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Kugisko (pronounced koo-GISS-koe) is a city composed of a small archipelago in Namorn.

Geography[]

Location and climate[]

The city is made up of several islands in the Syth, a great lake in Namorn that is known for being tempestuous. Each island is connected by a bridge to surrounding islands. During the winter, the water around the islands freezes over, allowing residents to skate to their destination.

In the winter, it is very cold, and icy winds blow in from the Syth. During the spring, more winds. In the summer, it is very much like Dancruan, sunny but also a bit chilly at times. Being near the Syth, storms could come out of the blue.

Islands[]

Kugisko is made up of at least 11 islands, of those that show on the map.

The mainland also plays host to Kugisko. This is the area known as Pearl Coast.

City layout[]

The city encompasses several islands, which are connected by bridges and canals to adjacent islands. There are several bridges and canals of the city:

  • Schoolman Bridge connects North Fortress with Odaga Island
  • Bolle Bridge connects Odaga with Alakut
  • Pozkit Bridge connects Alakut with Kadasep
  • Everall Bridge connects Kadasep with Bazniuz
  • Craik Bridge connects Bazniuz with Airgi
  • Kyrsty Bridge connects Bazniuz with the mainland

The islands on the outside, such as North Fortress and Shield, form the protective barrier. No residential areas or streets are seen on those islands, but that only means that no places on those islands ever appeared or were mentioned in Cold Fire, not that they don't exist. Kadasep Island is considered by many to be the wealthiest residential island of Kugisko, even though there are poorer parts. Many of the city's wealthy merchants and craftsmen own homes on the island. The slum of the city is located on the mainland, Blackfly Bog. The slum is located on the Upatka River, which feeds into the Syth.

Government[]

Kugisko is run by a governor who pays homage to Empress Berenene. The governor is most likely of the noble class.

Each of the islands has its own council made up of residents and guildsmen. Those councils decide on funding on the island, as well as other political or financial matters that don't need to be set before a higher council. The councils vote on the allocation of funds for their islands.

Economy[]

Kugisko's economy, like many other cities, is run by guilds. Kolborn Bancanor is the head of the Goldsmith's Guild, making him extremely powerful in Kugisko and also very powerful in other places of Namorn. Kugisko itself is a prosperous city.

Currency[]

They use the same currency as elsewhere in the empire. The gold argib is the highest coin, and is embossed with the portrait of Empress Berenene, which Daja Kisubo claims is awful.[2] The other argib are silver and copper iterations, each worth less than the other.

In 1039 KF, a counterfeiter started making fake gold argib which were able to fool even Daja.

Culture[]

Architecture[]

The nobles of Kugisko build their homes in stone, like other members of their class who are not Kugiskan. The merchant class build their homes in wood, as do many of the lower and poorer classes. It is a point of pride that sets them apart from the Kugiskan nobility. Their wood houses are generally very well designed if the family is wealthy. Bancanor House, the ancestral home of the Bancanor family located on Kadasep Island, is incredibly well designed and well polished. There are intricate carvings in the wood, and many large and spacious rooms.

Holidays[]

Longnight is an important holiday in the Kugiskan tradition. Because it is in the dead of winter and very cold, the canals are completely frozen over. Revelers carry a torch or a lantern and skate around the city until dawn. Vendors have stalls where they sell tea, hot cider, and winter cakes.[3]

Fashion and dress[]

Kugiskan fashion is much like general Namornese dress, with a fine undercoat and an overcoat. In Kugisko specifically, the wealthy residents get their fashion ideas and trends from Matazidah Bancanor, a former seamstress and the wife of the Head of the Goldsmith's Guild.

Cuisine[]

Kugiskans drink tea in glass mugs with wrought metal handles and a base. They also do not put sweetening directly into the tea, but take a sugarcube, put it against the teeth, and then strain the tea through the cube. Daja Kisubo found this custom outlandish. They also use interesting combinations of plants and other ingredients in their food. This seems to be custom around Namorn, as Briar Moss tried a Namornese soup and was not sure he liked it at first—Daja warned him about Namornese cooking.

Events[]

The residents of Kugisko were victims of an arsonist attack in 1039 KF. Bennat Ladradun, the man in charge of the attack was sentenced to death by burning for his crimes.

Residents[]

Wealthy merchants and commoners[]

Mages[]

Proletariat and working class[]

Employed by Bancanor House[]

Government employees[]

Appearances[]

Kugisko only appears in Cold Fire. It is mentioned in The Will of the Empress by several people.

Notes and references[]

  1. Final pages of Cold Fire
  2. "Cold Fire, Ch. 2 (pg. 32; Random House ebook)
  3. Cold Fire, Ch. 4 (pg. 67; Random House ebook)

Real life connections[]

The climate, clothing, and cuisine of Kugisko are heavily based on early modern Russia. Some elements of the city and city life are likely based on Venice; a city made up of islands, as well as the power merchants hold in the city, just as it was with the Republic of Venice.

See also[]

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