Port De Renard
History
Port De Renard was founded in the Year of Wrath 579, when a safe harbor was found on the southern peninsula of the Continent. This was at the time one of the few safe harbors left before sailors went around the peninsula before heading north in the Pass of Trails. The Trails were renowned even during this time as one of the most dangerous seaways, as it has many sunken pillars of stone just beneath the surface.
The City started out as many of the port cities had, as a seafaring village inhabited predominantly by sailors as they brought goods from the Capital of Galus: Glaion, to the port city just south of Mhuzelt. The sailors of this time appreciated this small harbor and the ability to trade goods with other vessels before setting off north or south. As time went on the village grew into a proper city.
The village at this time was known as Foxes Grove, only a small settlement of a few hundred inhabitants that mostly subsisted off fish and diving for pearls to trade. As the trade route from Mhuzelt and Glaion was becoming more established, the small town began to grow. In the Year of Remorse 578 a particularly wealthy merchant named Charles De Renard planted his roots into the ground. Charles had been smitten with the scenic view that the town offered and was pleased at the pleasant weather.
The Merchant had asked around about the name of the town, amused at the local history of a giant fox having dug out the harbor before the Dawn of Truths. . Charles had decided that the pleasant weather and port access would be the perfect place to start his vineyard in the Glaion Tradition. Over the years Charles De Renard had become a beloved entity in the city as he had a penchant for distributing his wealth to his field workers in the Vineyard. Leading to an ever expanding business of wine and celebration that to this day permeates their culture.
In the Year of Pleasure 588, Charles De Renard had become such an integral part of the area that the name of the Foxes Grove was changed to Port De Renard in his honor. His wine empire has spread to many of the port cities along the Continent, Cities such as Glaion, Hurion, Split Rock, Mhuzelt and many eastern Cities had set up direct trade routes to the small City. This also made De Renard's vessels full of valuable wine to become targets of raiders and pirates. Charles in response with his children put together a fleet of warships to protect their cargo vessels.
Charles' children, chiefly his eldest son Bliese De Renard had taken over his business, when he died in the Year of Joy 599. Bliese had begun an extensive project to erect the famous red brick walls of the city that still exist to this day. He had done this in response to an increasing pressure from seabourne raids on the Vineyards themselves. As the thirsty masses thought the Vineyard was not producing wine as fast as they wanted. In this same time, a true military was raised to protect the city and their citizens from these same threats.
Blaise De Renard had become the Governor of this small City State in the Year of Pride 601. This was a power grab from the standing Elderman of the town, the previous leader of the city was stripped from the history record in a fire that burned down the city hall in Year 1001. Though it is known that this was a contested maneuver on part of Blaise De Renard, though ultimately due to his and his family's popularity in the city, won. Awarding himself the title of Governor. This was likely in response to their rival City of Glaion achieving several military victories in recent years, awarding themselves the same title.
From this point on, the City had come under the direct rule of the De Renard Family. Over time the City would become absorbed into the Kingdom of Galus in various trade agreements and treaties.
Culture
OverviewThe city has fostered an atmosphere of camaraderie and conversationalism. One may find themselves simply walking down a busy market street with the intent of simply purchasing a few goods, but find themselves enraptured in many conversations with the merchants. The merchants in particular have no qualms starting lengthy diatribes about anything that happens to come to mind. Many travelers see the city as one of the most open forums on just about any subject matter.
A traveler will also almost always be invited to private conversations to get their opinion on a matter at hand. Though the City has a way of speaking that leads many to think it is very hostile. This is due to the fact that the residents will speak in loud and combative tones, even if there is nothing to argue about. It does take some getting used to, though should you ask if there is anything wrong, you would be met with a confused look and a dismissal.
Anyone seeking a sense of belonging should turn no further, the Grove of Foxes has become the home to many peoples near and far due to its nature. Many stay for the world renowned wine, many stay for the view and ease of access to various parts of the world. Most stay because the city welcomes all and shuns no one. Well, within reason.
The citizens may turn a blind eye to many acts seen as unsightly, but the Watch is another matter. The City Watch is known by the locals as Casques, shorthand for PeaceKeepers in the region's language. They will not tolerate any infraction of etiquette or crime no matter how small. This has led to the city's streets being relatively secure and safe to roam.
This extreme enforcement of the law has led to a very hard to pin down criminal underground. The criminals of the city may seem like their own spy network to anyone not accustomed to their presence. They are shifty, distrusting, steeped in code and metaphor. They have become locally known as The Foxes, if a citizen says there are foxes about, travelers should worry. While the common citizen will warn anyone and everyone of them being in the vicinity, they do tend to target travelers that they know haven't set their roots in the city's soil, as well as having a target for every wealthy merchant in the city.
Demographics
Notable Lamia Population: Gorgons ~ 4000
Dwarven Population: ~7000
Gnome Population: ~150
Human: ~490,000
Wealth Distribution:
Nobilty: There are 12 Members of the Court of Galus In the Grove of Foxes
Merchants: Making up an extermely sizable portion of the population, ~ 37%
General Labor force: Not limited to low paying jobs, this simply refers to the delination. ~50%
Unspecified: I.E. Travelers, Mercenaries, Tourists, Traveling Merchant Vessels. ~20%
Varience: >3%
Government
While the City is under the control of Duke Jacque De Renard, he is a lesser noble to the King of Galus: Baron of Glaion Lucas Berthelot. The City is under the kingdom of Galus ultimately.
However, in an odd twist, the Merchant's Guild has earned quite a bit of Notoriety in The Grove of Foxes. The Guild itself is responsible for the taxation and managing the citizenship of the City. Thee Guild "advises" the Duke on matters of economic policy and taxation. While this had led many of the citizens to criticize this methodology, Lucas doesn't have any particular issue with how Jacque manages his city.
Citizenship is earned by purchasing a piece of property inside the city limits and maintaining a permanent residence there.
"In an ironic twist of wording inside the policy, only the De Renard family has Citizenship inside the City. The other seven Members of the Court do not, and thus they function as advisors, not lawmakers or judiciaries." -Lucas Berthelot, Year 1221 When questioned about the Right to Citizenship in the Port Cities by one of the Deligates from Mhuzelt.
Law Enforcement:
The City has a somewhat controversial City Watch. They are what many would consider tyrannical, and ever present. The Casques uphold the law to the pen stroke with very little regard to what the law was meant to uphold. This has led to a population terrified of committing any type of transgression, whether it is legal or not. The Court realizes the situation, and sees it more as a benefit. As the population is still generally happy, crime is out of sight out of mind. Very few would consider themselves wronged at the hands of the Casques.
Defences
The City sports an extensive Sea wall around the northern and southern edges of the harbor, to funnel any would be pirate or raid to have to survive a gauntlet of Artillery battery and subsurface defenses of drift nets and rune encrusted mines capably of sinking a ship in a matter of a few seconds.
The outer walls also boast significant portcullis that have only fallen once in their time. During the annexation of the city by the Galus Military stationed in Glaion in the early 800's. The city walls are under the control of the Casques, and maintain yet another extensive array of topside cannons and small arms defenses.
Infrastructure
The most notable feature the city is more than proud to display, are the massive seabound shipping lanes and trade routes. Galus Route . These lanes were dug out with the help of the Wayfares Guild , in a spectacle set up by the Glaion Merchant's Guild. They had hoped that making a show of instantly teleporting away the dredge material, deepening and widening the harbor and sealanes would convince more merchants to stop at the City's Harbor. Well, they were right. In a bright crack of light, a sudden wave as the water filled the void made, the dredge placed in nearby fields, winning the pride of the city as Companies from across the continent flocked to more accessible ports.
Districts
Residential District
This district holds much of the market as well as the housing of the city. Merchant stalls and shops are typically the first floor of any given building, where residents live on the floors above them. Many of the residents who choose to live in this section of the city, tend to be on some type of waiting list to move to a shop they would prefer to live above. Some of the favorites for the denizens are bakeries, perfume stores and breweries.
Travelers of the district cannot help but be hawked at by merchants trying to earn a living. They may also be serenaded by the various residents who have a penchant for playing instruments on the balconies. Or hearing a rousing sonata in an even tamber. Much to the shock of those who don't live in the city, they may also be witness to various lewd acts, as the residents tend to forget that they actually have windows.
The district is a wonderful cacophony of life and commerce.
Port Side(AKA, The Coin Barrel)
All things being equal, Port Side is the seedy underground of the city that has the highest amount of law enforcement patrolling the streets. The Foxes have a base of operations somewhere in the district. Everytime the Casques are close to hunting them down, a leak happens and the Foxes scatter to reform at a later time, bigger in force.
Criminal activity aside, the docks of the city hold massive warehouses that store the many different products brought in from the Galus Route. Many of the breweries and distilleries have a large presence here, their warehouses being some of the most well guarded structures in the city. The Duke's personal storage site is not located here, though many believe it is under a different name.
This is the main artery for trade to pump its way into the city, and export its staple economic products. This is typically the first stop for many traveling through the trade routes, and many who can look past the unsavory aspects of the town, find a certain charm here.
The Vineyards
This is the true life blood of the city. The massive vineyards surrounding the city are a mix of actual farmland and wine production. The food crops are typically being planted at the base of the hills that the Vineyards terraces allow. Each farm specializing in particular grape varieties, common knowledge amongst the farmers is that the grape plants should also be planted with a different herb to distinguish their taste. Though this is more done as a way to fertilize the harsh vineyard soils.
Each hilltop plantation is the seat to a large Villa and wine operation. While this is the least populated district of the city, it holds the most wealth and employment. The Duke's residence is in this district sitting on top of the original hill that Charles had built his home on. His personal Vineyard being called:Chateau de la Vigne.
Founding Date
Year 579
Founders
Alternative Name(s)
South City, Foxes Grove, Vine town
Type
Large city
Population
~500,000
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Comments