Template:Location infobox 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.
- Airgi Island
- Bazniuz Island
- Shield Island
- Alakut Island
- Kadasep Island
- Odaga Island
- North Fortress
- Shield Island
- Central Fortress
- Least Fortress
- Less Shipquarter
- Greater Shipquarter
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.[1]
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.[2]
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
- House Bancanor
- House Ladradun
- Morrachane Ladradun (deceased)
- Bennat Ladradun (deceased)
- Kofrinna Ladradun (deceased)
- House Jossaryk
- Domanus Moykep, head of a shipbuilding family
- Romachko Skuretty
- House Voskajo
- Teraud Voskajo, head of the smith's guild of Kugisko
- Nushenya Voskajo
Mages
- Master Northice, head of the Mages' Society of Kugisko
- Camoc Oakborn, carpenter mage
- Arnen, apprentice of Oakborn's
- Eoban, an apprentice who is friend's with Arnen
- Breechbranch, ambient carpentry mage, an alcoholic
- Olennika Potcracker, a great mage, specialty in cooking magic. Works at Yorgiry's Hospital in Blackfly Bog. Formerly served Empress Berenene as her head cook.
- Valerian
- Inagru
- Ashstaff
Proletariat and working class
- Zhegorz Fiavrus, locked up in Yorgiry's Hospital
- Yulanny, maid for Morrachane Ladradun, treated badly
- Gruzha, blind girl saved by Daja
Employed by Bancanor House
- Anyussa, head cook at Bancanor House
- Serg, sleigh driver
- Varesha, housekeeper
Government employees
- Heluda Salt, harrier and magistrate's mage
- Romachko Skuretty
Appearances
Kugisko only appears in Cold Fire. It is mentioned in The Will of the Empress by several people.
Notes and references
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
Cold Fire | |
---|---|
Set in Kugisko, Namorn (1039 KF) | |
Mages | Dedicate Frostpine • Daja Kisubo • Niamara Bancanor • Jorality Bancanor • Camoc Oakborn • Arnen • Olennika Potcracker • Pawel Godsforge • Ashstaff • Breechbranch • Heluda Salt • Northice • Eoban • Valerian • Inagru |
Bancanor | Kolborn Bancanor • Matazidah Bancanor • Peigine Bancanor • Eidart Bancanor • Anyussa • Serg • Varesha |
Others | Teraud Voskajo • Nushenya Voskajo • Bennat Ladradun • Morrachane Ladradun • Kofrinna Ladradun • Gruzha • Yulanny • Olaksan Jossaryk • Lisyl Jossaryk • Chiora Jossaryk • Romachko Skuretty • Zhegorz Fiavrus • Sythuthan |
Places | Syth • Kadasep Island • Bancanor House • Alakut Island • Blackfly Bog; Arson targets: Confectioner's shop • Jossaryk House • Asinding Bathhouse • Ladradun House • Yorgiry's Hospital |
other The Circle Opens novels: Magic Steps • Street Magic • Shatterglass |