Tourse
Tourse, a walled, wealthy city astride the North Kingdom Road, is the capital of the Duchy of Ysser. In the bustling markets of the city, goods from all over Akados can be bought and sold. The skills of the glassblowers, the gem cutters, and the smiths of Tourse are renowned and produce goods that are often sent by caravan for sale as far as the port cities of Libynos. The taverns of the city are always well-stocked with the famous ales and beers of Ysser, including the annual winner of the Brewers’ Fest in Hogshead Bend.
Due to the duchy’s location in the heartland of Foere in the midst of Akados, many of the noble families of Ysser have long been involved in mercantile businesses, with interests throughout the continent and, in some cases, beyond the seas. As a consequence, a few of those houses have become known for banking, providing letters of credit, safekeeping valuables, and lending through their chapters in key trading cities. The leading banking family in Tourse is House Angot, the head of which is the Margravine Cassandra.
Shortly after Ysser became a vassal of Foere, the dukes granted to a loyal noble family the title of margrave of Tourse, to rule the city proper in the name and on behalf of the duke. About 150 years ago, the title passed to the Angot family, which has used the secular authority so gained to enhance its mercantile interests. In 3510 I.R., the most recent margrave died in his sleep, and being without heir, his widow the Margravine Cassandra took the reins of the city. She is only 43 years old and has many suitors who would wish to gain her title and leadership of the Angot interests. As of yet, she continues to play them against each other while maintaining a firm grip on both city and family. Some have now sought the ear of the duke, suggesting that a successor to the margravine should be identified sooner rather than later. Those who know Cassandra well, however, would advise against underestimating her.
The oldest temple in Tourse is devoted to the worship of Archeillus, who is the patron of the current duke and his family. In fact, the duke requires all of his vassals to attend services there and has been known to frown upon those showing devotion to other gods. The city also boasts a substantial temple to Mitra and smaller temples to Belon the Wise, Muir, and Dre’uain the Lame.
While the Margravine attends services at the temple of Archeillus with the duke, she has been seen quietly worshipping at the temple of Mitra, a fact she has so far been able to hide from Othon.
Capital
Tourse, City of
Type
Capital
Owning Organization
Comments