Ayanet

The border town of Ayanet, located on the continent of Atakumi, is a major hub of traffic for interaction between the denizens of A'Sili and the (generally) human population of the Southern plains. It is known as a melting pot of races and culture, despite that over half of its population is comprised of halflings. It is considered a sister-city to the human kingdom of Onyill, due to its citizens' historical interactions and overlapping bloodlines. The town's most influential family by far is the Tilene, who helped to establish the area over two hundred years prior. As such, it is also the oldest and most enduring of the border towns.

Geography
Two small, badly maintained cobblestone roads lead into the town from the South and the East, and turn into the central road through town. The Southern edge of the town is filled with constantly changing clusters of travelling or temporary merchants. The road itself is home to all of the permanent shops in Ayanet, which range from farriers and smiths to artisans and herbalists. At the town center is the Town Well, as well as the Government House and the town's single inn. Permanent homes are peppered throughout the rest of the town proper. South of the town are a series of farming fields covering approximately 60 acres.

History
The history of Atakumi is filled with change and upheaval on grand scales, but it begins to settle into a form familiar to current life (ca. 630 MA) in approximately 420 MA. It was in this time that the much-ravaged border between the forest and the Southern plains began to see settlement, and richly successful farms spread across that border almost immediately. Some were strictly manned by one race or another, but many became means for the races to intermingle and work together. Ayanet was one such place.

In the early spring of 421 MA, the Tilene family, an agricultural family of six halflings, established their farmstead on a six-acre plot. The area had been razed during battle, and over the past few years the charred remains had mixed in to the soil to create an area that seemed magically blessed. It was especially proficient in growing legumes, and a rotation of beans and cabbage became the norm. Very quickly, the Tilene family discovered that their grove in the otherwise dense and ancient woods was an appealing waypoint for travellers, and expanded their family farmhouse to accommodate the occasional boarder. Although the original home no longer stands, the center of the town would grow around it to what is now known. The first cherry tree was also planted by the original Tilene family, and was the progenitor for the orchards and trees that persist in the area.

For a handful of generations, growth of the town was steady and exponential. As more hands were needed for the work of farming, more homes were built, and the Tilene family home became the town inn. Many of the settlers of the town were visitors who had stopped in and decided to stay, and thus the racial diversity of the town thrived. Farming techniques especially were shared between the various peoples, resulting in an agricultural boom which radiated outward to the many other growing border agricultural settlements. During this boom, the area, still simply known as "Tilene's Farm", was a major shareholder and grew in both size and wealth.

Around 500 MA, the agricultural center had quite literally given birth to a handful of inventors and engineers, some of which travelled to the nearby kingdoms for support in their endeavours, and some of which remained and established local businesses to control the flow of information and technology. It was in this time that the town was officially established under its current name of Ayanet. It continued to maintain a healthy, deeply involved government of the people, as its citizens were still comprised of only a handful of separate families.

As the Tilesili established the centre of their seat of power in Olihemir, and various other homesteads began to pop up around A'Sili, Ayanet saw a sudden influx of curious elves, who brought with them further technological and agricultural improvements, finding a solid source of compromised community and support for their own endeavours. Ayanet continued to be a place that welcomed and accepted any who were willing to make meaningful contribution into their fold.

Not long after the turn of the century, however, family feuds began to arise. The best known of these was an argument over the ownership of intellectual property in the case of the "Falling Thresher" between the Tilene family and the Ienas family. It took the form of rising aggressions from both sides, ending with the arson of the ancestral Tilene home which killed five people and took with it two surrounding buildings and the cherry tree, which was at the time a symbol of the town. Immediately after this incident, a system of elected officials was established, as well as a regulated patenting system which has since been adopted by countless other governing bodies.

Growth continued in the trending ways through the rest of the century, with the population hitting a height of approximately 500 at any given time, two-thirds of which were established citizenry.

On the night of August 30th, 611 MA, Ayanet was attacked by a guerilla human party as part of a series of border town attacks which would eventually lead to the declaration of a war between the Human Kingdoms and the Tilesili. Sixty people perished, of which fifty-four were citizens of Ayanet proper. Recovery from the attack included the adoption of a semi-trained Town's Guard helmed by elven officers sent to the area from Olihemir. Trade and travel have since been discouraged, to the detriment of Ayanet's population and economy.

Government
The Government House at the center of Ayanet is home to the Town Governor, the Patent Office, and a makeshift geol (jail) designed for the holding of suspected criminals until they can be transported from the town.

The Town Governor is an elected office, revisited every ten years. Citizenry is expected primarily to settle disputes among themselves, however matters of immediate threat to health or property are brought to the Town Governor for delegation of resources. Twice a year, a Thing is held in the town center, where citizenry may bring to the Town Governor's attention any outstanding matters, and then vote amongst themselves on the proper resolution after hearing arguments. The Town Governor serves as final arbiter and similarly delegates resources and enforcement as necessary.

The Patent Office is run by the Patenter, another elected official. This office appointment is revisited every two years, with a maximum term of six consecutive years. The Patenter reviews patent cases on an as-needed basis, as well as managing basic economic matters such as land or property ownership, business establishment, minor monetary offenses, or disputes about cost and payment.

In the last two decades, a standing Town Guard management system comprised of three trained militia from Olihemir has also been established. These individuals have remained the same for their term. They offer voluntary weaponry training and practise sessions for established citizenry of the town, manage guarding shifts, post and hire for mercenary jobs, and manage any other matters which arise in the protection of the town.

Economy
Though Ayanet's primary export is farmed legumes, it is better known as a trade town and a temporary stop for travellers going between A'Sili and the Southern plains. In the decades since the war between humans and elves intensified, its traffic has plummeted, and subsequently its transient population has shrunk and it has become more reliant on agriculture. This has also led to the rise of a barter system for citizens of the town, which is not extended to outside visitors.

A well-established underground trade network occasionally uses Ayanet as a waypoint, and their presence is an open secret, as they also provide mercenary protection of the town and bring in customers for established businesses.

Defenses
Ayanet is home to a small Town's Guard, with a standing chain of command which serves as organisation for various townsfolk who self-enlist in times of need. Bounties are provided for travelling mercenaries for more exceptional tasks and circumstances which do not immediately endanger townsfolk. Mercenary work is also provided free of charge by The Thorn, a bodyguard and mercenary service loosely connected to the moving of underground trade goods, when its members are in town.

Religion
Ayanet does not house any temples or have any religious officials. Religious practise is considered private and to be conducted in one's own home. Should outdoor space be needed for a religious ceremony, it must be private land with the permission of the owners. Public displays of religious ceremony are generally frowned upon.

The Tilene Family
The establishing family of the town of Ayanet, the Tilene family has resided in the area for two centuries and over a dozen generations. They are primarily halflings, though the family has intermingled with various other people and races throughout the time they have lived in Ayanet. This has resulted in some of the most unique pairings in the world, and is a large part of the town's reputation for being a melting pot.

The Town's Guard
Established in 611 MA, this consists of three Tilesili guards, formerly of Olihemir, and a semi-trained group of citizenry. They rally to protect the town when it is threatened by external forces, as well as maintaining a 24-hour guard circuit around the area.

The Thorn
Transient mercenary bodyguards to conductors of illicit trade. They accompany their charges to the area, and while present offer protective services to the town. Their presence and utilisation is an open secret, which is received in a variety of different ways depending on the individual. The majority of the town begrudgingly accepts them, as they are overall beneficial.

Citizenry&Citizenry Services
Established citizens within Ayanet have usually resided there for at least two generations. They are a small town, tight knit community. This is especially true for the agricultural workers of the area, but also includes established business owners, at least superficially.

Transient Services
This includes the inn, travelling merchants, and some business owners within the town.

Places of Note

 * Inspiration Tavern
 * The Lucky Lodger Inn
 * The Government House
 * Town's Guard Barracks
 * Town Center (&the well)
 * Merchant Row
 * Shop Street

Alana Ohen, Riku Laiyat, Yarui Ishihei
Heads of the Town's Guard, sent from Olihemir following an attack from human forces in 611 MA

Natten Gru
Town Governor, est. 620 MA. A dwarfling.

Nut Miro
Town Patenter, est. 628 MA. A halfling.

Sumuri Talat
Elven alchemist and healer, owner of the alchemy and herbalism shop, established town citizen.