Kendari (kɛndari)
Kendari is the largest city in the Southwestern Region, and the fourth largest in the entire Great Ring. It is home to a diverse population of emigrants, attracted by the thriving pearl trade. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, second only to Lifworðig in the total amount of commerce that passes through it. It is located on the southern coast of Lahat, where the Sungai Manambulu empties into the Hema Sea.
The city itself is a study in contrasts. Opulent mansions overlook the sea while neighborhoods full of shacks and huts are filled with the poor. In the heart of the city is an artificially maintained Tau Tanah village, placed there by the Mekongga rulers in their ongoing project to reestablish Kosalo. The narrow, winding streets are filled with stalls selling everything from exotic spices to finely crafted lepa boats. The smell of saltwater and seafood permeates the air, mingling with the aromas of spices and incense.
The heart of Kendari is the bustling marketplace, where merchants from all over the Great Ring gather to trade their wares. The market is also home to numerous taverns and inns, where sailors and traders can find a warm meal and a bed for the night. Canals snake through the city, with bridges crossing over them to connect the different districts. Also, the Sungai Manambulu runs through the heart of Kendari, connecting it to the interior of Lahat and providing most of the city's fresh water.
The pearl trade is the lifeblood of Kendari, and the city is home to numerous pearl merchants and traders. The Tau Dilaut, the native sea nomads of Lahat, are renowned for their pearl diving skills and trade their valuable pearls in Kendari's markets. The competition for the finest pearls is fierce, and disputes often escalate into violence and bloodshed.
The city is also the base of the Kendari Couriers, the organization which carries messages and packages around the Great Ring. They also serve to carry news throughout the islands, and many businesses rise and fall based on the timeliness and accuracy of their reports.
Demographics
Kendari is a melting pot of cultures and ethnicities, with a diverse population of emigrants attracted by the city's wealth. The majority of the population is made up of humans of many ethnicities, but there is also a community of Naga expatriates. Dòbhran Selkies are not uncommon either, as the seal-people make incredible pearl divers, although most choose to return home after a few years. The most common ethnicities are Mekonggans and the Tau Dilaut. The total population is estimated to be between 220,000 and 250,000 people, depending on exactly where and who is included.
Government
Kendari is governed by a council of merchants. Seats upon the council are bought and sold, and the trade in council seats is a frequent subject of conversation in the city. This system predates the establishment of the Kingdom of Lahat, and retaining it was a key element in the negotiations that saw the city surrender to the Mekonggan army. The council is responsible for maintaining law and order in the city, regulating the pearl trade, and overseeing the city's infrastructure. The council operates almost entirely independently from the kingdom, a fact which remains a thorn in the side of the highly ordered and structured Mekonggan government, but they tolerate it for the sake of Kosalo, and for the tax revenue that the city pays each year. The council is notoriously corrupt, and several criminal organizations hold as much sway as any legitimate business over their decisions.
Districts
Kendari has several districts, each with their own character. The Mutiara Quarter sits upon the hills overlooking the city, and is filled with grand mansions belonging to the wealthiest merchants. The Pearl Market, where the most expensive luxuries are bought and sold, is located there, as is the Kendari Councilhouse and the Gihuk Foundry which produces the currency used throughout the region. West of the docks, the Lepa district has the Salt Market, which is filled with more common commodities, especially fish. The Boli Togo is the poorest and most dangerous district of the city, where crime and poverty are rife; Boli Togo translates roughly to 'the Pit' - plague and floods are common throughout this area of the city. Taverns and inns can be found in all parts of the city, but the best known are the Kotu Timu Inn and the Alea Laulu Tavern. The Kotu Timu Inn is one of the most expensive and opulent places in the city. It is located in the Mutiara Quarter on the Pearl Market itself, and only the most wealthy and powerful stay there. In contrast, the Alea Laulu (which translates roughly to 'Sailor's Delight') is the city's largest tavern and brothel, found in the Lepa district. It has rooms and entertainments suited to all budgets, and many sailors will spend all of their time and money in its smoky rooms.
Geographic Details
Location: Lahat, Southwestern RegionLatitude: 23.72 degrees North
Longitude: 63.13 degrees West
Routes
Land- Ratubala: Follow the Sungai Manambulu north to Ratabula. ~180 miles.
- Higashiyama: Sail around the coast of Lahat, then north to the island of Gyeongseong. ~1100 miles.
- Mynilad: Sail west-southwest to the Bay of Mynilad. ~2350 miles.
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