Karath
Government
Like all of An'katerr's five countries, Telvan is ruled by an Imperial Family. Karath is the seat of House Nilkarath. Typically, the eldest child inherits the throne from their ruling parent. It's rare when a younger sibling or cousin inherits instead.
Defences
Karath is surrounded by high walls as is typical for larger settlements. As the city grew additional walls were built.
At present, there are roughly 870 soldiers protecting the city and immediate area.
Guilds and Factions
The Chant of Fire has its primary temple here, located on Temple Row.
The Dragon Warriors are primarily situated at the Imperial Palace although some have been known to have houses elsewhere in the city.
History
Karath was built in the 4th year following the event known as the Beginning of Days. It's first rulers were Coloren Nilkarath and his wife, Miothenna.
Architecture
As Karath expanded and outgrew its original set of walls, more walls were built to allow it to expand further. This has given the city an odd layout. Each Row has a name that suits is modern function.
From the outside in the Rows are as follows:
Crafter's Row, Merchant Row,Park Row, Temple Row, Noble Row, Guard Row, Palace Complex
Each Row is a small town unto itself with eating establishments, homes, markets, small shrines, and other day to day necessities. The Rows get their names from the specialties they have.
Crafter's Row is known for its blacksmiths, tailors, bookbinders, masons, painters, carpenters, woodcarvers, and weavers.
Merchant's Row is where one would find beer sellers, barbers, jewelers, butchers, inns, book sellers, chandlers, and merchants that bring goods from all over An'katerr.
Park Row is where one would find areas full of lush greenery. It's a quiet row with more houses than industries. It has a few upscale eating establishments and entertainment houses.
Temple Row is where the Great Temple of Kal Sharash is located. At one time it was the original Row for ordinary citizens to live in and it's outer wall marked Karath's original boundary. In modern days it has housing for the Chief Priest (or Priestess), high ranking members of the Chant of Fire, training halls for acolytes, a large library, the record hall, a public square, housing for government officials, and upscale housing for minor nobles.
Noble Row is generally considered to be off limits to the common folk as it entirely consists of manor houses for the highest ranking nobles in the country.
Entry to Guard Row is expressly forbidden to all unless you've been invited. This Row exclusively contains the barracks for the soldiers of Karath, their equipment stores, stables, and training grounds. Everything they need to help them protect Karath and the Imperial Family is here or brought to them. They take their jobs very seriously. While there are guard posts throughout Karath, Guard Row is where they're most concentrated. The elite soldiers and bodyguards to the Imperial Family reside within the Palace Complex itself.
Despite its importance, the Palace Complex isn't as large as most people think it is. It's large enough to house several members of the family itself, all five Dragon Warriors and the Chief Priest/Priestess (should they choose to stay there), members of the family's elite guard, palace staff, Imperial Advisors, and up to twelve visiting dignitaries. Quite often many of the rooms stand empty as the family rarely has more than two children and its not often that there are many visitors in the palace.
In addition to these rooms, the palace also contains the throne room, a war room, a treasury, the Empress's private garden, a large stable, a private temple, a library, kitchen, cellar for cold storage, and a large hall.
Each wall has four gates set into it to allow people to pass through.
Geography
Karath sits on the banks of what the Telvanites call the Dragon River. Further upstream in Doval it's known by a different name.
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