable of Ryde Hill is Gerald Pack.

Forester

Where the chief constable enforces the law within the city walls, the forester enforces the law in the land surrounding the town. In particular, they must see that the forests are managed in accordance with the duke’s wishes. If a person breaks the forest laws, or if a criminal from town flees into the surrounding countryside, it is the forester’s duty to bring the individuals to justice.

The post of Forester is appointed by the county’s warden. After the debacle with the previous forester, the Warden appointed a man named Morgan Candlewick. He selected Candlewick not only due to his notable skill as a ranger but also because of Candlewick’s unassuming personality and preference for solitude. The Warden wished to avoid repeating the problems caused by the previous forester’s ambitions.

In times of need, the forester can appoint woodwards to aid them. These are the equivalent of the chief constable’s deputies. The post of woodward is temporary in theory, but in lands such as those around Ryde Hill, where there is a great deal of territory to patrol, many woodwards hold their positions for extended periods.


Town Watch

Every able-bodied person in Ryde Hill is expected to spend time each year as a member of the town watch. The town has a meager supply of weapons and armor (enough for about eight people) that are used to outfit citizens when they execute their time on watch. The watch has a twelve-person roster, with six assigned to the Day Watch and six to the Night Watch.

Town Militia

In times of war, it is expected that the chief constable will organize a militia to defend the town and serve the count. Every able-bodied person is expected to own a bow and know how to shoot it. Each person must demonstrate their skills biannually to the chief constable. Failure to pass the tests, which are relatively simple, may lead to time in the stocks, imprisonment, or a sentence of service.

Ryde Hill Regulars

Captain Drussard of the Ryde Hill Regulars

The Ryde Hill Regulars are a mercenary company who have taken residence in Ride Hill and are under contract with the Seneschal. They are promised accommodations and are given a stipend in exchange for being on call for their martial services, to aid the Ranger and the Town Watch in times of need. The Regulars always maintain at least 20 experienced fighters and hold barracks in town. They are sometimes called to patrol the region and also join military units from nearby settlements when called. They have a solid reputation, known for valor. They also know that to break any of the local laws would be to jeopardize the honor of the company, and the company's judgment and punishment is harsher than any civil authority.
 

Law and Order

Within the town walls, the law is enforced by Chief Constable Pack, the town watch, and any deputies the constable has appointed. Outside the town walls, the law is enforced by Forester Candlewick and any woodwards he has appointed.

“Do No Harm”

The legal system of the county is relatively complex. The complexity exists because it is designed to protect people equally under the law, no matter their station. In practice, the complexity means that in outland settlements like Ryde Hill, the law is often boiled down to the simple adage of “do no harm.”

Weapons and Armor

Of particular importance to adventurers are laws governing the ownership and use of military weapons and armor. Those of noble blood may carry weapons as they will and wear what armor they choose. This is true throughout Tatarton County. In the dangerous outlands, this law has never held much weight.
 
This is especially true with the increased sightings of dangerous creatures and even skorn in the wilds. It’s unlikely that a forester or chief constable in a town like Ryde Hill will take issue with someone wearing armor or wielding war weapons in the lands they patrol.
 

It’s important to note that there is a distinct difference between legal and acceptable. Although it might be legal for a person to carry a broadsword and wear plate armor, doing so while shopping at the market or hanging out in the tavern puts people on edge and will negatively color the reaction of people the character interacts with. Weapons are made for war, and displaying them in town is an obvious show of power, and used only with the walls for murder.

 
Imagine that a person from our world walked into a store wearing full combat gear and carrying a loaded assault rifle. You can probably imagine the response. The reaction in Aetaltis to a comparative show of arms in public might be slightly less dramatic, but that sort of gear has one use—fighting to the death. That’s no way to start a friendly conversation.

Judgment

Simple cases are tried on the spot by whatever law enforcement official confronts the lawbreaker. Caught urinating in public? No need for a judge. You’re off to the stocks. Fighting in the street? No court case is required; that’s a sentence of service. Just meet at the Old Oak Stage (the large stump in the center of town) at daybreak for your assignment.
 
For more complicated cases, or for simple cases where the accused resists their punishment, the mayor sits in judgment. This is typically a casual affair. Everyone shows up at the Old Oak Stage (in good weather) or the tavern (in bad) at the appointed time. The mayor hears the story from both sides and makes a decision.

For serious offenses, such as murder, the same process is followed, although in some cases, the mayor may elect to send the accused south to the Lord at Kjent, or even to Tatarton Castle for judgment. This is at the discretion of the mayor, not the accused.

There is an appeal process in Tatarton County, but to take advantage of it, one must either wait for one of the traveling, truth-reading priests of Wodon to come through town or move the case to a larger court. This is a lengthy process and usually involves the accused sitting in the town jail for a long period of time. There is no bail in Tatarton County. In addition, it is rare that such an appeal results in a positive outcome for the accused, so the option is used sparingly.

Punishment

No matter the crime, there are a number of tried-and-true punishments favored in outland towns like Ryde Hill.

Fines

The guilty party is fined an amount equal to roughly double the cost of their actions. The cost of actions is determined by the mayor. In cases of stolen or damaged goods, this is relatively simple to calculate. In the case of lost work or other intangible costs, the amount of the fine is at the mayor’s discretion.

Time in the stocks

The point of the stocks is to publicly humiliate a person. It’s also a way of announcing to the community that a person may need to be watched. Finally, it offers the aggrieved an opportunity to safely confront the guilty party.

Disturbances of the peace are typically punished with time in the stocks. Fights that don’t end in serious injury, lewd acts, public drunkenness, or just general trouble-making are all crimes where the stocks get employed as punishment. Normally a day or two in the stocks is considered sufficient in these cases.

Time in the stocks may also accompany more serious crimes. The time is significantly longer in these cases, possibly a week or more.

Service

Some crimes may be punished with sentences of service. The guilty party may have to repair roads, work on the city walls, or spend time working on other public works projects. Sentences may last a few days or a few months, depending on the severity of the crime.

Exile

Any person who is a continued nuisance may be exiled from the town. This is typical in cases where no one is at real risk of harm, but the actions of the person are so disruptive that it is best to remove them from the community. In the case of exile, the person is given enough food and water for a three-day journey (if they can’t supply themselves for the trip), taken down to the Crossroads (a point southeast of town on the road), and sent on their way.

Imprisonment

People in Ryde Hill are only imprisoned if they are too dangerous to go free, are awaiting execution, or are being sent south to Tatarton Castle or Kjent. There is no concept of jail time in Ryde Hill since the town doesn’t have a jail.

Execution

They’ve executed people in Ryde Hill before, and they’ll probably have to do it again. Almost the only crime that results in execution is murder. The typical method of execution is hanging until dead. Executions are held at the Crossroads, and the body is left hanging for a day or two before being removed.

Economy and Trade

Ryde Hill’s economy suffered somewhat after the count and his noble guests ended their annual hunting trips to the town, but it’s still a good-sized town and has a relatively strong economy. Improvements to Ryde Hill’s infrastructure, paid for by the count, continue to serve the community well.

Ryde Hill Market

On the second day of each week, people arrive from the nearby outposts and villages to trade. The town also hosts a market on religious holidays, when many people travel to Ryde Hill to visit the temple.

The market and market day are equal parts economic opportunity and social gathering. It provides people with a way to connect with each other in an area where many live practically in isolation. It’s a time to meet with friends, gather news, engage in romantic trysts, settle grudges, or celebrate important community events such as weddings or births. 

 Shops and Services

Thanks to its history, Ryde Hill offers a wider variety of shops and services than ones of this size normally found nearby. Most shops are open from sun up until sun down, although some businesses (the tavern and baker for instance) stay open later or start work earlier. 

Buying and Selling

Characters can buy most goods at list price and sell goods for half of list price. Bartering and negotiation is common. 

Trade Goods

For most goods, use the standard price list for trade goods provided in the Items and Equipment section of the Obsidian Portal Pages. The following tables list adjusted prices for goods that are more or less expensive in Ryde Hill due to supply and demand. TO BE DETAILED LATER.
 
 
 

CHARGING TAXES

Tax collection in Ryde Hill is a subjective business, and it’s generally accepted that taxes are open to negotiation. More than one shepherd has claimed that the one scrawny sheep in their flock shouldn’t count since it barely makes a mark on the road. There are also regular arguments about what consists of a barrel of goods.

TAXES AND FEES

Per man (on foot) 

1 cp

  

Per riding animal

 2 cp  

Per draft animal

 3 cp  

Per fivefold sheep

 1 cp  

Per goat

 1 cp  

Per threefold swine

 2 cp  

Per wheel or runner

 3 cp  

Per barrel of goods

 1 cp  

No Wagons, Barrows, Carts, or Sledges Permitted After Mid-Day Except by Special Order of the Mayor

 

A LAND OF PLENTY

 

Much of the land around Ryde Hill would have been converted to farms to support the town. The problem with that approach is that we want to create the sense that the dark and mysterious forest surrounds this island of civilization. The magically enchanted farmland in the lower portion of the town is supported by far fewer farms, thus retaining that aura of mystery. It also lets the site support a larger town than it normally might, providing services, specialists, and shops necessary to support a locale set in a place far enough away from civilization to offer lots of opportunities.

Farms

The southern end of Ryde Hill is rich farmland. The wide, open space between the Coldstone River and Fall Creek is astonishingly fertile. Crops grow in abundance, and harvests never seem to fail there. The bounty provided by these farms is due in no small part to magic. It is said that when the elves first built their settlement here, they turned the lower portion of the town into a grand garden. Powerful enchantments were cast upon the land, and plants that grow here thrive and survive despite sudden changes in weather, blight, and other events that threaten crops.

Forests

The forests around Ryde Hill consist primarily of deciduous trees such as oaks and maples. Pines are also found throughout the forest. The mix favors deciduous trees near Ryde Hill. For most of the year, the forest floor is heavy with ferns. Some varieties of ferns reach heights of three or four feet.

Mountain streams are found throughout the forest, rushing down from the high mountains, which are capped with snow throughout the year. Caves are also found throughout the forest. Many of these are shallow, but some connect to larger complexes, and a few almost certainly provide entrances to the Deeplands. In the case of these natural caverns, it is unlikely that the entrances are warded.

Hedgerows

Most of the farms and some of the houses use hawthorn hedgerows to mark the edge of their property. A hedgerow stands six to ten feet tall and is between two and four feet thick. Climbing a hedgerow is dangerous due to the dagger-like thorns, and cutting through a hedge row is extremely difficult.

Ponds

Ryde Hill boasts two fair-sized ponds. These are fed from Trout Creek, which enters the town from the west, and a spring in the upper pond. The constantly moving water keeps both ponds fresh and clean, ensuring a rich stock of fish and eels. The fish are native to the ponds, but the eels were imported by the nobles that visited Ryde Hill. At least once a year, an eel cull is mounted to prevent the rapidly reproducing eels from overwhelming the fish population.

Roads

Toll Road 12 cuts through Ryde Hill. The road is also called Kjent Road. A few hours down this road is the crossroads, home to Ryde Hill’s infamous hanging tree, and the place where exiles are cast out of the town. If one follows Tatarton Road north for another two or three days beyond the crossroads, they will arrive at Tatarton Castle and the County Seat. West, past the Crossroads leads to Kjent where The Count’s Way leads north to meet up with Tatarton Castle. The Count’s Way has fallen into disrepair in recent years, but thanks to the work performed when the Count frequented Ryde Hill, it is still quite a good road, not as maintained as the Toll Road. Tatarton Road, which heads north from the crossroads, is far less traveled.

About an hour south of the crossroads are a few small farms and a day’s journey beyond that is the tiny village of Leegen’s Hold. It goes on to Ellsmere hold and Lake Argos, the inland sea. The road is in terrible condition south of the farms. After each heavy rain, the road turns into a nearly impassable stream of mud, and it is so pitted with potholes when dry that walking beside the road is typically easier than walking on it.

TOWN WALL

The wall surrounding Ryde Hill consists of two types: stone walls, and the thorny hedge wall.

Hedge Wall

Most of the wall surrounding Ryde Hill is the old hedge wall, planted by the elves who founded the first settlement on this site near the beginning of the current age. The plant used to create the wall is a vine-like evergreen with large, dangerous thorns. Its leaves are dark green in the spring and summer, but turn scarlet in late autumn and grey in the winter. Despite the best efforts of scholars, no one has been able to identify the plant used to create the wall. It produces no seeds, and any attempts to take cuttings for transplanting have failed.

The plant’s stems and branches are massive. The largest examples are four to five feet in diameter, but most are about as thick as a human’s arm. The branches are so thickly intertwined that even a mouse might be hard-pressed to squeeze through.

Thanks to the fey magic that created the wall, it never grows beyond its original boundaries. If it is damaged, it will regrow to fill the space. This process is exceptionally slow, however, which is why stone replacement walls were built to fill the wall’s gaps.

Stone Walls

Long before the Count started his trips to Ryde Hill, the local trappers and hunters filled the gaps in the Ryde Hill with stockade fencing. When the Count built his lodge in the town, however, he ordered his engineers and masons to construct solid stone walls. These are sturdy and well-made, with towers, land gates, and barred water gates included. They help to ensure the security of the town, and that security is part of the reason it has maintained such a large population in such an out-of-the-way place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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