Mercer

Here our stories are kept, here they are made real, recorded for our descendants and their descendants after them. I could not name a more beautiful place when the Gardenias and Orchids bloom bright in the soft dew filled mornings of spring.

Demographics

The people of Mercer vary wildly among the typical races found in the Imperium such as Half Elves, Dragonborn, Half Orcs, Humans, and Dwarves, but it is also home to some of the more rare species of the Southernlands such as Kenku, and Tabaxi, though they make up a very small population compared to the Southernlands more typical species of humanoid. There are few traditional tradesmen here as Mercer is a town based on scholarly learning. Mostly you will find poets, artists, historians and the like, and very few wood workers, blacksmiths, and those that work a more typical profession.

Government

As well as with the rest of the Imperium, Mercer follows as an Authoritative state where the local military who doubles as city guard uphold the law on the streets in accordance to Cairn's laws. Honored Ones of Cairn serve as judge, jury, and executioner in court. Taxation in Mercer, and the Imperium as a whole is quite high; 62% across the board for all citizens with slaves being exempt as they are not true Imperial citizens. Due to the high taxation rates most things for citizens are accommodated for them. Housing, food, jobs, education, and healthcare are provided for all, slaves included.

Defences

Like all Imperium sanction towns and cities, Mercer is protected by tall blacksteel walls. Several towers loom over the walls, equipped with archers and scorpions alike. It is also home to the 48th Regiment of the Ebon Corps, totaling about 9,000 armed soldiers that enforce the law. Lastly there is The Spire, whose pointed crowned peak can launch powerful fireballs for several miles . out with incredible accuracy.

Industry & Trade

Most that live in Mercer are students, teachers or just scholars. Those that aren't there to learn are usually either soldiers or shop-keeps that specialize in the talents of its local inhabitants, usually focused in the art of selling literature, cartography, or something closely related. Because of this Mercer exports a vast amount of written works as its main source of income. The towns major imports are ink from Rockport, tobacco from Oakvalen, and food from all over the Imperium.

Infrastructure

Mercer is broken up into two major districts, the upper and lower districts.
The upper district is the home of scholarly learning, where storytellers, poets, playwrights, bards, historians and more come to learn and improve their arts. This is where The Spire lies, an institute dedicated to recording of history for the Imperium. The Kings Blood Academy also sits in upper district, a school of sorts for all scholarly interests of the citizens of the Imperium.
The lower district is known for mostly its beautiful housing and vistas for the scholars and students living in Mercer. It is also home to beautiful water gardens. Lastly this is where the learned men an women of the town peddle their scholarly wares, from books, to art, magical scrolls, and more. It is also where the only tavern of Mercer lies, The Emporium. One tavern for a town of this size would be strange, but scholars are interesting folk; drinking comes only second to smoking over a thrilling debate. Most get their smoking tobacco at a fine local import shop known as Pyres in the Pines.

Assets

Most notably in the town of Mercer is the Vaults of History, a vault below The Spire that houses all original documents of the Imperiums' history. Few have ever had the honor of browsing its' sacred halls.
Otherwise it is home to the calm quiet tavern, The Emporium in the eastern side of town. The Emporium is a tavern that mostly proves wine to its patrons, and is one of the few places the scholars come to unwind and have a decent meal.
On the western end of the lower district is the Dusty Tome Inn, a small but lavish Inn for those passing through the town of Mercer and need a place to stay.
South of the Emporium is Scholarly Needs, the most famous book store in all of the Imperium. It is both library and store, its texts always fresh from The Spire, Scholarly Needs is also a supplier of magical scripts though these are imported from Cadguard and thus much more expensive than they would be at the capital.
The last store of note would be Potions 11, a large alchemy warehouse and store that mostly does commissions for the Imperium, but does freelance work as well.

Guilds and Factions

The major faction operating in the city is the Enlightened Eye, the group that makes up the leadership in both The Spire, and the Kings' Blood Academy.

History

Mercer is the second Oldest town in all of the southerlands, only out-aged by the Capital City of Cadguard. Originally it was built long before recorded history, but did not become a place of learning uptil after 5E

Architecture

Compared to the walls surrounding the town and the other cities and towns of the Imperium, Mercer seems to have been built in a different time long before the Imperiums procurement of steel. Most the city is built with large centuries old stone that is weathered and cover in vines and flowers. All except the Spire that sticks up out many thousands of feet above the ground, black in color and jagged like a tree trunk splintered by lightning.

Geography

Mercer sits surrounded by oak forests that howl and creek in the silent night. Water is collected from a river just to the west. The forests themselves are mystical during the day and haunting at night.

Natural Resources

The largest natural resources near Mercer are its supply of Oak trees, and wild animals to hunt, Very few inhabitants of Mercer are hunters or working class people in general, so much of the wilderness remains untouched by mortal intervention.

Alternative Name(s)

The Town of Records

Type

Large town

Population

83,371

Inhabitant Demonym

Mercerean

Location under

Southernlands

Owner/Ruler

Warlord Cairn Reghal

Owning Organization

The Imperium