Sturmin
The trade capital of Narland
Sturmin is a city located at the confluence of the rivers Dar and Nard. It's location near the southern border of Narland allowed it to become the primary trading centre for the state. The city itself is largely on the north bank of the river Nard. Around the confluence of the rivers are hundreds of jetties, market halls and warehouses, and the city is always bustling with life and trade. On the east of the Dar lie the workshops and factories, taking raw materials of woods, stones and metals and crafting a huge array of finished products. The southern banks are more residential, with many of the residents living in simple terraced brick houses. The city is governed by representatives of the major guilds, who elect a Mayor as a figurehead.
Demographics
The mercantile nature of the city means that social movement is far from impossible. Entrpeneurism is encouraged, but when ventures fail there are always openings at docks and warehouses. The majority of the population are human, but dwarves are common as well, especially in heavier industries. Men and women both work and have equal status, with children taking apprenticeships in multiple trades between the ages of 8 and 14.
Government
Sturmin is ruled by the Council of Guilds, formed from representatives of the major guilds in the city. They elect a Mayor for 5 year terms, who acts as a figurehead for the city. Each guild sets their own rates of taxation, with guild membership compulsary for all businesses. Tax is charged on profits, and to enterprises not to individuals, with this money used to improve essential infrastructure to facilitate trade.
Defences
The city has been peaceful for many years, and has no defensive structures like walls or castles. There is an informal city guard made up for mercenaries, who are well equipped and pretty well trained, but their main responsibilities lie in policing not military defence.
Industry & Trade
Sturmin is a centre of manufacturing and trade of all kinds, with the vast majority of the population employed in some kind of industry. Most raw materials are shipped in from Valdeck or Karnath to the north, but there are large clay pits along the banks of the Nard to the west of the city.
Districts
The central region of Sturmin, on a rise to the north-west of the confluence, was built by the previous nobility. A grand palace (now the Merchants Guildhall) stands in the central square, looking out down a broad straight street leading directly to the confluence of the rivers packed with commercial enterprises. The majority of the rest of the guildhalls are also located in this central area of town, with those of the Goldsmiths and Farmers guild flanking the central square. Circular streets encircle this central district, filled with high end stores and expensive residences.
For much of the city, narrow streets fill in all available spaces, with no clear structure or planning. Simple stone bridges span both rivers at regular intervals, with mills, jetties, factories, shipyards and market halls every way you look. The area between the central square and the rivers is the main commercial district, with industry to the north and west, and warehousing along the river banks.
Assets
The Council maintains a strong treasury, secured under the central goldsmiths hall and heavily guarded. At any given time, millions of gold worth of goods is stored across the warehouses of the city.
Guilds and Factions
Sturmin houses the primary headquarters of almost all of the Guilds of Narland. As the major trade hub of Narland, the Merchants and Goldsmiths have the strongest influence on the local politics, but the main council which governs Narland is based in Sturmin so all guilds have a significant presence there.
History
Sitting at the confluence of the rivers, Sturmin naturally became a trading post for the peoples of the northern Flussland, well before the establishment of the states. As Darstad became larger and more prosperous, their demand on imports increased, and Sturmin grew to meet the demand. As those in industrial roles became ever more powerful, they ousted the local nobility about 150 years ago and formed the council.
Architecture
Most buildings in Sturmin are wooden construction, made from large planks of wood imported from the borders of the Erytill jungle. The simple construction fits the ever changing array of buildings, with reconstruction always taking place somewhere in the city as various enterprises grow or fail. More permanent buildings such as guildhalls, higher end stores, established taverns and expensive residences are brick built, drawing from the Nard clay pits to the west.
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