Tounaida

The town of Tounaiga (Beacon of the North) is a walled town on the high plains of Caigua. Situated on the shores of Deep Lake, it is the last of the lands of the City State of Ooumwhah, Northernmost of the Free Cities. A series of lakes, rivers and waterfalls connects the two habitations and serves as the fastest overland travel between the Four Stars of the Sea of Bo and the newly rediscovered lands north of the Black Mountains. Tounaida itself hosts few standing citizens with a population of only 4000 but boasts parade grounds as large as the permanent sections of the city to host and protect traders before they traverse the treacherous routes through the high mountains.
The creation of such a walled fortification was no small undertaking and the merchant families responsible guard their investment viciously. The Gnolls of the steppes do not venture into their lands and the Black Gates have thus far held against the Others as well as providing shelter for skilled workers during the Breaking War between the Druids and the Mage Lords of the Old Syrillian Empire. Even the devotees of Dyramus could not break the gates of the Beacon.
Tounaida's gift are the complicated series of rivers, rapids and waterfalls between the smaller lakes which form a water route to Ooumwhah on the shores of the Crescent Sea. Ooumwhah rangers ply their craft in guiding expeditions down river to the various locks and lifts which safely carry cargo of spices, metals, furs and fine northern crafts to the southern empires. It is an expensive proposition which bears little tolerance for losses to Elven bandits or the abominations leftover from the Druids. Poachers and traders who try to skirt the Beacon are harshly and publicly dealt with.

Demographics

The citizens of Tounaida are craftsmen well versed in their trades but those trades are nearly singularly devoted to moving others onward. Few craftsmen of luxury goods are tolerated in the town due to a shortage of living space. The city specializes in carpenters of all stripes from Coopers to Shipwrights as well as accomplished Blacksmiths, Armorers and Herbalists trained in triage.

Government

Tounaida is a oligarghical matriarchy with a council of 7 members; The Silk Lady (The Madame), The Lady of Spades (The Fat Lady), The Ember Lady (The Broken Spire), The Ladies of the Moons (The Unnamed and the Unnameable), The Lady Silver (The Seer) and the Lady of the Last Century (The Dutchess). These women head powerful merchant families and oversee the administration of Tounaida and see to the general defense.

Defences

Tounaida boasts a small standing army. 200 Archers/Crossbowmen, 100 Men-at-Arms, and 10 Engineering Crews. This army can be easily doubled by mercenaries and private Men-at-Arms from traveling merchants in addition to the abundance of adventuring companies which pass through. In desperate times the Baron of Monkey will send aid.

Industry & Trade

The only industry of note in Tounaida is repair. The craftsmen of the city are singularly focused on seeing to the travel worthiness of cargo boats and wagon trains which dominate the economy of the region. High on the plains before the abrupt rise of mountainous peaks, little food stuffs are grown outside the orchards of the Ladies of the Moons and the farmers who grow tubers, roots and forage for wild mushrooms. Cattle make up a large portion of the farmers income through meat and dairy products, most of which is sold to the traders caravans for the journey through the mountains; dairy is one of the few exports of the city. Spices are in high demand in Tounaida.

Infrastructure

Tounaida is little more than a walled residential district with massive parade grounds to host the constant influx of traders looking to move their wares from north to south and back again. Walled wharves handle cargo from Deep Lake down the river system to the coast while handling deliveries of lumber, silver and gemstones from the Barony of Monkey. Water wheel powered mills dot the shores of the rivers downstream and are regularly patrolled.

Assets

The massive stone walls surrounding Tounaida are the only real asset of the oligarchy which rules and all which is necessary.

Guilds and Factions

While the Seven Ladies each represent a different merchant house, they move as a single entity. Factions and sects unaligned with, or disruptive to, the interests of the Ladies are quickly dealt with.

Architecture

The solemn stone walls are stark and utilitarian in their nature and aesthetic and that idea carries throughout the residential and industrial buildings of the city.

Geography

The high plains of Caigua are dry, filled with scrub brush and short, gnarled trees. Some depressions in the bleak, wind swept landscape find refuge for thin trees with bushy tops but these rarely surpass 30 feet in height. The Ladies of the Moons have cultivated many of these depressions into orchards bearing a variety of fruits such as apples, peaches and and a pear-like fruit indigenous to the region.

Natural Resources

Few naturals resources are cultivated in the region. Deep Lake is home to excellent fishing and plays host to spawning grounds for a variety of fish. Freshwater shellfish and crustacean help to round out an otherwise bland regional diet. Cattle plays a large part in the farming community and dairy products are one of the few exports of the city.

Alternative Name(s)

Beacon of the North

Type

Town

Population

5500