Swamburgh
Demographics
Human
Dwarven
Elven
Orcish
Goblinoids
Beastmen
Halflings
Government
Though Swamburgh is part of the Arganian Empire it is considered an independent frontier city that pays minimum tax to the capital and has no Imperial military forces station within. It is led by the Lord Mayor and theoretically answers to the regional governors or territory Imperial prefects. Defense and peacekeeping are generally done by the city Militia governed by the Lord Commander, considered to be the second leader of the City unless in a state or war which the Lord Commander will be fully in charge.
There is no vice mayoral posts in the political structure in Norwald.
Defences
The main defense from the wild is the Loadestone but it houses 1,500 local militia for defense and peacekeeping, also its walls are equipped with counter siege artillery. Also taken into consideration that the Heroes Narrox and Xerranna are usually in the city. If things go badly, the city can launch a rocket flare to signal for help from the nearest settlement Cragg rock mining town which is manned by a contingent of Rock Dwarves militias that can deploy and reach Swamburgh within half a day.
There is no moat as the town is set on a large rocky hill, instead there are hidden fighting positions just outside the walls and the surrounding farming area also holds the same.
Industry & Trade
Since the city is a trading hub, it naturally engages in trading and taxes from it is the main income. It does export some of its fish, grain and other farm produce to nearby settlements.
Swamburgh's secondary trade are from minerals like metal ores and metals, gems and lumber to the central cities like Akilla
Infrastructure
Like all major settlements in Argania, Swamburgh is a walled city and has it's own Loadstone to protect it's perimeters. It has 2 main gates the South east and North east gates. and is set upon the bend of the great Gustave River thus the North east and North west walls are protected by the fast moving and tumultuous river. It has central castle that serve as the administrative district with an inner wall to be used as a final stand point in case of invasion. The City is a trading hub in the region and has many banks, warehouses, Shops, Hospitals, Fighting Arena, theaters, bulk market trading center, underground sewer system, pumping stations for purifying and distributing water via old aqueducts and recently metal piping. All roads in the inner-city is well paved and lit and like the main roads, regularly maintained.
Assets
Strategic emergency supply depots, Civil evacuation Vantresses, Steam generation plant,
Guilds and Factions
Guilds that are crown registered to operate in Swamburgh are the Imperial Adventuring and Exploration Guild, Merchants Guild, Banking and financial Guild, Vantress transportation Guild, Professionals and Workers Guild.
Of course there is also a healthy and thriving underground economy like all big cities across Norewald. In Swamburgh underground scene, there operates the Thieves Guild, Assassins' Guild, Freemen(criminal) Associations Guild, Blackbankers Guild and the so called Darkhand.
History
Swamburgh was a small garrison for the Empire a few hundred years earlier under the protection of Valiant castle, where the local lord named Gustus the 4th reigned in the region. They are in constant contention of the rich and fertile lands with the Molokkians to the north.
There was a short peace when the two sides agreed to a treaty and for a time Molokkians and Arganians lived in peace. Until the peace was broken by the murder of Gustus the 4th by the hands of his nephew Antolon and framed the Molokkian representative, basically their envoy, for the crime since the two are in constant disagreement about town policies since a lot of Molokkians lived in Swamburgh to farm and learn agriculture. But were never hostile.
It was an easy frame but Antolon blinded by greed did not think the Molokkians would go back to war for the killing of a minor official as he underestimated the Molokkians bonds with each other. The castle was besieged and eventually destroyed but largely left the unarmed Swamburgh town alone.
Anticipating Imperial intervention, the Molokkians retreated north, some Swamburgh residents voluntarily went with them. Shortly the Imperial army, 135th legion came in with 6,000 battle hardened troops from the King's crossing to the west, assessed the situation and damage and falsely reported that the Molokkians treacherously attacked the castle and killed it's lords and kidnapped some of the villagers as hostages.
The ones that came forward to dispute the charges was killed immediately to continue with their narrative. The legion's commander was also a conspirator that hated the Molokkians and wanted to see them all destroyed.
The animosity unjustly grew and persisted for generation and as a result the Empire moved further north and established Fort Valiant where the Hero Zor made base, establishing a foot hold into resource rich territory in north eastern frontier near the Verdian devide.
The empire further fortified the town and moved it into the enlarged castle walls. In a final push to the frontier, the emperor ordered to assault the last Molokkian settlement and stronghold to "rescue" the descendants of the "Kidnapped" humans in Mirkwood almost 2 generations later as an excuse to expand the empire's border closer to the badlands and depriving the Molokkians abundant resourced.
The invasion was successful when the battle for Mirkwood was won by Narrox and Xerranna which was deemed impossible by the war council. As a result Xerranna became the Empire's Praetor but Narrox retired from Imperial service (after discovering the truth behind the invasion and it's history) The empire still rewarded him as Perpetual Lord commander of Swamburgh and the Empire renovated and expanded the town into a City shortly thereafter.
Tourism
Very few people go to Swamburgh for tourism as it's a very long way from the main city of the Empire, Akilla. It takes 4-6 months depending on the condition and weather to travel there via Vantress, and what's worse is that there is still no Portstone in most places in the northern region.
Also the travel is very hazardous and a well equipped traveler with adequate security will have a 1 in 8 chance to die during the sojourn.
Architecture
Typical architecture of Swamburgh closely resembles the Capital City Akilla, whitewashed stone buildings, clay tile roofed houses and structures resembling greek/roman styles amalgamated with Arganian influences like stylized and rune covered edging etc. Well to do families has multi-tiered houses that usually complies with strict building codes. outside the city walls are farming area and thatched-roofed buildings becomes more common. Houses near the Gustave River tended to be built on raised stilts to protect against the rivers unpredictable flooding periods.
Geography
The City is built upon the ruins of the old castle Valiant which was originally built on top of a rocky hill set behind the bend of the river Gustave. A great forest to the west provides raw materials like lumber and also food as the area is abundant with wild game. The rocky plains of the north going to Cragg rock provides stones and the south and eastern sides are open plains, a sea of grass and flat lands ready for cultivation. The inner city is rocky and elevated, perfect for housing and commercial infrastructures while the outer city and it's limits are ideal for agriculture.
Natural Resources
Swamburgh is rich in fish and game and huge farmlands and some minerals, stones and other resources from mines and quarries from the north, Agricultural produce from it's many farms.
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