Gresh
A major city in Aedan, Gresh is the historic seat of the Poivoits. Due to their distance from Aedia, and the harsh influence of nearby Ostrangard and the Barrens, the people of Gresh practice many strange superstitions.
Beset on All Sides
Placed at the meeting point of The Barrens, the Devil's Teeth Range, and Ostrangard, Gresh and the area surrounding it is frequently attacked by wild raiding parties. Although these parties have never breached the city walls, they have done uncountable damage to the surrounding farmlands. In response, Gresh is home to a large number of Queen's Wardens and various mercenary groups. Some of the mercenaries even have long-standing contracts with the local government, and have been hired to patrol the surrounding areas."The Second City"
Despite the importance of Gresh, many people within Aedan view it as the kingdom's "second city" behind the capital of Aedian. Many who share this view see those from Gresh as uncultured, and joke that the city is essentially a backwater. This has lead to many in Gresh to reserve feelings of resentment against the capital, and there has been influxes of city pride in response to incidents of prodding.Demographics
Demographics Breakdown
Species Distribution- Humans - 64%
- Dwarves - 22%
- Elves - 8%
- Orcs and Half-Orcs - 4%
- Other Minorities - 2%
- Farmer - 36%
- Merchant - 23%
- Military or Mercenary - 12%
- Crafts and Trades - 10%
- Construction - 8%
- Administration - 6%
- Transportation and Hauling - 5%
- Aedan - 74%
- Ostrangardian - 18%
- The Barrens - 5%
- Others - 3%
Ostrangardians in the City
The Fall of Ostrangard resulted in many of its citizens fleeing to the west into the neighbouring territories of Aedan and Estalia. Due to its proximity to the border, Gresh became one of the major places that these expatriates ended up settling in. To this day, Gresh is home to a large minority which claim to be Descendents of these refugees. Many cultural practices previously unique to Ostrangardians are still practiced in Gresh, such as Good Spirits rituals and Corner Shade stories.Government
The local Gresh government is typical of most towns and cities in the kingdom. In addition to following the laws set out by the Aedan Parliament, Gresh has its own local laws which are set by a mayor and city council. The mayor of Gresh is one of the few royally appointed positions within the kingdom, and has been held by the Poivoit family for most of its history. Other members of the city council are elected positions, with by-elections being called every 4 years. Gresh has a special branch of Sensors who organize elections for the city's laws.
The Poivoits
Originally appointed as governors of Greshia, the Poivoit family is the most influential across the city. They have kept this power throughout the generations both by controlling key positions within the city - such as the Estalian governorship or the modern mayoral position - and by controlling large swaths of land. During the time when Estalia controlled the region, the farmland immediately surrounding the city was considered the domain of the governor, who was allowed to collect additional fees from the citizens for the maintenance of the city services. Due to its proximity from the capital, initially very few settlers arrived in Gresh, and those that did tended to settle just outside the city limits to avoid these fees. Because of this, much of the land immediately surrounding the town was owned by various members of the extended Poivoit family. As the city grew, this land became extremely valuable, and the family was able to rent it to newcomers, which supplied them with a stable income. To this day, many of the city is owned and rented out by the Poivoits.Notable Inhabitants
Mayor of Gresh- Gregory Poivoit - Gregory has been described as a very cheerful person, although some suspect that this is only a facade.
- Eamon Greyleaf
- Jorin Caldwyn
- Alaric Fenmore
- Ehlark Ervalur
- Grofigar Stormbow
- Shadbak Sapphiremace
Industry & Trade
Districts
Gresh is separated into several different districts.
1. City Centre
- Centred in the city lies the administrative core of the region.
- The centre is home to various organizations, including the city council and sensors.
- The area is full of administrators running to and from, and appears to be filled with an organized chaos.
- The oldest part of the city, this quarter is mostly owned by members of the Poivoit family.
- Predominantly residential for people of the city, ranging from large manors for the Poivoit family to appartment complexes.
- Slang for the parts of the city primarily occupied by Ostrangardian expatriats.
- These sections are divided across the city, but are constantly within the shadow of the city walls.
- The quarter seems more tightly packed than the rest of the city, and feels as if it is constantly within the shade.
- Despite the apparent chill, the streets are filled with a sense of comfort and the smell of good cooking.
- Lining the length of the Bravo River, the Market District is covered with market stalls and ships for transporting their goods to and from the city.
- The sound of hundreds of people fills the district with a low hum.
- The markets are open year-round and under all weather. The merchants are used to Gresh's erratic weather, and can efficiently set up canopies for their customers, and even tear it down quickly.
History
One of the first major cities settled in the area now known as Aedan, Gresh started as a point on a map drawn by an Estalia empire-planner who thought would be a strong seat of power for the newly settled province of Greshia. Fortunately for the thousands of people who now call the city home, they were correct. Nestled on the banks of the Bravo River, Gresh is surrounded by hills which are rich in nutrients, which allowed for its residents to create incredibly productive farms for grain and livestock. The city quickly became a major food source across Estalia, primarily feeding the city centres of Aedian, Angel's Harbour, and even Metis and Carlis.
Despite their prosperity, many within the city felt that the food tithes required by the government were too steep, which lead to protests and widespread dissatisfaction within the city. When Aedia declared independence from the republic, Gresh sided with its sister city. After independence, Gresh has retained its importance, and serves as an important food producer across the kingdom.
Points of interest
The Walls of Gresh
When the Ostrangardians came to the city, they found it as a sprawling settlement with minimal defenses. Like beavers to a flowing stream, the Ostrangardians did what they did best, and constructed the large walls which surround the city. This was done mostly out of their own pockets - the final bits of the wealth used to create a long-lasting protection for their new home. Today, the walls of Gresh are considered to be on of history's greatest engineering achievement. The walls are over 60 ft tall and contain a network of passageways to defensive positions across the top and along the face of the wall. Construction on the wall has never ceased, and innumerable alterations and additions have been completed through the generations, as new generations and new ideas pass through. The walls have never been breached, despite several attacks from Ostrangard, The Barrens, and the Devil's Teeth Range."The weather's always wrong in Gresh"a common saying, founded in the superstition that, in Gresh, if you predict the weather, it will always be different.
Type
Large city
Inhabitant Demonym
Greshians
Owning Organization
Related Plots
What's the Gossip?
- Recent attacks from raiding parties mean that there is always work for protection within and surrounding the city.
- Rumours swirl around the Ostrangardian quarters of the city of ghost sightings.
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