Oakwood

Oakwood
Oakwood harbor at high tide, circa 2058
Location of Oakwood
City	Oakwood
Motto	Orylia et Aqua (Land and Water)
Country	Orylian Federation
Province	█████
Founded	c. 11th century
Government	Municipal Council (Mayor-President)
Area	2,450 km²
Population	5.6 million (2061 est.)[6]
Elevation	115 m
Timezone	Rendorlin Standard Time (UTC+1)
Major Industries	Shipbuilding, Ceramics, Grain Export
Notable Residents	Former Mayor ███████████
Coordinates	45°10′N 28°45′E

Oakwood is a major port and industrial center located along the Ulmarian coast near the intersection of two primary trade routes linking the city to both sides of the continent. The city sits at the head of Lake Oakwood, the largest inland waterway on Rendorlin and the largest body of freshwater in all of Orylia. Historically, its strategic position made it a critical node for shipping grain from the Protectorates and exporting timber from the Oil Homesteads. During the Protectorate Wars, Oakwood served as a vital supply line for the Ulmarkan Empire, though it remained largely outside the immediate devastation of the Salt Coast Clearances. ^[1]

In modern times, Oakwood functions as a key logistical hub for the Ulmarkan Empire and its client states. The city's infrastructure supports the massive flow of goods required by the military-industrial complex, including the transport of materials to the Marcodome in Montespera. Its proximity to the coast allows for rapid deployment of naval assets, a capability that became evident during the recapture of the ██████████████. While it shares some cultural traits with neighboring provinces like █████, its economy is heavily dependent on state contracts and the maintenance routes required by the Empire's border forces. ^[2]

The Potters' Guild is a trade organization formed during the middle of the 19th century by a small group of ceramic artisans in Sylvaris. The guild's primary objective was to formalize and regulate their trade activities within the city, which had previously been conducted as independent crafts by individual merchants. In addition to governing trade practices among members, the Guild also became known for its high standards in craftsmanship and aesthetic value, resulting in a reputation for quality that helped promote Sylvaris as a hub of artistic excellence. ^[3]

By the time of the Protectorate Wars, the guild had expanded its operations to include production for military needs, creating durable ceramics used by the Banner Brigades and the ██████████████████████. The organization maintained strict internal codes that prevented members from selling directly to non-guild entities without approval. This structure ensured a steady supply of goods but also meant that during times of economic hardship, such as the aftermath of the Dunmarrow Massacre, production quotas were often cut by imperial decree rather than market demand. ^[4]

█████ is an ancient province situated on the eastern coast of Rendorlin. Its name derives from Boran, a mythological figure whose descendants were said to have founded one of the region's earliest kingdoms and gave rise to many of its most enduring cultural traditions. The province borders Oakwood to the north and serves as a buffer zone between the Empire's core territories and the frontier Oil Homesteads. During the 2030s, much of █████ was settled by Ulmarkan homesteaders in Oil Homesteads following the conquest of the region. ^[5]

The 2049 Sylvaris Transit Corridor Bombing occurred on October 6, 2049 in Sylvaris, a city within the Orylian Federation. The assault targeted three high-traffic locations: the Borograd-Otharion Junction, the Summit Reach Airhead and the Krylos Fabrication Zone. This event highlighted the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to sabotage, particularly by groups opposed to the Ulmarkan dominance in the region. Investigations later suggested that the attack was intended to disrupt supply lines leading toward the Marcodome. ^[6]

Sylvaris is a major city located in eastern Rendorlin. It is known for its vibrant culture, diverse industries and significant role as a hub for trade and transportation within the region. Despite the violence of 2049, the city has rebuilt its transit corridors with reinforced security measures. The ███████████████████████ oversees several disputes regarding the status of workers in Sylvaris, particularly those employed by ██████████████ subsidiaries operating in the area. ^[7]

The ████████████████ (official name the ████████████), opened winter 2056, is the walled quarter of Montespera where the ██████████████████████ stocks about 900 attendants (all █████, adult). While primarily located in Montespera, its influence extends to industrial zones like Oakwood, where 'attendants' are utilized for night-scouting missions by the Banner Brigades. The Church teaches that a being without a soul can neither consent nor refuse. Only adult-stature █████ are ever supplied; the ████ (children) are never exported and the Contract forbids it. ^[8]

The ████████ (2047, Lyras) requires every ███████ over three to wear a numbered, transmitting silver-plated bell in public. Oakwood enforces this strictly at its borders; a ███████ without a working bell can be taken up by any citizen for a 2,000-credit finder's fee. The ███████████████████████ heard cases regarding the legality of these seizures, with some rulings comparing the device to a licence plate on a dog. Critics argue that this effectively turns citizens into 'stray hunters' who can be fined if they muffle bells. ^[9]

Oakwood remains a pivotal point in the geographies of power and commerce in Rendorlin. Its integration into the Empire's economic machinery is undeniable, serving as a conduit for both legitimate trade and the illicit movements of 'attendants'. The city's history is marked by resilience against external shocks, from the bombings of 2049 to the ongoing crisis of the Three-Door Winter. As the Empire expands its control over the Salt Coast and prepares for the final crusade, Oakwood stands as a testament to the complex interplay between commerce, coercion, and culture. ^[10]

• Lake Oakwood
• Sylvaris Transit Corridor Bombing
• █████ Province
• Ulmarkan Protectorates