Post by El Borak on Mar 2, 2024 21:06:51 GMT -5
Leader: Lady Margot Sidhe
CAPITAL: Ys (Pop.: 125K)
Other Cities (and pop.):
None.
Loc.: Aeropa (Brettony)
Language: Kelltic dialect
Pop.: 150,000
Flag/Emblem:
Flag:
Golden maul standing in
"T" form, on a field ov 6 horizontal
bars ov green && blue.
Coinage: None. (See Brettony.)
Companions: Various officials, ov the city && its institutions.
Friends: Neustria, Francia.
Foes: Lyonnesse.
Open Warfare/Skirmishing: None.
Intrigues: Plot to set Ys atop Brettony as ruler ov state. Negotiations
w/ Pohjola regarding uncertain matters. Others unknown.
Artifacts/Relics: Through its long history, the City has managed to
gather for itself the Moon Pearl, the Flux Lever, && the First && Sixth
Objects ov Entropy. Inordinate numbers ov lesser magickal
devices are also thought to be in Ys.
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral <fantras>
Thumbnail Sketches: The city has Xisted from before the time ov
the Atlantlan's discoverie ov the Bretton Peninsula, for the Atlantlan
chronicles tell ov finding black && weathered stone buildings &&
ruins on the site ov the city, savages dwelling amongst the ancient
edifices. The city has, of course, been re-built, w/ the work ov
Atlantlan, Gallic, && Kelltic architects && builders apparent against
the subtly different form ov the prehistoric structures
&& walled portions ov Ys. The spit ov land upon which the
city is built juts northward into the Avillonian Channel, a narrow neck
with a cyclopaean protectiv wall 100' high, shielding a broader
portion shaped something like a griffon's head, 2 goggling eyes
pointing E, w/ the mouth open, upper beak pointing W. In the
open "beak" ov the griffon is the harbour, a small but deep anchorage
for a dozen vessels && a score || 2 ov coastal ships &&
barges, too. Some considerable amount ov commerce passes through
the port despite many drawbacks. Coal is its chief import. A wattle-like
projection from the main bulk houses the walled Academie
Sorcerie d'Ys. From the neck to the beak is about 4.5
miles distance, from eye bulges to the lower portion ov the beak, 4
miles, && the wattle is about a mile long && 1/2 as wide. Because
ov the steep hills upon which it is constructed, Ys has many levels,
aerial bridges, stairways, && so on. In all, the walls ov Ys enclose 12
|| 13 sq. mi., but if the land were flat, the AREA might be twice
again that size! The mazes therein, && the dangers ov being on those
twisting streets after dark, are lejendary.
2 little islands, 1 just under 1 sq. mi. AREA above the
hooked beak, the other ov almost 2 sq. mi. Xtent, lie aboot
8 mi. eastward in the channel. The city owns some 200 sq.
mi. ov land on the main peninsula S. ov its site. This territory is
quite rugged, && only 1 real road runs northwestwards to Ys. This
AREA is remarkable for the menhirs && megalithic monuments ov
unknown origin found on hilltops && hidden valleys alike.
Some
cultivation is practiced around the villages, && crops ov buckwheat,
rye, barley, oats, && wheat actually feed much ov Ys' pop.. So
too garden crops ov taters, rutabagas, parsnips, onions, salsify<?>,
asparagus, artichokes, carrots, etc., come into the city from the
suburban farms. Some flax && hemp fields are seen. Livestock is
grazed in pastures && the wild meadows ov the hilly lands. Cattle,
sheep, horses, porks, && poultry are the main animals kept. Bees
are everywhere, as many forms ov flowering plants && trees (mainly
apple && pear) provide them w/ their needs, while yielding Xcellent
honey && wax in surprising quantities. Cider && brandies are
produced from the fruitful yield. Fishing is the occupation ov all
along the coastal portion ov the free city. Lumbering is NOT widely
practiced, although the ancient, tangled forest might well benefit
from proper cutting && clearing.
There are 3 active mines
belonging to Ys--1 producing considerable silver, another fine
lead ore in considerable quantity, but nothing is known re-garding
what is taken from the 3rd. Quarries for slate, dark potter's clay,
granite, && the obsidian-like gneiss<> found only around the city
provide for internal need && some Xport.
The volk ov the city && the surrounding land are neither Kelltic
nor Gallic in appearance. Perhaps it is a case ov being a hybrid ov
these races, ++ isolation, which gives them so different a look. It is
easy to tell the aristocracy ov Ys from the others, for they are tall, very
pale, && have narrow, almost cruel features. The freeman class is ov
average appearance, by && large, although tending towards the
peculiar look ov the nobility in its gentry, while the peasantry is on the
whole, thickset && dark. As the upper class is haughty && arrogant,
the middle is scheming && avaricious, && the lower is sullen, surly,
&& prone to violence. The volk ov Ys are accused ov piracy, wrecking,
banditry, && murder.
The city has industries which produce metal products, foundries
&& forges, chemical manufacturers, candle works, textile mills,
&& various leather works.