Forodost
One of the Bridge Cities of Fenlor, Forodost (i.e., Northern Keep) sits on the northern coast of Hyton Lake, at the southern limit of the Tanglewood Forest. Known as the Gateway to the March, Forodost was built as a military stronghold to protect the northern border of The Kingdom of Fenlor. The fortified city serves as the base of operations for the Northern Command of the Fenloran Guard who patrol the Tanglewood March. Over time, the tiny fishing village in the shadow of the fortress keep expanded to become a small city with successful industries and even a growing tourist trade.
Before joining the The Kingdom of Fenlor, the small village of Skipton's Wharf and some outlying farms lay within what is now the Inner City of Forodost. After completion of Gauwis Keep, King Rance III began construction of the rest of Forodost Castle. It quickly became obvious that if the city were ever under siege, the defenders would have no means of escape. Thus, Rance III ordered construction of stone walls to enclose the existing village and small farms. The completed walls ensure a protected route to the then harbor, now the Bridge of the March, which can serve as an escape route to Caelum Island for the citizens. Skipton's Wharf was renamed Forodost to reflect its integration with the keep. As Forodost expanded, farms were pushed beyond the walls and new construction quickly filled the available space of the Inner City. To accommodate further expansion, settlements formed outside the city walls; new homes and businesses popped up to the east and farms to the west. The eastern district, renamed the Outer City, was eventually enclosed by a wooden palisade, much less expensive than stone, while the western farms remain outside of the walls.
Demographics
The city is primarily human (85%) with a significant Gnomish population (12%). The remaining 3% of the population includes small numbers of Elves, Dwarves, and a few other races. Prior to recent events, Forodost boasted only a handful of God Touched residents. However, many God Touched have turned north from Hyton in their flight from the Tataki Emperor and are searching for a new life in Forodost and in the Tanglewood March. Many God Touched arrive in Forodost with little to no funds, resulting in establishment of a minor tent city on the edge of the Mill Town neighborhood of the Outer City.
Financially, like the majority of Fenlor, the people of Forodost (Foroans) are generally successful and poverty is mild in most cases. Homelessness and extreme poverty do exist, but historically affect a small fraction of society. Yet, the homeless population of Forodost recently tripled with the arrival of God Touched refugees. Widely successful lumber, mining, and pottery industries suport a wealthy class of primarily humans.
Government
Initially known as Skipton's Wharf, Forodost was independent and primarily a human fishing village. However, upon the founding of theKingdom of Fenlor by King Rance I in 37 SA, Forodost unified with the other city states and villages around Hyton Lake. Soon after founding of the Kingdom, it became clear that a military presence in the north was imperative to prevent incursions from both natural and civilized sources. Thus, construction of the Forodost Castle was began and a shared governance developed between the military and civilian inhabitants of Forodost. Skipton's Wharf was run by a city council with a rotating mayor chosen from among the council members. This governing structure was maintained for domestic problems and initiatives of the city-to-be. However, early on in the Somber Age the need for security was great and the numbers of soldiers rivaled the number of ordinary citizens. Thus, military needs were placed above those of the existing population and the city council found themselves subordinate to the current Captain of the Fenloran Guard. Relative peace and significant growth of the civilian population (now much larger than the guard) led to friction over this set-up, and in 4000 SR King Thamath VI ordained a shift to even footing between military and civilian governance. Part of this agreement, however, gives the ranking military leader veto power on any initiative they view as contradictory to the safety of the keep and military assets.
Defences
- keep
- town walls
- military soldiers of the Guard
- large ballista
Industry & Trade
Forodost evolved over time from primarily a military stronghold to a small city with several vibrant industries including:
- Timber - Forodost acts as the hub for timber sales and distribution for all of the Kingdom of Fenlor and beyond. The Forodost timber industry specializes in pine and tanglewood, the latter used primarily for furniture and decorative items due to its unique bi-colored structure.
- Furniture - in tandem with the tanglewood timber industry and the Carpenters of the March furniture makers guild with members spread across the Tanglewood March
- Pottery - one of the most famous specialty goods to come out of Forodost. The pottery is strong, yet light due to the unique mud only available from the Forodost Hot Springs. Pottery made in Forodost is sold across Fenlor and much of Arathel. Indeed, it is especially popular in Fiumen and in the Tataki Archipelago for ocean and river-based shipping.
- Wacus - cultivation and drying of the endemic Water Chilli for production of the Wacus condiment popular in Fenlor and Porthca. Wacus is distributed as a powder and then hydrated and mixed with secret ingredients to create a sauce for flavoring a wide variety of dishes.
- Tourism - tourists visit Forodost to visit the Hot Springs located on the edge of Hyton Lake.
- Fishing - one of the smaller industries in Forodost, the city hosts a few small piers used by a collection of fisherman who primarily sell their catch at the Forodost Fish Market.
Infrastructure
A large keep built upon a rise at Forodost's northern limit dominates the towns landscape. The keep is the home of the Northern Command of the Fenloran Guard. Extending from the keep, 15 ft tall stone walls encircle the the small city and reach into the lake to prevent assault by land. Importantly, these walls contain the bridge to the capital city of Hyton, the Bridge of the March.
Within Forodost, the city and it's inhabitants have constructed a number of infrastructure projects including rudimentary sewers, a large windmill to process grain, a small shipyard and docks for fishing on Hyton Lake, roads with paving stones, a blast furnace facility for processing iron and adamantine, an industrial pottery kiln facility, and several market squares. Additionally, and probably just as well-known as the keep, Forodost is home to natural hot springs which supply a large public bath complex and drive a burgeoning tourist trade.
Assets
- - military stores of weapons and ballista
- - food stocks from local farms
- - iron, silver, and adamantine stored by Wyston Mine Co. Warehouses for shipment to rest of Fenlor and Arathel.
Guilds and Factions
Several guilds and factions exist within Forodost. Some of these different groups compete with one another while others work together to influence city politics and government policy.
- The Syntyvä Religion
- The Old Gods churches and clergy
- Carpenters of the March (furniture makers guild)
- Twisted Lumber Distributors, Two-Tone Lumber Distributors
- Wyston Mining Company
- Royalists - pro-crown, anti-queen
- Femroyalists - pro-crown, pro-queen
- Three pottery mud manufacturers - each with slightly different techniques, only one has royal permission to extract mud from the site (but only small amounts so as not to destroy the existing hot springs), the others must use the waters and pass them through mud extracted from another locality.
History
Initially known as Skipton's Wharf, Forodost was a small, independent, human fishing village. The inhabitants settled here due to the abundant fishing and the adjacent hot springs that yield excellent mud for pottery. However, upon the founding of theKingdom of Fenlor by King Rance I in 37 SA, Skipton's Wharf unified with the other city states and villages around Hyton Lake. Soon after the founding of the Kingdom, attacks by numerous wild animals and bandit raiders on villages in the Tanglewood March made it apparent that a military presence in the north was imperative to prevent further incursions, both natural and civilized. Thus, construction of Gauwis Keep, Forodost Castle, and the city walls were begun. Skipton's Wharf was renamed after completion of Forodost Castle and the city walls.
Tourism
Tourists to Forodost come primarily in the fall and winter to enjoy the hot spring-fed baths and natural pools. The natural pools are located on a cliff overlooking Hyton Lake with the capital in the distance and one of the famous bridges between Hyton and Forodost, the Bridge of the March. Tourists are ~75% from Hyton with the remaining 25% coming from the other bridge towns and a scattering of other locations.
Architecture
The keep, walls, ballista keep, and the early town buildings are stone and militaristic in nature with few embellishments - they were build for defense and reflect that goal. Other buildings in town (homes, industry, etc) reflect the general architectural style of The Kingdom of Fenlor.
Geography
Forodost is located on the northern shore of Hyton Lake surrounded by dense forest and rolling hills. The city itself is located in a natural low between a collection of higher terrain formed by the hills in the area. This points to the reason for founding the keep in this location - the high points allow the keep and ballista keep to be strategically located above the surrounding terrain.
Natural Resources
wood, special mud for pottery, lake for fishing and special plant that is dried and used as a unique condiment.
Maps
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Fodorost Market Neighborhood
Founding Date
630 SR (Skipton's Wharf), 1800 SR (Forodost, renaming)
Alternative Name(s)
Gateway to the March
Type
City
Population
32,700
Inhabitant Demonym
Foroan
Owning Organization
Characters in Location