Ir-essut
Mangrove Forest by Timothy K
Ir-esset is a resource rich trog settlement that's located along the northern edge of the swamp in Krissenq. It became one of the first settlements to fall to the trogs as conflicts arose between the two peoples and has since become one of the larger producers of food for the trogs. Thus, it has gone from a large plantation village into a walled off city that is heavily protected by the trog Tribe that owns it. The homes are built on the foundations established by the Krissenq from several decades ago, as they're still solid, but that's nearly all that's left of the former inhabitants. The architecture now is decidedly trog in nature : slender, strong wooden buildings decorated with vines and moss. To some, it might look crude but to the trog they are elaborately decorated and some feature finely crafted or sculpted animals or plants woven into the design of their homes and buildings of import.
Demographics
Given the location of Ir-essut, there is a large population of guards, former soldiers, or soldiers who are doing other work around the town until they are called upon for defense. It started out as a plantation belonging to the Krissenq and, once taken over through a long struggle, it has mostly returned to that purpose. Families have moved in, bringing along children. With the families came along other services. Leatherworkers, fishers, tailors, butchers, construction, blacksmiths, clerics, and even a tavern. Ir-essut has shaped into a town once more, with the trogs exploiting more of the swamp than the people of Krissenq ever felt comfortable doing.
Occasionally there will be an elf or so staying for trade. Any non-Krissenq is welcome in the trog city, though it is rare to see any. Mostly because there aren't any near to visit. Wild elves in particular favor trog cities, though, and there is an easy truce between them and the normally volatile elves. They are the most common foreigners to see in a trog city and Ir-essut is no exception.
The trog's economy functions mostly off of bartering though they do have currency, it just isn't the favored way of paying for goods or services. They prize exchanges of items or services, using coins of metal stylized per tribe as a last resort. Thus, one who has cultivated more favors or accumulated more things is considered wealthy amongst the trogs, while having more coin doesn't necessarily mean anything to them.
Government
Ir-usset, like many other trog cities, is owned by a tribe. The tribe General appoints a Seer, who hand selects a couple of underlings to help run the city. They rule through accepted authory of the tribe and, when needed, enforced. Most of the city itself will be tied to the tribe and trog culturally believe in a communal harmony, emphasizing the betterment of the collective. Sometimes at the expensive of the individual.
Taxes aren't a thing. Rather, jobs are designated and done as the Seer and their underlings deem it so. Walls are built by the strong, fish caught by those with an aptitude for it. Volunteers are usually expected, and taken, first. There's pride is volunteering and social shame in complaining about a task given.
As such, it's rare that a trog will go hungry or will not have a place to stay. At least, in established cities. Just as they collectively work, they are expected to collectively take care of one another.
Assets
Assorted Fruits at the Market by ja ma
Ir-usset was already situated on rich farmland just beyond the plankwalks north, where the Krissenq had fields of grain and vegetables growing. Now that the trogs have taken over, they've expanded into the swamp itself. As at home in the marsh waters and mud as they are on dry land. Thus, they cultivate exotic fruts, herbs, fish, and other meats. Ir-usset has become a profitable, flourishing 'farming' community, providing both the native population and extended tribe a bounty. For trade, Ir-usset exports a lot of the goods they grow. Fruits, fish, herbs, and meat. The excess the town does not use is picked up by outside tribe members and sent around Jalen-bradax, where the tribe General dictates. In exchange, Ir-usset imports a lot of hard metals and textiles. Leather, cloth, and iron. There are a few trogs in the city that can work the crude material and turn it into things the city inhabitants need.
Fish Market by Francesco Ungaro
History
Ir-essut started out as a Krissenq family farm several decades past. A small family with the name of Bantono was granted what was believed to be nearly worthless land near the swamp. Determined to make it work, the family built a solid home even amongst the muck and waters of the swamp and plain line before learning that the land close to the swamp itself was quite rich for growing things.
From there, it was just a matter of time. Growing more, collecting more profit to hire more workers. More family moved out to the family farm, which grew into extended buildings. They hired more workers, who brought their own family out. What started from a rather humble family farm grew into a town through a couple of decades. Unnoticed by many because the swampy terrain wasn't ideal for military movements and the swamp itself was more trouble than it was considered worth.
It wasn't until the trogs contested the claim over the swamp and the land around it. There was a dispute between the Krissenq government and the trog Tribal Council. They told the Krissenq to move all their people and the Krissenq, believing themselves superior to 'swamp lizards', refused.
It wasn't but a couple of years that the trogs moved on what was now the Bantono Plantation. While the family was mostly unaware of the increasing tensions, they were still guarded and equipped. Mostly to defend against bandits, raiders, and wild elves. The siege of their town lasted weeks before the trogs eventually overwhelmed and nearly destroyed the town in its entirety. They killed most of the men and chased off the women and children.
Believing the ruins a strategic location to hold, the former plantation was walled up for the trogs to hold. It wasn't until they'd been there for a year or so - easily living off the land - did they realize the resources around them. Effort was then put into turning the small military outpost of Ir-essut into the farming town it is now.
Location
Krissenq / Jalan-Bradax contested territory Norther side of the swamp
Owner
Trogs, fromerly Krissenq
Troglodyte by Sam Wood
Alternative Name(s)
Formerly Bantono Plantation
Type
Town
Population
Approximately 1200
Inhabitant Demonym
Trogs
brown wooden bridge by Norbert Toth
"It ain't like we took anything important from them. They have all that grass to grow all their grain and they were too stubborn to leave. So we helped them out. Gave'em the nudge they needed."
- Trog, about Ir-usset founding
Comments