[Discussion] City Profile - Medonia (Autumn Era XIII Post Fractum onwards)

[La'Forge]

City Name: Medonia

Population: 500,000 citizens comprised of:

• 62% human
• 10% elf (lightborn)
• 10% fae
• 8% rodenti (6% relequis)
• 6% halfling
• 4% other races

Political Affiliation: The Allerian Empire

Exports: paper, textiles, livestock (of the cattle/sheep type) and by products (leather, meat, shoes etc), whiskeys, wines and ciders, glass, furniture

Imports: raw metals, precious metals, pottery, wood, spices, fruit

Publications: Southern Suns Journal; distribution centre for the Herald

Abstract: Ancient capital of Enamoria, full of political and social intrigue, where nothing is as it seems.

Geography and Climate

Medonia is located in the south of the Empire along the coast of the Sea of Diana. It's southern borders look out over the sea. To the east are two rivers: the Roland River which runs through the city and the Julianna River. Port Alyxandrya lies to the east of Medonia, where the provincial navy is based. The north western crest of Medonia is bordered by the Midlands woods and to the north lies New Coldmoon. To the west are the forests where deep inside the mysterious Circle resides and a road heading southwest leads to the village of Starkville.

The climate of Medonia is Mediterranean – omg – someone tell me the correct term for weather that’s nice and sunny for most of the year and hot during summers. Winters would bring cooler temperatures, but snow is a rarity. Rainfall is greatest during the winter and late autumns, which can make the city rather damp and gloomy during those months.

The proud city of Medonia is an old and civilized place populated by a proud and predominantly human population, though all species are tolerated. Gothic architecture adorns the walled city, and it is said the gargoyles on the walls have seen more blood spilt over the ages than any other city. It is very easy to lose oneself in the labyrinth of streets and alleys makes up this city, with bridges crossing the River Roland where it divides the city in half. There are quarters that remain desolate due to the devastation caused by the Feeble Pox, particularly in the north east of the city, yet these are slowly being repopulated due to the policy of free housing during era XI and XII.

To the southwest is the government area of Medonia known as the Pnyx. This citadel overlooks the city and houses all government buildings, noble offices, as well as the famous Julianna Palace home to the governor of Enamoria. The grand Plaza of the Unicorn is located two or three blocks away from the Pnyx. This is where the citizens gather for socializing, market, festivals, public executions, and other large events. The Medonian Guard barracks and headquarters are to the north of the city.

Though it's size is small and it's location is hidden behind the maze of streets, Medonia's Faillegrove Park is a favorite place for many. Home to the Pondertree, Faillegrove Park was the one and only place in Medonia not to have been struck and crippled by the Pox. This miracle has been attributed to the mysterious powers of the Pondertree. At the start of summer, Era XII, though, the Pondertree decided to leave the city – outcome of this event still being roleplayed.

The architecture of the city is primarily of grand, grey stone gothic in those areas which have survived the longest. Housing to the north-east is the poorest, made of wood or stone and much fell into disrepair here during the quarantine of the Pox eras. The Faillgrove District buildings are much influenced by the Pondertree, which when awakened covered a quarter of the city with plant life. Negotiations with the Pondertree allowed for this growth to be fashioned into living spaces, giving it a unique aspect. The city wharves were also redesigned during this time and the city fortifications were strengthened after the battle with the Dark Alliance.

Outside the city, there is farmland, much of which has been recently allocated free to citizens who wished to work the land, although large tracts are held by the noble families of the area.

History

Medonia has a vast history of conflict, and is one of the oldest cities on the Medonian Continent, predating Alleria Prime.

The name "Enamoria" is a synthetic one applied by Allerian militarists who grouped the region as such for conquest. In truth, only a fraction of it was populated by a majestic diversity of faeries, elves, halflings, and humans, under the reign of the benevolent Kingdom of Medonia. This great Kingdom was synonymous with justice and freedom, and governed its lands with fairness and equity. Unfortunately, Medonia was unprepared for an Allerian invasion.

Emperor Constantine ordered the Imperial Consul Ryan von Oreskovich to perform a lightning attack through Sherian and quickly obtain it so that Imperial forces could concentrate on claiming the prize of Medonia. Indeed, small shires and townships offered no resistance and pledged fealty to Alleria at contact, but Medonia steadfastly refused under Queen Gwendolyn, who was versed in the art of politics. While Medonia began to build an army, realizing that the Allerian Empire would attempt to "liberate" her lands in due time, the Emperor amassed a brilliant strategy.

After Queen Gwendolyn abdicated the throne when she inadvertently plunged Medonia into financial crisis with the military buildup, Constantine adopted Medonian Queen Juliet, who, being far less wise than her predecessors, found herself mysteriously killed by brigands in the forest one day. Alleria moved in and overtook the city of Medonia, the largest city on the continent at the time with over 900,000 citizens, without a single drop of blood being spilled.

Medonia remained a province, under that very name, until the Reign of Terror and the subsequent invasions of the brigands passed through her lands. Medonia was not spared from the cruelty of brigands and pirates during this troublesome time, and until liberated by Lt.General Dervan - later to be given leadership of the Enamoria Legion- witnessed the systematic butchering of faeries and elves. The cruelty of this "Halcyon Holocaust," as it has been called, resulted in the massive campaign to restore Medonia and, eventually, proclaiming Enamoria a province again.

Lord Kaltas increased his province's stature when Empress Alyssa Chrysinaria reorganized the provinces in the second year of her reign. The city of Port Alyxandrya was recognized as the alternate capital of the Empire, should Alleria Prime (however unlikely) ever fall into disorder or capture. The Great Hall of the Pnyx is able to double as quarters for the Imperial Government as well as Provincial Government.

In recent eras Medonia has had to battle both within and outside her walls. The war between Malice and Daltina saw approximately 1,000 of Medonia's sons killed. But these numbers were small in comparison to the number that had been murdered by the Feeble Pox in their own backyard.

People within the city were quick to take advantage of the dire situation. The Thieves' Guild and the Cadre rose to power in different arenas: the Thieves' through business and the Cadre through politics and fear. Both organisations have been quite of late due to the influence of a particular persuasive Mage.

Government

Noble Houses

Militia and Military

Religion

Society and Culture

Though the women's gowns aren't catchy enough for sore eyes, the Medonian dames are now fancying high-waisted dresses. Too many low-waisted gowns were crossing the gates and finally a blunt woman of 80 eras sewed a bright, yellow, but still disturbing dress. Many, despised the outrage attire for it's color, but once when a younger, prettier woman modeled the dress, it was found irresistible and even more so when it became popular to cut a slit along the bottom, to glace, just barely at a woman's ankles. If that weren't enough, many feminine girls found it proper to where these new fashionable gowns to most formal accounts and even Madelynn Foster, of Medonia blushed when she quoted,
Quote:
"Aye, I received more requests for my partnership in dancing since I started this fashion, I believe whoever is sewing these gowns is making a fortune!"
And the blunt woman of 80 eras was, living now in a mansion, tight against the sea. Semora Clissia was her name, and how she fancied it. Wearing fur peticotes and gowns fit for a young woman, Semora quoted,
Quote:
"Tis true milord, I've been having trouble resisting comments on my fabulous gowns that I sewed. And now I've almost 50 workers sewing to my preferences, getting paid well...I'm happy, the workers are content, the women are happy for being so fashionable, what more can we ask for?"
Major Landmarks

FalleGrove Park - Home to the Pondertree, a treant with much power. The Pondertree covered nearly a quarter of the city with abundant plant life when it was awakended. Negotiations with the Pondertree allowed for this growth to be fashioned into buildings and homes. FailleGrove Park was a haven from the Feeble Pox, the magic of the treant protecting those close by.

Maeveon Collegio De Enamoria - Re-opened under the name of Maeveon Collegio De Enamoria, this is an affiliation of faculties rather than a single school, situated in various buildings scattered across the city. These are the Grigorum School of Law (law and politics), the Grigorum Technical Institute (gadgeteering), the De Saals Center (History, Persuasion, Cultural Studies) and the Burrows Academy (Mysticism, Druidism).

The Pnyx -

Economy

Benefits and Dangers

- Original By Chocolate
-------------------------------------------------------------------------



CURRENT TASK:

There are a lot of blanks to be filled and things to be added to the above. Any faithful Medonians should come help us out here and cleanup our great city YOU see anything that should be up there? Post here and I'll keep everything nice, neat, and updated. So lets get cracking!

[Alexis Sapientia]

Just off the top of my head...

The Plaza of the Unicorn, Medonia's main square
The Royal Bank of Medonia, which is to the side of the same
Julianna Palace and that (ruined?) temple across the pynx (see the map)

It's also got one of the (two?) Imperial Printing Presses and most of the established noble houses.

[La'Forge]

In addition to the above city outline, lets start brainstorming and sifting through Locations that are in the city right now. Do we really need all of them? Which ones should be put away? Or do we need more locations? Throw out ideas and location descriptions if you can. The more material we have, the more we can get things rolling for this city.

Alexis >> Thank you for dropping in I think those locations are already in the link in the paragraph above. Are they accurate right now?

[Rougenoe]

Redman Dock Hostel: Owned by yours truly, a converted brigantine moored at the docks that offer shipgoers and landlubbers both an inexpensive and spartan lodging.

Kailfreet Shipping: Three large private warehouses side by side owned by the Kailfreet family in addition to the small merchant fleet they operate. Made with huge timbers they all but dominate the docks. Red and blue clad workers can be seen hustling about the docks loading and unloading docks under the caustic eye of the burly Murfreet the operations manager who has a private office in one of the massive warehouses.

[La'Forge]

Rougenoe >> you want to have a go at trying out for a description Kailfreet Shipping? Since at this point there are no reference materials, you can be as creative as possible. At the same time you will be credited with the description, of course which has to be approved by Heartbreaker, but I'm sure we'll love it judging from the way you handled the description for the Redman Dock Hostel. Let me know if you are interested in doing that. If not, no worries

Once the Redman Dock is approved, it'll go into the link list!

[Rougenoe]

-scratches back of head-

Aww shucks, y'all act like I write real goods. Sure I'll try my hand at Kailfreet. I fethin' hope Rougenoe ends up meeting someone from the fethin' family, seems like the poor boy's spent half his life working for that name.

[Rougenoe]

Kailfreet Shipping, The Heart of Enamoria’s Trading.

On the western edge of the crescent of Medonia’s docks sit a row of overpowering warehouses. Hewn from huge timbers courtesy of Enamoria’s forests and floated down to the ancient capital the warehouses dwarf the other private and public structures. Whitewashed the row of uniform warehouses are upstage the looming crenellations of the Pnyx walls. Standing sentry against stone walls the buildings watch stoically over the gentle curving line of moored ships. These buildings are the pecuniary lifeblood of Enamoria. The Kailfreet house handles nearly the entirety of Enamoria’s trading.

Across the wharf sit a hodgepodge of ships in differing sizes flying the pennants of the Kailfreet house. Beneath flags flapping in the sea breeze scores of men in red and blue livery carry heavy loads between whitewashed sentinels and ships. These men come in all shapes and sizes but wear the same colors. Each one wears a pair of loose flood pants in a brilliant blue cinched with a wide leather belt to protect against hernias. These company men sport heavy leather bracers on their forearms and red bandanna tied about their foreheads to keep the sweat out of their eyes. The dock is a collection of grunting men glistening with sweat in the hot sun making honest crowns with their arms and backs.

The middle giant has a sign hanging over its massive double door portal. Scored into the wood and neatly blackened with ship tar is the name “Kailfreet Shipping.” And while the buildings are expansive from the outside the insides are cramped. Stacks of crates, barrels, sacks and jars soar towards the ceiling making anyone who steps inside feel insignificant and miniscule. Right inside the doorway is a raised platform that holds a small office. Behind the office is a small room filled with files of manifests and order contracts.

Standing outside the office is a middle-aged human with slightly receding hair. Burly arms drape across the railing as he seems to leisurely watch the back and forth movement of dockworkers. He seemed leisurely except for his eyes. Somber, stern eyes that watched every movement and noticed every piece of cargo being toted about. James Murfree a dock veteran who climbed the shipping game ladder and now ran the Medonian branch operations of Kailfreet Shipping. A man of directness, he speaks little and then with a stern punctuality. Murfree seldom laughed and the corners of his lips curled slightly down in a perpetual grim expression. The operations manager could usually be found overseeing the work of blue and red clad workers or in his office, mechanically filling out paperwork behind a brass plaque with his name on it.

Jobs
Dockworker: (no info form Aqua)
Sailor: (no info from Aqua)
Office clerk: This is the only job Aqua ever wrote about. Judging from the way Murfree has been played I don’t think he would offer clerical training he’s too busy anyhow. Starting pay is a generous 50 crowns a cycle, work eight brightenings per cycle with opportunities for advancement (hell if I know what that would be, probably manager or assistant manager of one of warehouses).
That should just about cover everything I think. -scratches head- I guess this means there are supposed to be Kailfreet Shipping hubs in all of Enamoria’s larger cities and I’m pretty sure no one else has written them up… might need to coordinate that in realmcraft. I thought 50 crowns a cycle was a heck of a deal… its more than I give myself per cycle from the Redman -_-

Unless of course some sympathetic GM or AGM thinks Rougenoe’s hostel should be making more money –gives puppy dog eyes-

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

I'd figure a dockworker would just be moving boxes and crates, basically. 30 crowns a cycle, something measly like that, as it's a job for people who can't get better jobs.

We did actually have a thing worked out with Abestat back when Abestat was open where there was an actual trade route. I think offloading and such tends to be handled by local companies, however. Kalifreet wouldn't have an office presence much outside Enamoria, I don't think, though his ships would be everywhere.

The company providing the supplies in the Abestat trade route thing was actually Gorman Imports, headed by one Roger Cranshaw. That's a location that should probably be written up. There's a fairly good description in at least two old threads with Faust (I'm about to dash off to work, or I'd dig up the links right now.)

btw -- I really like that writeup for Kalifreet shipping, Rougenoe ^_^

[La'Forge]

Nicely done Rougenoe *gives him a pat on the back* Ditto to what Aqua said, and I think the sailors should get around 40 crowns, just because their labor is somewhat more skilled than a dockworker. I've been given the green light and approve both locations to be put into links and threads. And regarding how much you pay youself from the hostel. Play around with it IC, and maybe have a moderated thread with you trying to get more customers into the establishment. If everything goes well, we might be able to get you to improve your current income

Gorman Imports sounds like a good addtion to the city as well. I await the links with much anticipation Valanthia. Thanks for dropping by

[Valanthia L'Evienne]

Happy to stop in ^_^

The good links for Gorman Imports are here and here (from post 8 onward). I might be able to do a proper writeup.

Reading these reminded me that I should probably do a writeup for Larothiet Dilae, Armorer's office too.

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

Just because I can.

Abstract: Ancient capital of Enamoria, full of political and social intrigue, where nothing is as it seems.

May also wish to add in there that it's the Empires reserve capitol city or second capitol city if you wish.

32% of 500k = lightborn elves

.....................

You may want to lower that my good whatever you are. There was discussion about elvish populations in the GMC a while ago. Note that the modly kids agreed to lower elvish populations in the cities to lower then that of the Syl elf population. Granted Medonia is where the Med elves basically come from, but remember how like 90% of them were slaughtered and all that jazz just a short while ago? Well they don't reproduce as fast as humans so you may wish to rework that number a whole bunch or summat. Just a thought?

[La'Forge]

Hmm... that's a valid point... I fail at math though. What's a good percentage to give at this point to the lightborn elf population?

[Chrysannia Syl'lithar]

How about 10% of the population. It'll leave you with 50k elves which is still a high number, but it's all feasable since it is an Elfhame and many elves from the area come and go frequently.

[La'Forge]

Updated population statistics

[La'Forge]

Valanthia>> I'm so bad at keeping track of things. Do you want to do the write-ups for Gorman Imports and the Armorer's Office? If you can't it's fine So let me know.