Takrino
It's the smell, really. The smell is the first thing you notice out here. The air is never fresh and clean like it is back home - No. Not back home. This is home now. Like it is back on Roka. Every breath we take, we can feel it burn our bodies. But you get used to it after a while. They tell us it's not deadly this far from the geysers - And we've been here long enough to know they're right. But it's not just the smell. It's the water, and the soil, and the animals. Everything out here wants to kill us. The Natural Civilization is testing us, and we must pass, or we will all surely die.
A large colony town, Takrino is located on one of the lower mesas of the Takri Region. This city is historically significant as the first colony founded by the Drakari on another planet as well as the home of the Takri Separatists whom sparked the Drakari Civil War and claim the city as their current capital.
Takrino began as a staging post for the initial efforts of settling the planet but rapidly grew to be the center of commerce and local government as the colony rapidly grew with an influx of settlers. As the hub of local trade, shipments of supplies from Matagano arrive regularly, distributed among the city, with excess sent off to neighboring towns and settlements. Many of the local governments have offices in Takrino to better facilitate political discourse as well. The city is settled and maintained due to the region being the only suitable landing point in the continent for Drakari spacecraft, the remainder being either too geologically unstable or too toxic to support life without constant use of respirators and indoor atmospheric scrubbers.
The hazardous local environment is brought on by volcanic sulfuric geysers causing all topsoil and sources of water to become heavily toxic. As such large-scale farming is totally unviable, and all water must be heavily processed before consumption. Instead, Takrino relies heavily upon hunting of hostile local fauna, as well as imports of food from both Matagano and neighboring cities to survive. The precarious situation the people of the city find themselves in has led to a resurgence of the belief in the Natural Civilization, with many Drakari believing their trials to be a test of their worth to live on the planet.
Demographics
- 78.7% Matari 9,921
- 11.3% Nakiri 1,424
- 4.32% Dovol 544
- 2.68% Hydari 337
- 1.18% Kitadori 149
- 0.9% Terran 113
- 0.82% Sakari 103
- 0.1% Chatari 13
The city's population is primarily composed of Drakari, with only a relatively small example of Dovol, Hydari, and Humans. Of the Drakari, a majority of citizens trace their roots back to Matari and Nakiri cultures. Some examples of other Drakari ethnicites do exist, but with the onset of the Civil War, many have found themselves driven out.
Government
The local government of Takrino is a Representative Democracy housed entirely in the First Hall, composed of a council of several membered representatives with various auxiliary departments and numerous, sometimes overlapping functions. While originally a body fully composed of Drakari Union members, the makeup of the governing body has quickly changed to be Separatist controlled, though some holdouts exist in minor positions of power in civic government. The council and auxiliary departments oversee import and export, tariffs and taxes, and citizenship and rights of citizens, though the defense of the city has become a top priority as the Union increases its incursions upon the city.
Defences
The city's center is surrounded by the original basalt and granite curtain wall meant to keep hostile wildlife out and thus the original wall lacks bastions or ravelins. The secondary wall, built as the city expanded further from its borders, is a more modern bastion fort, with several points along its construction for firing positions to provide fire along the length of the wall. Both walls retain a basic staff of guards working in shifts throughout the day, and several guarded entrances and exits usually marked with sturdy gates and emplacements.
These defenses lacked offensive capability for much of their history, serving to defend against hostile fauna rather than incursion by hostile forces. However, recent additions to the wall now include both anti-aircraft weaponry and a host of small arms mounted in bastions at points along the wall. The largest and most glaring change of the defense of the city was the change of the main guiding tower at the city center from a beacon, to a military control station. This retrofitted tower monitors local traffic and gives orders to almost every defending weapon the city has, while boasting new anti-guidance system countermeasures, making forced landing by unwanted craft near impossible.
Industry & Trade
Imports
With the inhospitality of the area, Takrino relies entirely on imported goods from both its neighbouring towns and cities and from Roka. Among the goods imported from the rest of the Takri Region is an edible fruit called Laketi, which serves as one of the main food sources for the city and is commonly exported back to Mataga.
Exports
While much of Takrino's trade industry is in the form of imports from Roka and other parts of the Varkesh, the city is also a hub for exporting goods off-world. Laketi is one of the most common exports from the city. Other exports include excess stone and ore from the region's quarries and mines, as well as hide and leather from the native fetro that inhabit the land.
Infrastructure
While the Takri Region's infrastructure is quite lacking compared to what can be found on Roka, the city itself has been constructing an in depth, thorough region-wide infrastructure with Takrino at the center. This grid of travel and supply routes interconnects all of the various settlements across the Takri Region, and is planned to provide safe, rapid access to neighbouring regions.
Throughout Takrino, structures are built of sturdy stonework, showing off the excellent masonry of the Matari people that first colonized the region. Many of the original colonist's homes are still standing, including the First Hall which now acts as the city center.
Cairn Shrine
Main article: Takrino Cairn Shrine
Located on the outskirts of the city is a very well maintained shrine to the Natural Civilization. As part of the shrine are a series of cairns - Piles of stones in seemingly random and haphazard shapes, but quite clearly well cared for. The site is a common destination and focal point for Matari beliefs and the history of Takrino, as each stone laid represents a life lost to the struggle of living on the planet Takri.
First Hall
Main article: Takrino First Hall
One of the first structures built in Takrino, the First Hall serves as the city center and the governing house of the Takri region. The First Hall is located within the inner wall and built of Matari style masonry and old stones. Regional leaders of both the Takri Separatists and the Natural Civilization can be found here.
Guiding Tower
Main article: Takrino Guiding Tower
Erected at the original landing site of the initial colonists is a large, tall spire. This tower acts as a 'lighthouse' for any space-craft coming to land on the planet, guiding them from orbit to the exact location that has been cleared and maintained for landings and take-offs. This tower has recently been retrofitted with Matari designed guidance countermeasures to disrupt landing attempts by unwanted or invading craft. Additionally, the Separatists have begun using this tower as a military control point, coordinating all defenses throughout the city and in orbit from here.
Guilds and Factions
Natural Civilization
Main article: Natural Civilization
While the Natural Civilization religion originates from the Mataga region of the planet Roka, its influence was carried with the original Matari settlers of the region. Shrines to the religion have cropped up all over Takri, but the most notable is the Cairn Shrine located on the outskirts of Takrino. For many Takri citizens, even those that aren't Matari born, the hardships faced in Takri are a test of worthiness by Nature - One to be overcome, and one which they have overcome.
Takri Separatists
Main article: Takri Separatists
The Takri have named Takrino as their capital, and use the city as their primary hub. Takri leadership can be found in the city's First Hall, and Takrino as a whole is governed by them. Separatist influence extends outward from the city to encompass the entirety of the explored planet as well - Every colony, camp, and town throughout the planet falls under the Takri.
History
Founding January 9th, 2686 AD
The city was first founded by Matari colonists in 2686 A.D. when the first Drakari colony ship landed in a large, open plain of the Takri region. The colonists, at first, were dismayed at what met them - A large, rocky land with little to no plant life and a constant, greenish fog that smelled foul. However, instead of abandoning the colony, they settled with what they had. Homes were built with stone harvested using tools and materials from the ship. Scouting parties were sent out to find sources of food and water. While water was found to be scarce, food supplies were found in the form of an edible plant native to the region known as Lch'Tn, and an alien creature of many legs and fur found to be abundant throughout the mesa and a good source of meat and hide. The Matari colonists eventually saw this land now as a hazardous, doomed colony, but as a challenge presented by the Natural Civilization.
Nika Tikuma Scandal April 13th, 2697 AD
Eleven years after the founding of Takrino, a major collision occurred between the followers of the Natural Civilization and Nika-Ta. The Nika Tikuma, a flower native to the Chataki region, had been brought to Takri by Chatari immigrants, planted in carefully maintained planters and greenhouses. It was discovered shortly after that this flower and the pollen it released was dangerous to the local wildlife. Followers of the Natural Civilization, having already expressed their dislike of introducing foreign species to the region, were now protesting the plant's presence entirely as a result. The Union leadership governing the city, after several weeks of debate, finally made a decision: The Nika Tikuma plant and its products were too culturally significant to ban, and the loss of wildlife was acceptable.
This decision was quickly overturned after months of rioting and protesting by the Matari.
Takri Revolt May 5th, 2700 AD
Main article: Takri Revolt
In 2700 A.D., tensions from both religious and government issues finally boiled over. Matari citizens of Takrino rose against the Union's control of the city, leading to a several month-long revolt against the Union. The conflict ended with the Drakari-Ta ordering Union officials to vacate the planet, leaving the people of Takrino to govern and fend for themselves. Matagano, however, continued sending shipments of supplies regularly even after the end of the revolt. While tensions between the Takri colonists and Roka existed from this point, no further conflict followed, and the Union appeared to mostly leave the planet alone.
Pikara Lokiro November 28th, 2707 AD
Following the revolt, many groups within Takrino found themselves marginalized - Most notably, those following the teachings of Nika-ta instead of the Natural Civilization. Their religious practices and one of the most religiously important plants were being banned from the city, and many of the Chatari, even those who did not strictly follow Nika-Ta, were looked down upon by their Matari and Nakiri cousins that populated the city. In 2707, a prominent Nika-Ta priestess ran for the council election, demanding representation of her people in the city they lived in, and proposing new policies that formed a compromise between the two religions. Her campaign, surprisingly, succeeded, and she was chosen as one of the new council members, albeit the only representative of Nika-Ta in a sea of Natural Civilization followers. While a majority of amendments and policies that followed were always in Matari favor, they also included clauses in benefit of the Chatari and their religious followings.
The Takri Exploitation August 14th, 2709 AD
Several years after the revolt and the government takeover of Takrino, the First Hall was occupied almost entirely by followers of the Natural Civilization. However, some of these figures began enacting policies and making decisions that went against the values and tenets of their religion. Excessive and damaging exploitation of the region's resources and wildlife was demanded, with the produced goods to be shipped straight back to Matagano and to Varkesh trading posts. These new policies did not last long, however, before many Takri citizens started questioning what was happening, and official members of the Natural Civilization expressed their dislike of this exploitation to the First Hall. The city's leadership refused to listen, however, citing a need for the city to increase its exports and expand across the planet.
Tensions started to rise in the city as many workers began to refuse to fill orders in protest, and production ground to a near halt. By 2710, another revolt seemed imminent, with the Natural Civilization at the head. Open conflict was avoided, however, when the full council of leadership was all found dead. An investigation found they were killed using a poison developed from the Kija Pokima plant of the Chataki region - Something that wasn't commonly found in Takrino. Many found it odd that a Chatari poison would be used to assassinate leadership in Takrino, even with the growing unrest, but no further information could be found. By 2711, a new council had been elected to lead the city.
While many unanswered questions about this leadership exist - Why did they enact such drastic policies? Who assassinated them? Why specifically were they assassinated? - Many Takri have come to suspect interference from the Union in an attempt to destabilize and disrupt the city and its people.
Civil War April 30th, 2712 AD
Main article: Drakari Civil War
When the Drakari Civil War broke out, it didn't start on Roka. 12 years after the successful Takri revolt, and another 3 after the city leaders had been assassinated after growing unrest, the Union made another attempt at re-seizing control of Takri. A cargo vessel, commandeered by Union forces, landed in the city's port. Where the Takri were expecting another shipment of supplies from Matagano, they instead received an armed incursion into the city. The soldiers, however, were not prepared for the region's hostile environment or the gaseous fog blanketing the area, nor were they prepared for how capable at survival and combat the Takri people had become. They were beaten back, and the ship retreated with severe casualties. The Takri people declared themselves independent and at war with the Union and, shortly after this declaration, Matagano declared their disgust with the Union's actions and their alliance with the Takri.
Tourism
As the transport's door's open and you catch sight of the greenish fog flowing in, the first thing to greet you is the smell. It wasn't unbearable, but it wasn't pleasant either. It was the faint scent of something.. Decaying. Vaguely toxic. You instinctively cover your face with the cloth of your shirt and you hear a nearby Drakari chuckling at the sight. Once the distraction of the smell is gone, you peek out from inside the transport. Everything outside is covered in a greenish haze - The source of that smell, no doubt. You see other transports landed in a perfect arrangement, with Drakari flowing left and right - Some servicing vehicles, some carrying crates, others seeming to just be boarding or leaving their own transports.
As you step out of your own shuttle, your gaze is drawn upwards, toward a tall, dark figure in the haze. Lights blink occasionally through the fog at the top of this spire, and your Matari guide, catching the subject of your interest, explains to you.
"This is our Guiding Tower. It leads all ships through the dangers of the fog to the port. Without it, most pilots would find it impossible to find a safe place to land."
You find yourself making a connection between this Matari 'Guiding Tower' and the lighthouses used by your people for sea travel as you're led into the city of Takrino itself...
Prior to the Civil War, Takrino was a common site for Drakari and other members of the Varkesh wanting to see the new world. Common destinations and attractions were the nearby cliffsides, the technology of the Guiding Tower, and the religious and cultural significance of the Cairn Shrine. Recently, however, tourism has all be ceased. The Takri have blocked all incoming ships that or carrying supply shipments Takri citizens, enforcing this with their retrofitted Guiding Tower's guidance disruption systems. However, some visitors have elected to stay - It's not impossible to find Takri citizens who aren't of Matari or Nakiri descent, or even Drakari at all.
Architecture
Originally colonized by the Matari people, nearly all structures of Takrino are built of stone and skilled masonry using materials harvested from the mesa. The region has a distinct lack of wood and other similar natural materials, leaving the city with only stone, mud, and dirt to build with. Other materials are imported, however, from both Roka and neighboring regions, allowing for some more exotic structures - Though this is quite rare as the stone structures have been found to not only be sturdy but quite easy to maintain in the hazardous fogs in comparison.
Geography
Main article: Takri (Region)
Settled in the Takri region, the city's geography is primarily large, flat land with interspersed, sheer cliffsides rising above. The lowlands are filled with a haze from the gas emissions throughout the region, leaving the city in a constant off-color fog, and leaving the land inhospitable to most Drakari crops. Water sources are virtually non existant, with water being imported from Roka or irrigated in closed aqueduct systems from distant freshwater sources in other regions.
Despite the hazardous and inhospitable terrain, many Takri have described the region as quite beautiful when viewed from the top of the cliffs. While the lowlands are constantly covered in the haze of gas, the cliffs rise far above the fog, allowing a distant view of the entire region and beyond.
Natural Resources
The region surrounding the city, while inhospitable to most plant life, is quite rich in natural ores. Several quarries and mining sites have been set up throughout the region with their product sent back to Takrino, sorted, and distributed between the planet's various colonies and transport ships destined back for Matagano. These shipments include hardened stone and raw ores, raw and leathered hides from hunted fetro, and harvested laketi.
Table of Contents
682 2nd Era
Etymology
The common form name of Takrino combines the approximation of the Matari name T'kr and the Si Kari suffix no, translating loosely to "City/Home of Takri".
In the usual reptitive form of the Matari tongue Kata, the city is simply named "T'kr", mimicing the name of the region and planet. Context in language is required to determine which T'kr is referred to when speaking.
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