Tyno

Tyno, southeastern Duscador

**Tyno** is a large city on the southeastern coast of Duscador, on the coast of the Gulf of Chatscola, and is the seat of House Miros, one of the oldest ruling families in all of Duscador. Tyno is the cultural capital of Duscador, known the world throughout as a hub of trading for those coming from the southernmost reaches of the world and a city of significant strategic importance, being the largest city on the White Sea. In terms of population and size, it is the third largest city in Duscador, after Manalpa and Hope.

## History

#### Founding

The early history of Tyno is cloudy and not entirely known, but it has existed in one form or another for more than 2000 years. Early settlers to the south of the continent founded a fishing village on the banks of the White Sea that, over time, grew in size. Owing to its diversity, settlers from across the sea and from further in land gradually made their home in Tyno. By 1000 B.S it was one of the largest settlements anywhere on the continent. Early civilisations that might have inhabited or conquered Tyno include the empires of Aroba and Nanaret, who reigned over the region south of the Neck for almost 400 years.

#### Early History

The earliest relics that still remain in and around Tyno come from the era of the Empire of Inath, which ruled over much of the land south of Resh and as far west as Jeba on the coast and Redforest in-land. It is said that once Pelocos Island was host to a colony of travellers who came from the city of Katarth, the southernmost known point of the world, who cohabited with the people of Inath. The Empire of Inath ruled over the city that would later become Tyno for more than 200 years, between the ninth and seventh centuries before the Great Separation of the Realms.

#### Sun Empire

The city first took the name of Tyno during the reign of the Tamerian Empire, later the Sun Empire, at which point it first became the most important city in the southwest of the continent. It was during this period that a great number of the early temples and places of worship were established in the city, some of which, including the Temple of Nyx, still remain in one form or another, despite being torn down before the Separation of the Realms. It is said that the Sun Emperor Tigrus visited the city in person to command that all the temples were to be torn down, and when the reigning governor refused, Tigrus had his throat cut on the steps of the Jade Palace and let the blood run down the steps, which give it its trademark red marble appearance. During the Great Separation, Tyno stood as part of the Anaean League in opposition to the Sun Emperor. In the Siege of Tyno, Tigrus had the eastern half of the city (across the River Ibe) razed and its citizens slaughtered.

#### Roni

Tyno survived the sacking of the city and, by the the fifth century and as part of the Roni, had transformed itself into a hub of trade and commerce in the region, second only to Jeba, which it soon surpassed. Important for its strategic positioning at the mouth of the Chatscola Gulf and for its harbours, Tyno flourished in the sixth and seventh centuries, which oversaw the creation of some of its most notable buildings, such as the Temple of Five, the Great Baths, and the Mausoleum of Sisiros.

#### Present day

Part of Duscador, Tyno remains the most important position of trade on the southernmost coast of the continent. With a population of more than 600,000, it has grown to one of the most populous cities in Duscador, with a diverse and varied population of people from all across the known world. Tyno is governed by a central council, called the High Seat of Tyno, and is ruled by the storied House Miros, who have survived centuries in one form or another, mostly in and around the southern reaches of the continent.

## Layout and Geography

Tyno is split into eight distinct political and geographical districts and four unattributed islands, one of which is inhabited. The districts are North and South Tib, Nevesset, Oldtown, Cleargarden, Southsea, Pelocos, and the Palace District. The city proper is separated into two halves, east and west, by the River Ibe, which is bridged by the great stone Unity Bridge. The majority of Tyno's population live in the western half, with Oldtown and Nevesset being the most densely populated. The Palace District is home to the Jade Castle, Tyno's official government building, and the Unity Palace, which is home to the High Seat, Tyno's ruling council. Tyno has two distinct harbours - Greyharbour on the western side and Northharbour on the east - which serve intermittently as naval shipyards for the Duscadorian navy.

Geographically, Tyno is situated on a small rise to its extreme west that defends it naturally from invasion from the west. There are three major entrances, the North Gate, the River Gate, and the East Gate, and the surrounding areas are mainly farmland and small hamlets. The nearest significant settlements to Tyno are Pytaa to the north and Hope to the west. The Gulf of Chatscola is the prominent water body on which the city has its banks, which leads out into the White Sea.

## Notable Locations

* The **Pilgrim's Cask Inn** is one of the oldest and most popular spots for drinkers and adventurers alike, known all over the city for its rowdy late night. It is located in south Nevesset.
* The **Temple of Nyx** - perhaps the oldest standing building in Tyno, the great temple to the goddess Mother Nyx was first built more than 800 years ago and has been rebuilt and refurnished many times over the centuries. Located in South Tib, it still sees thousands of visitors per day.
* The **Great Baths**, located in South Tib and not far from the harbour, are one of the most popular spots in the city. Entry to the baths costs five dram and they are accessbile twenty-four hours of the day.
* The **Mausoleum of Sisiros** - another of the oldest buildings in the city, the mausoleum was built as a monument to Sisiros, who is known as the first ruler of the city, almost a thousand years ago. The mauseoleum still holds his remains and is a popular spot for travellers. It is maintained by a team of priests, who keep it clean at all times.
* **Pauper's Row** - perhaps the most crowded place in the city, located in Oldtown. A street known for its seedy underbelly, for its gambling dens, and its popularity with drunkards, thieves, and criminals.
* **Divine Sora**, located in Cleargarden, is a massive public park. A popular place for the city's elites to mingle, its crown jewel is a marble statue to Sora, the goddess of the day, good fortune, and life.
* **Eagrade Amphitheatre** in Southsea is another popular spot for the middle and upper classes of Tyno. Known for its elaborate productions of well-known plays and for giving birth to some of Duscador's most famous playwrights and poets, the amphitheatre sees thousands of audience members every day.
* **The Temple of Five**, established for the purpose of reverence to the five Old Gods, is Tyno's most busy centre of worship. It is the only building in the Palace District that is open to all citizens without pre-arranged access being required.
* **Pelocos Island** - once the home of settlers from the distant city of Katarth, over the years Pelocos Island has transformed into the most expensive area of real estate in all of Tyno, sprawling with picturesque villas for only the wealthiest, and luckiest, of Tyno's citizens.
* **Leper's Nest** - The largest of the four islands in Arden Bay - and the only one inhabited - Leper's Nest was once a leper colony for those unfortunate enough to be afflicted with the disease. In recent decades it has evolved into a shanty town for Tyno's most undesirable people.

## Population

Tyno's population is varied and diverse, with a great number of ethnic groups and peoples from all across the known world. The majority population are ethnic Duscadorian, with significant groups of Itrusics, Jastans, and native Manosi, who migrated to the city hundreds of years ago. A significant portion of the population live in either Oldtown, on the western bank of the Ibe, or North Tib - two of the eight districts of the city. Tyno is home to a great number of priests and clergymen, owing to its storied history with faith and religion and the mythology surrounding its involvement in the Great Separation. Owing to their settlement on Pelocos Island more than a thousand years ago, a small number of Tyno's populace can trace their ancestry to the Katarthi people of the great city of the sands.

## Military

Tyno is protected by the Tyno Watch, a city guard comprised of no less than 5000 guardsmen, and is host to a military camp north of the city walls proper, in the surrouding villages and farmland. The famous Iron Sons of Tyno, a mercenary company known for their participation in the Anaean Wars, hail from the city. Due to its strategic importance, Tyno has the largest naval shipyard of any city in Duscador.