Wolsnium
Wolsnium is a small city in central Jorlinum on the road between Sigiliem and Agolest, to the east of Malberina. Historically the city was part of the trade route linking northern Jorlinum with Antaurus, but in the early 1400's it has grown with the rise of mining in the mountains to the east. The demand for metal ores and other mineral resources has meant the growing exploitation of the resources in the mountains to the east of the city, and, along with nearby Sigiliem, it has become a base station for those that work in the mountains.
Before the rise of mining, the city was one of the primary defences against fell beasts living in the mountains, a job that it had done for five hundred years until the early 1300's. There has been no attempt to push back these creatures, but the threat has diminished considerably as human societies have grown and expanded. The original city defences are still in place, but there is some sprawl into semi-permanent suburbs where the migratory miners live.
During the years of the Empire there was a garrison in this city. The military presence has been scaled back, and the buildings that were part of that garrison have been demolished or re-assigned. The original city wall has been removed to the west of what used to be the old town as the demand for housing and services to the traders has grown and building has taken place. The rising slopes to the east have become place where temporary shacks and camp-sites come and go as groups of miners and their guards pass through the city on their way to the mines up in the mountains.
Population Overview
The city is has a static population of 30-40,000, but there is a temporary population of between 3,000 and at times up to 6,000 extra people. During the height of the Empire the city housed something like 25,000 to 30,000 people but some of the high density housing has been cleaned away since then - much of this happened when the mining boom started after unification.
Most of the population is human, perhaps because of the accent on support for mining and trade, there are far fewer elves here than in other towns and cities of the lowlands of Jorlinum to the west. Halflings make up perhaps 6-7% of the population, and they are the largest non-human race in the city. 3-4% of the population are elfish, there are a handful of dwarfs.
City Layout
The city used to sit upon the east bank of the River Hevrus, which flows southwards from here until it joins the River Anarestus as it flows on to Francorum, but urban growth out to the west now means that the city spans the river. One of the more recent developments as a part of this expansion is the building of a small loading dock on the western bank here. It's used by trade passing from the north which can then be shipped downriver here as far as Obsecum if necessary.
The old city to the east of the river has seen little regeneration of its oldest streets, but the wall to west has been mostly dismantled and the stone re-used in the rebuild of the southern and western districts. This has allowed the city to grow more easily.
At the centre of the city is Old Wolsnium which is little more than the city square, a shabby old civic building and a few of the main churches. Unlike many other Imperial cities this city centre has not been renewed or redeveloped, and there are no plans to carry any out. Old Wolsnium is also referred to as the 'Old Town' by many of the locals.
North of the Old Town is the Burdin district which was a residential suburb, but has degenerated into something of a slum. The homes here are small, and all is cramped under the shadow of the wall. This is where the poorest of the city population now live, it's become something of a hotbed for criminals, it has plenty of places to hide. Crime itself seems to happen seldom here - perhaps because population here really are very poor.
To the east and around partly to the south of the Old Town is the Cammerdus district, which is the location of the old market. Here, traditionally, food goods from the plains to the west was sold to the inhabitants of the city and the traders passing along the road. These days there is a much larger array of goods - ores from mountains and mining goods are traded here, as are bulk supplies of food which keep the miners in the mountains fed.
The last of the old districts of city is the Oxland district which sits to the west and around the south of the Old Town. This used to be where the rich lived, but part of the district, especially to the south and around where the wall used to be, has been pulled down. Many of the large houses still exist, but the newer constructions are all smaller and bring in a more cosmopolitan inhabitation.
The new districts of the city are the new temporary buildings beyond the wall to the east, this has become known as the Traders district, and The Docks which have grown up behind the wharf on the western bank of the river.
The city has two bridges spanning the River Hevrus, the main one is the old stone bridge which used to run up to the city's west gate, and so became known as the West Gate Bridge. A newer bridge, built from stone and metal spans the river to the south of the old one, and connects the northern edge of the new docks to the main city on the east of the river.
Services
The city has seen the demand for services to the traders and their guards grow hugely over the last fifty years, there are several new inns and a ready market for the food produce of the western plains that run down to Malberina.
Armoury and Weaponmakers
Ulfstrongs: Marvin Ulfstrong runs a successful family weaponmakers in the old town. His family have been operating here since the days of Empire, and he'd argue that the days have never been so good. His work is of good quality, and he's capable of making masterwork goods. Marvin also has a small team from his son, Herman Ulfstrong who is still in his early twenties and has less than ten years experience of the craft. He also has two apprentices and a shop boy working here.
Grad Schmidt Armourer: A smaller operation, just Grad and his apprentice and assistant Weston Vallarn. Is quite capable as a weapon maker, and has an excellent reputation.
Places to Stay
Eppanlis Hotel - part of the Jorlinum hotel chain, its a little expensive but is high enough quality for the more affluent traders.
The Wolsey - nestled between two of the old churches in the Old Town, this is the most upmarket of the city's hotels. It has the highest prices and the highest standards, and is used by the the Count of Wolsnium to host visiting nobles and royalty.
The White Dragon - an old hotel in the Oxland district, it has stood for hundreds of year, and there are some rumours among the locals of ghost stores. None of the local, of course, ever stays here. It's a little expensive, but is clean and the food is good here.
Keller's Tavern - a cheap scruffy tavern in the Burdin district that also has a number of rooms available for rent. It's main focus is on cheap beer and cheap food for its customers.
Butchers Inn - the largest of the new wooden buildings in the Traders district. A three story sprawling building with a large secure stable and cart yard, this inn caters to traders of all kinds and provides plenty of space for traders moving through the city.