Soojun Town
On the scale of Imperial cities, Soojun is a speck of maybe a few thousand. it is a small frontier town bordering on the wilderness and barbaric lands or the Taurien. It is not a target of Imperial acquisition and is independent - belonging to neither the Empire, nor the Green or Iron Dragon kingdoms. The Empire does keep a garrison and Legate to protect Imperial interests, citizens and traders in the area. The Legate also has a seat on the town council. The town is a mix of Esereti traditional monarchy in surrounding districts and Taurien republic within the town itself.
Demographics
The true population is not known generally. A few know what really lurk in and around the town. What might be found as residents?
10% Torga: 01-10%. (Torga )
10% Olian: 11-20% (Olia )
25% Esereti: 21-45% (Eseret )
5% Fae: 46-50% (The Fae )
15% Moon People: 51-65%. (Moon People
6% Golam: 66-71% (Golam )
5% Beastmen: 72-76% (Beastmen )
16% Centaur or Minotaur: 77-92% (Centaurs and Minotaur )
5% Bahku: 93-97% (Bahku )
2% Skinchanger, Naga, Rakshasa, Ghoul, Vampire, other: 98-00%
10% Torga: 01-10%. (Torga )
10% Olian: 11-20% (Olia )
25% Esereti: 21-45% (Eseret )
5% Fae: 46-50% (The Fae )
15% Moon People: 51-65%. (Moon People
6% Golam: 66-71% (Golam )
5% Beastmen: 72-76% (Beastmen )
16% Centaur or Minotaur: 77-92% (Centaurs and Minotaur )
5% Bahku: 93-97% (Bahku )
2% Skinchanger, Naga, Rakshasa, Ghoul, Vampire, other: 98-00%
Government
The Lesser Councils levy taxes and contribute from their memberships for employment of town soldiers and guard, town services and functions. Likewise the "People's Councils" of Olia , Esereti , Moon People, Centaurs, and Minotaur and lesser populations provide ombudsmen to assist their people and with bringing concerns to the Town Council. Town Officers serve the council as Officers of Courts, Guard, Civil engineering and care of walls, streets and sewers and other functions.
The Council is made up of 5 members:
The Zahsir: Representing the noble families. Ramshi Ibzhoa. (He) Bronze Dragon Clan
The Masu Representing the farmers and agriculturalists. Ziban Ugai (he)
The Siphir: Representing traders and merchants. Sinyu Gwan (he)
Asaban: Representing the priests and churches. Nepherosus (he) Moon People religion
The Imperial Legate of Soojun. Representing Imperial citizens and interests. Quen-ju Hon Girah (he)
Poa Kuree (she) Minotaur Marshall of the Guard and war chief.
Khepetti (she) White skin Moon People "people's Council" leader
Soojun independence is seen as desirable by the Empire as a gateway to Eastern trade and a buffer against the Iron and Green Dragon and Beggar kingdoms. Likewise the local nobles prefer not being obligated to higher lords and take Imperial and Taurien support. The Taurien republics also see this town as a favorable western trade gateway. The balance of forces has discouraged Iron and Green Dragon kingdom incursions. There are rumors of others who influence the Town Council and the Lesser councils and have influence in the wider world encouraging Soojun independence, but this is just talk.
The Council is made up of 5 members:
The Zahsir: Representing the noble families. Ramshi Ibzhoa. (He) Bronze Dragon Clan
The Masu Representing the farmers and agriculturalists. Ziban Ugai (he)
The Siphir: Representing traders and merchants. Sinyu Gwan (he)
Asaban: Representing the priests and churches. Nepherosus (he) Moon People religion
The Imperial Legate of Soojun. Representing Imperial citizens and interests. Quen-ju Hon Girah (he)
Poa Kuree (she) Minotaur Marshall of the Guard and war chief.
Khepetti (she) White skin Moon People "people's Council" leader
Soojun independence is seen as desirable by the Empire as a gateway to Eastern trade and a buffer against the Iron and Green Dragon and Beggar kingdoms. Likewise the local nobles prefer not being obligated to higher lords and take Imperial and Taurien support. The Taurien republics also see this town as a favorable western trade gateway. The balance of forces has discouraged Iron and Green Dragon kingdom incursions. There are rumors of others who influence the Town Council and the Lesser councils and have influence in the wider world encouraging Soojun independence, but this is just talk.
Industry & Trade
Soojun is well into the thousands of miles of rolling grasslands, scrubs and small hills that are the great grassland of the eastern part of the Esereti lands that extend nearly a thousand miles to the White Fall mountains far to the east. The town is supported by grain and Sweet Grass farms, along with Oil Berry , hemp and flax. Livestock range is west and north. The Crags, the hills to the north, have ruins and broken hillsides with basalt columns. The hills to the east have copper mines. There used to be mines to the south, in the Haunted Hills but the area is inhabited by Grindylows and is known to be haunted with a rumored lost village. Most avoid the area due to these hazards.
Soojun is home to leatherworks and textiles. They produce hemp and linen textiles that are traded across the region. These fibers are also used in paper making. Pottery works are mostly local with some blue ceramics from the Taurien to the east.
Soojun is home to leatherworks and textiles. They produce hemp and linen textiles that are traded across the region. These fibers are also used in paper making. Pottery works are mostly local with some blue ceramics from the Taurien to the east.
Infrastructure
The town is walled with watch towers placed at intervals along it's length and at the gates. The roads westward and are patrolled by Imperial Green Legion forces and maintained by them for about a hundred miles to the Imperial line of forts that mark the official start of Imperial lands. Local Noble houses of humans, as well as Centaur, Minotaur and Bahku maintain eastward, southern and northern patrols.
Districts
Old City: The oldest portion of the city is the Old Esereti district, a compact series of "blocks" of interconnected two and three floor buildings with winding narrow alleyways threading through them. Most of these are covered on lower levels with stairs to upper promenades on third or rooftop levels. The homes have a ground floor, open central garden and upper floor balconies. The wooden framing is covered in adobe plaster and mortar, tiles and decorative frescoes or inlaid with stones. Streets are paved and windmill powered pumps drawn water up into towers or roof top cisterns for fountains and household supply. There is a sewer and passages under the district. The Insulae blocks also have several public ovens scattered through them. These have shutters that close and keep heat in during winter or open to allow light and air in the summer. These ovens keep the inner street levels warmer. Individual homes will have small stoves.
Olien District: This area has expanded over the past few centuries. It was initially a few traders houses and warehouses. The district is now made of simple one and two story Olien style longhouse dwellings of wood with wooden shingles, occasionally slate or terra cotta. Major Clan houses exist for Elk, Squirrel, Bear, Snake and Boar. The Icy Hart Inn serves as a major meeting house for other clans who may also use private residences for clan functions. Icy Hart is home to the Hawk Clan. Streets here have a layer of mortar and gravel set with paving stones. Run off is into culverts.
Taurien District: This small neighborhood is made up of larger Centaur built homes and buildings, along with ones suited to Minotaurs, who are slightly larger than humans. There is a sacred grove and centaur bath house. Like the Olien district, streets have a layer of mortar and gravel set with paving stones. Run off is into culverts.
The Foreigner district: Also called the floral district. The streets are tree lined with flower planters and gardens around many homes. The Fae races mostly dwell in this district.
Imperial fort: The empire compound is a fortified walled area enclosing the Prelate's quarters, barracks of the Green Legion units, several fine houses for officers and dignitaries/ officials and lower common dwellings.
Olien District: This area has expanded over the past few centuries. It was initially a few traders houses and warehouses. The district is now made of simple one and two story Olien style longhouse dwellings of wood with wooden shingles, occasionally slate or terra cotta. Major Clan houses exist for Elk, Squirrel, Bear, Snake and Boar. The Icy Hart Inn serves as a major meeting house for other clans who may also use private residences for clan functions. Icy Hart is home to the Hawk Clan. Streets here have a layer of mortar and gravel set with paving stones. Run off is into culverts.
Taurien District: This small neighborhood is made up of larger Centaur built homes and buildings, along with ones suited to Minotaurs, who are slightly larger than humans. There is a sacred grove and centaur bath house. Like the Olien district, streets have a layer of mortar and gravel set with paving stones. Run off is into culverts.
The Foreigner district: Also called the floral district. The streets are tree lined with flower planters and gardens around many homes. The Fae races mostly dwell in this district.
Imperial fort: The empire compound is a fortified walled area enclosing the Prelate's quarters, barracks of the Green Legion units, several fine houses for officers and dignitaries/ officials and lower common dwellings.
Guilds and Factions
- The Imperial Faction: Leader- Quen-ju Hon Girah, Imperial Legate. - He hates the frontier and the nonhuman "monstrosities" he must deal with.
- Brown Scorpions: Anti-imperials. Secret society.
- The Triat: Three crime bosses known as "The Masks" for the masks they wear outside of their own organizations. Lion, Oni, Kirin
- Demon Cultists
- Major trader / merchant houses: Ilim (stablity and traditional), Kotai ( radicals) and Tomgyu
Nightsiders: (secret )monsters - vampires, ghouls, skinchangers and werebeasts. The hidden Rakshasa and Naga. The Nightsiders are divided into Radicals who want chaos and destruction (Naga), Traditional stability faction (vampire Master of the town and the Rakshasa) and Compact (Olian werebeasts) that want to be open and integrated with the other kinds and don't view them as prey.
Abukojura: twisted-order- angry and bored young nobles of the Empire and Eseret, and a few hangers-on of the administrative classes
Points of interest
Government:
@Soojun Citadel and Council Chambers: The tower and keep of the one time rulers has been converted into offices and meeting rooms for the lesser council, the Town council, ombudsmen and town officers. The kitchen services town officials and their guests and paying visitors.
City wall and watch towers: pairs of guards walk the walls while groups of 3 man the watch towers.
Drawbridge:The west side of town has a bridge entry that can be drawn up in case of threats.
Courthouse: lawyers and judges oversee legal issues, trials and contract disputes. There are upper floor galleries to allow a few humanoids to watch. The ways are too small and narrow for Centaurs.
Stockyard and auction (east side): Livestock traders and buying site for butchers.
Tannery: North Old Esereti district: large compound with several layers of vats, dyes and treatments. Buy hides from butchers, hunters, trappers and stockyard.
Gangon's hatter shop: Young Esereti shop keep seeking a wife. Parents also work in the shop.
@Soojun Citadel and Council Chambers: The tower and keep of the one time rulers has been converted into offices and meeting rooms for the lesser council, the Town council, ombudsmen and town officers. The kitchen services town officials and their guests and paying visitors.
City wall and watch towers: pairs of guards walk the walls while groups of 3 man the watch towers.
Drawbridge:The west side of town has a bridge entry that can be drawn up in case of threats.
Courthouse: lawyers and judges oversee legal issues, trials and contract disputes. There are upper floor galleries to allow a few humanoids to watch. The ways are too small and narrow for Centaurs.
Stockyard and auction (east side): Livestock traders and buying site for butchers.
Tannery: North Old Esereti district: large compound with several layers of vats, dyes and treatments. Buy hides from butchers, hunters, trappers and stockyard.
Gangon's hatter shop: Young Esereti shop keep seeking a wife. Parents also work in the shop.
Stories and legends in and around Soojun:
The streets are sometime haunted by a giant ghost. Or sometimes it is a demon of shadows and darkness.
The local humans say the tavern, Lucky Baby , is haunted. Minotaurs say that is silly- it is just spirits. The place is run by minotaurs.
The one time ruling family of Mercury Dragon clan were all massacred by vampires. There are still said to be vampires lurking in the town.
There is a huge demon wolf that hunts the wilds outside of town. It rips out the throats of cattle and drinks their blood. It takes parts and pieces of livestock, leaving strange square or triangular cuts. The Lord Kirogi's annual beast hunt has never found and killed the beast.
The Haunted Hills south of town have strange ancient rings of stones that some say were once pillars. Rumor says that standing in these rings at night, you can hear strange high thin voices whispering in unknown languages.
In the Haunted Hills is the ghost village Hald, the Ghost Village , a haunted town that was one a copper mining town. The ghosts are angry and vengeful over the town not helping them when it was struck by a plague.
In the Haunted Hills a grindylow tribe has taken up residence in a ruin.
The hills north (the Crags) have some old ruins.
Travelers have noted that a part of a hill in the Crags has fallen down and exposed part of an ancient Crypt. (see Crypt of Broken Hill )
The streets are sometime haunted by a giant ghost. Or sometimes it is a demon of shadows and darkness.
The local humans say the tavern, Lucky Baby , is haunted. Minotaurs say that is silly- it is just spirits. The place is run by minotaurs.
The one time ruling family of Mercury Dragon clan were all massacred by vampires. There are still said to be vampires lurking in the town.
There is a huge demon wolf that hunts the wilds outside of town. It rips out the throats of cattle and drinks their blood. It takes parts and pieces of livestock, leaving strange square or triangular cuts. The Lord Kirogi's annual beast hunt has never found and killed the beast.
The Haunted Hills south of town have strange ancient rings of stones that some say were once pillars. Rumor says that standing in these rings at night, you can hear strange high thin voices whispering in unknown languages.
In the Haunted Hills is the ghost village Hald, the Ghost Village , a haunted town that was one a copper mining town. The ghosts are angry and vengeful over the town not helping them when it was struck by a plague.
In the Haunted Hills a grindylow tribe has taken up residence in a ruin.
The hills north (the Crags) have some old ruins.
Travelers have noted that a part of a hill in the Crags has fallen down and exposed part of an ancient Crypt. (see Crypt of Broken Hill )
The Noble Houses of Soojun:
1) House Yeno-Al. Olien Elk Clan Karl founded by 3rd son of the Elk Jarl 100 yrs ago under Imperial support. Pious Order of Heaven Followers Vassal Black Elk house. They permit a gnome house as tenants. Wealthy from trade and fertile productive lands. Amongst Nobles seen as lowly.
2) House Reyinnu (begonia), Blue Dragon ancient House - Known Fae ancestry ( 1st son- third child shows dark elf features). Lord is a widower with 2 eldest daughters, 4th & 6th child daughters and 3rd and 5th child sons. Lord has 2 sisters and a brother with small lands holdings (the eldest, Lady Suzo, has a dark reputation and is Goblin Fae). The family is insular and out of local favor. They have Dragon shrines (ancestral) and have an Order of Heaven shrine that the human blooded attend ( devil fae are prohibited by the church which is pushing the lord to disown his fae-blood son).
3) House Yonuen (Wysteria) Mercury Dragon ancient house with a dark reputation of Vampiric ancestors ( cousins of the one time ruling family). Despite this they are influential locally - primarily as they have been money lenders for centuries and many owe them debts. The house is known to be easily swayed by bribes.
4) House Kazusa (Syringa) Red Dragon old family with ties to the Shiji Dominance. They are militaristic, highly trained and tyranical rulers that follow the Dragon Faith of Old Eseret and are opposed to Imperial presence.
5) House Arylyx. These are an ancient family of pre-esereti Qijon (pink) people with extensive lands south of Soojun. They have been dwindling family for centuries with tribal Qijon retainers. The lord is a widower with no known children, in his 50's with white hair as is typical of the Qijon. They have been secretive and it is said the Qijon used to worship demonic entities at the standingstones in the hills. Several old estates are now in ruins on Arylyx lands and said to be haunted (or inhabited by bandits). Lord Arylyx is still considered a marriage prospect by aspiring families.
6) House Ihibon -Torga of Burning Water Clan. The current lord is young and of low ambition but the house was founded by an expansionist ancestor who settled in the "wilds' over a century ago and built a magnificent fortress to impress and dominate the locals. They have quite a bit of wealth, well trained troops and Imperial influence. Only last year Lord Ihibon disappointed local nobles by bringing in a Torga bride from the Imperial Core Shard islands. A child is expected.
7) House Tuzicha (Greybeard Tree) Old family of the Silver Dragon clans. Lady Mika Tuzicha rules with her Kirogi husband of the Torga Red Rock Clan and her 4 children. She is an Imperial Loyalist, piously devout to the Order of Heaven and premits no Fae devils in her lands. She disowned and banned her brother's children for having one that showed fae ancestry (it must have been his wife with the devil's blood!)
8) Splendid House Ashuhem Kizoshis of the Moon People. The Kizoshis family are seen as the overall rulers of the Moon people of Soojun- their protectors, guides and judges for the past 500 years or so. They fought against Imperial occupation in the Esereti wars of Imperial 964 - 1029 and later. Lufrem is the current ruler.
9) House Zongu, Torga of the Balanced Rock clan, Ghaki family. Tudari is the current lord with extensive Imperial connections and influence. The house is the lord and a cousin as Banner lord vassal and families. There are dark rumors of forbidden magics or perhaps a touch of Crystal and Corruption in the family. They do seem to have bad luck with Mocks in their villages and banditry.
10) House Ibzhoa (Crapemyrtle) Bronze Dragon. Old lord widower with 3 children (daughter, son, daughter). The house is actually ancient with heirlooms and treasures, but relocated in the Dragon wars of the imperial year 730-33. They were anti-imperial. The lord is gregarious and is the seat for the nobles in the town council.
11) House Kirogi of the Torga Red Rock clan. While the house has a history of exemplary Imperial Service, they also have rumors of mixed blood with servants and commoners that leave them with a black mark. They have military traditions, superior troops and even a unit of Minotaur mercenaries. Lord Kirogi Darguanz hosts an annual feast and hunting party for nobles and other aristocrats to slay the great beast or other hazards. It is not unusual that one or two might be lost to the beast, though none has killed in after decades of hunts. He likewise can't seem to control banditry in this lands.
12) House Yunma (Gladiolus) of the Green Dragon. Lord Muchochun is an ambitious lord who served in the Imperial legions and has connections. They are pious follower of the Order of Heaven with well trained troops. They are Imperial supporters against the Green Dragon Clans of the east, and House Kazusa of the Red Dragon, but there are rumors of mixed blood- fae or other in their history and dealings with criminal elements in the lord's interest in collecting antiquities.
1) House Yeno-Al. Olien Elk Clan Karl founded by 3rd son of the Elk Jarl 100 yrs ago under Imperial support. Pious Order of Heaven Followers Vassal Black Elk house. They permit a gnome house as tenants. Wealthy from trade and fertile productive lands. Amongst Nobles seen as lowly.
2) House Reyinnu (begonia), Blue Dragon ancient House - Known Fae ancestry ( 1st son- third child shows dark elf features). Lord is a widower with 2 eldest daughters, 4th & 6th child daughters and 3rd and 5th child sons. Lord has 2 sisters and a brother with small lands holdings (the eldest, Lady Suzo, has a dark reputation and is Goblin Fae). The family is insular and out of local favor. They have Dragon shrines (ancestral) and have an Order of Heaven shrine that the human blooded attend ( devil fae are prohibited by the church which is pushing the lord to disown his fae-blood son).
3) House Yonuen (Wysteria) Mercury Dragon ancient house with a dark reputation of Vampiric ancestors ( cousins of the one time ruling family). Despite this they are influential locally - primarily as they have been money lenders for centuries and many owe them debts. The house is known to be easily swayed by bribes.
4) House Kazusa (Syringa) Red Dragon old family with ties to the Shiji Dominance. They are militaristic, highly trained and tyranical rulers that follow the Dragon Faith of Old Eseret and are opposed to Imperial presence.
5) House Arylyx. These are an ancient family of pre-esereti Qijon (pink) people with extensive lands south of Soojun. They have been dwindling family for centuries with tribal Qijon retainers. The lord is a widower with no known children, in his 50's with white hair as is typical of the Qijon. They have been secretive and it is said the Qijon used to worship demonic entities at the standingstones in the hills. Several old estates are now in ruins on Arylyx lands and said to be haunted (or inhabited by bandits). Lord Arylyx is still considered a marriage prospect by aspiring families.
6) House Ihibon -Torga of Burning Water Clan. The current lord is young and of low ambition but the house was founded by an expansionist ancestor who settled in the "wilds' over a century ago and built a magnificent fortress to impress and dominate the locals. They have quite a bit of wealth, well trained troops and Imperial influence. Only last year Lord Ihibon disappointed local nobles by bringing in a Torga bride from the Imperial Core Shard islands. A child is expected.
7) House Tuzicha (Greybeard Tree) Old family of the Silver Dragon clans. Lady Mika Tuzicha rules with her Kirogi husband of the Torga Red Rock Clan and her 4 children. She is an Imperial Loyalist, piously devout to the Order of Heaven and premits no Fae devils in her lands. She disowned and banned her brother's children for having one that showed fae ancestry (it must have been his wife with the devil's blood!)
8) Splendid House Ashuhem Kizoshis of the Moon People. The Kizoshis family are seen as the overall rulers of the Moon people of Soojun- their protectors, guides and judges for the past 500 years or so. They fought against Imperial occupation in the Esereti wars of Imperial 964 - 1029 and later. Lufrem is the current ruler.
9) House Zongu, Torga of the Balanced Rock clan, Ghaki family. Tudari is the current lord with extensive Imperial connections and influence. The house is the lord and a cousin as Banner lord vassal and families. There are dark rumors of forbidden magics or perhaps a touch of Crystal and Corruption in the family. They do seem to have bad luck with Mocks in their villages and banditry.
10) House Ibzhoa (Crapemyrtle) Bronze Dragon. Old lord widower with 3 children (daughter, son, daughter). The house is actually ancient with heirlooms and treasures, but relocated in the Dragon wars of the imperial year 730-33. They were anti-imperial. The lord is gregarious and is the seat for the nobles in the town council.
11) House Kirogi of the Torga Red Rock clan. While the house has a history of exemplary Imperial Service, they also have rumors of mixed blood with servants and commoners that leave them with a black mark. They have military traditions, superior troops and even a unit of Minotaur mercenaries. Lord Kirogi Darguanz hosts an annual feast and hunting party for nobles and other aristocrats to slay the great beast or other hazards. It is not unusual that one or two might be lost to the beast, though none has killed in after decades of hunts. He likewise can't seem to control banditry in this lands.
12) House Yunma (Gladiolus) of the Green Dragon. Lord Muchochun is an ambitious lord who served in the Imperial legions and has connections. They are pious follower of the Order of Heaven with well trained troops. They are Imperial supporters against the Green Dragon Clans of the east, and House Kazusa of the Red Dragon, but there are rumors of mixed blood- fae or other in their history and dealings with criminal elements in the lord's interest in collecting antiquities.
Characters in Location
I like the detail of the government and how that's represented in the makeup of the cuty. I wonder how they protect themselves, however, sine they're in such an open area. Also, how they remain independent, despite having so much farming. I think it would be better to include links to the different people's in the demographics, rather than in the middle of a paragraph after they're name dropped.
Thank you for the suggestion. I have implemented it. I have also added a defenses update.