Overview

Krasslig is a city state that has grown to fill much of the area between the banks of the Krasslig River and the Wild Forest. This forest appeared during the Second Surge, covering the wildlands that once stretched across most of the territory between Krasslig and Jast. Krasslig lies in a prime location between trade routes crossing the southern Midlands; this as well as its placement on the Krasslig River have been important factors in their growing economy.

Krasslig is formed by five districts. Midtown, the residential district at the center, and The East District, where most crafting labors take place, are the oldest parts of the city. The West District, dominated by the markets of Krasslig, has expanded in more recent times as Krasslig begins drawing more trade activity to their small city. The Waterside District is the name for the stretch of docks and warehouses that line the river, and the Northside encompasses the more rural areas outside the city.

Since gaining their independence with the loss of Tangel, every decade Krasslig votes on their leader, the Barron, to protect and serve the nation. The citizens also vote for district representatives who serve as a council of advisors for the Barron. Barron Byron Grimwald is a Human and the current Barron of Krasslig. He is well-loved by the people and has held his position for the past 25 years.

Krasslig has very good relations with the Greenwood Republic, and with Sharolia, but recent trade disputes have begun to increase tensions. These relations are maintained inlarge part due to Krasslig's growing role as a trade and shipping center for their region of the Midlands, but the personality and outreach of the jovial Barron is also well received by these nations.

Culture

The Midtown District is centrally located and filled with various slate roofed brick buildings darkened by age. This area is mainly residential, but has some small businesses and shops. It also houses Krasslig's government and its operations, and is where various guilds maintain local offices. The Hall, where the Barron regularly meets with his advisors and handles the business of running Krasslig, is at the center of Midtown. The Hall is easily recognizable for its oxidized copper roof and overgrown, dense patches of ivy. Midtown’s uneven cobblestone streets can be winding and confusing, with many side streets and alleys. It is easy to get lost in Midtown if you are unfamiliar. The fighters guild has a local headquarters in Krasslig, broadly known across the Midlands for its extensive bounty board that lines the long stone wall to their property. While the Merchants Guild doesn't maintain a facility here, some of its more prominent members still choose to run their business from Krasslig, usually in the West District.

Krasslig is also home to many who live just on the edge of society, the extremely poor. In the heart of Midtown is a Temple of Kimara cut from stone and adorned with dim lanterns that cast eerie shadows long into the night. This temple is frequented by the unseen, the homeless, the forgotten orphans, either as a place to rest, or a place to get enough to get by. Followers who can, often leave a coin or two as an offering at the shrines within the temple. No one knows who maintains the temple, but it is common for those who come for refuge to take what they need to get by, to keep them unseen, or to help lead them from the shadows.

The West District is Krasslig's main trade and merchant quarter, having many facilities for caravans and traders of all kinds. Though the buildings of the West District are generally smaller than Midtown and are less grandiose, there is a grand market center here where merchants and locals will gather each day to exchange goods and shipments intended for far away places. The well-known caravan company run by Dorian de Leon, The Midlands Trading Co., has its headquarters in Krasslig. Their caravans encircle the Midlands on a few routes, and it is not uncommon to see one of their traders among the merchant stalls in many nations outside Krasslig.

The West District has also grown over the years into a center for great revelry and excess. Many inns, taverns, and restaurants are emerging, mainly on the outer edge of the district in an area called The Block. The taverns here seem to never close, and are rife with intoxication, gambling, debauchery, and general excess at all hours. While often rowdy, this area is notably enchanting at night due to its many lanterns that illuminate the streets and buildings. Many different sizes and colors can be seen strung between balconies or above doorways, which can be quite mesmerizing. The Block has at its core the famous gambling hall and entertainment center, "The Casino Circena". Within the entrance hall of the Casino is a famous Shrine to Jarro where patrons often wager a coin to gain the blessings of the god of Luck. The coin is flipped, if it falls dragon-up the patron keeps it and wins another, otherwise it goes to the casino. Either way the coin falls it is said that Jarro gives His blessing.

The East District is Krasslig's main industrial center and workspace for many trades. Most of its buildings are dedicated to the processing of materials, or production of crafted goods. Some of the old factories still stand unused and in disrepair, but many have been brought back to their former glory. During the daylight hours this district is buzzing with activity, and the hammering thuds of artisans working metals, stone, and wood can be heard reverberating through the streets. Teeming with the bustling activity of laborers, it’s best to know where you are going in the East District lest you get in the way.

The Waterside District is a rather thin territory that hugs the banks of the Krasslig River south of Midtown. At its center are the Docks, where a long network of grayed, weathered boardwalks are host to river trade ships. Surrounding the docks are many buildings dedicated to storing goods, either those ready to be loaded onto the next boat shipping out, or for large orders of imported goods waiting for distribution. Some of the Waterside District's many warehouses are owned by well-known merchant groups across Ashriya.

The North District, more commonly known as Northside, is a district of city outskirts and farm communities that merges with the natural wetlands north of Krasslig. Much of its land is used for the growing of rice, barley, and other crops amenable to the many wetlands of this region. Cranberry bogs provide a unique ingredient that has been added to brews, spirits, and wines in Krasslig for years, and are beginning to gain some fame outside the city state as foreigners come through more and more often. North of these farms lie more treacherous wetland that is not part of Krasslig proper, and beyond is the Wild Forest.

The Wild Forest is a relatively small patch of Surge forestation that lies north of Krasslig. This area of forest is starkly different from the majority of forests in the surrounding areas: a very dense, winding, foggy maze of wetland Cypress trees, emerging from a bog. Its density and broad networks of aerial roots create confounding paths bathed in eerie patterns of shadows. Since its emergence, it has started to sink the surrounding land, expanding the wetland biome; naturalists believe that Northside will someday be lost underneath muddy swamps. The forest is essentially inaccessible, inhabited by Glibben called The Court of Shadows. It's unclear if this is what the Glibben call themselves, but it has become the common name used by the people of Krasslig who have not actually laid eyes on the creatures. Rumors circulate that The Court is actually invisible, but most think they are just good at staying out of sight. While the Court doesn't seem to be violent, any mortals who enter will soon find themselves walking in circles only to emerge where they started.

History

Krasslig was founded by Togar Krasslig, an Elven furniture maker, in 2 AR. When the Drought ended, many merchants came to Krasslig to make use of the facilities created by Togar, who had founded the humble settlement, to make use of the trickle of the small kill, which eventually became the Krasslig River. In 21 AR Tyir 15, Krasslig joined the Commonwealth of Tangel. Togar Krasslig passed his power to his young son, Emblar, who made the city thrive. Emblar ran the politics and economics of the town as his aging father continued to work on his craft. The town became a center where caravans came to supply themselves with wares, while trading food and supplies from other towns and settlements in the Commonwealth.

When Tangel was engulfed by the wood in the Fourth Surge, Krasslig's economy suffered greatly. As the majority of its businesses and trades relied on Tangel directly or indirectly, many livelihoods were destroyed. Without their old system of suppliers, buyers, and the business supports of the Commonwealth many factories could not afford to stay in business. Throughout Krasslig poverty became a common affliction.

In the past 30 years however, Krasslig has been steadily recovering. More merchants seem to be passing through, unemployment is gradually shrinking, and the lives of the poor are improving. This is unilaterally attributed to the wise endeavors of their current leader, Barron Grimwald. His leadership and policies have been steadily repairing the economy, improving the lives of the people, and developing Krasslig towards the status of a major power in the Midlands.

Soon after Grimwald took control, he convinced a few private investors to help him realize many projects to rebuild Krasslig. These initial deals and investments would drive Krasslig forward against many odds. The first project was to expand the docks of the Riverside District to facilitate many more ships, and larger ones as well. This allowed more traders ferrying goods along the Krasslig River. Soon after, large stables and small affordable inns grew along the western edge of the city as more and more trade caravans began stopping at Krasslig.