Vantara
The capital of the Kingdom of Merras. The city is a natural fortress with a broad river flowing along its west and north sides and Lake Tala covering its eastern approaches. The city is walled on all sides with the strongest defenses built along the land facing south side. The royal palace is a fortress within a fortress being located on a rocky point where the waters of the lake and the river meet. The city has one westward approach, a long wooden bridge built on stone pilings crossing 2000' of river.
Demographics
The city is home to about 25,000 citizens. The majority of the citizen (about 80 percent} are Northron humans, There also about 1,000 Mountaineer humans. About 3,000 of the remaining inhabitants are mainly Northron Corgerians with balance divided between Danites and Dark Corgerians. Most of these groups live in distinct ethnic neighborhoods.
Government
Merras is a monarchy ruled by Queen Berea the First. She has maintained the Kingdom's feudal system, but has carefully removed any noble who has not demonstrated loyalty towards her. The lives municipal government to a guild council that appoints a Lord Mayor. The Queen appoints a sheriff who collects taxes, runs the city courts while maintaining law and order with the city garrison.
Defences
Most of the city is surrounded by a 12' wall rising to 20' on the southern landward approach. The city has four strongly built gate houses one at the eastern end of the river bridge, two on the southern approach and one controlling access from the lakeside docks. The Royal Palace is a strong fortification sitting at the cities rocky northern point, a smaller fortress granted to the Zalatite Order sits at the city's southwestern corner and overlooks the western most of the southern gates.
Industry & Trade
The city's two most important industries are shipbuilding and rug making. Warehousing and general mercantile activity are widespread.
Infrastructure
The city has a great river bridge that is the only river crossing for many miles in either direction. Extensive dockyards on the lake side of the city produce a steady flow of merchant ships and barges. The city has extensive warehouses and carpet weaving is a major industry here with numerous small workshops and dye works employing hundreds of workers.
Assets
The city is home to both the royal treasury and the royal armory.
Guilds and Factions
The city's guilds have been co-opted by Queen Berea receiving extensive economic and political privileges. Berea, a former Zalarite Officer had brought in the Zalarite Order allowing them to maintain garrison at Grannick Castle.
Architecture
The architecture is fairly typically of the lands to the west of the Windy Sea. Houses are typically two and three story buildings built from the local reddish-brown stone. Roofs are typically covered with distinctive green ceramic tiles.
Type
Capital
Population
25,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Vants
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments