Charakur sits at the mouth of the river Manapali and is the capital of Calika and the largest trade port of the area, even outperforming Han's capital Mo-Lung, which lost its status due to high taxes, over-regulation and Han's internal struggles. Whoever trades with Han first makes a stop at Charakur to check if he can get a better bargain there.
Government
King Harun is reigning over Calika from within his palace in Charakur. He is always surrounded by a dozen advisors who suggest options and alternatives to his ideas, most often meeting their own interests. Harun's wife, Queen Fathia, tries to tone down his actions a bit to make them bearable to Calika's inhabitants.Markets
Besides the regular markets for daily needs, the city has a few specialized markets, which are all located close to the harbour and in their own district, visibly separated by high walls, but connected via huge open gates.Pakada Market
You can buy rolls of fabric from Calika, Trendelika and Han as well as already finished pieces of clothing. Pieces from Han are mostly made of silk and quite expensive. Trendelika and Calika provide items made of linen and cotton, which are more affordable and durable and are worn by most people. Many merchants offer to tailor fitted clothing for you in a couple of hours. They take your measurements, you select the fabric and come back in the afternoon to pick up your new dress. Simple cotton tunics start at a few silver pieces, while silk gowns with trims and borders can go up to several hundred gold pieces.Rikada Market
This market provides everything for a luxurious meal: expensive spices like the extra hot Blood Root (it looks like it is bleeding when you cut it) or saffron to give the meal a nice golden colour. You can also buy crabs and lobster as well as snake and crocodile meat. Merchants from Han sell thousand-year-old eggs, rice wine and the much stronger Honey of Han liquor, which is almost as thick as honey when cold and only drinkable when hot. Goat cheese from Trendelika is being sold in small wooden boxes that are sealed with wax, to keep in the strong smell. A few merchants offer food as a service, bringing their staff and providing all the food and drinks to the home. This is often used by wealthy people for big weddings and celebrations.Sukada Market
Jewellery and other riches! Necklaces, rings and bangles manufactured from gold, jade, diamonds and pearls, exquisite weapons, but also furniture and carpets for the upper class. Want to buy a precious gift? This is the place where you can find it. Items made of gold are paid for based on their weight. Manufacturing is only paid for if a piece has to be made with very specific instructions. Magic items can also be found here, everything from rings to cloaks to swords to armour. You'll need the big bucks though.Law
To deter thieves, the punishment for stealing is severe. Losing a hand is probably the least severe punishment available. Trying to sell inferior goods for a higher price is something you only do once. Your competitors will take care of it. There are almost no cases reported in the specialized markets. Either no one dares to steal, or the thieves are simply too skilled to be caught. Thievery on the daily needs markets is happening more often, but there are usually no officially counted cases because no one reports them. The number of non-locals in these markets is extremely low, and local merchants are well aware that these thefts are committed for survival rather than wealth.Plot Hooks
This stinks! - Hasan is having a quality problem with his goat cheese lately. It's not the usual stink the cheese emits, it just smells and tastes rotten. His supplier from Trendelika is affirmative that his cheese leaves his shop in perfect quality.
A cry in the night - For two weeks now, a blood-curling scream has been waking up half the city every night. The Fist of Charakur had already attempted to locate its source, but had so far had no success. People are worried, the rumour mill is working hard.
Founding Date
950
Alternative Name(s)
The Old City
Type
Capital
Population
45,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
Sounds like an awesome market town - I like the section about the law in particular. The plot hook sounds really fun! :D
Thanks! More to come, I just started laying out the whole region and important people and what's going on. Have an eye out on it. Isibella I am just working on :) 17 year old daughter of the reigning king.