Pontus Tinigal
Located at the northern tip of Pontos Island, the city of Pontus Tinigal serves as the political capital of the Kingdom of Oceanus. It began its ascendency to prominence in 2765 I.R. when the ruling Kingdom of Foere established the province of Pontus Tinigal on the island, declaring the city bearing the same name as its provincial capital. Shortly after issuing the declaration, resources poured into the previously underdeveloped settlement. Teams of architects and artisans constructed public works, tenements, temples, and a host of other structures to reflect its lofty status as a representative of the kingdom. Endeavoring to use Pontos Island as a crucial port for its oceanic naval ambitions, the Foerdewaith Navy expanded its shipyards and harbor to accommodate an immense fleet within the safety of an inlet. The port’s increased capacity was put to the test in 2970 I.R. when the crusader fleet and army gathered at Pontus Tinigal and Tros Zoas before setting sail for Khemit. Because of the great distance between Pontus Tinigal and Courghais, the overking granted the grand admiral of Pontus Tinigal tremendous autonomy to act independently of the Foerdewaith monarchy. This lapse in judgment would come back to haunt the overking in 3215 I.R. when Maximilian d’Varago Pontos, the grand admiral of Pontus Tinigal, withdrew from Foere and declared himself Emperor of the Oceans Blue. He retained his seat of power in the former provincial capital, and after a series of naval engagements against his former Foerdewaith overlords, the newly proclaimed ruler of the Kingdom of Oceanus crushed his adversary at the pivotal Battle of Kapichi Point, ensuring his kingdom’s survival for at least the foreseeable future.
Despite his resounding victory, the newly crowned emperor refused to sit still and bask in the glory. Virtually overnight, he increased Pontus Tinigal’s shipbuilding capacity threefold, reinforced its already formidable 20-foot-high walls and solid iron gates, laid down concealed obstacles in the waters around the port to impede or puncture enemy vessels attempting to navigate into the harbor, and conscripted thousands of able-bodied men and women into its vaunted marine corps. Three hundred years later, almost 10,000 marines and sailors inhabit the city, though a spate of non-aggression treaties and unofficial truces have eased tensions among the rival naval powers allowing the city to no longer remain on a constant wartime footing. Nonetheless, its shipyards operate around the clock to build galleons, galleys, frigates, and other seafaring vessels for military and merchant fleets alike throughout Akados and far-off Libynos. The empire forbids guilds, yet the skilled craftsmen and laborers who toil on the docks function as an unofficial labor organization policing their own ranks and periodically demanding better pay and working conditions from their disinterested emperor who detests the entity’s existence.
Emperor Roderigo d’Velas oversees his dominion from atop the Helmsman’s Throne within the heavily fortified Almanza Citadel in the city’s central quarter adjacent to the outwardly influential Temple of Quell. Oceanus’ middle-aged emperor of 14 years seeks to maintain the status quo for the time being on the international front, though he has rolled out aggressive domestic reform policies during his tenure. The city has made numerous long overdue infrastructure upgrades and improvements over the last several years in a deliberate effort to distract the common people from noticing the emperor’s harsh crackdown on personal liberties within Pontus Tinigal and his increasing efforts to confiscate private property for real and fictional crimes to finance his lavish expenditures and lifestyle. In addition to pleasing the expensive tastes of Empress Luna Coralona, the philandering husband supports 13 mistresses in Pontus Tinigal alone. The shrewd Luna, the daughter of a Southvale noble, leverages Roderigo’s affairs to her advantage by feigning her love for the hopeless romantic while secretly detesting him.
To a casual observer who looks past the bustling docks and seedy wharfs, Pontus Tinigal more closely resembles a tropical resort city than a military compound. As part of his beautification efforts, palm trees fill many courtyards and streets, while decorative wrought-iron tresses and gates adorn most homes, windows, and outer walls. Yet behind the attractive façade lies an ugly secret. Dagon, the demon prince of the sea, works behind the scenes in Pontus Tinigal to further advance his alien causes. His worshippers often abduct strangers from the city’s streets and sacrifice them to their diabolic lord in bloody rituals carried out in the sewers or an isolated stretch of beach. Some stories even claim the sahuagin join in with them to consume the victim’s warm flesh. While Roderigo and his court publicly profess their faith in Quell, they secretly pay homage to the foul being who allegedly aided Oceanus in its hour of greatest need.
Capital
Pontus Tinigal, City of (Capital)
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Capital
Owning Organization
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