Yalis

A major seaport located in western Thestra⁣.

Demographics

The bulk of Yalisians are working class humans. They tend to work either in the shipwright industry, or supporting it in some fashion. A fair amount of this second subtype involves catering to the sailors and tourists who frequent the city, involving everything from dining establishments to currency exchange to the odd brothel here and there. These tend to cluster around the main port, preferring proximity to the main source of their customers.
In addition, Yalis sees a fair amount of visitors from the nearby settlement of Tritons which inhabit the waters in and around the Yalis Bay. While not considered true "residents" of Yalis itself, their presence is so common that many consider them to be de facto citizens of the city. Seeing one is considered by sailors to be a sign of good luck, and in response, a small cottage industry has sprung up making various "good luck charms" fashioned to appear like common elements of Triton society, which are sold to passing sailors for up to half a gold crown.

Government

The city of Yalis is a protectorate of Thestra⁣, and pays its taxes to the crown once per midyear like the other coastal cities.
Unlike those coastal cities, the day to day business of Yalis itself is governed by a council of guild leaders known as "The Table". Any guild boasting a total membership over 50 is welcome to a seat at The Table, and new seats are therefore added (and sometimes removed) periodically.

Defences

Yalis has never needed much in the way of city defenses. In the past, the existence of the Royal Navy has always been enough of a deterrent to would-be marauders or vandals. Now though, with the Navy in pieces, and Lord Regent Tristram⁣ apparently unwilling to pay for the construction of another armada, The Table has been experimenting with other forms of policing, including the hiring of mercenaries to replace the nearly omnipresent military that used to patrol its streets.

Industry & Trade

Major exports include fruits, vegetables and breads grown on Thestra's rich farmland, glass and glassworks blown in Yalis's foundries, lumber from its many virgin forestlands, and ships and boats of all sizes and varieties from Yalis's shipyard.

Infrastructure

Yalis itself is bisected by the massive Hesham River. The city walls encompass five main districts:

Heatherport:

Once home to the massive Thestra Royal Navy, this port now sits defunct. The district itself is home to many guild halls and private homes, and represents the wealthier side of Yalis.

Sunset District:

So named for the distinctive orange-yellow tinge of the roof tiles in this area, this is by far the largest district within the city walls. Home to a wide range of working class individuals, the orange roof tiles are coated with a special wax which has flame retardant properties.

South District:

In some ways the true heart of Yalis, the South District houses the banking guild as well as City Hall, where the members of The Table meet.

Trade Ward:

Set a ways back from the oceanfront in eastern Yalis, this district is mostly the site of businesses in industries which don't cater directly to tourists and sailors.

Lostport:

The heart of Yalis's shipwright industry as well as its import/export center. A bustling place of commerce, Lostport sees thousands of parcels of goods pass through it on a daily basis.
In addition to these districts, Yalis has grown beyond its walls into three more districts:

Glassport:

The site of Yalis's famed glassworkers. Situated outside the city walls in order to minimize the damage in the event of an accidental fire. This has happened several times in the past.

West Ward:

A large group of smaller, less expensive residential houses on both sides of the river comprises this district.

Six Hills:

A city of any size will always have its share of the poor, the homeless, and the dispossessed and Yalis is no exception. Despite the charming sounding name, Six Hills is a shantytown made of tents, lean-tos and other temporary structures. It is also the home of Yalis's trash dump.

Assets

Hospitality:

Gory's

A dive bar in Lostport

The Masthead

A mid-range inn in Lostport which caters to crew looking for a ship.

The Scrub Pot

A brothel/inn/pub in the Lostport district. Run by Medeira⁣

Horse and Candle

An upscale tavern in Heatherport which caters to wealthy merchants and guild leaders.

Shipwrights:

The Shipyard

Located in Lostport. Looking for a ship? You'll find one here. Looking to crew a ship? You'll find one here.

Banking:

Thestra National Bank (TNB)

The official bank of the Kingdom of Thestra and members of its various military branches.

United Merchants of Yalis (UMY)

Headquartered in the South District, this bank is favored by Yalisian merchants and guild leaders for its currency exchange rates and hometown feel.

Worship:

Temple to Valkur

Located at the intersection of Lostport, the Trade Ward, and the South District, this temple is a massive structure dedicated to the Captain of the Waves.

Sanitation:

Six Hills Dump Site

Set in the Six Hills District well away from the city proper, this is where Yalis's waste is sent.

Glassmaking:

Gretchen's

If you want glassware of any kind, go to Gretchen's. A massive warehouse set in Glassport, Gretchen's variety of glassworks is truly legendary.

Magical Studies:

The Book and the Raven

The largest magic store in Yalis.

Mizzard's Majigs

No, that's not a typo. Mizzard Izzard⁣ is an eccentric shopkeeper who runs, if not the largest, then certainly the most interesting magic store in the whole of Thestra.

The Arts:

Yalis School of Bardic Arts

One of the smaller guilds, Yalis's arts program is still sizeable enough to be noteworthy. The "Y-SOBA" is Merill's labour of love: a repository of sea chanties and sailors songs meticulously collected and catalogued over her lifetime. She also runs a school of music out of the Y-SOBA, teaching students to sing, and play various instruments favored by sailors.

Guilds and Factions

As a primarily merchant town, Yalis is owned and government by its many guilds and guild leaders, who form a governing body known as The Table. The current makeup of The Table includes the heads of the guilds pertaining to: shipwrights, hospitality, banking, thieves, worship, clothmaking, sanitation, glassmaking, blacksmithing, agriculture, mapmaking, animal husbandry, magical studies, the arts, and scientific affairs.
One seat equals one vote. Ties are rare and are handled on a case by case basis. By tradition, one extra seat is always left open at The Table to represent the will of the King, though no one can remember him actually ever sitting at a meeting. Actual names of the guild leaders are kept secret, to prevent anyone trying to curry favor or simply buying their votes.
Rumors exist of an even more secretive inner circle of guild leaders who call themselves The Order of the Black Star, though none of these rumors have ever been substantiated. It is unknown whether this "Order" even exists.

Type

City

Population

8631

Inhabitant Demonym

Yalisian

Location under

Kingdom of Thestra

Owner/Ruler

Jorah