Tel'ul
Tel'ul is a city in the north eastern side of the Southern Farmlands. It is south of the dwarven nation of the Bludgeon Halls. It was one of the dwarven cities built around the Bludgeon Halls during the Sundering hoping to follow that nations example and become a prosperous dwarven hub, or perhaps tempt them into an alliance and become like the elves of Dakath during the Era of Kings. These all failed, as the Bludgeon Halls was too isolationist to accept new dwarven clans into their fold. Also, most of these dwarven settlements ended up failing, becoming impoverished city-states to be exploited.
The city was such when a group of heroes showed up in the year 1040 to gather its people and shore up the defenses against the oncoming Dormant Advance. This led to a restructuring of the whole city, with the introduction of new districts, casting out of corruption, reformation of its military, and the advance of its political influence in the region. After successfully pushing back the Dormant, destroying their eastern front, they became the talk of the south eastern side of the leaf.
Demographics
It is mostly dwarves, but there is a large goblin and kobold population. Also, with the influx of refugees, the western side of town has a varied assortment of peoples, from yuan-ti to Val'ulian mages.
Government
It is a democracy where the landowners vote on who becomes mayor and sheriff, as well as vote on other matters that the mayor and sheriff bring to the table. To keep from falling into despotism, there is a cap on how much voting power a landholder has. So even if they own the majority of land in Tel'ul, they still have similar voting capabilities of those who hold less. This has established a lasting oligarchy, but has not truly helped bring prosperity. Most the landholders either bicker or are absent to the concerns of Tel'ul. The arrival of the heroes shook this system awake, mostly because it showed that Tel'ul could potentially be a power on the world stage.
Defences
Tel'ul had built a functioning outer wall before the Dormant attacked, and it held fast until victory. While there was no real concern for new attacks on the city, in honor of the victory and for a show of strength, the wall was developed ten-fold until it could rival even the mighty walls of the Bludgeon Halls.
They also have a commandeered Eternal Empire outpost and launch facility. Though they have no way to imitate Eternal Empire tech, it did provide a radar device that aids in future defensive tactics and recon.
Industry & Trade
Initially, iron mills and metal works was the prime business of Tel'ul, though they make common ingots in the world market (such as copper, tin, iron). There is a moderate level of ore around the region, but because of their rich neighbor, it never became prosperous. It makes the city not complete squalor, but not rich either. With the added crime and slave trade, the city became a backwater state of little import.
The arrival of the Val'ulian refugees changed this, as they brought their magical industry to the city. Also, the hero Malvo enriched the brewery business of the city. And with the defeat of the Dormant, a partnership arose between the states of the eastern Southern Farmlands, creating a budding market economy of trade and industry, an economic boon after war and occupation.
Guilds and Factions
It once had a rare animal circus and trade, but the war saw them relocate after the destruction of much of their property. It is said they moved to Break with one of their clients the Greenscale Hunters.
Approximately half the surviving Val'ulians built a district in Tel'ul. They hope to revive their magic society there except without the xenophobia and magic supremacy.
There was once a divide between the Dwarves, goblins and kobolds of Tel'ul, but the war brought a unity as all had shed blood in it. Relations are not perfect, as it is hard to reconcile the slavery of the goblins and the discrimination against the kobolds, but they know that they work better together than apart. Though most the goblins and kobolds lack the intelligence to be masters of Tel'ul, they have become allies to the dwarves and a protected people to Tel'ul.
History
Like the intro mentioned, Tel'ul was built by a clan of dwarves hoping to imitate the Bludgeon Halls during the Sundering era. It did not succeed, becoming a backwater city no one really cared much for. During the Dragon Blight, it was easily conquered by the armies of Sistern. Kobolds live in the region for that reason. Yet, even after the death of the green dragons and the beginning of the Era of Kings, Tel'ul remained stuck in obscurity. When the Dormant Advance marched on Glade and beat that yuan-ti kingdom, many concluded that Tel'ul would soon follow. But in 1041, it held fast and became a beacon in the region and a sign that the Veritian Leaf would not fall so easily to the Dormant. After that loss, the Dormant Cult fled back into their lands.
Architecture
As the name suggests, Tel'ul was built around one of the Uls of Spring. It was destroyed in the Battle of Tel'ul, but it kept the name.
Founding Date
419
Type
City
Population
70,000
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Characters in Location
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