Bongo
The town of Bongo is a bustling port town named for a nearby inlet and barrier island. Despite the political upheavals in surrounding areas, it has been fortunate to avoid bloodshed or unrest, even during the worst of rebellions. In addition to shipping from surrounding farmlands, Bongo is well known for an unusual feature. Scattered throughout the town and nearby countryside are unusual stone sculptures depicting beasts that unrecognizable to most. Although some adventurers claim that the creatures depicted can be found in lands further south, they are a point of interest for travelers in town, and the center of much study and attention from the Imperial University.
Demographics
Bongo is populated primarily by Jakonian humans and halflings. Although a handful of Nasite humans eventually migrated to the town, it remains a solid Jakonian enclave, retaining the imperial culture and way of life. The halflings make up a sizeable part of the population, to the extent that accommodations are available in both small and medium sizes, a rarity in the larger towns outside of the Villages.
Government
The town of Bongo is tied into the feudal structure of the regions of Jakonia outside of the Fruitlands Wall. Bongo is managed by the leadership of House Camburn, but historically they have often left the governance to a locally selected merchant or noble. Typically the Duke of Liberty selects a Baron from among the people within the town, or sends a relative of his own to manage the community on his behalf. The leader of the town is responsible for the collection taxes to send to the Duke, along with the organization and maintenance of the town's militia and levies to be brought in support of the Duke's own. The baron typically assigns other people of the town or his family to help delegate and manage the incidents that come up. He is often advised by a town council of prominent citizens.
Defences
Bongo is defended by a single regiment owing loyalty to House Camburn, consisting of levies from the area surrounding the town. These levies are supported by a town militia that can be called up in a case of dire need, consisting of around six hundred individuals with limited monthly training and old weapons from the town arsenal. The town has no walls, and thus relies heavily upon the defense of the Imperial Navy, and Castle Bongo, built to watch over the river. The castle is well financed and maintained and is the center of governance for the community.
Industry & Trade
Most of the commerce in Bongo revolves around the shipping of crops and goods from neighboring hamlets, villages, and towns. Foodstuffs and cash crops from San Lucy and Yahoo both are regularly exported to other lands through the docks here. Other local efforts revolve around river trading and a handful of small shipyards and docks that offer production for fishing companies. Fish are also commonly caught along the coastline, bringing in another source of food for trade further inland.
Infrastructure
Bongo is an orderly, well developed town. Most of the buildings and roads did have to be constructed around the statues that already existed in the forests around the harbor. They were left alone, as the people building the town were concerned that disturbing such old relics could have negative effects on the development of the community or spur a curse into being. As such, the paved roads of Bongo meander around these statues, and mostly alongside the river and inlet. The true architectural marvel of the town is the Bongo Bridge. This structure spans over the Bongo River and to the neighboring barrier islands. A truly massive construction built by dwarven engineers during the height of the empire, it helps supply the inlet castle and even the largest of Imperial warships can pass underneath it.
Assets
The Beast Market, named for the ancient statue that stands within the center of the square, is the primary center of local commerce in Bongo. Trade goods shipped up and down the Jakonian coast can be found for sale in this marketplace, with good uses for citizens, sailors, and adventurers. Three competing inns surround the marketplace, where the majority of people who travel to town enjoy staying. Sailors who call this their home port have a healthy rivalry over which of the inns is superior, and the debate is common in the taverns and bars throughout the town and by the docks.
Guilds and Factions
House Camburn is the most influential force in guiding affairs in Bongo. As the reigning noble family, they not only have political dominance, but economic as well over everything occurring in the town. They have the full authority to select barons to rule the town, and thus anyone seeking political power must jockey for their favor. Unfortunately, the House typically just selects members of their less legal operations to be in charge of the town, keeping their illicit affairs away from the prying eyes of the guards and investigators from the Emperor. They are faced constantly with a struggle and occasional unrest from both the Starshine Front and the Rally of Free Men, both of which are struggling for a foothold in the town to further their own interests.
Founding Date
641 AF
Type
Large town
Population
8,300
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Bongoan
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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