Malschkan

Malschkan sits by the upper coast of Chausmia and is considered the Northern-most civilized point of Phantaforas. It is the seat of House Volkov, ruled by Matriarch Correen Musil Volkov Makara. The high wooden gates and plain stone ramparts hide a surprisingly lively community of mainly Hydrurga with a scattering of Melivora and Aelcere in between; there are few Alfar, who generally loathe the freezing cold, and Lesser Fatum. True Fatum, like in many places, cannot be found here.


The outskirts of the city are considerably less dense, with small plots of farmland in between; further down the roads, the wood-and-stone houses stand closer together, with some side-streets capable of letting only two Hydrurga pass at a time, so long as they make way for each other. Overhead, some second-story houses have their upper floors jutting out and hanging over the streets, forming a makeshift ceiling where Hydrurga can take shelter if they have no housing of their own.


The more densely-packed center of the kingdom only sputters out to make way for the town square, where the marketplace can be located surrounding a still-functioning well and a stone pedestal. Wooden stalls have been erected to accommodate the many Aelvanir who wish to trade and barter. The main road widens considerably at the other end of the marketplace, leading up a natural slope towards the Howling Castle sitting securely at the top of a cliff. On either side of the rise, the landscape tapers down again, where two more roads split - the left one loops back around to the front gate, while the right leads to the smaller side gate that grants access to the coast and the major docks.


Malschkan has a crude form of a drainage system that, essentially, takes waste away deep into the underground to help improve the quality of soil of Chausmia. Likewise, a similar plumbing system was designed to tap into the underwater river leading out to the ocean, bringing it to the surface to hydrate several communal bathhouses, as well as a few private ones (such as the castle bathhouse). The aqueducts are lined with rare Firestarters that generate enough heat to warm up the water.


While there are some residents who prefer to sell their product out of their own houses, many can be found in the Marketplace in the very middle of the Kingdom. The first ring from the center Kingdom Pedestal is primarily composed of stalls and stands, followed by the more established shops in separate cobblestone huts. Some stalls may extend to alleyways in the residential area, primarily small-time jewelry shops or trade-sellers, fortune-tellers or trinket shops.


Malschkan has a single bank in the premises, located just within the Howling Castle's walls. The First Chausmian Bank offers services such as keeping predisme, loaning predisme, keeping heirlooms, sending predisme or heirlooms to another location (services currently do not extend to Aucort, Bauserbeil, and the True Fatum lands), among others.

Streets & Roads

A majority of the roads are made of cobblestone with only small alleyways and side-streets made of packed dirt. Otherwise, every and all streets are kept clean of snow by Sweepers, who make their rounds every six hours (or every two hours, if it's snowing). Only the major roads are wide enough to accommodate two-lane carriages, and carriages are only ever used during Ambassador visits and other royal functions. The more popular roads are lined with wooden poles every few yards holding a cast-iron lantern that burns subtly throughout the night. Inside the lantern is what's commonly known as a Firestarter.

Commerce, Trade, Bartering

While many purchase goods with predisme, some merchants and shopkeeps are willing to trade for items that they may want or need. Furs and crystals are the most widely accepted of trade items due to demand, followed by certain vegetables, meats, and imported goods. Precious herbs not native to the colder climates are also sought-after, while materials like silk are generally unfavorable due to their inability to keep a person warm.

Malschkan's biggest export is fish and seafood due to its status as a coastal capital. It has a massive port to the North of the city, beyond the towering Kingdom walls; it should be noted that most fishing businesses fish for the sole purpose of export outside of the city and it's jurisdiction, therefore are required to partner with trading companies to help bring their material South. Furs and tapestries are the second largest export of Malschkan.

Government & Rule

Malschkan is ruled by a single Matriarch, Coreen Musil Makara née Volkov. The Settlements Pierson, Chave, Vigny, Des, Montteauc, Courgis, Coullepoy, and Bouvy are all under the jurisdiction of Malschkan, with Montteauc being the favored Settlement due to its fertile lands and proximity to the border. Old Makara is also included in the jurisdiction of the Volkov, however, it is only a single plot of land containing the isolated, abandoned Castle Makara.


Taxes are collected based on the resident's income and/or occupation. For those who are officially employed and have a source of income, such as innkeepers, merchants, apothecaries and the like, their taxes take the form of a small percentage of the presidme that they earn. For those who are either self-employed, have no source of income, or are self-sufficient with their land, their taxes take the form of any material possession that they can offer (for example, self-sufficient farmers who mostly trade with vegetables can offer vegetables as a payment for their taxes).


The same taxation process can be said for satellite Settlements. Mostly, these Settlements offer provisions to the Crown, such as food, pelts, fruits, and herbs. This can go for or against a village, depending on their output. Those who produce plenty, like the Montteaucs, have enough to spare, whereas those who produce few, like the Piersons, are generally resentful on having to set aside what they worked for to be given away.


Before the rise of House Volkov, House Makara was the third of the Main Houses who held power over Chausmia. It was during the outlawing of Blood Magic that the Makara fell from grace, losing the support of their people and were consequently kicked out of their kingdom - only to be replaced by the new Major House, House Volkov. They watched as all the sunburst banners and emblems associated with their rule were taken down and replaced by the Volkov's running wolf.


If House Volkov ever falls, the process will be the same. They will be evicted from their castle, insignias taken down and kept in the castle's basement, and left to find their own place to call home.

General Architecture

A majority of the houses in Malschkan are made of two main materials - stone and wood. The lower floors are generally made of stone to help keep the cold nip away; it also helps prevent fires, because many homes have a center fire-pit that the residents use to cook, boil water, and keep warm. The upper floor is usually set a good amount to the side, always solely for sleeping purposes, and never covering up the lower floor completely. This is because the upper floor relies on the ground floor's fire-pit to keep warm; at the same time, several windows are opened throughout the day to allow smoke to escape, preventing any accidental issues with smoke inhalation.


A typical house is generally just one big, cavernous room with only two doors, one to the front of the structure and one leading to the outhouse at the back of the building. The lower floor has two small windows, while the upper floor has multiple with wooden shutters to help keep the temperature inside modulated. Richer residents buy Firestarters to help keep their homes warm; otherwise, everybody just keeps a fire going in their hearth.


Tapestries are the typical go-to decorations of each home, mostly due to their availability and abundance. Furs and cloths are one of Chausmia's biggest exports. Because acquiring these materials do not require to permanently take (animals can be sheered and cotton plants can be harvested), it's a renewable and reliable resource.

Popular Shops, Guilds, and Establishments

The Steel Phoenix Blacksmith - A weapons shop run by the brave Melivora, Elbund. Popular Item: Custom bastard swords and scabbards for 2000p.
The Wild Magician's Woodworking - A carpentry shop run by renowned Hydrurga builder, Ralus. Popular Item: Small shipping barge for 4500p.
Meldoliel's Mild Mixes - A general herb and alchemy shop run by Mithethaxa, a head-strong Alfar. Popular Item: Crystal alembic 400p.
The Golden Giant's Keg - A tavern and inn run by Aelcere twins, Jadeie and Pesifalas. Popular Item: Montteauc Spiced Wine for 5p per pint, 50p per bottle.
The Brass Cauldron - An exclusive gemstone shop run by the curious Hydrurga, Tidurwe. Populer Item: Jadestone bracelets for 1800p.
Delilah's Stable and Bestiary - A bestiary run by the quiet Hydrurga, Ciarion. Popular Item: Sumerflaesk for 5000p.
Thialard's Clothes Shoppe - A clothes shoppe run by Glassford, ex-ambassador to the Melivora. Popular Item: Dire wolf cloak for 1500p
Hide of the Worthy - A leather armor shop run by the keen-eyed Lesser Fatum, Richfarael. Popular Item: Sumerflaesk leather barding for 4000p.
Chimera Athenaeum - A book shop run by the energetic Melivora, Athenaeum. Popular Item: The General's Guide to Gemstones for 800p.

Type

Capital

Included Locations

• The Steel Phoenix Blacksmith