Jameleska
Amongst the largest cities in Prima Terra, and the largest within the Aedrinarian Archipelago, Jameleska was founded in the second age by the legendary heroes Jamel and Valeska. Lying on the sea of storms, Jameleska is a successful freeport and capital of the Duchy of Jameleska, an autonomous region of the Kingdom of Jotun.
Famous for its impressive and mighty walls built in three rings, Jameleska is a technological and modern marvel. It is the most advanced city found in the isles, with technology to rival that of the Marcian and Seldrinar cities. A melting pot of various races and cultures, the city has earned a reputation of somewhere for those with nowhere else to go.
The city has just come out of a devastating three week war with The Snow Lord and suffered massive destruction. The economy is transition from war to peace and is slowly rebuilding itself, with a new future to await the beacon of humanity within the island of the frost giants.
Demographics
Jameleska is an incredibly diverse city and considered the melting pot of the isles. Its free port status and connection to the resource rich but illusive Kingdom of Jotun makes it a merchant's dream. The city remains majority human, with cultural backgrounds from across western prima terra. The Elven population are split between Ice Elves and Moon Elves, with smaller populations of other elven cultures. The city also houses a considerable population of Gnomes, largely descendents of refugees from early Seldrinar expansion in the second age.
The city, the largest in all of the Aedrinarian isles, has diverse and multiple industries. The city's chief exports are in manufactured goods, its port status bringing in resources from around Prima Terra, largely through trade guilds in Lastlight. The city produces little agriculture outside of fishing, instead relying on its fuedal holdings across its duchy, mainly from the frontier settlement of Storonthorpe. There is some smaller scale farming done within its walls.
Religiously, the city is one of the few major divinist holdings in the isles, making up around 40-50% of the population. Nearly every religion can be found in the city, with multiple honoured god and seldarine temples scattered across its districts. The district of Twokirks houses the largest dwarven cathedral outside of the Three Kingdoms, and even houses a Draconist pagoda.
The city does have a major wealth disparity. Its aristocratic structure hordes wealth in the hands of a few key families, with the majority of the population being working class or peasanty. There is a booming middle class of artesans and free merchants throughout the inner and middle walls, but few earn enough capital or influence to challenge the old money of the nobility.
Government
Jameleska is an aritsocratic city and the capital of the Duchy of Jameleska, an autonamous region of the Kingdom of Jotun. The city is split into multiple districts run by noble family's of various rank, usually coming from older more prestigious foriegn nobility who were exiled from their homes. They swear loyalty to the Duke, formally king, of Jameleska, a member of the Jamelkyn-Rosendorf-Axeholder dynasty.
Some areas, such as Palakirk and Twokirks, are considered bishoprics and handed to the fuedal control of religious orders. Twokirks runs off a religious council ran by the high priest of the temple to Morradin and the High Deacon of the divinist cathedral.
Defences
Jameleska is amongst the most militarised settlements in the Aedrinarian isles. The city's large size has multiple noble militias who act as knights and watchmen for the noble families' various holdings. Jameleskan Military was once considered the most advanced and strongest organized army in Prima Terra, but faced centuries of decline following the Treaty of Lastlight. The army itself has been decimated by the war and begun a new training and recuitment process to fill the gaps left behind.
The city is dotted with numerous internal fortifactions, most of which are castles and forts built into the city walls. In peacetime, these castles have transitioned into royal courts or military storage with wide-scale mothballing. Since the war, these fortifications have been brought out of retirement and rearmed. The forts along the inner wall are largely dormant and used as barracks or noble housing instead of active military installments.
The City's famous walls are amongst the largest in Prima Terra, and for thousands of years could withstand all assaults by the giants. It was only through the Snow Lord's pact with Varpak that a powerful enough magic could be used to bring the walls down for the first time. Thankfully, with the return of the Hammer of Thunderbolts, they can be reconstructed without having to abandon the districts.
Infrastructure
Jameleska's massive size has given it multiple impressive infrastructural marvels and landmarks. Within Old Jotunbrygge, the Palace of the Heroes is a romantic styled palace and fortification designed by golden age East Marcian architects. The old city also houses the Lover's Bridge across the river lel, a modern stone bridge with a rare example of gas lighting.
The most famous peice of infrastructure within the city is its famous walls. There are three main rings, forged by the famous Hammer of Thunderbolts. The Inner Wall houses Old Jotunbrygge, the oldest section of the city and built around its original village. These are the thickest and most ancient of the walls. The Middle Walls, just as impressive but much shorter than the inner walls, protect the first suburbs and outlying districts of Jameleska. The outer walls, still standing at around 100ft tall, were much thinner and supported by sand and gravel. These walls remained unbroken for centuries until the Snow Lord's war in 1052, when the outer walls around Vorrenborg were destroyed.
The city also had multiple dividing walls build in sections during the construction of the outer walls. These are smaller and thinner, designed to withstand internal stife rather and a giant attack.
Districts
Rosethrope
Rosethrope is district of two halves. The shoreside holds the general working population, who generally work in fishing, hospitality, and potion making. The district has beautiful layered houses that eave above streets. The industrial sector hugs the walls, and the whole district smells of fragrances .The district is ruled by house Rose, With Lady Alana Rose acting as regent for her father, Roland Rose III, who has been rendered insane after being controlled by Baron Faylock. The district also recently saw a general strike from the Worker's Union, but this was put down brutally by Lady Alana Rose and Horsha Lenn.Areas of note:
- The Dockside Inn: This large, four-story inn is based near the docks. Popular with visitors, it hs two floors of rooms, 1 main drinking floor including a sizable kitchen, and an upper level with some private rooms for gambling and meetings. The inn is run by Erda Fitz-Rose, the daughter of a bastard off branch of the Rose family.Old Jotunbrygge
Old Jotunbrygge is built on and around the ancient village of Jotunbrygge, Most of the old village is now contained within the mighty Chateau walls. The keep dominates the entirety of this district. This is largely a well to do merchant and aristocratic district, well spaced manors and tightly packed brownstones can be found here alongside more ‘premium’ shops. The Royal family rule this district, and the Rosengratz College can be found here. There is no real ‘industry’ here outside of its wealthy merchants and private docks with yachts and party boats.Points of Interest
-Liberation Inn: A large inn near the castle, it is the oldest inn in the district and built on top of the original village inn. The merchants tend to visit this tavern alongside anyone stuck in the district overnight. Quintan Hess runs the tavern with his wife Friga.Palakirk
Palakirk is a smaller part of the city, a wide area separates it from nearby Rosethrope. Less fancy, it is the home of a few traders. Its people generally work as stonemasons and quarriers. Its most notable feature is its large church to St Tara. Palakirk is run by paladin order of St Tara, who are housed in a large Aedrinarian styled temple.Points of Interest
Luristead
A small farming settlement on the banks of the Lel. The people here are generally poor and stick to themselves.Points of Interest
- The Giving Hand: A simple tavern with no rooms. Ran by a tired old halfling named Fred Fogglehorn. He is ready to retire and die soon and he wants everyone to know that. Especially since his family have died in the war, he now has nobody left at all.Storbaer
Amongst the worst slums of Jameleska, Storbaer lies within the middle walls and has a seedy and rotten reputation. A majority farm and food production area, Butchers Row, a large street is fully of butcheries and meat storing warehouses. There is a smell of baked goods and raw meat constantly in the air, and the place is anything but Hygienic.Points of Interest
- The Bloody Apron: A rough but charming tavern on Butchers Row, ran by Pugrath the Fat, a bearded and bald man with an impressive laugh and a waraxe on his side to stop any trouble. - The Darklight Inn: A former inn that was a front for the Jameleskan branch of the Skallen Syndicate. It has been left abandoned after Doomed 2 Die helped to wipe out the syndicate, with its massive dungeons below being constantly patrolled by milita from house Stone. -The Wolf and Raven: A now abandoned inn that is being occupied by Goblins. It is “ran” by Jubilly Jube, a fat and slightly bearded goblin. The tavern is a complete tip. Other patrons include a drunk bugbear named Shrawn, or the “Sipping Sergeant,” the “Rat Whisperer!” goblin with his Flute of Rat Whispering and a diaper on his head, and the Bard, “Compario” who sings a tenor voice and has a long moustache.Lightwater
Lightwater is a wealthy area famous for its Elven and half-elven population and military HQ, Spearfurrow Keep. The district has an elegant and elven style design and numerous elven temples. The district primarily functions as a Market economy, with a grand large market in its centre. The rest work as fishermen or supporting the military. The district is run from an impressive manor near the markets called Castle Snowflower. The Snowflowers run the district.Points of Interest:
- The Trader's Pillow: A large market side in with numerous rooms and stables. The inn is always bustling throughout the day and has an impressive number of staff. The inn is ran by Suri Elistas, a full elf who’s father moved here to fight giants about 600 years ago taking the family with her. Her elderly mother runs the apothecary.Frostshore
This is a busy and poorer neighbourhood devoted to manufacturing, especially textiles. The lack of supplies during the war saw rising tensions between the workers and manufactory owners, but with peace an uneasy truce has been declared between the Worker's Union and the Gloomer family who hold lordship over the district. The streets are cluttered and busy, wide avenues lead to the dockside workshops, with narrow lanes windikng their through homes and tenements. The city is most famous for its smell of burning wool and brick construction work.Points of Interest:
- The Cat and Needle: A pleasant central inn with three floors and boarding rooms, a small stable can be found as well. The sign is pleasant and shows a cat knitting a mouse. It is ran by a Zhonsi Tabaxi named Jungallaar, and their half-elf friend Delin. A popular and promiscuous bard named Cedar plays here, he is human and frequently in trouble with powerful factory owners for his romances.Southam
A large and industrial sector with massive workshops and factories dedicated to engineering machines, military equipment, and whatever suppliers the people need. As such, the region is doused in smog and pollution, gas lanterns can be found throughout the district to illuminate it. The place has a very gothic vibe to it.Points of Interest
- The Coughing Halfling: A simple workers inn that looks like a Victorian pub. It is ran by a gnome family named the Smoggleberrys, with the northern miner stereotype of Gus Smoggleberry running the tavern.Twokirks
Twokirks is an industrial area dominated by the religious classes and is centred around the crafting of stone and religious work. There are two momentous temples in the region, one dedicated to Divinitus, the other to Moradin. Smaller religious settlements, seminaries, monasteries, and reliquaries can be found throughout the district. The district is ran by the Dual Bishopric of Thunderpriest Trosvald Vortinvild and Canon Desrin Monteforte who rule with a religious council in Faith Manor, a large chateau in the centre of the district.Points of Interest:
Wintergate
Wintergate is a medium sized but densely packed industrial quarter and a hub of smithing. The War Smiths are effectively in control of this area and have banned the Worker’s Union, although they work in small groups. An extremist faction known as the “Brothers in Masks” operates terror activities on the war smiths group.Points of Interest
Vorrenborg
This formally densley packed and industrial district was once the heart of weapon production. Contained between the inner and outer walls, Vorrenborg also had two internal walls seperating it from surrounding districts. The area was destroyed by the Snow Lord and his armies during the war, with no current plans to begin redevelopment as the duchy transitions from a war to peacetime economy. The district once housed a few notable landmarks including Weeping Halls Asylum which once housed famous inmates such as Lady Eris Snowfower and Roland Rose III. The district has been partially rebuilt by a group of drunk engineers who have made everything slightly wonky.Olavsbridge
A market district famous for its early third age stone bridge built by the engineer Sormin Olbander. This area housed multiple warehouses and trade depots, it is left largely in ruins with ongoing repair work after the Snow Lord's army launched a last ditch effort to destroy the city. The Olbander markets were an impressive open forum in the neo-marcian style that were once a major tourist destination. The Battle of Olavsbridge heavily damaged them, with a lot of the impressive design work now left in rubble.Ludarbarn
This agricultural district housed the largest inner-walls farm before its destruction before the battle of Olavsbridge. Only about one third of the population managed to escape the destruction, with only a few buildings left standing, including the Shrine to St Casserby.Kordenwall
This large district is dominated by stone buildings and is largely residential, home to many military officers and training grounds. Some supporting industry can be found here, and the area is ran by the Dargurssen family. As such, there is little civilian presence, but what civilians were present are currently holed up in temporary camps in Eldergate after some last hour fighting between the jotun and local military damaged the outlying portions of this district.The Northern Walls
These multiple suburban districts occupy the northern portion of the outer walls. Composed of various areas, they are largely unremarkable sprawls of small wooden homes with spattered markets and inns. The Cavalry have their headquaters here, in the wealthier district of Eldergate. The economy is largely service with minor industry work.Guilds and Factions
Cloud Fetcher Guild
This artificing guild is run by the noble cloudfetcher family and is responsible for the public transit of the city. A private institute, the guild employs nearly three thousand people across the districts from engineers to drivers and labourers. The Guild is the most powerful and wealthy private capital group.Rosengrantz College
A wealthy and elitist private magical school, many third sons or daughters unlikely to inherit noble titles find there way here. The children of wealthy merchants are also pushed to attend, with the graduates earning prestigious positions in the army, manufacturing companies, or aristocratic court. The College is based in the Southbank area of Old Jotunbrygge and brings in much of the commerce for the surrounding area. The school is no contest to somewhere like The Miskatonic, but holds an esteemed reputation within Jameleska.Jameleskan Army
The army is a key part of the local culture. It was formally commanded by Lord Wilbur Vortinvild until his death in the fall of Vorrenborg along with much of the ruling council of generals. Control was transfered to General Alexander Stoneguard of the Royal Guard. The army is currently experience a massive boost in popularity after the war, especially amongst the Scouts division. The army has seven divisions:The Trade Guild
A coalition of merchant societies and companies, the guild help to organize the safe trading and financial operations of the city, helping to run the ports, banks, and organize private financing for enterprise. The Guild is optional to sign up for, and work more as an advisory and standards enforcement agency rather than a powerful faction in their own right. The Guild frequently lobby the government for tax breaks and a more 'lazie-faire' economic style.The War Smiths
The War Smiths are a monopolistic faction of blacksmiths who have systimatically bought up the majority of indepdent blacksmiths in the city. Their connections to nobility have seen them granted lucrative contracts to supply the army and milita with equipment. Despite being amongst the most public facing guild of the city and their dwarven heritage, their smithing is considered substandard by most, with exports of Jameleskan weapons considered "cheap" and those searching Jameleskan trade will opt for items forged by the fire giants of Astergor, a market the War Smiths have failed to overcome.The Worker's Union
See Also Worker's Union The Worker's Union is a labour and trade union organization formed by various working and peasant class groups across the city. They formed in 1001, 3e, during the General Revolt against working conditions in the city after a spate of accidents in the manufactories. The Union helped campaign for fairer housing and work safety in the city, and provide counselling and healthcare to those who cannot afford private apothecaries. The Union faces constant pressure from the nobility and trade guild, but remains popular and galvinzed. In 1051, the Worker's Union of Rosethorpe were destroyed.History
Jameleska's origins are in the early 2nd age, likely during the 6th-7th centuries when Jamel and Valeska returned from Asrinheim to build their own kingdom in Jotun and establish a free port.
Before the founding of the city, the Legend of Jamel and Valeska talks of a small human settlement called Jotunbrygge existed as a frontier outpost in the late first age-early second age. This village also appears in some legends of Thor, it is supposidly the sight he laid down Mjolnir for a hundred years. The village came under regular raids by the frost giants of Jotun, and was directly under the control of a set of three giant lords called the Eternal Ones. These giants were worshippers of Varpak, and had turned themselves into a chimeric beast. The heroes and founders of the city, Jamel and Valeska, ice elves on their early pilgrimage for rites of adulthood came to the village to fight the everlasting one and free the village, they were ultimately succesful but unwittingly absored the divine spirit of Varpak, which would pass down their bloodline.
The village expanded thanks to the work of the two heroes and founders, and when they returned centuries later they began to build a large booming down, becoming the first kings. After their death, supposidly around the 10th century of the second age, the town was a simple free port that came in and out of Jotun control with various jarls taking control until the rise of the Jamelkyn dynasty in the 1480s.
The Jamelkyn dynasty were descendends of Jamel, and had held powerful rank within the town, often alternating with their allies the Valeskir, the descendents of Valeska, in being Jarl. It was Dalion I who began the first proper exapansion, leading a coalition army to defeat the forces of the Frost King in the Battle of Faewood Glen, expanding the city's control and declaring himself King of Jameleska, naming the new kingdom after its founders. Over time, Jameleska became so associated with Jotunbrygge it became the official name of the city as well as its political state. The oldest portion of the city still carries the name Old Jotunbrygge to continue the city's foundational legacy.
The city become a true power for the first time in 1776, 2e, with the assencion of Ragnir I, a member of the Ragnirssen dynasty who assumed control through a duel from the Jamelkyns. The Ragnirssens originated in Drekenheim and supposidly had access to an ancient Derro forge, which they used to build the Hammer of Thunderbolts. With this Hammer, they created the inner walls and its forticiations and waged a new war on the Jotun, suppodibly taking Jastingrag and Theygor.
The Hammer of Thunderbolts became the royal weapon and symbol of power for the city's rulers, and an age of stagnation came with the fall of the Ragnirssens when the ineffectual king Drengar II lost the hammer in a duel with Ragnir III of the Axeholder clan. The city's massive expansion continued for a hundred more years, with the middle walls being completed under the reign of Irgmir, and the last portion of the outer walls being finished by Duchess Fae Snowflower. The Snowflower dynasty claimed descent from the Valeskir clan through marraige. At this time, the middle walls became small settlements and suburbs, whilst the outer walls remained for farmland only.
Outer colonies were lost to renwed offensives from the Jotun, eventually leaving only the city and its impressive walls. By the time of Paladin II, the title king was formally dropped and Duke taken in its stead. This period of decline was made worse when Duke Persperon lost the Hammer of Thunderbolts on a failed war agains the jotun beyond the walls, beginning a period of civil strife throughout the walls.
The loss of territory had forced the population entirely within the walls, and the districts grew with less and less farmland, which saw immense poverty. This issue was only solved by Duke Valiant III, who forged new diplomatic relationships with the human jarldoms and Ice Elf city states, creating a steady supply of food into the city. It was also Valiant who formally reorganized the army under the reforms of Lord Marnius Rose, creating the army as it exists today.
This small revitalization and stablization stopped under the reign of Duke Ivarr the Cruel, whose despotism saw another rise in civil war, with each area of the walls being de-facto indepdent. It took the rise of the Rossendorf dynasty, former Tumbrian nobles, to seize control from Ivarr and retake the districts from the fighting warlords. Duke Karl I was responsible for restablishing the duchy proper, ending the period of anarchy. The city still struggled to rebound, and Duke Wilhelm formally submitted to the Snow Lord, turning the city into a vassal state ruled from Jastringrag by the Snow Lord.
This period of submission allowed the city to subtly crow, the Jotun allowed the city to operate as a freeport, but extracted heavy taxes. This period did see some widespread immigration into the city, bringing new talent and growing the district even more. After 150 years of Jotun rule, Henry I began a rebellion against the Snow Lord, defeating the Giant garrisons and redeclaring Jameleskan independence. During this war, multiple states from around Aedrinar pledged to help, and longships from across the isles turned up to fight for the duke. The war was in a constant stalemate in and around the Titansgrove, with the borders fluxating in and out of the forest and south towards and away from Storonthorpe. In 671, 3e, the Rossendorf line was nearly extinquished when four seperate attacks saw all but one of the children of Duke Mark Rossendorf die.
His daughter, Matilda II, united the most powerful noble houses through marriage, birthing the current ruling dynasty, the Jamelkyn-Rosendorf-Axeholders. The war had waged on for centuries by this point, and both sides had faced severe losses. Under the guidance of the Order of St Tara, the Frost King and Duke Drengar IV, son of Matilda II, signed the Treaty of Lastlight, giving Jameleska massive amounts of territory as a duchy, but still as a vassal of the Snow Lord. The City experience a century of a new golden age, before stagnation and corruption seeped through again.
Jameleska was largely neutral during the 40 year war, but sent some units as part of their oath to the Frost King to help fight in Commonwealth Front. Some of these units fought in the incredibly draining battle of Salian Isle, which helped to reestablish the myth of Jameleskan military might. In 1052, the city was once again plunged into war, with the Snow Lord declaring war and nearly destroying the city as part of his goals to reabsorb the gifts of Varpak from the decendents of Jamel and Valeska.
Maps
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Jameleska
Founding Date
Second Age
Founders
Type
Large city
Population
around 1 Million
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Jameleskan
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
- Session 38: Here there be Giants
- Session 39: The Miserables
- Session 40: A Bath of Mystery
- Session 41: Fall of Faylock
- Session 42: Missing in Action
- Session 43: Answers and Questions
- Session 44: Honour Amongst Thieves
- Session 45: Skallen Betrayed
- Session 46: The Paladin's Gem
- Session 47: Tombraiders
- Session 48: Wall Vorrenborg Falls
- Session 49: The Titans
- Session 50: Weeping Halls
- Session 51: Ballroom Blitz
- Session 64: Battle of Jastingrag
- Session 65: Tales from Jameleska Pt.1
- Session 66: Tales from Jameleska Pt.2
- Session 83: The Clockwork God (Alternate Reality)
- Session 90: Return to Jameleska
- Session 91: Cavern of the Worm
- Session 92: Ruins
- Session 93: The Truth
- Session 94: Return of the Bard
- Session 95: Scions
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