Origins
The Povari Trade Outpost has been in existence for several hundred years, dating back to when the provinces first settled their differences and unified to form modern-day Bazair. Officially established as an important outpost by the first unified ruler of Baïzair, the outpost has held the same primary purpose as a trading hub for those entering or exiting
The Badru'ta 'Junk' Desert. The trading post has grown in overall size since its inception, however, this size and its population alongside it has varied over the years. Currently residing at about 800 permanent residents.
Many Baïzair historians believe that the origins of the trade outpost stretch farther back than its modern establishment. The belief is that the outpost, many generations before modern Baïzair, was the site of a different more ancient settlement. Judging from worked stone that has been recovered a short walk from the center of the current outpost, historians have suggested that the original outpost existed during the ancient battles between the northern and southern sects of pre-Baïzair Which was fought over the treasures of
The Badru'ta 'Junk' Desert. Before the greedy war caused such an enormous loss of life that the treasures were buried beneath the discarded weapons and tools of the fallen.
The site of the modern-day trade outpost is hypothesized to have been an important military outpost for the southern sect, acting as a gathering place and encampment for their forces before entering the vast sands for battle against their northern enemies.
Trading Post and Crossroads
Trade is the primary purpose of Povari, acting as a meeting point for those looking to trade between themselves and those that are entering the dunes of the Badru'ta Desert. Merchants come looking for the valuable trinkets and junk that lie in the desert, either looking to take back south to sell at a premium as an artifact or collectible or looking for valuable materials that they can melt down and craft into new items of higher value. Much of the materials in the desert are made of iron, copper, gold, and other prime crafting materials that can easily be cleaned up and reused.
The Badru'ta Sand Scavengers tribes also spend a fair amount of time in Povari, themselves looking for supplies and services that will help them survive in the harsh climates of the desert and surrounding areas.
To a lesser degree, Povari acts as a sort of crossroads or reprieve before and after exiting the desert. With historians, traders, and adventurers alike taking advantage of the outpost's amenities before heading off into the desert. Or after returning from the desert and before they head south to trade wares or philosophize/argue about whatever findings they found on their journey in the dunes and junk piles.
Demographic
About a third of the population of Povari are native to the region, being a mix of the semi-nomadic Badru people of the desert, and the rest a mix of other Baïzair people that call the outpost home at least part of the year.
A decent number of traders visit the outpost regularly, and during peak trading season the population of the outpost grows nearly threefold from 800 residents to nearly 2500 once traders, travellers, merchants, and others are counted.
Only a small percentage of these people are from outside of Baïzair, due to the remote location of the desert. Though this small percentage usually consists of foreign adventurers and historians looking to comb the desert for its illusive secrets. Historians from the southern coastal region of Ithosia are the most common due to their relatively easy access through southern Baïzair. However, west coast historians from Heldrin and Casarei do make the trip on occasion despite the long trek.
Government
The people of the outpost have close relations with each other and with the frequent travellers and visitors of the area and have very few problems in which governance has to get involved. However, there is still an advisor of the ruling family assigned to the outpost, alongside a small garrison of guards (about a dozen) that stay in the city year-round for emergency situations.
The residents still owe an annual tribute to the ruler of Baïzair which is collected by the assigned advisor in one of several ways. Permanent residents can pay their tribute annually, biannually, or quarterly, whichever fits their financial situation best. Though this payment method must be decided at the beginning of the year and cannot be changed afterwards
Traders have to report any trade down whilst in the city to the advisor, and pay a small tribute upon their exit of the outpost. Most pay without complaint as refusal or inability to pay these tributes can result in hefty fines or in extreme cases imprisonment or worse.
Infrastructure and Geography
Povari is situated on the southeastern border of
The Badru'ta 'Junk' Desert, roughly a few hours ride, or a day's walk, before officially arriving within the sands of the desert. Occasionally sand storms will blow in from the desert buffeting the buildings and residents with coarse sand for a few minutes or a few hours depending on the severity of the storm. These storms often leave the city littered with piles of sand, the occasional light junk, and even small beads of glass caused by the roaming Anak'jo Buri storm. Luckily the outpost has been spared being hit by the storm itself, as it keeps to its wandering within the borders of the desert itself.
The outpost is built on a small ridge that overlooks the few dozen kilometres between itself and the desert's borders. It is comprised of under a hundred buildings, constructed of reconstituted sandstone cement. Some of which are surprisingly tall. Many of these buildings have stood for hundreds of years, with the advisor's main office building, the tallest and largest of the town, is said to be an original construction from the outpost's official modern founding.
Once every few months several dozen permanent residents will patch up holes and cracks in damaged buildings. New buildings aren't often constructed as there is plenty of space for the permanent residents and many of the visiting merchants bring with them their own caravans in which they can sleep in. Though several inns and restaurants do exist within the outpost.
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