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Description
Trade is the order of business...

<<>>

Year 6 - Hearthfell was settling down after five years that, looking back on, seemed so much shorter. not a day had gone by where something was happening.
If it hadn't have been for the steady flow of new arrivals they doubted their new home would be half of what it is now.
But the flow was diminishing, and with the larger size of the Village, improvments would be at a slower pace, though it would likely never cease.

Hearthfell was prospering, that was a fact, the small amount of trade was doing well; the stock of food was in excess; the Palisade and stone wall was protecting everyone the people from the roaming Orcs, along with the growing amount of guards.

The Future was a concern still, it always seemed to on the Agenda; Many of the council, who had come to Hearthfell had never intended to be such prominent figures, it was just a matter of working together, but after almost 6 years they were not planting; caring for livestock; building; whittling away or hunting; they spent many hours in the Council Hall discussing 'important matters'.

At times someone gave up their position, only for a new member to take their place, but the majority still consisted of the founders.
But that was not to say they were in other ways the same people they had been five years ago.
The Council had its prominent figures who pushed agendas; had settled in to their 'status', which compared to being a farmer or a woodsman was an easy life. They rarely had to do work outside of the hall beyond supervising projects. While in the hall, the council would also discuss laws, and serve judgment when they were broken.

As such excess in food was given to the members of the Council, as a form of gift of gratitude, or honorary taxation on the excess supplies.

As the year passed by, and the Annual Hearthfell Festival passed by once again the push for the direction of the village continues in the hall.

As always the push for a growing defense was being advocted by the usual members, though their support had waned after some sucesses and the wall constrution going well.
This did not sit well, but they had little choice, instead the focus had now begun to focus around trade; it had been going well, and coins were being brought in steadily, though the exchange of goods was still the most used.
Wealth had not been a major concern, it was getting what they needed, but now what they needed were goods that required money, for the most part; goods for the people to enjoy, rather than require.

To some it seemed like a frivilous cause; the gathering of wealth had not been an establishing principal of Hearthfells founding.
But with traders coming, small businesses starting up one by one, the argument was eventually lost.

The first move was to establish what they had to trade.

With an excess of food stock, some farms began reducing their food seed, and began planting other seeds such as Cotton, and sunflowers.
Animal farmers were already growing their animal numbers. Sheep provided an abundane of wool, but wool exports were low.

As production moved from food to goods, it was decided that the northern side of the river needed tobe protected as more people settled outside of the walls, due to Hearthfells growing population of homes.

Orcs attacks were less frequent this year, but beasts still roamed the woodlands nearby.

By winter the first new section of Palisade was completed, using some of the older palisade in parts, as the Stone wall replaced it.

Trade had not yet grown much, and with the coming of winter, it would likely not see much growth.

Year 7.
With the coming of spring, Heartfell was abuz with new planting, and new construction.

Clay was being gathered from further up the river and used in pottery, it had been in a small number since a decent deposit was found by scouts. But now, potters were taking up the helm of production; shops were opening in the village square turning former homes in shops, and building new ones.
Iron was was still being brought in, but being used for more varied iron works, though most on a local level, but helped with other trades growth.
The dock was expanded in little by little, as a new one was being built with wood to accomodate a second ship that would arrive in between visits from their usual trade ship.

Goods continued to grow, and trade slowly increased.
Pressure was placed on the already hard working people to increase production.
Work on the wall slowed as many took up apprentiships in various other trades.

Noticing the increase in trade was slow, the council made a decision.
Speaking with the Dwarves and Elves that they knew well and had now been trading with for several years, they took the time to create new deals to supply culturally created goods for Traders of Hearthfell to trade with.

The Elves were hesistant at first; trading more than neccessities had never been considered, as they preferred to keep their arts and culture to themselves.
But with a few Elven residents already influencing a minor cultural 'exchange', they eventually agreed to a limited trade deal.
THe Dwarves on the otherhand were more than excited for the prospect of a wider growth in trade.
They made promises of dwarven jewellry, Dwarven styled weapons, and most proudly... Dwarven Ale!

Dwarven Ale had been a big hit in the tavern, but the quantities had been limited; but if they were going to trade this as an export, it meant purchasing more than they needed.

The limited amount of coin in Hearthfell belonged to those who used it; The shops mostly used it in buying and selling goods to the ships that came in to port, as the residents would quickly spend anything they had, as goods trade was Hearthfells primary local 'currency'.
Wages were often paid in goods, so coins were practically obsolete for anyone leaving, and those who had their own small gardens traded what they grew for what they needed, or doing small jobs in exchange for goods.

The council itself had no money, there was no taxes, everyone who worked for the good of the village was 'paid' from the excess of food, or goods, in a sense, the richest people in Hearthfell were the farmers who had more than they needed.

But this was how wealth had usually been for generations before Hearthfell, but usually only on a local level.
Coins had only begun returning in the last century as the people began trading more and more between distant places, a practice restored from the old times.

It was during the late summer that the Quarry the Dwarves ran on behalf of Hearthfell had begun mining even deeper in to the cliffside and discovered traces of metal elements.
After a month of surveying, the quarry shifted to add the mining of Copper, and tin.

It was difficult work and yielded very little results well in to winter, but with the copper basic coins could be manufactured.

A small building was constructed behind the Council Hall to accomplish this, and store the few coins they made.

It wasn't much in the realms of wealth, but with the help of a trade advisor that had become well known to the council, the use of currency would be implimented over the next year.
The council itself would impliment the coins locally with the traders instead of taking the 'food tax' that they were given, instead purhasing food from farmers, butchers, and bakers.

Year 8

The implimentation of coins was not easy, goods trade continued with the farmers for a while longer, until they saw the value in selling large stocks of produce at once, and gaining coins for later use.
FOr the smaller homes that grew their own food they did little trade and saw little point in money.

While Hearthfell continued its trade growth, there was another type of growth; the cleric who had now been well established in the village had grown in their followers. More had joined the order, and more were seeking the comfort of the god being worshipped.
Worshippers would ask the council to give the small church land, to help build a greater place of worship.

With reluctance from some of the council, a new chucrch was planned, and wooden fence was placed around the 'donated' land, giving the Cleric the right to use it as needed for the church.
Volunteers would use their time improving the grounds, and working on the new building.

As the end of Autumn approached the construction of the Keep was finally completed on the cliff, aong with a new stone wall, and wooden buildings.

The watchmen no longer rotated its men, and instead a permant posting of guards would live there.

With the work complete, the workers returned to the work of the wall, so close to being finished also.

As Winter closed in new arrivals saw an influx of residents who had no families. People wanting to leave their old lives, but keep their distance.

Hearthfell had become a place where the issues of the old lands did not currently have a hold.
Stories were becoming more frequent of growing powers in the East, lords gaining power over villages; family heads no longer tolerating in-fighting between their children who used their positions as leaders of their own areas as tools to feel superior over their siblings, and thus were all under one rule.

Kingdoms were cropping up all across the eastern continent, and whether they liked it or not, the people were being ruled by someone they had never seen or met.

It was the veterans of battles between these siblings were left out in the old, no longer needed, and so sought out a new home in solitude. Huts, and cabins cropping up through out the woods spreading for miles, but remaining close enough to outposts, and some even close to Hearthfell in case they needed to trade, though mostly they lived off the land.

Year 9.

Trade was increasing, with small amounts of silver being found in the mine, the ore was added to the stock of coins being made in the treasury.
A treasury that was growing, and fortified.

With projects such as the wall, the church, paving new roads, improving the docks, and extending them, and the change in trade to currency, it was a busy time for Hearthfell, and for many the work had been hard on them for some time, and with little to show for their efforts except a few meals; the privilidge of working for the emerging town had begun to wear thin.

Traders, shopkeepers, artisans, farmers, they were all gathering coin, able to purchase and sell items at what seemed like will. While the workers, and the guards were given food they could only eat, as trading goods had reduced since copper coins began floating around.

Coins were given to them on top of the food, to help spread out the use of money within Hearthfell, but it was little, and most just used what little they made to purchase Ale, and mead from the tavern, rather than drinking water, or the weak wines they would make from berries they would have to go out and find themselves or grow.

A definite gap had been growing the last year, wealth was showing visibile signs in the manners of those who had it. Having a few items more than others, simple things sure. Traders always seemed to be having some trinket that served no purpose but to show off something pretty.

Complaints began to come more and more frequently to the council, wages needed to be made available, or they could lose the volunteers that had given so much to building the settlement the last several years.

They debated the issue for some time, the issue was, if they began giving money away, they would quickly find themselves unable to produce enough coins to pay the wages, and they would be right back where they started, unable to pay.

The trade advisor, who had now become the town treasurer then suggested that they impliment taxation on Hearthfell.

The idea was not well recieved, it had been the local lord taking too much that had been one of many factors that had driven them to seek out a new home.
The alternative though, was stop all construction, disband the guards, and only pay for what they needed, when it was needed.

This too was not taken too well, Ors had become less frequent, but they still attacked the outer areas, and if construction stopped, how could they improve the town, and grow further.

They had to make a choice, and people were moving on from the work needed to be done anyway.
In the end, the Council announced a new taxation, but they chose, rather than taxing the people in general, they would tax the very thing they had been building up, and the cause for this wealth; trade.

The traders did not like this having to pay for the right to have exports brought in, or out.
But despite the complaints, the influx of money allowed the council to give a wage to those who worked on behalf of Hearthfell; whih no longer included themselves. THough they sought means for themselves, through their own dealings.

As the year pressed on, the growth in trade continued slowly upwards; the Elven and Dwarven goods that came through Hearthfell had bolstered the reputation of Heathfell as a Trading town, so much so, an estalish trading company in the west chooses to place a post in Hearthfell, dealing with the locals, and using their own ships to bring in goods.

The wealth of the company having been quite large from a generation of trading infused a boost to the growing economy, if Hearthfell, opening up new routes and contacts.

THe winter that year saw a celebration as the final stones of the wall was laid. It had been a monumental five year effort, and was not the last. But the celebrating spread through Hearthfell for two days before attention turned to the completion of the church.

Year 10
THe spire could be seen from from anywhere in Hearthfell, a beacon of faith; a comfort to the faithful.
From the small fort outpost at the river fork, it was a welcome reminder that they were never far from Home whenever they saw it above the treeline in their watchtower; welcome when they feared spotting Orcs, or goblins, or any dangerous beast that could end their life.

It was far from finished, but in the spring services were given, the cleric and the acolytes would preach to the believers in their new great hall that had been given decor by the artisans of Hearthfell.

In time new cleris would come and see the church in its construction, the order they followed giving praise for such a building.
THough not a monument of architecture in any grand stature, it was still rare that anytown had a church of any great size, only the city temples, that had been usurped from ruins nd restored in the faiths image, could claim any stature.
Hearthfell was much closer than most though.

The daily routines continued on, trade was going well, the people were happy in their lives for the most part. The Docks had been expanded and were growing with new building, taverns, shops. New arrivals could step off a ship and be hit with a buzz of activity.
Construction never stopped, each new family needed a home; imrovement on the roads was ongoing; bridges were being added and improved.

By luck, and some planning by the council, the church was finally completed on time for the Hearthfell Festival, celebrating the tenth year of its founding, and with it, Hearthfell felt more relaxed, as the bustle of activity slowed.

No more building grand projects for now, they could take a breath.

Except for the council...

Everything had fallen in to place, and was running smoothly, but it was never enough for some.
There was always a problem...

Some believed that though Hearthfell was growing, it was stagnating in its identity, they had simply copied the styles of what they left behind.

Some complained that in order to grow they needed to move beyond apprenticeships; beyond natural learning, and prepare earlier on.

As always the Captain of the guards, was in agreement with his patron Council member in the becoming tired of the Orcs, and wanting to build a force that would track down and eliminate the threat once and for all.

None could easily agree with the other anymore, debates lasted weeks, decisions were becoming increasngly slow as it was as much of a fight to get a majority desion than it was facing an orc attack.

Things would have to change more, some feared the path they were heading down with the council. In ten years the council had gone from friends, and fellow founders to debators and makers of decisions that wuld affect so many more than the original seven families.

But the Council would hold strong, for the sake of what they had come to the west for, they had too, so a compromise here and there would have to happen...

The council must focus... but will it be the right choice in the years to come?

A) A cultural improvement...
B) Educational improvment...
C) The Council must change with the times...
D) KILL THE ORCS!!

TWITTER VOTE >>> twitter.com/MattCave83/status/…

Description
Trade is the order of business...

<<>>

Year 6 - Hearthfell was settling down after five years that, looking back on, seemed so much shorter. not a day had gone by where something was happening.
If it hadn't have been for the steady flow of new arrivals they doubted their new home would be half of what it is now.
But the flow was diminishing, and with the larger size of the Village, improvments would be at a slower pace, though it would likely never cease.

Hearthfell was prospering, that was a fact, the small amount of trade was doing well; the stock of food was in excess; the Palisade and stone wall was protecting everyone the people from the roaming Orcs, along with the growing amount of guards.

The Future was a concern still, it always seemed to on the Agenda; Many of the council, who had come to Hearthfell had never intended to be such prominent figures, it was just a matter of working together, but after almost 6 years they were not planting; caring for livestock; building; whittling away or hunting; they spent many hours in the Council Hall discussing 'important matters'.

At times someone gave up their position, only for a new member to take their place, but the majority still consisted of the founders.
But that was not to say they were in other ways the same people they had been five years ago.
The Council had its prominent figures who pushed agendas; had settled in to their 'status', which compared to being a farmer or a woodsman was an easy life. They rarely had to do work outside of the hall beyond supervising projects. While in the hall, the council would also discuss laws, and serve judgment when they were broken.

As such excess in food was given to the members of the Council, as a form of gift of gratitude, or honorary taxation on the excess supplies.

As the year passed by, and the Annual Hearthfell Festival passed by once again the push for the direction of the village continues in the hall.

As always the push for a growing defense was being advocted by the usual members, though their support had waned after some sucesses and the wall constrution going well.
This did not sit well, but they had little choice, instead the focus had now begun to focus around trade; it had been going well, and coins were being brought in steadily, though the exchange of goods was still the most used.
Wealth had not been a major concern, it was getting what they needed, but now what they needed were goods that required money, for the most part; goods for the people to enjoy, rather than require.

To some it seemed like a frivilous cause; the gathering of wealth had not been an establishing principal of Hearthfells founding.
But with traders coming, small businesses starting up one by one, the argument was eventually lost.

The first move was to establish what they had to trade.

With an excess of food stock, some farms began reducing their food seed, and began planting other seeds such as Cotton, and sunflowers.
Animal farmers were already growing their animal numbers. Sheep provided an abundane of wool, but wool exports were low.

As production moved from food to goods, it was decided that the northern side of the river needed tobe protected as more people settled outside of the walls, due to Hearthfells growing population of homes.

Orcs attacks were less frequent this year, but beasts still roamed the woodlands nearby.

By winter the first new section of Palisade was completed, using some of the older palisade in parts, as the Stone wall replaced it.

Trade had not yet grown much, and with the coming of winter, it would likely not see much growth.

Year 7.
With the coming of spring, Heartfell was abuz with new planting, and new construction.

Clay was being gathered from further up the river and used in pottery, it had been in a small number since a decent deposit was found by scouts. But now, potters were taking up the helm of production; shops were opening in the village square turning former homes in shops, and building new ones.
Iron was was still being brought in, but being used for more varied iron works, though most on a local level, but helped with other trades growth.
The dock was expanded in little by little, as a new one was being built with wood to accomodate a second ship that would arrive in between visits from their usual trade ship.

Goods continued to grow, and trade slowly increased.
Pressure was placed on the already hard working people to increase production.
Work on the wall slowed as many took up apprentiships in various other trades.

Noticing the increase in trade was slow, the council made a decision.
Speaking with the Dwarves and Elves that they knew well and had now been trading with for several years, they took the time to create new deals to supply culturally created goods for Traders of Hearthfell to trade with.

The Elves were hesistant at first; trading more than neccessities had never been considered, as they preferred to keep their arts and culture to themselves.
But with a few Elven residents already influencing a minor cultural 'exchange', they eventually agreed to a limited trade deal.
THe Dwarves on the otherhand were more than excited for the prospect of a wider growth in trade.
They made promises of dwarven jewellry, Dwarven styled weapons, and most proudly... Dwarven Ale!

Dwarven Ale had been a big hit in the tavern, but the quantities had been limited; but if they were going to trade this as an export, it meant purchasing more than they needed.

The limited amount of coin in Hearthfell belonged to those who used it; The shops mostly used it in buying and selling goods to the ships that came in to port, as the residents would quickly spend anything they had, as goods trade was Hearthfells primary local 'currency'.
Wages were often paid in goods, so coins were practically obsolete for anyone leaving, and those who had their own small gardens traded what they grew for what they needed, or doing small jobs in exchange for goods.

The council itself had no money, there was no taxes, everyone who worked for the good of the village was 'paid' from the excess of food, or goods, in a sense, the richest people in Hearthfell were the farmers who had more than they needed.

But this was how wealth had usually been for generations before Hearthfell, but usually only on a local level.
Coins had only begun returning in the last century as the people began trading more and more between distant places, a practice restored from the old times.

It was during the late summer that the Quarry the Dwarves ran on behalf of Hearthfell had begun mining even deeper in to the cliffside and discovered traces of metal elements.
After a month of surveying, the quarry shifted to add the mining of Copper, and tin.

It was difficult work and yielded very little results well in to winter, but with the copper basic coins could be manufactured.

A small building was constructed behind the Council Hall to accomplish this, and store the few coins they made.

It wasn't much in the realms of wealth, but with the help of a trade advisor that had become well known to the council, the use of currency would be implimented over the next year.
The council itself would impliment the coins locally with the traders instead of taking the 'food tax' that they were given, instead purhasing food from farmers, butchers, and bakers.

Year 8

The implimentation of coins was not easy, goods trade continued with the farmers for a while longer, until they saw the value in selling large stocks of produce at once, and gaining coins for later use.
FOr the smaller homes that grew their own food they did little trade and saw little point in money.

While Hearthfell continued its trade growth, there was another type of growth; the cleric who had now been well established in the village had grown in their followers. More had joined the order, and more were seeking the comfort of the god being worshipped.
Worshippers would ask the council to give the small church land, to help build a greater place of worship.

With reluctance from some of the council, a new chucrch was planned, and wooden fence was placed around the 'donated' land, giving the Cleric the right to use it as needed for the church.
Volunteers would use their time improving the grounds, and working on the new building.

As the end of Autumn approached the construction of the Keep was finally completed on the cliff, aong with a new stone wall, and wooden buildings.

The watchmen no longer rotated its men, and instead a permant posting of guards would live there.

With the work complete, the workers returned to the work of the wall, so close to being finished also.

As Winter closed in new arrivals saw an influx of residents who had no families. People wanting to leave their old lives, but keep their distance.

Hearthfell had become a place where the issues of the old lands did not currently have a hold.
Stories were becoming more frequent of growing powers in the East, lords gaining power over villages; family heads no longer tolerating in-fighting between their children who used their positions as leaders of their own areas as tools to feel superior over their siblings, and thus were all under one rule.

Kingdoms were cropping up all across the eastern continent, and whether they liked it or not, the people were being ruled by someone they had never seen or met.

It was the veterans of battles between these siblings were left out in the old, no longer needed, and so sought out a new home in solitude. Huts, and cabins cropping up through out the woods spreading for miles, but remaining close enough to outposts, and some even close to Hearthfell in case they needed to trade, though mostly they lived off the land.

Year 9.

Trade was increasing, with small amounts of silver being found in the mine, the ore was added to the stock of coins being made in the treasury.
A treasury that was growing, and fortified.

With projects such as the wall, the church, paving new roads, improving the docks, and extending them, and the change in trade to currency, it was a busy time for Hearthfell, and for many the work had been hard on them for some time, and with little to show for their efforts except a few meals; the privilidge of working for the emerging town had begun to wear thin.

Traders, shopkeepers, artisans, farmers, they were all gathering coin, able to purchase and sell items at what seemed like will. While the workers, and the guards were given food they could only eat, as trading goods had reduced since copper coins began floating around.

Coins were given to them on top of the food, to help spread out the use of money within Hearthfell, but it was little, and most just used what little they made to purchase Ale, and mead from the tavern, rather than drinking water, or the weak wines they would make from berries they would have to go out and find themselves or grow.

A definite gap had been growing the last year, wealth was showing visibile signs in the manners of those who had it. Having a few items more than others, simple things sure. Traders always seemed to be having some trinket that served no purpose but to show off something pretty.

Complaints began to come more and more frequently to the council, wages needed to be made available, or they could lose the volunteers that had given so much to building the settlement the last several years.

They debated the issue for some time, the issue was, if they began giving money away, they would quickly find themselves unable to produce enough coins to pay the wages, and they would be right back where they started, unable to pay.

The trade advisor, who had now become the town treasurer then suggested that they impliment taxation on Hearthfell.

The idea was not well recieved, it had been the local lord taking too much that had been one of many factors that had driven them to seek out a new home.
The alternative though, was stop all construction, disband the guards, and only pay for what they needed, when it was needed.

This too was not taken too well, Ors had become less frequent, but they still attacked the outer areas, and if construction stopped, how could they improve the town, and grow further.

They had to make a choice, and people were moving on from the work needed to be done anyway.
In the end, the Council announced a new taxation, but they chose, rather than taxing the people in general, they would tax the very thing they had been building up, and the cause for this wealth; trade.

The traders did not like this having to pay for the right to have exports brought in, or out.
But despite the complaints, the influx of money allowed the council to give a wage to those who worked on behalf of Hearthfell; whih no longer included themselves. THough they sought means for themselves, through their own dealings.

As the year pressed on, the growth in trade continued slowly upwards; the Elven and Dwarven goods that came through Hearthfell had bolstered the reputation of Heathfell as a Trading town, so much so, an estalish trading company in the west chooses to place a post in Hearthfell, dealing with the locals, and using their own ships to bring in goods.

The wealth of the company having been quite large from a generation of trading infused a boost to the growing economy, if Hearthfell, opening up new routes and contacts.

THe winter that year saw a celebration as the final stones of the wall was laid. It had been a monumental five year effort, and was not the last. But the celebrating spread through Hearthfell for two days before attention turned to the completion of the church.

Year 10
THe spire could be seen from from anywhere in Hearthfell, a beacon of faith; a comfort to the faithful.
From the small fort outpost at the river fork, it was a welcome reminder that they were never far from Home whenever they saw it above the treeline in their watchtower; welcome when they feared spotting Orcs, or goblins, or any dangerous beast that could end their life.

It was far from finished, but in the spring services were given, the cleric and the acolytes would preach to the believers in their new great hall that had been given decor by the artisans of Hearthfell.

In time new cleris would come and see the church in its construction, the order they followed giving praise for such a building.
THough not a monument of architecture in any grand stature, it was still rare that anytown had a church of any great size, only the city temples, that had been usurped from ruins nd restored in the faiths image, could claim any stature.
Hearthfell was much closer than most though.

The daily routines continued on, trade was going well, the people were happy in their lives for the most part. The Docks had been expanded and were growing with new building, taverns, shops. New arrivals could step off a ship and be hit with a buzz of activity.
Construction never stopped, each new family needed a home; imrovement on the roads was ongoing; bridges were being added and improved.

By luck, and some planning by the council, the church was finally completed on time for the Hearthfell Festival, celebrating the tenth year of its founding, and with it, Hearthfell felt more relaxed, as the bustle of activity slowed.

No more building grand projects for now, they could take a breath.

Except for the council...

Everything had fallen in to place, and was running smoothly, but it was never enough for some.
There was always a problem...

Some believed that though Hearthfell was growing, it was stagnating in its identity, they had simply copied the styles of what they left behind.

Some complained that in order to grow they needed to move beyond apprenticeships; beyond natural learning, and prepare earlier on.

As always the Captain of the guards, was in agreement with his patron Council member in the becoming tired of the Orcs, and wanting to build a force that would track down and eliminate the threat once and for all.

None could easily agree with the other anymore, debates lasted weeks, decisions were becoming increasngly slow as it was as much of a fight to get a majority desion than it was facing an orc attack.

Things would have to change more, some feared the path they were heading down with the council. In ten years the council had gone from friends, and fellow founders to debators and makers of decisions that wuld affect so many more than the original seven families.

But the Council would hold strong, for the sake of what they had come to the west for, they had too, so a compromise here and there would have to happen...

The council must focus... but will it be the right choice in the years to come?

A) A cultural improvement...
B) Educational improvment...
C) The Council must change with the times...
D) KILL THE ORCS!!

TWITTER VOTE >>> twitter.com/MattCave83/status/…