Fort 44

Welcome to North March Fort #44

Built about 50 years ago by the Empire Expansion Force.  It follows a very standard plan. The walls are stone 10ft thick by 20ft tall. The towers are 35ft square, with an inside room of about 15x15ft. The gate houses have an inner and outer set of doors with a middle portcullis and murder holes.  The corner towers each have a small ballista mounted on them. Also there is a outer ditch with spikes (not marked on map).  


A-Block near the front gate includes; 3 long halls each able to house 50 troops and a stable with small animal yard.   
Each of the long halls has a front room for living that includes a kitchen and tables, also a back room for washing that includes toilets, baths and laundry. There are 5 midsections each housing a squad of 10 men. There is a basement, with stairs front and back, that holds supplies for the troops (and usually a dozen cats to keep the mice away).  There is no central kitchen or dining hall for the Fort.
B-Block near the back gate is a mirror image. In total the fort can house 300 troops, comfortably.

At the center is a 100ft flagstone square with a well. 

North of the square are the command buildings, including a house for the Captain, a hall for administrative functions and storage of special items, also a long hall for anyone not attached to a fighting squad, like the Fort's wizard. Rooms here are more generous than those for the troops.
South of the square are the work shops for weapons and armor, there is also a stand alone storage house for flammable goods. There is supposed to be a supply of raw materials on hand to replace the equipment of 50 troops.

Although the garrison is listed as 100 men, this is slightly misleading. There are 10 fighting squads, each of 10 men. Plus about 20 support personnel; the Captain & his staff of 3, the Wizard & his apprentice, the weapons smith & armor smith, both with an assistant, the heavy weapons expert & his assistant, the doctor & his assistant, and the stable master. 


Outside Accommodations.
Empire army rules require all active troops live in the fort. However officers may have an outside "off duty" residence also. Discipline of troops not sleeping in their own beds is up to the Commander.  Troops are not allowed to marry until they retire. (they may be married when they join up, but this is unusual) They may have a local girlfriend, but the Empire owes her no widow's compensation. 
Retirement housing is provided near the fort for troops not wishing to return to the homeland. 

Havala Village 2

Village Council.

Any resident of the Havala area over the age of 50 has a seat on the council, a voice and vote. However in practice a council of 12 holds the regular monthly meetings that deal with the basic business of the community. This includes the resolving of disputes in a legal fashion. Capital offences, now fall under Imperial law and require the Fort commander act as judge and the council act as jury.

The 12 councillors are; Miller Munch, Tallina of the Tavern or her husband, Alton Baff the alchemist, old Bob of d’Barrels, Chief Cleric of the Church, farmer Alber the elder, Gevell of the Clothing shop, Mr Writter of the Arena, Mr Sellsin the Banker, Grandma Tina Marina of the Bidgit family, old Smith retired Black Smith, “Sir” Derk of the militia.

Village Militia

Next to the East & West gates are the watch towers, across the road are the village stables & store houses. These are maintained by the militia, a volunteer force of about 20 men. “Sir” Derk is the captain of this guard force, the son of an actual knight. He still holds to much of the old tradition, even though the Empire abolished knighthood.

The militia is responsible for keeping general order in the village and investigating any crimes. Most of the actual investigation is done by Derk’s daughter Anna, who is relentlessly curious.

The Shadow Council

Although there are no real guilds in Havala, there is an unofficial cabal of related business owners, those concerned with entertainment & tourism. Members include; Mr Writter of the Arena, who is partners with the brothers Are & Air. Madam Tallina of the Tavern, who seems to always know what is going on. Mr Baff the alchemist, who owns the bath house – healing hall. Mr Gossling of the Evening Duck Inn and Mr Porkins of the Wild Pig Inn. Also Mr Garry of the Game Shop.

Both the Tavern, especially its upstairs brothel, and Game Shop, with its betting window, draw over half their business from the soldiers at the Fort. By agreement, the Inns do not have musical entertainment, unless a customer starts a sing along. The performers of Are & Air do frequently put on mini shows at the Tavern. While the Arena is host to a Saturday afternoon variety show and a Sunday afternoon sporting event.

Havala Village

 

Havala Village in detail

1. Stables & Storage

2. Wild Pig Inn

3. Evening Duck Inn

4. Tallina’s Tavern & Brothel

5. The Arena – home of Are & Air performance company

6. The Church, with chapter house

7. The Miller’s compound

8. William’s Black Smiths shop

9. Ann & Sisters Brewers shop

10. Trever’s Tanners shop

11. Mr. Potter’s Pottery shop

12. Bob’s Barrel shop

13. Brenda’s Bakery

14. Frell’s Finest Foods

15. Krupt’s carts & wheels

16. Hopman’s Shoe Shop

17. Decker’s Fine Carpentry shop

18. Far & Wide Clothing

19. Timon’s Tack & Saddles

20. Big statue of the gods

21. Pevel’s Paper making shop

22. Marvin the Mason’s shop

23. The Banker

24. Garry’s Game shop

25. Kelly’s Candles

26. Regel’s Barber shop

27. The Animal Doctor

28. Millisa the Midwife

There is a good variety of craft shops with in the village, but usually just one of each. 

 

Haval Creek

Welcome to the Village of Havala

History in Brief.

Up until 50 years ago this area was under the ownership of House Navic, a minor feudal lord. Then the Empire expanded to take control of the area, making it part of the North March. There were 2 battles for control of Havala, the locals lost both. As per usual, the Empire abolished the feudal titles and granted any loyal former nobles a sizable estate of privet property. 

The eldest Navic son, Relmon refused to accept the conquest. He became a rebel, an outlaw. Most acts of banditry in the area are attributed to him or his descendants, who are said to live in the West Woods.  The younger Navic son, Edmon did pledge loyalty and received Nobson hall as his estate. Although he stayed very quiet, his descendants have gotten more involved in local politics. 

The Fort, #44 of the March, was built to house 300 troops, and all the basic military infrastructure. After the 5 years of stabilization, the garrison was reduced to 100 troops and has stayed at that level for most of the time. The current Captain of the Fort is Mettel Sereus. He is a stern old man, who goes by the book. He has served as commander for 7 years now and will be retiring soon. 

Over the past few decades there have been very few events of historical significance. 

Basic Population Data.

There are 70 homes in the village itself, with 30 farms outside the wall, in the crescent area and another 10 farms along the river. For a total of around 600 people. That number does not include the Fort and its retirement row of houses, which adds about 160 more people to the area. 

Most interesting feature.

Under the Navic old castle, deep in the hill is a spring that trickles forth water with healing abilities. In the old days control of the spring gave added power to the local Lord. Today the spring is controlled by the alchemist Alton Baff, who made a deal with the Empire for its exclusive use. 

Alton came to the area about 20 years ago and soon set up shop in a hillside cave. A few years later he had a large bath house built so that people could enjoy the cleansing healing waters. This became a good money making tourist attraction. 

Imperial Policy.

Stability is a major motivational force for the March. The Empire does not care about exerting much control over the locals, so long as the area stays peaceful ( towards the Empire ). In this regard the past 50 years have been rather enjoyable. Taxes are very light and not much demanded of the people. Many of whom found their lives made better with the establishment of the feudal system. A lot of land was simply given to the former peasants. 

Having said that, it should be noted that Havala's official reason to exist is to provide supplies to the Fort. Basic goods like food and wood, leather and wool, are taken in taxation. 

The village may govern its own affairs, using a council of elders, however the Fort commander will have ultimate authority -in the name of the Empire- to act for the common good. He may veto any ruling made by the local council if necessary.  The council may appeal to the Governor if it feels a commander is misusing his authority. 

Other features on the map.

   
The grave yard is located at the foot of Druid's Hill (DraShiTor Dana) ontop of which is a circle of standing stones that are said to have been there for 500 years. Also legend has it there is an ancient burial ground in the caves deep under the hill.

Zelethon Hall; Just west of the village, is a small estate with a very large decorative house. It is owned by a retired adventurer, from a distant land, who arrived to settle down 30 years ago.  Zelethon considers himself wise and well educated, a lover of high culture.  He did travel a lot in his younger days and his house is full of exotic art and trinkets from far and wide.

Nobson Hall; Located on the south road, not far from the old castle is the rather large estate of "young master" Edmon, who is now 62. Naturally the place is run by his descendants. Some of whom are happy to work under the Imperial system. Others long for the old days when their family ruled. 

Retirement Row; Across the road from Nobson Hall is a row of small farms. Land here is given to soldiers who wish to retire in this village, often because they have taken a wife here. Ofcourse most troops prefer to go back to the civilized lands to retire.