Maran
Maran is the capital city of the Coven of Maran, the largest city in the world, located at the centre of the Hepite Plains in the west of Hepsut. Maran is an incredibly diverse city, populated by people and species from all over Exorsia. The city also has the largest population of Spellcasters in the world, who make up a majority of the capital's elite.
Maran is the home of the Coven Heads, a council of renowned Archmages that lead the Coven of Maran, with each of the Coven Heads being one of the most powerful Mortal Spellcasters in the world, a master of one of the Schools of Magic. Due to this, Maran is also the heart of Magical study in Exorsia, the location of the Rhean Academy, the most prestigious school for Arcane study in the world, with students coming from all over the globe to train under the masters of Magic, which include the Coven Heads, who are members of the academy's faculty.
Maran is largely a hotspot for Magical study and practice due to it being centred around the last of the Floating Cities of Arcanum, the only Magocracy to survive the Fall of Arcanum. Maran City floats high in the sky, a relic of the past, looming over the more modern districts of Greater Maran that sprawl beneath it. Maran City is not open to the public, being both a historical and protected site, with access reserved for members of the Coven, members of the government, as well as scholars and students of the Rhean Academy. A majority of the civilian population live and work in Greater Maran, never setting foot on the floating city.
The city of Maran is dedicated to the Goddess of Magic, Hekate, the city's Divine Patron and protector, with Maran being the central location for the practice of Rheanism, a sect of worship which focuses on the worship of Rhea, an aspect of the Goddess Hekate that embodies the domain of Arcane Magic, the most popular religion in the Coven of Maran.
History
Maran was founded quite late into the Age of Arcanum, by the time of the Fall it was the youngest of the great Floating Cities of Arcanum, with it barely surviving the Sun War two centuries prior to remain the only floating city left on Hepsut.
Maran was unique due to it's devotion to the Goddess of Magic, Hekate, being the only remaining Floating City to still practice the worship of the Gods. So, when the Gods came to destroy the city of Maran during the Fall of Arcanum, they found only loyal followers, who welcomed their arrival with prayers and offerings. Hekate herself is said to have defended Maran from the wrath of the Gods, so in an act of mercy, the city and its people were spared, leaving Maran the only floating city to survive the Fall, with it remaining airborne, its Magic maintained by Hekate herself as a symbol of the might of Magic, and as a reward for the loyalty of Maran’s peoples.
To this day Maran remains a Magocracy, practising age old traditions for an age past. Though much of the city’s ancient knowledge has been lost, destroyed in the Fall by order of Hekate.
Government
Maran City is governed directly by the Coven of Maran, who oversees the affairs and workings of the floating city, as well as the Rhean Academy.
Greater Maran on the other hand is governed by a City Council of five Ministers, who are selected from the local residents. Each Minister represents a demographic of the city's population, and can be replaced by popular demand. The Minister of Commerce represents the city's local businesses and traders, the Minister of Culture is responsible for maintaining the city's cultural heritage, as well as planning local events and addressing the public, the Minister of Religion represents the priests of the Temple District and the religious population, the Minister of Magic represents the Spellcasting community, while the Minister of Equality represents the non-magic community.
The Maran Council is supported by the Coven of Maran, but they largely act independently, with the City Council given almost total control over city policy, with the Coven usually only interfering when aid is requested, or when a Minister is found abusing their power.
Defence
Maran is defended by a large garrison of Enforcers ("Blue Cloaks"), the local police force of the Coven of Maran. The local Enforcers are lead by the High Overseer, who also commands the Overseers stationed in every settlement under the jurisdiction of the Coven of Maran. The High Overseer answers to both the Coven and the City Council.
Maran is also defended by a private, elite militia of highly trained Mages, colloquially known as "Prism Mages". Prism Mages are usually only found within Maran City, or assisting the Coven aboard, they are rarely seen in Greater Maran.
Commerce
Maran is a large metropolis, filled with hundreds of stores and businesses, with most of any goods or services being able to be found within the city walls. Almost all the trade travelling through the west of Hepsut travels though Maran, giving the city a constant flow of goods and wares from the neighbouring settlements, as well as via the Maran Docks.
Maran imports most of it's food and resources from the neighbouring towns and villages, with there being no viable farmland in proximity to the city. The only industry located within Maran is manufacturing, with Maran being the largest supplier of Magic Items in the world. Many talented craftsmen and artists can also found living within the city, with the quality wares and art produced by the local population in high demand across Exorsia.
Geography
Maran is located at the centre of the Hepite Plains, in the west of Hepsut, with four major roads exiting the city at it's four corners, connecting to the rest of the continent.
The city is circular in shape, and is split into four main districts, Maran City, located at the heart of the metropolis, as well as the districts of North Maran, East Maran, and West Maran, which expand out around Maran City, these districts are known as Greater Maran. Located at the centre of Greater Maran, and directly beneath Maran City, is the Basin, a large artificial pool, the same size as the city above, allowing the pool to be drained, and for the City of Maran to land for it's annual repairs.
Separating the three districts of Greater Maran are three major roads, Avalê Road, Ciryamo Way, and Harad Street, which travel from the border of the city to it's centre, where they connect in a ring around the Basin. Each of the major roads also has an artificial river bisecting them, which all flow into the Basin. Avalê Road, colloquially known as the "North Road", lies between the districts of North Maran and West Maran, and travels in a north westerly direction, connecting to Soldaris Road on the city outskirts. Ciryamo Way, colloquially known as "Dock Way", lies between the districts of North Maran and East Maran, and travels in a north easterly direction, connecting to Sigurn's Road on the city outskirts. Harad Street, colloquially known as "South Street", lies between the districts of East Maran and West Maran, and travels southwards, connecting to both the Ashfall Road and the Riviker Road on the outskirts of the city.
Maran also has an advanced sewage system, with a large underground network of tunnels that travels beneath the whole of Greater Maran, and which carries sewage away from the city to be purified in water plants on the city border. The sewer network is cleaned and patrolled by Magically conjured Water Elementals, which are hostile to intruders. It is advised to stay clear of the sewers for your own safety.
Maran City
Maran City is the heart of Maran, an ancient, Magical structure, and the last surviving Floating City of Arcanum. Maran City floats high in the sky at the centre of the metropolis, directly above the Basin, a large artificial pond, as well as looming over the more modern districts of Greater Maran that sprawl beneath it.
Maran City is around 0.40 square kilometres or 100 acres in size. It is a cluster of tall spires and towers of polished and colourful, smooth stone, connected with winding cobbled streets. The architecture is old and wonderous, of a style and design unseen in the current age, with it standing out in contract to the more modern aesthetics of Greater Maran beneath it.
At the centre of Maran City is it's tallest tower, the Iris, a magical, domed spire, the centre of Magical power in Hepsut, and the home to the Coven of Maran. Maran City is also the location of the Rhean Academy, who's grounds are located in the western part of the city, as well as the Great Library of Athena, the largest library in the world, with lies to the south west of the city. The rest of the city is made up of residential homes and workplaces for the Mages and government workers employed by both the Coven and the Rhean Academy. It is also said that a great vault lies within the underbelly of the city, which houses numerous dangerous and wonderous Magical artifacts, including the terrible armour of the Iron Tyrant himself.
Maran City should be able to remain airborne indefinably, but due to the machinations of the Archlich Malukard, during the climatic battle of the Malukard Empire, the floating city is now forced to land annually, descending into the drained Basin below, in order to undergo Magical repairs to the city's wards. The city's landing marks the culmination of the Day of Remembrance procession, which is held annually in Maran on the 14th of Pémptos, with the city rising once more into the sky two days later, on the 16th, which commences the annual celebration of the Day of Salvation.
North Maran
North Maran is one of the three districts of Greater Maran, located in the northern quadrant of the city, hence it's name. North Maran is primarily the industrial district of the city, the location of numerous manufacturing plants, blacksmiths and a large number of warehouses, all set on an orderly grid, connected by wide streets for horses and carts, as well as narrow alleyways between buildings.
You can also find a few shops, inns and taverns scattered around North Maran, as well as various forms of entertainment, most notably the Bloodpit, a colosseum where combatants face of against each other or even summoned monsters, to the entertainment of the crowd.
Civic Centre
The Civic Centre is one of the sub-districts of Greater Maran, with it located in the south most section of North Maran, the area adjacent to the Basin, at the centre of the city. The Civic Centre houses many of the city's public and government buildings, such as the Council Building, the local Hospital, the Public Library, as well as the Enforcer Police Station.
The Civic Centre is one of the more fancy and orderly parts of the city, it's buildings are of a polished, white marble, it's streets and roads are paved with stone brick, and the entire district surrounded by a white stone wall, with a gate located at it's east and west side, which prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering the district, and that are only closed at night.
East Maran
East Maran is one of the three districts of Greater Maran, located in the eastern and south eastern quadrant of the city. East Maran is the commercial heart of the city, with it's most notable feature being the Bazaar of Maran, a commercial street that runs the entire length of the district, from the Basin at the city centre, all the way to the city border. Most of any goods or services are able to be found within the Bazaar of Maran, with it home to almost every major business and service in the city, with all manner of shops, inns and taverns occupying the streetside buildings, as well as colourful market stalls lining the centre of the street, selling food and homemade crafts of art, clothes and jewellery. Vehicles are not permitted within the Bazaar of Maran.
Beyond the Bazaar, East Maran is also home to numerous residential neighbourhoods, public parks, bath houses, and temples to various Minor Deities.
West Maran
West Maran is one of the three districts of Greater Maran, located in the western and south western quadrant of the city. West Maran is the residential district of the city, where the majority of the city's housing is located, with numerous residential neighbourhoods, small, end of street, groceries and taverns, twisting streets and alleys, as well as public parks, including the Cyrus Gardens, the largest green space in the city.
Marble Plaza
The Marble Plaza is one of the sub-districts of Greater Maran, with it located in the east most section of West Maran, the area adjacent to the Basin, at the centre of the city, located south of the Temple District. The Marble Plaza is a residential neighbourhood for the wealthy and elite of the city, housing their luxurious mansions and private gardens. The Marble Plaza is contained within a tall, white wall, with four, guarded gates at either side of the district, which allow entry to only residents and their guests.
Temple District
The Temple District is one of the sub-districts of Greater Maran, with it located in the east most section of West Maran, the area adjacent to the Basin, at the centre of the city, located north of the Marble Plaza. The Temple District is home to all the city's major temples, a place of worship for most of the Prime Deities, and where many religious events and celebrations are held. The Temple District is surrounded by a white wall, with gates situated at the four sides of the district, though the district is always open to the public, and the gates are almost never closed.
Maran - Historical
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