Antoma
Introduction
The north of Antaurus is dominated by the high mountain lands that stretch from Duestius all the way to the border with Jorlinum. To the east of the mountains, Antaurus has a short stretch of low-lying plain which extends to the sea and to the short border with Cerlain. In the shadow of the mountains, the land here is cooler and wetter than other places in the south of these lands. This makes the land ideal for farming and the best of these lands are around the Nemus river which runs through the southern part of the plains, just to the east of the moorland which rise into foothills as the mountains are approached.
The city of Antoma sits amid this fertile land, situated just to the north and west of the River Nemus which begins up in the mountains far to the west and flows eastwards through Icallany nestled in the mountains and out to these plains. The river is deep and narrow where is passes to the south-east of the city, and it is crossed by a broad, ornate stone bridge just before the city gate on the road from Purnastus which leads along the coast to the south.
To the north roads lead out over the border in Cerlain and the city of Obsecum, this route provides a trade channel to the eastern empire and in the past provided riches of wealth to the Imperial power which was located in the Antaurus capital. The road to the west leads up into the mountains and heads to the city of Gollotta. This is a major trade route for oil, precious gemstones and cut stone-works which arrive in Antoma on their journey to other lands.
Mid-way along the Gollotta road is the town of Ferrenus, which fronts the logging and charcoal activities of the Berrecha Forest to the south of the town. Antoma provides the main eastern route for these exports, but while the city's port was once well suited to this role, the growth in sea-based shipping has meant that smaller vessels are less attractive to traders, and fewer now come this far inland. Now most freight is carried by road, out to Obsecum to the north where port is much more suitable for larger vessels.
Alongside its trade links, the city also encourages its strong farming community. Farms and smallholdings are scattered across the rolling hills to the north and the east, and wine-making from the vineyards of the rolling slopes to the south is also very popular and brings in extensive revenues. Towards the sea to the east, wetlands provide peat marshes which have traditionally provided fuel supplies for the local inhabitants. These peat marshes still provide the farms to the north, but these are being overtaken by the charcoal supplies from the west in modern times. These natural resources make the city a strong manufacturing base, particularly for farm implements and tools, which it also exports by road and sea.
Demographics
The city population is around 75,000, which is smaller than many cities of Arthea. The main population is human, but 7-8% of the population (around 5000 individuals) are elves living among the humans. Halflings account for possibly another 2000 or so of the inhabitants, but this community is always changing, as there is a large halfling community that has become a suburb in recent times as both the city and the halfling lands have grown and expanded. There is no gnomish population of note, and possibly as many as 150 dwarves live in the city.
Halflings tend to be farmers or work in the farming support industries. Elves seem to gather to the south-west and are often employed as craftsmen and as providers of magical services to the nobility. Dwarfs in the city are mostly brought in on contract to work as architectural consultants (a role they've played since the earliest days of Empire), miners or guards.
History
The city was settled during the earliest times of the expansion of humans through this region circa 300-400, but there are no remaining records of these earliest years. The human records of Antoma date from around 650 where Antaurus was formed into a single kingdom. At this time the first census and taxation logs of the kingdom were prepared, and Antoma was listed as little more than a large village with a simple port. These records show that taxation money was brought into the district to allow the expansion of the town's port; there was a demand for charcoal and the ores and other resources of the mountains, and using boats helped moved these supplies around much more easily than relying on road transport.
The roads network took a while to catch up with the port. The road from the village of Ferrenus was well made, but it was not until the empire was formed that the old wooden bridge was replaced by the magnificent stone structure that still stands four hundred years later. The bridge was built as part of a set of civic construction across the empire that was intended to demonstrate it's magnificence while improving transport and communication links. It's style is very much in line with the early imperial construction; it carries the same pillared style that is reflected in the early civic buildings of some of the largest cities across the south of Arthea.
The town of Antoma became a city after the fall of The Antaurus Empire. Antaurus prepared for trouble from her neighbours; there were concerns at the time that Cerlain would attempt an invasion to re-form the empire. Antaurus had always been at the centre of imperial power and saw itself as both a vulnerable target and precious prize for any of the neighbouring kingdoms. As a result the rulers took steps to fortify all the towns along the northern borders of the kingdom. Antoma's simple earth bank was replaced by a solid wall, which provided a strong defences and signalled the towns new status as a city. The wall was stone to the north and the east, but the southern stretch which overlooked the river, and the western part of the wall which faced away from Cerlain was made from wood.
These city defences were useful in their time, but as time passed the growth of the city was hampered by the defences. As manufacturing industry and commerce grew, the city became overcrowded. More recently the city has expanded beyond the defensive walls. New districts and new inhabitants are now filling a growing suburban band around the historic city itself.
City Layout
Districts
The city is divided into five districts; there are three districts making up the old city, which are as old as the city itself. The two newer ones were established shortly after the second empire was founded, and grew out of part of the industrial growth of the old town.
The three core districts are the city, and two more which lie outside the wall and were once little more than affluent suburbs. The districts are:
The Edgmar district which lies to the north of the city,
The Linton district which is the largest and forms the north-western and western stretches of the city
The Village which is the central and south-east district, and is where the administrative centre is based.
Cullers Hub which stretches around the east and south of the city, stretching to the river and beyond the road. It used to be the centre of the port activity, but is now the main trading and markets district.
Palarays Meadow which lies to the north-west and north of the city. It has spread in recent times along the road, and provides both commercial support (inns, taverns, stabling etc. and commercial storage) to help the loggers and charcoalers travelling to the east and the main road to sell on their goods. Years ago this land was the meadowland used by the townsfolk of Antoma, hence its name, but became a rural dwelling soon after the Empire began. It has become much more heavily developed over the last century.
Suburbs and Outlying Areas
There are several settlements nearby, there are farming communities and the rolling hills to the south are home to a thriving halfling community.
Truedale. This is the halfling community which sits on the opposite side of the river to the south-east of Antoma. The settlement is possibly 6-8,000 strong, but is spread over a much wider rural area than the city. It fills the dales here between the river and the road.
Waldrath, this is a barony set along the road to the west beyond Paralays Meadow. It is a farming community.
Molkham, another farming community, this is set half way to Ferrenus, maybe 8 miles along the east road.
Covley, this is the halfway stopover village between Antoma and Gollotta. Its a very small place but has both a Kings Guard station and a large commercial inn.
Ferrenus this is a commercial logging and charcoaling station two miles to the west of Covley along the road.
Northwald is a small but growing village settlement along the north road towards Obsecum. This place begins just a couple of miles along the road, and was just a couple of farmsteads in the 1350's. Now there are about thirty dwellings, including a small smithy supporting the local farmers. It spreads along the road for a mile, and the houses are separated by meadowland and peasant farms. In 1407 the village was made into a barony with the appointment of its first feudal baron.
Political
Antoma is a part of the county of Berrecha, which is currently ruled by Count Felix Ettemus. Berrecha also includes the cities of Icallany, Gollotta, Purnastus, Tuellestus and Hammarnus. Ettemus holds his court at the city of Icallany in the mountains.
Each of the cities in Berrecha is governed by a viscount, and Antoma's feudal lord is Viscount Hirrus Covus. The baronies of Truedale, Waldrath, Ferrenus and Northwald are all a part of Covus' Viscountcy. Further up the feudal chain, the Count of Berrecha is part of the court of the Prince of Antaurus.
Places of Interest
Primary Services
Warrior Guilds
Fel-Khezran - There is local representation for the dwarfish fighters guild in Icallany. The guild is made up of one senior dwarfish fighter and three lower-ranked assistants. There is little call for their services.
Churches
Pendaroch have the largest presence in the city, they have a large, impressive cathedral on the edge of the city square, next to the civic home of the Viscount.
Danethrae has a surprisingly small presence, they have only a small church building in the Village District, and a small body of Paladins.
Anbartae has a large church building and the growing influence of this church can be seen in the city. They also have a strong presence of fighters here, the Paladins of the church have a separate refectory.
Suldurn has a small but well placed church across the square from Pendaroch's cathedral.
Nature has a grove just outside the city, but there are a couple of others scattered between Antoma and Gollotta.
Melas Uldonia has only a small building in the city, a converted house. While there are many elves in the city, they use their church in different ways to their human neighbours. Most visit the elven homelands nearby for the majority of their spiritual help.
Ascheinar's Cult used to be a poor relative to the other churches in town, but now is building a large church just off the main city square. This building was started in 1412, and should be complete by late 1413.
Magic Users Sects
Inns, Taverns and Places to Stay
Inns and Lodgings
The Royal Antaurus Hotel - in the Village District, high class residence
The Combridge Commercial Travellers Inn - in Edgmar District, aimed at commercial travellers
The Palace Inn and Tavern - in the east of the Linton District
Kannik's Lodge - borders the Linton and Edgmar districts, reliable traders inn
Taverns and Pubs
The Venerable Stage Hand - sits between the Village and Cullers Hub districts, attempts to service visitors to the old theatre building at the edge of the Village district nearby.
The Old Crate - down on the dock front of Cullers Hub, with reduced trade through the port it seems to have become a tavern for black market traders
The Red Dragon - an old fashioned tavern in the Linton district
The Hebrian Merchant - situated in the Edgmar district, close to the Village district, aimed at local traders and other professionals
McRory's Tavern - a bar in the Linton district, aimed mostly at the halfling population of the city
Rushden's Merchant Bar - at the north of the Village District close to the traders of Linton
Foley's - a halfling traders bar in the east of the Culler's Hub district
Medway's Bar - an upper class drinking house and restaurant in the Village district
Greenhedge - a halfling-run bar in Palarays Meadow
- The Old Imperial - a posh beer and wine place in the affluent side of the Edgmar district
- Parnams Tavern - towards the centre of the Edgmar district, just in the affluent area
- Lunnastasian's Elfish Cuisine - a bit of a wine bar which also serves light meals of rich food in an elfish style, at the border of the Edgmar and Village districts.
- Mrs Harnam's House of Warmth - not really a tavern. Indeed they don't sell beer. What they do sell is massages and calm soothing words. Both before, and, if necessary, afterwards. But not during; they consider it rude to talk with ones mouth full.
Shops
Miscellaneous Services
- Guilds Hall. By Imperial law all trades bodies were obliged to register to use the title 'Guild', while this law has not been clarified after Unification, most still keep their registration up to date. Antoma keeps these records (somewhat poorly, it should be noted) in the Guilds Hall, which is a small office off the main square in the Village District.
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