Martelain

City of Strife

(formerly know as The Iron City)

Martelain is on the north shore of the Silver River on the eastern side of the channel. It had been very powerful economically until the Northern Empire came across the mountains and seized control, the wealth from their mines in the mountains now crosses over the mountains thus nearly destroying the local economy. Martelain is approximately 2.2 square miles within the city walls and covers about 0.6 square miles out side of the city walls (although most of this is now vacant due to the recent drops in population). The walls of the city are of cut stone blocks and are 16’ thick x 20’ high, and have towers at odd intervals around the city that are 40’ x 40’ x 30’ high. There is a single gate that opens up into the city in front of the Palace.
The old Royal Palace of Martelain (the largest structure in the channel region) sets just inside of the Imperial Gate. There is a large garrison of Northern Empire troops stationed here to deal with the frequent riots that occur within the city (these riots have been becoming fewer and far between the past ten years or so, but they still occur occasionally). There are numerous entire city blocks that have been gutted by fires from the riots. A huge prison has been built recently in on of the fire-ravaged portions of the city to house all of those who dare to rebel against the Empire ("May the force be with them!"). There are also numerous empty buildings both within and outside the city walls due to the drastic drop in population over the past 40 years or so (presently about 60% of what it used to be).
The Martelain Kingdom used to include a long narrow strip of coastline along the North Sea that included a large portion of the Iron Range of the Red Mountains, which have considerable mineral wealth. The Martelain Kingdom no longer exists though, the Northern Empire wanted control of the wealthy mines of Martelain, and so plotted to take over the kingdom. About forty-five years ago the Tilsorns (Imperial Family of the Martelain Kingdom) sent agents to the Royal court of Martelain to secretly stir up unrest, greed, and deceit. This resulted in power struggles and assassinations that undermined the power of the Royal Family. Five years later after the kingdom was in turmoil and the army had begun to fall apart, the Tilsorns launched an assault on the kingdom and over-ran it in three weeks. Most of the mineral wealth began to flow through two small port cities of the empire on the other side of the mountains while Martelain began to lose its wealth and prestige. A puppet government was installed but only lasted twenty years, before the Tilsorns decided to rule it directly. The first three governors did not hold their positions long. A young and not-so-well liked member of the family was placed in charge of the city and surrounding lands (but not the mines further inland) about eight years ago. In the past eight years this new governor has let the city deteriorate at a slower pace than the previous puppet government did, but it did go down hill further under his rule. The Tilsorn’s are a large family and are always feuding amongst themselves. Many of the more powerful family members are assassinated, rumor has it that that is why young governor Damon Tilsorn avoids most of the intrigue and power struggles by quietly ruling the decrepit and outcast city of Martelain, where he can still live well.
Taxes are rather burdensome for merchants; 20% import tax for most goods, 30% for many luxury items, and 40% for weapons and foreign coinage. There is also a 1cc annual head tax per citizen and a 1cp per-head tax for all non-citizens each time they enter the city.
Population: 77,400 (City proper: 73,000; Shadow Town: 4,400)
(Balmast: 70% Northerners: 15% Gambed: 10% Others: 5%)
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