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AshtonAshton is a city in Stonegate that frequently hosts public gatherings. It is located in the Barony of Ashton?, County of Oakwood?, Principality of Emuria?. HistoryAshton was founded several decades ago as a small roadside trading post, but it was destroyed in early 598 ER. Ashton was rebuilt as a larger town a few miles to the west by the summer of 598 and began to host public gatherings. Under the rulership of the Emurian Empire, life in Ashton was harsh. Oppressive laws, high taxes and martial law meant that even everyday tasks were illegal (possibly even capitol crimes) without expensive permits. In July 598, Alarain Oakmoore, Prince of the Erluun Elves, lead a revolt against the Imperial government in Ashton. Backed by the Black Jackal Brigade, he chased the Imperial government out of Ashton and lead Ashton as an independent City-State in open rebellion against Emuria for around two years. In 600 ER, Ashton joined Stonegate as the Barony of Ashton. GeographyAshton sits at the western edge of Emuria, near the King's Road leading to Dylleria. It is at the base of a small mountain chain and just south of Lake Sarum, a small stream forms the southern border of the town. Traditionally it has been the first stop in Emuria for travelers coming from the west. The mountains to the north of Ashton have a number of caves that are home to trolls, and local barbarian tribes. The prosperous Kimbosaun Farm just outside of town provides much of the food needs for the area. PoliticsThe first ruler of Ashton was a Magistrate of the Emurian Empire, but he was deposed within a month. Alarain Oakmoore then ruled as "Lord of Ashton" until Ashton became a part of Stonegate, when he became "Baron of Ashton". When he left to lead the Erluun Elves, Baronial title fell to Baern Dragonfang, Commander of the Black Jackal Brigade. Baern Dragonfang was dismissed from Baronial position in 603 for habitually failing to attend gatherings in his own town, and a drake named Avalanche was appointed Baron briefly, before being replaced by the Baroness Fiona Ravendale. Under the leadership of Fiona Ravendale, Ashton grew and prospered as the richest and most powerful city in Stonegate. When Baroness Ravendale met her permanent death in late 606, she was replaced by Baron Valimar Oakenbrow. The ruler of Ashton, whether as an independent city-state or a Stonegate Barony, has always had a court of minor lords and knights in his service. Notable members of the court of Ashton have included Sir Steiner (a knight from the Evendarrian Duchy of Elysia who fought for the independence of Ashton in the initial rebellion against Emuria), Lord Dow (who was lost when he threw himself into the timestream to save Ashton from a True Tyrran Dragon), and Lord Merchant (later Lord High Warden of Stonegate) Garret Starlen (a wealthy merchant who died under mysterious circumstances in 602). The Black Jackal Brigade has always been a major force in Ashton, providing services as the local garrison and town guard, continuing in those roles to some extent even after Ashton joined Stonegate and Stonegate forces arrived to fill that role. Guilds and CommerceCurrently Ashton is serviced by the Stonegate Guild System, which provides access to ritual circles of both Earth and Celestial Magic and extensive workshops. Before the Stonegate Guild System, Ashton had the Ashton Celestial Guild, Ashton Healer's Guild, Ashton Thieves Guild and Ashton Merchant's Guild. As a center of commerce in Stonegate, merchants come from far and wide to sell in Ashton. Many gatherings include a "market day" where a public building (warded and guarded by Stonegate soldiers) is used as an open market place for any who wish to sell wares of any legal sort. The tavern in Ashton was originally called the Garnet Griffin, but in recent years was renamed The Broken Chalice. For many years there was a general adventuring goods store called The Happy Hamster downstairs below the Black Jackal Brigade barracks, but it has been closed for the last few years. |