Retbury

"A Keystone within the Bay of Gold, You would think that such a contested territory would be heavily militarized, walled and defended: a striking pillar of order and domination over the bay. Instead, it's a sprawling mess with slums high and low. The Surface of the City is dominated by Trade and any tourist would agree, but again you would be wrong. Beneath this Island dukedom, The Criminals are King..."
Erik the Navigator - 'From East to West and Back Again'

Sat atop the only island in the prosperous Bay of Gold, Its a wonder how the Island of Retbury got so corrupt. Overpopulated, overcrowded, under garrisoned and lacking morals would the sprawling mess of a cities tag line. Technically, The island is currently owned by the Reanian Empire and ruled by the 'Duke of the Isle' however the Duke themselves prefers to stay in their estate in the Empire capital to be "Closer to the Witan". In actuality the city is run by the many Criminal Gangs and the notorious The Council of Labyrinth.
Geographically speaking Retbury is a small archipelago made of 5 islands; Skä (Skæ), Ret, Cay, Drok and Rem. The Island names come from the unique dialect of its earliest fishermen - a cultural dialect that died out very early on. Today however the isles of Skä & Ret have formed to be the Upper isle and Cay & Rem the Lower isle. Drok, the most northern of the chain, is the only island of the group unpopulated and dominated by the city as its a protected breading ground for Bronze Dragons & Sea Dragons who use the tunnel systems below its coral to nest. The Bronze dragons of Drok Island often protected the inhabitants of Retbury on their path to shore in exchange for food. The Bronze Dragons have not been seen on the island since the instability began - seen as a bad omen by many. The chain also had an number of manmade islands and pontoons to increase the buildable area of the city. The largest manmade island is where the The Great Lighthouse of Retbury sits.

Demographics

The City of Retbury has the most diverse population of anywhere in the Reanian Empire, including its capital. Originally its diversity came from its trade routes, with the fisheries of the isle being a popular spot to take on rations for many traders from all over Longreech - Interestingly including races from the Eladrin side of the continent despite being a de jure part of the Reane. Later the peoples of Solorum joined the bustling trade hub leaving us with what we have today. The majority species are as follows: Human, Elves, Orc, Dwarf and Goblin.

Government

The official government of Retbury is pretty much non-existent at this point, but on paper the island is owned by the Duke whos ancestors passed the governance to a trade council at the first signs of civil unrest. The problem with traders however, is the fact that there is always a price - this is where the Criminal Gangs began to thrive. Its only in the last 100 years that the violence and outright instability has been quelled by the shadowy psudo-government known as the The Council of Labyrinth took power. The Council pulled the various crime factions together and brought a semblance of order (At least on the surface).

Defences

The city isn't without its militarization. in the year 1130, the Reanian Empire commissioned a fortress on the main island of Skä. When the island fell to Elven hands briefly a great wall was built around the fortress. The Fortress island itself was then protected further with a large moat and supply dock when the cities famous canals were developed. Fortress Island today as its known is one of the least settled parts of the city.

Industry & Trade

The settlements of Retbury originally made their money through supplying the sea trade within the Bay of Gold: Trading foodstuffs for a portion of the ships who docked's cargo. Maritime industry developed from there - rope makers, lumber merchants, wrights soon saw a prospering dockland develop. Then other nations began to establish ports and outposts. Independent merchant houses and guilds setting up offices. Soon the island was a powerhouse for commerce and trade.

Infrastructure

Retbury used to be multiple islands once but now the overpopulation as turned the entire archipelago to a floating metropolis connected through pontoons, bridges and canals. There is no main roadway though the city, just a spiraling set of backroads, parades and alleyways. The majority of transit happens by the way of the many canals. Thanks to the various cultural influences however, the cities mastery of the waters and waterways has developed a unique system of plumbing - allowing for unique, non-magic waterworks and a complex sewer system.

Guilds and Factions

The true factions of the city are its criminal gangs with the shadowy The Council of Labyrinth at the very top.

The Jackals

Perhaps the largest gang in numbers, The Jackals run the cities slum district or "The Rat Runs". They're Boss is an Ogre by the name of Krek "Blackjack" Jackal . They run a protection racket on most of the northern dockside as well as various brothels, clubs and most notoriously fight pits. Word is they run a major fighting ring in the depth of the sewers. You can tell a Jackal by their visible green clothing.

The Yellow Hat Gang

The Yellow Hat Gang run out of Watchside and some of the Clay Markets. They are run by Mickey Madds a halfling coiled like a spring and with a nose for gold. He makes his money protecting the rich market and import districts claiming protection money on the many trade guilds in the area. As you would expect, you can tell a member of the Yellow Hats by their Yellow Hat.

The Crimson Dragonflies

With links to the Pirate Queen of the Harmon Ocean, the Crimson Dragonflies lord over the Azdakanian and Kai-Tengian districts of the lower island. Their leader Zhao Zheng is described as agile and bloodthirsty. They make their money from the various drug dens and gambling rooms, not to mention their dominance over the spice import trade. You can tell a Crimson Dragonfly by their illustrious ruby red tattoos that they wear with pride.

The Seven Crests Gang

The Seven Crests Gang, also known as "The Gentlemen's Gang" run the Seven Crests region of the City. This gang is made up of much of the cities young elite, less playing the criminal game to make their fortune but rather to keep it - all the while having anarchic fun and doing what they want. Their leader The Marchioness gets her money from her noble ties to the Kingdoms of the Nardethel. They run most of the Banks and make their money from loans. You can tell a Seven Crests member by their Purple Mask and Clothes.

The Karamannik Syndicate

The Karamannik Syndicate is a gang funded by the Principality of Korzak to protect their trade interests in the city. Well versed in the brutality of a trade republic they make their money through legal trading and running the cities black market. When their imports and exports cannot be completed legally, they can always find a way to complete a transaction. Their leader Krasimir Pavlovich also known as "Redhand" as he prefer to end those who betray him with his bare hands. You can tell a member of the Syndicate by their Ring. They don't exactly have muscle and will often use the other gangs to do their dirty work. They dominate the docks of the Deepdown district.

Da Nozhi

Da Nozhi is chaos incarnate. Working out of Greenton Da Nozhi is a "Greenskin" only gang. They, unlike the other groups within the city are not recognized by the Council of the Labyrinth but are too much of a problem to deal with. They make the majority of their money through mercenary work for the other gangs. They leader Shaman Mukrik-Grik is the spiritual leader of Greenton and leads a cult to the old gods of old. You can tell the members of the Nozhi by their bright blue face paint.

The Guard

Just as corrupt and twice as brutal, the cities guard is just as much of a gang as the gangsters. They at one stage were pushed all the way back to the castle island but theyve since pushed into most of the Clay Markets. Their leader is the fanatical Roland Grimm who is working to destroy the corruption within the city, but the corruption within his own force is complicating that fact. Most of the higher ups within the guard are so corrupt in fact they work directly for the Council.

Founding Date

400(ish)

Alternative Name(s)

Ratbury, Rat Rock, The Cluster, The Run

Type

Megalopolis

Population

50000

Location under

Reane

Owner/Ruler

Duke Unlaf Ungleson

Ruling/Owning Rank

Duke

Owning Organization

The Reanian Empire