Katak

Katak the trading town of the Rom-Tet province. Famous for its Blue Cloak Mercenaries and Infamous for the reputation of its Countess. The town had known better days, should someone push it too hard in one direction or another it is sure to collapse.

Demographics

The Demographic of Katak largely reflects Oakvale in general with humans and elf folk taking preference, but most traders passing to the larger number of gnomes who constitute a large part of the town's extensive bureaucratic guild.

Government

Countess Demangrade rules Katak, what is particular to note that Countess Demangrade is the center of some most unpleasant rumors concerning her involvement with some most unsavory individuals and even funding a few cults of pleasure within Katak, and despite the cults being revealed and expunged any connection she may have had to the cults have been cut. There is quite a heavy taxation on trade, but nothing outrageous.

Defences

As any trade city, Katak must be defended. The city guard is merely a policing force and even with all their will to fight they would not be able to protect the stone walls of the town. That is where the hired Blue Cloak company comes in, guardians of the road from Katak Highway and the walls of the city. A large issue with the Blue Cloaks is that despite the quality of their service and the loyalty they are stretched thin and cannot permit themselves to leave their defensive positions around the Katak Highway and the city walls, so often Katak has to hire adventurers or less dependable mercenaries to roam outside the city walls assessing and clearing threats. Should the defenses fail a valiant last stand can be undertaken in the Donjon of Saint Nyrkula.

Industry & Trade

In addition to the trade of spices from the Fire Belt, the Timber from Caune, arts from Wandren, and Kir the town can boast an impressive number of artisans especially the dwarven guild of stonemasons.

Infrastructure

Katak like most of the towns in the Rom-Tet province has a well-maintained sewer system. And since Katak is trade town there is are plentiful barrack-like caravan-sheds with any service a traveling merchant may require provided, as almost all land trade with the wider Oakvale kingdom happens through Katak the there are two market squares where merchants sell off their wares before continuing on their journey North or South. Equally as important as the storehouses, taverns and the market is the road impeccably maintained and guarded day and night by a contingent of Blue Cloak mercenaries.
Some notable edifices include: The Stone Mason Guild Hall, the building grants some credence to the warlike past of the guild as there is no building as fortified in the whole town, even the Blue Cloaks are unlikely to take it. The Donjon of Saint Nyrkula, a fortress of old located within the city walls it is currently occupied by the Blue Cloaks, but the decrepit fortress-monastery is too shabby to withstand a well-coordinated assault.
Inns and Houses: Keyhole Inn, run by one Bella Ostermark a retired halfling thief who paid her bail a long time ago, she is known to have to deals with kobolds and trade both old maps and keys to forgotten doors. The tavern is popular for its homely and cheap food. It also is known to sell the 'Meal in a Mug' a filling alcoholic soup-like substance popular among the Blue Cloaks. Jagged Badger, run by Sigmi The Fair far from a compliment to the pale-haired half-orcish bartender known for his travels through the Fire Belt and he is liked for the exotics recipes and his home ale Corpse-Spit named so for the exceptional punch of the drink.
Stores Duraz Grungron, literally translated as the forge on a rock from dwarven. It no longer takes select orders and forges only weapons mostly for the Blue Cloaks. Bits and Ends or more known as Jutik's, a store of odd magical items and un-licensed alchemical wares.

Assets

Apart from the various storage, warehouses, and the goods stores within, the town contains little assets. Except perhaps for the Katak Highway the road from Katak to Espell. The Long unused, but now restored and functional Donjon of Saint Nyrkula that now serves as the base of operations for the Blue Cloaks.

Guilds and Factions

The Ancient Venerable Ancestoral Guild of Rurik Siege Militant Stone Masons The dwarven guild of stonemasons with an allegedly famous and impressive history of Siege Masons. Their presence gives the Countess no end of grief with elves from Sen-Adil. Their leader Kungreheim Barag is on questionable terms with the Countess, but his services are indispensable. Strangely the Masons have a surprisingly good relation with the Die-Digger tribe.
The Die-Digger Clan A clan of Kobolds who have a presence in all the towns of Rom-Tet. The Tribe maintains the sewers and tunnels under the towns and also controls any possible infestations that may take root. Lately, though there have been conflicts between the gnomish Countess and the Sorcerer Snizzle-Sock
The Bureaucratic guild of Katak and Rom-Tet A collection of influential gnome families who work tirelessly to keep the wheels of the trade turning in the town.
The Blue Cloak Mercenaries A chapter of the Blue Cloaks serves as the military force of Katak. Their Major is an elven woman who goes by Sulin Jisidril 'The Western Star'. The Blue Cloaks are becoming frustrated by the lack of adventurers and the impossibility to bring the battle to the threats surrounding Katak. And despite the good pay, the ruinous reputation of the Countess is causing even these tried and true mercenaries doubt their contract.

History

Almost all of the history of Katak since its annexation into the Oakvale Kingdom is connected with the Demangrade family: renowned in their art for politics they were placed in charge of the whole region, but now their line runs only the town of Katak.
Katak was established as a trading post especially after the Osteni Bloodshed war covered by the fortresses of Gaft the initial family that ruled Katak and the whole province after allying themselves with Oakvale valuable as diplomats and bureaucrats the gnomish family proved invaluable for the king. Until they lost favor by allying discretely with demonic cults of pleasure. Many were culled and others never regained their station, but despite the fall from grace the family did not learn their way and in the shadows, they still fund some less than savory hedonistic cults all across Oakvale.

Architecture

The architecture varies a little from district to district. The innermost district has impressive (for such a small town) architecture, this is the Demangrade Ward where the Countess and her immediate lesser nobles live, also where the Blue Cloak headquarters are established in a long-unused Donjon. The outer districts are mostly made from cobblestone cottages and wooden buildings unremarkable except perhaps for the chiseled silhouettes of the Dwarven Stonemason Guild Hall.

Geography

Located between the Southern Rom plains and the Caune Forrest it is largely flat land.

Natural Resources

There are almost no natural resources except for fertile soil that can be easily exploited near Katak.

Type

Town

Location under

Espell

Owning Organization

Oakvale Kingdom