Kapitalburg (Kapit-AL-buurk)

Written by Golwen Lothlindel

The land for what would become known as Kapitalburg was given to the first Wislanders by the Elves of Parvalia, after they agreed to lend military aid against the Orks and goblinoids. Built as a pentagonal citadel with a Palace at it's heart, in the Fermenese tradition, it was almost totally destroyed by dragonfire in the War of the Founding. Only the two wings of the Palace survived: the east wing has become the Parliament, while the west wing has become the Supreme Court. It is now in the form of a star, with one point for each species which has been granted mass citizenship by the socialist government: Elves, Humans, Dwarves, Gnomes, Orks, and most recently Goblins. It is a port city. Trade ships put their cargo on canal barges in the harbor, slightly to the southeast of the city. The canal barges may enter through either the Gate of the Moon in the Elf Quarter or the Gate of the Sun in the Human Quarter. Here their cargo is inspected, to be sure that it passes Wisland's exacting consumer protection standards. If allowed to continue on, both canals lead towards the Great Market. On the North and South sides of the market, cranes and stevedores almost continually unload crates from barges. Fish always comes through the Gate of the Sun, and is cleaned in an area set aside on the Northeastern side. Cloth is taken to a warehouse on the Southwestern side and sorted, much of it being picked up to take to garment factories: but a selection chosen by the Weavers and Dressmaker's Guild is taken to be sold by the bolt. On the Southeastern side is a maze-like spice, herb and flowers market: where nearly anything aromatic can be purchased. Magic items can be purchased in the circle on the Eastern side of the market, which also functions as the front court of the Academy of Magic. Dishes, flatware, textile producs, furniture, and tools can be purchased in stalls in the square itself. One enters the Great Market as a buyer from the West, stopping first at the stalls there to pick up one's Wismarks. Notably absent from the Great Market are staple foodstuffs: for these are brought to the inhabitants of the city, and to taverns, or may be requisitioned at smaller markets located in the various Quarters. Every citizen is given an allotment of fish, which they may obtain on the Northeastern side. Otherwise, everything else in the market is sold for Wismarks. Coins may be exchanged for Wismarks, but strictly by weight. Other things such as jewelry and magic items can also be exchanged for Wismarks. The Wismark is not a true currency: it's value does not increase or decrease depending on the amount of it that is printed, nor do prices fluctuate depending on supply and demand. It is simply a token of exchange signifying that an individual has done a certain amount of labor: and is therefore owed goods and services from the market, commissary, tavern, temple or guildhall. The Great Commissary is located just to the West of the Great Market, various guildhalls, taverns and temples can be found in the different Quarters.

Type

Capital