Atalena
Atalena is a planned community that is currently situated at the crossroads of the Western King's Road and the Soldier's Trail leading north to the Duskenridge Valley and the Amazon Road leading south to Quetzon. The town straddles the Maadon River on the East and West banks. The town is remarkably large for it's age, being founded less than a year before the current day. The community was planned by a group of merchants and tradesman who were frustrated by the Old Market sponsorship system of Oghmont. They chose the location on the river due to an overwhelming demand for access to the sea with the existing Highwater Bridge being an easy spot to base a settlement around. Being a group of well-educated and skilled people, they planned their community and utilized their own capital to hire engineers, artisans, and builders to construct what they called "The Merchant's Paradise". Within the span of a few months, no less than one-hundred buildings had been constructed, each one earmarked for residential, commercial, or government purposes. After eight months, enough buildings had been constructed to house all necessary town functions. By ten months, the city had already attracted all manner of tradesman, entrepreneurs, and free-laborers thanks to word of mouth spread by Bards paid for by the founders. Around the twelfth month after groundbreaking over eight-thousand souls called Atalena their home, thanks to the gold-rush mentality of the ruling merchant and the business-friendly town laws. It is a densely packed town, with approximately one-fifth of it's population living beyond the stone-wall border.
The town features many services and shops. A General Store of good quality, a master blacksmith, a master herbalist, a baker, and a butcher can be found on the west side of town. On the East side, The Grand Crane Lodge overlooks the Market Square, serving fine dishes and top-bill entertainment. Beside the Crane, The Countess Tavern serves a respectable selection of brews. A private Bathhouse, The Viridian View, is available by invitation only (requiring good graces with the merchant elite). On Dridas through Pendas, a Diviner named Lirio Stargaze makes his presence known to offer portents of fortune (and he is rarely ever wrong). On the West side of town, another Tavern called The River Roads acts as a rival to The Countess, where on Sesdas through Sundas, another Diviner calling herself the Zephyr Seeress competes with Lirio in the arena of soothsaying (with her reputation just as renowned as his). Outside the stone wall, on the western approach, a ramshackle inn serves less-affluent travelers called The Angry Commander. Their service is decidedly less friendly and the food definitely less flavorful, but it works for those unable to pay for more fancy offerings. Near the Angry Commander is a cottage that is home to Dridzaa Carnthuuk, a Half-Orc Mercenary for hire. He has made a small fortune as private-security for the Market Square and spends most of his days menacing would-be thieves. His services are available to private parties, but he charges a hefty fee.
Crime is neither rampant nor non-existent. Under the watchful eye of the Chief of Security and his lieutenant, the town is protected by a town guard that serves its needs for the time being. The most common crimes are thievery and unruly behavior, with the occasional fistfight or brawl breaking out at the local taverns at the Angry Commander. More violent crimes are relatively rare.
Demographics
Primarily human, along with with a small segment of wood and high elves, a half-elf minority, and scattered Half-Orc, Halfling, and Gnomish denizens.
Government
The town laws dictate that the richest and most successful merchant assumes the role of townmaster, his official title being Town Chairman. The Chairman is free to select advisors and counsellors as needed and is not restricted in his choice of appointments. The Chairman is also responsible for appointing several key roles for town administration: Treasurer, Taxmaster, Master Tradesman, Master of Contracts, and Chief of Security (who acts as the Captain of the Guard).
[Placeholder for the dumbass jailer]
Defences
Unlike the main town, a simple wall of stacked and mortared stones is the only physical defense of the town and remains an issue of budgeting for the future.
Industry & Trade
Being founded by a group of enterprising merchants and tradesmen, Atalena produces goods on-par with those found in the larger metropolises of Oghmont or possibly Freedholme or Al-Sabiyya. Because of this and their access to establlished trade routes, the town is never in short supply of anything needed due to a robust import/export system to procure necessary items on-demand.
Infrastructure
Straddling the river, the first structure built was a watermill. Copying Oghmont, a functioning sewage system was built beneath the town, and a burgeoning dock was built to handle shipments from the sea.
Districts
The town does not have official districts like larger cities, however the city engineers did design the layout with a general idea of districts being necessary in the future. As such, there are two residential districts, one on the east side of the river (where most of the merchants and skilled tradesman reside) and another on the west side of the river (where most of the unskilled labor and less successful merchants reside). On the eastern end of the bridge is where the Market Square stands. Most of the town's administrative buildings are found near the Market Square.
Assets
The town storehouses are filled to the brim with enough supplies to last five years of drought, as dictated by a requirement established in the town charter.
Guilds and Factions
Unlike the complicated and multi-layered guild structures of Oghmont, the guilds in Atalena are seperated into three groups: The Merchants Alliance, The Brotherhood of Skilled Labor, and The Association of Administrators (who oversee contracts and agreements). At this time, it is unknown if a Thieve's Guild has begun operations within the town.
History
Due to it's young lifespan, the town has had no notable events of history, with the possible exception of one incident involving a gang of bandits attacking the town full-scale. The town militia repelled the attack, but questions have lingered with the administration on how this attack was not prevented beforehand.
Points of interest
The Market Square is a spacious and lavish commercial center boasting fountains, greenery, and some of the finest wares available. Each vendor is there by virtue of bidding wars on the preceeding Sundas.
Near the market, an Oratory dedicated to Benjin stands. The followers here are dedicated, but subtle and do not make their faith known.
Also near the market are a Dance Hall and Gathering Hall were many visitors are encouraged to congregate and enjoy their newly purchased goods.
Tourism
The town depends on tourism in order to operate properly. As such, many local merchants pay passing bards a fee for spreading tales of the Market Square and the quality of wares available there. The town is currently deciding on how much resources it will allocate to more tourist-friendly attractions to increase visitors. While groups of visitors pass through daily, the merchants are ever-open to new ideas on how to elevate their numbers and increase profits.
At night, aside from the Taverns and Inns, the town is relatively quiet, and there is little going on within the town.
Geography
The Maadon River bisects the town which stands on a relatively flat, elevated plain. On the southwestern edge of the town, a small rocky mountain stands that served as the primary source of Iron and Stone for construction.
Natural Resources
Stone, Iron, Fish, Arable Land, and Clay are all readily available.
Founding Date
1636 SA
Alternative Name(s)
Knight's City
Type
Town
Population
8000+
Inhabitant Demonym
Chooms
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
