Tarmuth

If one followed the Gross Tar River from New Crobuzon to where it meets the Iron Bay fifteen miles later, one would run right into Tarmuth, the city’s principle satellite town. In many ways, Tarmuth is not a separate city, but a direct extension of New Crobuzon. Under the watchful eye of the Alderman, (a post appointed directly by the Lord Mayor of New Crobuzon,) the people of Tarmuth dutifully play their role in the great economic machine of the city. The town itself is long and narrow, following the shore a mile or so north and south of the estuary, split in two by the river.

A few thousand individuals reside in the town, but many more make the daily journey from New Crobuzon by boat and cart to work – not to mention the multitude of visitors and sailors who visit this bustling port. Tarmuth’s main role is that of ship building. As a coastal mercantile city-state, New Crobuzon obviously requires a vast fleet of both trading vessels and warships, and almost universally, these are born in Tarmuth. The coastline is dotted with scores of shipyards, ceaselessly churning out both wooden trade ships and ironclad naval vessels. Each yard is serviced by tangled networks of private railways which deliver raw materials. The town’s secondary function is to serve as a receiving dock for goods being shipped to New Crobuzon.

In the distant past, New Crobuzon did not have enough docks or infrastructure to handle all of the required shipping traffic itself. In modern times this has been rectified, and most reputable ships sail past Tarmuth in order to dock at the city directly. As a consequence, Tarmuth’s trade docks rarely reach past half capacity. However, tramp traders and independent captains who do not wish to pay the high fees required to do business with the city directly instead opt to unload their goods in Tarmuth, where they will eventually make their way to New Crobuzon.

Maps

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  Tarmuth

  If one followed the Gross Tar River from New Crobuzon to where it meets the Iron Bay fifteen miles later, one would run right into Tarmuth, the city’s principle satellite town. In many ways, Tarmuth is not a separate city, but a direct extension of New Crobuzon. Under the watchful eye of the Alderman, (a post appointed directly by the Lord Mayor of New Crobuzon,) the people of Tarmuth dutifully play their role in the great economic machine of the city. The town itself is long and narrow, following the shore a mile or so north and south of the estuary, split in two by the river.

Type

Large town