The City - Revision history

Springheel: /* Physical Description */

2015-12-22T14:47:16Z

Physical Description

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 22 December 2015
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	City districts were built and rebuilt over time (primarily due to fires), and new buildings were often built directly over top of the old. The older districts atop the hill have a city beneath the city. Subterranean crypts and forgotten passages abound, and are used as secret highways or meeting places for societies of [[Necromancers]] and thieves.		City districts were built and rebuilt over time (primarily due to fires), and new buildings were often built directly over top of the old. The older districts atop the hill have a city beneath the city. Subterranean crypts and forgotten passages abound, and are used as secret highways or meeting places for societies of [[Necromancers]] and thieves.

	There is a saying in the city, "Wealth rises to the top" (or "Shit floats to the top", depending on who you ask). Both refer to the fact that the oldest and most wealthy districts lie atop the hill overlooking the ocean. The [[Builders]]' Grand Cathedral, the City Council Chambers, and the mansions of many of the wealthier inhabitants are all located there. The further you go from the hill and the port districts, the poorer and more foul the districts tend to get.		There is a saying in the city, "Wealth rises to the top" (or "Shit floats to the top", depending on who you ask). Both refer to the fact that the oldest and most wealthy districts lie atop the hill overlooking the ocean in the south-west. The [[Builders]]' Grand Cathedral, the City Council Chambers, and the mansions of many of the wealthier inhabitants are all located there. The further you go from the hill and the port districts, the poorer and more foul the districts tend to get. The majority of the city's industrial factories lie on the eastern side of the river.

	== History ==		== History ==

Springheel: /* Guilds */

2015-12-22T14:44:53Z

Guilds

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	=== Guilds ===		=== Guilds ===
	There are two basic kinds of guilds: Craft Guilds (guilds that make things) and Merchant Guilds (guilds that sell and transport things). Members of a guild pay dues and are subject to the guild's rules and regulations, but the guild provides assistance to members who need it (think of guilds as medieval unions). Guild members eat together, socialize together, and live near each other.		There are two basic kinds of guilds: Craft Guilds (guilds that make things) and Merchant Guilds (guilds that sell and transport things). Members of a guild pay dues and are subject to the guild's rules and regulations, but the guild provides assistance to members who need it (think of guilds as medieval unions). Guild members eat together, socialize together, and live near each other. The heads of Guilds usually make up the City Council. The more powerful guilds often have considerable political influence, and sometimes attempted to control the city authorities in the past.

	'''Craft Guilds''' generally weild relatively little power in the city, although there are some exceptions, like the [[Inventor's Guild]]. But even the smaller guilds are not without influence. Weavers banding together in opposition to the merchant guild's regulations on their craft, cobblers disagreeing with the large tax on fine foreign leather coming into the city, and masons striking beause the master mason in charge of building the new church is not a local master mason are all common examples of crafts affecting city life.		'''Craft Guilds''' generally weild relatively little power in the city, although there are some exceptions, like the [[Inventor's Guild]]. But even the smaller guilds are not without influence. Weavers banding together in opposition to the merchant guild's regulations on their craft, cobblers disagreeing with the large tax on fine foreign leather coming into the city, and masons striking beause the master mason in charge of building the new church is not a local master mason are all common examples of crafts affecting city life.
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	Examples of Merchant Guilds: Beer Merchants, Used Clothiers, Grain Merchants, Grocers, Millers, Spice Merchants, Woodsellers.		Examples of Merchant Guilds: Beer Merchants, Used Clothiers, Grain Merchants, Grocers, Millers, Spice Merchants, Woodsellers.

			The power of Guilds is being challenged lately in Bridgeport. As the production of goods becomes more specialized, trade guilds get divided and subdivided, eliciting the squabbles over jurisdiction. The break-up of the Metalworkers guild resulted in a bloody uprising where the Guild Masters actually took over the city council for a brief period. As the guilds are broken up, each one becomes less powerful, and the territorial struggles against each other increase. Add to this the rise of powerful merchant families who are able to challenge guild control. In practice, the more powerful guilds are the only ones able to truly hold their monopoly over their goods and services.

	=== The Church ===		=== The Church ===

Springheel: /* Power Structure */

2015-12-22T14:23:03Z

Power Structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:23, 22 December 2015
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	== Power Structure ==		== Power Structure ==
	[[image:citywatch1.jpg\|thumb\|A member of the City Watch]]		[[image:citywatch1.jpg\|thumb\|A member of the City Watch]]
	In the city, a person is defined by their relationships: what he does, where he lives, who he is related to~~, what guild he is a member of~~, and what tavern he drinks at. Power generally comes to groups, not individuals. Lords have power because people have an implicit understanding of landed aristocracy. Priests have power because they belong to the Church. It is extremely rare for an individual to wield power independent of a social organization. Guild memberships, official appointments, tax exemptions, personal favours for friends and family, blatant extortion and bribery, and bending the rules for personal benefit are all well-established means through which powerful groups manipulate their surroundings.		In the city, a person is defined by their relationships: what he does, where he lives, who he is related to, and what tavern he drinks at. Power generally comes to groups, not individuals. Lords have power because people have an implicit understanding of landed aristocracy. Priests have power because they belong to the Church. It is extremely rare for an individual to wield power independent of a social organization. Guild memberships, official appointments, tax exemptions, personal favours for friends and family, blatant extortion and bribery, and bending the rules for personal benefit are all well-established means through which powerful groups manipulate their surroundings.

	In the city, multiple groups contend for control of social issues, laws, and taxation. Merchant families fight the ~~town lord~~ for more control and less extortion, craft guilds fight taxes and ~~levys~~ on their goods, and the Church tries to exert authority over legal issues. Of all the groups vying for political power in Bridgeport, the following are the most notable:		In the city, multiple groups contend for control of social issues, laws, and taxation. Merchant families fight the Lord Mayor for more control and less extortion, craft guilds fight taxes and levies on their goods, and the Church tries to exert authority over legal issues. Of all the groups vying for political power in Bridgeport, the following are the most notable:

	=== City Council ===		=== City Council ===
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	The head of the city council is the Lord Mayor, who is elected by the council aldermen to serve a limited term. Beneath the Lord Mayor are Aldermen and Councillors who represent city wards.		The head of the city council is the Lord Mayor, who is elected by the council aldermen to serve a limited term. Beneath the Lord Mayor are Aldermen and Councillors who represent city wards.

	Bridgeport is a ~~Free~~ Imperial ~~City~~, meaning the Lord Mayor answers directly to the Emperor. In practice, the City Council wields a great deal of power.		Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, meaning the Lord Mayor answers directly to the Emperor. In practice, the City Council wields a great deal of power.

	=== Guilds ===		=== Guilds ===

Springheel: /* Overview */

2015-12-22T14:20:31Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:20, 22 December 2015
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	== Overview ==		== Overview ==
	Bridgeport is vast, dirty, and teeming with people. It is the commercial center of the Empire~~. It~~ is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.		Bridgeport is vast, dirty, and teeming with people. It is the commercial center of the Empire, and is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.

	Bridgeport has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, but became much more important over the last few centuries. Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, with its own Lord Mayor. Since the Empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions, Bridgeport is largely left to rule itself. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].		Bridgeport has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, but became much more important over the last few centuries. Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, with its own Lord Mayor. Since the Empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions, Bridgeport is largely left to rule itself. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].

Springheel: /* Overview */

2015-12-22T14:20:09Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:20, 22 December 2015
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	== Overview ==		== Overview ==
	Bridgeport is a vast, dirty, and teeming with people. It is the commercial center of the Empire. It is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.		Bridgeport is vast, dirty, and teeming with people. It is the commercial center of the Empire. It is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.

	Bridgeport has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, but became much more important over the last few centuries. Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, with its own Lord Mayor. Since the Empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions, Bridgeport is largely left to rule itself. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].		Bridgeport has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, but became much more important over the last few centuries. Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, with its own Lord Mayor. Since the Empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions, Bridgeport is largely left to rule itself. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].

Springheel: /* Overview */

2015-12-22T14:19:56Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:19, 22 December 2015
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	== Overview ==		== Overview ==
	Bridgeport is a vast, ~~sprawling port city~~, ~~built atop a hill at the mouth of wide a river~~. It ~~existed as a small town even before~~ the ~~birth~~ of the ~~empire, but became much more important over the last few centuries~~. It is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.		Bridgeport is a vast, dirty, and teeming with people. It is the commercial center of the Empire. It is home to many powerful aristocratic and merchant families, who have gained wealth through lucrative shipping contracts. Almost all sea trade is offloaded in the city for transfer to riverboats, which sail up the river Tyne to other ports in the empire. Bridgeport is the most cosmopolitan city in the Empire...if you can't find it in Bridgeport, it can't be found anywhere.

	~~Generations ago~~ the city ~~was an important part of~~ the ~~powerful western empire, but that empire~~ has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions. Bridgeport ~~has been~~ largely left to rule itself ~~since then, and has lucrative trade (legal and illegal) with enemies of the empire~~. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].		Bridgeport has existed in one form or another for thousands of years, but became much more important over the last few centuries. Bridgeport is a free Imperial city, with its own Lord Mayor. Since the Empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions, Bridgeport is largely left to rule itself. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].

	The city is fairly isolated from overland travel because of the vast wilderness that stretches out from the surrounding fields and villages. This wilderness is full of pagan tribes and dangerous creatures. Most travel to Bridgeport comes by riverboat, from the southern sea, or along specially guarded '[[Builder Roads]]'.		The city is fairly isolated from overland travel because of the vast wilderness that stretches out from the surrounding fields and villages. This wilderness is full of pagan tribes and dangerous creatures. Most travel to Bridgeport comes by riverboat, from the southern sea, or along specially guarded '[[Builder Roads]]'.

Springheel: /* Power Structure */

2015-04-01T12:28:26Z

Power Structure

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:28, 1 April 2015
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	In the city, a person is defined by their relationships: what he does, where he lives, who he is related to, what guild he is a member of, and what tavern he drinks at. Power generally comes to groups, not individuals. Lords have power because people have an implicit understanding of landed aristocracy. Priests have power because they belong to the Church. It is extremely rare for an individual to wield power independent of a social organization. Guild memberships, official appointments, tax exemptions, personal favours for friends and family, blatant extortion and bribery, and bending the rules for personal benefit are all well-established means through which powerful groups manipulate their surroundings.		In the city, a person is defined by their relationships: what he does, where he lives, who he is related to, what guild he is a member of, and what tavern he drinks at. Power generally comes to groups, not individuals. Lords have power because people have an implicit understanding of landed aristocracy. Priests have power because they belong to the Church. It is extremely rare for an individual to wield power independent of a social organization. Guild memberships, official appointments, tax exemptions, personal favours for friends and family, blatant extortion and bribery, and bending the rules for personal benefit are all well-established means through which powerful groups manipulate their surroundings.

	In the city, multiple groups contend for control of social issues, laws, and taxation. Merchant families fight the town lord for more control and less extortion, craft guilds fight taxes and levys on their goods, and the Church tries to exert authority over legal issues. Of all the groups vying for political power in Bridgeport ~~(other than the town lord himself)~~, the following are the most notable:		In the city, multiple groups contend for control of social issues, laws, and taxation. Merchant families fight the town lord for more control and less extortion, craft guilds fight taxes and levys on their goods, and the Church tries to exert authority over legal issues. Of all the groups vying for political power in Bridgeport, the following are the most notable:

	=== City Council ===		=== City Council ===

Springheel: /* Overview */

2012-02-17T16:14:53Z

Overview

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:14, 17 February 2012
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	Generations ago the city was an important part of the powerful western empire, but that empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions. Bridgeport has been largely left to rule itself since then, and has lucrative trade (legal and illegal) with enemies of the empire. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].		Generations ago the city was an important part of the powerful western empire, but that empire has been in a long decline and is now concerned primarily with protecting the distant capital from rampant barbarian invasions. Bridgeport has been largely left to rule itself since then, and has lucrative trade (legal and illegal) with enemies of the empire. A tempting target for other nations, the city has had to fight several fierce naval battles over the years to keep from being conquered, relying on the strength of its defensive walls and (more recently) the ingenuity of the [[Inventor's Guild]].

	The city is fairly isolated from overland travel because of the vast wilderness that stretches out from the surrounding fields and villages. This wilderness is full of pagan tribes and dangerous creatures. Most travel to Bridgeport comes by riverboat, from the sea, or along specially guarded '[[Builder Roads]]'.		The city is fairly isolated from overland travel because of the vast wilderness that stretches out from the surrounding fields and villages. This wilderness is full of pagan tribes and dangerous creatures. Most travel to Bridgeport comes by riverboat, from the southern sea, or along specially guarded '[[Builder Roads]]'.

	== Power Structure ==		== Power Structure ==

Springheel at 13:29, 1 June 2011

2011-06-01T13:29:23Z

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	[[image:bridgeport.gif\|thumb\| A rough map of Bridgeport]]		[[image:bridgeport.gif\|thumb\| A rough map of Bridgeport]]

	"A thick black smoke covers the city. The sun appears like a disc without any rays. In this semi-daylight one million people work ceaselessly. A thousand noises rise amidst this unending damp and dark labyrinth ...the footsteps of a busy crowd, the crunching wheels of machines, the shriek of steam from the boilers, the regular beat of looms, the heavy rumble of carts, these are the only noises from which you can never escape in these dark half-lit streets." —Tabellae Alexum, (1635)		''"A thick black smoke covers the city. The sun appears like a disc without any rays. In this semi-daylight one million people work ceaselessly. A thousand noises rise amidst this unending damp and dark labyrinth ...the footsteps of a busy crowd, the crunching wheels of machines, the shriek of steam from the boilers, the regular beat of looms, the heavy rumble of carts, these are the only noises from which you can never escape in these dark half-lit streets." —Tabellae Alexum, (AD 1635)''

Springheel at 13:28, 1 June 2011

2011-06-01T13:28:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:28, 1 June 2011
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	[[image:bridgeport.gif\|thumb\| A rough map of Bridgeport]]		[[image:bridgeport.gif\|thumb\| A rough map of Bridgeport]]

	The ~~City~~ of ~~Bridgeport is~~ the ~~hub~~ of the ~~Dark Mod setting~~. ~~There are lots of other cities where mappers could create stories~~, ~~but our focus has been on this one.~~		"A thick black smoke covers the city. The sun appears like a disc without any rays. In this semi-daylight one million people work ceaselessly. A thousand noises rise amidst this unending damp and dark labyrinth ...the footsteps of a busy crowd, the crunching wheels of machines, the shriek of steam from the boilers, the regular beat of looms, the heavy rumble of carts, these are the only noises from which you can never escape in these dark half-lit streets." —Tabellae Alexum, (1635)


	== Overview ==		== Overview ==