Tochkli

The sounds of the port city Tochkli were cacophonous. Hundreds of hammers beat on hundreds of hot metal sheets and bars as— in the distance— thousands of saw-teeth cut through lumber, and foremen and women barked orders at their underlings. I think I shall not stay here long, lest the noise never leave my ears.

— A Rektouzk trader

Tochkli serves as the industrial heart of the Rektouzk nation. Here, various goods brought in through its ports are processed and turned into finished wares to be sold within the great markets of the nation, or traded off for other goods elsewhere.

The beating heart

As an industrial hub, Tochkli is visited more often by cargo ships than traders— though some will come directly to the source so as to get their goods into the market faster than their competition. Great stone chimneys dominate the skyline, billowing smoke as metals smelt within. These are half constructed, and half carved out of the excavated stone within the stepped city. Here, too, is where the tin from Zilopnou is mixed with the copper of Rektouzk's own mines— smelted together to create the ever-important alloy that is bronze.


The shoreline has been cut and formed into great docks to accommodate the numerous ships which come and go from the city. Alongside these are great stone warehouses, and shipyards in which many of Rektouzk's seaworthy vessels are constructed. Craftsfolk of many creeds set up shop within Tochkli, eager to get quick, reliable access to the raw materials which arrive at its docks every day. Smiths, sculptors, jewelers, armorers, woodworkers, alchemists, and just about any conceivable trade— if the materials arrive at the docks, those who require them are likely not far behind.


A great aqueduct, of sorts, descends from the shore down to a small artificial lake at the center of the city— allowing for the quick passage of smaller boats to the palace at the center. At three points along this passage are great gates, kept watch over by well-paid guards. A notable number of Rektouzk's navy also rests poised and ready to defend the passage should an attack come.

A proud lineage

Tochkli has been run for generations by the same family, and while the Qetlec language does not carry last names down entire family lines— they have been nicknamed "Teulout" or, "Law of the Docks" by the denizens of the city.

Under their rule, the city has run without disaster that anyone currently alive can recall. It is said that newborn Teulout heirs are baptized within the chilling waters of Chluetichlon days after their birth— rather than given a choice when they grow older.

too-k-lee

Type

City

Population

11854

Inhabitant Demonym

Tochklieu

Owning Organization

Rektouzk

Kept at bay

Monsters— both from the land and the sea beside the city— are swiftly and easily dealt with. Twenty-foot high walls snake along the perimeter, with guards patrolling day and night so long as they are paid, poorer districts are often unable to afford their fees and simply do without. Despite this, attacks are seldom heard of.


There are strange disappearances from time to time— but typically the targets are Nouex, and not deemed worth investigating. A frightened, deranged, man once claimed to have witnessed one such disappearance— stating that the man had been eaten by himself. This was, of course, written off as crazed ramblings.

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