Gristilia: Difference between revisions

Gristilia rewritten: Free City, Council of Gristilia, districts, anchorage, glass economy, population, defense
No edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 12: Line 12:
{{Settlements in Arezilur Sections
{{Settlements in Arezilur Sections
|Introduction='''Gristilia''' is the largest city of [[Arezilur]] and its only major port. It stands on [[Gristilia Bay]] at the southern end of [[Beilisia]], below the glass peaks of the [[Beilisco Mountains]], and has about 60,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the [[Free City of Gristilia]], which governs Beilisia, and it is governed by the Council of Gristilia, five elder women elected by the city's districts. Gristilia's wealth comes from the natural glass of Beilisia, which is carved from the mountains and exported through its harbor.
|Introduction='''Gristilia''' is the largest city of [[Arezilur]] and its only major port. It stands on [[Gristilia Bay]] at the southern end of [[Beilisia]], below the glass peaks of the [[Beilisco Mountains]], and has about 60,000 inhabitants. It is the seat of the [[Free City of Gristilia]], which governs Beilisia, and it is governed by the Council of Gristilia, five elder women elected by the city's districts. Gristilia's wealth comes from the natural glass of Beilisia, which is carved from the mountains and exported through its harbor.
|Etymology=The name Gristilia is derived from ''Gristillisco'', "crystal bay", the [[Berturraci]] name for [[Gristilia Bay]].
|Etymology=The name Gristilia is derived from ''Gristillisco'', "crystal bay", the [[Berturraci]] name for [[Gristilia Bay]].
|Geography=Gristilia stands on the west shore of Gristilia Bay, where the glass spires of the Beilisco Mountains end and the dunes of the [[Arezilur Desert]] reach the sea. The bay opens east onto the water between Arezilur and [[Jesselsom]]. A line of rocks lies offshore in front of the city, and there is no deep-water quay. [[Fort Attille]] stands on the point at the southern side of the bay.
|Geography=Gristilia stands on the west shore of Gristilia Bay, where the glass spires of the Beilisco Mountains end and the dunes of the [[Arezilur Desert]] reach the sea. The bay opens east onto the water between Arezilur and [[Jesselsom]]. A line of rocks lies offshore in front of the city, and there is no deep-water quay. [[Fort Attille]] stands on the point at the southern side of the bay.


Line 20: Line 18:


The city lies in one of the hottest parts of Arezilur. Summers are very hot, and rain is rare.
The city lies in one of the hottest parts of Arezilur. Summers are very hot, and rain is rare.
 
|History=Gristilia grew from the place where the [[Berturracio|Berturracioi]] landed when they arrived in Arezilur by sea around 400 ME. Like other migrants, they came in search of land and a better living. The glass of Beilisia, which could be cut from the mountains without smelting, drew artisans to the site, and five Berturracio tribes settled there and formed the city: the [[Belidde]], [[Underre]], [[Aivile]], [[Irbille]] and [[Illerre]]. The Council of Gristilia began as the council of these five tribes.
|History=Gristilia grew from the place where the [[Berturracio|Berturracioi]] landed when they arrived in Arezilur by sea around 400 ME. Like other migrants, they came in search of land and a better living. The glass of Beilisia, which could be cut from the mountains without smelting, drew artisans to the site, and five Berturracio tribes settled there and formed the city. The Council of Gristilia began as the council of these five tribes.


Gristilia has governed itself since its founding and has never been ruled by another state. As the glass trade grew, it extended its authority over Beilisia, from Gaiondo in the north to Atte in the south.
Gristilia has governed itself since its founding and has never been ruled by another state. As the glass trade grew, it extended its authority over Beilisia, from Gaiondo in the north to Atte in the south.
|Districts=Gristilia is divided into six districts. Five of them each elect one member of the Council of Gristilia; the Government District is ruled directly by the council.
|Districts=Gristilia is divided into six districts. Five of them each elect one member of the Council of Gristilia; the Government District is ruled directly by the council.
* '''Old Town''', the oldest part of the city, around the landing place.
* '''Old Town''', the oldest part of the city, around the landing place.
Line 32: Line 28:
* '''Foreign Quarter''', where most of the city's foreigners live, mainly [[Gostaldi]].
* '''Foreign Quarter''', where most of the city's foreigners live, mainly [[Gostaldi]].
* '''Government District''', the seat of the Council of Gristilia.
* '''Government District''', the seat of the Council of Gristilia.
 
|Notable Locations=* '''The anchorage''': ships anchor offshore beyond the rocks, and cargo and passengers are carried between ship and shore by boat.
|Notable Locations=
* '''The anchorage''': ships anchor offshore beyond the rocks, and cargo and passengers are carried between ship and shore by boat.
* '''[[Fort Attille]]''': the fort on the southern point of the bay, which holds the harbor guns.
* '''[[Fort Attille]]''': the fort on the southern point of the bay, which holds the harbor guns.
|Culture and Society=Gristilia is governed by the Council of Gristilia, made up of five elder women. The council has no leader; with five members it decides by simple vote. Its members originally represented the five tribes that founded the city and now represent the five districts. Each district elects its own member when a seat falls vacant on the death of the previous holder. Members usually come from families of master artisans. A member can be removed by the unanimous vote of the other four.
|Culture and Society=Gristilia is governed by the Council of Gristilia, made up of five elder women. The council has no leader; with five members it decides by simple vote. Its members originally represented the five tribes that founded the city and now represent the five districts. Each district elects its own member when a seat falls vacant on the death of the previous holder. Members usually come from families of master artisans. A member can be removed by the unanimous vote of the other four.


The council is advised by an oracle, who has no vote.
The council is advised by an oracle from one of the city's tribes, who has no vote.


About 42,000 of the city's inhabitants are Berturracioi, about 8,000 are Qerem, and about 10,000 are foreigners, most of them Gostaldi.
About 42,000 of the city's inhabitants are Berturracioi, about 8,000 are Qerem, and about 10,000 are foreigners, most of them Gostaldi.
|Spiritual Significance=The oracle who advises the council is a disciple of the [[Path of Nulai]]. [[Yeparchism]], which the Berturracioi brought from [[Gosterra]], survives as a minority faith and is stronger in Gristilia than elsewhere in Arezilur.
|Spiritual Significance=The oracle who advises the council is a disciple of the [[Path of Nulai]]. [[Yeparchism]], which the Berturracioi brought from [[Gosterra]], survives as a minority faith and is stronger in Gristilia than elsewhere in Arezilur.
|Economy=Gristilia's economy rests on glass. The natural glass of Beilisia is carved directly from the Beilisco Mountains, above all at Arihis's Quarry, and needs no smelting. It is very strong and cheap to produce, and it is regarded as the finest glass in the world. It is cut and worked in the Foundry District and exported through the harbor.
|Economy=Gristilia's economy rests on glass. The natural glass of Beilisia is carved directly from the Beilisco Mountains, above all at Arihis's Quarry, and needs no smelting. It is very strong and cheap to produce, and it is regarded as the finest glass in the world. It is cut and worked in the Foundry District and exported through the harbor.


Gristilia is a steamship port with a telegraph. Its water comes from deep wells and cisterns and from trade with nearby oases. Smuggling is common.
Gristilia is a steamship port with a telegraph. Its water comes from deep wells and cisterns and from trade with nearby oases. Smuggling is common.
|Defense and Military=The city is defended by a city guard and by the harbor guns of Fort Attille. In time of need it hires mercenaries.
|Defense and Military=The city is defended by a city guard and by the harbor guns of Fort Attille. In time of need it hires mercenaries.
|Dangers and Threats=Glasstorms and sandstorms strike the city from Beilisia and the desert, and the summer heat is severe.
|Dangers and Threats=Glasstorms and sandstorms strike the city from Beilisia and the desert, and the summer heat is severe.
}}
}}
[[Category:Arezilur]][[Category:Berturracioi]]
[[Category:Arezilur]][[Category:Berturracioi]]