Jinsha

Jinsha is a major trade city in the western portions of the Empire of Xin, located near a major oasis in the western desert. Jinsha is led by an ancient brass Dragon Lord named Miirvalos.

Demographics

The majority of Jinsha's population is Human, Owlin, or Dragonborn. Most residents are citizens of the Xin Empire. However, there are a sizable number of foreigners at the Academy for research and study, or in the markets for trade. These foreigners primarily consist of humans of Lurian descent and Halflings from the Trading Coalition as well as Centaur tribesmen from the north.

Government

The Dragon Lord of Jinsha and the surrounding desert is Miirvalos, an ancient brass dragon who has ruled this land for centuries.
Like many brass dragons, Miirvalos is curious, with a desire to always learn. His lair is the Great Academy of Miirvalos, a large academy in the center of Jinsha, with one of the largest libraries in the world and a number of dedicated halls for debate.  Miirvalos considers the knowledge contained within the academy to be his draconic hoard, and values the accumulation of knowledge over wealth. Many travellers come to the academy, and he welcomes these travelers as potential sources to add knowledge to his hoard.
Miirvalos is the Dragon Lord of the realm, but spends much of his time within the academy. The day to day governance of the city is left to his magistrate, a Dragonborn named Peizhi Xu, a strict and loyal enforcer.
Like most dragons, Miirvalos is prideful. He is generally open to debate and thoughtful discourse, but quickly grows angry when he feels that he has been insulted or cheated.
Miirvalos' greatest rival is the ancient blue dragon Vaerskaryx, who rules Zuanshishan, a neighboring desert province. Vaerskaryx is known as a cruel overseer to his people, pushing them to the breaking point in mines to extract valuable minerals from the desert, and delighting as much in the pain he inflicts as on the wealth he accumulates. Despite this cruelty towards his subjects, Vaerskaryx is fiercely protective and supportive of his family. It is widely known that Miirvalos and Vaerskaryx hate each other. However, it has been centuries since their hatred turned into war, although disputes, intrigue, and provocations are common.

Industry & Trade

Jinsha is a designated trade port within the Empire of Xin. Travel by foreigners beyond Jinsha (or other trade ports) is prohibited, unless the local Dragon Lord has given express permission. Foreign merchants seeking to do business with the Empire must trade with native Xin merchants in the ports. This policy both protects local merchants and ensures that foreign ideas and cultures are contained in their spread. In Jinsha, this means in practice that the land routes heading southwest toward the Trading Coalition are primarily operated by foreign merchants, while the trade routes heading northeast into the interior of the Empire are entirely operated by Xin merchants.

Districts

Jinsha is founded around a large oasis which provides water in an otherwise arid desert. Key land trade routes from the Trading Coalition pass through the mountains near here, and nearly all pass through Jinsha to make use of their water. The natural water in the oasis is supplemented from magic collected over the centuries by the dragon Miirvalos. Travelers who restock their water must give payment to Miirvalos in the form of knowledge (often a book, but sometimes stories or interesting items), which he adds to his academy.
The Dragon's Bazaar lies alongside the oasis, where merchants haggle from dawn till dusk. Most merchants are from the Empire of Xin and the various states of the Trading Coalition, although some come from farther away, including some Centaurs from The Northern Steppes. The Bazaar primarily trades in luxury items whose cost justifies the long, expensive, and often dangerous land routes, including magic items, alchemical ingredients, rare spices, and silk. Alongside the Bazaar are many inns for lodging and stables for mounts, with the inns catering to each of the various cultures that visit the city.
The Great Academy of Miirvalos is the largest and most important building in Jinsha. The academy is carved into a red sandstone mesa that sits near the oasis. The entrance is flanked by two massive carved statues of Miirvalos. A number of friezes depicting historical scenes decorate the interior, carefully chiseled over the centuries. The academy is also home to a large art gallery, bearing works from the Empire of Xin and beyond. Miirvalos prefers art featuring people and animals over abstract or geometric art. As such, the gallery contains many portraits and sculptures. Many travelers also come to the academy, seeking to do research in the library or speak with the scholars or the dragon. These travelers include scholars from other parts of the Empire of Xin, but also foreign scholars. Miirvalos welcomes these scholars as potential sources to add knowledge to his hoard.
Outside of town are several semi-permanent camps of Centaurs, who do their business on the outskirts of town, uncomfortable in the cramped conditions of the city and bazaar.

History

Small settlements existed at Jinsha and neighboring areas for millennia. In 5343, the Dragon Lord Zyrephfel took action to expand the settlement in response to new trade opportunities with the Lurian colonies to the west. The city was established as a key trade hub during these years.
The Wars of the Usurper broke out in 5711. During the fighting, the Dragon Lord Zyrephfel sided against Malaerogoth's Coalition of Order, eventually meeting her death in battle against Miirvalos. Zyrephfel was the mate of Vaerskaryx, and her death fueled the dragon's hatred against Miirvalos. When Malaerogoth was declared Emperor in 5874, he officially declared Miirvalos the Dragon Lord of Jinsha.
In the years following the Wars, the city flourished both as a trade hub and now as a learning center. Miirvalos founded the academy of Jinsha, expanding it with his personal collection and using the wealth of the city to attract scholars. During this time, he changed the fee for water for travellers from money to knowledge.
Miirvalos has since hosted several key scholars at his academy. Notably, Volo Geddari, renowned explorer and writer of Vatalli, visited the academy in 6509 during his first expedition. Volo's interviews with Miirvalos greatly informed the section on dragons in his first book, where Miirvalos is credited.
In 6515, the children of Vaerskaryx used illusions to lure foreign merchants from the trade roads to Jinsha and into the desert of Zuanshishan, where they were violently attacked, their goods stolen and the survivors enslaved. An open attack in Jinsha would have been an act of war, but this method allowed the children of Vaerskaryx to strike at Miirvalos while maintaining the appearance of courtly order and Imperial law. A petition to the Emperor from Miirvalos forced the end of the ambushes in 6516. Vaerskaryx was ordered to pay a fine to Miirvalos. Miirvalos, in turn, paid the tribute to the families of the merchants, but the reputational damage was done, and trade declined in subsequent years due to the apparent danger of the route. It is said that the children of Vaerskaryx considered the attacks a success, as they had primarily engaged in the attacks simply to embarrass Miirvalos and deprive him of his treasured visitors to his academy.

Natural Resources

The water from the oasis provides enough water for daily use by residents and travelers, but caution must be taken to not waste the water. Particularly wasteful uses of water are considered criminal. The limited water and sandy soil prevent extensive agriculture, limiting the total population of the town.
Food must be imported, lest the town starve, but the ample wealth of the city and the presence of ongoing trade ensure that food arrives regularly. There are some small orchards growing dates and pomegranates.

Founding Date

5343

Type

City

Population

25,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Jinshan

Owner/Ruler

Miirvalos

Owning Organization

Empire of Xin

Characters in Location

• Miirvalos