City of Mearst

The City of Mearst is the capital of the nation Corim.

Demographics

64% human, 11% halfling, 8% half-elf, 7% gnome, 5% dwarf, 2% elf, 1% half-orc, 2% other races

Government

Though the nation of Corim is ruled by a Potentate - the patriarch/matriarch of the autocratic ruling family, the city of Mearst itself is governed by an elected People's Council which is chaired by the Oldermost. The Council has five high seats plus the Oldermost. Most of the city's administrative positions are filled by members of the Council. The council is re-elected every 7 years with the position of Oldermost is held for life and decided upon by the People's Council.
One of the principal responsibilities of the People's Council of Mearst is to maintain and safeguard the Corim Protectorate Tower and the surrounding regions.

Defences

The city itself is surrounded by a gleaming white stone wall of 20 feet. The wall is rather unadorned save for the occasional parapet jutting out and above the wall providing both vantage and defense. There are 3 main gates of which you may access the city, the Main gate - this leads directly into the main street thoroughfare and deeper into the city, the Protectorate Gate - this gate leads directly into the Sacellum and is principally used by the Order for quicker access to the roads leading to and from the Protectorate Tower of Corim, and the Sea gate - a smaller tradesman gate that enters and exits directly from the Slips.
Within the city, the Keep of the Potentate, is walled as well with parapets and battlements atop. Sentries, portcullis, arrow slits, and murder holes add to the defense of the Keep. A small moat surrounds the keep and separates it from Mearst proper.

Industry & Trade

Shops & Taverns | Mearst

Infrastructure

The city is split into 6 wards encircling a centralized thoroughfare main street and market with the Keep of the Potentate at the terminus.

• Saltwash Slips

Saltwash Slips serve as the primary docks and berths for Mearst, both for goods and transport. The far pier can support and berth several deep water ships while the smaller inner piers house everything from trade vessels to fishing skiffs. The Slips themselves are overseen by a harbor master appointed by the council. Waterfront shops and warehouses pepper the area as well. Some of the more seedier taverns and shadowed areas are within the Slips.

• Civic Ward

The Civic ward is built with main road leading towards the gates of the Keep of the Potentate running directly through and is where the day to day and administrative tasks are done. It is a small ward built out around the Halls of the Council, the central and primary building in the ward. There are some homes within the Civic Ward, mostly that of agents of the council whose presence and speed are tantamount. The Oldermost also has a modest home and lands within the Ward.

• Artisan Brae

Artisan Brae, the third ward of Mearst, sits on a hill to the south east of the main square. The crest of the hill is where the more well to do crafters and traders have their homes with their shops and stores below, near the base. The slopes and hillside are covered with the homes, workshops and storefronts of artisan craftsmen. The base of Artisan Brae is full of the warehouses, factorage, and mercantile areas.

• Sacellum Ward

Churches and shrines to each of the Numen Prime abound and smaller shrines with areas of worship towards the lesser gods and deities are sprinkled in. The Order Of The Protectorate serves as security and make their home within the Sacellum as well. Violence is strictly forbidden for those entering the Sacellum, going as far as enforcing peace knots on any carried blades.

• Old Town

A once shining jewel of Mearst and Corim and resting nestled between the Sweepings and Saltwash Slips, Old Town is home to peoples of all walks and vocations, a melting pot of the peoples of Ter-Air-Leth. The mages and magic practitioners gravitate towards Old Town, both for safety and for the cultural exchange that occurs when peoples mix. The Corim Academy of the Arcane is in Old Town.

• The Sweepings

Every town has a version of the Sweepings. A place where the offal and refuse ends up. Where the tanners and other noxious trades are located. The cities sewer lines wind through Mearst and eventually wash out into the Sweepings into pools that are then treated and used. It is not a pleasant smelling place, but it is a necessary one.

Guilds and Factions

Order Of The Protectorate - The Order of the Protectorate are the keepers of the 6 Protectorate Towers throughout Ter-Air-Leth. Only those of the Order are able to enter the towers themselves, to do so and not be sworn of the order is to issue a death sentence upon yourself. The Order are sworn and silent by oath and sealed with Magics.

Type

Capital

Population

Approximately 16,800

Inhabitant Demonym

Mearstian