Titan Home

"What the Godkin left behind..."

The city-state of Titan Home, sometimes called Giantfell, sits at the top of the rightmost peninsula of the icy zone known as The Zero Lands on the continent of Golthien. It is home to some of the hardiest, toughest humans and elves of the known world. It is a free city, ostensibly a nation unto itself, run by a "battle elected" jarl and her "Council of Six." The council consists of other warlords and elven advisers of a strong magical bent, all of whom would die to protect the honor of their leader. The city represents one of the few settlements left behind (and not destroyed) by the Titans (Servitors of the Gods) after they were exiled, driven even further north by the gods, in response to their intense hubris. The current settlers of Titan Home inhabit the very structures left behind, modifying them for use by the "smaller" peoples of the world. As such, the building and structures are some of the strongest known to man, and its said that Titan Home will never fall to the hands of men. Assisting this end are the city guard of Titan Home... the "Dragonriders of Pelneestra." As their name more than implies, the dragon riders consist of the most battle-honored elven and human citizens of the city, who have trained nearly their entire lives to command the mighty dragons of the north. Those great beasts who once roosted in the city spires back when giants roamed its walls. After the exodus, some dragons braved returning home, only to find humanoids filling its halls. Instead of destroying each other, somehow a pact was made. Now the two species live in harmony, with the dragons and their riders sharing a bond so special, it cannot be understood by any outsider. Politically, Titan Home is, and has always been, an isolationist "nation." It's people provide all the necessary means of survival for themselves, and rarely trade with outsiders. When they do, they tend to restrict themselves to dealing with their closest neighbors, such as Bal Deneth (with whom they share a shaky peace... for now), Snowforge, and Verglas. The small fleet of sailing ships maintained by the jarl has occasionally rounded Golthein to trade with the "Southern Nations," but the number of these expeditions can basically be counted on two hands. The city is somewhat welcoming to visitors, as the jarl says that "any who can survive the trek to Titan Home deserves to warm themselves at its fires." That being said, its residents are distrustful, even suspicious, of outsiders. Possibly for the same reasons. For why would one brave the Zero Lands just to reach the magnificent city? Can it truly be just to marvel at its peaks? As Titan Home represents the only known city featuring dragon riders, the populace is constantly paranoid that others will come in an attempt to capture the secret of the bond between man and dragon.

THE PEOPLE OF TITAN HOME

The Pelneestran peoples of Titan Home come from a variety of humanoid stock, the most prevalent being northern human. The humans of the north, specifically those of the city, are a taller than average lot, with some even nearing 7' in height. Legend has it that the original human (re)settlers of the Giants' fallen steading actually didn't find the place completely abandoned. Apparently there was a small contingent of giants left behind. Somehow these giants, before dying off, lived in harmony with the newly arrived humans and even mated with them, thus creating the tall peoples of today. Obviously this legend is likely nothing but a myth, but it's a popular one amongst the Pelneestrans. It should be noted that a fair number of "half-giant" goliaths live within the city walls, and it's not entirely impossible that the tall humans are a result of interbreeding between goliath and man. At least, this explanation is somewhat more plausible. Oddly (or perhaps for similar reasons), all humanoid species tend to run a little taller in Titan Home. This includes both elves and dwarves. Maybe it's that crisp northern air.

Demographics

The population skews 70% Human, 15% Solti Winter Elven, 5% Dwarven, 5% Goliath ("half-giants"), and 5% mixed other.

Government

A monarchy run by an elected jarl (one elected by winning a major battle or traditionally elected if a battle does not present itself) who rules until they fall in battle (or otherwise expire) and their "Council of Six" advisors, consisting of other warlords and the most erudite of the city's arcane masters. The current jarl is Brena Vartuul, daughter of the previous jarl who died in battle against Bal Deneth. Against all expectations, Brena forged a hard won peace between the two neighboring city-states. A peace that is not popular with all on either side. Beyond that, Brena is an extremely popular jarl who commands the full respect of both her council and her citizens. Brena is also one of the only jarls in history who originally trained as a dragon rider. Her white dragon, Ralimathax, is rarely far from her side. Further, Brena maintains a personal honor guard, led by a "half-giant" goliath named Gruul.

Defences

The Dragon Riders of Pelneestra are the first line of defense whenever the city faces outside forces. Their ranks consist of roughly 30 dragons (of a variety of colors and sub-species) and their lifelong riders, who can be mustered at merely a moments notice to respond to any foreign danger. Beyond this vanguard, the city maintains an active army of roughly 1,000 full-time soldiers. Within their ranks, 300 represent the jarl's (horse mounted) elite cavalry. The riders of Titan Home are some of the best in the north, and possibly the world. In addition, a citizen militia of nearly 6,000 warriors can be assembled in relatively short order, should the need arise. Within the city, law is enforced by a city guard consisting of roughly 500 patrollers and 50 elven officers. In addition to this, the city also features an expeditionary force of (all female) rangers known as the "Snow Speakers." They constantly range north of the city limits, preparing for the day when the original titans return to claim their lost home.

Industry & Trade

The people of Titan Home are somewhat isolationist (bordering on xenophobic), and attempt to minimize their contact with the outside world. They tend to trade with other cities and towns that they've fought alongside at some time in the past, typically against some sort of bestial enemy of the savage north (of which there are many). Titan Home offers few major goods other than weapons and armor, horses and cavalry provisions.

Infrastructure

The city of Titan Home is one of the most ancient known to the world. It's structures predate even the age of Lumeria. As such, it does not natively feature many modern amenities, however several have been "tacked on." The city features an "added on" sewer system, and something somewhat like a modern aqueduct system (which is constantly in some state of disrepair).

Assets

What the Pelneestrans cannot provide for themselves, they get through trade with their neighbors. Though their smiths are extremely competent, they still trade with Snowforge for weapons and armor, mostly because they covet the very best... and that's what Snowforge is known for.

Guilds and Factions

As the citizens of Titan Home work towards the survival of all, there are not many guilds, at least in any traditional sense. Every trade does have "masters" who train "apprentices," and thus something akin to a guild system exists. However, none of the trade organizations have any affiliation with those known otherwise throughout the realm.

History

Titan Home was built before recorded history by the Giantkin and Dragon "Titans" of Mount Celene. It was one of many great cities established by these beings in their attempted dominance of Gothenya. As this was not the will of the gods (the titans were merely meant to scout the world, ot conquer it), they were soon driven out by divine forces, and the majority of the titans either fled or were killed. Virtually all of their cities, however, were leveled... and completely obliterated. The sole remaining city, at least south of The Ultima Thule, was Titan Home. Whatever its original name might have been has been lost to time. Unknown ages later, man finally came to resettle the towering city, adding an infrastructure more amenable to the smaller humanoids. Thus it was, in approximately 2,000 D.E., that Titan Home once again fostered life. Over the years, its residents have had to contend with many dangers, from the various beasts of the north, to their humanoid neighbors. They have gone to war with the city of Bal Deneth on multiple occasions, mostly in response to Bal Deneth's more expansionist aims. If the Pelneestrans could have their way, they'd stay within their walls forever, and never deal with outsiders of any sort. When they grow restless, there are plenty of beasts to track and kill just beyond the city walls. After the last, nearly disastrous war with Bal Deneth (one that cost the life of the previous jarl), the new jarl finally forged a peace with their ancestral enemy. There is hope that the peace will last, at least by many. However, though the north is as cold as any inhabitable place can be, the hearts of warriors run extremely hot. War is a hard tradition to leave behind.

Architecture

The outer walls, along with the edifices of nearly every major building within, were constructed by the titans, made of stone and assembled in a manner known only to them. It is possibly the strongest known series of structures anywhere in the world. The city is built to withstand a prolonged siege, and this may be a testament to why the The Lentokki God Kings have yet to turn their eyes towards its massive spires. Two of the most curious structures in Titan Home are the twin statues that protect the gates of the city. These towering titans, sometimes called "The Godkin" loom over all who approach the city from the south. The Godkin are also two of the most favorite places for the dragons of the city to roost.

Geography

Situated at the northern tip of the east most peninsula of the Zero Lands, in Golthien. It is surrounded on three sides by ice, and on the north by The Winter Sea.

Natural Resources

There are few natural resources this far north, however the peoples of Titan Home manage to provide for their needs. At least wood from the frozen forests of Thurl is plentiful, and the residents have dug deep enough to manage acceptable lands for growing crops capable of surviving the harsh northern air.