Somfaux
Somfaux is the capital of the Vamelon Barony in Etendulat Duchy. Somfaux is a large town. The network of canals that connects it to Iselra has turned it into a hub of commercial activity. Town, in fact, is a modest word for the settlement. It is large enough to be a city, although it will not be recognized accordingly unless there is a political earthquake. In the Empire, it is more about the status of the ruler than the reality of the settlement.
Somfaux is physically larger than Rocaille, has more wealth, and is much, much more populous. Despite this, Rocaille is the seat of power for a Duchy, and as such, will forever loom larger in the Empire’s estimation.
At least, this is true for the nobles of the Empire, who live behind the The Noble Sash and deal in politics and power. Merchants invest their interests in trade, and the only reason to visit Rocaille is to garner favor from the Duchess. For a man invested in trade, Somfaux is the beating heart of the Empire’s barge routes, and it is here that the merchants flock.
The River Barge Way, the song sung by the river men of the Empire, speaks clearly to the status of Somfax as the central trading hub of the Empire.
Guilds and Factions
Mercantile Development
The merchant guildhall is no longer just a place for merchants to gather, but also offers stalls in the outer parts of the building to trade with the town’s population. It is becoming almost an ancillary market square. Many street vendors have semi-permanent spots to sell their merchandise from outside the guildhall.
Some of the guild’s neighbors do not appreciate this because, under the cover of night, they dump animal shit on the spots these vendors use. The merchants counter these moves by having the shit removed and their street washed every few days. So, the merchant guild either reeks to high heaven, or it smells as fresh as a field after the first rains, depending on the day and the latest development in the war of the shit-stalls.
Brewers vs Vinters
The vintners guild has been the most powerful in Somfaux for as long as anyone really wants to remember. It stands to reason; grapes grow in the land surrounding Somfaux as easy as spitting on it. Wine has been made in Somfaux since the first man discovered that letting a grape go sour made him feel good. About three seasons ago, a war of words started between the Brewers and the Vinters. At first it was just harsh words, but then, the Lovat Vineyard burnt down, and the brewers guild threatened none to subtly that the vintners had better learn to share power or there would be more fires. Now there is close to open guild wars in Somfaux and the taverns are forced to choose if they serve Beer or Wine.Natural Resources
The canals of Somfaux are dug by Gravastor These beasts are only found in the hills between Somfaux and the Snow's Own Bay.
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