Estord

The city of Estord is the most oil rich city of Sordland. It was founded in the 14th century as a silver mining town, but fortunes turned when the mines ran dry. The current situation is bleak; blackouts are routine, public services are barely keeping up and organised crime has taken hold with gang wars bloodying the streets of the city. The large petroleum industry here employs thousands of workers at less than ideal conditions. Geographically, the city lies between two rivers flowing down from the Sourne mountains in between Sordland and Rumburg. It is beneath the tall Arert mountain which makes for a breath-taking view from the city. There are a few historical sites like the Renan Star Fort east of the city and the monument of despair built during the War of the King. In its 500-year history multiple wars with Rumburg caused the destruction of the city several times over. Nonetheless Estord flourished again when peace was settled between the Sordland and Rumburg. The real economic boom happened in 1880 when petroleum was discovered. Sordland’s reliance on foreign oil reduced and Estord was the greatest beneficiary of the black gold rush leading to the formation of Sordish Petroleum. The city grew, and unemployment reached an all time low. A new railway was built to connect the Nargis region to Rumburg. Culturally the constantly shifting social dynamics caused the residents to protect their regional identities. This stands out as a unique case. The recent worsening of relations with Rumburg, the boom of Lachaven and the 40s economic crisis caused the decline of the city, that lost nearly half of its population to migration to Lachaven and other growing cities with a better future.