Storm Hold:  Overview

       Storm Hold is the largest of the three human cities on Nau'Kee 
peninsula, with over 50 000 inhabitants.  It is the hub of trade for the area,
with canals, roads, and trails leading to it from all over. To the east there
is a canal and river network allowing the Oogloo to enter Storm Lake from the
sea.  To the north there is the Southern Imperial Road. This massive endeavor 
spans thousands of leagues and reaches to the capital of a mysterious human
empire to the north. There are also roads leading to Zhantoq (or rather to 
the coast opposite Zhantoq where ships ferry people across) and to the edge 
of Kinar territory. 
       The Dirkasso come to Storm Hold by way of river and sea, while Kinar 
and Gashen use a network of trails.  One of the most famous (or infamous) of 
these is Nesh-Ika pass.  This treacherous route goes through the Magain 
mountains which rise out of the Gashen dessert.  The route would never be 
used except that it allows access to the rich Pyulbarin fields on the 
southern side of the range and allows rapid transport back to Storm Hold 
(freshness is an important factor in the Pyulbarin trade).
       Storm Hold sits on a rocky point jutting out into Storm Lake.  
To the north and west are water, to the south and east, land. Storm Hold
is organized in typical human fashion, with a central stone fortification
surrounded by rich areas inside a secondary wall.  Only citizens can pass
freely through this wall.  Citizenship is generally hereditary, but can also
be bought or earned through meritous conduct or given as an honor to foreign
dignitaries.  The thieve's guild in Storm Hold is thought to have a tunnel 
leading under the wall, but so far attempts to find it have failed.  Outside
the secondary wall sprawls a large mass of merchant shops and homes.  To the
north of the city proper is the port district.  To the west is an Oogloo 
enclave on the lake.  To the south are farmlands and to the east is a shanty
town where the city's poorest people live.
       Storm Hold is ruled over by a Mayor and a Citizen's Council.  The 
Mayor is appointed by the Empire, but the Council Members are elected by
the citizens of the city.  Council decisions can be vetoed by the Mayor, who
also has absolute control over military and taxation matter (though the 
Council bears some informal influence over these as well).
