Tlaumaren
Tlaumaren is a small port city located on the edge of the Howling Marsh, its existence shaped by its proximity to the treacherous and mist-filled marshlands. The city has a population of 2,217 residents, making it a modest settlement where life revolves around the port and the marsh itself. Unlike the grand capitals or fortified cities found elsewhere in the region, Tlaumaren has a more pragmatic and isolated feel, with most of its economy and culture intertwined with the mysterious and dangerous swamp that surrounds it. The city is split into four districts, each with its own function and character.
Tlaumaren, with its modest population and lack of a centralized religious or governing structure, has a fairly laid-back and informal atmosphere. The people are used to a rougher lifestyle compared to cities with more structure and wealth. Social life is centered on the port and the taverns of the Ring district, where locals and visitors alike come together to share news, gossip, and trade stories.
While the city does not have large-scale public celebrations or festivals, there are still small gatherings at the harbourfront, where the community comes together to celebrate harvests, commemorative events, or simply the change of seasons.
Tlaumaren, while small and unassuming, is a port city that stands as a gateway between the wild and untamed Howling Marsh and the outside world. It’s a place where people live in harmony with nature’s unpredictability, relying on the harbor, the marsh, and their own resilience to survive. The city’s districts, though simple and unadorned, have developed their own unique character and sense of identity, driven by the rhythms of the sea, the fog of the marsh, and the practicalities of daily life.
Industry & Trade
Tlaumaren’s economy is heavily reliant on the harbor and the agricultural production surrounding it. Though small in population, the port city plays an important role in the region by serving as a supply hub for the nearby wilderness and marshland. Goods are often shipped in from both across the sea and from other marshlands, and these are traded with both local and regional merchants.
In addition to the marsh-based goods, livestock and crops are frequently shipped to other settlements and cities to the north and south. However, since the city lacks the infrastructure to support large-scale trade or large marketplaces, much of the trade is handled on a smaller, personal scale. Many merchants and ship captains will barter directly with the people of Tlaumaren, ensuring that goods flow steadily in and out of the port.
Districts
1. The Harbour
The heart of Tlaumaren is its port, which is the primary means of income and survival for the city. Ships of all sizes dock here, bringing in goods from distant lands, as well as trading with nearby settlements. The harbour is a bustling yet weathered area, with creaking piers, salt-encrusted wood, and the constant scent of brine and marsh. Despite its crucial importance, the harbour lacks the grand infrastructure found in larger cities, making it a more rugged and rough affair. Small vessels and fishing boats can be seen constantly coming and going, unloading their catches or loading up with supplies for more distant lands.
There is a strong sense of community among the dockworkers, traders, and sailors, many of whom have lived in Tlaumaren for generations, accustomed to the ever-changing moods of the marsh. The sailors often speak in hushed tones about the supernatural dangers lurking within the marsh and the occasional unexplained disappearances that occur near the edge of the port.
2. Merchants
The Merchants district is a modest area of the city that primarily caters to trade and commerce, with various small businesses, trading posts, and shops. The goods found here are less refined than those in more prosperous cities, as Tlaumaren lacks a major marketplace. Rather than towering market stalls, this district is filled with simple stores selling supplies for sailors, marshland adventurers, and travelers, including everything from nets, maps, fishing gear, to alchemical remedies for those who dare to venture into the marsh.
Many of the merchant families in Tlaumaren are deeply involved in the trade of marsh-based goods, including herbs, marshwood, and rare creatures like bog snappers and swamp fish. Some merchants also deal in more exotic wares, such as crystals and fossils that are sometimes unearthed from the shifting lands of the Howling Marsh, though these are more of a curiosity than a mainstay.
3. Dawn Side
The Dawn Side is a residential district, primarily housing those who work in the harbour or are involved in the farming around the outskirts of Tlaumaren. The district is relatively quiet compared to the bustling harbour, with stone cottages and small homes dotting the landscape. Many of the people who live here rely on the fertile farmland surrounding Tlaumaren, growing grain, vegetables, and herbs that are essential to the city’s diet and economy. There is also a small community of hermits and spiritual seekers who live on the edge of the district, seeking solace and guidance from the Howling Marsh.
The district is named for the sunrise that bathes this part of the city in golden light, offering a peaceful contrast to the often brooding and mist-filled atmosphere of the marsh. Here, there are occasional festivals and celebrations, often centered around the harvest seasons or the changing of the moon. However, these events are far less grand than those in larger cities, focusing instead on community bonding and traditions.
4. The Ring
The Ring is a more commercialized area of Tlaumaren, housing brothels, taverns, inns, and the occasional gambling hall. It is the seedy underbelly of the city, where sailors, travelers, and merchants go to unwind after a hard day's work. The district is known for its rough-and-tumble atmosphere, with brightly lit signs advertising the services offered in the many taverns and hotels that line the narrow, winding streets.
While it is considered the more disreputable side of Tlaumaren, the Ring also offers a sense of freedom and escape for those who spend their days working in the harsh environment of the marsh. In contrast to the other districts, The Ring is rarely quiet, with music, laughter, and shouting filling the air well into the night.
The district gets its name from the ring of stone pillars that surround it—an old structure believed to be some form of ancient ruin. No one knows its true purpose, but many locals have their own theories, some believing it was once a place of ritual sacrifice, while others think it may have been a defensive wall from a time long ago.
Farmland and Surrounding Area
Tlaumaren’s farmlands are a crucial part of the city’s infrastructure. The farmland is fertile and primarily dedicated to the growing of grain and vegetation suitable for the temperate climate surrounding the marsh. However, because of the dangers and unpredictable weather of the region, the farmlands are not easily worked. The marsh can flood the fields, and dangerous creatures—such as swamp beasts and bog-dwelling predators—are known to occasionally venture into the farmlands, threatening crops and livelihoods.
Despite these threats, the farmers in the area have learned to adapt, often planting their crops in raised beds or building flood barriers to protect them from the changing tides of the swamp. Some of the most prized crops of the region are unique to the marsh, such as bog herbs, which are said to possess medicinal properties, and swamp mushrooms, known for their unique taste and value in cooking.
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