Oyat

Oyat is the capital of Libu, spanning the northern coasts of the Shamsi Desert. This is one of the most important stops along traditional Shamsi trade routes and is a thriving port of the Keyh Sea alongside Anfa, further east. Oyat is built into a rocky peninsula which forms a natural bay. Oyat was originally three separate cities which are now merged into one, making it one of the largest cities in Shamsi. One can even find ancient libraries, archtecture and colleges in Oyat, originally built by the Quiris but later repurposed by Arabiyy Islamic scholars. Thanks to its long history and cultural meshing, Oyat is a popular place of study for archeologists and architects.

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Demographics

The majority of the population is Arabiyy and Imaziɣen. However, there is a surprising number of Eluzian citizens which include Italiani, Espanol, Quiris and Turkler Otherwise, the rest of the population are a mix of different Shamsi natives which are nomadic traders or aristocrats. These include Fulbe, Yehudim, Wollof, Kanuri and Kanembu.

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Government

by Lee Stepp

Oyat has taken on a unique hybrid if not experimental form of government. They are ruled by their Pasha, a Caliph, but he is just a religious figurehead the Kingdom of Accia installed themselves. Otherwise, Oyat is home to a "people's committee" which allows citizens of Oyat to discuss political matters publically once a month. This is still closely overseen and managed by Accian nobility and holds no executive power. The committee mainly listens to the troubles of their citizens once a month, offering hollow promises and excuses. Otherwise, Oyat defers to the authoritty of the Ten Houses of the Kingdom of Accia.

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Industry & Trade

Oyat is the heart of commerce both by sea and by desert routes. Heads of massive banks, international merchants, major producers of artisan goods and more shake hands and base their operations out of this city. Regardless of who governed the city at the time, these businesses and trade kept the city afloat and to be desired. Now, it has also become a destination for tourists, much like Anfa. It is in fact within the walls of Oyat that Ilnid met with King Ambrose Syltharis of the Kingdom of Accia to delegate a treaty. Oyat was host to an international fair of sorts, celebrating this treaty between these longheld rivals. Oyat has continued to celebrate this festival every year since, presenting the largest and most diverse market in all of Emynea!

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Assets

Oyat is home to considerable colleges and libraries alongside an array of other facilities! Each of their conquerors left their mark on the city, trying to make their own contributions and additions, though some weren't adverse to destroying preexisting architecture either. Many of these facilities are available to any citizen. Anyone can attend the public college, regardless of background, but only those who perform well can advance. There are private institutions as well, teaching advanced studies and offering individual tutors to those able to pay. The Aquila House has constructed a colloseum and established basic combat training for all citizens as well, not to be outcompeted by the Cato House running the colleges. Much like in Centrum, they host and sponsor various sports and combat competitions claiming their goal is to strengthen their citizenry. Oyat is even home to a large branch of Planar Postage!

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History

The city is first documented as it was established by ancient conquerors from Kna'an, potentially overtaking a pre-existing Imaziɣen port. Oyat has been the target of many occupations thanks to its natural harbor, defensible peninsula and status as a center of trade in Shamsi, each of these invaders leaving their mark on these once three separate townships. The Quiris held the city in their grasp for a long period and it was under their governance that Oyat was combined with two other cities along the coast, calling them Tripolis (three cities). Oyat was overtaken by Arabiyy invaders who, upon accidentally finding a gap in the city's defenses, snuck into Oyat and incited a riot. Quiris officers retreated to their ships amid the anarchy, Arabiyyan forces quick to take control of the defenseless city. Oyat was in fact one of the earliest conquests of the Arabiyy in the Shamsi Desert, far more accessable than the desert itself.

Imaziɣen have attempted repeatedly to retake the city, succeful only a handful of times, but have been unable to fend off invasions by sea as readily as the Arabiyy who possess Yrisni Racial Magic. The Arabiyy were repelled once again by the Kingdom of Accia as they spread their influence into Alkelbulan. More specifically, they were repelled by members of the Espina House. The kingdom quickly re-fortified the city once gaining control, especially its walls and going so far as to build a castle, now called Assaraya al-Hamra. This was part of their campaign to gain control over the vicious waters of the Keyh Sea, rife with piracy, Storm Vikings and strange monstrosities.

Despite their modifications, the city was lost to the Arabiyy again thanks to the actions of Turkler muslims acting as spies for Ilnid's empire. Sesli Plato had already possessed a considerable muslim population, thanks to the influence of trade partners and sheer proximity to so many muslim nations. As the kingdom focused on the conquest of Alkelbulan, the gradual religious shift of the Turkler went mostly unnoticed or overlooked. That is, until Ilnid's spies managed to convert members of the Aydem House to Islam al'Rasul. This resulted in horrible betrayal and scandal, costing the kingdom many territories and considerable losses. To this day, Accian nobles are kept centralized in the city of Accia. Members of the Ten Houses especially are based in and raised within their own capital to evade this same outside influence within their court. While these unexpected traitors were rooted out, the city of Oyat remained in Arabiyyan control.

In this time of continuous conflict between the kingdom and Ilnid's forces, Oyat had become a den for Imaziɣen pirates. Sultans competed with each other for control over this important port too, Ilnid eventually declaring Libu as its own country and officially installing a Sultan which was called Pasha locally. This Pasha in fact worked alongside Imazighen pirates to control the sea routes of the Keyh Sea, forcing massive tribute for "protection" from these pirates. The kingdom attempted to blockade Oyat's port for nearly four years, culminating in a battle in which an Accian ship was run ashore and caught in a fierce firefight. After hours of fighting, the captain surrendered and they were kept prisoner inside the city for nearly a year. This conflict finally ended as the kingdom allied themselves with the Pasha's older brother who had been exiled. Striking a deal to ally himself with the kingdom, a squad of Special Division soldiers of the Accian Military slipped past their defenses and freed the prisoners. Together, these forces were able to overtake Oyat and install their own Pasha.

Oyat has since been under the control of Italiani members of House Espina and Quiris aristocrats of the Aquila House. Their Pasha has retained religious authority but is otherwise just a figurehead. In fact, there is a large population of both Italiani and Quiris citizens in Oyat. A contemporary hospital and infrastructure were installed in the city by these aristocrats including the improvement of their schools and libraries. The Aquilla also installed aerial battlements across the borders of the city, relying more heavily on the Aerial Division than the Aquatic Division to defend the city amid the frigid waters of Keyh.

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Architecture

The original city of Oyat is often called the medina, parts of the city which are still within the original wall of this once city-state. Much of its original ambiance and architecture remains unchanged. There are three gates into the medina and its original walls are still completely intact. It isn't uncommon for locals to climb atop the walls to overlook the rest of the city or watch the sunset.

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Other landmarks include a massive clocktower and the castle, Assaraya al-Hamra, which is preceded by a large courtyard. The castle is located along the outskirts of the medina, easily spotted from the sea. Oyat has multiple mosques, built throughout different eras, alongside a single Italiani church venerating Luxis

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Geography

Oyat is located centrally along the coast of the Shamsi Desert and Libu. There are other oases which dot the rolling erg dunes of the desert along the coast but Oyat is the largest by far. The city is hugged by a set of sandstone mountains along its southern border, the headwaters to seasonal rivers. The city possesses a hot, mostly arid climate cooled by the artic waters and winds of the Keyh Sea. Most of the year goes without any rain, summers hot and muggy while their wet season comes in winter. While nothing sticks, temperatures rarely dropping below 32 F (0 C), sometimes it even snows!

Snow can be a peculiar visage, the city dotted with Khisbat Palm and Mawa Palm trees. On its hottest days, the icy northern winds are highly appreciated and some might even be seen taking brief dips into frigid waters! Oyat is famous for its crystal clear, turquoise water which is beautiful but frigid. It is only the intense sunlight of the Shamsi Desert which warms Oyat, contrasted by but just as pervasive as the chill of the Keyh Sea.

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