Changan
The Shifting City
Rugged city in the Ghowan Highlands. The houses here are built of finely cut red stone, the same red of the surrounding grasslands and scrub, mixed with the dark gray granite of the nearby Tehrak Mountains. They're a center of stoneworking, mining, and crafts. Following the southwestern edge of the city is a wide arc of ruined building forming a miles-long circle that meets back to the northeast. The people here seldom repair old structures, choosing instead to abandon them and built anew. Through this process the city moves, little by little, over the course of hundreds of years. By moving in a circle, they eventually catch up to the exceedingly old abandoned structures, which by now are so old they have crumbled into little more than foundations. From here they build their new structures. The ruin-ring is a dangerous place, filled with outlaws, monsters, and wild beasts.
The tradition of abandoning old structures came after the city was completely destroyed many thousands of years ago. The people of Changan believe that learning to let go of their material possessions in this way will help them recover from any future harm. It is a means of coping with loss while also opening oneself up to new opportunities. They don't believe in dwelling on the past and prepare excitedly for the future. Unfortunately, this message has been lost among some members of the community. The rich take it as a challenge, constantly moving from one brand-new tower-mansion to the next, constantly seeking to be the most modern, the most up-to-date and "In". To stay in a home more than a year or two old is tacky and a sign of insufficient wealth.
The city has a large dwarvish and lizardfolk population, with a sizeable minority of goliath visitors as well. Many of the humans here even boast a half-dwarvish lineage. Their patron god is Hajama, god of bravery.
Demographics
Human (Sazani), Dwarvish, Lizardfolk, Goliath
Government
As the third rung in the feudal hierarchy of the Celestial Empire, Changan is ruled by a regional mayor, appointed by the Emir of Zakar. The Emir of Zakar's position is hereditary, although the Emperor has full authority to replace him.
While the mayor has the final ruling on policy within the city, he must also satisfy a council of local business owners. Leaders in the smithing, mining, farming, and stoneworking industries must be kept in balance.
Defences
The city is defended primarily on a vertical axis. Due to the amount of the city that is left totally unoccupied, it's impossible to man defenses all the way around the city. Likewise, it's impossible to build walls around only the inhabited portions of the city since those areas are constantly shifting. Instead, the city is defended from above. There are no outer defenses keeping invaders from entering the city, but once they do, they will find themselves at the mercy of Changan's city guard. Most entrances to buildings are accessible only from at least the second or third floors. Bridges on these levels connect to other buildings, allowing for defenders to rain death from above. Many of the bridges can be raised, cutting off invaders from entering buildings at all. Incursions seldom occur, except along the outer perimeters and in the oldest parts of the city, as most bandits know that to invade the core of the city is a death sentence.
Industry & Trade
Smithing, stone and metalworking. Close ties to the mining industry in the Tehrak mountains (especially trade with Shathur). Changan is also a mid-point for trade between Zakar and Lunas, as well as with the Eastern Satrapy.
Infrastructure
The Lower Ring is a vast circle of ruined buildings, surrounding the southeastern perimeter of the Inner Circle, the farmlands dedicated to feeding Changan. The inhabited city occupies the northwest corner. The Upper Ring makes up the newest sections of the inhabited city.
Guilds and Factions
Stoneworking Guild, Craftsmen's Guild, the Changan Fine Crafts Society, the Redshields (city guard), Gyesar Trade Guild
History
Was destroyed by a dragon or destructive siege at some point in its ancient history. Stories differ on this key point of origin. This destruction led to the tradition of building anew and shifting the city. Other theories suggest that this ancient destruction refers to the conquest of Changan by the Celestial Empire, or perhaps even the fall of Aesium.
Architecture
Red sandstone and darker gray granite. The style is constantly shifting as well as the rest of the city, and different periods of building can be seen as one moves through the city. The middle of the currently occupied city focuses on large, brutalist architectural styles while the most modern part of the city experiments with more elegant, narrower buildings.
Geography
Situated amidst rocky highlands. Link to map.
Natural Resources
Rich veins of metals and stones. Arable fields in the Inner Circle, although the area outside the city is less fertile.
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