City of Gandasi

Gandasi is a large city, located at the mouth of the Egras river, near the coast of the Toren sea. It is the oldest walled city in Gysia. Unfortunatly, is is also the poorest and smallest of all of the kingdom's major cities.

Demographics

The demographic makeup of the city is largely of Gysian origin, with some of them also having Hazian ancestry. A small number of Shoranians have established themselves in the city after Gysia's invasion of their homeland which started in 368 AC and is still ongoing. They are not really appreciated by the local population and so are largely relegated to living in the North River district, located on the north shore, and outside the walls.

Infrastructure

The Walls

After the damage done to its meager defenses 7 years ago during the war with Kavasia, the city has reenforced it and the numerous towers along it. New, larger watch towers were also build in key places along the wall, helping the defence of the city.

Aqueduct and sewers

These systems, which dates back centuries and were built by the Essanian empire, transport water through the walled city, while sewers brings used water out of the city, dumbing it into the sea near the Tower.

Districts

Map of Gandasi

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Map of the city of Gandasi, in the kingdom of Gysia, as of the year 370 Ac

Temple Square

This area of the city is named after the large public place located in front of the city's main Solian Temple. It includes the temple, the private park at the back, and the houses that suround both. The area is quite diverse, with both rich and poor living here, as well as the city's minuscule soulmage population, who mostly work at the Coursier Station further north.

Old Town

Built more than 2000 years ago by the Hazian colonists, this is the oldest part of the city. It used to have it's own wall protecting it, but most of it was dismantled as the city outgrew its original limits. A few vestiges of it can still be seen today, mainly as part of other building.

Mage Quarter

Most mages in the city, totaling about 2-3 thousands, live in this small neighbourhood between the Artisan district and Castle Hill. It isn't the richest part of the city, but people here live relatively well. Soldiers of the city guard patrol this area more than surounding districts, leading to some friction.

North-Town

This small neighbourhood was destroyed during the events of Second Kavasian War  as it only had a small wooden wall to protect itself. It was later rebuilt by shoranian refugies, who were allowed to settle here, however, they cannot build fortifications, for security reasons, which ended 6 years ago. Many river boats anchor here, instead of the main port to the south, as space is limited there.

Market District

The market square and the surounding neighbourhood is called the market district. It is located just west of the port area and contains many shops, restaurant and bars. It, along with the port, is the economic heart of the city.

Artisant District

As the name suggests, this part of the city has a large population of artisants of all kinds. Shoe makers, smiths, tailors, jewelers, carpenters and other crafts have established their shops and houses in this neighbourhood

Port-Town

This district is one of the poorest in the city. It is located just south of the docks area, and outside of the city walls. Most dock workers live here, in tiny homes along dirty and narrow streets. The neighbourhood also has a lot of warehouses storing goods from the port

Castle Hill

Located on and around a hill raised by stonemages, Castle hill district is a neighbourhood that surounds the city's castle. Its inhabitants are wealthy and are for the most part noble or rich merchant families. Compared to other districts, it is more lightly populated and contains more tree cover. The castle itself is protected by a wall along the cliff edge and is the most fortified place in the city.

Guilds and Factions

Since the War against the Kavasian Empire, the commander of the city's guards has, with the king's and local lord's permition, hired a dozen or so mercenaries from The Shield of Saol. These elite soldiers buff up the ranks of the city's defenders against any future attacks from either outside or inside the city.

Architecture

Most of the buildings in the city are 3 stories tall, thightly packed together, and built with beige-grey stones and covered with roofs made of red terracota tiles. In the older neighbourhoods, the streets are very narrow and maze-like, making it hard for any non-resident to find their way. The highest point in the city is the Castle tower, located on top of Castle Hill, followed by the dome of the Solian temple and then the prison tower.

Geography

The city is located on the south shore of the Egras river, which originates to the north-west in the Tisran hills, before flowing south-east towards the Toren sea. The topograghy of the city is relatively flat and low-lying. Some parts of the city are prone to flooding during heavy rains and high tide.

Climate

The city's climate is warm all year round. Showers and thunderstorms are frequent during spring and summer, while larger rain storms hit during fall. The winter are warm and dry, but the hills around the city can sometimes see near freezing temperatures during the night.

Map of Arros

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A map of the continent of Arros, as of the year 370 AC.

Natural Resources

Most of the timber close to the city was cut down and replaced by agriculture. Maize/corn, Wheat and oats are the primary grains exported from Gandasi. Timber flows down along the river from further up the valley, and is exported from Gandasi's port.

Founding Date

-1653

Type

Large city

Population

140 000

Inhabitant Demonym

Gandasian/Gandasi

Included Locations

• Tower of Gandasi

Owning Organization

Kingdom of Gysia

Characters in Location

• Calydan

History

The city is founded in the year 1653 Bc by colonists from the Hazian city-state of Harath. There, just south of the mouth of the Egras river, they established a small fort and trading station to exchange goods with the local Gysian tribes, such as iron, copper and timber.

Following the events of the second Valcoren-Hazian war, the cities of Sargassin, Gys and Gandasi all are granted independance from the Hazian League in 1181 bc. Gandasi becomes a small independant kingdom.

The kingdom of Gandasi and the kingdom of Gys unite into the Kingdom of Gysia with a mariage alliance. Gys becomes the capital of the new kingdom, but Gandasi remains its economic hub.

Between the years 903 and 901 bc, The kingdom of Gysia is invaded by the kingdom of Laural. Gandasi is put under seige, but a combined Shoranian, Gysian army ousted the invaders, and lifted the seige. However, 20 years later, the city would be beseiged and then sacked by the Lauralians after they launch a new invasion into Gysia.

Following the fall of Shorai to the Essanian Empire, the kingdom of Gysia is forced to become a vassal of the Empire in the year 859 Bc. The city attempts to resists and revolts against the emperial occupation, but the revolt is quickly put down.

Attempts by the Essanian empire to curb the influence of the Solian temples backfires. Most cities across the province of Gysia revolt, including Gandasi, which degenerates into a religious war that lasts 7 years, from 652 to 645 Bc. In the end, it forces the Empire to garanty freedom of religion.

In 218 Bc, a long period of peace and growth for the city ends brutaly after Sokralian cultist kill 41 mages inside the city. The cultists are caught and publicaly hanged. This, along with other killings across the country, spreads social unrest throughout the province. Many mages accuse the empire of not doing enough to protect them. 

Gandasi is briefly occupied by mage and human rebels in 213 Bc but is soon recaptured by emperial forces a few months later. Trials are held in the city, and the revolt leaders, along with most mages in the city, are thrown in jail, before being killed. In 209, a stone tower is built on the site of the temporary prison to jail mage criminals from all over Gysia.

In the year 34 Bc to 31 Bc, the Carathengian empire invades the Essanian empire as the later is greatly weakened by internal strife caused by the spread of the The Blight. The city of Gandasi suffers areal bombardements from Caratheen airships, which damages parts of the city, including the Castle.

Multiple eclosions of the blight happen in Gandasi from the years 31 Bc to the end of the century. Thousands of people die from it and the city looses about half of its population but survives. 

 In the year 1 Bc, a coup occurs in Tareghasi, the Eastern Essanian empire's capital, marking the end of the Empire. The kingdom of Gysia declares independance. A few loyalist troups stationed in Gandasi surrender and are integrated into the city guard. Imperial ships anchored at port are taken.

In 363 Bc, Gandasi comes under seige by a Kavasian army. The seige lasted a year, before a relief army breaks it. Parts of the city are heavely damaged or destoyed, but all of these were repaired since.