Minao Sahbum
Minao Sahbum is the sole port in the desert region. It’s a hub of activity, mainly exporting fruit, cloth and various relics and artefacts in exchange for crops and other goods not readily available in the desert.
Demographics
The town is run by the The Sahlabaoan Merchants Guild, a council of traders that govern the towns economy. Most of the permanent residents here are middle class traders, merchants and dock hands, though there is a lot of poverty and beggars, especially in the docks. Around 5% of the population are richer nobles that own trading businesses and live in the fancier district near the town centre.
Government
The The Sahlabaoan Merchants Guild is a council of traders that are in charge of taxes, public works projects, town development, etc. and run it with one thing in mind: profit. Nothing happens in the town without the Merchant Guild's approval, they oversee everything from residents home renovations to docking ships to visiting dignitaries. They take a cut of all trade profits taking place here in order to keep the town running, though the excess profit goes directly to the Merchant Guild's own bank account and further expands their business and wealth.
Defences
There is a large mercenary presence here, paid for by the Sahlabaoan Merchant's Guild, who watch over the town and keep the law enforced. They are good soldiers, but work for coin and as such some can be quite mean, especially to the poorer denizens of the town. The surrounding land is flat for miles and so there are no defense structures built around the town.
Industry & Trade
All things produced in the desert (exotic fruits and animals, furs, jewelry, unearthed relics, etc.) are sent here to be sold and shipped from the port through the Sahlabaoan Merchant's Guild. The SMG also control the flow of resources from foreign lands, including crops, livestock and materials, to the other settlements throughout the desert. A cut of all profits made in Minao Sahbum goes to the Merchants Guild which is mostly put back into the town, paying for mercenaries, public workers and general upkeep of the town. Very little is actually produced here though there are some smiths, leatherworkers and other artisans living around the town making their living off contract work for the locals and traders.
Infrastructure
Most of the buildings are made from a mixture of sandstone or limestone and wood, either gathered locally or imported. There is one main road leading through the centre of the town from north to south which is connected by wide, straight roads leading to the docks and warehouses. In between these roads are tightly clustered buildings, and market stalls fill the edges of the main streets and docks. There are larger buildings in the very centre, home to the Sahlabaoan Mechants Guild. A large shipyard takes up the southside of the docks. There are several warehouses and guardposts throught the whole town and an underground sewer system that flows directly into the ocean.
Assets
There is a lot of overseas trade here and artisanal services but no natural resources around other than sandstone and other building materials. The town itself is home to great weath, both in coin and in goods, kept in the many warehouses and vaults scattered around.
Guilds and Factions
The Sahlabaoan Merchant's Guild run the town and all trade flowing through here. The Dwarven Trader's Guild also have a presence here, as well as the Gemflow Bank. As with most major settlements, The Coterie have a foothold here and deter other criminal factions from moving in.
History
Minao Sahbum is one of the oldest settlements in Meintalia, it's history too expansive to record. It was originally built by Humans during The Elder Age and has been run by the Sahlabaoan Merchants Guild for around 500 years now, thriving under it's influence. It was abandonned during The Great Disaster and wasn't resettled until the Sahlakah made their way north in 632E3. It was then conquered and handed over to the The Sahlabaoan Sultanate and The Sahlabaoan Merchants Guild during The Conquering of Meintalia.
Although it is part of The Sahlabaoan Sultanate, the town is left mostly to govern itself, though the Sultan has final say and ultimate authority of the area.
Architecture
Most of the buildings here are constructed from sandstone and limestone with wooden structuring, though some fully wooden buildings are present. The docks and other similar structures are made from imported wood too. The buildings are pretty simple in design, resembling cubes of sandstone, but the important buildings in the town centre are more elaborately decorated with pillars and domed roofs.
Geography
There is a dock on the coastal side of the town and a large, flat desert in all other directions, turning to dunes a few miles to the west.
Natural Resources
Sandstone and limestone
Founding Date
Late E1
Alternative Name(s)
Port Sahbum, Desert Port
Type
Large town
Population
8,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Minaoan's
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments