Balisjuk

Balisjuk
Deep within the southern realms of the Kingdom of Tauber - lays an abhorred swamp that fuels the growth of a lustrous beacon on its edge – a town, the staunch watchers of the marsh, Balisjuk.

Perched on stilts and merging with the shore, Balisjuk claims homage to Kyrsk, the Celestial Deity of the sun who fends off the darkness that lurks within the putrid mire the town uses to fuel its growth. However not all revere the will of Kyrsk – especially the myriad followers of the Sylvan pantheon; they resent the influx of traders seeking to exploit the marsh and forests they regard as the home of their kindred spirits. Balisjuk Grove – just north of the town – is one of their most sacred groves and the Gaierbrun Lumber Operation stubbornly insists on logging near the grove in spite of the Sylvan protests to the Admjol of Balisjuk.

The Admjol of Balisjuk is the standard equivalent of a Governor to many of the other human nations on Elmfax, but to many inhabitants of Tauber – they often take on a much personable role to the people, inquiring on family tensions, aspirations, and complaints - rather than a distant politician. In large cities such as Svarok Sound, Juuslik, and the Tauber Citadel; more than one Admjol is usually required to maintain a level of intimacy with the people and thus they act as more of a city council than individual leaders. The Admjol of Balisjuk however is in a precarious situation these days as tensions between prospective businessmen intrude in the sacred groves of the Sylvan.

Despite these tensions, Balisjuk produces much of Tauber’s lumber given its access to lush pines and spruce to its north, and the wide variety of swamp trees to its south. The swamp also produces most of the kindle and torch pitch for Tauber; it is also home to some minor mining operations in the Valunspire foothills to its west that produce meager amounts of coal and iron. With Tauber’s Sylvan religion population located mostly in and around Balisjuk, they provide a strong boon to the flow of furs and game through the towns merchants. They’re also renowned alchemists who receive many pilgrims and hermits seeking their illustrious natural cures of poultices and herbal incenses.

However, due to the southerly remote location of Balisjuk, the city is a fair bit out of the way – despite having access to the sea, most traders come by land since the sea access is treacherous, snaking its way through the swamp that is the burden and boon of Balisjuk. The road to Balisjuk is a dagger aimed at the heart of the swamp and thus Suhlmenji Watch stands to keep the road safe from bandits – and as a warning beacon should the Tremarcki invade again.

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