Desmarais

Overview

Desmarais is the capital city of Les Marais Duluk, a state of Androtia. Located immediately outside of Les Marais Severin, it is the home to the powerful House Desmarais. The Desmarais family runs this city under the leadership of Baron Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais who is currently mysteriously missing. Firstborn son Jacques Desmarais is currently operating as the Steward of Desmarais and Les Marais Duluk.

Desmarais

Open full size

Demographics

Desmarais is a city populated primarily by Humans originating from the Desauveterre in southern Androtia. Prior to the initial exploration of region around 800 ADF, it was mostly seen as treacherous swamplands. Some Dwarves from eastern mountain mines also populate this area, having migrated there from The Apsulian Sea. Few elves have made their way to Les Marais Duluk, but Desmarais being the capitol city has attracted a small population of Elves. Orcs form a sizeable population in the city as traveling merchants settled down over time and formed roots in Krogtown. The trade route from Desmarais and Mont Krognar is direct and easy to travel, so despite the two culture's differences, this trade route has become valuable to both states of Androtia. The Corinian District is a small town of immigrants from Corin. Corinians are a migratory, horsebound people and their district reflects this with simple hutches and tents making up most of the buildings in this part of town.
Most in this town are well off though there are the poor in the seedier parts of Desmarais like Runtown and the Cambrai Road District. Nobility from around Les Marais Duluk congregate on Desmarais and those who are not of the nobility typically make a respectable living as a trader or merchant. Additionally, alligator hunting is a popular occupation and those that successfully hunt the rarest and largest alligators can end up quite wealthy.
The citizens of Desmarais practice several religious beliefs. The Devoted Brothers of Roukgough worship the storm god, Roukgough. Roukgough is one of the second age Gods of Order and has been in Les Marais Duluk for thousands of years. The rains that blow through Desmarais are attributed to him, and offerings to the storm from loyal followers is a common practice. Some sections of the city have small tribute stands outside of homes for offerings to Roukgough. Despite being an original God of Chaos, Mich-loix is also very highly regarded and worshipped throughout Les Marais Duluk. The Desauveterre Cathedral, while multi-denominational, is primarily dedicated to Mich-loix. It is said that signs and aid from Mich-loix led the original settlers to the inhabitable land where Desmarias now sits. Additionally, Disciples of Krognaath exist within the sizeable Orc population in Krogtown. This church is dedicated to Krognaath, the primary deity of those located in Mont Krognar.

Government

The government in Les Marais Duluk is run primarily by the current Baron of House Desmarais. House Desmarais in recent years has been known for being extremely heavy handed with dishing out justice and punishment to those who step out of line. Baron Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais is known for being a fairly ruthless leader but did lose some of his reputation when he had an affair with Gleesha Vuilta Krognar who then gave birth to Fabien's bastard, half-orc son Jean Gustav Krognar Desmarais. Fabien's wife Vivienne Odette Desmarais left him after the affair and has been missing ever since.
Desmarais is known for it's wealth as the giant alligator skins and other natural swamp resources fetch high prices in markets like Port Androt. Taxation is high on the citizens, although most enjoy a fairly high quality of life. Those who are not fortunate enough to find themselves in the nobility are often persecuted extensively by the soldiers and guards that patrol the city. Imprisonment is a go-to punishment in Desmarais and some forms of torture and public shaming are still used on those who are convicted of a crime. The Baron has final ruling in all cases and Fabien has sent many a man to jail for as little as stealing food or basic clothing. Since his absence, Jacques Desmarais, a more gentle soul, has been trying to rule with a more neutral hand.

Defences

Desmarais is defended by a group of soldiers under the command of House Desmarais. The bannermen patrol the city, but there is also a local police force called The Desmarais Cloak in service to House Desmarais. Les Marais Duluk's primary armies are scattered across the region, defending trading routes and holding the border at Rochefort. Being centrally located within Les Marais Duluk, Desmarais defensive position is not frequently challenged by armies. The city is surrounded by a large wall and the ramparts have catapults and archer posts in case a defense is needed.

Industry & Trade

While there is some money to be made in farming, logging, and crafting in Desmarais, the primary occupations for a large amount of the population consist of hunting and gathering the resources of Les Marais Severin. The Collective of Craftsmen, a craftsmen Guild, and The Order of Visionaries, an artisan's guild, work within the city limits to craft the materials into goods and magical items. Merchant Row is home to some of the greatest traders in Androtia and is the home to The Severin Hawkers, a guild of merchants led by Gunnloa Rubyete.

Infrastructure

Desmarais is built around a small channel that leads into Les Marais Severin. Many docks are built upon this channel as it leads directly into the swampland. Those that go out into the swamps foraging for truffles, mushrooms, rare swamp wood, peat, mining for iron deposits, and hunting the tremendous alligators that roam the swampland utilize these docks for transportation and hauling.
Some coniferous trees growing to the west of the town have brought rise to a logging guild. The trees, being heavily saturated by the nutrient rich swamp water, produce soft healthy wood. Desmarais wood is coveted and many skilled craftsmen and carpenters travel to the Woodcutters District to work the rare material. Some of the most skilled bowyers have produced legendary weapons from the malleable, high quality wood. Coincidentally, Desmarais craftsmen are known for making some of the finest musical instruments from the wood from these trees.
The Farmers Market is home to some crops and goods for sale. Rice is the primary crop harvested around Desmarais, along with some resilient berries that grow well in the soft earth.
Desmarais has used the river and the swampy terrain to their advantage and have implemented vast irrigation and sewage systems. Indoor plumbing is a reality for most in Desmarais as is fresh water delivered via a water treatment building operated by a sect of mages, continually purifying the water for the people of Desmarais.
Desmarais Manor is the centerpiece of the town along with Desauveterre Cathedral, both towering over most of the other buildings in Desmarais.

Districts

On the west side of the town the Woodcutters District is an industrial zone featuring logging camps, and workshops for carpenters, bowyers, luthiers, and other craftsmen. Northwest District and West-Gate District mostly serve as lodgings for the population that work in the Woodcutters District.
Along the channel into Les Marais Severin are dock districts that house the boats of those venturing out into the swampland. There are two primary districts with the Upper Docks District serving the north side of the city and the Lower Docks District serving the southern part of Desmarais. Merchant Row lies just above the Lower Docks District and is a hotspot for trading rarities as hunters and gatherers return from their trips into Les Marais Severin. Nearby is the Farmers Market which serves as a trading post and residences for the farmers that till the fields to the north of the city.
Towards the center of the town you have Henri District, Uzul District and Severin District named for the three great swamps of Les Marais Duluk. These districts surround Desmarais Manor and the Desauveterre Cathedral and mostly consist of nobility and the extremely wealthy merchants, shop owners and traders of the city.
Nearby is the Corinian District which consists of immigrants from Corin who settled down early on in the founding of Desmarais. They assisted the early travelers with traversing the land safely, as this part of Androtia was only explored by Corinian migrants prior to the arrival of the branch of Desauveterre from Cote D'Prue.
Across the channel, on the other side of the city, Krogtown is a district where orcs and half orcs from Mont Krognar have congregated. The Eastern Wall District and East-Gate District are populated by the majority of the middle class citizens in Desmarais. Outside the wall to the south lies the Marais District which consists mostly of quarters for non-guild hunters, mercenaries, and traveling adventurers looking to find work out in Les Marais Severin.
Outside the wall to the east is the Cambrai Road District and sandwiched between it and the city sits Runtown. Runtown and Cambrai Road District are the slums of Desmarais and consist of the poorest in the city. Tent camps and small wooden structures are common here. Those in Runtown have used the sides of the wall as a structural support to construct a large wooden shantytown.

Guilds and Factions

House Desmarais
House Desmarais is the founding family of Les Marais Duluk and the current ruling party. Headed by Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais, House Desmarais has been in power for just over 2000 years.
The Desmarais Cloak
The Desmarais Cloak is a military army. The Cloak has been around since the founding of Desmarais and is motivated by glory. They supported directly by House Desmarais. They are led by Numba Shadowcloak and their Guild Hall is located in the Henri District, nearby Desmarais Manor.
The Order of Visionaries
The Order of Inspired Visionaries is an artisans guild. It's quite old, and the above average sized faction has an excellent reputation among nobility, and is motivated by money. They are currently headed by a council run by Naemo Gross. The guildhall is located in the Northwest District, close to the Woodcutters District as the artisans of the guild are always in need of good craftsmen and supplies from the forests.
The Collective of Craftsmen
The Collective of Craftsmen is a craftsmen guild. It's quite old, and the large faction has an excellent reputation among the commoners. The guild hall is located within the Woodcutters District on the western side of Desmarais. They are currently headed by Keyleth Caerdonel, who sits as the leader of a council of 8 craftsmen of different practices.
The Severin Hawkers
The Severin Hawkers is a merchants guild. It's well established, and the slightly below average sized faction is motivated by money. They are highly involved in the local community. Their guildhall is located in Merchant Row along with the shops that the Guild oversees. They are currently run by Gunnloa Rubyete but the Guild Master position has a high rate of turnover.
The Desmarais Sentinel
The Desmarais Sentinel is a rangers guild dedicated to hunting the alligators of Les Marais Severin. It's an old order spawning from the tradition of the hunt, and the small faction is motivated by glory and personal accomplishment. They are directly supported by House Desmarais. Their Guildhall is located in the Severin District. Currently they are led by Julien Leandres.
House Leandres
House Leandres is a noble house in Desmarais with close ties to House Desmarais. It's quite old, and the somewhat small family has an above average reputation, and is motivated by political intrigue. House Leandres is currently headed by Aimeric Leandres. Their estates are located in the Uzul District, intermingling with the properties of Desmarais Manor. They run a noble society within the central districts surrounding the manor.
Disciples of Krognaath
Disciples of Krognaath is a clergy church dedicated to the primary deity of Mont Krognar. It's quite old, and the large faction has an bad reputation among the citizens of Desmarais. They are distrusted by those in power. Their church is located in the heart of Krogtown and Shautha Karaktoth is the current High Priest.
The Devoted Brothers of Roukgough
The Devoted Brothers of Roukgough is a priests college dedicated to Roukgough. It's newer, and the above average sized faction has an excellent reputation although is disliked by followers of Mich-loix, and is motivated by power. They are suspected in the disappearance of Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais. Their leader is Lyle Swiftwhistle and their church is located in the Eastern Wall District among the middle class of Desmarais.
The Desmarais Rogues
The Desmarais Rogues is a thieves guild. It's quite old, and the slightly above average sized faction has an above average reputation, and is motivated by power. They are rumored to help lucky commoner. Their headquarters is located deep within the spiraling shantytown of Runtown. They are currently run by Ekk Darknath.
The Unseen Hand
The Unseen Hand is a clergy church worshipping Mich-loix. It's quite old, and the slightly above average sized faction has an excellent reputation, and is motivated by politics. They are adjusting to a change in leadership on their board. This Church was founded before House Desmarais originally established a formal government in Desmarais.
Cambrai Boxing Club
The Cambrai Boxing Club is a fighting club. It's been around for as long as people have wanted to watch a good fight. They have a terrible reputation with the city and they are motivated by glory. The underground fighting hall is located in Cambrai Road District but new members need to find someone to get them into the secret club.

History

Around 800 ADF, after a dispute with the Desauveterre, a group of humans split off from Cote D'Prue and headed north to stake their own claim. Few remember what the dispute was even about as it was so long ago, and relations have since mended. The explorers encountered harsh swamplands and met the Corinians, who aided them in traversing the harsh environment. Eventually Desmarais was founded towards the center of the region in some of the only easily habitable land. Leaders from House Desmarais founded the city and have been the ruling house for over 2000 years.

Points of interest

Bulák and Arnaud's Bridge is named after the tale of Bulák Rághat an orcish engineer and a Arnaud Duval (human). They found that they work very well together, but are unable to find a peaceful home in Androtia, it’s said that they are the origin of the half-orc population of Portown Island.

Tourism

There is very little direct tourism to Desmarais, however a lot of people do come and go. Nobles from around the area are often visiting Desmarais to confer with the Baron of House Desmarais and visit the city. Additionally, merchants from around the world will make their way to Desmarais to peddle their wares and conversely, those that are looking for some of the rarest and finest artisan items come to Desmarais to shop.

Architecture

Buildings in Desmarais are largely wooden structures, some more ornate than others, supported by iron. The Desauveterre Cathedral being a rare exception, is made entirely from stone with painted slate tiles on the roofs.
Most of the buildings use dark red, brown and grey color pallets as paints of this color are easy to make with the resources in the area. Desmarais Manor features a few stone partitions but is largely made of wood and iron beams as well. The structures are primarily done in the style of the Wealden hall house.

Geography

Desmarais is on the outskirts of a swampland and features a channel running through it that leads into Les Marais Severin. To the west are forests of softwood and to the north is open fields used for farming rice and berries.

Natural Resources

Rice, Berries, Softwood, Peat, Iron Ore, Truffles, Mushrooms, Alligator Skins, Animal Pelts.

Location

Qaderus

Open full size

---

Founding Date

1024 ADF

Type

Capital

Population

40,000

Location under

Les Marais Duluk

Included Locations

• Bulák and Arnaud's Bridge
• Cambrai Road District
• Corinian District
• Desauveterre Cathedral
• Desmarais Manor
• East-Gate District
• Eastern Wall District
• Farmers Market
• Henri District
• Krogtown
• Lower Docks District
• Marais District
• Merchant Row
• Necropolis
• Northwest District
• Runtown
• Severin District
• Upper Docks District
• Uzul District
• West-Gate District
• Woodcutters District

Owner/Ruler

Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais

Additional Rulers/Owners

• Jacques Desmarais

Ruling/Owning Rank

Baron

Owning Organization

House Desmarais

---

Noteable People

House Desmarais
Fabien Raphael Justice Desmarais
Jacques Desmarais
Vivienne Odette Desmarais
Gleesha Vuilta Krognar
Jean Gustav Krognar Desmarais

The Desmarais Cloak
Numba Shadowcloak

The Order of Visionaries
Naemo Gross

The Collective of Craftsmen
Keyleth Caerdonel

The Severin Hawkers
Gunnloa Rubyete

The Desmarais Sentinel
Julien Leandres

House Leandres
Aimeric Leandres
Aimée Leandres
Julien Leandres

Disciples of Krognaath
Shautha Karaktoth

The Devoted Brothers of Roukgough
Lyle Swiftwhistle

The Desmarais Rogues
Ekk Darknath

The Unseen Hand
Emilanus Ashdown