Vvathaf
Over four and a half millennia ago, humans formed the Ronis Culture along the southern shore of what is today the Mare Orientalem. As their descendants migrated away from this ancestral homeland, they spawned many other ethnicities over time. Some, however, remained in their ancestral home, finding a subsistence farming the plains and fishing the waters of the sea. Over time, they settled in small villages, some of which grew.
Of these people, nine great tribes, each ruled by a warrior caste - the Bithu - rose to dominance and settled in a massive community. The community flourished and became a city. The city continued to grow and is today known as the Free City of Vvathaf, which is beholden to no great power and ranks as their equal on the stage of history.
Government
OVERVIEW
Vvathaf has been ruled by a Council of nine Councilors, chaired by the High Councilor, whom they elected from among their number. The Councilors originally represented the 9 tribes that settled Vvathaf. Each of the tribes settled in a different part of the city, so their authority was is based on the nine Districts of Vvathaf, instead. The Councilors were elected from among the aristocracy of their District, though for most of the districts that election was mostly pro forma and, in practice, was semi-hereditary.City Governance
The Council met as needed, but no less than one full council day per month (usually the first day of the month in question). They decided matters of law, trade with other states, treaties, taxation, etc. In the instance of disputes between two or more districts, they served as the court for those matters. They were also the appellate court of last resort for matters decided by the district Constables. In addition, the Council elected a Lord Mayor, a Harbormaster, the Grand Marshall of the City (responsible for defense of Vvathaf, as a whole), and whatever ambassadors and other foreign service officials it deemed necessary and proper at any given time. The Lord Mayor, Harbormaster and Grand Marshall each served a term of 10 years or life, whichever ended first. None of those three office holders could be relieved during their appointed term, except by unanimous vote of the Council. These three office holders also chose assistants (usually designated as deputies, sometimes with a rank, i.e. First Deputy Harbormaster or Third Deputy Grand Marshall) to assist with the execution of their duties. Finally, the Council directly oversaw the Treasury and the Mint. They appointed civil servants, usually from the wealthier class, but outside the formal aristocracy, to manage these two institutions. These civil servants were known as the Treasurer and Minter, respectively, and their assistants were simply referred to as such (i.e. Assistant Treasurer). Councilors took turns directly overseeing these institutions on a weekly basis, to ensure the Treasurer and Minter were not embezzling funds.District Governance
Each Councilor also oversaw their district's Four Chamberlains - the Marshall (responsible for defense of the District), the Lord of the Granary (responsible for siege provisions, but also taxation and inspection of foodstuffs and potables, including alcohol), the Collector (responsible for collection of taxes and fees that fall outside the purview of the other Chamberlains, as well as administration of contracts and expenditures for the District), and the Constable (responsible for public order, the jail, the courts, etc.). The Four Chamberlains in each district were appointed by the district's Councilor and served until death or dismissal by the Councilor with the consent of at least two of the three other Chamberlains. Each of the Chamberlains, in turn, appointed whatever secretaries and under-secretaries they deemed appropriate for the administration of their offices.Defences
City of Vvathaf, Proper
Vvathaf, situated on a rocky outcrop 17 feet above the surface of the Mare Orientalem, is fully enclosed in a 30 foot wall eight feet thick. It is punctuated by 50 foot towers every 75 feet. The walls and towers are surmounted by stone hoardings fashioned by dwarven masons from the west, and the roofs are shale to make them fire-resistant. There are three gates into the city - the Harbor Gate, the Plains Gate (which lies on the south wall on the road to the Krunnic Gap), and the Zhækhtu Gate, on the northeastern side of town along a land route to the eponymous city state. The opening where the main sewer exits the town is protected by three layers of iron grates. The Grand Aqueduct soars over the city wall on the west, only splitting and descending once within the city walls.Vvathaf Harbor
A fortified harbor sits below the city and outside the walls, but is protected by its own walls that extend 300 feet into the sea. They are 15 feet in height above the surface and feature ballista platforms 20 feet in height every 50 feet. These walls are topped by double-sided battlements, as are the ballista platforms (thought the ballistae sit above the crenellations to allow free fire). A harbor chain can be raised to close the harbor in case of attack by sea. The harbor is connected to the main city by a fortified roadway known simply as the Causeway. The Causeway is 50 feet wide, with battlements, and features four switchbacks as it climbs the 17 feet to the Port Gate into the city proper. An enclosed tower with arrow slits rising 30 feet over the surface of the road stands at each of the switchbacks and is accessed via a covered stone walkway from within the city wall, with no direct access from the Causeway or the harbor. Currently, the harbor is under the control of the Khitu-Maarivet Alliance.Infrastructure
Water
The water needs of the city are largely fed by by the Grand Aqueduct, an arched and fortified aqueduct running from the dwarven hills to the west of town, fed by a great artesian spring there. Each district features an outlet from the Grand Aqueduct, as well as a smaller emergency well. They all have their own jail, district hall, treasury, armory, and granary, as well. The central district also features a great cistern, fed by the Grand Aqueduct.Roads
Within the city, the main roads (roads running between districts or from the gates to the central district) are well paved in sandstone flags and are about 50 feet in width. Secondary roads (the primary roads within each district) are paved with river stone cobble and are in generally good repair and about 20 feet in width. the main roads and secondary roads feature oil lamp street lights every 30 feet. Alleys and paths are mud and are 5 to 8 feet in width and are unlit, save for the odd torch sconce or lantern at the door of a home or tavern (though most homes lack these amenities). The central district, except for the lavish gardens kept by the council for beautification, is perfectly paved in smooth white granite flags imported from the hills to the west and laid by dwarven masons, who return every few years to re-level the flags and replace broken ones.The Districts
Each district is separated from the others by a 10 foot high, 3 foot thick wall, with limited access points from district to district, though those access points are simple archways and do not feature gates. In many cases, a main road runs between the walls of the separated districts. A great central district was dominated by the Palace of the Council, but was also the home of the Treasury, the Mint, and the Armory, all of which have been raided and burned, now. The central district was also the main commercial and religious center of the city. Businesses and shrines exist in other parts of the city, but most business had been transacted in the central region of the city.Sanitation
The central district features a submerged sewer; however, it feeds into an open-ditch type sewer system that runs through the rest of own and dumps into the sea half a mile north of the city. Additionally, each district has a midden heap where solid waste is disposed of. Crews constantly transport the midden from these heaps out of the city walls to a vast dump to the south of the city.Guilds and Factions
Council of Vvathaf
The Council held together the populace of Vvathaf and governed the whole of the city. Members of this faction included the Nine Councilors, the Lord Mayor, the Grand Marshall, and the Harbormaster, along with their deputies and various functionaries. Their priority was order and stability, as well as the overall security and safety of the city at large.Brotherhood of Ruzh
The Brotherhood maintain a chapter here under the leadership of one Father Ruzhu, a mysterious figure. He commands upwards of a dozen subchapters throughout the city. In comparison to the population of this massive city, they are relatively few in number, but if they were to gather, they would represent a significant force. With the collapse of the Council, Father Ruzhu has gained a larger following, as people look to any source for security and leadership.The Sirens
The Sirens, both the Fleet arm and the Fence arm had become a major thorn in the Council's side. The Fleet had completely cut off trade in the southern Mare Orientalem. The result was the rapid collapse of the Vvathan economy, followed by the collapse of the civil government.Masonic Fraternity of Zeddokk
This guild represented the work crews from the masonic clans of the city of Zeddokk, who maintain and build much of the stonework in the city. It is at odds with the Brotherhood of Ruzh, and several brawls and skirmishes have broken out between the Journeymen and sympathizers of the Brotherhood. They have departed the city in the wake of the collapse of government.The Legion
In the Free City of Vvathaf, not including the Fence, there are four distinct thieves' guilds. The most powerful of these is the Legion. The Legion controls three districts (Khitu, Ynark, and Pes), plus carries out a significant operation in the Central District. Traditionally, they also controlled the Harbor District, but they had nearly been pushed out by the Fence, until the capture of the Pirate King resulted in the dissolution of that organization. Grapos the Mind has been waiting and watching, trying to discern how the current semi-anarchy will shake out, before making any territorial moves.Black Chevron
Black Chevron was a criminal enterprise that controled the Ukhut and Vvenithu Districts as well as conducting minor operations in the Central District with the approval and cooperation of the Legion. With the collapse of civil government, they siezed full control of those districts and are the de facto ruling authority, there.Mother's Milk
Traditionally the lower classes in the Azhur and Marivvet Districts existed in a kind of client-patron relationship with the organization known as Mother's Milk. The enterprise looked out for them and did specific favors for them in return for unspecified service at a time and place of the criminals' choosing. When civil government collapsed, Mother's Milk stepped in and kept services operating in Azhur, though they lost their foothold in Marivvet. They have fully siezed control of the government of the Azhur District, however.Shadow
Shadow was the weakest of the thieves' guilds in Vvathaf. They controlled the Tækh and Thurg Districts. They were technically a client guild of the Legion, which the Legion allowed to operate autonomously in their territory in exchange for a tithe. When the government collapsed, the Shadow tried to sieze control of Tækh, but were wiped out.History
On the 52nd of Thuyir in the year 8089 AF, a commoner named Alvvir from the Thurg District led an uprising against the Council of Vvathaf, in protest of the complete lack of trade. Given the spice shortage the year before, common sentiment was on his side, and he was quickly joined by thousands of angry Vvathans. Three days later, he led his small army up the hill to the Central District, which they pillaged and plundered. Unfortunately, when he tried to impose his own order on the mob he created, he was slain, and the government of Vvathaf was no more.
The Councillors of Khitu and Marivvet were fortunate enough not to be in the Central District that day and quickly ordered the fortification of their adjoining districts, forming the Khitu-Marivvet Alliance. Azhur is ruled by Mother's Milk, while the Black Chevron owns Ukhut and Vvenithu. The remaining districts are in a full state of anarchy.
Ancient Xrugish City
Vvathaf is one of the oldest continuously inhabited human cities on the Corvalan continent. It was first settled around 3000 years ago by Xrugs, an ancient Ronic people distantly related to the Meljurs. Those who settled along the coast at Vvathaf (among other places, including Zhækhtu) became the Ruzh people who live there now.Aristocratic Oligarcy
The city is dominated by an aristocratic caste called the Bvithu. From their ranks, they select the Councilors of Vvathaf, who rule the city. The Bvithu carry themselves as a breed apart from the rest of the Ruzh, though not in an intentionally cruel way. They do, however, cling to power very strongly and effectively and entry into the Bvithu is impossible for those not born to it.Maps
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Free City of Vvathaf
Founding Date
circa 2,300 B.A.
Alternative Name(s)
Vvathaf
Type
Large city
Population
636,221
Inhabitant Demonym
Vvathan
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