Pachatupa

The Verdant Plain

Pachatupa lies on the low coastal plain, where board fields and lush forests attest the fertility of the land. Of the three great cities of the Sun Empire it is nearest the sea, which means that it has weathered the most attacks from the Brazen Coalition raiders. In start contrast to the elegant serenity of the capital, Pachatupa provides a great deal of the food required to sustain the rest of the empire - and a sizeable portion of the food that sustains the pirates as well. Large market courts spread throughout the city and provide a place for the farmers to sell their produce to local artisans and noble families as well as merchant who carry it to other cities and villages of the empire and beyond.

A fine balance

Pachatupa is nominally governed by a son of the emperor, Atlacan Huincintli, a clever but physically weak young man. Actual control is divided among three noble families -Cabrana, Palani and Cuitzan - that each view for absolute control.

The Dinosaur City

In adition to supporting abundant crops, the plains surrounding Pachatupa are a native habitat of several varieties of large, powerful dinosaurs. Herds of huge Altisaurs and Brontodons roam the outermost plains, while Armored Ceratopses, Armasaurs and Aegisaurs wander freely near the farmlands. The priests of Pachatupa use their magic to call and control these dinosaurs, putting hem to work in and around the city. Thus, the design of Pachatupa, more than the other cities of the empire is designed to accommodate the large beasts moving through the streets. Pachattupa also boasts more temples than any other city in the empire because, instead of large central temples, it has numerous smaller shrines around the city, spreading the priesthood - mostly dedicated to the sun in its creative and sustaining aspects - around the city where they can best be of service in keeping the dinosaurs under control.

Armies of Pachatupa

Having endured decades of pirate raids and more than their fair share of internal strife, the people of Pachatupa value strength - physical and emotional - above most other virtues. The tallest, burliest an strongest warriors earn the greatest respect, and they engage in ritualized contests of boasting intended to paint their deeds as large as possible. The emperor's son,as governor of the city state, is also the commander of its army. Despite lacking in physical strength Pachatupa warriors prize, he holds unquestioned authority over the army because the soldiers value order and the chain of command almost as much as they value battle prowess. That said, the noble families that vie for political influence in the city also jockey for position within the army - under the governors command. Pachatupa's current Favorite lieutenant is a towering warrior named Itzama the Crested, named for the elaborate helmet she wears. She made the helmet from the crested skull of a dinosaur that she claims to have killed barehanded in an epic wrestling match.

Notable places and characters:

• The terrace farms
• The market
• The governors estate
• Pachu itu - The noble district.

• Atlacan Huincintly - Governor, Commander and son of Apatsec III
• Quetzal Cabrana - Head of the Cabrana family
• Mezqui Palani - Head of the Palani family
• Atla Palani - Daughter of Mezqui, Dinosaur prodigy
• Teuinolli Cuitzan - Head of the Cuitzan family

Type

Large city