Bascana
Flanked on one side by the sea and the other by breathtaking mountains and surrounded by ancient stone walls, Bascana is a frontier city built for protection. The town stands at the northern border with Daeruin, the empire of the Dark Elves that has carved a path of war across eastern Sol. With the war raging in the north, an influx of dark elven refugees has pounded on the gates of Bascana, to no avail, being forced to seek shelter in Veros across the narrow Marble Sea. Traditionally, the people of Bascana have been unwelcoming of foreigners, unlike most settlements in the kingdom, continually fearing war. Nonetheless, enclaves of Dwarves and dragonborn exist within the walls. This warlike tendency has also made the city a hub for guilds of fighters and sellswords.
Demographics
Humans
Naturally, the majority of the city's population is human, specifically Droth as is the case for most of the kingdom. There are also families of Northmen who call Bascana home; remnants of raids and waves of settlers from centuries ago. The Strand clan, descended from these raiders, remains a prominent family in the politics and military culture of Bascana, as shrewd courtiers and respected knights.Dwarves
Due to the proximity of Bascana to the mountain kingdom of Vurturum, the city has a sizable population of dwarven residents. Though Bascana has traditionally been wary of foreigners, the dwarves have been dubiously welcomed within the walls due to their skills as crafters. The city has found the dwarves' aptitude for blacksmithing and architecture to be especially useful. Nonetheless, dwarves tend to live in the outer areas of the city, nearest to the walls, and as a result, usually bear the brunt of attacks.Dragonborn
When a significant blow is dealt to the standing army defending Bascana, mercenaries are often hired to fill the gaps. Many of the mercenaries who have found work in Bascana are of draconic ancestry. There are a few mercenary companies made up primarily of dragonborn knights and paladins, such as the Order of the Scale and the Banner of Bahamut. In Bascana, the dragonborn have a reputation for being expert warriors, though with an arrogant, entitled streak, only in it for the money and not for any love of the city.Infrastructure
Much of Bascana's infrastructure is dedicated to its defense. The city is surrounded by high walls and battlements. Originally built over a century ago by Duchess Hawise of House Underhill, Bascana's walls are built of strong stones from the city's stoneworks, the outer walls are twelve metres high and seven metres thick, with a series of inner walls which are even taller.
Bascana's road system is among the most advanced in the kingdom. Every corner of the city has paved stone roads which are regularly maintained. Blast furnaces and metalworks keep the city's equipment, tools, and defenses outfitted with the finest quality steel in Ayrith.
Type
Large town
Population
106,390, excluding irregulars and defenders
Inhabitant Demonym
Bascanan
Owning Organization