The Principality of Nexus

Nexus, also known as the City between the River Harlot’s Legs and a hundred other, less complimentary names, is the largest city in the Scavenger Lands, and possibly in Creation. It is known for being the center for trade and commerce in Creation, and for being a haven for free trade, and the headquarters of the Guild. Nexus sits at the confluence of the Yanaze River, the Grey River, and the Yellow River, some six hundred miles east of Lookshy.
While the Imperial City may well be wealthier, that wealth is concentrated within the hands of the Scarlet Dynasty, while in Nexus, millions of talents of jade and silver change hands every single day. It is a chaotic and confusing place, a city with many rules but few laws, where an ignoble death lurks around every corner. The city of Nexus is more than the sum of its districts, but it is within them that Nexus is born anew every day.
The Council of Entities recognizes five main districts for the purposes of tax collection and other payments, but there are dozens of smaller sections, some of which are barely recognized outside of their neighborhood while others are known across the city – for better or for worse.

Nexus

The geographical, and economic center of the city. Nexus is certainly one of the wealthier districts within the city, but the majority remains freely open for everyone to enjoy. Here one can sample the many sensory delights Nexus has to offer. Beautiful architecture, delicious foods, dens of pleasure and strange magics are all available… for a price. It is said more wealth can change hands in Dancing Plaza in one minute than will be seen in Firewander in an entire day. Here the common man may be allowed to walk the gleaming marble halls of the wealthy, but he will be closely watched. Here The Guild’s influence is strongest. Be cautious not to offend any of their members.

Nighthammer

A center of craft and industry. In Nighthammer the air is always black with what its residents would call “progress”. The smog and noise mean that typically only those who intend to work the docks or the forge live here, but the smell certainly lowers the rent. Here iron ore is delivered, processed, and transformed into goods, all without leaving the district. If you need weapons, goods, or labor, this is the best place to start.

Cinnabar

The cultural center of Nexus. Cinnabar houses many of the cities, schools, parks, and public spaces. In some areas, it begins to look more like a forest inhabited by houses than it does a neighborhood. The district is also home to many of Nexus’ martial might, in the form of mercenaries. Some work for the city or the council as law enforcement or soldiers, some are freelance, taking only the jobs they deem just… or the ones that pay enough to offset the risk.

Bastion

Inhabited and ruled by the wealthy, some inhabitants of Nexus go their entire lives without ever stepping foot into Bastion. The towering first age artifices are well guarded by the best mercenaries money can buy and whatever secrets the district may hold are hidden behind gleaming white walls. Occasionally a brave thief or a foolish man will find their way into Bastion, hoping to carve out a slice of that wealth for themselves. Few ever return. The few publicly accessible areas are well worth the trip and house some of Nexus’ most lavish, heart-achingly-beautiful attractions.

Firewander

Many within Nexus choose to ignore its darker corners, but only because they have the luxury. The inhabitants of Firewander are generally only there because they have no other choices available. If forced to take up residence in this urban hell it is prudent to find a hovel as far from the Wyld Zone at the districts center as humanly possible. Lest you succumb to the same twisting energies that have warped the encircling area. Though it is crumbling, and frequently dirty, there are those who take pride in Firewander, the only, or perhaps best, home they have ever known. Though a bit crass, you will find that the inhabitants of Firewander are among the kindest citizens of Nexus. They are also the toughest. The constant threat of thieves, Fay folk, Wyld beasts and whatever evils stir within Stone Pine Marsh have made the people weary and resilient.

Sentinel’s Hill

One of the largest districts in Nexus but also one of the least eventful. Sentinel’s hill has grown to become the primary housing district of Nexus and as such is one of the quietest sections of town. Some say that on certain days if you move to the center of the hill you may get 3-5 seconds of blissful silence at a time. A rare commodity within Nexus to be sure. The district is a cultural oddity, with the peoples of so many lands all inhabiting one space the number and combinations of various colors and patterns can be mildly overwhelming. Some embrace this meshing of lands and ideas, while others band together with their own countryman into sprawling neighborhoods built to emulate their homelands.  

Government and Mercantilism

The Incunabulum is the body of rules that passes for law within the bounds of Nexus, the Incunabulum consists of thousands upon thousands of pages, all carefully indexed, as each new edict by a member of the Council of Entities must be checked against every previous entry, and any previous edicts that it contradicts are removed. It comprises the Dogma, the six unchanging rules of Nexus; its capital crimes, enforced by the Emissary; and the Civilities, the chaotic and ever-changing body of rules, great and small

• The Dogmas are as follows:
• No taxes shall be raised, save by the Council;
• None shall obstruct trade;
• None shall bring an army into Nexus;
• No one shall commit wanton violence;
• None may falsely claim the Council’s name or sanction;
• None shall harbor a fugitive from the Council’s wrath.

The Civilities

1. The Shrine of the Forgotten that stands within Bastion shall be left without acolyte or warden, save for the specific rituals carried out within. - Issued by the Emissary
2. Dragon's Pearls shall not be given or sold to children under the age of 18, in the quantity of more than one per day. - Issued by the Doctor
3. All buildings of significant import to the city or any property of exceptional value, or any structure constructed before the present Age, must be properly warded against the entities, apparitions, forces, specters, phenomena, and agents capable and liable to damage, disrupt, disturb, or adversely affect or effect the daily functions and routines of the citizenry of, or the transactions and commerce of, the city of Nexus. - Proclaimed by Clerk Portok Jadescraper, after The Rivergate Scandal
4. No one shall attempt to look at Miss Icefire Jasmine if she doesn't like the look of them. - Proclaimed by a heavily bribed clerk
5. The stealing of bones from all persons of saintly title from this day on is hereby condemned. - Declared by a porter wasting away from syphilis
6. Gifts with a collective value of less than 1 dirham of silver received from Charred Blossom shall become property of the receiver and may not be forcibly reclaimed. - Decreed by the Doctor due to The Blossom Effect

Unofficial Rules of Nexus

• Nexus officially has only two punishments: death and exile.
• Nexus is well known as a site for purchasing slaves (or “indentured servants”) and hiring other labor, including mercenary companies or courtesans.
• There are nine positions on the Council: three in charge of trade and foreign policy; three in charge of public business and domestic policy and the three who tend to the city’s health.
• A significant chunk of the city’s populace works clandestinely for the Council, acting as spies on their neighbors.
• The Guild was founded in Nexus in RY 110 by the joining of the largest trade families and consortiums in the city, who saw that they stood no chance of controlling the city due to the Council so they sought power elsewhere.
• Nexus’ power extends 30 miles outside of the gates of the city, in a subtle arc marked by a line of crudely carved statues of the Emissary.
• A fee of 1 silver dinar is assessed on each person or animal entering Nexus, and a tax of 1 dinar per 10 dirhams of value on cargo is assessed as well.
• The Civilities are vast, variable and wide-ranging, and codified in the Incunabulum.
• The Big Market acts as a show-house for trade cartels to show off the goods they are offering in huge purchase quantities, while the Little Market acts as the normal bazaar where typical trade happens.
• Nexus has some of the most extensive and technologically advanced forges and smelters in Creation.
• Nexus is also home to more than 40 banks, including at least five that have been in existence for more than a century. These institutions offer currency exchange, insurance, credit lines and loans in addition to simply renting out vault space.

Population

1.890,000

City Guard Mercenaries

37,800 (2%)

Mercenaries Contracts

56,700 (3%)

Type

Geopolitical, City council

Capital

Nexus District

Parent Organization

The Confederation of Rivers

Location

The Scavenger Lands Geography

Controlled Territories

• Bastion District
• Cinnabar District
• Firewander District
• Nexus District
• Nighthammer District
• Sentinel’s Hill District