Seahome

When most think of halfling communities, most picture a small, sleepy village, and the small folk peacefully farming the land. Seahome is very different. This is a busy port, full of the comings and goings of all sorts of people.

Demographics

As this is originally a halfling community, most of the population is still made up of halflings. Humans make up the next most numerous folk, and these two groups make up almost all of the city's permanent population.
Just like every other port city on the Twin Worlds and beyond, the city sees many visiting sailors. Most of these are humans, often from Mandia, Qandaq, or Jinto. There are also, occasionally elves from Iv'arill or goblinoids from strange southern locations.

Government

Being one of the more important fiefdoms of Tamasia means the queen has granted it to a noble family to rule. This house technically owns the city, and is entitled to a tax on the port's income. The city watch is also under their control.
In practice, however, the culture of this town very much reflects that of other halfling communities. As such, it is the oldest halfling that leads his people as elder, and is easily the city's most important citizen. Unlike most halfling towns, those who leave are not shunned if and when they return.

Defences

Seahome is completely without walls or any exterior defenses. The only defended structure is Castle Seahome, on a cliff overlooking the city. It is quite easy to take the city without taking the castle, but it is within range of the castle's trebuchets.
The port is primarily protected by a city watch made up of professionals. The ruling noble also has his own house guards and knights, but their role is primarily to protect the castle, not the town. In addition to the predominantly human defenders, there is also a halfling militia. These are volunteers, but more than one invading force has underestimated halflings protecting their home.

Industry & Trade

Seahome was originally a fishing village, and many do still make a substantial living by fishing. However, most of the port's traffic is for merchant vessels. This makes many gainfully employed in the loading and unloading of cargo.
The exports are largely ale and whiskey, as well as high-quality furs. Most of the trade in the port is importation. They receive metalwork from Mandia, jewelry from Qandaq, and even silk from Jinto. Only a few of these imports are actually sold in Seahome's markets, as most are shipped overland to other destinations.
The halflings living in the city even have a surprising relationship with the local gnoll packs. These gnolls are trappers, who sell them fine furs in exchange for things such as metal weapons or other commodities, like ale.

History

Seahome was founded by early halfling settlers as nothing more than a quiet fishing village. These people were perfectly content to simply put their baits in the water and spend all day lying about in the sun with nothing but the waves to keep them company.
Even the First Rising mostly passed them by, as the mind flayers considered the nomadic humans and gnolls both a greater threat and more useful thralls. In the Second Rising, they learned that the sedentary halflings were a far easier target.
The populace was enslaved, but such enslavement didn't last long. The nearby humans fought against the invaders and won a swift and decisive victory. When the rising was defeated, the humans remained, and helped to build Seahome into what it is today. It was absorbed into Tamasia not long after, completely without violence.

Architecture

Many of the buildings are built in the traditional Tamasian style. This includes earthen walls with sod-covered roofs. The ease of receiving imported lumber means that even these often have wooden walls on the inside.
Many more of them, especially on the waterfront, simply skip the earthen outer layer. This leaves a simple wooden construction similar to buildings found in more northern locations, such as Mandia.

Geography

Seahome was built around a deep bay that serves as the harbor. The coastline is very gentle until it slopes upward to a cliff overlooking the harbor and town. Castle Seahome is built at the very top of this cliff, symbolically watching over those below it.
The halflings that reside in the town aren't prone to showy displays of wealth, or the separation of social classes. The richest citizens might live right next to the poorer ones, and in similar dwellings. This leads to a total lack of any sort of recognizable districts.

Type

City

Population

approx. 25,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Seahomer

Location under

Grass Sea

Owning Organization

Tamasia