City of Hersa
The city of Hersa is a large settlement situated in the south-east of the Kingdom of Alvaros, along the River Royn and near the foothills of the Alvars Mountains. Despite its small size, it is well known across the continent for being one of the only town in Arros outside of Rumalia to have a mojority of the population not being Mundane Humans, but instead them being Shapeshifters.
Demographics
Humans
The population of the city of Hersa is mainly made up of ethnic Eglazians people, who are closely related to both the Alvarosians to the north and the Kavasians to the south. However, unlike most other cities on the continent, they are outnumbered by Mages. Only about 40% of the city's inhabitants are mundane humans, the rest being various types of mages.Shapeshifters
A large portion of the population are also shapeshifters, as the city grew out from what was originaly a small settlement established by two shapeshifter clans. Most Shapeshifters are of the three ethnicities mentioned above, but their are also a notable population of Hazian Shapeshifters from the south and Heorians from the east, who arrived later.Other Mages
The other types of mages in the city established themselves around the same time as the humans did, but came from various ethnic and cultural backrounds, mostly from the west of the continent.Government
Ever since it was founded, the city has been ruled by the elders of the shapeshifter clan. However, a century of two ago, the clan decided to share the leadership roles with another person that would represent the human population of the settlement, which forms a little less than half of its population. Since then, the town has been ruled by two mayors, who take turns every solstice to lead the city.
Defences
The town's northern and eastern flank are protected by a recently constructed stone wall, eight metres tall, while larger stones towers guard the various gates constructed within the wall that allows acess in and out of the town. On the southern and western flank, the fast moving and deep Royn river offers great protection in both summer and winter, as temperatures don't get cold enough during the winter for the river to completly freeze over, which would otherwhise allow armies to cross over. Thanks to this natural protection, only a small wooden pallisade was erected, located mostly along the flank of the northern district and connected to the larger stone wall.
Industry & Trade
Agriculture
The land around the city, particulary in the south have been largely stripped of the thick forest that once covered the whole region, allowing for much farmland to develop where wheat, barley and other grains are grown to feed the town, while pigs, cows and chickens are raised nearby as well.Forestry
The land north of the city still possess much of their ancestral forests and remain largely untamed. Centuries old Oak, Maple, Birch and Pine trees are cut down and sent down river, towards Hersa itself or further south, towards the larger cities of the south along the royn river.Mining
The foothills of the Alvars Mountains sitiated north east of the city have long been known to be rich in all kinds of ores and minerals. Many small and larger mines were dug into the hills in order to excract the Iron, Malachite(Copper) and Nickel ore from the hills, an industry that brought great forture to the city, and continues to do so.Districts
The city is divided into three main areas.
The North/New Town
The north of the city is the newest part of the settlement that is mostly inhabited by Humans, as well as some elemental mages and soulbound mages.The Market District
The market district is the center of the city, named for its market along the river. However, it contains much more than just a single market. It also hosts not one but 2 choranian temples, as well as a couple of guildhalls, mainly belonging to mercenary compagnies and craftsmen, specialising in woodworks and metalworks. It is inhabited by both humans and mages.The South/Old Town
The South is where most of the shapeshifter population lives. The district is the oldest of the city, as is the community that lives there as their ancestors founded the city. The oldest building of the city, a Choranian temple is located in the center of the district. A Solian solian temple is located nearby as well, which is rare this far east. It was built for and by Solian Shapeshifters fleeing the roynian plains during the rapid expansion of the Essanian Empire in the region. A large battle arena is also located in this district, and it hosts many Boyeken Battle.History
Founding
The city of Hersa was founded in the year 939 BC, by two shapeshifter clans, who decided to merge together and establish themselves as a small commune along the Royn river, in the region that would be later known as Eglazia. This commune was founded with the explicit purpose of helping any shapeshifter in need.First Arrivals
The news of the commune's existence soon spread and more and more shapeshifter came to join it, first from the surounding region, and then from all over the continent, as they fleed human persecution. Eventualy, by the year 700, the commune had grown into a full fledged village.Good Geography
The pilgrim road, which traverses Arros from west to east, was established during that time and it passed through Hersa, which helped the village grow into a town. The fact that the royn river connected Hersa to the much larger cities to the south meant that it was easy for Hersa to trade for its abundant natural resources.Humans arrive into the region
As the kingdom of Eglazia was established, Hersa found itself in its territory. Thankfully, an arrangement was quickly made so that while Hersa would be Eglazian, it would retain its independance, mostly intact. The clans of Hersa accepted this arrangement because they had faced attacks from other clans coming from beyond the Alvars Mountains, as those clans had been dispaced by the expansion of the Kingdom of Alvaros into their lands. This alliance of sort managed to prevent further attacks, but it also brought humans to the region. The relation was tense at first, but it generaly remained cordial, as it is to this day.Eglazian isolation
By the year 200 BC, the kingdom of Eglazia had grown into a small, but strong kingdom, in a similar position as Alvaros to the north. Hersa had become the second largest city in the kingdom, with a population of 60K. The kingdom was isolated, yet always wary of its neighbours. They had the Kavasians to the south, the Essanian empire to the West, and the Alvarosians to the North. All three were neutral at best. However, they didn't attack since the large population of Shapeshifters and other mages within the Kingdom posed a significant problem, even to the Essanians. During this time, Hersa continued to grow steadely and its residents enjoyed a peaceful existance.Sudden Growth
A few years before the fall, the influx of not only Shapeshifters, but of all kinds of mages fleeing to the city increased dramaticaly. These refugies spoke of mass murders of mages in the Essanian empire and widespread strifes and unrest. This caused the population of the city to grow to over 90k and probably approche 100K. This is a population total that they would never reach again to this day, because of The Fall.The Fall
The kingdom of Eglazia was one of the first hit by the invasion of the The Blight Monsters. They had no idea what to do and in consequence, they quickly fell appart and colapsed when its capital, Samerin was sacked. Once again, Hersa was alone, and soon it was attacked too, and greatly damaged. Parts of the city, including most of the market district, was burned. The town lost half of its population, either by death, infection or by its residents simply fleeing.Occupation and Transfer
During the war against the monsters, the kingdom of Kavasia, which had lead the efforts in the east of the continent, found itself occupying the city. However, after the war, the city and its surrounded regions were given to the Kingdom of Alvaros, based on a border treaty drafted after the war that placed the city on the Alvarosian side.Present Day
Since then, the city managed to bounce back a bit, yet has so far failed to match its pre-war population, similar to most cities and towns in the Roynian plains. However, its placement along the Pilgrim's road and the location of Eremir the great's grave contributed to it being famous across Arros, which still attracts new residents to this day. Its industries also remain strong.Points of interest
Guild Houses
In the market district, many Guilds who operate all over the continent have established local guildhalls, called Guild Houses in order to manage the local affairs of the guilds. The most prominent guild houses where constructed by the Mercenary guilds, and most large mercenary guilds on the continent have some presence within the city. Many local residents, in particular, Shapeshifters and Elemental Mages, work for those guilds.Battle Arena
Countless Boyeken Battles have been fought in the large open-air arena of the town. It is able to hold a third of its population and while it is mostly used for all kinds of entertainment like Boyekens and Brekken matches, it is also used for political gatherings and even votes.Geography
The city is situated on the northern bank of the Royn river in the northern limits of the Roynian plains. North of the city, the foothills of the Alvars mountain change the river from a calm stream to one full of rapids and water falls. The city is fairly isolated from the rest of Alvaros because of the numerous hills to its north, and is instead much better geographicaly connected with communities in the roynian plains to the south.
Climate
The climate of the city of Hersa varies dramaticaly within a year. The summers are hot and humid, while the winters are cold with lots of rain or snow. Frequent thunderstorms in the summers can produce heavy rain, which acounts for most precipitation in the summer.
Founding Date
939 BC
Type
Large town
Population
75 000
Inhabitant Demonym
Hersi
Location under
Owning Organization
Comments