Draj
Tectuktitlay rules Draj from a great walled compound in the center of the city. In the center of this compound is a large gladiatorial arena. It is surrounded by tiers of stone seats, except where a steep stone pyramid stands. Tectuktitlay's home, which rises two hundred feet above.
Draj is almost constantly at war, sending its armies far and wide in search of captives. Captives are returned to Draj itself, where they meet one of two fates:
- The captives are made as slaves by the local overseers. In return, overseers are taxed by the King for the opportunity.
- The captives are forced to climb the great pyramid so that Tectuktitlay himself can tear out their hearts. The bodies are sent tumbling down the pyramid into the great arena below.
Points of Interest
Letters in the following titles correspond to the Draji map's legend.Avenue of Conquest (A)
A strategic location for Draj's defense, it also contains the 'Fields of Plenty', where the majority of Draj's grain is grown.House Tsalaxa Compound (B)
Headquarters of House Tsalaxa. So heavily guarded, that the compound itself has been proven to be a deterrent for would-be raiders of Draj. Those not summoned to the headquarters are not welcome to the compound.Bountiful Market (D)
While there are multiple markets in the city, this one is the most wealthy. Rare and extravagant items from all over the Tablelands find their way here.House of the Mind (E)
This compound contains the educational institute for those gifted with the power of Psionics. Unlike most cities in the Tablelands, the members of the Psionic community are met with a small measure of distrust. The people of Draj generally admire physical prowess over mental power.The Golden Moon Gate and the Towers of Ral & Guthay (F & G)
The entrance to the inner compound of Draj is ostentatiously luxurious, with bronze-plated doors and fine-clay bricks greeting those who wish to enter Tectuktitlay's realm. It also intensely watched by the archers who reside in two grand towers named after the moons of Athas. It is said that if an archer is caught relaxed in his duties, they are executed by Tectuktitlay himself before the gladiator games.Royal Menagerie (H)
Where exotic beasts from all over the Tablelands are stored as 'pets' for Tectuktitlay. The Sorcerer-King is known to occasionally pit these beasts against gladiators in his arena.The Palace of Gladiatorial Combat (J)
An addition to being a great pit where gladiators face off against beasts and each other, there is an inner compound. Tectuktitlay's favorites (Moon priests, nobility, and weapon-makers) are allowed inside to feast before and/or after a game.Father and Master Temple (K)
The great pyramid home of Tectuktitlay. The inner sanctum is only seen by high-ranking Moon priests, world-famous gladiators, and Tectuktitlay's harem.The Gift
Also known simply as 'the slave pits'. This is where labor slaves, gladiators, and prisoners are kept in deep mud pits. Great gladiators are separated from the others - residing in adobe huts. The famous ones are given many luxuries, often including slaves of their own.Demographics
58% humans, 15% dwarves, 15% elves, 5% muls, 3% half-elves, 2% half-giants, 2% others
Defences
Draj and the surrounding lands are located on a mudflat, so defending it is fairly simple. Any army that attempts to leave the road to it inevitably bogs down in a quagmire of thick mud. If the army stays on the stone paved road leading through Tectuktitlay's lands, all he needs do is send his warriors out to defend the narrow passage, then drive the enemy into the mud.
Guilds and Factions
House Tsalaxa:
The merchants of House Tsalaxa conduct most of the trade for the city of Draj. Tsalaxa is known for its ruthless practices, well suited for a warrior culture. These traders regularly engage in espionage and intrigue in order to secure valuable contracts and business opportunities. The head of this household is Yarsha Tsalaxa, who aggressively controls the merchant house and keeps the trade routes active.Knights:
There are a number of knightly orders that are part of the Draji society. The two most important are the eagle knights and the jaguar knights. The eagle knights are among the most brutal and fanatical Draji warriors and rank second behind only the jaguar knights. The jaguar knights are the finest warriors of Draj. They undergo intense training to conquer their fear and strike fear in their opponents.Draj’s noble families
The noble families of Draj participate in the governing of the city through special meetings held at tecpans. In these long buildings, noble elders (all being great warriors) gather to debate and resolve problems considered too ordinary and routine to concern the moon priests and Tectuktitlay.Geography
Draj sits on a huge mudflat located on the western edge of a large inland silt basin. It is located in the northeast corner of the Tablelands far east of the Ringing Mountains and of Tyr.
Natural Resources
Despite its warlike nature, Draj enjoys heavy commerce with the other cities of the Tyr Region (and some cities to the north). This is because Draj's fertile soil makes it rich in two essential resources:
- Hemp: good for making both clothes and rope
- Grain: most other cities desperately need grain in order to feed their starving populations.
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