Sleetsted

Never cold enough for snow, nor warm enough for rain, this sleet filled city thrives of its free-market economy, the ease of centralized trade routes, its proximity to The Halfling Merchants Association, and its mining facilities on islands like Noalle, Di'ock, and Etsi. Sleetsted was originally founded by halfling settlers in the early years after the arcanum revolt but quickly grew with human settlers as the nature of coastal cities are preferable for humans. The halfling populous stagnated due to its cold and sleety weather and the hardship of regular halfling agriculture. Though humans quickly filled the land with potato, carrot, and cabbage farms that quickly made the city self-sustaining. In later years the city has become a haven for capitalist ventures into trade and markets due to its central location and regulated docks.

Demographics

Mostly human, dwarvish and elvish, with sizable halfling populus.

Government

Sleetsted is run by a group of 7 elected merchant lords that openly vote on issues dictated by a democratic election cycle. Every 5 years the merchants in office are replaced by newly elected merchant lords, those already elected must wait a term before being able to be elected again. Merchant lords that do good work in office gain reputation and can with said reputation further their business and agendas while those who don't fall and business can crumble to dust. So being representative towards those whose principles you represent is an important part of being a merchant lord
Every 4 months every merchant with capital can vote for 3 issues with grades of importance, with 8 points to distribute between the issues stated. If an issue has over 20% of point values of all votes it is furthered into a bimonthly discussion by the lords where they discuss how to fix the problem and then vote on the best course of action.

Defences

Sleetsted is protected by a medium local military naval force and in times of real war Reun's fleet is sworn to help Sleetsted. There is a large wall the leads from the northern Ganush Bay to the Ardus Mountain in the south.

Industry & Trade

Noalle: A small island named after the merchant Noalle Rocksucker who started a large mining expedition to find rare gems but ended up finding something less costly but more plentiful, nutrition-rich soil that all large farm owners want to get their hands on. The soil has become one of Sleetsteds greatest exports and Noalle served 4 terms in total as merchant lord before dying of old age. the Rocksucker empereum still stands tall under the leadership of current merchant lord Richard rocksucker.
Etsi: Is a small island south of Noalle and was originally inhabited by a tribe of orcs. An explorer named Etsi Topy found that the island had fine white trees that he called Palewood Silver. He and some investors paid a group of mercenaries to rid the island of the tribe and took to planting and gathering the trees starting a lumbering business on the island. A lot of the houses and structure in Sleetsted are made by Palewood silver trees giving them a white birch like color that glistens in the rare but beautiful sunlight
Di'ock: Di'ock was an abandoned island with little to no resources, it was later terraformed by arcanist and doctor Ellacster Di'ock, to house his laboratory, small patches of farmland, and a large cockatrice farm. He uses the cockatrice saliva and blood to create antibodies to use in salves and potions that cure certification. His concoctions have become a large export and are sold throughout O'l Andem.

Assets

The Icerime Baazaar: A large market spanning a fourth of Sleetsted where most of the everyday business happens between both merchants, traders, and the common man. There are large auctions held on the daily here luxury commodities are being sold to the highest bidder. This includes everything from tropical fish to be used in food to rare gems, magic items, or labor.

Founding Date

Early years after the Arcanum Revolt

Alternative Name(s)

The Mezzo-winter

Type

Large city

Population

74 300