Corentyn

Corentyn

(City)

Titles

City of Nine Forts

Nation

Cheliax

Region

Archduchy of Longmarch (capital)

Size

Large city

Population

24,300

Government

Lord-mayor and nobility

Alignment

Lawful evil

Ruler

Archheathen Kettermaul Charthagnion

Images of Corentyn

Source: Cities of Golarion, pg(s). 14–23

The Chelaxian city of Corentyn (pronounced KOHR-ehn-tin) is located on the far southwestern tip of the country, as the capital of the Archduchy of Longmarch. Founded as a military outpost, the Arch of Aroden forms the western border of the city, and a 50-foot-high limestone wall continues on around the northern and eastern landward sides. Also known as Port Indomitable and the City of Nine Forts, Corentyn has survived dozens of wars, and remains a major trade center and military outpost in the new, infernal Cheliax of House Thrune.

History

The Arch of Aroden.

Established in 1520 AR by the Taldor's Third Army of Exploration commanded by General Coren, the city of Corentyn began as a secure army fortification, and although it gradually took on other aspects, it has never lost this feel of a fortified outpost.

Major changes came in 2555 AR, when the Oath Wars in the neighboring nation of Rahadoum caused thousands of religious exiles to flee their homeland. Many of these refugees fled across the straits and settled in Corentyn, creating growing spiritual unrest and a desire to strike back against the unbelievers they had left behind. Seeing a need to distract his restless citizens, Lord Kevid Chemoch initiated a large construction project, dedicating it to the god Aroden. He commissioned that a cyclopean bridge be constructed to connect the city to the southern continent of Garund across the Hespereth Strait, and by 2606 AR the Arch of Aroden was completed. Now with an easy trade route to the south, Corentyn became a major player in the slave trade.

Since the construction of the Arch of Aroden, the city has been Cheliax's first defense against numerous invasion attempts by Garundi nations.

Chelaxian Civil War

Corentyn was the site of the Battle of a Hundred Kings, a pivotal defense by House Thrune against House Davian in 4639 AR that severely weakened House Thrune's remaining military forces. Queen Abrogail I's ascension occurred a year after the victory.

House Charthagnion, which ruled the Archduchy of Longmarch before the war, maintained its control under House Thrune.

Economy

Because of its position astride both the North Tack and the South Tack trade routes, Corentyn has become the trading partner of nearly all the nations and cities of both of Avistan and Garund. Control of the Arch of Aroden and the presence of the strong Chelaxian Navy allows the city to control movement through the Hespereth Strait, and a heavy "Inner Sea Access Tariff" is charged to all ships moving between the Inner Sea and the Arcadian Ocean. It remains a major international hub for the slave trade, because of the security that the Hellknight Order of the Chain provides for transactions. A Corentyn company has even recently secured a contract to import valuable trade goods from the Anchor's End colony in distant Arcadia.

Much of the money which flows into Corentyn flows back out just as quickly. The nobles of the Chelaxian capital, Egorian, control the trade in Corentyn through proxies and servants and rarely visit the city. Heavily damaged during the Battle of a Hundred Kings in 4639 AR, the walls still remain pocked and pitted. Since the Thrune Ascendancy the only public work efforts have been concentrated in the naval yard.

Government

Toward the end of the Chelaxian Civil War, the lord-mayor of Corentyn capitulated to House Thrune and embraced diabolism. The city's remaining priests of Aroden promptly cursed him as an "arch-heathen, sworn to destroy the city from within". Subsequent lord-mayors have adopted the name as a badge of honor, and made it the official title of their office.

As of 4709 AR, the lord-mayor was Archheathen Kettermaul Charthagnion, a former captain in the Chelaxian navy and a fair administrator. A traditionalist in the new infernal Cheliax, he maintained power through pacts with various devils and a close personal friendship with Lictor Uzo Adom of the Order of the Chain. He had, however, fallen out of favor with his family, as he no longer treated his dealings with Asmodeus and Hell as a religion but instead considers it a matter of business and necessity.

Geography

Though widely known as the "City of Nine Forts", more than a dozen fortified areas and buildings are scattered across Corentyn. From land, view of the seaport is totally obstructed by the fifty-foot-tall outer walls made of limestone. Only from the sea can the flow and outline of the city be determined. Buildings stand close together for support and fortification. Other than the steep paved streets moving up the hillside from the port, few passageways or alleys exist.

The Anferita Wood stretches north of Corentyn, and some of its inhabitants hunt in the dense forest. Packs of yeth hounds also harass travelers and farmers north of the city.

Districts

Major areas of the city include:

• East Drenches: Shopping district catering to the city's more affluent and high-browed residents.
• Easttown: Residences of well-established traders and merchants.
• Gallows Walls: Reduced to rubble during the civil war, with its entrances chained shut.
• High Quarter: Residences of working-class fishermen, farmers, sailors, and others.
• Mercanto: Offices for the largest trading house and merchants.
• Navy Yard and Ship Yard: Facilities for building, repairing, and berthing commercial and naval vessels.
• Noble Quarters: Residences for nobles.
• Slave Quarter: Housing for slaves who work throughout the city.
• The Jut: The eastern wing of the harbor, along with training facilities and headquarters for the Chelaxian Navy.
• Trade Quarter: Another name for the entire area covered by the Mercanto, Warehouse District, East Drenches, and West Drenches.
• Warehouse District: Storage areas for the goods being shipped by the large trading houses.
• West Drenches: Shopping district containing the only wooden buildings in the city, and caters to the lower classes and visiting sailors.

Inhabitants

See also: Category:Corentyn/Inhabitants

Corentyn is one of the main halfling settlements in the Inner Sea region, where they dominate the city's crime (see Crime) and are known for their hard work in the city's docks and shipyards. These elements have gained the race more respect in Corentyn than halflings get in other parts of Cheliax.

Crime

The local thieves' guild is called the Thin Wisps, and are led by the halfling Kantha Elvignon. The guild pays taxes and percentages to the city just like any other trade organization, and receives only cursory punishments in return. Wisps use a chalk drawing of a ghost to identify themselves and their crimes.

Religion

The only large temple in Corentyn is naturally dedicated to Asmodeus, and is located in the High Quarter. Most gods, however, have at least a pocket of believers in Corentyn. Several including Erastil, Abadar, Iomedae, Torag, Milani, and Aroden still have organized groups of worshippers. As Corentyn was a pilgrimage site for Arodenites over thousands of years, even his death has not changed the popular culture that grew up around his worship in Corentyn. Many of the local superstitions and sayings can be traced back to Aroden.

References

Paizo published a chapter on Corentyn in Cities of Golarion, including a map of the city on p. 16.

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.