Feriq
A small but important way-station town located in the middle of the Serpent Sands. It is the most reliable source of water in the northern part of the desert due to the Feriq Oasis. As such, its denizens all work to serve and resupply all of the trading caravans traveling through the desert between Havere - The Crystal Port and Ironmar.
Demographics
Almost all of the denizens of Feriq are human with their ancestry traced back to the Nomadic Tribes of the Serpent Sands. Anyone non-human or not of that ethnicity are usually in the town temporarily.
Government
The local governor is appointed by the Nomadic Chiefs in Jalwarat. It is usually - although not always - a prince from one of the tribes. The governor acts as an absolute monarch in the town although with the town so small, doesn't actually have much power. The governor's mandate is to protect the town from the desert marauders or monsters, to promote trade with and services for the caravaners, and to carry-out any edicts from Jalwarat.
Defences
The town of Feriq is protected by a 20-foot wall all-around with lookout towers distributed throughout. Its small but capable city guard protects the city from desert threats and keeps the peace within the walls.
Occasionally patrol units from the Armée Royal du Havere will be garrisoned there when performing their protection duties on the Burning Road.
Industry & Trade
As the only way-station between Ironmar and Havere, the entire town is designed to cater to the transient population. Feriq is known for its small but unique market where caravans can trade goods from outside the desert for goods originating from Jalwarat. Its taverns, inns, and brothels are legendary - indeed young caravan traders declare that had not yet reached adulthood until their caravan passed through Feriq.
Locally, the town makes most of its money from resupplying caravans with food, water, armor, and weapons. Locally, the town raises desert goats and sheep in the commons. Peddlers of the goats' milk will tell traders that it will give a man twice the strength when consumed, although delicious that claim is yet to be verified.
Infrastructure
Feriq was built on top of an ancient aquifer that provides the town with its water and is also the source of water for the nearby oasis. The town's system of pumps pulls water directly from the aquifer instead of from the oasis. The resulting water is cleaner and purer than the surface water. The town closely regulates the consumption of water in the town and makes sure that water sold in the city is properly filtered and treated. Many caravans who have tried to get water directly from the oasis, have fallen ill to due to the impurities in it.
History
Founding of Feriq
As far as cities in Royaume du Terdiore go, Fariq is a relatively new city. The bloody conflict that ravaged between the people of Havere - The Crystal Port and the Nomads of the Serpent Sands often made travel via the desert difficult and dangerous. After the signing of the Desert Armistice in 2825 AA, ending formal military conflict between Royaume du Terdiore and the Nomadic Kingdoms, the roving marauders in the desert were culled, and a path to Ironmar from Havere was surveyed. When a suitable route was found, the Nomatic tribes were the first ones to carry goods across the desert. The Nomads, being especially good at navigating the desert, dominated the industry and trade became a large part of the Nomadic economy. Soon others wanted to make use of the trade route. The Royaume du Terdiore constructed the Burning Road along route but still it was difficult for traders to make it across. The Nomads decided to make money off of this new competition and created a way station halfway to Ironmar to help resupply the caravans owned by non-Nomadic companies. They chose the site of an ancient lake bed that existed before the formation of the desert. This camp became what is known as Feriq and was first built in 2895.An Opal in the Sand
While the way station was a welcome addition to the Burning Road, there was still the issue of the scarcity of water. Knowing the site of Feriq was on an ancient lakebed, Sages and Mages were called in from Havere - The Crystal Port and Jalwarat to see if they could find water underneath the city. The first attempt created the Feriq Oasis, but they had not studied the geology well enough, and the oasis spewed out contaminated water that attracted strange animals and plants. Learning from their mistakes the Sages and Mages tried a new approach: instead of creating a lake, they would drill a carefully formed well. The mages carefully drilled a deep well, and the Sages built a pump on top of it. Feriq finally had a fresh source of water in the desert, and business boomed. Trade across the desert multiplied tenfold, and the Nomadic tribes found that the city was worth more than their initial monopoly of the trade route. When the walls were constructed in 3920AA, permanent business, taverns, brothels were built. The people of Havere used Feriq as a exotic get-away touring the desert and taking part in Nomadic culture. One poet wrote of Feriq:"It is unconscionable any anything living would choose to live in the Serpent Sands where the fires Of Imix burn everything from your ears to your toes. However, upon my arrival to Feriq and having partook of its sweet waters and beautiful people, I must relent, that Feriq is truly an OPAL IN THE SAND!"
Architecture
The architecture of Feriq mirrors that of Jalwarat with the primary building material is think slate or orange-colored adobe. The walls and roofs are built thick and the windows are just slits large enough to attract sunlight but not too much heat. The consequence of this, is that every building looks massive like a stone giant ready to crush you.
Feriq also being a newer town has some influence from the Havercois that frequent the city. Many buildings sport a dome (although they are carved into the ceiling) and many sport the traditional facade arch.
Type
Village
Population
522
Inhabitant Demonym
Fericois or Ferican
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments