Orkand (oɹkxanɖ)
Orkand was founded in PS 409 near the site at which the First Rukk Invasion was repelled. Those rukk who chose to seek asylum in Epicentre after deserting the war chose Orkand for three reasons;
Firstly, the symbolism of turning a place of war into a place of peace. The First Rukk Invasion was stopped only at great sacrifice by a coalition of forces and the last-minute support of a previously isolationist clan of dwarves. By founding a city that welcomed all peoples, they hoped to echo that powerful sense of unity.
Secondly, the proximity to the Spellsong College. They believed that by placing themselves so close to the de facto centre of justice and law on the continent, people would be more inclined to trust their former invaders. People trust those who submit to surveillance freely.
Finally, rukk religious practices venerate water. They saw the solid bedrock upon which they founded their city, surrounded on three sides by near-impassable marshes as a good omen. This led to some struggles during the early construction of the city, but by combining elven knowledge of hydroculture and magic with financial aid from the spellsong college, the city survived its early years and even began to thrive.
Demographics
Government
Defences
The city is surrounded on three sides by marshland that is not only difficult for most species to traverse, but well patrolled by the city guard who employ special marshwalker squads who use drakekin-taught methods to move almost undetectably among the reeds and waters.
The city itself is protected by a wooden palisade with three gates. One faces the road, one is a watergate that allows small boat access between Grainwater and the hydroculture and rice farms on the marsh, and the third is a pier constructed for religious purposes that is leads through to Temple.
The city guard is a two hundred strong unit who are well drilled in assymetrical warfare as well as peacekeeping duties. More serious military concerns require sending to the fort at Southwest Garrison for support.
Finally, as the home to the Spellsong College, it can call upon a large number of magistrates and spellsingers in times of need. Though their direct combat application is limited, many of them are skilled fighters, and the strategic application of their feyborn magics can swing the tide.
Industry & Trade
Owing to the Department of Hydroculture, Orkand is a major supplier of foodstuffs to the rest of southeastern Epicentre. It is also the only major source of Rukkish metalcraft outside the Desolation, giving it a lot of financial power and influence over the twenty wardens.
As home to both the Spellsong College and a major Temple of Andrael Vas, Orkand is also one of the key legal and administrative centres on Epicentre. Many hopeful youths travel to the city hoping to train to become a magistrate, or join the clergy.
Districts
The city is divided into five districts. Highstone is at the centre of the city and holds the government buildings, the garrison, and most of the wealthier citizens. The rest of the city is divided into four quadrants around it. The quadrant facing the solid road to the north is called Gateway, and holds the stables, marketplace, and workshops that keep trade and goods flowing through the city alive.
Clockwise from Gateway is Spellsong, where the Spellsong College relocated from its original site some five miles outside the city. Spellsong features dormitories, a playhouse, two auditoriums, three courthouses, and an expansive library.
Next to Spellsong is Temple, where a large number of priests and acolytes live along with large temples to Gorrash, Andrael Vas, and Celera Swyf. Smaller shrines to Soma, Hana, Kerne and Chimie, as well as a handful of drakekin ritual squares are also to be found here.
The final district, Grainwater, is the primary residential district. Roughly half the district is taken up with social housing projects that try to ensure that nobody in Orkand is forced to sleep on the street.
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