Takatbar
Where Only Stormsong Sleeps
Takatbar is a prosperous and increasingly crowded fortified large town located on the Sea of Sabres Shoreline region of Orogan, halfway between Dralio and Duryad .It is the smallest member city of the Nymphiard Concord, and holds a number of allies throughout the Nymphiard and Durish cities of the Sea of Sabres alike. It is a popular stop for many visiting merchant caravans, especially those en route to the nymphiard capital in the north or to the Sea of Sabres in the south.
The town is alive and full of trade, day and night. Competing trade caravans and trade barges loaded for bear pass through its walls at all hours. The port town was once the most busy and important in the region, and its population endured war, occupation by armed forces, disastrous volcanic eruptions and a devastating plague.
Demographics
As of 32 PC, the town is made up of 30% humans, 25% half-elves, 20% elves, 10% dragonborn and 15% other folk. An average of 4,840 people live permanently in the town, with temporary visitors increasing it to 6,500 in summer and a peak of 7,600 in autumn as caravans made their last run of the year.
Government
Like other cities in the Nympharum Concord, Takatbar is governed by a marquis, supported by the town's merchant princes, who stood in dire opposition to the Crowned Chiefdom of Fionmagh. The marquis in 32 PC is Amadore Zabelarro, who works with the other marquises to keep the Concords population free and independent, and its coin ever-flowing.
Throughout the years, rich Durish families attempted to claim lands around Takatbar, with varied succsess, to strategically place their mercantile operations on the northern shores of the Sea of Sabres
Takatbar owed its long standing independence to historically pleasing any neighbors with big enough armies. If occupied, the town simply waited for the occupants to destroy themselves with time through internal struggles or via battles with other rivals who wanted to claim Takatbar as their own
Defences
The town is policed by the guards from The City Militia of Takatbar – 350 able-bodied men-at-arms, as well as Emerald Enforcers from Dralio, consisting of almost 60 experienced warriors, fighters, and paladins.
Industry & Trade
Takatbar is adjacent to land which was good for farming and ranching, and was near enough to Greyhorn Mounts to support a Mining industry. Most of the wealth, however, was from fishing and hunting of marine animals in the nearby Sea of Sabres for Barracuda, squid, sharks, dragon eel, mahi-mahi, and Sabretooth Tiger Seals
History
Millennia before the Second Era, the Dryadalis Dominion and The Samarid Empire fought a great battle on the land upon which Takatbar would be built. The Khaloni-crafted relic known as the Tomb Titan was used during this conflict, and became buried in the ground.
The city was founded in the late 400's PC, but grew quickly over its 500-year existence. The population rose to over 3000 by 392 AC and over 8500 by 179 AC. Although early growth of the city was stymied by a lack of military support, conflicts with the armies of Cellor, Denok and others who all vied for controll of controll of the city, which spurred its expansion and fortification.
When Takatbar was an independent city, it maintained a loose alliance with coastal cities of Cellor, Denok, Mekisr Altiui, Shalzun, and Port Bardesu, a number of which extended east into the frontiers of the Raihun Wastes
The town was seized by Nympharum just prior to the Ardullearic War in the year 257 AC
Points of interest
Inns, Festhalls, & Taverns
- The Sea Stalion: A quiet inn that was favored by sailors and merchants
- The Rising Red Moon: A modest inn that was run by a short, friendly young human man named Voltignos Durgun. Voltignos came from across the sea, seeking opportunity in prospecting like many others. He soon found that he knew more about running an inn than hunting at sea, and so he established the inn.
- Sunrise Inn; a quiet and comfortable waterfront inn opened in the late 70's AC
- The Wavemaiden: part inn, part dancing, and drinking club, the The Wavemaiden is a favorite among the young people of Takatbar. It was operated by the retired adventurer Veruna
- Seebreeze Inn: A quiet and comfortable waterfront inn opened in the late 300's PC
Temples & Shrines
- High House of Swords and Banners: Colloquially referred to as "the Bloodhall". The biggest temple dedicated to Arden that began as a meeting spot for mercenary companies of the Dralientine Dominion several centuries before 32 PC
- Promenade of Lady Stormsong: a large temple dedicated to the worship of the Tide Mother
Shops & Businesses
- Firelust Forge: A multi-generational family fire genasi operate out of the shop
- Ramón's Open Road: This store offer draft animals and supplies for caravan travel. This shop has been a mainstay of Takatbar for many decades.
- Steam and Steel: This smithy enjoy a friendly rivalry with Guerrero's.
- Guerrero's Garrison: A weapons and armour supplier owned by the Murderous Maiden's Marvels. It is run by Drudo "Goldhand" Guerrero.
- The Takatbar Travelers: The town's eponymous caravan company regularly make trips to Dralio and Cellor.
- The Grand Hoist: This is an expensive, but excellent quality, clothing store run by two brothers from Ternosear.
- Keel Hall Fishyard: Takatbar's market is an open area filled with a maze-like agglomeration of stalls selling all sorts of goods, including crystal perfume bottles from Duryad, magical potions, and spellcasting components of great rarity and power. It is known locally as the Fishyard, and always has fish caught from the Sea of Sabres on sale. Even in the stormy months of winter, brave fishermen brought their wares to the stalls.
Geography
The town is situated in sourthern Nympharum on flat plains, overlooking the Sea of Sabres. Takatbar has a shallow harborage with no real docks. Trade ships' cargoes need to be unloaded onto flat barges and dragged to shore. New ships are constructed on land and pushed into the sea as the town does not have dry docks.
Founding Date
-458
Alternative Name(s)
Jewel of the Sabre Sea, Town Where Only Stormsong Sleeps
Type
Large town
Population
~8,500 (pre-plague) in 26 AC ~4,200 (post-eruption) in 16 AC ~4,840 in 32 PC
Related Ethnicities
Inhabitant Demonym
Takatbarran, Taktabarid
Location under
Owning Organization
Related Professions
Comments