Langrist

In the far east, juxtaposing Duvonia, settles a kingdom stretching to impressive size and wealth. However, unlike its closest comparison, Langrist is built upon blood, toil, and cruelty. Where Duvonia found purpose in forged bonds and shared struggles, Langrist bears an 'only the strong are worthy' mentality. Often called 'The Seat of Tyranny' or 'The Kingdom of the Slaves', Langrist is anything but warm and welcoming from an outsider's point of view. Despite this foul reputation, it does have means of attracting visitors. Its wealth of Barradite in the neighboring mountains entices crafters from all around to work with such an exotic material, especially post gathering when it is not as dangerous. It also offers a degree of civility when compared to its neighbors, appearing more 'safe' than the maurading packs of Minotaurs in The Luwani Desert or the creepy unfathomables that stalk the forests near Lundhearst.

Industry & Trade

Langrist is a selfish city.  While its primary industry revolves around the mining and utilization of Barradite, it does not export any of its goods, nor does it import from others.  Rather the needs of the city are met through conquest.  Frequent raids and seiges ensure that the city remains well stocked with raw resources, manufactured goods, and plenty of slaves to help haul their ill gotten gains behind city walls.

Districts

There are four districts and one nebulous district that lie within the walls of Langrist maintained by the city's strict adherence to order. No more and no more less.

Castle Langrist

Casting its long shadow over its citizens, Castle Langrist stands as a beacon of the city's might. This district is not simply the castle, however, as it also contains the many houses for retainers and slaves as well as scenic areas for leisurely activities. The castle is unsurprisingly well guarded with gleaming black armor marching the ramparts at all hours of the day. Royal decree is hung at the many entrances, scrawled on freshly flayed back skin as a grim reminder that no one dares cross its king.

by Envar Studio

Penkurth

Penkurth is the home to a plethora of private and curated marketplaces existing only for the most privileged, manned with fineries like exotic thread and herbs, no doubt a product of brutal conquest. Although the upper eschelons of society live in relative luxury, well furnished walk-in parlors are plentiful, allowing posh patrons a pampered chance to sit and view cruel decadence first hand, be it a fevered whipping or an agonizing branding.

Crasmere

The heart of Langrist, this is where the majority of the population dwells, and as such money and knowledge flow freely within. What parades are held march through these streets, oft to pay homage to those living in the towers that loom over Crasmere. Because this district is the most populated, most of the academies are also located within Crasmere, rife with indoctrination to ensure the youth are steeped in zealous patriotism. The 'no-nonsense' headmasters walking the rows of sturdy wooden desks frequently employ physical punishment to keep children in check. Even the young are spared no mercy.

Azmarin

It is here that industry takes place. Azmarin hosts the factories and workshops of its kingdom, manned by battered slaves dragging their bruised and broken ankles. Plumes of smoke from their forges form a wreath along the city's edges and cast a villainous backdrop onto an already sinister metropolis.

Squalor's End (Pella's Wish)

Even a strict and orderly tyrant kingdom like Langrist has its blindspots, resulting in slums of under performing citizens and escaped slaves. Unfortunately, because of the high risen and well manned walls, escape outside of the city is not an option. However, escape into the sewers very much is. While not a mapped out district, the militant guard and the nobility are not naive enough to assume it does not exist, and so they have named the nebulous location as 'Squalor's End', assured that even in their mockery of freedom, the city is dominant enough to ensure they rise no higher than the vermin they bed down beside. Among its residents, however, it is referred to as Pella's Wish after one brave woman decided to take a stand against its current king. Her brave display of disobedience was unsurprisingly and swiftly crushed. Pella was decapitated in the public square and her skull kept beside the king's throne, but not without the downtrodden viewing her as a martyr and an icon for hope.

History

In its infancy, its founders were beset by threats from all sides - the strange and the eerie to the north, and the raw brutal strength of the denizens of the sand to the west.  Through sheer determination, their early adopters came out on top and took the defeated as the spoils of war.  This growing in numbers and adherence to strict discipline and cruelty created a snowball effect whereupon Langrist went from the hunted to the hunter.  Their sturdy walls adorned with blood colored tapestries serve as a grim reminder to would be attackers that they do take prisoners, and that there are fates far worse than death.

Architecture

Hallmarks of Langrist architecture is their tall standing, sharp edged stone walls, often with manned ramparts and unfurled crimson tapestries.  Reflecting their militant, orderly culture, these walls evoke feelings of oppression and dominance, casting long shadows to the streets below.  Interiors are much the same with common custom being to display weaponry that the homeowner takes a level of pride in, either in craftsmanship or usage.

by Tim Warnock

Natural Resources

In the near stretching mountains, Langrist benefits from the dense richness of Barradite.  This 'wonder mineral' is incredibly difficult to mine - a factor that has been accounted for through the use of slave labor to extract the resource.

Current Rulers
Lambertus Langrist - King
Lucrezia Langrist - Queen
Political System
Absolute Monarchy

Alternative Name(s)

'The Seat of Tyranny' or 'The Kingdom of the Slaves'

Inhabitant Demonym

Langrian

by Nemanja Stankovic

  

"Branding a slave is rarely easy, but it is quite fun."

— Gideon Irons, Royal Brandmaster

by Gabriel Yeganyan