Merdun
Merdun, also known as the City of Sails, is a large town and the primary trading hub of Fionmagh, known to be the most well-integrated settlement of humans, goblins, and hobgoblins in all of Fionmagh. It is a lively coastal town full of the hustle and bustle of roaming merchants, caravaneers and adventurers and travelers from The Imperial Qyzharate of Duryad, The Nympharum Concord
Merdun was full of activity all day and night. It was commonly used as a meeting point for a number of armies and militaries that banded together when threats appeared in Thrakos.
Demographics
Being the Crowned Chiefdom's industrial center, Merdun has a population of 16,205 as of the year 32 PC. It is fairly diverse, with only 51% of the population being human. Half-orc make up 16% and a significant minority of goblinoids 18% with other races making up 15%
Government
By 32 DR, the city is ruled fairly and justly by Laird Brudus MacMarren, an ageing, veteran adventurer and devout worshiper of Valkur.
Defences
In addition to its various fortifications, the city is portected by the Fiergish army. Merdun also boast a fleet of 6 warships, half closely defend the port while the other half patroll the waters near the city out to sea. No less than 180 mounted soldiers are stationed in Merdun, ready to intervene in case of Durish invasion and monster attacks. During peacetime, soldiers patrol the city in 10-man units.The town also operated a militia, which seconded the military. It is mostly composed of army veterans, and of young people preparing for regular service.
Industry & Trade
Due to its key location, Merdun was a vital mercantile hub for its region of Naghron. It was the site where goods moving on ships traversing the Thrakiot Channel could be transferred to caravans journeying along the Crown Road or vice versa. The waterways of the Greeenspear at Merdun was too shallow for ships to continue upriver into the rest of the region.
While Merdun emulated the grand, northern Metropolis of Garagorm its trade services were somewhat limited. While it attracted its fair share of travelers, prices for local wares were often significantly marked up.
Districts
Old City
The Old City of Merdun include the neighborhoods that were built within its massive city walls. It encompasses the areas previously known as Old Merdun and Noble Merdun, among them the Lairds' Quarter, as well as the Dock and Residential districts.East Merdun
East Merdun is the region of the city that hold the growing communities that built their homes beyond its easternmost walls.History
Centuries ago, the Merrow's Maw River was infested with pirates, until the Storm Kings drove them away. Generations later, the Dunbroch's granted the rich lands around the mouth of the river to Clan MacMarren, an exiled family fleeing from Nympharum where they used to hold lands along the Merden River.
Points of interest
- The High Market: The open market of Merdun attract many merchants from Duryad, Mekrashov, Prausterland and even Nympharum, looking to buy local goods.
- Laird’s Quarter: Home to the wealthiest of the city, this section of town and its cobblestone streets are meticulously maintained.
Inns, Festhalls, & Taverns
- The Bitter Barnacle: A large dockside, but very comfortable inn that mostly caters to sailors. Run by the couple, Fionella and Allastor Blackwall.
- The Laughing Banshee: A dive bar in the poorer part of the old city.
- The Wobbly Goblin : A haven from the tumult of the city and a great place for adventurers to find work. An attached stable makes for a convenient business for those passing through the town. A mysterious goblin barkeep named Perceval keeps his ears open for news and valuable information. Known to satisfy those with exotic tastes.
- Rusty Anchor: This dark and smokey inn feature its own barber and tattoo artist, a practice that is popular to the point of prevalence among the Fiergish populace.
- Mangeled Merrow: A truly wretched establishment, this tavern has the distasteful reputation as the filthiest and least reputable location in Merdun. It is prone to regular flooding during particularly high tides.
- Sea Chest: This tall, three-story alehouse frequented by patrons who liked to relax and talk. Of a higher class than the nearby Mangeled Merrow, this establishment is run by the particularly knowledgeable half-elf couple, Moira and Shaylon Mactavish.
- Slain Sahuagin: A rather successful tavern that's favored by the sell-swords and smugglers of Merdun.
Shops
- Gol-Ko's Smithy: A blacksmith shop that offered excellently-crafted weapons by the larger-than-life "Fieldhammer" Gol-ko, who runs this smithy with his apprentice, Brudus Waldirk in the early 30's PC.
- Odelaus Coster: A weapons and armor supplier owned by the Odelaus Coster. The master of this post was a sharp-tongued tiefling woman Graygost.
- Slum Market. the labyrinthine marketplace that was plagued by local pickpockets
Temples, Shrines & Religious Sites
- Orcish temple: The orc and half-orc soldiers and guards serving within the The Thronesguard are allowed to keep this small fortified sanctum to worship their deities, demigods, and tribal heroes.
- The Happy House of the Peacock Prince: Temple of Jolly Lord of Stories
Landmarks
- Widows's Well: A well for drawing water. Also a concealed entrance to Merdun's underground catacombs. Rumours hold that a recently widowed woman threw herself into the well and to her death. Some say she haunts the catacombs to this day.
- Truetear Graveyard: The city's graveyard sat against the far western side of the Greenspear River.
- Alderscribe’s Library: Alderscribe's Library is the preeminent place of learning in the city of Merdun. It is a repository for the knowledge about the city, the Fionmagh South, and all manner of academic fields from the mundane to the fantastic.
- Lighthouse: a 150 ft (46 m) tall stone-and-iron tower illuminated by continual light run by Dryn Stonewatch and his nephews.
- Durish Embassy: This red sandstone building decorated in the Duryadi style, is overseen by Ahryn Firefinger.
Fortifications, Garrisons & Defenses
- Merdeen Castle: Also known as Merdeen upon Greenspear and Merrow's Maw Castle The majestic castle of Merdun and home of the city's Laird.
- Merrow's Maw Gate: Protected the courtyard entrance to Merdeen Castle. Adorned with figures of merfolk, merrow, and ancient gods, the gate stood about 60 ft. tall, 100 ft. long, and was 30 ft. thick. The iron bound doors of the gate only closed in times of war.
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
The City of Sails (nickname)
Type
Large town
Population
16,205
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
People and things from Merdun are known as "Merdish". The term "Merasque" is never used—misusing the founder's name even like this was a grave insult to his memory and the town alike
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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