Coom

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Coom (ku:m) is the capital city of Agenom.

The capital city of Agenom is an ancient one, originating as a city state in centuries before, and now being the seat of government and culture in Agenom. Coom is located on the northeastern side of the nation, on the coast. It is around a day’s ride from the border of Kalestine (formerly Cheuz), and is a major trade hub with Ertia and Kosony from across the gulf. Roads through the mountains bring in trade overland from Chawoven and other nations. Coom is one of north Kalesten's largest cities, with a population of around two hundred thousand.

Layout

Coom is built on rocky terrain coming down from the Perdraser foothills to the ocean, and thus the city has many rises and falls and gradually tips downward to the sea. The Pholleios Palace is located on a hilltop on the north end of the city, and is a rather new construction, having been built around three hundred years ago, abandoning an older palace that was formerly in the heart of the Old City.

The higher the altitude, the wealthier the residents. Coming down from the Palace Hill are terraced neighborhoods that are only slightly younger than the palace themselves. These neighborhoods are home to the nobility and wealthiest of the second tier. Coom’s Holy Quarter, home to glorious temples dedicated to gods such as the Seasonal Goddesses, Casril, Erada, Acoassa, Saeven, and Essan is at the base of the hill, standing between the richer and poorer neighborhoods. Parks and gardens maintained by the temples also fill this area.

Moving southward, one reaches the heart of the old city. Much of the older buildings were deconstructed and used to construct the new palace and manors on the hill so as not to waste resources, but some old buildings still stand, preserved for posterity by concerned citizens—though some of these old buildings have fallen into disrepair over the generations while the families that originally preserved them lost interest, yet still hold the deeds. For awhile, the Old City was partially preserved as a historical landmark, but as the public lost interest, many thieves and vagabonds took up residence in the remaining ruins—until Kalestine conquered Cheuz. At which point, the ruins of the Old City have been re-purposed for the military as training grounds, barracks, and the city’s armory. Some of the old buildings have been loaned or sold to the military to be repaired and reused for various purposes. The Old City is now barricaded off with stone walls built from ruins for the military’s security and privacy.

The main marketplace is just south of the Old City. A main road leading up from the port ends in the heart of the market, and is lined with shops, inns, restaurants, and other businesses. The east and west of the market, and Old City, is surrounded by residential neighborhoods of varying economic levels—mostly third tier, but some of the second tier as well.

Coom’s port is large, with docks stretching across a small natural bay. Agenom’s navy bases its operations here, and a significant amount of space is dedicated toward building, maintaining, and docking naval vessels, as well as naval buildings and barracks. There are around three major private shipworks companies that build for fishing and mercantile fleets. Several major mercantiles are also based in Coom, and maintain small fleets in the water, and warehouses.

Architecture

Agenomian architecture is focused on organic shapes, reminiscent of Moorish and golden-age Indian architecture, with touches of ‘Art Noveau’ framework. As a rich nation, Agenom can afford a high concern for aesthetics in their buildings. The royal palace is considered a work of art, aspects of which are mimicked in the homes of nobles and wealthy second-tier citizens. Towers and turrets are crucial aesthetic elements, and often a display of wealth. Towers house elegant bedchambers with glorious views of the city down to the sea from south windows; sunsets to the west and sunrises to the east; and views of the palace and mountains behind to the north. Turrets on the borders of the property are often occupied by personal guards—either military or hired, depending on whether the owner is noble or simply wealthy middle-class.

Materials used for Agenomian construction are predominantly limestone quarried from seaside cliffs or marble from the mountains. Most coveted of all materials is a semi-transparent marble with iridescent flecks of mica. This marble is expensive, and only the wealthiest can afford it. Buildings are typically faced with it along the entrance. It’s most economical to use around windows and doorways, but the richest will inlay it across entire front walls.

Poorer parts of town progressively become less and less concerned with architecture as they move downward. In the city, old blocky domiciles made of limestone—sometimes even carved out of ancient cliffsides themselves—are home to the third tier laborers and fishermen of the city. There are tightly packed family homes for those that can afford them, and buildings full of apartments for the poorer families, or for single occupants. This is unlike the homesteads of most rural villages, which are mostly mud and thatch, or stone quarried from the rocky terrain.