Barguluk
If there were a capitol of the wetlands then Barguluk would be it. It’s a relatively large settlement in terms of size and is inhabited by the tribal Pogonians. Not much is known about the area, other than the houses are in trees, likely to keep the residents safe from roaming monsters below, and they are usually not very welcoming to visitors.
Demographics
An entirely communism based tribe of Pogonians. Half of the tribe are designated hunters and gatherers while the rest of the population are responsible for raising and training the young, cooking, building and other general chores the tribe may need done. There is no monetary wealth here, the tribes bring together what they have to survive. Only Pogonians live here year round as they don't tend to welcome outsiders to their tribes.
Government
There is one tribal leader known as the chief who has total control and a group of elder's who govern the chief and give advice but hold no actual power. The title of Chief is given to the most suitable candidate and can be changed at any point after a challenge is issued or someone else is nominated. The title of chief is granted to whoever can defeat the current chief in an aspect the tribe respect that they believe they are better at, usually combat, hunting or survival. The tribes laws can vary greatly under different chieftans, but their core value of shared wealth and shared work is consistent.
Defences
The locals rely entirely on their raised buildings and the natural swamp below to defend themselves from monsters and marauders, though few people travel through the wetlands. Their key defense is that the ladders and walkways join in patterns that seem random to an outsider and are hard to predict, but the residents are all familiar which gives them an advantage against attackers.
Industry & Trade
Barguluk is entirely self-sufficient, all of their food taken from hunting or scavenging the swamp and Degrinoll. They have no trade but will raid the unsuspecting traveller or caravan passing through the swamp. Occassionally travellers find their way to Barguluk, and sometimes the chief will offer them food and shelter for a night for some labour or help with a problem, though this depends entirely on the current chief.
Infrastructure
The settlement spreads far and houses are up in the trees with some rope bridges between the main communal buildings. Buildings house between 10 and 30 Pogonians and are all communal, no individual has claim to any specific building or spot. There are other large buildings for food stores, weapon stores, workshops, tool stores, training rooms, nurseries, etc. but these are all communal and open to all members of the tribe, though only the appropriat workers tend to frequent them. The only building off limits to the tribe is the Elder Hut, where the village elders reside. Only the chief and sworn elder servants may enter this building.
Guilds and Factions
The Chief and Council of Elders run the town, as close to a government as the wetlands has. There are also the hunters, which make up around half of the population and are expected to gather enough food to provide for the entire town.
History
The Pogonians do not record their history and keep to themselves so little is known about the history of Barguluk. It appeared shortly after the first Pogonians were recorded in Meintalia, so it's estimated to have been built sometme in the 350's of E3. The Chief tends to change infrequently, lasting anywhere between a few days to a few years. What we do know of the history of Barguluk is that it has never fallen in a siege, of which there have been several by the neighbouring elves, and it is comprised of several smaller tribal villages that expanded into one anothers territories and form one large tribe.
Architecture
The houses are built entirely from rough, natural wood and branches. There are large platforms in the trees which house huts, all indistinguishable from the next other than the Elder Hut which is often decorated with flowers, vines, chitinous shells, etc. The building design is very simple and the materials aren't necessarily high quality, meaning they have to be repaired or replaced quite often, either from general wear or damage from roaming monsters.
Geography
The surrounding terrain is entirely swamp full of Deadwood trees that mostly lack leaves. There is a constant supply of freshwater from the Arthrypt River up north and underground springs, safe to drink for the Pogonians but most people risk disease if they try drinking it. There is often a blanket of fog around a foot deep covering the ground.
Natural Resources
Chitin from the giant arthropods, peat from the swamp and wood from the trees.
Founding Date
~350 E3
Type
Town
Population
1,200
Inhabitant Demonym
Bargulian's
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
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