Ionak

Ionak is the capital and largest city of Matahak, and the original capital of the entirety of the Drembari Isles.

Demographics

Three main islands compose Ionak.
Aharim: The closest island to the shore, Aharim serves as the main conduit between the other islands and the mainland, and, as such, is most responsible for handling the logistics of the city. Most of the military might of Ionak (and of Matahak) is concentrated on this island.
Senhast: The largest of the three islands also forms the spiritual and social center of the city. The old Drembari Isle capital buildings dot the landscape and have been repurposed to serve as luxurious domiciles, robust trading houses, or cultural institutions.
Lemkiz: The "youngest" of the populated islands, Lemkiz is mostly residential in nature, with the majority of those lucky enough to live on "the three" residing along a spectrum of economic status.
Shoreside: Anything (or anyone) not on "the three," is Shoreside. Most of the city lives here, in close proximity to the only docks available to outsiders. While Shoreside is a vital part of Ionak's functioning, most consider it insignificant in comparison to the three islands.

Government

As with the rest of the Isles, the city is managed by a Waterspeaker. This speaker is selected from a governing council of peers, consisting of two members from each island. This body is referred to as the Concord.
Recently, the Concord has expanded to include a member from Shoreside. Not all agree with this change.

Defences

While comparable smaller in population to other capital cities, such as Awa Harbor and Torokawa, Ionak maintains a large standing military, with about half the population of Matahak serving at any given time. This force, trained in both land and sea combat, is well-equipped and, for many Ionaki, is a matter of honor and pride.

Industry & Trade

In addition to the gem and stone coming from the Savarh Hills, there is also significant trade done in boatbuilding, as the Lumo trees from Humik and Treari are refined in the city to make quick and light whaleboats.

Infrastructure

Visitors to Ionak often first remark about the impressive bridges that span the islands. Constructed from matacor--a rock found in the hills to the north--the bridges have withstood war, disaster, and the burdens of traffic for centuries. 
There are two docks permitted for outsiders (those not of Matahak), located at the northern and southern ends of Shoreside. While there are docks on the three islands, all are private and off-limits to visitors to the city. Some more traditional among the Ionaki view any outsider setting foot on any of the islands to be a grave insult.

Assets

Ionak's wealth mostly originates from two areas--matacor, a sturdy, but pliable, building stone, and the various gems extricated from the Savarh Hills. While a healthy portion of these goods are kept in storage to help regulate prices, a fair number of trading convoys ferry these commodities to interested buyers on the other Isles.

Guilds and Factions

While not a "faction," per se, many Ionaki view themselves as traditionalists. That is, they understand themselves to be both guardians and bastions of the "true" Bari culture. Part of this view might be a lingering resentment over Awa Harbor's usurpation as the federal capital of the Isles.

Tourism

Visitors to Ionak are expected to anchor their ships offshore and pay smaller local ships to ferry both their person and their cargo ashore.

Geography

Long considered to be a geographic oddity, Ionak (and, indeed, the entire mainland of Matahak) has a climate that is simultaneously lush and dry. The closest comparison might be to the savannas in the northwestern reaches of the Charhyan Federation, but with far more trees and vegetation other than grasses. Many scholars and scientists are engaged in active study of this strange biome, but the only conclusive opinion that any research has been able to reach is that "something happened here, long ago." What that something was, and when it happened, is a matter of lively conjecture.

Founding Date

705 AC

Alternative Name(s)

The True Capital, Leafwaters

Type

Capital

Population

2897

Inhabitant Demonym

Ionaki

Location under

Matahak

Owner/Ruler

Sharmo

Ruling/Owning Rank

Waterspeaker

Owning Organization

Drembari Isles