The Ember
Demographics
The majority of the citizens of the Ember are azer. A tribe of goliaths with a fire giant lineage live alongside the azer, making up a significant portion of the population. Finally, a small number of obsidian 'proto-vect' known as the fireforged live in the Ember, generally serving as guards of either the city or important individuals.
Government
The Ember is an elective monarchy. The ruler of the Ember is chosen from amongst the azer nobility after the death of the previous ruler. The individuals who nominate and vote on the next ruler include the azer forgemaster, azer archmage, goliath chieftain, and fireforged general. The previous ruler may also indicate a person whom they would like to nominate as their heir, thus casting a vote prior to their death, though their vote for their heir is no more valuable than any others' vote.
Defences
The Ember is well-defended for such a new settlement. The volcano itself serves as a deterrent to prospective foes, especially since azer warriors can use the magma to their advantage because of their immunity to heat-based damage. The entrance to the Ember is a massive black gate which, in times of need, can be further reinforced by the dropping of a portcullis. Battlements overlook the black gate, allowing for archers and mages to fire down arrows, bolts, and spells upon invading forces. In addition to the aforementioned defenses, the populace is filled with battle-hardened survivors after their last home was claimed by the Cult of the Dragon and the red great wyrm Tarvyrian.
Infrastructure
The Ember is more heavily built towards the industries of mining, quarrying, and smithing. Smithies are exceptionally important to the Ember's survival because they directly correlate to the amount of azer and fireforged citizens that can be created.
Districts
There are only three main districts in the Ember. The residential district houses the azer, fireforged, and goliaths, with each race living in separate, adjacent wards. The second district is the warrior district. The city's army and guards reside in barracks here. Also included in the district are training grounds for warriors to increase their proficiency with various types of weaponry and armor. The final district is the production district. The mine, quarry, and smithies are all found here.
History
While the settlement is young, its people are old. The first recorded mentions of the azer on Vukeron places them in Mount Blackcloud after a dwarven king from Khar-Garom discovered them. In return for his word that he would keep their existence secret, the azer shared their knowledge of the creation of the fireforged with him, thus leading to the creation of the vect. Another known fact about this civilization prior to their migration to the Ashlands is that the Crimson dragons visited them in order to claim a mithril handaxe that served as a key to unlocking the vault which held the Gauntlet of the Four Elements. This places the azer in Mount Blackcloud for millennia as they would have personally received the legendary monk Gwendolyn Ashglade in order to have acquired such a key.
The azer were forced out of their hidden hold in Mount Blackcloud by the Cult of the Dragon and a red great wyrm in the year 1223. After being defeated, they fled into the Ashlands because its environment, while exceptionally harsh and deadly to the other races, served them perfectly. The ruler of the azer, Malov the Mighty, had the archmage, Funus Brassbrand, use his magic to create a new home for their people. In order to complete the spell, Malov had to sacrifice the elemental essence which gave him life. After his sacrifice, a volcano rose from the ashen earth and the azer got to work building their new home. Some believe that Malov lives on as the volcano, though there is no proof that is the case.
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