Port City of Tzarog
Overview
Tzarog is one of the largest and most prosperous port cities in Granheim, serving as the capital of the Free Mercantile Lords of Tzarog. A bustling trade metropolis, it is the gateway for commerce between Kozuka, Granheim, and the Vorr’Khal Sultanate, a melting pot of cultures, goods, and ambitions. Located on the southern tip of a peninsula extending into the Arashi Depths, Tzarog thrives amidst the Uralin Wetlands, a rare, fertile region that provides its people with rice, exotic fruits, and other wetland crops despite Granheim’s largely arid landscape.
Population: Approximately 175,000 permanent residents, with seasonal fluctuations due to trade, travelers, and mercenary movements.
Industry & Trade
Tzarog’s economy is fueled by trade and commerce, with industries focusing on:
Shipbuilding – Tzarog’s shipyards produce some of the finest merchant vessels and privateer ships in Granheim.
Spice and Silk Trade – Imports from Kozuka and the Vorr’Khal Sultanate pass through Tzarog’s warehouses before being redistributed.
Wetland Agriculture – Rice paddies, sugarcane, and exotic fruits flourish in the Uralin Wetlands.
Espionage and Mercenary Work – Tzarog is a hub for hired blades, spies, and privateers operating across the region.
Banking and Moneylending – The Gilded Ledger, the primary exchequer and financial institution of the Contingent, controls much of the city’s wealth, offering loans, securing trade ventures, and influencing economic policies.
Infrastructure
Tzarog is a city of opulence and function, where cobblestone streets, canals, and elevated bridges interweave among the towering buildings. The city boasts a complex and well-maintained infrastructure, including:
Massive stone docks and shipyards, capable of handling merchant fleets and privateer vessels alike.
A sprawling canal system, allowing for efficient movement of goods and people.
A fortified city wall, built from a mix of Kozukan and Granheim engineering styles, reinforced by bastions.
A network of aqueducts, ensuring fresh water from nearby reservoirs.
A grand trade plaza, where merchants from across Veth’Arden set up their stalls and permanent storefronts.
Districts
Tzarog is divided into several distinct districts, each catering to different aspects of the city’s economy and society:
The Coin Ward – The economic heart of the city, home to merchant halls, banks, and the offices of the Free Mercantile Lords.
The Docklands – A chaotic yet highly functional expanse of piers, warehouses, and shipyards, catering to trade, fishing, and smuggling alike.
The Spice Quarter – A vibrant district filled with markets, street vendors, and taverns offering exotic Kozukan and Sultanate delicacies.
The Artisan’s Walk – The center for craftsmanship, housing the workshops of blacksmiths, tailors, alchemists, and jewelers.
The Uralin Gardens – The noble and upper-class residential district, featuring lavish homes, manicured gardens, and private estates.
The Outer Ring – The slums and lower-income areas, home to laborers, beggars, and hidden enclaves of rogue elements.
The Sentinel’s Bastion – A large garrison district where Tzarog’s Privateer Fleet and The Sandfang Irregulars operate from.
The Temple Row – A collection of shrines and temples dedicated to deities of commerce, prosperity, and the sea.
Guilds and Factions
The Free Mercantile Lords – The ruling body of Tzarog, composed of powerful merchant families.
The Gilded Ledger – The city’s primary banking institution, holding sway over loans, investments, and financial dealings.
The Sandfang Irregulars – A mercenary force dedicated to protecting trade caravans and securing merchant interests.
The Tzarog Privateer Fleet – A naval force sanctioned by the Lords, acting as a mix of navy and sanctioned pirates.
The Silver Scales Trading Company – A powerful trade guild with deep ties to Kozuka and the Sultanate.
The Obsidian Veil – A clandestine organization dealing in intelligence gathering, smuggling, and black-market dealings.
History
Tzarog was founded in 264 AEL as an independent mercantile hub, growing in power through its control of key trade routes.
280 AEL – Tzarog joined the Al-Muru Daxin Contingent, securing its sovereignty from the Vorr’Khal Sultanate.
310 AEL – The first naval conflicts between Tzarog’s privateers and Sultanate warships began.
425 AEL – A major expansion project introduced canals and shipbuilding yards, cementing its place as a naval powerhouse.
469 AEL – Reaper’s Port officially joined the Contingent, leading to an uneasy alliance between the two largest maritime powers in the region.
Points of interest
The Grand Bazaar of Tzarog – A sprawling market where one can find goods from across the world.
The Sapphire Docks – Reserved for nobility, high-ranking merchants, and foreign dignitaries.
The Hall of Coin – The central administrative seat of the Free Mercantile Lords.
The Uralin Conservatory – A botanical and agricultural research center focused on improving wetland farming.
The Moonlight Pavilion – An elite gambling and pleasure house catering to the city’s wealthiest.
Architecture
Tzarog’s architecture is a fusion of Kozukan, Sultanate, and Granheim styles, featuring:
Tall pagoda-like towers, influenced by Kozukan design.
Intricate stone mosaics and domed buildings, reminiscent of Sultanate grandeur.
Reinforced wooden and stone bridges spanning the canals.
Lush rooftop gardens atop wealthier estates, capitalizing on the city’s unique climate.
Geography
Tzarog is situated on the southern tip of the Tzarog Peninsula, extending into the Arashi Depths. The Uralin Wetlands provide a fertile landscape, contrasting the desert-dominated regions of Granheim. To the west, the coastline transitions into the Crimson Reefs, treacherous waters known for shipwrecks and hidden smuggler coves.
Natural Resources
Rice and Wetland Crops – Thriving due to the Uralin Wetlands, providing sustenance and export revenue.
Rare Herbs and Exotic Fruits – Valued for trade and alchemical use.
High-Quality Timber – Used for shipbuilding, sourced from the Verdant Isles to the southwest.
Freshwater Reserves – A critical resource, channeled from inland rivers and stored in aqueduct systems.
Salt and Fish – Harvested from the surrounding Arashi Depths, sustaining local and export markets.
Alternative Name(s)
The Merchant’s Crown , The Free City of Tzarog
Type
Capital
Population
~175,000
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
