Gwitreg
A town and castle on the border of the Duchy of Letha and Anjev. Held by House Laval, it is the wealthiest and one of the largest cities in the Duchy. Located on the main road between Per-ys and Roazhon, it is sometimes called "The Gateway to Leta".
Demographics
Gwitreg has been given the nickname of the "Fourth City", a result of its large size, yet lack of larger political control that defines the Ducal Cities of Gwened, Naoned and Roazhon. Indeed, it is actually larger than Gwened, with Kemper trailing in 5th.
The majority of the population hails from Letha itself, with large stable communities of merchants and traders arriving from Duchy of Akitania Anjev, Gallia and Normandi.
Although the Bediz make up the majority of the population, numerous Korrigan races, most notably the Teuz and Poulpiquet are also largely represented in the city. Other Korrigan peoples, as well as Sidhe and Fomorians, are less demographically significant.
Government
Gwitreg serves as the seat of the March of Vendelais, and is ruled by the Marquis of Vendelais, who is sometimes referred to as the Baron of Gwitreg. At present, this position is held by House Laval. The real power, however, rests with the Guildmasters and Merchants of the city, who hold positions in an advisory council, controlling the actions of the heavily indebted nobility.
The exact membership of the guild fluctuates, but is generally between four and a dozen members at most times, representatives elected by the membership of a guild or appointed by the board of a singular business or concern. As a certain amount of members is required to qualify, smaller businesses may join each other to cobble together a voting bloc signfificant enough to qualify for a seat. While nobility is common to these lucrative positions, its is not required and peasant-born representatives often are elevated, particularly as representatives of smaller guild alliances.
Defences
The formidable Kastell Gwitreg looms above the city atop a rocky outcropping, forming a natural point to oversee the thick crenelated curtain wall that surrounds the upper city. The castle is triangular in plan, curving along the natural contours of the rock that it sits atop. The primary entrance is protected by a drawbridge and a heavily fortified chatelet gatehouse, as well as two round towers, with 6 additional towers protecting the walls at semi-regular intervals.
While these defenses are not impregnable, these defenses have served the town well, surviving several direct attacks, most notably when the badly beaten forces of Duke Konan "The Fat" III, held against the larger host of Andre I of Gwitred, maintaining control of the city and pushing back the attackers.
The surrounding area, the March of Vendelais, also hosts smaller castles of wealthy lords, adding to its defense from threats outside of the region.
Industry & Trade
Gwitred has a reputation throughout Letha for its fantastic wealth, drawn from a robust textile industry of hemp, cotton, and wool, as well as leatherworking. Its location between Roazhon and Per-Ys further its position as a trading centre for other products as well. The city has taken advantage of its key position, all but controlling all overland trade into central Letha.
Infrastructure
The city is packed with textiles manufacturing, including processing mills, knitting facilities and clothiers on a large level, processing raw materials into fine clothing and cloth.
Assets
Gwitreg's wealth is vast, rivaling the Cloth Cities and the mercantile city-states of the Golden Sea. Built along the old Imperial roads from Roazhon to Per-Ys, the city holds a virtual monopoly of overland trade entering central and Northern Letha, controlling a flow only surpassed by Naoned.
Guilds and Factions
Gwitreg is a hotbed of activity in the center of several major trading routes, and several notable organizations exert sizeable influence over it.
The Merchantmen hold considerable interest in the town, influencing all manner of local industries and holding several positions on the council.
Also of note are the Coquillard, a criminal organization run by Patav Lourdaud. Beginning its existence in Sant-Maloù, the thieves guild moved in heavily on the mercantile city, establishing several illicit and legitimate operations. The cities central location allows Lourdaud to control his operations in Naoned, Roazhon, Sant-Malou and Ar Mans with equal ease, while avoiding the increased pressures that arise from direct operation in the cities.
The Lavigerien Guild maintains a sizeable office there, although this serves purely administrative functions without any exceptional permanent navigational equipment.
History
Gwitreg hosted a minor settlement during Imperial times, largely serving as little more than a waystation between larger settlements. The city proper began during the reign of Duke Konan "The Crooked" I, following the Poisoner's Game, a period of political strife between Naoned and Roazhon. With the House of Roazhon rising to the position of Duke, Gwitreg's position became more central, bringing increased trade with Anjev, but also a greater threat from the same, which had been an active conspirator in the Poisoner's Game. To counter the threat of its neighbor, a series of buffer states, the Marches of Neustria were created, with the central March of Vendelais centered on the crossroads of Gwitreg.
Since this time, the city has grown exceptionally wealthy, with the craftsmen and merchant's exerting control over the city operation without much pushback from Ducal or County power, a relationship allowed by the massive taxes paid by the Council to the Count of Roazhon.
Architecture
The town of Gwitreg is a dense mass of houses, cut through by winding, sinuous alleyways that move like vines through the city. The overhangs of the buidlings above are so densely packed that a passerby can walk through the streets in the rain without getting their head wet. The darkened streets are a favourite spot for clandestine meetings and thieves.
Gwitreg boasts a great number of large manor houses, hones of minor nobles and wealthy merchants.
The Kalvar of Gwitreg is noteworthy, a great menhir of Quartz, supposedly granted to the area by The Morrigan, the Unseelie Queen of Winter.
Geography
The city is located along the sloping hills along the River Gwilen, largely built on open plateaus. The surrounding landscape is largely dominated by Bocage agricultural land, allowing sweeping views of the rolling hills and valleys for quite a distance.
Despite being located in the interior ar goat region of the peninsula, the lower town is prone to flooding from the river, which often overflows its banks with run off from the mountains, or as a result of powerful thunderstorms that strike the region. Temperatures in the region can grow very cold, with severe frosts common during Winterrule.
Alternative Name(s)
The Fourth City, the Gateway to Letha
Type
City
Population
~5,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Gwitreged
Location under
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments