Idorough
The Last Bastion
The Undercity, despite the lack of natural light and fresh air, was not a bad place to live. Lifts were easily accessible if one needed to head to the surface or down to the mines; people were nice overall (the crust-dwellers being the exception) and wouldn't bother anyone if they hadn't been provoked; the militia had the perfect level of presence so they could keep the trouble makers in line; and the shops sold quality goods without the extra cost that came from catering to ignorant tourists as the surface shops did. Yes, living in the Undercity was considered very good indeed, especially with the sheer number of people packed into the new living quarters in the Deep.
Demographics
Majority are refugees (civilians) fleeing the outside world. Next largest demographic is militia (rebels) and soldiers. Then shop-owners and merchants. Then Craftsmen, and finally clergy and high society.
Government
Idorough is cited as traditionally being ruled by a lord or lady as identified by inheritance or the monarch with a council advising them (monarchy). Since the fall, the Lady and the General make the final decisions in their respective domains, but the council takes care of most trivial issues.
Defences
The city is mostly protected due to its location: nestled in a small valley and surrounded by tall mountains on all sides. There is only one main road - used by merchants and refugees - that is fortified by a system of gates (not all can be open at once) that was put in after the fall. All other exits are tunnels used by the militia and other such forces to come and go as they please, though the entrances are well hidden and concealed by strong magic.
Industry & Trade
Main export pre-fall was minerals, metals, and the red stone from the mountains. There is some grassland available for crops, but the city historically has traded for food, which leaves it particularly vulnerable to sieges, though tunnels have been constructed to nearby fields that large crops can be grown.
Other main export is magical innovation. Though the mage's guild is not the biggest nor the most prestegious, it is famous for its breakthroughs in greenhouse technology, warding, and complex mechanical systems.
Infrastructure
Well-kept roads and canals (bring in water and dispose of waste). Bridges to allow for stacking of buildings since no expansion can be made.
Assets
Mages Guild plus college means magecraft and inventions. Armory with dia-steel weapons. Greenhouses in the earth for crop production.
Guilds and Factions
Mage's Guild - provide wards, charms, enchantments, and other tech for the citizens and soldiers.
Miner's Guild - Biggest guild. All miners are members and get their wages and other such things through the guild. Also manages expansion and tunnel maintenance.
Merchant's Guild - Previously mostly made up of crop merchants, now has become more of a center for managing resources.
Crafter's Guild - Blacksmiths, caligraphers, tailors, woodworkers, etc. are all members. They manage the construction of new houses, weapon production, and other such matters.
Church - Used to be connected to the national clergy, but now is the sole survivor of the Church of Arany. All other churches in the nation have been converted to the new doctrine, so they attempt to keep it alive. Has lost most of its political sway, though is allowed to organize festivals and the like still.
Militia- Mostly trained civilians lead by experienced soldiers. Provides the main guard force and any expeditions to the outside world.
Clarets - Special forces made up of battle-casters, expert swordsmen and bowmen, and assassins. Mainly used for special missions into enemy territory and used as the lady's guard.
Firebloods - Essentially a rebel force dedicated to finding the Ashblood and ending the reign of Wyrueir.
History
The city of Idorough started as a small mining town deep in the Dearg Mountains. It remained as such until the miners struck a vein of dia-steel: a rare and durable metal used mainly to craft weapons and parts for magecrafts. The king funneled money and people to the hamlet, causing it to swell in size. Upon the discovery of more rare minerals, mages also began setting up tinkering shops. The town continued to grow until it could not expand any wider. Local engineers solved this by building sturdy supports and placing new buildings on top of old ones. They created a network of walkways to connect everything and certain buildings - the palace, the college, the church, etc. - above the old buildings, opening up the spaces for more homes and shops.
During the Fourth Age, the prophecy of the Ashblood revealed that the birthplace of the figure to be the Crimson City. This revelation caused a surge of immigration into the Idorough, causing a housing crisis that was solved by the ingenious solution to build down. New waterways were installed as the tunnels and buildings were constructed to allow for the influx of people. A monument to the Ashblood was built in the courtyard of the palace to commemorate the occasion.
The city continued to prosper and develop through the ages, surviving the reign and fall of the Mad King in the 5th age and the prosperous 6th age. The 7th age, however, brought Wyrueir down on the people of Fahkaugr. The city's location and the fortune of a visiting general and her contingent of soldiers saved Idorough from the initial invasion. Now, it remains the last free city and the home of the Firebloods: a faction of people who are dedicated to finding the Ashblood and ending the 7th age.
Architecture
The city is mainly built from the red stone of the Dearg mountains and wood from forests further down the mountains. Buildings above ground are mostly wood with stone supports, though the church and palace are completely stone (built directly on the mountainside). The city is constructed in layers. The oldest (surface) is in constant construction to ensure that the supports are in place for the buildings on the summit (top layer). It is home to the guildhalls and the marketplace. The next lowest layer is the workspace, and everything below that is a mixture of homes and permanent businesses. The summit layer is made up of buildings directly on top of buildings on the surface, but are interconnected by bridges instead of roads. Below the surface, roads are tunnels lit by magelamps. Lifts (of magical origin) are used to reach the surface, but the only way to the summit is a series of ramps and staircases with checkpoints.
Geography
Located in a bowl in the Dearg Mountains. Surrounded on all sides by mountains with one surface-level entrance. Uses canals to bring water from the lakes and such to the city and has access to crops via tunnels to the flatlands.
Natural Resources
Metals, minerals, and stone from the mines. Minerals are magical and are converted into "power" for the lights and lifts. Everything else has to be imported or finagled.
Alternative Name(s)
The Crimson City, Birthplace of the Ashblood
Type
Large city
Inhabitant Demonym
Idoros
Location under
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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