Kordsmark
Located far into the northern tundra in the western corner of the continent is a large and very old city which sprawls around a large geothermal lake. Named for its importance to the followers of Kord, the city is a neutral city state that is ruled by a council of leaders.
Government
The Council of Kordsmark sets the laws for the city and much of the surrounding region, they collect taxes from property owners in the city. A substantial power within the council are the guilds which have their own separate organizing structure. This organization deals with the majority of the bureaucracy.
Industry & Trade
Exports - incredibly fine metal work, special method of metalworking that uses the hot pools and the sulfur that forms on certain parts of the lake for smithing. Furs and other material components of animal life in the north, sold exclusively in the south, specializes in bulk sale, more convenient and large scale than other places.
Infrastructure
The city has three separate distinct sections that surround the large lake in the center.
The old city is as the name implies the oldest part of the city and is where the founding temples are located as well as the statue of the first warrior, along with the Virkis (Mage College). This section is located on the southeastern side of the lake, it is the smallest section and is surrounded by a very old fortified wall which designates the old boundary of the city when the old city was all that existed.
The New City is located directly north of the lake and is the newest and wealthiest section of the city. It is slightly larger than old city and has its own separate fortified wall. The center of the new city is where the massive and ostentatious Guild Hall is located.
Sprawling across the southwestern to western banks of the lake is the third section of the city unofficially called the frost slums it is the largest and poorest district.
History
This city is founded around the place on Yonder where it is said Kord reached out and touched the land. A mighty battle was being waged between the forces of the dwarves and elves when a tribe of barbarian goliath seeing the battle taking place and seeking glory decided that despite being outnumbered on a massive scale they would attack both armies at the same time. The sheer surprise and ferocity of the barbarian attack gave the dwarves and elves pause. Almost all of the barbarians were slaughtered within the first few minutes of joining battle the sheer numbers overwhelming them. But one goliath stood out, despite hideous wounds that should have killed a lesser man outright he fought on slaying all that stood before him. Eventually both armies pulled back from the berserker and he fell to his knees now that he had no one else to fight, It is then said that a beacon from the heavens shone on this bloody and dying goliath. And Kord himself came down from the heavens to lift up the goliath and bring him to his hall in the sky. Upon seeing this both armies commanders were stunned and decided that there was no longer a need to fight in this spot. So first a statue was erected of Kord placing his hand on the shoulder of the kneeling goliath. Eventually a town grew up around it and the Temple of Kord was founded in that same spot.
Tourism
Kordsmark is a very important location to followers of Kord, who make pilgrimages from all over the world to see the site of where their god is said to have touched the land. It is also not entirely limited to followers of Kord as there are large and important temples to all of the primary deities within the city as well.
Architecture
The most unique feature of many buildings within the city is the solid stone walls that make up the north western side of any building that isn't built within protective fortifications. This is a feature that is essential to the survival of the residents as the storms that come from the north west are occasionally powerful enough that buildings without such walls are blown away. Much of the rest of the architecture of the city is inspired by giants and the goliath tribes of the reaches.
Geography
The city is located atop a massive and ancient sunken volcano which is what created the lake in the center of the city. It goes by the name Fell Hild Saer, which means sunken mountain lake in giant.
To the south a wide and smooth river flows for many miles out of the lake and into the western ocean, this is the primary trade route for all ships coming to and leaving the city. The river is named Vatn Fastr - which means fast river in giant.
Natural Resources
There are many mines in the hills to the east of the city, the primary metals extracted are copper, lead, and iron.
There are massive herds of elk that migrate across the reach to the east, as well as massive yaks. All of which are hunted for their meat and hides.
In the ocean to the north west of the city in the springtime whales migrate to the region to give birth. There are many whaling vessels which sail out of Kordsmark that hunt the massive creatures, as well as specialized vessels which hunt the killer whales in the area as well.
Founding Date
1456
Type
Large city
Population
80,000
Location under
Included Locations
Owning Organization
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