Pelopas: Cities- Lorfalus, Capital of Eigonz

The city of Lorfalus, is said to be where Kivarion, the progenitor of humans was entombed after his death at the hands of the world devouring serpent, Aatherus. Despite this, the city is named after Lorfingal, the king of the gods. Lorfalus is also said to be the first city humans built, though the only records which claim this were written much later of course. Still, there is not doubt this city is ancient, likely reaching back to when gods did indeed walk the earth. Some of the structures are so massive I find it hard to believe even we Daeva could create such marvels. Regardless, the city is large, large enough that from the royal pyramid and palace at the center of the city it is said one can only see the city walls forming their horizon, as if the city were an entire world unto itself. Water ways aqueducts and rivers flow through the streets fountains and cascade down man-made waterfalls. I visited once, and was astounded by the clarity and purity of their waters in such a place. Routed from very prominent aquifers, monsoons which carry dramatic rainfalls, and more the waters never seem to cease. The only source i could see however i learned was from the royal pyramid, where the kings of old, and a god if you believe, are entombed. The summit of the pyramid towers so high as to be out of sight. One does not realize until they are told, but its polished marble surface of unerring quality is eventually covered by snow it reaches so high. Year round the snow gathers and melts and is then funneled through the city. Food as well, covered in spices, imports, fine meats and though i hate to admit, out of morbid curiosity I tasted a cooked beetle at their bazaar. That market is said to be the largest in the world...in fact this city boasts quite a bit about its marvels. Though praise is certainly earned i could not shake the feeling that the city was almost...too perfect on the surface. Scarcely any disease, plenty of food and water...and yet i saw relatively few farmers and laborers. In fact, i saw no builder at all! Instead i came across a new building being built, and was appalled to see corpses placing stones. Wrapped with bandages soaked in sweetly smelling oils, the dead are forced to linger to provide these people their comfort. And the king and elite are most generous indeed, providing free food to the more poor who were not required to work if they did not wish too. Necormancy pervades the city. Labor has been all but extinct, now performed by slaves who are worked until dead and then resurrected to continue their service. The religion and economy, everything all but revolves around the dead and undead. Ceremonies "bring" the recently deceased back, so the family can give a proper farewell before that body is put to work for some task or another. A hollow carried my belonging at my inn, and the next day i promptly burned my bag and bought a new one. At the time much was unknown to me of the government and its systems. As i inquired a group of masked men, from the church insisted I stop. Thankfully i was already at the gates when i overheard my inn had had a fire that morning. Something about heretical worshipers had congregated there on certain nights. Never before has such a beautiful place made me feel so foul.

Demographics

The overwhelming majority of the population is human, (75-80%) with only a small number being split among the Cat people of the eastern plains, the ash dwellers, though typically they do not live in the city, but visit to trade their trinkets and furs. The last group are the Jackalius, a race of humanoids with long slender faces, not unlike a dog or Jackle. Typically they are exceedingly rare and are near exclusively members of the church royal court or law masters. They are thought by some to have been made by Lorfingal as his chosen helpers and as such wield great authority in the city. Most other races are looked down on, and most wind up in chains as slaves...something no one was ever able to tell me however, was where the slaves came from? I saw dwarves, Minosin, Kitsune, but mainly Orok yet none of these races lived on this continent...I even saw a few Daeva, though they were already hollows by the time i realized what they were. the bandages obscured most of their forms.

Government

A monarchy system with a "divine" king or princes t the top. followed by his royal court of law masters, priests, advisers, generals and a personal retinue

Defences

Massive walls over a hundred yards tall and nearly as thick with massive doors blocking the gates. The doors are so thick they require teams of undead giants to open and close them. Murder holes litter the gatehouses, segments of the walls are hollow allowing soldiers to rapidly move between gates and allow for supplies to move quickly. Arrow slits line some of the tunnels closest to the surface. Towers stand every so often when needed for access to the upper levels. Siege weapons and hordes of archers can rain down on attackers. I have seen near every fortress on Cruxia, and i must admit none can rival Lorfalus. Indeed none have ever succeeded. Even siege is useless as the walls encompass enough farmland in the western district to provide food for most of the city.

Infrastructure

The city boasts a sophisticated sewer system and series of waterways which carry clean water to every corner and alley. The large main roads are kept pristine, made of finely cut stones pressed uniform into the foundation. Indeed, it is somewhat unnerving just how perfectly this city was built. Fountains statues and decorations, usually of a religious nature, can be found on near every street corner or intersection. The city oddly has refused to include arcane magic into much of its infrastructure though, lacking flameless lanterns and such.

Assets

One can find virtually whatever they could want in the cities grand bazaar. Exotic foods, spices, rugs, swords, weapons, rare animals, pelts, monster parts, mana crystals and much much more.

Alternative Name(s)

Gem of the South, City of Gods, Paradise

Type

Capital

Population

Roughly 1 million to 1 million and 250 thousand

Inhabitant Demonym

Eigontian