Kolto

Kolto is the northwestern-most region of Rodari

An overland map of Kolto.

Origins

Kolto was once part of the Silver Arrow Empire, a powerful Kingdom that once ruled most of Rodari.
This region was were the empire was first founded, under the rule of Kolto Silver Arrow, this region takes great pride in being the emperor's native land, especially Babasko, his place of birth.

Inhabitants

Although mostly human, Kolto is home to a variety of races. The second most dominant race is elves and halflings are a close third.

Government

Kolto cities are independently governed as city-states, although there are rumors of a return to the old Empire.

Cities and Towns

Babasko

Babasko is the largest and most glorious city of the region. Its harbor is renown for its capacity and efficiency. This city is one of the largest trading hubs in all of Rodari, establishing trade routes with the Elven Fae'lin and Nealef.
The city is well protected and its laws are strict, crime gets dealt with swiftly and harshly, criminals are often humiliated in barbaric public displays of punishment.
Kolto's branch of the Guild of Arcane Evokers can be found here.
There are large remnants of the Silver Arrow Empire here, large noble houses of the old empire are still very powerful in the city's government.
Ancient walls and forts can be found around this city, remnants of the old empire.

Babasko, also known as the city of light, is massive and ancient. The city is large, yet it had been larger in the past, its borders have been reduced, leaving an unattended and decrepit wall on the outskirts of the city. There is a river that runs through the city and feeds into its aqueduct system.

The city's architecture is divided into two major structures: The ancient buildings that still stand are made of marble or strong stones, the roofs are spherical and they are unusually tall. The newer buildings are made of brick, clay and sometimes wood. There are also newer buildings that copy the ancient architecture.

There is are many historical buildings and monuments and also an unusual amount of buildings that are falling apart, this is due to the city's restriction on demolishing buildings created before 250 DR (about 1000 years ago).

City Districts

The city is laid out in 8 districts.

The Ancient district

This area is made up almost exclusively of ancient architecture. The district is surrounded by an ancient wall that is well maintained and functional. This was once the seat of power for the entire Silver Arrow Empire, it is now a historical district and the home of the current Silver Arrow Empire. This area is under strict guard by Silver Arrow. It was once only ceremonial, but in the past years it has been a functional force made exclusively of Silver Arrow soldiers. Access is only permitted by request.

The Market: In the middle of the city lies a huge grid of stalls and warehouses. The Market boasts wares from all over Tashyn. This area is open to all, but it is under close watch by Babasko guards.

The Harbor: Many ships make their way to the Babasko Harbor, therefore it has grown so large that it eventually became its own district. Half of this district is warehouses and mercantile, the other is dedicated to shipwright.

The Arcane Zone: This district contains the Guild of Arcane Evokers and the Fellowship of the Mind (psionic guild). Many mages and student reside here. The area is surrounded by walls and access is limited.

The High district: Government officials, politicians, wealthy and influential people all live in this district. This zone is walled off and access is limited.

The Low district: The biggest residential area, most Babasko inhabitants live here. The slums are a subdivision of this district, there are no walls surrounding this area, it is located next to the main district and market district.

The Main district: This district is located at the main entrance of the city. The city square is here, along with the justice hall, administrative buildings, barracks and The Arch. The Arch is a strong stone arch that is fifty 50 feet tall and 100 feet long. Criminals are held into holding cells that hang on the edge of the Arch. Inside this cell, their necks are tied with rope that is attached to the arch above. Each hour the cells move closer and closer to the middle, where eventually the bottom slides out and the prisoner is left to choke and die. After some time, the body is dislodged from the arch and falls down into an area called the pit. The pit is where body lie until they are cleaned up, sometimes creatures and criminals are thrown in there for sport or as unusual punishments.

The Border Lands: Due to Babasko's shrinking borders, there is an area roughly the size of the current city that spans its perimeter. Due to the relative safety of the outer walls, many outlaws, vagabonds and creatures call this place a home. There are ancient structures and some newly erected clandestine buildings, but not much is known about this area, most people avoid it.

Government

Babasko is a city state, run by a semi democratic aristocracy. People who are allowed to vote can vote for members of a counsel. The counsel is made of ten nobles who elect a governor. The governor has unlimited power but can be veto'd by the counsel and must consult with them prior to any major decision. There is currently a rise in power for the Silver Arrow Empire, usually only one representative of the old Empire is part of the counsel, at this time, there are three.

Laws

Laws are strict in Babasko and crimes are dealth with harshly. There are Justicars who may skip the justice process and convey their own punishment to any criminal they see fit, other guards and lawmen must bring the criminal to the justice hall for judgment. Stealing and smuggling are tiered by monetary value, you could lose a finger, a hand, a limb or your head, depending on the cost of the stolen goods. Murder is an automatic death sentence unless it is out of self defense. Racism and other minor crimes, such as assault or blasphemy will land you a trip across The Arch. The offenders will hang upside down and move across The arch from one end to the other, the trips takes about a day. Disorderly conduct and other petty crimes will land you a 3 days cleaning the pit. Crimes against aristocracy usually ends in lashes.

Races

All races are welcome in Babasko, racism is against the law.

Climate

Babasko's weather is a little colder and and precipitation is more frequent than in the rest of Kolto. But generally it's quite temperate.

Maelith

This city is the second largest in Kolto, its inhabitants mostly live in poverty in the main district, the high district is walled in and resides rich land owners and businessmen.
Maelith's architecture is simple and efficient, but it does have a few noteworthy buildings and the decorations of the guilds in the city are of much higher class and budget than the rest of the city's structures.
Corruption and crime are not uncommon in Maelith, although the city's reputation is not as bad as Jessivan's.

Vertgrass

Located between Babasko and Maelith, Vertgrass is a small logging town in the fringes of the old Babasko city limits, it resides close to ancient temples and fortifications left from the old empire.

Thier Jer

Located on the eastern border or Kolto, Thier Jer is a mining city. There is nothing spectacular about this city other than its intricate mines and underground levels.
Built for efficiency, the city is made up of mainly uremarkable warehouses and trading posts. There are many underground levels to the city where most dwarves live.
Thier Jer has one of the highest population of dwarves in Rodari and most of them being underground dwelling dwarves.

Jessivan

A wealthy trade port, very independent and not attached to the region's old values.
Half of Jessivan is known as the Shadow District, due to a Thieves' Guild strong hold on a large part of the city.