Algoma City
Demographics
As the capital city of Algoma, Algoma City has a varied demographic. People of all social classes and nearly all professions inhabit the city, from the poorest beggars to the wealthiest merchants and nobles. Because the ruling family and its court live here throughout the year, there are many in the city with thriving businesses dedicated to providing for the wealthy. The middle class is therefore rather small, as those meeting the needs of the court and wealthy class are often themselves rather wealthy. The lower class, made up of poor inhabitants, is even smaller, as the social systems of Algoma were created to assist all citizens. This is due to the duty of care that is taken seriously by the Kings and Queens of Algoma.
Government
The king rules over the city and surrounding areas as the lord of the lordship. King and court determine the laws and taxation rate within the lordship. A portion of that tax money is set aside specifically for use maintaining the city and surrounding lordship, while the rest is added to that provided by other lordships throughout the country to pay for national defense and other large-scale needs.
Laws are enforced by the city guard, and serious crimes are dealt with by the king. Minor crimes are punished by the Captain of the Guard, but all citizens are able to petition the king for a new trial before him. If the king accepts the petition, the punishment is postponed until the king passes judgement. There is one jail within the city that holds criminals awaiting trial and those condemned to imprisonment for a period of time as punishment.
Defences
Algoma City sits atop a hill and is surrounded by a thick stone wall. The wall is manned continuously by guards, who are able to see an approaching army for several miles.
Industry & Trade
Being the capital of Algoma, much of the industry within and around the city is related to clothing, feeding, and providing comfort and entertainment for the royal family, nobles of the court, the military, and visitors to the city of various classes.
Infrastructure
The roads of the city are paved with stone, as are the major roads leading to it. Secondary roads throughout the country are made of dirt or crushed stone. Algoma City also boasts a significant sewer system, a development that was adopted by other major cities, even some outside Algoma.
Guilds and Factions
The guilds within Algoma City are strongly connected to those throughout the handful of other major cities within the country of Algoma. This allows for information, trends, and plans to pass uniformly throughout the country, while still promoting regional variations in some regards. These guilds exist for all manner of profession, from tailors and tanners, to bakers and brewers. The guilds are often responsible for what becomes seen as fashionable in all aspects of daily or courtly life.
History
The location of Algoma City was selected by King Lexand because it is in the center of the country, despite being nowhere near the sea or a river for trading. His primary concern when building his capital was for a central location due to the idea that the rulers of Algoma should be accessible and central to the government of the country. There are several springs that flow from the hill on which the city sits, ensuring the city is not without water, and regular rains and snows keep the ground fertile for farming.
The city was built up over time, from buildings of wood and thatch, navigated by dirt roads, to a city of stone and brick buildings with cobbled roads. Some wooden buildings continue to dot the city, but even the houses outside the city within the lordship are often built of stone or brick.
Many had wished to name the city after its founder, King Lexand, but he chose to name it Algoma City so to appear more humble. The name remained even after his death.
Tourism
The most frequent visitors to Algoma City are wealthy merchants, lords from all over Algoma, and dignitaries from other countries. Others find reason to visit through memberships and associations with the guilds. Newly-trained soldiers from the various lordships are often sent to visit the capital and swear their service to the crown in addition to their local lordship.
There are many inns throughout the city, all catering to different types of customers. Many also cater to locals interested in drinking and socializing. The best inns offer private rooms and personalized entertainment for the wealthiest visitors. Foreign dignitaries and other guests of the royal family stay at the castle where much of the court resides, provided for by servants.
Architecture
Most buildings are plain stone or brick with slate roofs and plain wooden doors. Some buildings contain glass windows, especially those belonging to the wealthiest residents or businesses. Others have windows that are open and only secured by wooden shutters that latch or lock within. There is little in the way of external decoration, aside from banners or wreaths to celebrate certain holidays or events throughout the year. Some buildings have flower boxes outside their windows, often for growing herbs or vegetables.
Geography
Algoma City sits atop a hill in central Algoma. There are several springs in the area, and wells provide drinking water throughout the lordship. The region surrounding Algoma City is hilly, but the city sits atop the largest hill.
Natural Resources
There are two thriving iron mines within the lordship, as well as one for quartz. The farms produce numerous crops, though the most significant is wheat and grain. None of the streams are powerful enough to turn waterwheels, so mills are operated manually. Other farms produce meat from pigs, and horses for the military. Cattle provide milk for cream and cheese production. Timber is also a resource that is hauled to coastal cities for ship building.
