Spotlight on Valt: Fassett

Okay, much apologizing here.  First off, sorry to Numaar, but Spring’s next posts will make it clear why I chose Fasset over your suggestion.  I promise you, the Numbraran Empire is next.

Secondly, sorry for the length.  If people don’t want to read the whole thing I understand.  It would up being much longer than I thought it would.

Quick Facts

• Fasset is the name of a continent, the only nation on that continent, and the capital city of that nation.  It is pronounced like the word ‘facet’, as in a facet of a gem.
• The language of Fasset is Fassetian.  It is pronounced like the word ‘fashion.’
• Goods or people originating in Fasset are also referred to as being Fassetian.
• The city’s population is roughly 2.3 million humanoids.  The continent’s population is just under four million.  Not included in these statistics is a sizable population of giants.
• The continent is approximately 1.8 million square miles in area.
• Major Exports: Gems, lumber, ore, artwork (of all kinds), exotic slaves (such as ogres)
• Major Imports: Food (although the city can sustain itself), mundane slaves, spices, tools

 

The continent of Fasset is a rugged land mostly dominated by thick forests and imposing mountains.  It is mostly populated by giants and monsters.  It is one continental landmass, divided in half by a narrow channel.  The channel can only be navigated one way (north to south) and cuts the continent apart, with the eastern half being about half of the size of the western half, although far more mountainous.

Giants and monstrous humanoids control most of the continent.  Human incursion can be made into the western Fasset, which is primarily populated by ogres and the smaller monsters.  The larger, more forbidding mountains of eastern Fasset are home to the more powerful varieties of giants, as well as a host of dragons and other dangerous creatures.

Impenetrable

                Fasset is often referred to as ‘the impossible target.’  Largely, this is because it has never been successfully invaded by any military force.  The natural and man-made features of the city (and the continent itself) make it nigh impossible to invade.

                To begin with, the continent has nowhere to land.  The entirety of it is ringed by cliffs, which rise to their highest at nearly three thousand feet, and their lowest (within the city itself) at just over six hundred feet.  These cliffs are treacherous to climb, and although some small paths have been carved to coves or tiny spits of beach along the coast, these trails are only wide enough for a single man or ogre to navigate.  A very, very few exist that are wider, but they inevitably lead directly into the communities of the giants who created them.  These tend to be the largest and least friendly of the giant types.

                In addition to the aforementioned monsters and terrain hazards, the city is only accessible by a single ocean passage, which takes multiple days to travel down and can only be navigated by a small number of ships at a time.  There is more than enough time for the aquatic lookouts along the passage to send word back to the city, and any naval invasion is doomed to face a wall of ships once they reach the larger bays of the community itself.

                As if this weren’t enough, magical travel is impossible in Fasset.  Any form of translocation magic (even Dimension Door) cast on the continent (either as the destination or point of origin) result in the traveler arriving in a random destination on the landmass.  Unwise spell casters will find that they might even find themselves arriving over the ocean.  Some spell casters use this as a last ditch escape attempt, but the unpredictability of arrival (some wizards have arrived several hundred feet in the air) makes it dangerous at best.

The Path

                The narrow ocean channel that divides Fasset starts at the north-eastern coast of the landmass, heading along a gently winding route until it reaches the city of Fasset itself.  The northern half of the passage is called the Path.  It is swift, although the turns are gentle, and it is easily navigated.  The cliffs on either side are as steep as they are anywhere along the coast, and far enough apart to permit three ships to travel alongside one another, provided they are small and careful.

                On the way out of Fasset, however, the channel turns deadly.  Referred to by natives as the Chute, the single waterway of the Path begins to branch off, turning into a violent mess of different channels.  The Chute is perhaps the most deadly feature of Fasset.  No matter how one chooses to navigate it, there are numerous perils awaiting any traveler who journeys the Chute.

                In some of the passages, the current is increased by the numerous waterfalls that line the city of Fasset and the Chute itself, as well high winds and narrow walls.  In these routes, a ship that turns a fraction of a second too late will be dashed to pieces.  Many ships are forced to maneuver at high speeds through gaps which leave no more than a few inches of clearance on either side of the ship.

                Other paths are slower, and some are nearly still.  The crews who sail along these routes get no respite, however, for the slower routes are beset by monsters.  Giants of several varieties use these slow moving waterways to spear human prey as they would spear a fish.  Feral aquatic monsters also make these areas their homes.  Small bands of pirates, shipwrecked, try to take goods, supplies, or even a ship if they are lucky.

                Any captain attempting to navigate the Chute must have a route already in mind.  No two captains will sail with the exact same course.  Many captains on their first voyage (usually experienced sailors finally in command of their own ship) will try to improve on the routes they have seen, in order to find a safer alternative.  A sad fact of maritime life in Fasset is that one in ten vessels which attempt to navigate the chute will not make it.  For ships with a first-time captain, only three in five will survive the journey.

                Crews which survive the Chute will suffer an average of a 17% mortality rate.  The mortality rate of the crew depends mostly on the type of route chosen by the captain.  The ships which choose the fast routes have a much higher chance of wrecking, but those that make the journey intact can expect most of their crew to survive.  Larger, less maneuverable vessels must choose the slower routes, and inevitably suffer a far higher casualty rate combating monsters.  Fortunately for such a crew, their vessels are larger, which tends to mean that they have a larger group of sailors.

                The Chute has claimed more lives than any geographical feature of Valt, including the Stormbelt.  Veteran sailors often brag about how many times they have navigated its treacherous waters.  And most captains find that the price paid for such voyages is worth the reward.

Riches

                Fasset is the wealthiest land in Valt, per capita.  This is in large part due to the high concentration of gems found there.  Every known type of mineable gem can be found in Fasset.  There are such a high number of gems in the land that they are severely devalued.  In general, a gem in Fasset is only worth about half of its normal value elsewhere.  Many trading ships make Fasset their first stop, trading hard coin for gems, and then purchasing the wares along the rest of their journey with the precious stones.  Of course, Fassetian gem merchants know this, and sell the sailors gems at an inflated (for Fasset) price.

                Fasset isn’t only known for its gems.  The land is rich in timber, ore, and stone, making it a valuable trading hub.  Their craftsmen know how to make vessels more able to survive the Chute, and only the Jade Islanders can compete with them when it comes to the skills of their shipwrights.  The worked goods of the city only add to the temptation for ships to brave the dangers of the Chute.  One voyage can make a merchant rich, and those who make a habit out of it either retire to unbelievable wealth, or find themselves at the bottom of the Chute.

The City

                The city of Fasset is a marvel.  Those sailing the Path will eventually find it opening out into a series of interconnecting bays.  Each is surrounded by the ever-present cliffs of Fasset, and it is on these cliffs that the city is built.  Walkways and boardwalks have been built into the rock to extend the available area to the city, but the city’s growth has been (by necessity) more vertical than horizontal.  The six hundred vertical feet of cliffs provide more than ample room for the people of the city to live in.  Although there is building into the cliffs, and many homes are built into the stone, a good number of buildings, homes, and establishments are either in part or in whole build on the wooden walkways that surround the city.

                Ramps, stairs, ladders, and ropes all provide access from one level to another.  The high amount of support ropes throughout the city (as well as ever-present support structures for the level overhead) means that characters with the ability to brachiate can do so as if they were in a wooded environment.

                The wealthiest citizens live at the highest levels, with the businesses and population getting poorer the farther down one goes.  The city’s construction does not end at the water level, but continues on down, into the submerged section of Fasset populated by its aquatic residents.  Two levels (known by locals as ‘Shiftside levels’) are within the tidal band of the city, underwater part of the time and dry at others.  It is mostly businesses in this sector.  In a bit of irony, the laborers in these businesses during the low tides are the poorest and worst paid in Fasset.  During high tides, when they are staffed by aquatic residents, they are considered to be elite establishments, and employment there is highly sought after.

                Citizens of the city are identified by signet rings, and even the poorest slave has one, issued by the government.  Each is unique, and there is a colossal registry dedicated to recycling old ones back into use, as well as monitoring the ones that exist.  Forging a ring, or owning a forged ring, is punishable by death.

Government

                The government of Fasset is technically a monarchy.  The city is (in theory) ruled by a council of elected individuals (one thousand in total) who in turn elect the Lord Mayor of the city.  Some centuries ago, the Scaled Emperor was elected to the position, and through cunning manipulation, managed to secure power over the council.  He has absolute power, although he largely leaves the running of the city to the council.

                The current Lord Mayor is the Scaled Emperor, a malenti (which is a subtype of sahuagin) and a vicious tyrant.  Very little is known about him now, since he rarely gives public audience.  He entered the city more than four hundred years ago.  How he has survived is as much a mystery as how he gained entry, since outsiders have always been closely scrutinized, and the sea elf guards would certainly have spotted him.  Since his election he has managed to divert more power to his own position, and build Fasset up from a lucrative side-destination for merchants to the most valuable trading spot in the world.  Although little is known about him, he is certainly a dangerous individual, able to handle himself against personal threats.  He has defeated numerous assassination attempts by himself.

                There are a large number of guilds within Fasset, representing many different professions, as well as the usual thieves guilds and assassins guilds.  Most guilds have one or more representatives on the council.

                The third base of power in the city is the Bureaucracy.  Bureaucrats are one of the most populous professions in the city.  The Bureaucracy is a combination sage’s guild, financial institution, and domestic records keeping organization.  They handle nearly all government jobs, education, and administration.  They have divisions for accounting, finance, education, taxation, and a number of other functions.  Members of the Bureaucracy can be identified by their simple linen clothes, with v-neck tunics, corded belts, and cloth boots.  The color of their clothes denotes their specific functions.  (Green denotes finance, red denotes foreign relations with dwarves, etc)  The cuffs of the clothing indicate any sub-specialty.

Outsiders

                Outsiders are viewed with suspicion by the government of the city.  Every incoming ship is searched, and the guards who do the searching are equipped with the ability to detect magic.  Any magic users are hauled to the palace for questioning.  Magic users who are not citizens of Fasset must leave immediately (and usually pay a stiff fine) or be pressed into service for the city.

                Magic users looking for a decent line of work might consider working for Fasset.  The city will take any spell-caster, no matter the origin.  They will happily utilize their talents for the city’s greatest benefit.  Those who serve loyally are rewarded very well indeed, and many members of the upper crust of Fassetian society are magic users employed by the state.

                The government is paranoid about any attempt to destabilize them (with good reason.)  They carefully monitor outsiders to ensure that no one is trying to trade with domestic organizations trying to overthrow them, and any merchant who supplies such a band of outlaws will find themselves in very fatal trouble.

                Outside of the city, the land is ruled by monsters.  Giants war with dragons for the mountains, and lesser monsters control the lowlands.  Those who dwell in the wilderness of Fasset almost invariably live in a nomadic, tribal society.  The only exception to this is a community of dwarves that live deep in the mountains of the eastern side of Fasset.  They have an amicable trade relationship with the city of Fasset, however, most among them would relish the chance to see a less avaricious government in place.

Dealings with Others

                Fasset is technically at war with everyone.  Every other nation on Valt would love nothing more than to see Fasset’s government torn down and a more reasonable one put into its place.  The problem is that there is no reliable way to prosecute such a war.  Fasset is nearly impenetrable, so invasion is out.  It is self-sufficient, making siege impossible.  And every other nation needs the goods coming from Fasset more than Fasset needs theirs.  It makes the conflicts almost comical, since every ship that sails in is sailing under enemy colors.

                Traditionally, however, Fasset is neutral.  They have historically taken no stance in conflicts, except where the minions of Silduggis are concerned.  The city is a political island, where most issues are set aside in the pursuit of trade.

                The city does do a lively trade with the ogres of the areas outside the city walls.  Mostly slaves and lumber come in, in exchange for worked goods or food.  The more trade is done with the ogres, the less the citizens of Fasset have to go out to get what they need.

                There are also many connections to the Underdark in Fasset.  Typically the Fassetians trade surface goods (fruits, vegetables, grains, wood, and seafood) in exchange for stone, metal, or subterranean staples (Such as rothé or fungal foods).  There is even a subset of dark elves that prefer the solitary life, riding their lizards and leading large herds of rothé to be sold in Fasset.  Wielding whips and lassos, these ‘drowboys’ are one of the most unexpected dangers outside the walls of the city.

                Underdark connections within the city itself are denied by the government, although most believe they must surely exist.

People

                The citizens of Fasset are a mixed lot, and many are the descendents of shipwreck survivors, so the cultural heritage is blended into the existing one.  Natives tend to be dark brown of skin and hair, with a slight accent.

                Among elves, rock elves and sea elves predominate, with wood elves being common outside of the city.  There is no noticeable demographic distinction between types of gnomes or dwarves within Fasset.

                The city is known for its diversity, and any citizen willing to follow the laws is given an equal opportunity to do so.  Although unofficial nepotism exists that favors humans and saguagin, pushing half-ogres and sea elves to the bottom of the social strata, it is mild enough that many dismiss it as the whining of the lazy or unmotivated.

                The ogrish population of Fasset is very large, and after humans, half-ogres make up the second largest racial group in the city.  Full blooded ogres are not uncommon, although they stick to the wilderness for the most part.

                The people of Fasset love new experiences, and always enjoy trying a new food, listening to a new style of music, or playing a new game.  With so many merchants moving through the city on a daily basis, they have exposure to a broader variety of cultures than most people in Valt.

                Outside the walls of the city, most people of Fasset tend to live in small tribal groups, separated by race.  The natives here have lighter (although still dark) skin, and view outsiders with far more distrust than their city-dwelling countrymen.

Summation

                Fasset is a land of contradictions.  With such a broad divide between the views of its government and its populace, it presents an appealing and yet dangerous destination to visit. 

The city so safe from outside threats is at the same time nearly blind to what is happening on the rest of the continent.  The wilderness of the continent could house any number of dangers, from an organized assault by giants to something more sinister.  No one has ever charted it fully, and no colony city has survived for more than a decade.

With every passing decade, the Scaled Emperor becomes more greedy and tyrannical, yet his seeming immortality and the impossibility of foreign takeover make removing him a task of immense difficulty.  Nearly every civilized government would like to see him taken down, but none have the power to do it.

                Fasset is a land which changes very slowly, if at all, primarily because the people are happy (at least within the city).  Like the rock that they live on, the people of Fasset only change under great stress.  Whether the next great stress will result from the Scaled Emperor finally pushing the people too far, or from a sudden threat rising from the wilderness, only time will tell.