Osaliel

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Region Details
Continent
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Population
Economy
Politics
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History

Osaliel began as a small trading village. Positioned at the edge of a dense forest, it became an ideal source of timber for the small fishing colonies at the sea's edge. With time, the colonization of the edges of the Ayzosasi Peninsula led to a burgeoning trade in Osaliel. Those wishing to forego the fractured states of the continent journeyed by ship to the shoals near this growing township. Isolated by two woods and the inland sea, Osaliel escaped much of the early distruction of the continent's wars. Eventually, Osaliel's population swelled to overcome the fishing colonies and the young city incorporated them into its governance.

Osaliel became the center of a republic and later the southern-most reach of the Svunnetland Empire. As the Empire fractured, the senators of Osaliel chose to forge their own path once more. Surrounded by some of the most fertile lands in the Far East, the newly christened Soliferum Republic grew wealthy by supplying the cities of nearby Batesaor and Nighthelm. Today, Osaliel is one of the richest centers of trade on the continent and is the capital of one of its strongest nations.

Osaliel continues to rely upon the lumber harvested from the nearby woods, but after acquiring the small coastal colonies, Osaliel became the largest port on Ayzosasi. The North Trade Road funneled goods into the cities of Svunnetland, Zonasa, and Antoza. An unspoken agreement safeguards Osaliel's traders while passing through Batesaor and its client states.

A great wall now guards an Osaliel that straddles the Emerald River. So named for the manner in which it reflects the trees along its banks, the Emerald is a short river that flows into the Southern Sea and forms the small delta that provides the only farmland in Osaliel. Lumberjacks often use the Emerald to transport large quantities of timber to ships for sale at other ports. The Ayzosasi Forest to the city's north covers all approaches from neighboring Cutnipaniel and Azohib, effectively shielding the city from assault in this direction. The Sozon lowlands provide the simplest access to Osaliel but the distances involved in bypassing the forest ensures that the Ayzosasi Trade Route cuts directly through the forest to Cutnipaniel.

Republican Conservatory

The Conservatory has been the lifeblood of the Soliferum Legions since their creation and for the armies of the Svunnetland Empire and Osaliel Republic before that. Focusing on strategic and logistical excellence, this school has educated many of the finest generals in Svunnetland's history and has a reputation for developing a high degree of personal initiative within its graduates. The Conservatory remains the principle destination for the children of Soliferum nobility destined to lead troops into battle.

The Osaliel Market

One of the most sprawling markets in the south and the key to Osaliel's considerable wealth, the Market is the hub for all economic activity on the Ayzosasi Peninsula. With easy access to both the woods north of the city and the ports to the south via major roadways, the Market is Soliferum's greatest link to the northern cities of the Far East. Roadways lead north to Alanurs and the markets of Batesaor, Zonasa, and Svunnetland.

The Republican Senate

The center of political life in Soliferum, this great hall houses the Senate as it meets to discuss matters of governance and economic policy. Originally the site of the Osaliel Republic's Senate, many wings were closed with establishment of Svunnetland's Senate in Masahakon. Only recently, after the sundering of the empire, has this building experienced a revitilization as tax monies have flowed toward restoring the hall to its original grandure.

The Republican Senate later suffered a crisis of dispute, still ongoing, leading up to and after the Secession of Ortedail.

Taverns of Osaliel

There are many places to get a drink, some food, a wench and some evening entertainment in Osaliel. Many local ales are brewed by the Northbridge Brewery located in Osaliel, but the flavor is generally not favored by the burghers and nobles. Among the more prominent establishments:

• The Black Serpent - Offers good, strong ale and poor quality local wines, as well as ikrif in an expensive drink called Snake Ale. Whores can be found on the second floor, and the first has semi-private booths along the walls and a large, circular table in the center served by the tavern owner's two sons. The place is well-lit, half-timbered, and frequented by merchants, travelers and sometimes the nobility. Weapons are not allowed.

• The Laughing Weasel - Offers decent ales and wine, and features a large, cushion-strewn back room for smoking ikrif in wood-and-bronze pipes kept by the tavern. The front room has six tables served by several barmaids. Upstairs is off limits to customers; it's where the owner lives. The establishment is frequented by citizens of all classes. Weapons are allowed but must be out of sight.

• Alyvin's Pub and Dancehall - Featuring a permament ensemble of musicians who specialize in Soliferum Fugue (modal, percussive, polyphonic music done in triple meter, played on lutes, viol, recorder and singing-without-words). Alyvin, the owner, is a retired court composer from Zonasa.

• The Fish Head - Offering ales in a variety of strengths and quality and an inexpensive local liquor made from apples called Shoreman's Walk. The pub is crowded and rowdy, featuring over a dozen stools at a bar and two large tables. There are barmaids and a servant midget named Stew. Fishermen, sailors, local farmers, travelers and sometimes merchants visit the place. Weapons are allowed, but fights are discouraged from happening inside the premises.

• The Serpent's Tail - In the ramshackle blocks of Osaliel's more dangerous and shady district, this tavern is dimly lit and it's ale is watered down. The room has many dark corners and booths, and offers gambling at a table with thrown dice. There are an unusually large amount of mercenary bodyguards hired by the place, although fights are not stopped. The owner is a ratty looking merchant with an eyepatch.