Esshal

The City of Trade

**Esshal** (pronounced /ɛʃəl/), also known as the "City of Many Hands". It is a city found on the southwestern coast of Fracti Terra, a trading city unfortunately suffering under the effects of the countries infamous tremors. This city, under the guiding hands of the noble Cheires family, has managed to stay a presence within the country despite it being rebuilt many times in it's history. It's ports and strong trade incentives have kept the city up and running, as it is where many of the countries impressive geological treasures are shipped out from.

## Description

### Geography

The city of Esshal is built into the rough lands of the southwestern coast of Fracti Terra. Forming into a bay, the shape of the land is said to be a result of a fissure caused by an earthquake long before any humanoid population settled there. The city itself is in a carved canyon between cliffs going along the coast. Esshal is a city nestled within a tear slowly being ripped into the land - the only trouble is that the tear seems to be determined to go deeper as well as wider. Ripping new foundations from the earth, the peoples attempts at making it habitable are tossed aside like children's toys. The waters edge is steep and deep, a place that would never encourage swimming as the depths quickly quickly fall into a deep sightless trench causing many to soon research the meaning of thalassophobia.

### Architecture

The architecture, unsurprisingly, is very modern as the most recent destruction of the city occurred in 1733 - Red Era (only 30 years prior) due to a particularly violent tremor. This has meant that the city is still in a period of rebuilding. The quake destroyed a lot of the architecture and infrastructure, including the railway to the city. Fortunately, there was little in the way of a tsunami towards the city this time so rebuilding started swiftly. The construction of the Mortar District in particular became exceptionally wealthy helping people rebuild the city. The city's buildings consist of many sturdy brick buildings and simple slate roofs and, due to it's location, there is not much choice but to build quite close together. Some try to even build into the cliff side of the canyon in foolish hope of some protection, but often are the victims of avalanches and rockslides during the large, devastating quakes.

The richer buildings have no way of protecting against this either. It is a disaster that strikes all equally.

## Society

### Demographics

Being a trade city with a substantial port, Esshal attracts people from all backgrounds. Especially with the earthquakes being indiscriminate with it's devastation, there is a strong sense of community within the residents of the city. All hands work on rebuilding the city. The richest are the successful merchants, dealing in coal, oil, and precious stones and ship these valuables across the continent of Kellner. The poor in the city do struggle, often unable to procure enough *Red Deus* to cure lung conditions from the dust left in wake of these incidents.

## History

### Introduction of Red Deus

The introduction of the elixir came after the city was rebuilt once again in 130 - Red Era, and it caught on quickly. The elixir was immediate relief to those with lasting conditions, such as lung diseases from dust and long term injuries. *Red Deus* also has resulted in much better recovery from these incidents, with the incident in 837 - Red Era, resulting in the least deaths yet, within the cities long history, and while the city was in ruins, it was the fastest recovery of the city to date.

### The Beast Scourge

The "*Beasts"* have been troublesome for the city, and the most recent quake has led to more attacks as people can not take shelter within their homes. But Venerage did send a large group of the Hunters of Conamar to aid the situation, after negotiating with Lord Cheires.

The other issues have been sailors spotting large sea creatures straying closer to trading routes. The word *"Beasts"* has been thrown about, but an official investigation has yet to be carried out and there is no substantial evidence to the claims.

### The Quake of 1733

Rumours have been spreading of the most recent quake. Some say there was something unnatural about it, a malevolence was described by many residents. This has been dismissed by many officials, however, it has been difficult to argue with the strangely large number of missing people with this quake.