Medsamu
Located around the banks of The Crystal Lake, Medsamu is an outpost east of Arrapha. It is practically a required stop for travelers going between distant mining towns and the cities of the Tanin Nahr.
Demographics
Most of the people in Medsamu is made up of lizardfolk, dragonborn, and half-orcs.
Many people in town are foragers or hunters, gathering food for passing travelers to restock on. Fruit trees and cotton plants are grown along the banks of the lake which is used to feed the travelers passing through and the treasuries of all those collecting tithes from Medsamu, respectively.
Defences
There is a thick stone wall surrounding Medsamu that is ten feet tall and four feet thick. There is three gates to get into the town and all are guarded by four men at a time.
Industry & Trade
The settlement serves as an important way-station for caravans going to and from the eastern mining outposts of Nahyz. It also boasts a decent cotton industry that acts as the primary method of paying tithes for the town. Medsamu boasts thriving orchards in addition to the cotton which feed the townspeople and travelers alike. Medsamu still receives more food and supplies than what it produces, but it is still a vital location to extend the cities control east to some of the most prosperous gold, ruby, and diamond mines and the cotton and fruit that it exports is enjoyed by the highest echelons of society.
Many of the noble clans have artisans under their employ here to forge the ore almost directly from the source as to avoid the tolls on the roads.
Districts
The Cotton Fields
This section of town lies on the western section of the lake. Gently waving fields of cotton surround the Crystal Lake as workers tend to the plants and fend off the birds and beasts who want some of the plants. There are some huts and a small kobold den for the workers bordering the rest of Medsamu.The Figs
The Figs lie on the eastern part of the lake. Rows and rows of fig trees line the lake in this part of town. Carefully dug canals provide nourishment to the further extend rows of fruit trees. A small wall has been constructed on the southern and eastern side of the orchard to prevent thieves of the beastly and elvish varieties from stealing any of the juicy treasures.Old Town
The old town on the northern part of the lake and is compromised of strange, elvish architecture. The buildings all stand at least two stories tall and their walls seem to be swirling like sand being carried away in a sandstorm. The buildings are all capped with domes made up of a light purple, glass-like substance. This part of town features ruined buildings but some of the most important places in Medsamu, including the Temples of Albioris and Garyx and the Palace of the Imyr, are also located here.New Town
This part of town surrounds the Old Town and features traditional Nahyzian architecture: one-two story buildings with flat roofs and square doorways and windows. Atop the roofs are usually an awning made of straw or cloth and a rug or some pillows or chairs. This part of town is where most of the travelers stay; it includes the supply depot, various stores, and many taverns and inns.Guilds and Factions
The Albioris Dynasty currently rules over Medsamu and its iyr as they have since Medsamu was first captured by Nahyz. They benefit from the mines that they help control as well as the taxes that must be paid to them by any passing caravan. Additionally, the Imyr chooses which mine gets which supplies and the quality and timeliness of what they receive. With the iyr including many of the mines nearer to the Tanin Nahr, this is one of the few imyr-ships away from the Tanin Nahr that provide crucial support to the draconic clans.
As such, most of the dynasties would like to claim the position when the current imyr falls. In particular, the Ishenalyr Dynasty claims that they would be able to increase the production of the luxurious and occasionally life-saving fruit that is grown in Medsamu. They seek to undermine Imyr Irded and the Balagos Dynasty before taking their place both here and in the political sphere of Arrapha.
Meanwhile, the Eshaedra Dynasty seeks control and claims that they would be best to defend from the monster and elven attacks that have been plaguing not just Medsamu but many of the mines in the area as well.
The Athauglas Dynasty was also looking to assert their dominance over this iyr. Although they wish to go about it by having the capital and thus the Imyrship moved to Acnu. Until then, they are content to have their men manning the Supply Depot and working other key positions in Medsamu, to negate the negative effects of the Balagos Dynasty ruling.
The Balagos Dynasty is not to be left out. However, they are content to let the other houses duke it out first. Once the dust has settled, the Balagos are sure their schmoozing of Nomarch Vrondiss will turn the results in their favour.
History
Medsamu was once known as Lyehone and was one of the only settlements of the nomadic sand elves outside of their mountain capital. Thanks to the pure and plentiful waters of Crystal Lake, the elves frequently rested by the lake. Eventually, one of the tribes made it their permanent home and began to nurture the plants and trees around the lake to offer food for passing desert wanderers and themselves. Lyehone became a crucial stop for all of the elvish tribes, and for centuries it was considered to be one of the most important settlements in the desert.
And then the Empire of Nahyz and Arrapha in particular decided to expand their control. With Albioris leading the massive armies of Arrapha, the tribe of Lyehone stood no chance. Evidence of the battle can still be seen in the city though it happened over a century ago. Some of the elvish buildings in Old Town have gouge marks in them and the dome of one is still frozen over from the breath of The Permafrost.
Now Lyehone is called Medsamu and dragonborn serving the draconic clans and the Chroma Cities rest at the city as they travel over the desert that they claim as theirs.
Points of interest
The Temple of Albioris
This temple resides in the Old Town district of Medsamu. It is inside one of the ancient elvish towers. The dome that rests atop the tower is engulfed in icy frost though it has been decades upon decades since Albioris sprayed his chilling breath. Inside the temple, there is a pillar of ice running through the center of the main room. At the top of it, it has been carved into the shape of a jagged mountain peak with a roaring dragon piercing a flying hippogriff with it's fierce some breath. Opposite the entrance is a grand altar made of white marble with carved icicles hanging from its edge. There is a small second room that only has a set of stairs going down. Below the temple is a set of rooms for the priests as well as storage rooms, a kitchen, and a treasury.The Temple of Garyx
This temple also resides in Old Town. It is in one of the gouged buildings that dot this part of the city. The clawed out parts of the building have been replaced with sets of stained glass. There are six windows in total. The first set depict a village being destroyed by an invading army and its inhabitants slaughtered. The next set depicts the burning of a field followed by a bountiful harvest the next season.The Supply Depot
The supply depot is in New Town; it is managed by Dilken of Athauglas and a pack of dwarven children (?) and kobolds. The depot itself is a pentagon-shaped building surrounding a large courtyard. There are wide gates on three sides of the building. The rest of the building is made up of warehouses, stables, and shops of various necessities.The Watering Hole
This is one of the more popular inns in town for travelers. It is a two-story, wide building. There is a ten foot wide doorway with two black silk hangings acting as doors. The main room is a large tavern. The inside features dozens of haphazardly placed stone tables and a small stone stage that usually features a bard of decent quality. There are half a dozen barmaids taking orders and fetching ale and a small doorway in the corner leads to the kitchens. A portly emerald dragonborn, named Ferjar, with a short frill along his head runs the inn. There is another doorway next to a set of stairs going up. The second floor contains lavish private rooms and the doorway on the first floor leads to shared rooms. There are two large shared rooms for most travelers but there is also rooms for groups of four to bunk privately together. The rooms on the first floor are clean but there is nothing else to enjoy about them.The Camel's Spit
This is a seedy inn struggling to survive. It has one barmaid, a half-orc woman, Gasha, who also acts as the bouncer. The cook is a lizardfolk, Bhusk, who refuses to answer any questions about where he sources his meat. He is the one who owns the inn and it is from him that one must reserve their beds. There is one common room in the back of the tavern that may or may not have a rat infestation.The Pens
This is located underground the Supply Depot. It is where the dwarvish slaves are kept. There are two guards at the top of the stairs that lead to the Pens and another two keep watch below. The Pens consists of a dimly lit stone hall. Running on either side are a series of iron cell doors. The air is musty and smells of sweat and blood and bodily functions. There is occasionally singing or talking heard from the cells as traditional dwarvish songs are sung or folktales passed. A cell or two is rented out by a caravan and their dwarves are kept there while the caravan is in town. Multiple caravans do not share cells to prevent any mix up of the slaves. Each cell is locked and only the on-duty guards and the caravan leader have a copy of the key to a particular cell.Geography
Surrounded by the barren foothills of the Minin Spikes, Medsamu sits on the lush exception to the dry landscape. The Crystal Lake springs forth from the ground and nourishes the cotton, figs, and fruit trees that are carefully tended by the villagers of Medsamu.
Alternative Name(s)
Lyehone
Type
Town
Population
965
Inhabitant Demonym
Medsamians
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Related Plots
Interesting Occurrences
- It is said that during blood moons, the ghosts of the elves who once called this place home can be seen and haunting music is heard throughout Old Town.
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