City of Sargassin

The City of Sargassin is the third largest city in the Kingdom of Gysia and the seventh largest in Arros. It is a major trading hub on the Mahadorian sea and as a result, has become the richest city in Gysia. Its population is diverse and open-minded, a sharp contrast to the rest of the country.

Demographics

General population

The city is mostly inhabited by native Gysians and a minority of Shoranians, mainly from the City of Sirok. As a result, Sargassin is the only major city in Gysia with a sizable portion of the population who practices choranism. While most of the city's inhabitants are of the Solian fate, Choranism was already well established in the city and has been practiced by both Gysians and Shoranians in the city.

Mage population

The mage population is small, numbering no more than a thousand or so individuals. The makeup of this group is more diverse than in other Gysian cities as it not only just includes elemental mages, but also a small group of Soulmages, mainly Soothsayers and Soulweavers. Soulstriders also have a base here, from were they are able to travel to the rest of the country.

Government

The city is run by a city council made up of members of prominent families within the city. The council apoints a mayor, who represents them vis-a-vis the king's court when the council is summoned to the capital.

Defences

A large and thick stone wall surrounds the city on its east, north and west, while the south has a lower wall with multiple gates giving access to the large port and shipyard along the shore. Multiple towers are attached onto the main wall. Some are armed with Harpoons, which are large anti-winged ship weapons.

Industry & Trade

Sargassin has a large trading port, the largest in Gysia. They have strong trade connections with the continent of Enaskia, which dates back more than a thousand years back, before Gysia was even a unified country. Goods from further inland are exported via the city's port, while goods from other Arrosian ports, like Gys, Arbiro or Palynor as well as from Enask and Mahador are imported here. In fact, Sargassin is by far the largest port in terms of cargo in Gysia, while Gandasi is in second place.

Infrastructure

Airport

The city has a large airport that is able to accomodate a high level of Traffic. a large number of winged ships cross the Narrow Sea from Enask and land in Sargassin. Others depart the city towards Palynor, Arbiro, Gys or Tareghasi.

Sea port

The port of Sargassin is the largest one in the kingdom of Gysia. Merchant boats sailing from the eastern coast of Enaskia and the western coast of Arros dock here to trade with the many merchant guilds in the city. Even boats coming from as far away as Samaria and the Vechor Islands dock here.

Shipyard

Near the port, and protected by additional stone and wooden walls, lies a massive shipyard. This shipyard supplies the kingdom of Gysia with most of its navy. It also builds merchant ships for rich barons and merchant. The shipyard employs directly or indirectly almost 10% of the city's population and also brings great wealth to its owners.

Guilds and Factions

Thanks to the city's prominent position as a very important trade link in the region, numerous merchant guilds have popped up within the city. Over the years, each have specialized into a specific domain, to the point were they have completly monopolised the trade of most products entering or leaving the city.

History

Founding Origins

Sargassin was founded as a city-state by Orromian Gysians fleeing raids by the Shoranians in the north. The moutaints to the east and the narrow costal corridor leading north towards Shorai and south along the west coast of the peninsula offered a great defensive position, while the large and deep harbour facing the continent of Enask, made the perfect place to establish a settlement. This settlement would grow to form a state encompassing most of modern north-west Gysia.

Annexation into Gysia

The city state grew thanks to its strategic position along the coast, between the cities of the Hazian laegue to the south, and the city of Palynor and Yarlav, which were already prosperous port cities by then. relunctantly, the would later merge with the Kingdom of Gysia to the south in order to protect itself from the growing threat of the Essanian Empire to its north.

Early and middle Imperial Rule

However, this was in vain as the Kingdom of Gysia itself would soon succumb to the Empire, following a quick and brutal invasion. The next 500 or so years would be spend in relative peace. While still governed by the provincial governor, it had a higehr level of autonomy than other cities within the new Gysian province, allowing it to develop a unique and separate culture from the rest of Gysia

Late imperial rule

This period of time, lasting about 200 years, was marked by a decline in internal trade within the Empire as its two halves started to drift appart, which greatly affected a city like Sargassin, who's economy is heavely dependant on trade. This hardship was compounded by rising urest within the province thanks to the empire's treatement of Solian people following the numerous massacres against the mage population of the Empire.

Gysia Remains Unified

When the Empire finaly fell, Gysia gained back its independance. Some in Sargassin wanted the city to remain autonomous, or even secceed, but worries about potential conflict with the kingdom of Shorai and especialy with the Merchant Republic of Arba, as well as political pressure from within Gysia fored them to remain an integral part of the kingdom of Gysia.

Present day

To this day, Sargassin is somewhat still autonomous, not only because of its relative isolation from the rest of the country thanks to the geography that surounds it, but also because it is powerful enough to force the gysian court to conceade and recongnise the city's unique cultural and historical characteristics.

Points of interest

The hills along the coast where Sargassin is situated allows a beautiful view of the city and the surounding region from above. Most residents will argue that the best view of the city can be found at the temple of Suza, a choranian temple built atop one of the highest hill within the city. It is one of three large Choranian temple in the city, and is by far the most popular.

Geography

Most of the city is situated on a narrow coastal band of flat land, sandwiched between the hills and the sea. The rest is spread over the hills, which overlook the sea, giving residents a very nice view of the city. To its north, the narrow band of land continues for sometime, until it widens as it approches the valley formed by the impressive Lharn river. To the south, the band stretches all the way south to the City of Gys.

Climate

Since the city is situated near the ocean, its summers and winters are more tempered than in cities like Arghasi or City of Tareghasi, which are further inland. The summers are warm and humid, while the winters are temperate and dry. The city is relatively windy all year round.

Natural Resources

The region that Sargassin was founded in is relatively poor in resources. However, what it has is a large harbour and strong defensible positions, which is what made it possible for the city to grow as one of the most prosperous in the kingdom, despite the lack of resource.

Alternative Name(s)

Merchant City

Type

Large city

Population

270 000

Inhabitant Demonym

Sargassian(s)

Location under

Continent of Arros

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Gysia