Fiskemark
Fishmark, Suq Alsamak in akshusian, is the local capital of the Ye'or delta, where the yeorites maintain their own people's assembly and utilize their partial autonomy under king Ibrahim al-Iliesar Tanin. It is a small city dedicated to fishing, being a hub of trade heading to the capital of Ælmesleóht and the largest market in the Ye'or delta, where farmers can sell their produce to merchants or among themselves. The Dragon Church is well represented in the city by a Copper Dragon chapel and Silver Dragon chapel. It is also the only place in Akshus with a Silver Church chapel, dedicated to collecting the province's taxes to the Gold Empire. The city is ruled over by count Othman al-Eatiq Aldhara, the King's father-in-law and head of the Majlis Almuzariein, the ruling body of the Yeorites.
Demographics
Most of the people who live in Fishmark are Akshusian, but there is a notable contingent of imperial immigrants that make up about 25% of the city's population. These are mostly bureaucrats that have arrived with trade companies, the alchemists and the Silver Church, which are in charge of connecting the Ye'or delta to the rest of the empire trough trade, technology and taxation, but there are also some ordinary folk and priests of the Dragon Church.
Government
Fishmark is ruled over by the Ye'or delta's greatest tribes, which come together to form the Majlis Almuzariein from respected elders among their number. The requirements for joining the Majlis Almuzariein are strict, and include having shed one's own blood for the freedom of the Yeorites, having fought the enemies of king Ibrahim in at least one battle and having killed at least five "highriders". It is likely that these requirements will become lighter as the yeras pass.
The Majlis Almuzariein are in charge of securing the security and prosperity of all yeorites and are also in charge of organizing the city and making sure that merchants and farmers can do their business smoothly. The Majlis Almuzariein only gather for one month every five months, and so the day-to-day management of the city falls in the hands of baron Othman al-Eatiq Aldhara, the leader of the Majlis Almuzariein. He normally relies heavily on the advice and aid of Silver priests and alchemists who have more experience with running a city, and instead focuses on his duties as a warrior and keeper of the peace, personally organizing the Mudwarriors in the defence of the Ye'or delta. The last few years he has dedicated himself almost exclusively to protecting the yeorites from starchildren insurrectionists and bandits, though he has neglected his duties towards those he does not regard as his countrymen, namely the halflings of the Ye'or delta.
The Majlis Almuzariein are in charge of securing the security and prosperity of all yeorites and are also in charge of organizing the city and making sure that merchants and farmers can do their business smoothly. The Majlis Almuzariein only gather for one month every five months, and so the day-to-day management of the city falls in the hands of baron Othman al-Eatiq Aldhara, the leader of the Majlis Almuzariein. He normally relies heavily on the advice and aid of Silver priests and alchemists who have more experience with running a city, and instead focuses on his duties as a warrior and keeper of the peace, personally organizing the Mudwarriors in the defence of the Ye'or delta. The last few years he has dedicated himself almost exclusively to protecting the yeorites from starchildren insurrectionists and bandits, though he has neglected his duties towards those he does not regard as his countrymen, namely the halflings of the Ye'or delta.
Defences
Fishmark is first and foremost defended by the system of canals that run through it, and has no walls to speak of. These canals would make it difficult for any invader to maintain momentum while going through the city, allowing reinforcements from Ælmesleóht to quickly arrive by riverboat. At the center of Fishmark there is also the city's iconic citadel made of clay and wood, which serves as the count's seat of power and as a defensive strongpoint in the event of battle.
Industry & Trade
Fish
While the city's name was more relevant when it was first founded, as the yeorite tribe that specialized in fishing had its home there, the fishing industry remains an important source of income to the city. Most fishermen have riverboats they use to travel out off the coast of Fishmark, where different fish can be found depending on the season. These fishermen pay a tax to the Gold Empire, but have in return received many upgrades to their quality of life, first and foremost in the form of grants from the Copper Dragon church to buy better boats, nets and hooks, alongside access to a more lucrative market than just Akshus.
Trade
While the city's name was more relevant when it was first founded, as the yeorite tribe that specialized in fishing had its home there, the fishing industry remains an important source of income to the city. Most fishermen have riverboats they use to travel out off the coast of Fishmark, where different fish can be found depending on the season. These fishermen pay a tax to the Gold Empire, but have in return received many upgrades to their quality of life, first and foremost in the form of grants from the Copper Dragon church to buy better boats, nets and hooks, alongside access to a more lucrative market than just Akshus.
Trade
Infrastructure
Fishmark is, like the rest of the Ye'or delta, marked by the many rivers that crisscross it. What was once a random collection of waterways overcome by simple bridges has since been transformed with the aid of alchemists and Bronze priests from Ælmesleóht into an organized system of canals and artificial lakes, which themselves have a whole host of different functions:
- watermills
- ways for riverboats
- harbors for seafaring vessels
- shipyards for riverboats
- natural defensive lines to resist invaders
History
Suq Alsamak was originally a tribal meeting place for yeorites where the mustarites allowed them limited trade amongst themselves. It was not truly a village or city, but merely a temporary market once every winter. During the Taninite rebellion, when the yeorites were liberated by Ibrahim Tanin, the chiefs of the yeorites met Ibrahim in Suq Alsamak. It was here that the alliance between the yeorites and the taninites was formed, here that the ibrahimite faction was born, here that Esther and Ibrahim were married and here that Ibrahim was crowned "the Storm" and king of Upper Akshes, the yeorites, the taninites and the eamilites.
It was in Ibrahim's reign that Suq Alsamak became a true city, paid for with liberated mustarite gold that should always have belonged to the yeorites and imperial loans.
It was in Ibrahim's reign that Suq Alsamak became a true city, paid for with liberated mustarite gold that should always have belonged to the yeorites and imperial loans.
Tourism
The statues of the King, Queen and Princes
Outside of citadel, near the city's main market, stand four statues. These statues were all gifts from Sceya and were carved from black rock of Highhammer. They are beautiful and lifelike. One of them, the lead one, shows Esther Tanin, the former queen of Akshus. She wears studded leather armour with a spear at her side and her hand on a pregnant belly. She is obviously the leader of the trio. Next to her is a younger Ibrahim, who smiles and extends his hand to the audience as if in greeting, while his other hand is on the hilt of his sword. At her other side are young Ishmael and Asher, looking up and taking proud steps alongside their parents. They all have golden scales on their cheeks, imperial symbolism to denote their nobility and status as royalty.
Outside of citadel, near the city's main market, stand four statues. These statues were all gifts from Sceya and were carved from black rock of Highhammer. They are beautiful and lifelike. One of them, the lead one, shows Esther Tanin, the former queen of Akshus. She wears studded leather armour with a spear at her side and her hand on a pregnant belly. She is obviously the leader of the trio. Next to her is a younger Ibrahim, who smiles and extends his hand to the audience as if in greeting, while his other hand is on the hilt of his sword. At her other side are young Ishmael and Asher, looking up and taking proud steps alongside their parents. They all have golden scales on their cheeks, imperial symbolism to denote their nobility and status as royalty.
Founding Date
487
Alternative Name(s)
Suq Alsamak
Type
City
Population
2000
Inhabitant Demonym
Alsamaki
Location under
Owning Organization
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