Zudas Bastion

Zudas Bastion is composed mostly of humans and orcs, but it is also home to approximately 500 moreaus: the largest population in any known civilization.

Thodoc makes all the rules and his captains, consisting of former clan and tribe chiefs, enforce them. The captains form a sort of parliamentary body and make up most of the laws before sending them to Thodoc for approval. Zudas is still a budding city and its laws are fast and loose, but Thodoc is a fair judge and his rulings are rarely contested. There is no currency in Zudas Bastion. Food, clothing, and other necessities are shared between all, and additional amenities can be traded or worked for. Each citizen gets an allotment of land within the city to do with what they please, and neighbors are expected to aid each other when help is needed. Every able-bodied adult is required to take one month-long shift at one of the Aegion Forts every year, and they are expected to be in good physical condition year round to fight if need be. Squabbling between members of previously opposing clans is common, but punishment is swift and harsh for those who step out of line.

Zudas Bastion has four outposts, each about fifty miles from the city in each of the four cardinal directions, known as the Aegion Forts. These forts house the Bastion's military forces and serve as waypoints between the city and the rest of the world. There are also several smaller scout outposts spread between the forts. The south fort is truly the only fort that sees much action, and so it is the largest and most well-fortified. In fact, the south fort is about the size of a small village in itself.

While the citizens of Zudas don't work for money, they all still work at various crafts or hunt or build or whatever else any citizen of any normal city would do. Most do the same work they did before joining the city or focus on a craft they are particularly good at, but some simply get assigned whatever task needs done. Everyone has a job and everyone does their job, or else they get booted from the city. As for trade, Zudas Bastion is a relatively self-maintained city. The only contact it makes with the outside world is when some of the members of the south fort set up a "toll" on the road that leads from Kahron's Cross to Sorobell at a point that they argue runs through Bastion territory. In exchange, a group of bandits known as the Vulgar Brigade led by one Tom Boon will periodically lead nonviolent raids on one of the outposts. It's not "trade" in the traditional sense, but both parties get something and neither one is happy about it, so it's basically the same thing.

Zudas started as a small Redclaw base encampment in the late 220's, but grew steadily in size the more tribes and clans come into the fold. Over time, the trees and other flora in the surrounding area were cleared out and they began to erect makeshift walls. In February of 235, Thodoc declared the fort an official settlement and work on more permanent walls and houses began in earnest. The walls were a major endeavor, stretching around the outskirts of the Bastion's territory with enough space for quite a bit of population growth over the coming years. Houses were constructed with simple functionality in mind, but now that everything is done, folks have begun remodeling for comfort and leisure.

The Bastion is generally considered isolationist, as they tend to shy away from outsiders, but the city is actually quite inclusive when it comes to immigration. However, their policies on visitation is a little more strict. There aren't really any amenities in place for visitors, so anyone wishing to take advantage of Zudas's hospitality often end up sleeping on cots in a side room of the great hall, which is attached to the front of Thodoc's lodge. And even then, visitors without official business with The Redclaws are not welcome. Those with official business conduct it within Thodoc's sweat lodge out back.

Much like Sorobell, Zudas Bastion is one of the only cities in the West with wooden structures. Mostly log-cabin-esque, with the occasional addition of some sort of thicker metal from scrap discovered in the wild. The citizens of Zudas are not generally inclined towards decorative architecture, although there are a few exceptions. Some members of former tribes, for example, like decorating their houses with murals or spiritual symbology.

Again much like Sorobell, the immediate vicinity of Zudas Bastion is cleared of trees and other plantlife, but the rolling hills, steep cliffs, and a single nearby cave system in the surrounding area make for interesting terrain. There is a hidden spring only a mile from the western gate--where Zudas gets its water--that flows into the nearby Hacate River.

Water from the spring, trees from the hills, the fertile landscape, and an abundance of wildlife in the area make this an ideal location for a civilization to thrive for many years to come. The only thing the city is lacking is access to metals, which proves to be quite the thorn in Thodoc's side.