Tyso

This article is about the city. For the surrounding province, see County of Tyso.

Tyso
Population	50,000 (MS 5000)
Foundation	c. MS 3436
Barony	County of Tyso
Country	Sommerlund
Region	Northern Magnamund
Planet	Magnamund
Plane of Existence	Aon
Politics
Ruler	Baron Tor Medar (MS 5080)
Noble title	Fryearl of Tyso

Tyso, sometimes called Tyso City, is a city and the largest settlement of the County of Tyso. It is one of the four great cities of Sommerlund.

History

See also: County of Tyso: History

A small fishing settlement off the north-western coast of the coast of the Holmgulf was founded in around MS 3436. The nearby caves were used to hide an ambush during the Battle of the Lagan Marshes, where these forces attacked from the rear. The port was eventually given the name Tyso, meaning "Flower" in Ancient Sommlending, and the surrounding lands were established as the County of Tyso in MS 3445, led by Count Garrulen, under the suzerainty of the Baron of Anskaven.

In MS 3447, Count Garrulen distinguished himself by saving King Braern I from an ambush in the Forest of Fryelund, and he was made a Baron, the Baron of Tyso, in return, with his lands becoming Sommerlund's newest province. Soon after, Tyso was chosen to become the fourth great city of Sommerlund (after Holmgard, Toran and Anskaven). It was fortified by a curtain wall, which began construction in MS 3454, and finished in MS 3462. Tyso quickly became the key naval port of Sommerlund, building up a strong marine economy, and tasked with defending Sommerlund from the Holmgulf and the oceans beyond.

In MS 5000, Baron Var Kalen authorised the expansion of the port in order to grow the Holmgulf Fleet, a project that would draw workers from all over Sommerlund as well as Ragadorn and western Durenor.

In MS 5080, during the events of Wolf's Bane, the titular Jahksa of Lone Wolf, Wolf's Bane, impersonated Lone Wolf, killing many in Anskaven and Tyso. Wolf's Bane made his way to the Old Necropolis in the North Quarter of Tyso, slaying two and wounding three soldiers in the process. Wolf's Bane opened a portal, which Naar converted into a Shadow Gate, to Avaros, and when confronted by Lone Wolf and his students, challenged him to a duel. He rendered Lone Wolf's students immobile, and threatened to cast them prone into the Shadow Gate, which would have killed them, forcing Lone Wolf to agree.

Geography

Tyso is located on the north-western coast of the Holmgulf, 50 miles north-east of Holmgard and 150 miles south-west of Anskaven. It is located west of some great white cliffs that overlook the Holmgulf from the north.

Tyso's architecture is seen as "quaint", with a distinctive nautical feel, in contrast to the other four great cities of Sommerlund. Holmgard is seen as more eclectic and impressive, and Toran is seen as more elegant.

Tyso is administered in four Circles, with the exception of the North Quarter of Tyso.

Noble Circle

The most affluent Circle of the city, and home of the wealthiest citizens, lesser nobles, and high-ranking naval officers. The Baron's Citadel, the seat of power of the Baron of Tyso, is located here. Multiple Guildhalls are based in the Noble Circle, as well as the Halls of Learning (established by King Ulnar III), Tyso Library and Tyso Theatre.

Traders' Circle

This Circle is where workers, tradesmen, craftsmen and skilled dockworkers live. Many migrants, seeking work, also choose to live in Traders' Circle. Transports to Holmgard and Anskaven run from here. The Holmgulf Fleet is based out of the Tyso Docks in this Circle.

Commoners' Circle

The largest Circle in terms of population, this is where the unskilled workers live.

North Quarter

The North Quarter is by far the shabbiest part of Tyso, and inhabited by its poorest citizens. Its run-down buildings are shrouded in mist, and the City Watch rarely ventures into its narrow streets without a specific need or order. It is the location of the Old Necropolis, which is unwittingly located on an ancient Shianti burial temple, giving it mystical properties. A statue to King Fars I was once located in Fars Square, but was stolen in MS 4962, and its plinth too stolen in MS 4969.

Politics

See also: County of Tyso: Politics

The ruler of the city of Tyso is the Fryearl of Tyso. The City and County were once ruled by the Baron of Tyso, but due to centuries of feuding, in MS 4355, King Ulron I abolished the title and replaced it with the Fryearl of Tyso, appointed by the King (although still referred to as a Baron). In MS 5080, this was Baron Tor Medar.

The Lord Mayor of the city runs the city on a day-to-day basis on behalf of the Baron, and is traditionally given to a Tysoan of exceptional ability. The Lord Mayor also presides over the judiciary. In MS 5000, the Lord Mayor was Harvil Torg, and the High Judge was Veno Marlan.

Government and law

See also: County of Tyso: Government and law

The laws of the city are set by the Baron of Tyso. The City Watch patrols all the Circles of the city, with the exception of the North Quarter. The City Watch only enters the North Quarter when an arrest is required, or by order of the Baron. As such, crime is an issue in the North Quarter, and much seedy business goes on.

Military

The Holmgulf Fleet is based in the Tyso Docks, in the Traders' Circle.

Economy

Tyso is largely self-sufficient as a city, with the costs of the Holmgulf Fleet being paid by the Monarch of Sommerlund. However, it lacks trade links with overseas ports and partners, in comparison with the other coastal cities of Sommerlund. As such, it imports goods overland, rather than by sea.

Tyso's most famous export is specialised marine equipment, which is sent overland to Holmgard and Anskaven. It also exports agricultural produce.

Demographics

In MS 4951, the citizens of the city of Tyso became officially known as "Tysoans", although they were called "Tysonians" prior to this date, a moniker that is retained by some in Eastern Sommerlund. In MS 5000, there were approximately 50,000 Tysoans.

Tysoans place a high value on privacy. Even in the Commoners' Circle, where unskilled workers live, each dwelling has sufficient living space, and the houses have windows with shutters, and walled rear enclosures, to ensure privacy. However, no such provisions are in place in the slums of the North Quarter.

Tysoans celebrate the Feast of Fehmarn, like other citizens of Sommerlund. A unique celebration, Admiralty Day, is celebrated in the city of Tyso, where the Holmgulf Fleet is paraded and made available in a symbolic inspection by the Baron of Tyso. During this day, a carnival with golden-yellow decorations to celebrate Tyso's naval excellence takes place, together with military exercises by the navy. The Halls of Learning also open their doors, inviting its citizens to understand and learn about Tyso's naval culture, and hopefully grow it.

At nightfall, the youth of Tyso hold a candlelight procession through the streets to the Shrine of Ishir, laying wreaths of Salt Poppies at her feet as a gift.

In the gamebooks

Tyso is visited in Wolf's Bane, where the titular Wolf's Bane travels to the Old Necropolis to open a Shadow Gate to Avaros, and the player, as Lone Wolf, pursues his impostor, before resuming his chase in Avaros.

Sources

• Dever, Joe [2017]. The Realm of Sommerlund. Cubicle 7, pp. 110–122.