Gelsord

Geography

Gelsord is located in north western Kavergraith. The city runs along a river and at the base of the central mountain range that runs along the Kodiak Republic. Due to its strategic location on a river and being between the capital Rykkburgh and the large port cities of Robingrad and Crystal City to the east, Gelsord naturally became an important pitstop within Kodiak's interregional trade.

History

There is not specific record of when Gelsord was founded but the city dates back all the way to the Bromannikha Dynasty. Gelsord started off as a small trading outpost established by sheep and goat farmers. A decent amount of trading activity was conducted between Rykkburgh and the eastern coast of Kodiak but Gelsord largely stayed as a medium sized town for several decade until Kodiak's golden era. The humble town quickly grew in prominence during the peak of Kodiak's history, eventually growing into a medium sized city . The large traffic of people and goods coming from foreign trade greatly boosted Gelsord's economy and cemented its role as an important interregional commercial hub. However, in the year 533 a massive earthquake in Rykkburgh and an epidemic disease was released from medical labs that were destroyed. A nationwide quarantine was enforced by the global community, destroying Gelsord's previous prosperity. A hundred years after the initial outbreak, the quarantine was released by the international community, but Kodiak was in ruins with Gelsord hit especially hard. Gelsord has been slowly recovering within the past few decades but the war with the Great North severely hampered any meaningful recovery.

Economy

From the origins of its upbringing, Gelsord was always primed for trade. Starting off as a small trading outpost operating primarily in wool, cotton, salt, and seafood, it expanded into moderately significant and varied trading town during the last days of the Bromannikha Dynasty. After the fall of the monarchy, the first century of the Republic saw Gelsord shine as the premier interregional commercial and logistic hub. With laxer government restrictions and the construction of the eastern railway, many stores, restaurants, and entertainment centers sprung up within Gelsord. This success prompted further investment into canals, more railways, train depots, and public infrastructure. Soon, Gelsord became a melting pot of people and goods from all over the world. Gelsord hosted exotic food and spice markets, a plethora of shopping centers located along gigantic malls, a multitude of places and events for holiday and leisure which includes the famed Crysler Ski Resort and the Gelsord Winter Fairgrounds. Gelsord was listed as one of the fastest growing cities in Kodiak in the Rykkburgh business magazine at one time, surpassing GDP growth of 454% and a population growth of 358% within a 15 year span of time.