Tenvár, Hidden in the Mists

Overview

• Government: Democracy.
• Exports: Fish, red seaweed dye, root vegetables, pearls, corals.
• Stereotypes: Hard-working, jovial fisherman; easily excited scroll collector; boisterous river trader; mysterious senior Mistweaver; devious thief using illusions; orphan child that plays tricks on others in the mist; elderly librarian.

Foreign Relations

Allied Major Points: Ildovár (Trade Relationship; Defensive Alliance)
Hostile Major Points: Viharanyavár (Denounced Aggression).
Vassal States (Minor Points): Folyószég.

Origin

Several fishing villages are spread out over the eastern coast of Vörövisz. Perhaps more tribes were able to survive here because these wetlands are slightly safer than the swamps. Either way, once the hallow of Tenvíz was discovered, a village was built nearby.

Due to the protection he grants, it has in time grown into a small-sized city of sorts, larger and safer than the nearby villages. This growth has brought safety, but also change in organizational structures and traditions. Kinship as the basis of society has been replaced by status through class and occupation.
Unsurprisingly for a city on the coast, much of the daily business is to do with fishing, and small fishing boats set out daily to rake in the new catch. Tenvíz's sphere of influence stretches somewhat into the sea, so as long as they pay proper reverence to him they are usually safe. But that is not the same as a hard barrier, and monsters and fey do enter semi-frequently, so caution is still advised. Beyond the reaches of his influence however, the waters are filled with predators and other dangers, and few who have set out there have ever returned. Another difficulty is that there is little light to guide one out at sea, and torches are a valuable commodity. All in all, the fishermen cannot go too far, and oversea trade is completely non-existent.

Structure

The city itself was built opposite from the small tied island of Tenvíz's hallow. A moat was dug around and the houses were raised in a slightly irregular circular pattern. Over time they had to create a second moat to adjust for the expansion. The city is only surrounded and divided by basic wooden palisades.
The real defense comes from something more extraordinary. The city is surrounded by mists actually. The appropriately called Wall of Mists was raised by Tenvíz himself and it is not just regular mist, it distracts and disorients any unwelcome visitors through a divine magic. This has kept the city safe from raids from the strange fish men of this region and the vaguely man-shaped beasts of rotting seaweed that they animate and worship. Because of this unique feature, they have never really had to raise a proper wall. However, singular monsters have been known to pass through the mists at times, perhaps because they were not recognized as aggressors by the mists.

Culture

The people here are hardy sailors and fishermen, but compared to many other places they enjoy relative safety and prosperity and they know it. Contrary to their generally drab and simple clothing style, their demeanor is usually cheerful and even slightly flamboyant at times. They are welcoming to outsiders and strangers, and always very eager to hear from them about different areas. Knowledge is a virtue according to Tenvíz and so people do their best to not be ignorant of the way things are elsewhere. This eagerness to learn and explore can also express itself in more concerning ways, such as the increasing trade with Ildovár for the cognition enhancing drug harmégis that is cultivated there.

Social Order

Tenvíz embraces the virtues of cleverness and trickery, and his people know that nothing is mere chance, tricks and inventiveness can always make things go your way. Through wit and ambition you can work your way up, and once there you can fall down just as easily. They heavily believe in upwards mobility through personal merit. That which is up may soon come down, and vice versa. In due time each person gets their shot.
This can also be related to gambling, an activity the tenvári partake in frequently. They do not consider this sinful, but instead as a chance to hone your skill. Taking the hand you were dealt and turning it into a success is admirable, and something that comes with practice.

Political System

This can also be somewhat seen in their political system, which is more democratic than most at this time. The city is generally governed by a council of five representatives. Each of these members represent one of the city's five districts: Moat Town, the Slipstreets, Mistside, the Dockyard and Narhorn. They are elected bi-yearly by the people of their own district. They maintain the general direction of the city and settle disputes that cannot be handled internally by the district's own. A council member who does not function properly can be forced to abdicate if all other four members agree on it and gain Tenvíz's blessing for the decision.

Fashion and Food

In this region there are no sheep or such for wool, but flax is readily available and linen and hides make up most of the clothing people wear. Generally they favor simple designs, sometimes augmented with red color patterns. By soaking and washing a type of red seaweed that grows in this region, they create a gummy substance that can be applied to clothing as a protective coating and to create a coloring pattern. The pattern is used to indicate status on a fishing boat.
The wetlands allow for some farming, but it is limited in scope due to the flooding risks and roaming creatures. Still, root vegetables are available here, and often served with brine fermented fish or pickled fruits. Seaweed and flat bread are common sides to serve with this. On celebratory occasions, it is considered good form to serve shark to honor the event or guest.

Organizations

Aside from the political system as outlined above, there are several other organizations that make their home within the city. Some of these are backed by the government and provide an important job in protecting the people, while others are not.

Tide Wardens

The Tide Wardens are the local militia funded by the city council and some of the noble families. They patrol the city up to the outer moat and ensure that no hostile creatures get in, and that no person misbehaves. Each of the districts is assigned one of the sergeants who manage business within that district and respond directly to the captain. The captain in turn responds directly to the city council itself. They can be easily recognized by their nacre badges or the nacre decorations on the hilt of their duty weapon, which is usually a simple blade.

Mistweavers

The Mistweavers are a particular sub-sect of the faith of Tenvíz. They consist of shamans, priests and sorcerers who specialize in concealing illusions that they use to protect tenvári traders or camouflage hunting parties. They are an important part of the commercial aspect of the city and well-rewarded for it. Criminal elements often try to entice or ensnare beginner Mistweavers with promises of riches if they aid them in their illegal activities such as smuggling, drug trafficking or burglary.

Bogstalkers

The Bogstalkers are a group of tenvári warriors who are very familiar with the wetland geography surrounding them. They can move through these lands at breakneck speed and are typically hired for more dangerous missions, often by the government. They perform the rescue actions or hunt dangerous monsters that are passing by too close to the city for comfort. Many of them are devout worshipers of Tenvíz who apply illusions to aid their combat expertise.

The Washed Hand

A guild of cleaners, who sweep chimneys, maintain the streets and will even clean and wax your boat for you. They are mostly unassuming and do not draw much attention to themselves. Which is why they have been able to maintain an under-the-table side-job as corpse and crime scene clean-up service without having been found out.

Between the Waves and Mist

Alternative Names

City Shrouded in the Mists

Demonym

Tenvári

Location

Swamps of Vörövisz

Notable Members

• Tenvíz