Tenimor

6 July, 296 6c.

Went to Tenimor for the first time today. Remind me to write something about it tomorrow, right now I'm still lost for words.

Journal entry from an unknown Fharyne peasant

Demographics

Tenimor is a gigantic city by Morovan standards, and as such it is host to people from all walks of life. A large number of incredibly rich aristocrats and nobles flock to the opulent districts cascading down from Tenimor Castle, where they can levy their funds and influence in an attempt to gain the favor of the crown. There is a sizable middle class, as craftspeople and traders make up much of the population of Tenimor. Artisans are especially in high demand, as the wealthy have a constant need for handcrafted lifestyle items. The poorer castes of Tenimor are frequently left out of descriptions of the city, as they might tarnish its gilded image, but they are a heavy presence in the city. Slums are abundant in the Eastern districts, and these areas almost seem like they exist in a different time and place when compared to the opulence and advancement of the other parts of Tenimor.

Government

Tenimor is the capital city of the Kingdom of Fharyn, and as such it is the seat of the Kingdom's government. Like every other city in the kingdom, it is supervised by a royally appointed Governor who reports regularly to the crown. Unlike other cities where the Governor has wide-reaching sovereign powers, however, the Governor of Tenimor is more reigned in by the direct presence of the monarch, and can only really exercise their authority when the crown is away on business. There is also a city council that consists of four people: the Tithemaster, the Trademaster, the Lawmaster, and the Armsmaster. These four people work together to legislate, finance, and defend the city, and they all report directly to the Governor who, in turn, reports to the crown.

Infrastructure

Though built on old foundations, Tenimor is very infrastructurally sound. It is crisscrossed by cobbled roads that, though they tend to meander, are notoriously dependable. The upper districts have reliable sewer systems and consistent water supply; amenities which are notably absent from other parts of the city. Tenimor is practically split in two by the Farindal River, which connects the city to the sea. The many bridges spanning the river are a point of architectural pride, as each one is aesthetically different from the others despite their similar structure. The bridges are tall enough to allow many types of ships to pass underneath.

History

Tenimor as a settlement has existed since before the count of Cycles, but it was built up into a proper city in 102 2c. It had always been an important site for trade, as it is situated upon one of the largest ocean-bound rivers in Fharyn. However, during the Fharyne Civil Wars of the Fourth Cycle, it became an important hub of wartime power for the current ruling family. After the victory it was decided that Tenimor, already a center of economic and military strength, would become the capital of the newly pacified Fharyn.

Architecture

Tenimor is the home to many styles of architecture, as its long history has made it somewhat eclectic in appearance. The most revered style is the Fourth Cycle brickwork- buildings made this way are easily identifiable due to their reddish hue, which adds a pop of color among the other grey stone buildings. Most of the wood is from forests on mainland Fharyn, but over the past Cycle it has become stylish to have wood imported from places like Tansiva or Roje to provide some foreign flair to the architecture. Regardless of the construction material, buildings in Tenimor tend to be taller than in other places, as they don't have to compete with the ocean wind due to being so far inland.

Geography

Tenimor is built on fairly flat land, with the most prominent feature being the Farindal River which flows through it. Tenimor Castle, the home to the crown and the center of the Kingdom of Fharyne, is built towards the southern edge of the city, and actually straddles the river itself at one of its narrower points.

In Fharyne, "Tenimor" means "center of the known", reflecting the old Fharyne belief that it was situated in the middle of the world.

Type

Large city

Population

700,000