Gladeston

Gladeston is a town in southeastern Tihaka. It is a smaller settlement, inhabited by around 200 individuals.

Gladeston benefits from a healthy leather and meat trade, situated in an area of the Tihakan forests abundant in wildlife. It is also an important location for Panterra's druids, with their encampment Matapeka a short walk uphill west of the town.

Politics
Gladeston is unusual among Panterran towns in that as opposed to a mayor, it has a council consisting of 5 members who oversee the town. The council will vote on any issue brought to them by the townsfolk, and their decision will then be written into law.

Due to this unusual way of governing, Gladeston's laws are fluid and ever-changing based on the needs of the town - a stark contrast to a town like Ravenshire, where old laws are still followed to the letter and enacting change is a long and difficult process.

Recently, it was decided that a member of the druidic circle would sit on the council to officially represent Matapeka as part of Gladeston. The first druid to sit on the council was Pango Pikari, who continues to occupy this seat.

Location and climate
Gladeston is located 5 miles from the southeastern Barrier, close to many streams and small lakes. The road to Armaster and Oratia leaves the town to the northwest, and the road to Ravenshire to the southwest.

The terrain around Gladeston is tricky to traverse, with noticeable drops and inclines in the surrounding forest. There are small paths into the forest in places, but they are few and become quickly overgrown.

The Gladeston area has a noticeably high rainfall compared to the nearby dry southern plains. Wagons often struggle to navigate the road from Gladeston to Armaster during or after heavy rainfall due to mud. Humidity is generally high, and temperatures comfortable.

Amenities
Gladeston has a general store, two inns (the Dancing Bear and the Red Lion), a blacksmith, a stable, a potion shop, several leatherworking shops, a tailor, a bakery, and a place of worship for the god Freyr on the outskirts of town.

Religion
The dominant religion in Gladeston is worship of the god Freyr, followed by druidism. The druids practice in their encampment, Matapeka, and a shrine to Freyr is located on the outskirts of town.