The Port of Cortesh
The smell of the sea mixed with exotic spices and freshly oiled timber. These are the embracing aromas of the greatest port Eastara has ever known. Port Cortesh.
The city is as busy as a beehive midway through spring.
People from all walks of life and all races fill the cobbled streets with passion and energy!
The day is young!
New and exciting goods were brought in from the port during the night and by now they should be filling the stalls and shelves of the myriad of Corteshian shops.
The city is as busy as a beehive midway through spring.
People from all walks of life and all races fill the cobbled streets with passion and energy!
The day is young!
New and exciting goods were brought in from the port during the night and by now they should be filling the stalls and shelves of the myriad of Corteshian shops.
"Come my friend, I know exactly what you need and it will be yours before the day is spent....
for the right price of course!"
for the right price of course!"
Art by Robin Tran
Demographics
Almost everyone in Cortesh has something to do with Trade! Trade is the universal constant that binds the elements of Corteshian life together. While Corteshians are extremely busy people you will rarely find them in foul spirits. No sir! Cortesians are positive people! They firmly believe that if you are clever and if you work hard and work right, then there is money to be made and even more importantly, there is a better life to be found!
Race holds absolutely no importance in Cortesh. Diversity brings variety, and variety always makes customers happy. Not to mention that a little healthy competition brings out the best in every craftsman or trader !!
Race holds absolutely no importance in Cortesh. Diversity brings variety, and variety always makes customers happy. Not to mention that a little healthy competition brings out the best in every craftsman or trader !!
Government
Cortesh is ruled by a form of Democracy. The governing body is the Council of Traders which is a group of highly esteemed merchants who are elected by the society of Cortesh.
Something to keep in mind however is that the only people who have the right of vote in Cortesh, are those traders who own at least one ship and who maintain a place of operations within the city itself. The more ships one trader owns, the higher is the power of his/her vote.
The Council of Traders has absolute authority over Corteshian laws, regulations and trade operations ranging from the smallest food stall to the largest and most important business deals. For over two centuries the Council maintains its reputation for being a just and reasonable institution and for always having the interest and prosperity of the people of Cortesh as its guide!
Something to keep in mind however is that the only people who have the right of vote in Cortesh, are those traders who own at least one ship and who maintain a place of operations within the city itself. The more ships one trader owns, the higher is the power of his/her vote.
The Council of Traders has absolute authority over Corteshian laws, regulations and trade operations ranging from the smallest food stall to the largest and most important business deals. For over two centuries the Council maintains its reputation for being a just and reasonable institution and for always having the interest and prosperity of the people of Cortesh as its guide!
Defences
Art by AC's Game Artists
The Corteshians however, being the traders and negotiators that they are, have outsourced all matters of security and defence to their closest ally, which is of course the Grand Kingdom of Uthira!
For this reason it is very common for someone to find guards or patrol squadrons that wear the honorary OliveGreen and Gold colors of Uthira.
While Corteshians have mixed feelings about the presence of Uthiran forces in their great city (jealousy might be a promising candidate for such feelings) they rarely express them as they understand the vital importance of this symbiosis.
Industry & Trade
The depth and complexity of Cortesian trade can become very difficult and tedious to explain to the uninitiated ear!
Nearly every single person in Cortesh is involved in commerce and ships loaded with cargo come and go at all hours of the day and even the night.
However, one can say with some degree of certainty that the single most important trade relationship that the Corteshian have, is the one with the Dwarven mining town of Soruk. The secretive and introverted dwarves of Soruk can be extremely hard to deal with let alone trade with, yet the Corteshian traders have maintained their exclusive business relationship for almost 2 centuries now. The details and particularities of this relationship are secret, it is without a doubt however that it is this very deal, that makes Cortesh an important force!
However, one can say with some degree of certainty that the single most important trade relationship that the Corteshian have, is the one with the Dwarven mining town of Soruk. The secretive and introverted dwarves of Soruk can be extremely hard to deal with let alone trade with, yet the Corteshian traders have maintained their exclusive business relationship for almost 2 centuries now. The details and particularities of this relationship are secret, it is without a doubt however that it is this very deal, that makes Cortesh an important force!
Architecture
Cortesh is colorful and very well maintained. Cleanliness is very much a source of pride in Corteshian life.
The Sea also holds a sentimental role in the city's architecture. Many buildings fashion masts and rigging at their roofs and one can find almost everywhere the picturesque round windows with brass fittings that are commonly found in the grand ships that roam the archipelago. Anchors, bells and sea creatures of all kinds are also common elements of decoration.
The Sea also holds a sentimental role in the city's architecture. Many buildings fashion masts and rigging at their roofs and one can find almost everywhere the picturesque round windows with brass fittings that are commonly found in the grand ships that roam the archipelago. Anchors, bells and sea creatures of all kinds are also common elements of decoration.
Theme Song
Alternative Name(s)
The great Port of the South
Type
Large town
Population
22.000
Inhabitant Demonym
Corteshians
Important Locations
Maiden's Square
The main public space of Cortesh. The square itself is filled with the smells that rise from its numerous coffee shops , tea houses, bakeries and street food vendors. There are establishments for every kind of pocket, places where the people of Courtesh can relax, eat exotic foods or even talk about business! Old Town
Old Town might be the only place in Cortesh that one will not be able to find a single shop! This is because Oldtown is reserved for the villas and grand mansions of the oldest and wealthiest of Corteshian families. It is quite, private, well guarded and of course extremely luxurious. Oldtown also has its own private port: An important asset when it comes to the transpiration of extra rare merchandise. RicketVille
The exact opposite of old town. Ricketville is a creaking, shambling collage of driftwood slums, rotting tents, mud and piss. This section of town is so appalling to Corteshians that it is not even considered...well... a part of the actual town. It has its uses however. Full of shadows and secret alleyways, Ricketville is the perfect place to find secret information, seek the employment of shady individuals and fence stolen or sensitive goods. Just pay close attention to your money pouch!!! Bridgetown
Not everyone can open their business in Cortesh. Apart form the fact that you have to have coin in order to rent a shop inside the city more importantly you have to have reputation. The merchants who want to stay close to the bustling and flourishing economy of Cortesh, but they are not granted a permit of operations within the city walls, can set up their shop In the flea market of Bridgetown which is found just outside the western gate. If, by either being an exceptional craftsman or a merchant of great fame, the Council of Traders eventually grands a working permit. Be warned, that the goods one may found in Bridgetown may certainly be pretty, but they often lack in quality!
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