The city of reeds

Nobody seeing the city of reeds could ever mistake it for an actual city. It is a shanty town rising on stilts and floating on pontoons above the Wiengu marsh. Its reputation as a haven for brigands and outlaws is exagerated, but there is no doubt that the people who choose to live here are probably looking to avoid someone or something.

Demographics

the city of reeds is home to people from all over Kintai, through skewed a little towards folk from neighbouring Zu Deng and Xu. Unlike many settlements in Kintai one can find Nezumi and Kitsune making their homes alongside humans.

Government

A small and frequently shifting council of self proclaimed nobles or wealthy mechants - though terms such as wealthy and noble have a distinctly devalued meaning here.

Defences

The city has no defences to speak of, though any approach through the swamp is fraught with its own perils.

Industry & Trade

The city of reeds is more of  a refuge than a trade hub, though it does serve as stopping point on the journey from the city of three torrents into Zu Deng. Most of the "trade" that takes place here is either dealing in stolen goods or desperate people pawning their posessions. The only resources available to the city are fish, and a wiode wariety of herbs and rare fauna that can be harvested from the swamps.

Infrastructure

The city is divided into a number of cantons, each of which is linked by longer, sturdier bridges than the norm. Most bridges are ill suited for rapid travel and anyone running on them has a good chance of ending up in the water. Equally, the bridges and pathways can be narrow, and one will often have to take care when passing others. Heavy loads are generally shifted by boat.
There are two islands in the city of reeds, the crescent, which borders the Shamtu river and offers docks for unloading cargo, as well as some of the sturdier and more desirable residneces, and the isle of sorrows, which houses a number of stone ruins that have been coopted by the new residents.

Assets

The crescent houses the town docks, simple wooden affairs with a few wooden cranes. The isle of sorros is home to the towns only temple. The original deity worshipped here is unknown, but is now a temple to Amichala, lady of the reeds and marshes.

Guilds and Factions

The guild of avowed blades is mercenary guild of dubious repute, most of its members likely to be killers who no honourable person would hire.

History

There was perhaps once a more important settlement here in the age of antiquity, but since the land has flooded little of it remains but ruins, now occupied and repurposed by the current inhabitants. It is likely that the current occupation of the city of reeds began in the broken age after the fall of the dragon-emporers.

Tourism

The town is a stoppoing point for those travelling between Zu Deng and the city of torrents, or a refuge for those fleeing justice.

Architecture

Almost all buildings here are ramshackle affairs made of wood and standing on stilts. The city is broadly divided into cantons of varying levels of povery, plus the floating market, a large outdoor market that floats on a set of giant pontoons.

Geography

The city is surrounded by swamplands and borders the Shamtu river. To the south the land rises into the foothills of high plains, and many waterways cut their way through the swamp to join the Shamtu. To the north lies Zu Deng, the nearest source of civilization and authority.

Founding Date

unknown

Type

Town

Population

3000

Location under

Kintai