Bel Tocino
Bel Tocino is a city along the Legastian River in the province of Elguedos, Montevillo. It is generally arid and sandy, but along the riverbanks the soil is damper and therefore more crops are able to grow, such as sugar cane, figs, coffee, cocoa, olives, oranges, lemons, and more. Bel Tocino is a nomadic city, meaning that the population varies and the streets change daily. There are very few permanent buildings in the city, and most buildings are made of canvas, linen, or silk. Due to its location at the convergence of several prominent trade routes from Qirek and the western coast of Montevillo, the population is multicultural and there are many odd species which are not given a second look as they make their way through the winding streets. Many different types of currency are exchanged, and there is a wide variety of goods for sale, as most people are there to make a successful living for themselves and their families or communities.
The most prominent structure in Bel Tocino is an enormous palace-like building amidst the sea of colourful tents. Like these tents, it is made from silks, cottons, and linen, and appears simple to disassemble. This building is the home of the king or queen of Bel Tocino, which is a title granted to a different person each day.
Government
The palace in the center of Bel Tocino is home to an ever-changing king or queen - a different one every day. This is way leadership has 'worked' for a hundred years. Due to the instability of this role means there is little law enforcement and the King and Queen of Arcadia need not worry about any important groups of families taking charge. Once one has been king or queen of Bel Tocino, one is granted the title permanently, though from then on it is just a nominal symbol of status.
Over 36,000 individuals have ruled over Bel Tocino, and the longest reign has been a total of two weeks, after the power went to a teenage boy named Oscar Valdivino's head. The boy was hanged just days later by a subsequent monarch. Since, the people have protested rulers whose reign last for over a day, often resulting in public hangings. This system works well for most people due the ephemeral and ever-changing nature of the population.
History
The City of Bel Tocino was established due to its location at intersecting trade routes, and its position by the Legastian River, with dunes to shield from severe winds and weather. Its history dates back to the 867th year P.A, though records are few and far between. There are few permanent buildings, and historians will find very little of architectural value due to the popularity of tents.
Tourism
There is very little recreational tourism in Bel Tocino, instead most residents, permanent or temporary, come to the city to buy or sell goods, whether they be materials, food, livestock, or something of more acquired craftsmanship, such as pottery, ceramics, clothing, and art. Many people come in and out of Bel Tocino each week. Due to fairly high crime rates, it is unlikely to find any figures of political or diplomatic importance, other than the occasional military troop on the way to Fevesto from Viso, and surveyors and tax collectors.
Architecture
The architecture of Bel Tocino is particularly remarkable. Due to the nomadic nature of the people, individuals and families set up tents in a range of sizes, colours, and fabrics wherever they can. These are usually coloured with red, purple, yellow, or green dyes imported from Kinnegarde. The hot weather assured that these are warm enough, though some build small temporary huts from mudbrick and sun-bleached sandstone, with roofs made from wood, slate, or woven palm leaves. These huts usually consist of just one or two rooms, and last no more than 6 months, as some scavenge the remains after they become unoccupied.
Tents are used due to their portability, customisation and allure. Colours can mark whichever goods are being sold, or where from the residents hail.
Geography
Bel Tocino is situated by the Legastian River on the north and rolling sand dunes to the south and west. The city is sloped slightly towards the river, where vegetation becomes more vivid and fresh water flows. The dunes, though not exceptionally high, provide a barrier to the harsh winds to the west, which is a particular threat due to Bel Tocino's many tents.
The weather fluctuated between cold nights and hot days most of the year, reaching the highest temperatures in the months of Romanarch, Diniarch, and Selevin, where the suns are highest in the sky. The air is generally still and dry. Sandstorms are not uncommon, though the dunes protect a large part of the city from substantial damage.
Natural Resources
There is little large-scale farming of cash crops in Bel Tocino, though smaller farms exist by the river bank, growing sugar, corn, olives, coffee, cocoa, and fruit trees. These are mainly traded internally however, with no more than 100 gold changing hands regularly. The wetter northern banks are home to these sorts of farms, as well as small wind farms. Other resources which are semi-common are fresh water, which flows freely down the river, and small deposits of gold and iron in the earth. As far as livestock, there are multiple small fish farms, and goat herders. These are usually nomadic however, as less than 2000 of Bel Tocino's usual population of 20,000 live there permanently (for over five years).
Founding Date
867
Alternative Name(s)
Tent Sea
Type
City
Population
8,000 - 25,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Bel Tocinans
Characters in Location
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