Apjij'tesh

Founded along a tributary that flows to the Garaziru river, Apjij'tesh is one of the northern most cities. It lies East and north of the Salt Spire Mountains and the town of Brinesariqua. The city is in a descidous forest region with taiga to the north and and west and grasslands to the east. It lies some 200 miles west of the WhiteFall Mountains and roughly 300 miles east of the great Damatay lake. Capital city of the Moon People, the supreme ruler and protector is the Great Dragon Zirnapsis. The surrounding lands have a number of small towns and villages. Each with Paqudu and an army garrison that protect the territory and citizens.  The wildlands outside the settled zone are fraught with monsters, tribes of barbaric Ghenid , Bugbear  and Bahku , strange beasts, Yokai, Fellspawn, demons and worse.  Banditry is sparse when competing against the hazards of the wilds. Frontiersmen, trappers and adventure seekers questing after lost ruins or secret treasures may also be encountered.

The city itself is in white and pink stone, with mosaic art of nature scenes. Minarettes and arches predominate with irregular rounded or bulging walls reflecting the Moon People's dislike of straight lines. Likewise the streets twist and turn.

One feature is the Great Pit- a mysterious punch into the ground that contains small crypts and artifacts of the Demon Age. It is also home to various strange creatures. Explorers pay 100 gold Dragons or 1000 Imperial Talents to the Great Dragon for permission to explore and recover artifacts and treasures. Regular patrols guard against escapes and unauthorized entry. Unauthorized trespass, theft and smuggling are punished by death- the offender being thrown into the Pit.

Demographics

The city is predominantly Moon People, about 20% humans, 20% Taurien 5% bahku and 5% Fae. 1% are other- ghenid, and other strange or monster creatures.

Government

The dragon Zirnapsis is supreme ruler and protector advised by the Supreme Council comprised of White skins and Black.  The Splendid Court advises on spiritual matters and law enforcement, while the Excellent Court fills the ranks and offices of city function and judges. 
 The Paqudu serve as police, city guard and generally available as official guards. Excellent and use their powers as Seers to prevent and investigate crime and find law breakers. Splendid Paqudu are actually involved in capture and arrest.  Officers will always be Excellent because of the Seer abilities. A small number of other kinds are allowed in the Paqudu.  Jails hold prisoners prior to presenting to the Judges, who are Splendid with their Punisher powers.
Cases are settled by duel, judgement and Geas and/ or fine most frequently. The Judges are groups of Three in listening to and inquiring on cases. Banishing with Geas may occur. Lashings as well.  Occasionally someone is placed into bond for a term. Some crimes carry death. Cases may only be appealed to the Dragon.  The dragon may grant pardon after private resentment or injury is appeased or may act as the aggrieved if there are no family or friends of the injured party.

Contracts are freely formed but require a public scribe notary and witnesses, and finally a Geas by one of the White skin Splendid.

Industry & Trade

All the settled lands and residents of villages, towns and the city of Apjij'tesh are on Charter to the Temple with an obligation to supply the tax on entry to towns and the city, market tax, wine and ale tax, a personal tax for each person, and an armor tax. Residents of a land charter owe a tithe on farm produce and livestock.
The Parda demands 20 persons for the army for every 1000 residents each year - volunteers preferred but the Parda Regulators may conscript from the population. Veterans may stay in the army to partially fill this requirement and no person is required to spend more than five terms of one year in the army.
The city produces arms and armor, finished goods, the moon steel, and explorers recover demon age artifacts from the Pit. There is trade with Brinesariqua , Taurien States to the south, Ligloy and the free Olien state, and the various Esereti kingdoms. There are rare Imperial traders- most trade with the empire is indirect.
The Great Pit is a source of treasures and artifacts and is found north of the city.
The city has a guild of assassins. It is small. Assassins are hired by petition to the judges for extreme crimes and offenses. They also carry out executions.

Districts

• Temple District: this houses the pyramidal Temple of Ariatotep and Pozaxinus with the central flame of obedient Chree. The Temple is on an island of "u" shaped river and city wall behind. One bridge give access from the ColdStone district. It has a garden in the center of the Temple and magic trade complex where Seers for hire, talismongers, and mages work selling various magical potions and charms. This is where one also goes to buy an augery by a Seer.
  
• The Northgate: shops specializing in equipping explorers and Pit adventurers are found here.
  
• The Moon Steel smelters and smithies are in the southern ColdStone district.. Weapons and armor of this bright shiny metal are 75% of the weight of standard steel weapons and armors. They are -1 on Toughness and armor is one rank lower in defensive quality.
• Quarterly, the Lady Lord Dragon will make a grand flight from the citadel to the city's central grand market of the Coldstone district for tribute day where the city delivers gifts and payments to Zirnapsis. The central grand market is usually a bustling center for trade and commerce of all kinds.
  
• The Goldbowl are home to the wealthiest and more influential in the city. Fine clothiers, exotic and costly foods and perfumes, jewelers, silver and goldsmiths are found here.

Guilds and Factions

The social distinctions of the city are
Avilum: The Moon Folk white and black skins, and persons of status by wealth or talents. They suffer harsher punishment for crimes than lesser classes.
Mushkenu: The general stone skin and working classes.
Ardu: Low- the poor, bond labor and captives. They will pay lesser fines but suffer more lashings. Slavery is bond slavery- the keeper is obligated to the care and maintenance of the bond but may profit 90% from their labor. The ten percent is to be held in trust at the Temple or delivered to the bonded. Many bonded are placed as workers on farms, mines and logging.

Trade is organized by village and neighborhood with specific families passing craft skills from generation to generation.  Change of trade is by marriage into a trade one wishes to join.

Points of interest

The Citadel: Home to the dragon Zirnapsis. She may come out to hunt, patrol or just look over the city and surrounding territory. If you are not a wanted criminal it can be quite the sight. If you are a wanted criminal and she sees you, the chase may get quite exciting!

The Hall of the Deliberative: The Excellent and Splendid leadership that make up the Supreme Council meet here to discuss and debate policy and plans. The building is marked by several onion domes and minarets set with sparkling stones and painted in gaudy colors. The hours of the day are rung here on great gongs. The Hall of the Deliberative is at the western edge of the western market between GoldBowl and ColdStone districts.

The Great Temple in the Temple district. This is a pyramid dressed in white granite with arched entries from the raised grounds and the white and black moons outside the main entry. Processions and prayers occur at sunrise and dusk daily with significant private events such as funerals, memorials, blessings of children and weddings during the days and evenings. Within the Temple are the great idols of Ariatotep and Pozaxinus with the central flame of obedient Chree. Be sure to offer a prayer and burn and incense stick with one of the gods.
A Centaur Sacred Grove for their Dreaming Tree is found in the Temple District as well.  The curious may inquire about their mysteries and strange beliefs.

The city is famous for The Great Pit to the north of town. The North road is easily found and visitors may pay to climb towers at the edge of the pit to gaze upon the depths for just a copper. Crowds can be large for a death sentence where smugglers, thieves or illegal trespassers within the Pit are cast into the depths from a special platform that extends beyond the edge. IF YOU WISH TO EXPLORE THE PIT YOURSELF, YOU NEED THE PERMIT, WHICH COSTS 100 GOLD DRAGONS. It is wise to advise friends and family where you have gone in case you don't return.

The other point of fame are the Moon Steel smithies and works found in the south part of ColdStone district.