Kerse

Kerse

(City)

Nation

Druma

Region

Kerse

Size

Large city

Population

18,300

Demographics

12,810 humans, 2,745 dwarves, 915 halflings, 1,830 other

Government

Council

Alignment

Lawful neutral

Demonym

Kersites

Adjective

Kersite

Ruler

Kelldor

Leader

Ulba Tuddlym

Source: Druma, Profit and Prophecy, pg(s). 35

Positions conflict across published maps. See Talk:Kerse/Conflicts.

Kerse (pronounced KERS) is the capital of the Kalistocracy of Druma and also its largest city. A native of Kerse is known as a Kersite.

Geography

Kerse is located along the southern edge of the Gulf of Accord, at the mouth of the Profit's Flow in northern Druma. Its northern and western borders are marked by Lake Encarthan; its southern and eastern borders by two distributaries of the Profit's Flow. Although surrounded by the Argent Reach region of Druma, Kerse is considered a separate region instead of being part of the Argent Reach.

Districts

Kerse proper is divided into four districts: the affluent, residential Manor District along its northeastern edge; the Resplendent District, which houses many of Druma's governmental bodies, in the northwestern part; the Trade District in the southwest, which is one of the most vibrant markets in all Golarion; and the Pilgrimage District, which is entirely leased out to those unaffiliated with the Prophecies of Kalistrade. Northwest of Kerse is the High Prophet's Sanctum, an artificial island where the high prophet makes his home and which falls outside the laws of both Kerse and Druma. The area surrounding Kerse consists of mostly well-groomed forests and open plains, and is almost wholly owned by the high prophet, except for the estates of a few families.

Even though the ostentatious display of wealth is a prerequisite in all Drumish cities (thanks to its inhabitants' devotion to the Prophecies of Kalistrade), Kerse is ne plus ultra in this regard. Even the most common dwellings resemble manor homes, with municipal buildings and the homes of the upper classes resembling palaces. The brick used in their construction is flecked with gemstones, and great statues made of valuable alloys line the streets.

Places of interest

The Guilded Vault Opulent is the city's center of Prophet activity. It includes offices, a bathhouse, a banquet hall, and a sculpture garden, all of which present varied stages for devoted adherents to flaunt their personal wealth.

History

The peace treaty known as the Kerse Accord was signed in 2332 AR in the capital, and it ended the 700-year-long civil war (the 19th of the Five Kings Wars) between the five dwarven kingdoms in the Five Kings Mountains (Gardadth, Saggorak, Doggadth, Grakodan, and Taggoret). The treaty established Druma's independence as part of its terms, in exchange for the Promise of Kalistrade forgiving the Five Kings' extensive war debts held by the Promise.✝

In 2335 AR, the Burning Glove Riots ravaged Kerse as the working class protested the increasing inequality between themselves and the Kalistocrats. After a week, they were pacified when the Kalistocrats changed taxation models and revised key laws to make upward mobility easier.

Shortly after the foundation of Razmiran in 4672 AR, Razmiri faith barges sailed into Kerse. The Razmiris first promised a better way to riches than the Prophecies of Kalistrade, but the debates quickly turned violent as the Razmiris began abducting Kalistocrat rivals, leading the Drumish government to ban Razmir's cult in Druma.

In 4690 AR, property values in Kerse soared, displacing many residents from their homes, including the Pathfinder Society.

Crime

Despite all this wealth, crime is virtually non-existent in Kerse, thanks to the overzealous presence of the country's Mercenary League (also known as the Blackjackets), who make their headquarters here. The Blackjackets, already known for their fanatical devotion to the members of the Kalistocracy, take their devotion to a new level when guarding the homes and streets of their capital; very little escapes their eye, while the buildings are protected with powerful magical wards, bound creatures from the Great Beyond, and diviners constantly scrying for the slightest wrongdoing.

Trade

Kerse is a large center for trade in the Inner Sea region. Not only does much of the dwarven trade from the Five Kings Mountains flow through the city (consisting mostly of metal tools, weapons, and armor), but Kerse's location on the Gulf of Accord gives it access to the markets of Molthune, Nirmathas, Lastwall, Ustalav, Razmiran, and Kyonin.

Culture

Even though the Drumish government does not forbid the establishment of religion, they also do not encourage it. Underground veiled mystery cults devoted to numerous empyreal lords have sprung up in the city from time to time.

References

Paizo published a major article of Kerse, including a map of the city, in Druma, Profit and Prophecy.

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