Bridgetown:
This small community is developing along the Southern Trade Route at the river crossing, five days south of Boga City and seven days north of South Road Fair. There is an ancient stone bridge crossing the river, suspected to have been built in the previous age by the Yahdram. The community began as a mere tavern, constructed by an adventurous, Centrin entrepreneur out of Boga City, due to the convenience of the location as a resting point for caravans passing between Boga City and Asylim. The river provides good water and good fishing. The tavern was built using timber and labor brought up from South Road Fair.
Government:
This community is still small enough that no specific government system exists. Because the proprietor of the tavern, Gastrobon, was the first on the site, others, who have come later, defer to him, and he considers everything from a business management point of view. The community is voluntarily being operated like a corporation of small businesses to the betterment of profitability. Though all business leaders defer to Gastrobon, matters are discussed collectively, with final approval being his. The community has no official militia or guards.
Levels of Technology:
The overt indicators for the expression of technology with any given society are represented by construction, fashion, and weaponry. The subtle indicators are communication and art. This developing community is still dependent upon Boga City and South Road Fair for any manufacturing that is not related to agriculture. Some specific farming is being pursued, rather than always sending out foragers, particularly with various types of squash, that the local people call melons. The common language is Centrin, but places of interest are marked with placards rather than words.
Economics:
The base currency is a metal coin, manufactured in Boga City, made from ocrin, an alloy of tin and zinc, and is simply called by the name of that alloy. There is a second coin, valued at 10 Ocrins, made from Harnin, an alloy of iron and zinc, which is called a Deck. All trade is expressed in terms of Ocrins.
Trade is not often conducted with the regular caravans that pass through, as necessary tools and construction materials are acquired, when needed, by deliberate expedition of a local wagoneer or two. The tavern is the main source of outside income, as the caravaners, when stopping to rest, will make a point of eating the fine fare that is offered, especially pies and breads, made from the various locally grown crops, and baked fish, collected from the river. Corn, which grows naturally and prolifically as the forest gives way to the prairie, to the north and the south, is gathered by collectors, who operate the newly constructed grist mill. Wheat and barley are usually purchased from Boga City. Due to the convenience of the location, several stone ovens have been constructed in a plaza area outside of the tavern, and the reputation for the quality of the food is spreading. There are outside dining tables placed on the same plaza, which allow customers the privilege of smelling all and seeing some of the cooking, while enjoying a meal. The ambiance created by such an idea has become popular, even the locals like to sit down and eat there.
The tavern is located on the northern side of the bridge and the western side of the road, within sight of the where the smaller stream, upon which the bridge and town are built, joins the main river, farther to the west. The oven plaza is adjacent to and on the western side of the tavern, farther from the road. The daily operations of the tavern and customer service are overseen by Merita, a Centrin woman and the heartmate of Gastrobon, who manages the actual cooking, doing much of it himself.
The grist mill, operated by Grandon, a Centrin man, is on the northern side of the bridge and a few hundred strides upstream to the east.
Pumpkins are grown on the northern side of the bridge and the eastern side of the road, where the crop can be seen in passing. The town even has a festival dedicated to the harvesting of the pumpkins. Trees had to be cleared to make space for farming. All agricultural ventures are overseen by Farlen and Hortica, a Centrin couple.
A great amount of fishing is done by each respective family to collect meat for its own consumption, but a collective effort is done using canoes and nets. The collective fishing, which can interfere with individual catches, is scheduled and announced to the town. This process is managed and overseen by Killian, a Spiofthest man, who moves the operation to different locations along the river to maximize his catch and minimize the interference upon the other town members. With a silk supply coming in from South Road Fair, better nets are being stitched using it, instead of the more rudimentary gut material.
Theology:
Somewhat loosely adhering to the centralized belief system that was solidified by a collective populace, in Boga City, of Centrins and Spiofthests, most business venturing individuals are particularly interested in the minor deities spawned by Benevolence and Malevolence, especially the opposing deities of Fortune and Misfortune. Special homage is paid and favor asked of Fortune, using a particular ritual that involves tossing a coin over one's own shoulder into water. It is believed that the request has a better chance of being rewarded if that water has a definitive current. With the local convenience of a bridge constructed over a clear running stream, there is even an official ceremony performed by Gastrobon, Grandon, Killian, Farlen, and Hortica, once each Cycle, when both moons are full.
