Orthatebh (ôr thə tĕb)

The westernmost city on the coast of the Frontier Lands, Orthatebh is a major trading hub drawing ships form both he Old and New kingdoms as well as the mysterious and exotic lands further west of the Frontier Lands. Orthatebh sits at the mouth of the Rozux river where it enjoys trade from Windbrücke, Tiefhohl, Cektoh, Ethfamen, and other Frontier Land kingdoms. As a primary commercial port it is home to many races and has a diverse population of peoples.

Demographics

Humans―13,910, Halflings―1,585, Gnomes―880, Elves―528, Dwarves―352, Others Races―352 The humans are largely Mangen peoples though there is a mix of Manneskor there as well as a small community of Makkal people and a smattering of Maneta, Jouren, and even Watu people.

Government

The city is run by a council of thirteen Aldermen who select a mayor to serve as a voice for the council. The current mayor is Eeva, a human of mangen decent who is two years into her five year term as mayor. So far, she has proven to be popular and may be selected for another term. The Aldermen are chosen by the people, in a once every five-year election, and serve until the people choose to vote them out. There are two elected from each quarter of the city as well five who are elected by the city as a whole.

Defences

The city once had walls, but they were largely torn down as the city grew beyond them, though the remains of the walls can be found in some places. The city has no static defenses apart from a number of siege engines maintained by the watch for use by the militia, and the fact that the city is home to a number of mercenary companies, who spend their summers helping to defend the smaller nations of the frontier Lands.

Industry & Trade

Orthatebh is home to quite a few industries as it receives quite a bit of raw materials as well as finished goods. The only industries it lacks are large scale mining/refinery industries as there are ni mines of appreciable size near the city and the few mines along the Rozux find it cheaper to refine on site and ship ingots and trade bars to the city. The largest industry by far is trade as trade goods come to the city from all directions. The city is home to a thriving trading community who buy shipments from one location and trade them for shipments from another, which are then resold.

Infrastructure

The city sits on the mouth of the Rozux river so there is a large number of waterwheels interspersed with even more docks and several dozen bridges. The bay is crowded with docks most of which have several cranes on them to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo from ships. The city has paved streets over an extensive sewer system which is designed to drain storm water as well as waste into the bay. The sewers are also home to a water system which pumps fresh water from up the Rozux river into a number of fountains, some decorative and some purely utilitarian in nature. Some of the more lavish houses even include running water and indoor water closets.

Assets

Apart from its strategic location at the mouth of the Rozux river Orthatebh hasn’t any natural resources, however it’s location is enough, The floodplains of the Rozux river are fertile and produce and abundance of foodstuffs whish are shipped to the city and traded for goods from the New Kingdoms and many even more exotic locations.

Guilds and Factions

The politics of the city is largely controlled by the numerous guilds and trading cartels. While many of the city’s inhabitants are not guild members many do work for the guilds or cartels, and the leaders of these organizations control the bulk of the wealth in the city. As long as the streets are kept safe, the money and goods flow and taxes are kept low the majority of the people are content to let the plutocrats run things. The plutocrats in turn recognize these facts and so do their best to maintain the status quo.

History

There have long been temporary settlements along the sheltered mouth of the Rozux river. It wasn’t until the summer of 575 that a permanent settlement was established there when explorers from western Windbrücke arrived looking for s shorter route to the coast. The settlement quickly grew as traders from the west had long been stopping in the sheltered area on their way east. Soon mercenary companies were wintering in the town between summers spent in the north defending the burgeoning settlements from various threats. As more and more settlements opened along the Rozux river trade through Orthatebh increased and the population grew.

Architecture

Most buildings in Orthatebh are timber and stone construction built with wood shipped down the river. The earliest buildings were built with stone using local wood for frame. As these resources were exhausted in the local area, they began importing them from upriver. Most buildings are one story with a handful of two- and three-story buildings with sloped roofs.

Geography

Orthatebh is located along the bay at the mouth of the Rozux river the land is largely level with open plains as most of the forests have long been cut down. The area is sheltered from the worst of ocean storms by the Baumblume peninsula.

Natural Resources

In addition to the current of the Rozux river and the coastal breezes, Orthatebh is home to many fishermen. Apart from these most of the natural resources in the area have been exhausted.

Founding Date

23rd of Paun 575

Type

Large city

Population

17,608

Inhabitant Demonym

Orthtebians

Location under

Frontier Lands