Kraykenjad
Kraykenjad (Urkesh: Kraykenii jad, lit. 'kraken's spear') is an Urkesh city built atop the largest of the Khurund sea stacks. It is the headquarters of the Saltbiters Clan.
Demographics
A majority of Kraykenjad's population is made up of pureblood or half-breed orcs, though its position as a port city for the wider Urkesh Empire does make its demographics a bit more varied than cities closer to the heart of the empire. However, non-orcs are mostly restricted to living at the base of the pillar, while the population at the top is almost entirely orc.
Government
Kraykenjad is governed by the khan of the Saltbiter Clan and a council of their most trusted advisors, called viziers, who were not necessarily members of the Saltbiters. The khan is the final legal authority in matters of administration and law, though much of the day-to-day administrative tasks are delegated to their council. There are two ways a new khan is chosen to rule over Kraykenjad; the first is a new khan is appointed by the previous khan, which is why the position is considered a hereditary title; the second is through single combat—any descendant of the first khan of the Saltbiters can issue a direct challenge to the khan's authority and the winner of the challenge is appointed the new khan of the Saltbiter Clan. Each time a new khan is appointed, the previous khan's council is disbanded and a new council is formed via appointment by the incoming khan.
In exchange for housing or permission to operate businesses within Kraykenjad, its citizens are expected to pay tithe to the Saltbiter Clan or serve in its army. Tithes are collected at the end of each month and used to pay the warriors of Kraykenjad's army as well as negotiate trade with neighboring cities for materials to maintain the infrastructure of the city.
Infrastructure
There are several means for accessing the city, though the most often used is the massive wooden bridge that connects Kraykenjad with the mainland. The bridge is wide enough for a cavalry regiment to cross safely and maintenance of the bridge is entrusted to the Saltbiter's shamans who can magically reinforce the structure and replace, repair, or revitalize damaged or rotting wood. The bridge is divided into three segments, with the middle segment designed to be retractable in the event of a siege from the mainland.
A circle of docks have been constructed around the base of the pillar which are accessible via mechanical elevators positioned around the circumference of the rock formation. Each elevator is large enough to carry a mid-sized sailing vessel, with the trip from the docks to Kraykenjad taking about ten minutes. Elevators are controlled by operators at the top of the pillar, with instructions being relayed magically by the dockmaster below, who is also responsible for controlling the weather around the port to prevent damage to the structure.
Districts
Kragaval Keep
The fortress of the Saltbiter Clan built into the skull of a dead kraken.
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