Brisbin
Demographics
As a penal colony under Eshen rule, Brisbin consists mostly of deported criminals of the state. The majority of convicts sent to Brisbin are debtors and petty criminals, but political prisoners, organized crime leaders, murders, and smugglers also call this place home. Based on a person's connections within Eshen, one's wealth varies but most are extremely poor.
Brisbin also houses a large number of illex and skulari, drawn to the city by the promise of work and an escape from debt. Unfortunately, many immigrants are unable to pay the heavy taxes of the colony. When this happens they are offered a deal to wipe away the debt. The contract effectively makes them an indentured servant. They must then pay off the cost of the debt through labor. While not every immigrant is under contract, about one-third are.
Government
Eshenese penal colonies are ruled by a governor appointed by the state. It is common for this individual to receive this assignment as a form of political punishment. This governor maintains order, keeps workers on schedule, and delivers the required taxation, often in the form of goods. Governors lead a military force, known as Greyswords, to keep the peace and promote productivity. Responsibility is delegated to three Taskmasters, who preside over the different districts of the city and command a regiment of troops.
Industry & Trade
Criminals sent to Brisbin are assigned a job based on their talents, nature of their crime, and connections within Eshen. Most work in either the mine, the shipyard, or the farms. Skilled laborers and farmers are allowed to open shops where they can sell merchandise to other citizens as long as they also supply the governor with goods and coin. Workers are paid with scrip, a form of credit only valid in the colony. Those not paying off debt can exchange scrip into cash, this can rarely be done at face value. Along with military presence, scrip keeps prisoners and indentured servants within the city.
Infrastructure
Because of its relatively free workforce, Brisbin can boast of many completed building projects. Entering the forty-first year of operation, Brisbin has an operational lighthouse, cobblestone roads, a shipyard, a mine, and a few courtyards. The main goal of this construction is to eventually convert the colony into a place where Eshen citizens can settle. The convicts and indentured servants would then be moved to a new location where construction would begin again. The city is not walled to allow for future expansion.
Guilds and Factions
The major factions of Brisbin include its governing body, the Church, and various gangs. These gangs were originally formed as a way for citizens to share the burden of colony life. Members of a group would split taxes, trade goods, and generally, look out for one another. It became that if one was not a member of a group, life in Brisbin would be much harder as many services were exclusive to members. A few years after the founding of the city, a soldier publicly killed a member of the Trazarie. This sparked a fierce conflict between the Greyswords and the convicts. Using superior weaponry and public demonstrations, the government wrestled back control of the colony. This event, known as the Debtor's Uprising, caused gang activity to become illegal. This was heavily enforced in the beginning but has since relaxed. Only those actively infringing upon the governor's authority are actively hunted down. Today four major rival groups operate in secret, the Trazarie, the Black Bloods, the Dragonfish Gang, and the Sraon Family. While services are no longer exclusive to certain gangs, most citizens are still a member of one of these groups. Those who are not are often victims of theft and other crimes.
The Church is a minor organization in Brisbin. In Eshen worship of the Chaimor is illegal. However, as part of the agreement to build on Skulari land, a religious presence was necessary. Missionaries from Scylia built the two churches located in Brisbin and take care or the surrounding courtyards. The Church provides healing, counsel, and aid to its surrounding neighborhoods.
Architecture
When a prisoner arrives in Brisbin, they are responsible for their lodging. This means that an individual must build a home, or be lucky enough, to find a vacancy. Because of this, the architecture of the city varies wildly. Most homes are hastily made of waddle and daub in a wooden frame, with repairs and additions being quite evident. The richer areas are designed to be permanent fixtures, expertly constructed with wood, stone, stucco, or brick. Buildings are packed tightly together, only leaving space for tight alleys and major roads. Shops often decorate the outside of their establishments with dyed fabric to contrast against the monotone colors of the city.
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