Mertessa (Mer-Tess-A)

The rivers Velvet, Felden, and Soft Water cut through the centre of the Eastern Kingdoms, and often acted as borders to Ridir and Edel over the centuries, swapping hands frequently. The settlements along the rivers, therefore, swapped country as often. One of these settlements, the furthest to the east, on the small Merit River, began to offer neutrality between the two warring kingdoms. Protected by a mountain to its back, the town established its own small military, an effective navy, and rules governing passage and trade. This was the beginning of Mertessa. Eventually, through trade, agreements, and a strong inland navy, Mertessa claimed the settlements of ‘The river folk’ and assimilated them, establishing its own kingdom. It is thought that the capital’s protective mountain may have a rich vein of gold hidden within, as the kingdom is rich in wealth.   Although not farmers or herders, Mertessan are trade aficionados, and sit between two abundant kingdoms. Often acting as a between for Ridir and Edel, Mertessa’s open markets are free of geopolitics and its people benefit greatly from this.   In terms of Military, Mertessa is highly defensive, having some of the strongest ranged military in the Three Kingdoms. Due to their major settlements straddling rivers, Mertessan architecture has developed a commercial and residential canal focus, building on and in the rivers when able, and supporting that with thick, short, walls on land. Not only does this maximise building efforts and minimise damage due to loose soil, it limits naval invasion by others, including other mertessan settlements. Architecture often features arches or bridges over water limiting the height and size of crafts, as well as flat, reinforced roofs and raised platforms that can house anti-siege weaponry or a large number of archers. Mertessa otherwise has localised militia that primarily includes spear and halberd men.