Cyllian:Garhattan
Garhattan is the name given to the cape of land lying south of the Strusk Mountains. The land is a mixture of broken badlands and short grass prairies. Two powerful city states control all trade moving between the Cyllian Sea to the north and east and the open Southern Ocean. The city of Rel lies on a natural deep water harbor on the eastern side of Garhattan, controlling all of the surrounding lands and nearly all the trade coming and going form the Cyllian Sea. The city of Krayton lies on the southernmost promontory of Garhattan. All trade coming and going from the Southern Ocean comes through Krayton's harbor.
An overland trade route exists between Rel and Krayton. The trade route serves to transport goods into and out of the interior of the land, and also transports many goods around the dangerous ....... which is treacherous for shipping. Sorthal is the only city of import along the route. It sets along the Krish River.
Rel and Krayton have been trading partners and natural rivals for centuries. Both have tried to unify the area under their rule multiple times, but neither is strong enough to conquer the defenses of the other. The two are separated by geography and the powerful Arl Confederation on land. The centaur forces are too powerful in the open for the armies of either city-state to contend with, and yet the centaurs have no naval presence, so both cities are completely safe from siege by them.
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Sorthal[edit]
Sorthal is an free city that sets along the main trade-route where it crosses the Krish River. It is ruled by a council of guildmasters. It is also a member of the Arl Confederation, the only reason it has not be absorbed into the political control of the more powerful Rel or Krayton. It acts as the primary center of trade among the clans of the plains and merchants that travel from either larger city state. It is the only walled city on the plains.
Arl Confederation[edit]
This is a loose organization of the nomadic centaur clans that control the plains of Garhattan. as well as number of smaller human settlements on the plains. Sanfer Ironbearer is the King of the Arl Confederation. This confederation has long held the growth of Krayton and Rel inland in check as neither has the power to challenge the confederation, with its scores of centaur warriors, in open combat. Over time, many human communities have chosen to align themselves with the Arl Confederation, as Sanfer is seen as a preferable master to the mercantile interests of Rel and Krayton.
Krayton[edit]
All trade between the Thousand Islands Archipelago in the Southern Ocean and the cities and states surrounding the Cyllian Sea passes through Krayton. It controls all the neighboring human settlements in its vicinity. Krayton predates the fall of the Dieni Empire as an independent political organization with a continuous government that dates from that time. While technically a democracy, wherein every citizen may participate, in actuality, leading families control the various departments and functions of government on a day-to-day basis and have for centuries. They ensured their power when their ancestors participated in blood-bonding ritual with the Dieni hero Krayton (the city took his name), immortalizing him as a patron deity of the city.
Rel[edit]
Rel lies along the eastern coast of Garhattan. All trade to and from the Cyllian Sea passes through Rel as it is the most southern and western port on that sea. The preferred coastal trades of that sea do not go on the open seas to the south. The man Rel rebelled against the Dieni and fled south out of their empire, where he established this port. His direct descendant still sits on the throne of this ancient city. He demands worship of all who come to the city in exchange for his protection. He is much loved and feared by those he rules over. It is said that he possesses an ancient artifact that he stole from Groetash with which he can bless a ship to be unseen by that ancient deity.
Karn[edit]
Karn is a closed, xenophobic matriarchal society run by the priestesses of Soltrax, the patron deity of Karn. Karn does formalized trading through Krayton and has some relations to the Arl Confederation with a select group of female centaurs. It is well known that all males that step foot into Karn are taken as slaves or sacrifices.
