Geng-Ba'aat

Geng-Ba'aat is a city that came to exist in the time of Drughashi settlement of Mondlokk. It is situated directly at the Straits of Hann, effectively controlling them, placing Geng-Ba'aat at the bottleneck of seafaring passage between the Inner Seas and the world at large. Given its strategic location, there was never a time when Geng-Ba'aat has not been influential, and in fact it was this city which advocated for the foundation of the Hanseatic Confederation of Mercantile City States.

Demographics

The Mannhr of Geng-Ba'aat are overwhelmingly of Drughashi stock, though with the passage of years, especially after the foundation of the Hanseatic Confederation, the ethnic makeup of the city became more diverse.

Government

Geng-Ba'aat has gone through several forms of government throughout its history.
Pre-Fall, it was a Drughashi naval outpost governed by one of a handful of noble families — these were notorious for nefarious intrigue and machination, vying for control of the lucrative position of Sea Lord. 
During the Long Winter, the city was effectively a dictatorship, ostensibly by these same families, and ostensibly on behalf of the Drughashi Empire; but as contact with the Empire had been cut off completely, the city became increasingly self-reliant.
Immediately after the Long Winter, during the Rise of the Hierophant, the city transitioned to governance as an independent city state. Still, those same Drughashi houses — now the Houses of Geng-Ba'aat — ruled the city, but power was shared somewhat more equitably among them. 
In 744 H.R., a growing merchant class forced the Families' hand, leading to the formation of a ruling senate. The Families still chose from among them the Sea Lord, but their hands were tied by a legislative body made up of representatives of the Trades. 
Later this two-chamber rulership expanded with the founding of the Hanseatic Confederation.
As of 3000 H.R., Geng-Ba'aat is ruled by a triumvirate comprised of the Envoy of the Hanseatic Senate, the hereditary Sea Lord and Protector of the Stone Gate, and the Lord Ambassador. The Hanseatic Envoy is elected by the Senate and serves for a term determined by the Senate itself, but generally for around 3-5 years. He represents the interests of the Hanseatic Senate as well as those of the Guild Conclave, and so sees to the mercantile and domestic needs of the city. The Sea Lord is a hereditary position. He is the Lord of the Fortress and the High Commander of the Navy of the Free City. He represents the aristocracy – such that it exists in the city – as well as the interests of the military and internal security of the city-state. The Lord Ambassador’s role is unique – only Geng-Ba'aat gives foreign powers a nominal (and largely advisory) say in their affairs. The Lord Ambassador is somewhat like a foreign minister and a state secretary rolled into one. The Lord Ambassador is nominated by a conference of foreign embassies and envoys – whoever is in the city at the time. Particular weight is given to the other Hanseatic city-states. The nominee must present his credentials and receive the assent of the Hanseatic Senate and the Sea Lord. He serves for twelve years. In order to preclude corruption and meddling, former Lords Ambassador are kept largely incommunicado under what amounts to house arrest in a lavishly-appointed mansion adjacent to the fortress.

Defences

An ancient fortress, built by the Drughashi at the city's founding, and added to and improved over the centuries, controls the passage of ships into and out of the harbour, and also polices the passage of ships through the Straits of Hann itself.
Atop the cliff, there is a patchwork of walls and fortifications which defend the city from attack by land.

Industry & Trade

Geng-Ba'aat has always been one of Mondlokk's epicentres of shipbuilding, specialising in heavily-armed warships and heavily-armed long-range traders.
During the Long Winter, Geng-Ba'aat was a centre for the trade in Mannhr slaves.

History

Geng-Ba'aat was founded by legion-backed Drughashi explorers in -1368 H.R., when they realised that the Straits of Hann were an effective bottleneck between Mondlokk's Inner Seas and the Serpent's Throat sea, and the oceans beyond. The city was built into a vast crevasse, with a narrow harbour district below, and other districts rising above it. Fortifications were built, including a great galley harbour and wharf, on the promontory at the crevasse's base. Owing to its strategic position, it soon became a highly influential port, controlling passage between the Inner Lands and the lands beyond. Pre-Fall, Geng-Ba'aat was ruled by one of a handful of Drughashi noble houses, ostensibly as a naval outpost of the Empire itself.
During the Long Winter, Geng-Ba'aat was not directly affected, owing to the presence of plentiful hot springs, which afforded the inhabitants the wherewithal to stay warm. However, the city was effectively cut off from its land holdings through extensive freezing in the Earth-Bone Mountains.
After the First Spring, Geng-Ba'aat fought to consolidate its stranglehold on the Inner Seas, leading to frequent skirmishes with Fucronavia, which had tried on several occasions to find a way to bypass Geng-Ba'aat.

Architecture

Geng-Ba'aat is still essentially a Drughashi city at its core; in particular the Old City bears the hallmarks of its founding.

Founding Date

-1368

Alternative Name(s)

Gingbatsching

Type

Large city

Location under

Mondlokk