Loraica (lor-eye-cuh)
This coastal town is the largest and most well-known of the towns that occupy the Loraica Rainforest. It is the only port on the Morgran Peninsula and as such imports most of the external goods for The Desert Concord.
Over the centuries of the town's existence, they have cleared more and more of the jungle to make room for more houses and businesses as the town expands. In addition to importing goods from foreign lands and shipping them to settlements in the rough desert, Loraica is also responsible for growing a good portion of the settlements' food. Recent years have also seen the town grow rapidly as people resettle here from the desert towns, which has led to the development of more services and a general stratification of the hospitality industry.
Demographics
Until very recently, the majority of the population of Loraica were small-folks (halflings and gnomes). Recent years have seen people resettle from the desert here, bringing more humans, orcs, tieflings, and dwarves. There has always been a small enclave of elves in the town, and they remain.
The majority of the town's people are laborers and work in hospitality, warehouses, dockwork, and agriculture. A few middle class merchants have risen above the working masses by running trading businesses and consolidating all manner of trade into and out of the town. The wealthy aristocrats of the town - few though they are - own vast estates or a network of businesses in town.
Government
Loraica is run by what its initial gnomish inhabitants aptly named the Small Council. It has five members, each representing a section of the town. They serve for five years each, with one member up for reelection each year. Supporting the council is a vast array of advisors and guild leaders representing the various industries and areas of the town.
Defences
The swampy terrain of Loraica does not support exterior walls, though many versions have been attempted over the centuries. In lieu of a singular external wall, the town has placed several small Watch garrisons throughout its external neighborhoods. The waterfront is defended by a pair of towers among the docks, each adorned with a large ballista.
Infrastructure
Despite swampy, unstable foundations in some areas, Loraica has managed to thrive. The main streets in town are all paved and well maintained, allowing carts easy traversal between the ports and the trade road to the north. Many other streets off the main road are also paved or graveled, protecting the inhabitants from the muddy, sticky ground they would otherwise have to cross.
History
Traveling scholars have written about settlements in the Loraica Rainforest since early in the First Age, though the specific settlement at Loraica was not established until the second century of the Second Age. Much like recent times, the early settlers came from the desert, seeking milder climates and better opportunity. After months of wandering the jungles, they came upon a wide swath of land on the southern coast they deemed suitable for a settlement.
The town has almost always had an intermediary role between The Desert Concord city-states and the outside world. With no other suitable ports to bring in needed goods, the desert folk needed a coastal town to supply them. Within its first decade of existence, foresters and guides charted paths and cleared roads through the jungle to connect Loraica with the desert areas. These roads are still well maintained and have to be cleared of encroaching vegetation frequently.
There have not been many notable events in Loraica's history, and local historians even refer to this aspect of the town as "boring". The only interesting occurrence came in the year 832 2A when a black dragon that had been nesting in the swamps nearby grew bold and attacked Loraica. The townsfolk defended themselves well and managed to slay the dragon after more than an hour of intense fighting. Dozens of city blocks were destroyed by this dragon, and it killed several hundred Loraicans, including some as it retreated out of town wounded and unable to fly. The heroes who faced the dragon were given statues in their honor, which still stand in the town square to this day.
Architecture
The architecture of Loraica reflects the climate of the area as well as the diversity of its inhabitants. Many buildings are a type of island or coastal architecture, built to provide pathways for fresh air to cool the house while remaining relatively lightweight. Certain parts of town feature styles reminiscent of the desert or other regions of the world, reflecting the areas from which those settlers originated.
Founding Date
103 2A
Type
Town
Population
8,309
Inhabitant Demonym
Loraicans
Location under
Owning Organization
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