Kentro

Primary Population: 70% Human

Secondary Population: 20% Gnome

Other: 10% Other races

The town of Kentro is governed by a hereditary barony, a title currently held by the gnome Jorros Berrytop of the Berrytop dynasty. While Kentro is technically a vassal of the Erimos Consortium, its primary role is to serve as a consistent source of tax revenue for the larger state. Baron Berrytop oversees this contribution with considerable efficiency, a practice that has also led to a substantial increase in his personal wealth during his long tenure.

An aging outer stone wall encircles Kentro, though years of neglect are evident in its crumbling sections and overgrown ramparts, making it more of a boundary marker than a true fortification. The town's city guard reflects this state of decay; they are a small, lightly-equipped force primarily concerned with keeping the peace in the market and tavern districts. This stands in contrast to the formidable inner wall that guards the Baron's keep. Its stone is clean and solid, regularly patrolled by the Baron's personal retinue, who are noticeably better armed and armored than their city counterparts.

Kentro functions as the primary economic engine for the surrounding region. The town's prosperity is built on two pillars: agriculture and services. Local farms produce vast quantities of grain, milled by the nearby windmills, and raise herds of livestock, primarily cattle, which are the town's main exports. However, an equally significant portion of Kentro's revenue is generated by its bustling service industry. Its strategic location guarantees a constant flow of merchants and travelers, fueling a thriving economy of inns, taverns, and other amenities catering to this transient population.

Kentro's infrastructure is fundamentally shaped by its position as a critical stop on the main trade road to the capital, Erimos. The town's primary thoroughfares are paved with well-maintained stone, a necessity for handling the heavy traffic of merchants and travelers. This focus on the main road, however, does not extend to the rest of the town, as side streets and alleys are often neglected and in a state of disrepair.

While the overland route defines its regional importance, Kentro also supports local commerce through a modest river dock. This facilitates smaller-scale trade with nearby villages but is minor compared to the volume moving along the road. The landscape surrounding Kentro is dotted with several windmills, essential for processing the grain grown in the region. Despite the visible decline in public works, the town itself boasts a large and well-filled treasury, a testament to its lucrative position on the trade route and the Baron's effective taxation.

The origins of Kentro trace back to the founding of the kingdom of Lindaria. Among those who fled the advance of the Army of Mancos was a gnome named Orji Berrytop. For his role in establishing the new kingdom, Orji was granted the title of Baron and given a swath of land in the Vanyalindarë region. There, he constructed a large, defensible keep to secure his claim, and soon a small village, known simply as Keep Kentro, organically grew around its walls.

Upon Baron Orji’s death in the year 214 AGU, his title and lands passed to his son, Jorros Berrytop. Where his father was a pioneer, Jorros was an ambitious town-builder. Seeing the potential of the growing settlement, Jorros officially founded the town of Kentro in 221 AGU. Throughout the prosperous Silver Age, Baron Jorros's shrewd leadership transformed the humble village into a significant and wealthy town.

Kentro's resilience was tested with the eventual collapse of the kingdom of Lindaria. During the ensuing power vacuum, Baron Jorros skillfully navigated the political turmoil, ensuring he maintained firm control over the town. As the Erimos Consortium began to assert its dominance over the region, the pragmatic Baron made a calculated decision: he ceded control of most of his outlying lands to the Consortium, and in exchange, was allowed to continue his rule over Kentro itself, cementing the relationship that persists to this day.

Due to its strategic position as the final major stop for those traveling from the Eastern Vanyalindarë Region to the capital, Kentro is in a state of perpetual motion. This constant influx of travelers has shaped the town's culture, fostering a lively and sometimes raucous atmosphere. Over time, Kentro has earned a reputation as a "party town," a place for merchants to unwind and spend their earnings before the final leg of their journey. This reputation has taken on a life of its own, now attracting thrill-seekers and tourists who come seeking entertainment as much as trade.