Ithaca
Ithaca is an island kingdom very close to Rhodesseum. The most famous thing to ever come out of Ithaca would be its king, Odysseus, who the very gods themselves have deemed to be the most cunning man alive. Ithaca is sacred to some gods and cursed by others. Hermes and Athena believe the island could become the birthplace to a new age of intelligence, though Poseidon wishes for nothing more than the death of Odysseus, and the ruin of his entire kingdom.
Government
Ithaca is a city-state outside of Authenian jurisdiction, ruled by King Odysseus and his wife Penelope, who serves as the city's queen. Odysseus rules fairly, he brings it upon himself to solve the problems facing his city, making certain that his kingdom remains stable, and he is not one to overindulge.
The citizens of Ithaca pay a moderate tax rate, and the city uses this tax in order to educate their population, provide food and water to those who cannot provide food for themselves, pay the city guards and maintain the city.
Defences
Due to the violent sea and the fact that Ithaca lies upon a mountain, it would be incredibly difficult to invade, no matter the size of the attacking army.
The guards of Ithaca are very well trained and have significant versatility when it comes to their weaponry. Every guard is expected to be able to use both a bow and a sword or spear. Guard captains are even given personal training from Odysseus himself in how to handle both a bow and a spear. Guards typically wear steel plate armour.
Ithaca has a very tall and sturdy wall, outfitted with watchtowers.
Industry & Trade
Many in Ithaca make a living farming wheat, as it seems to grow very well on the island. Not to mention that Ithaca has a mill capable of grinding andy harvested wheat into flour.
The blackberries that grow in Ithaca are often picked and used to create a wine that no other settlement can create on the same scale as them. The windmills of Ithaca help with the distillation process, as they are used to stir large batches of the wine.
Iron can be found in large deposits all over the island, meaning that many Ithacans find work mining up the ore, or smelting it down into ingots to be traded with the Authenian Republic and the inhabitants of Rhodesseum.
Infrastructure
Ithaca has an advanced sewer system which leads directly to the sea.
Ithaca has large windmills which are used to grind up grain into flour, as well as constantly stir the large batches of blackberry wine made within the city. These windmills make the production of both alcohol and baked goods far more efficient.
Guilds and Factions
Both the Church of Hermes and the Church of Athena have large temples in Ithaca, as their king, Odysseus, is held in high regard by both gods. Many of the locals give offerings at both temples, and wear amulets with the symbols of either Hermes of Athena on them.
Tourism
After returning home from the Trojan War, Odysseus brought many trophies and spoils of war back with him. He had a museum opened to commemorate the lives of his fallen comrades. Among the most famous items are the Arms of Achilles, the suit of armour made by Hephaestus so that Achilles could slay Hector to avenge the death of Patroclus. A spear used by Ajax the Greater and a javelin wielded by Agamemnon are also housed in the museum. The museum also houses some of the items Odysseus acquired in his long journey back home, such as a jar of cyclops blood, the hide of a sun-cow and the skull of a sea dragon.
The Weary Traveller is the inn used by most who travel to Ithaca, it is a large, five story building that gives affordable rooms to those visiting Ithaca from Eregost.
The Ebony Bottle Winery is a favourite location of both locals and visiters alike. It makes and sells blackberry wine, both affordable bottles and more luxurious bottles are sold. The wine created here is sold throughout Eregost, though their best customers would have to be the Church of Dionysus.
Due to the vast production of both blackberries and wheat on Ithaca, bakeries are rather common, and Ithaca is known for their delicious blackberry pies and apple cakes. The Acheaen Cakery is the most popular bakery on the island.
Architecture
Most houses in Ithaca are made from clay bricks, with wooden floors and plaster walls. Windows are often made from the golden sands of Rhodesseum, as the glass it makes is crystal clear and allows more light into a building than any other option.
Geography
The entire city of Ithaca is on an island, very close to Rhodesseum. It is a rocky island, thrashed by violent waves. The city itself lies atop a small mountain, protecting it from the sea's wrath. The island is covered in moss and ferns, with brambly blackberry bushes scattered across the mountainous area of the island.
Underneath the island lies a massive, complex network of tunnels, caves and caverns. These underground tunnels are filled with veins of iron, with the occassional deposit of bronze found.
Climate
The seas to the West, East and South are all incredibly violent, as Poseidon himself holds a deep hatred for Odysseus. The North sea of Ithaca is calm only thanks to its closeness to Rhodesseum. It is also due to this closeness to the Isle of Helios that makes the north side of Ithaca the warmest side.
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