Rice Town
A Description of Rice Town's Streets During 315 DHT
The streets here are bustling with activity, with large wagons full of grain and rice moving up and down the street in a frantic rush. Songkram soldiers march along the streets, escorting shipments of metal and other resources delivered from Corgath's mines. Without a doubt, the war between Phovezila and the Songkram Empire has accelerated the trade between the Eastern Provinces and Phovezila's ancient foe, Corgath. The streets of the city are also littered with homeless refugees fleeing from the collapse of Jinifar.
Rice Town was aptly named because of its importance as a trading location on the border of Corgathian territory. Corgath, being poor in fertile land and unable to conquer The Eastern Provinces after their unification, began trade with the Ganpoumi Fi. They quickly establishing a close connection with their neighbors. Rice Town's primary export was, as its name suggests, rice. Corgathians grew to thoroughly enjoy rice, and gladly traded metal mined from the earth for it. Rice Town's true name is Zokino, but it quickly became known as Rice Town due to its popularity with the Corgathians.
Rice Town is one of the two major Eastern cities not technically within the Sangmyung Valley.
Demographics #
While the primary permanent residents of Zokino are Isutan, a good portion of its population was comprised of Corgathian traders who have travelled to sell metals and/or buy rice. Zokino was a busy city, and attracted many people from all walks of life. The dun, naga, and mylembo populations in Zokino collectively made about half of the total. Before becoming such a well-known trader town, the population was almost entirely Isutan humans.
In early 315 DHT, the fall of the Jinifarian kingdom led to a large influx of Jinifarian refugees in Zokino.
Government #
Zokino was the capital of the province of Zhing, and as such was ruled by the noble Win Ng family for several hundred years before the Ganpoumi Fi would unite the provinces. The Win Ng family would continue to govern the province and city through both the Ganpoumi Fi and Songkram's reign. The Win Ng family were popular and well-known for being generous, with minimal taxation on the rice trade that quickly became Zhing's--and eventually the Eastern Provinces'--lifeblood. This low-tax policy on trade was likely what allowed Zokino to flourish to such a large size. This thriving trade point was also how the city got its lengthier alias, the Throat of the East.
The Win Ng family was removed from power following the end of the Spear of the West Campaign. The Grandmaster of Zhing, Win Ng Suthyin, was found to be conspiring against Lord Koh-Ash and was killed. His surviving family members were transported to Nekrosaka alongside many of the Nakai loyal to the Grandmaster.
Defences #
While the city of Zokino itself was never fortified greatly, it was protected to the North by several small forts. After trading relations with Corgath were established, Zokino had very little to fear from outside invasion.
Before the unification of the Eastern Provinces by the Ganpoumi Fi, Zokino was heavily fortified to the South by a magical barrier maintained by a group of skilled Mabosa employed by the Win Ng nobility. This magical barrier was dismantled shortly after the Ganpoumi Fi unified the Eastern provinces, allowing for greater freedom of access to Zhing province's capital for the other residents of the united provinces.
On the west side of the city, the Win Ng palace sat at the top of a small mountain. It was backed by much larger, incredibly steep mountains, and was in excellent position to repel a siege if one pushed up to it.
Nakai stationed in Rice Town were recognizable by the thick coats of fur that they wore atop their armour.
Industry & Trade #
The rice trade of Zokino was undoubtedly the source of life for all who reside in the city and surrounding countryside. Zokino's importance only grew after establishing trade with Corgath, making it an incredibly prosperous city to work and live in. Some scholars called Zokino the "Throat of the East" because of its vital nature to both the Eastern Provinces and the Corgathian kingdom.
While rice and metal traders were the most common (and outspoken) professionals within the city, there was no shortage of other jobs one could find within. Toolsmiths, horse breeders, and a wide range of other professions could be found across Zokino's sprawling streets. Zokino featured many jobs that were performed by Corgathians who had moved south to offer their services and expertise where none had previously been.
The City #
Districts #
Zokino was divided into two main hemispherical districts. The eastern half was the larger of the two, and primarily populated by visiting traders, peasantry, and the middle class. The streets in this district were known to be in a perpetual state of chaos, constantly plugged up by wagons, horses, and street vendors fighting over the precious real estate. There was a mix of all types of businesses throughout the district, and navigating through it would prove to be a challenge for all but the most seasoned of foreign traders.
The western half of the city was smaller, but home to the richer, upper class. The streets here were clean and quiet, with only carriages occasionally making their way down the road. The buildings here were all residential, most of them being manors for retired Nakai and other individuals held in high esteem by the government. Many other people living here were rice tycoons who owned and operated private rice trading companies, stockpiling metals to sell to the Isutan military. The Western half of the city was backed against the mountains surrounding the rim of the Sangmyung Valley, and was the ideal place for the Win Ng family's palace.
Points of Interest #
Win Ng Palace #
To the west side of Rice Town, one could find the grand Win Ng palace atop a mountain overlooking the rest of the city. This palace was the seat of power for the ruling Win Ng family for countless generations before both the Ganpoumi Fi or Songkram's reign.
The Win Ng palace was surrounded by steep, towering mountains on its north and west sides, allowing it to easily defend itself should a siege transpire.
Jangnan Prison #
Towards the outskirts of the city, approximately on the opposite side of the mountains from the Win Ng palace, one could find Jangnan Prison. While it was by no means the highest level security prison, it was famed for holding several rogue Ganpoumi Fi warriors during the Songkram's control.
Jangnan Prison was often cited as being the most unpleasant prison one could be sent to because of the frigid temperatures that would fall every Storm Year. Inmates freezing to death were a common occurrence. Some individuals even whispered that the warden of Jangnan allowed such a thing to transpire in order to make sure there were sufficient cells for new inmates.
Unnamed Inmate Released from Jangnan
Jangnan Prison? You think you're lucky you're ending up there and not overseas in the maximum security hellhole where all the Ganpoumi Fi were sent? Pah, obviously you've never experienced a Rice Town Winter. A more miserable experience than any other prison the Songkram could throw you in.
Jangnan Prison had a capacity of 30 prisoners when it was first built, and hastily expanded to 45 in 315 DHT. By 327 DHT, major renovations and additions to the prison increased its capacity to 100.
Architecture #
An Altum Archivist's First Impressions when Entering Zokino
While many other Eastern cities are spread wide across the land with bungalows and 1-story buildings making up most structures, Rice Town has a distinct merging of Corgathian architecture within it. Usually, 2-story buildings are important offices or taverns, but Corgathian-influenced construction within Rice Town has increased the general presence of 2 and even 3 story buildings. This gives the city a far bigger feel despite taking up less land than other Eastern cities do.
Zokino was a large, sprawling city, but it took up less surface area compared to other Isutan cities despite its massive size. This was mainly due to the incorporation of multilevel structures brought in by Corgathian architects. While wide, single-story buildings were the biggest visual identifier of an Isutan settlement, the verticality of Zokino made it stand out amongst its brethren.
Assets #
True to its name, Rice Town was a hub for rice. As such, there were many warehouses and silos that stored rice throughout the city. There were also a few warehouses that store Corgathian merchants' wares.
History #
Pre-Ganpoumi Fi #
Zokino was the capital of Zhing since the oldest ages of Legere, and well-respected for raising Isutan men tough enough to handle the biting winds that came along every Storm Year. With a powerful magical barrier separating it from the rest of the independent Isutan nations, it was virtually impossible to conquer considering the magic available at the time. The nations of the Eastern Kingdoms encroached upon and invaded each others' territories on a weekly basis. The entirely of the Sangmyung Valley was embroiled in tumultuous conflict nearly all the time--but this magical barrier protecting Zokino made the conquering of Zhing a futile task. As such, residents of Zokino enjoyed peace and prosperity for much of its history.
Corgath's Independence #
A shift in the security of Zokino happened after Corgath's appearance in the previously barren North. While the rocky lands beyond the Sangmyung Valley did house some nomads and raiders, it was not a very big concern for the Zhing government. But the erection of Corgath as a colony of the Cuprum Kingdom spelled potential threat to the Zhing people.
Fortunately, the colony of Corgath would remain passive for many years--but Zokino would remain vigilant over any potential threat it posed. This would change a couple hundred years later when Corgath became an independent nation following the destruction of the Cuprum Kingdom. Corgath's sovereignty led to it rapidly expanding and conquering the surrounding rocky area. Its borders quickly met Zhing's, and the Corgathians set their sights upon Zhing's fertile soil. Zhing would find itself invaded several times by Corgath, managing to repel the invaders each time. Zhing would also lead a counterattack once, but the mighty walls of the City of Corgath caused them to suffer an embarrassing defeat.
Unification Under the Ganpoumi Fi #
Meanwhile, the nation of Du Dô's discovery of djinnblade technology was allowing them to quickly conquer and unify the rest of the Isutan nations, a plan of action begun several years earlier in response to Sandar's own east-moving conquest on the west side of Hohm. The Du Dô government and the other Isutan nations unified under it marched to Zokino's magic barrier, where they demonstrated the power of the djinnblades. The barrier was unable to withstand the cutting-edge magical weapons, and the proto-Ganpoumi Fi forces marched straight into Zokino. There, they offered to let Zhing maintain its ruling Win Ng family, granting them a seat on the Ganpoumi Fi's governing council, which was enough to make Zokino surrender and officially designate Zhing as the seventh Eastern Province.
Once Zhing was an Eastern Province, its forces were bolstered by Ganpoumi Fi Nakai, armed with djinnblades and sporting impressive manpower. Corgath quickly gave up its attempts to conquer Zhing.
Alliance with Corgath #
Corgath would cautiously approach the Ganpoumi Fi after a couple of years passed, and the Sandarian conquest was over. Corgath was looking to invade the leftovers of Sandar's ruins- namely, a young nation known as Phovezila. It was then that Corgath would establish its longstanding trade deal with the Eastern Provinces, turning Zokino from the capital of its enemy into its most favoured trading hub. Zokino's Tradespeak nickname "Rice Town", given to it by Corgathian traders, quickly permeated throughout Legere to the point where most people knew Zokino as said nickname.
Jinifarian Refugee Crisis #
In 315 DHT, Zokino would receive a large influx of Jinifarian refugees that migrated South from Sharkville, seeking refuge within the Eastern Provinces. The Songkram government would deny them full access to the Eastern Provinces, instead halting them at the border- but allowing them to stay in Zokino, much to the Win Ng family's vexation.
Geography #
Zokino was partially nestled within the mountain range surrounding the Sangmyung Valley, occupying a wind gap. Being entirely landlocked, Zokino relied on water from springs, as well as streams coming down off of the nearby mountains.
The south side of Zokino was blessed with having bountiful, fertile land--ideal for growing the rice crop that sustained it. Zokino was warm, but compared to the rest of the Eastern Provinces, it was the coldest. This was especially so during Storm Years, where snowfall was a common occurrence, and the entire city would often find itself buried in a couple of feet of snow.