Tentened
The city of Tentened, meaning "Mountain Market" in Hadzo, is a medium-sized city in the Southeastern corner of the Tajj Netan Empire. It sits on the shores of Lake Bvondzpsot, in an area of dry, cool air, surrounded by arid shrubland and sparse forests. Historically it has been a trade city controlled jointly by members of various Tanadszomo tribes, although it has always stood outside of national borders; that is, until the recent occupation of the Tanadszomo Mountains by the Tajj Netan Empire. In the six years since the occupation, the city's operations and politics have changed significantly. Whereas the Tentened of old was a freestanding city-state with no taxation of imported goods, which encouraged merchants from all over to bring and sell their goods there, the modern version of the settlement has seen a significant decrease in mercantile activity due to the implementation of strict tax laws, which has caused a local economic crisis. Because most of the city's economy formerly centered around the trade industry, many have lost their jobs, or can no longer afford to live in Tentened; this is to say nothing of the many merchants and craftsmen who no longer bring their goods to the city, instead favoring various trading ports along the southern coast of Nas Kotok Bay, most of which are not in the Tajj Netan Empire but in the Northern Horn under the rule of the La Tsia Tribe. Some of the city's residents who have lost their jobs have turned to crime to fill their pouches, while others have opted to join the ranks of the military, following promises of valor, wealth, and status. Few are optimistic for the future of this once-great city, should it remain under Tajj Netan rule.
Demographics
As a hub of trade, Tentened has historically been quite diverse. The primary resident culture has long been Tanadszomo of all different tribes, although there have also been many La Tsia who have lived there, and most of the city's itinerant residents (i.e. merchants and traveling salesmen) have been of the La Tsia tribe or of the other tribes of the Southern Horn. Furthermore, even before assimilation, the city knew many Tajj Netan merchants (mostlyArman and Eumer, but occasionally even some Moszun from the Broken Lands to the far North.).
Government
Historically, Tentened has been controlled by a council of elected representatives from all major Tanadszomo tribes. While many tribes themselves do not have internal governments which are democratic in nature, Tentened has nevertheless maintained democracy within its borders, even with the majority of its public officials hailing from other states. The autocratic nature of many of the Tanadszomo tribes is evident, however, in the judicial system, which is notoriously harsh - especially with regard to crimes of value such as thievery or embezzlement.
Of course, with the recent absorption of the city into the greater Tajj Netan Empire, it now follows the same rule of law as everywhere else. The shift in government, coupled with the sharp decrease in economic activity of recent years, has given rise to significant political unrest.
Defences
Due to its position on the shores of Lake Bvondzpsot, nestled against the jagged mountains of Tened Pats, Tentened is quite defensible. The natural features which surround the city cause great trouble for attackers, who often cannot navigate the mountains or sail the great lake as well as the natives. Aside from natural defenses, Tentened has tall walls to keep out invaders, with only two gates: one at its port and one to the East, facing the mountains. Furthermore, it has a series of towers within its walls which contain heavy weaponry, and are connected to a network of beacons stationed throughout the surrounding mountains.
Industry & Trade
Tentened does not have much industry of its own, and has few exports aside from the scarce amounts of metal mined from the surrounding mountains and what can be fished from Lake Bvondzpsot. The vast majority of the city's wealth has historically come from its unique position as a center of trade between three nations but outside any defined borders. Most of the city's permanent residents work in some way to cater to its temporary population of merchants and tradesmen, working in inns, taverns, brothels, and other services needed by those who travel far. Tentened also has a large security force which keeps the peace in the city, a service which is essential due to the many-cultured nature of the area.
Infrastructure
The infrastructure of Tentened has been developed with its status as a port of trade in mind. In the city center, high-end inns and taverns are there to cater to the wealthy traders who pass through, and a modern sewer system has been developed to keep waste and refuse off the streets. The streets are largely cobbled or paved with concrete, and high walls protect the city from raiders and natural dangers such as bears or mountain tiburs. At the lake's edge, a large port has been built for those who travel to Tentened by sail, and the city is under constant watch by its peacekeepers, who stand atop the walls and guard towers, and keep a constant eye on the distant beacons which serve as an early warning system for trouble.
Guilds and Factions
As Tentened has become somewhat of a cultural hub due to the diverse nature of the goods and people which find their way there, many guilds have been established to maintain the quality and authenticity of the various imports of the city. Guilds have been established for jewelry, metallurgy, woodworking, culinary practices, textiles, bardsmanship, spellcraft, smithing, and many other crafts. Due to the diversity of goods and practiced arts within Tentened, the city has developed a culture of its own which is somewhat of a melting pot, although it is a much newer culture than the surrounding cultural groups, and has been jeopardized by the recent takeover by Tajj Netan forces.
History
Tentened was originally established and settled by members of the Patsziin Tribe, who had grown unhappy with high rates of taxation which had limited the people's access to foreign goods, availing them to only the rich upper class who could afford to pay for them. Tentened was established with the intent of creating a tax haven where goods could be exchanged in large quantities without the extraction of value caused by taxes. Instead, Tentened - or Tenne as it was called at that time - resolved to sustain its economy via its tourism industry, offering luxurious places of stay to those who passed through.
Tentened has also historically been one of the cities that has been affected the most by the Resting Death, which has encouraged its luxurious, trade-centered lifestyle, with many of its citizens avoiding arduous work like farming or blacksmithing in order to avoid activating the virus.
Tourism
As Tentened's primary business has historically involved its transitory merchants and craftsmen, it could be said that it is a tourist city, catering to those who usually don't stay longer than a few weeks. There are also many who travel from the surrounding areas solely to purchase goods in Tentened - usually wealthier folks who can afford to take leave from their work. Because of the frequent inward and outward passage of people into the city, the city has been built up to accommodate far more than its permanent population, and certain travel hotspots have been expanded upon, such as the lake port and the Grand Market.
Geography
Tentened is surrounded on three sides by the mountains of Tened Pats, and on one side by the waters of Lake Bvondzpsot. It enjoys a relatively arid, Mediterranean climate, with persistent winds and modest amounts of annual rainfall. Unlike most cities in the Tanadszomo Mountains, it rarely sees snow, even when temperatures fall below freezing, and what snow it gets does not tend to stick around for long.
Founding Date
T.S.VII.10
Alternative Name(s)
Tenne, Gildhead, Kentsien
Type
Trade post
Population
4,472; up to 20,000 including itinerant visitors
Inhabitant Demonym
Tennei
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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