Crisla
Trade Capital of the West
Crisla is located perfectly at the nexus of several major trade routes from north to south and east to west. This makes trade it's most important activity. Hundreds of ships dock in her ports and travel her rivers each day, while mile long caravans travel the roads from the dawn til dusk. The Crislans consider themselves to be just as worldly as those in Quara or any other large city, and they pride themselves in providing trade goods for the whole Empire and beyond.
Structure
The County of Crisla is ruled by the current Count, who has a small council of advisors to help him. The advisors are made up of other court nobles and several wealthy merchants from the capital. The small council currently consists of the Lord of Coin, the Captain-General of the Guard, the High Priestess of the Church of the Light, the Count's heir, and the Countess, as well as other nobles appointed by the Count.
At least once a year, although it usually happens more often than that, the Count calls an Assembly of the Notables that includes all the Lords, Baronets, Knights, Guild leaders, and other wealthy land owners to meet and discuss issues and resolve disputes. These meetings often result in laws or edicts being issued, but there is no voting involved. The Count listens, seeks advice, and then makes a determination on his own.
Culture
It is claimed that anything one would want to purchase can be purchased in Druc, and only less so in the other towns along the trade routes through the Crisla. The roads are constantly filled with caravans heading one way or the other, and the ports are filled with ships loading and unloading cargos bound for some distant destination.
This abundance of everything, and everything for sale, makes the Crislans believe everything has a price and are not afraid, ashamed or embarrassed to discuss the price of things with others. People are not afraid to show their wealth off either, although one way of doing that is by showing off how many servants and guards they have watching.
The people of the Forest of Magdenmeir are not as materialistic as their city cousins, but they do believe that hard work will lead to good fortune.
Assets
Crisla has an abundance of land, wood, and farming, and that alone would make it a wealthy land, but it also sits along very important trade routes, both land, river and sea. These trade routes allow the County to collect lots of taxes, and the Count to amass great wealth from not only the taxes, but from gifts from wealthy merchants looking for a better rate.
Demography and Population
Most of the population of Crisla lives in small villages and farms spread through the forests and grasslands. There are a number of major towns that are located along the trade routes.
Bolgag- on the trade route from Argate to Druc, this small town is known for it's horse breeding and selling. Many caravans stop here to trade horses.
Broghekh- a medium sized town on one of the east - west trade routes. While a lot of trade passes through this town, it is also one of the bigger agricultural centers and the surrounding farm land is very productive.
Chiboz- a port town on the Altontave River and on the major east - west trade route. It has a mixed population of ten thousand.
Drird
Druc - the capital and seat of the Count. Druc is the primary port and trade center for the county. it has a mixed population of nearly eighteen thousand.
Forest of Magdenmeir in the western part of the county has a large population of halflings.
Gradrug - a small town on the northern trade route. Gradug is a halfling town, that also has a significant gnome population in the surrounding forests. It also has a hill fort protecting it, although it has not seen any action in hundreds of years.
Michadog - a small river town on the trade route, one of the first stops for ships heading up the Altontave River.
Mucro - a major town on both the north - south and east-west trade routes. It is known as the first stop for goods coming out of Zelcel, so may merchants gather here to be the first to look at the exotic goods that are brought in. It also is the closeest supply hub for the fortress at Sheild so all of the military supplies destined for there pass through this town.
Nagniz
Ruzvek
Vrugh- a large river town. This is the farthest north most ocean going vessels can travel on the Altontave River, so here goods are unloaded, and loaded on smaller vessels to continue upstream.
Zuzarkor - is a small port town on the southern east - west trade route. As the first stop on the Sernas Sea from Argate, it used to be amore important stop, but since Argate started sending it's goods by ship, and bypassing Crisla's taxes, the town has started to decline.
Military
Crisla has the funds to host a large military force, and it is capable of putting thirty thousand men under arms within a few weeks. Druc has the largest contingent of men with about three thousand standing soldiers, and another fifteen hundred sailors, and a fleet of 15 warships, plus the ability to raise a militia of another 3000 soldiers, and 500 sailors in a matter of days.
Each of the Barons, Baronets, and Knights in the land have their own standing guard and the ability to raise more militia as needed. Even the wealthy merchants and land owners have their own guards which can be called in by the Count in time of need. A Baron is expected to be able to field 300 soldiers; a Baronet one hundred soldiers; and a Knight, at least 30 when called to do so.
Religion
Each of the villages and towns in the county has a Temple of the Light, with some of the more prominent towns have large edifices, some with attached monasteries for the Holy Order of the Bringers and Protectors of the Light Resplendent. The capital of Druc, has a huge Temple and is a special patronage of the current Countess.
Foreign Relations
Crisla has good relations with all of it's neighbors, although on occasion disputes over taxes collected can cause some difficulties. These tax disputes are usually settled quickly, and while not always in Crisla's favor, the county knows it will make up for any losses at a later date. The Duchy of Ysward, liege to Crisla is very happy with Crisla taking the blame for the high taxes, while the Duke collects his share quietly from he Count. Crisla's biggest competitor, the Barony of Sernas has taken to shipping it's goods past the the county to other lands to avoid the imposed taxes. This has led to some privateering to make sure that the taxes are paid.
Agriculture & Industry
The forests of Crisla provide much lumber, and once cleared, great farm lands. Small woodland villages dot the County, and provide the backbone of much of the agriculture that feeds the county. Many small rivers and streams cross the land providing good sources of water, fishing and transportation. The largest of which is the Altontave River upon which much trade flows.
Trade & Transport
Trade and transportation are the backbone of Crisla's economy. Goods flow through the County in every direction, and the Count, and his Lord of Coin, make sure that the taxes are collected for these items. The taxes are not unreasonable, but due to the amount of trade that goes through, the County's coffers increase every day.
Ever Vigilant!
Type
Geopolitical, County / March
Capital
Demonym
Crislan
Leader
Leader Title
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Major Exports
Lumber, eels, grain
Judicial Body
Like most of the Empire, Crisla has judicial matters settled by the ranking noble available to hear the case. In many towns and cities, the power of the ranking noble is granted to appointed Magistrates, who have the power to hear cases and issue judgements. In Crisla, the Magistrates are restricted to their assigned territories, and while they can condemn someone to death, it is always up to the ranking noble to execute the sentence, during which the condemned has a chance to plead their case again.
Official State Religion
Parent Organization
Controlled Territories
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