> [!infobox] > # The Rootbound Remnant > ![[Old Ashton2.jpg]]<span style="display:block;text-align:center;">[[Old Ashton2.jpg|Show to Players]]</span> > ###### Information > | | | > |---|---| > |**Region**| [[Zalfaria]] | > |**Mayor**| [[Edric Holloway]] | # Overview Old Ashton is a quiet, aged town nestled within the heart of Zalfaria’s fertile lowlands. It is a place steeped in history, where the past lingers in its ancient oaks, ivy-clad manors, and cobblestone streets. Once a thriving trade post before the rise of King’s Watch and Rivermouth, Old Ashton now stands as a shadow of its former influence, sustained by its deep agricultural roots, herbal medicine, and a strong community bound by tradition. Old Ashton is called The Rootbound Remnant due to its ancient trees, deep familial lineages, and the way its people hold onto the old ways. The name also symbolizes how the town, despite being overshadowed by modern trade hubs, remains deeply entrenched in Zalfaria’s history. # Geography & Environment: Nestled in the rolling hills between Zalfari and Rivermouth, Old Ashton enjoys mild seasons with crisp autumns and lush green summers. The town is surrounded by sprawling farmland, vineyards, and groves of towering oaks, some of which predate written history. A peculiar landmark of Old Ashton is **The Warden’s Oak**, an enormous, gnarled tree at the center of town, believed to have existed since before the founding of Zalfaria itself. It is said that those who sleep beneath its branches experience visions of the past—or even glimpses of the future. # Politics & Governance: Old Ashton is governed by a **Mayor**, who is elected every ten years—longer than in most Zalfarian towns, reflecting the town’s resistance to rapid change. The mayor is supported by the **Council of Elders**, a group of respected town members who ensure that traditions and ancestral knowledge are preserved. The current Mayor is **Edric Holloway**, an aging but sharp-witted leader known for his measured approach to progress and tradition. # Economy & Trade: Though it is no longer the trade hub it once was, Old Ashton thrives on its **farming, winemaking, and herbal craftsmanship**. The region’s fertile soil produces some of the finest wine in Zalfaria, particularly the **Ashton Gold Reserve**, a rich, amber-hued vintage known for its smooth warmth. The town is also renowned for its **apothecaries and herbalists**, many of whom claim lineage from ancient healers who once served kings. It exports medicinal herbs, teas, and tonics, making it a quiet but vital part of Zalfaria’s supply chain. # Culture & Traditions: - **The Warden’s Watch:** Every autumn, townsfolk gather around the Warden’s Oak for a night of storytelling, where elders recount myths and historical events. Some believe the tree itself listens and remembers. - **Lantern Nights:** On the longest night of winter, lanterns are lit along the town’s roads, symbolizing guidance through darkness. - **The Ashton Pact:** An old tradition where major decisions—marriages, business ventures, or settlements of disputes—are made with the blessing of the Council of Elders under the Warden’s Oak. # Religion: Old Ashton holds a strong reverence for **Nixzotl, the Dreamer**, due to the town’s connection with visions and the ancient Warden’s Oak. **Isyn, the Artist**, is also highly honored, particularly among the town’s winemakers and artisans who see their crafts as an extension of divine inspiration.