SPANSIS: City-State of the North
A mighty vista welcomes a traveller reaching the starting point of the Road to War. A narrow stretch separating two large lakes, water cascading between these, a bridge across them and above the falls and a city on this bridge. This is Spansis, free city and city-state of the north. Its position commands the entry to Iorinth’s northern lands. Iorinth’s long history of difficulty in dealings with the city mean that the northland has received less attention than it might have.
Spansis has many mercantile interests cultivated from centuries of safety within the strong tower-gated city walls. Specifically, two large money lending institutions reside here, secured by Spansis’s near impregnability.
Traders venture to the city-state along the Road of course but there is also a smaller but steady exchange along the waterways to the north-east leading to Anvil Bay. There the beginnings of a new town can be found.
Spansis spends a large amount making sure that the bridge and constructions associated with it are kept in excellent condition. There is no profit in letting it decay. All manner of national organisations have at least an office or officers in Spansis, as it is ideally situated. This along with its independence gives the most cosmopolitan of flavours in all Coaseth.
Current Situation
The city-state grows concerned for its profit margins as the forces of Kelud make serious inroads to the north. They can’t ask Iorinth’s aid, due to the long-standing feud.
The Presumed-General's death casts a pall over the city. He has been a popular leader. Many areas of the city go dark at dusk in homage. Businesses and entertainments are closed for two nights. as to his death, there are several rumours about what has occurred:
1. The idea that it was a natural disaster -- an earthquake. The were tremors detected near Iathe House during the collapse. More work will need to be done to determine if this was actually caused the collapse or a result of it.
2. A casting caused the earthquake that was felt.
3. Iorinthan interests have sent a group of Warlogues/Assassins/Sappers/Secret Allies, to weaken the palace roof, to kill the Presumed-General.
4. A Spire, probably of the Violet, has killed the Presumed-General.
Demographics
Human 98%
Rakshahasa 1%
Other 1%
Distrbution
10% Poor/Labourers/Beggars/Orphaned/indebted
30% Craftsmen
35% Merchants
15% Tradesmen
10% Wealthy/Administrators
Government
Enlightened Dictatorship
Defences
While not having any perimeter walls, the truth is Spansis is well-sited to defend itself from invasion. The Iorinth approach is defended by a gate and the lakes. A narrow peninsula funnels any attacking force to at best, four abreast. Other approaches are guarded by the concourses which have large, fortified gates. As well, the waterways and plateaus form excellent natural barriers.
Industry & Trade
While it produces at least a little bit of everything, the city is famous for high quality leather workings, armours and of course shipwrighting in all its forms.
Infrastructure
As befits the mightiest city on Miranse, Spansis features many different examples of diverse business interests. Due to the many falls and cataracts in the city, mill wheels are common. The quick flowing 'Sis' river flows through a part of the city, Much of its course has been diverted beneath the city streets, where mills create textiles and lumber. Part of the Deepspan Sis is sent by artificial channel to several blast furnaces.
Several areas of the city are given over to public gardens. The largest is the central, square park known as, 'Carshon Gardens' Here there are restaurants -- one within the tress.
Residences range from hovels on the outskirts to elegant apartments overlooking the green spaces.
Setting Spansis apart, are the many concourses throughout the city. These began as a means to avoid the frequent floods of the city from the 'Sis, and 'Skein' rivers as well as the 'Lake Skade'. Concourses have since been improved and expanded culminating in the Grand Concourse, of which it is said, "You might well never go below, such is the availability of every need upon it." While it has few fixed structures on it the Grand Concourse sees innumerable hawkers of goods, foods, weapons, books and entertainments. One of the few structures on the Grand Concourse is the 'Elevations'. This is the arena of Spansis, where the 'Aggressor' warriors fight for fame and their fervent followings. The Grand Concourse has many levels below the surface and the 'Aggressors' have large dwelling areas devoted to them there.
On the 'Skein' river, there are docks for river-borne boat traffic. This route reaches the Coaseth coastline. A settlement without official city status, but beginning to be known as 'Newest Town', is developing at the 'Skein's' mouth. The city also boasts a canal, where barges of various sizes, transfer goods from lake bound ships to carts and on to the river skiffs and hence, the sea. Of course other carts take goods to the Road to War for transport to inland Coaseth settlements.
Assets
Beyond the usual agglomeration of valued objects, civic and those held privately, there are the headquarters of the two largest sources of borrowing funds on Miranse. These are the Saltic Lenders and the Medallions Croupiers. They have many interests in Spansis and without.
Guilds and Factions
Notable Organisations:
Selectors -- Special units skilled in underhanded deeds
Aggressors -- Gladiator warriors who have large supporters clubs
Octave (Constellations) -- animal helmed (casks), plate armoured, neighbourhood deputies
Guides -- Family groups that oversee new arrivals/business activity
Iorinthan Gated -- Troops left behind by treaty agreement to man the tower gates
Wheel Guard -- these defend the High Wheel
Architecture
Buildings reflect the various times and peoples that have moved here. with its skilled force of builders and engineers to maintain the concourses. structures here are often highly decorated or expensively detailed.
WHAT TO WEAR
Spansis is as much a vertical city as it is a sprawling one. So much so that it is said, "If you don't like the weather simply move up or down a distance and you're bound to find it more to your liking."
The upper clifftops and towering structures might well be bathed in hot sunlight, while directly below, cooled by canal water or swift moving cascade, one might spend the entire day in the deep shade and require a coat and scarf.
"I walked into the city and spent several hours in the company of one of these Spansis Guides -- a delightful woman, not much older than my daughter. While she described what this soaring tower housed or how to access the higher parks atop these elevated streets they call concourses, I looked all about me in shocked wonder. I have seen many cities in my trading life but none could match the majesty of the place. So much so that at the end of my time with her, my jaw ached from being open so much!
From the bright sunny river dockside, with a wonderful aspect view of the eastern approach, one hears the business of the river and of the ocean going. Loud shouts, both orders and imprecations receive responses serious and lighthearted. The smells of freshwater fish, spices, green herbs, cut flower blossoms, and dark jahave intermingle. Business is conducted out in the streets and on the quayside. No subtlety is applied, here it is on for all passersby to witness who is getting the better of each and every deal.
Up well-built switchback staircases and on to the concourses, it soon becomes evident that here is another city! The sounds from the docks, barely reach the ear and one's attention is forced to contemplate the activity here. This takes the form of various fleets of small wagons, drawn by goats, filled with all manner of trade goods. One might be piled high with pots and pans, fashioned from copper or brass. The next cart might be overflowing with fabric rolls, fine woolens and delicate smooth satins. Yet another might be smelled before being seen, as it offers for sale, long slender swords, skewering cubes of marinated game meats. These are deliciously addictive, seared over open, barghwood coal-braziers on the cart. It is not looked on as at all strange that young and old alike, wander about with these rather dangeous looking pieces of cutlery! These blades are left leaning against the concourse walls. I've no idea who cleans them up.
Then as one makes another ascent, the traveler comes to the Grand Concourse. The afternoon I first stood upon it, large awnings had been erected, so as to provide shade otherwise impossible to find. I welcomed this clever design feature. My lovely guide pointed out that these also offered protection from the rain. Later I had the opportunity to see this for myself. I can attest to the awnings' protective capabilities. I spent an half hour under such shelter, in conversation with a member of the government of faraway Rogazny. He worked from the Embassy Heights district. He too was impressed with the city's design and even more with those who maintained it. This civil force must have a most competent master.
From the Grand Concourse's high vantage, one could easily discern the many districts that make up the place. Some are orderly, some are evidently left less controlled. My guide, whose eyes flashed most becomingly, told me that these areas that looked less well-kept were intentionally left this way. That they were perhaps better looked after than the areas that were tidy! One doesn't quite know how this can be so, and when one expresses this, one is rewarded by her white teeth shining brightly and her chime-like laughter is lovely enough to halt several passersby.
My first day in Spansis concludes with my pretty companion showing me the Elevations. This is perhaps not as overwhelming a fighting arena as those of some of the Tighan nations can boast, but there is no denying its grandeur and wonderfully impressive position atop the Grand Concourse. I watched the excellent fighters there for an hour or two, reveling in the sights and sounds of the place. I became one with the crowd; raising my voice with theirs, cheering their favourites and catcalling their villains. Wonderful fun! These battles were not to the death, which struck me as quite a refinement.
Nightfall saw me escorted to an inn, where I paid a few dozen helms to my guide. A small price to pay for such appealing company! I can well imagine the young lady is most successful at her trade. I fell asleep readily; tired from my exertions, lulled from beyond my thrown-open shutters by the nearby sounds of some theatrical production that was causing much audience participation, and the smell of Nightflower, carried to me by warm Spansis breezes."
Type
Metropolis
Population
750,000
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