Old Tal on the Lake
Old Tal on the Lake is a large city in The Darkwood famed for it's strange tax and property laws, as well as the recent introduction of The Undercity as an arena of some renown. It is also a well-known haven for thieves and gathering place for aspiring adventurers and mercenaries hoping to pick up work on the Count's Road.
The Rule of the Commons
Non-nobility are allowed to own land in the city, distinctly unique in all The Darkwood. The Viscountess Talloak also personally pays the taxes of city landowners and forbids other nobility from purchasing property in the city, making it a popular place to move to, especially considering that every building is required by law to be linked to Old Tal's supply of clean water and sewer systems. The cost of such luxury comes in the form of labor. For two weeks out of every year, each citizen over the age of four and under seventy (adjusted accordingly for non-human races) are required to work for the Viscountess in whatever capacity her advisors require. Those chosen as guards remain as such until they are deemed old enough to retire. Those who refuse to work are made to fight in the arena for the entertainment of regular city employees. In essence, though the common folk have better pay and living conditions as a whole in Old Tal on the Lake, they have no choice in what they do for a living, and failing to meet set standards can mean death. That being said, peasants and merchants have extraordinary powers by comparison to the rest of the Empire. They are allowed to elect councils and leaders for their individual districts, and those leaders may present issues before the Viscountess at any time. Good workers who are injured on the job are given access to healers kept on retainer by the city, and children showing magical talent may have their tuitions to the local magic academy paid by the Viscountess if she is impressed by their ability. These common children who complete their education may even end up on her personal council.Shadows of the Oenkanen
Old Tal on the Lake is one of the few surviving Oenkanen cities conquered during the Sylvan War. The deepest level of the city is all that remains, save for the Titan's Sword, the massive tower that sits at the exact center of the city and goes through every level. The top of the tower still stands tall above the rest of the city, in such a location that it served as a somewhat reliable giant sundial before the moon broke. Residents of the lower levels are constantly finding artifacts from the ancient elves, and many claim the city is haunted by the spirits of the city's long-dead defenders and human conquerors, with several stories indicating the two ghostly sides still fight when the conditions are right. While these rumors have never been proven, several citizens turn up dead every year with no external injuries, as though they were frightened to death.A City of Thieves
(Work in Progress)Soldiers of the Darkwood
(Work in Progress)Demographics
A grand majority of the city's inhabitants are humans of Skaldoran descent, followed by Orcs of Olona ancestry. The most Vinura-Dekai outside of the Greenlands reside here.
Government
Old Tal is infamous for not allowing nobility of a lesser rank than Viscount from owning land in the city. All governance is done by the Talloak family, who were put in charge of the area immediately following Skaldor's initial conquest in The Sylvan War. Hired scholars are employed to help, while order is enforced by a large force of constables called Roses or Bloodbacks for the color of their striking red cloaks.
Defences
Each level of the city has it's own force of guards, well-organized and capable of acting independently. In theory, should the city come under siege, the residents of the upper levels could retreat underground and wage defensive war around the Titan's Sword, which is the only way to access the lower levels.
The city's walls are mostly stone imported from Lancaster over the centuries, and generally speaking are the only orderly component of the city. The walls stand forty feet high and are marked each quarter mile with defense towers constantly manned by the Oaken Army (or city guards, in times of war).
Industry & Trade
Due to the city having exclusive dominion over Loch Wyrd, Old Tal on the Lake provides fish and whale products to the next closest cities. The underground sections are suitable for farming crops like meatshrooms or livestock like scuttlesheep. The ruling family makes a small fortune each year auctioning off ancient Oenkanen artifacts found beneath the city.
Infrastructure
Since anyone willing to work can own land in Old Tal on the Lake, the layout of the city is haphazard at best. The streets are paved with brick or cobblestone along the main road, but it is usually packed dirt in the rest of the city. Homes are usually constructed of stone or wood, stacked two or three high, leaving plenty of room for local businesses. The oldest parts of the city are so clustered and stacked tall that permanent shade darkens the lower levels, the perfect breeding ground for thieves. Until recently, the city used to sink a few inches each year, leading to the unique situation of having seven levels of the city belowground. The lowest of these levels is an ancient Oenkanen city crafted of marble and runestone, now abandoned to the monsters that roam it's streets. The city centers around a marble spire called the Titan's Sword (or Huge Cock by locals) that stretches to the surface world, which serves as an administration building that lets out lower-level offices to scribes, barristers, and other "paper workers". The city is built next to Loch Wyrd, and as such the surface has miles of dockyard and well-maintained warehouses. Magically powered pipes transport lake water directly to all buildings in the city. There is a single shipyard in the city, near the top of the Titan's Sword, where airmen do their business and travelers by air get a spectacular view of the city.
Guilds and Factions
Many wizards of the Order of the Eye have positions on the Talloak council, and as such the Guild has built many properties around the city, especially in the lowest levels, away from prying eyes. The unique layout of the city has also provided a foothold for major Iron Shadow activity. The Order of the Archer has established a permanent base camp just above the lowest levels, waiting for concerned citizens to hire them to take out problem creatures. The Airman's Guild has a permanent presence as well, having built a small shipyard on top of the Titan's Sword, and do excellent business carrying rich passengers to and from Giving Town or Dragonscale.
Founding Date
37 EK
Alternative Name(s)
City of Mercs, The Sleeping City
Type
City
Population
9870
Inhabitant Demonym
Talander
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments