Sheriff of Overton

This title was created when the old Overton garrison building was decommissioned and converted to a residence for a sheriff charged with protecting and supporting the people of Mournwold. The title is a sinecure, requiring minimal responsibility but offering a regular income of ingots from the people of the territory. The position is a Marcher national Imperial title.

Responsibilities

The Sheriff is expected to work toward the protection of the people of the Mournwold. In happier times a Sheriff might work with the magistrates to maintain law and order, and resolve disputes between citizens. With so many citizens of the Mourn being miners, or involved in mining, there is a particular emphasis on dealing with these people. They also have some responsibility for ensuring that the major roads between towns and villages remain free of bandits, and that threats from Feni or orcs are addressed quickly and effectively.

There is some expectation that the ores provided will be used in the crafting of magic items to help the Sheriff do their job, whether directly or through the recruitment of deputies.

Powers

The Sheriff of Overton is an Imperial title that grants custodianship of a sinecure.

Rewards for Hard Work

The Sheriff receives a small income of ingots each season:12 ingots of green iron, 2 ingots of tempest jade, 2 ingots of weltsilver, and 2 ingots of orichalcum are received each season .

A signifcant proportion of these ingots are being contributed by loyal Marcher folk living in areas under Jotun occupation, smuggled to Overton using contacts established under the prior garrison. If the Mournwold were freed, the same production would represent voluntary donations from Marchers across the territory.

Selection

The Sheriff of Overton is a Marcher national position appointed by the Senate. Under normal circumstances it will be appointed by unanimous vote of the Marcher senators.

Because this is a national position, the title can only be held by a citizen of the Marches.

Removal

The Sheriff of Overton serves for one year, until they die, step down or are revoked.

The title can be revoked by the Marcher national assembly, the General assembly or the Assembly of Nine.

History

Initially the Overton garrison was used to provide protection from Jotun raiders, and as a base of operations for independent captains to help in the defence of the Mounrwold. With the completion of Orchard's Watch the garrison fell into disuse and was eventually reporposed.

The first Sheriff is due to be appointed at the Summer Solstice 380YE.

The Sheriff's House

The building itself is a squat two-storey tower within the walls of Overton, close to the central keep of Orchard's Watch. It shows its origins as a barracks fairly clearly - it has no ground floor windows, and the upper storey windows are cruciform arrow-slits. The conversion primarily consisted of splitting the two floors into multiple rooms - the lower floor as offices for the Sheriff and their deputies, and the upper floors as somewhat spartan living quarters.