New Market

New Market is a lively and resilient city that thrives on its strong community of traders, artisans, and seafarers. Its strategic location, industrious people, and rich resources make it a vital hub on the west coast of Hildenor, attracting travelers, merchants, and adventurers alike.

Government

New Market is governed by a city council led by Mayor Eoghan Maguire, who serves as the head of the council and represents the people’s interests. The council is composed of representatives from the main guilds, including the Merchants’ Consortium, the Salt Brotherhood, and smaller trade groups like the Fishers’ Union. This structure ensures that both the wealthy merchants and the common laborers have a voice in governance, balancing the interests of New Market’s diverse population.

Laws

The city operates under The Charter of New Market, a set of founding laws established by its early leaders. Key aspects of these laws focus on fair trade, the protection of citizens’ property, and the regulation of port activities. Crimes such as theft, smuggling, and violent offenses are met with a system of escalating fines, labor sentences, or, in severe cases, exile from New Market. Smuggling and corruption are particularly targeted offenses, given the importance of trade in the city’s prosperity.

Taxation

New Market operates on a tiered tax system. Merchants and guilds pay an annual tax based on their income and property value, while common citizens contribute a smaller portion through a flat trade tax. All trading vessels entering the port pay docking fees, which fund maintenance of the docks and the city’s navy. Seasonal taxes on large trade shipments (especially exotic goods) are collected by the Merchants’ Consortium to support public infrastructure.
Revenue from taxes supports the city guard, public services, and the maintenance of infrastructure like roads, aqueducts, and the fortifications around the city. The Salt Brotherhood has pushed for tax exemptions on fishing equipment, which was granted for essential tools, benefiting the city’s many fishers.

Organizational Structure

Mayor’s Office: Responsible for overseeing the council’s decrees and policies, managing day-to-day affairs, and ensuring the city’s smooth operation. The mayor also liaises with nearby settlements and regions.
Council of Guilds: The council meets biweekly to discuss trade, infrastructure, and defense. Each guild representative holds a vote, but the mayor has the power to break ties and approve final decisions.
City Guard and Harbor Watch: Funded by taxes, the City Guard is tasked with maintaining peace, while the Harbor Watch monitors incoming vessels for contraband and enforces customs regulations.
The Portmaster’s Office: A crucial part of the city’s operation, the Portmaster manages all port activity, from fee collection to ship inspections, ensuring that trade runs efficiently and in accordance with city law.

Defences

New Market is fortified with tall, sturdy stone walls and several watchtowers manned by the city guard. The coastline is protected by large wooden palisades and watch posts, alerting the city of potential sea invasions. A naval militia patrols the waters, keeping an eye on both the port and approaching vessels.

Industry & Trade

New Market thrives on fishing, salt production, and shipbuilding. Its fishing fleet is among the largest on the west coast, supplying not only Hildenor but also exporting salted fish to neighboring lands. The city is also known for its vibrant markets, where goods from across Eldarias are traded, and where merchants sell exotic spices, textiles, and rare ingredients. Shipbuilders and carpenters are highly skilled, producing sturdy fishing boats and merchant ships in demand across the coast.

Infrastructure

Seaside Trade Port

A bustling port equipped with multiple docks, warehouses, and marketplaces designed to facilitate large-scale trade with other coastal cities and islands.

The Salt Path

A wide, well-maintained road leading from New Market to inland villages and towns, ensuring swift trade and communication routes to the eastern parts of Hildenor.

The Aqueduct of Brannan

This ancient aqueduct, built by dwarves, brings fresh mountain water into the city, providing reliable water access to residents and irrigating crops in surrounding farmlands.

Guilds and Factions

The Merchants’ Consortium

A powerful guild of traders and merchants who oversee all trade operations and regulate prices within New Market. They maintain close ties with distant trading partners.

Sable Tides

A semi-covert guild of smugglers, contraband dealers, and informants who profit from New Market’s bustling trade port. Their network extends to other cities and towns, and they secretly operate under the cover of legitimate businesses.

Salt Brotherhood

This guild of salt miners and fishers represents the labor force, ensuring fair wages and working conditions. They have significant influence on city policy due to their essential role in New Market’s economy.

History

New Market was established as a modest fishing village, strategically located on the coast of Hildenor. Over centuries, it evolved into a vibrant trading hub due to its prime coastal position. Dwarven architects were commissioned to build the aqueduct, which transformed the city into a thriving settlement capable of supporting a large population. The city has withstood pirate raids, economic strife, and even a coastal siege, yet has managed to grow into a bustling and prosperous center of commerce and culture.

Points of interest

The Saltmere Docks

The heart of New Market’s industry, where merchants and sailors alike gather to load and unload goods, and where fishers bring in their daily catch. The scent of salt and sea pervades the air, and the area is always alive with activity.

The Twin Lanterns Tavern

A welcoming inn located near the docks, famous for its salty ale and fresh seafood. Its two distinctive lanterns are always lit, serving as a landmark and gathering place for travelers, merchants, and locals alike. The inn is known for frequent folk music performances and lively games of chance.

Market Square

This open-air marketplace is bustling from dawn to dusk, filled with stalls selling everything from dried herbs to ornate crafts. Local artisans, farmers, and foreign traders gather here to sell their wares, creating an energetic mix of cultures and goods.

Temple of the Tide

A revered temple dedicated to the gods of the sea, located on a hill overlooking the port. Sailors and fishers come to offer prayers for safe journeys and abundant catches, and the temple holds seasonal festivals to bless the waters.

Type

City

Population

4,200

Location under

Hildenor

Owner/Ruler

Eoghan Maguire

Ruling/Owning Rank

Mayor

Owning Organization

Riordan Clan