Valencia
Family. Gold. Freedom.
The city of Valencia is the perfect example of Human egoism. Run on coin, ravaged with hedonism, and encased in gold. Only Humans could find a fountain in the desert, and then try to tap it dry. And that's why I love it. -Serat Boral
Demographics
Valencia is home to a large population of Teredean humans, and is majority human. The people of Valencia are a smattering of transplants from Kalem or Tiron, mixed with local populations of long-time Valencian natives. Tieflings, Orcs, and Half-Giants are more common in Valencia than other cities in Kal'Araan.
Government
A free city-state, Valencia is governed by the Valencian Patricians, a group of prestigious, semi-royal families. A capitalist paradise, political power in Valencia is less visible through elected offices (although they exist), but through who owns their coffers. There does exist an embassy for relations between Valencia and the Imperial Commonwealth of Emyr, but it holds little sway over the goings-on within Valencia proper.
Defences
Saddled between the mouth of two mountain ranges in the western reach of the Oasi Shelf Valencia is naturally protected from most would-be invaders. The mouth of the mountain pass is protected by a massive curved wall of brass-steel alloy called Izarium, staying the harsh winds that blow in from the Balar, as well as sand-bound beasts.
Valencia also has a standing navy, the only other navy present in Kal'Araan than the Commonwealth navy. The navy's makeup is heavily of Valencian Junks, alongside traditional vessels. Being in the Oasi Shelf, Valencian ships must travel down the Valencian River to reach the seas east of Kal'Araan, or be portaged west through the Balar.
Finally, Valencia is home to the infamous Kakari, a warrior-class army of inhabitants of the city. While not all guards are Kakari within the city walls, there is an incredibly heavy presence of them to maintain security.
Industry & Trade
Izarium is the largest material export from Valencia, alongside Balarian glass. Within the city walls, Valencia is a hub of trade. Not only material, but services and contracts are regular staples of Valencian trade; should there be a job out for hire, someone in Valencia will fill the cheque. Similarly, entire platoons of Kakari have been outright purchased from the city, serving at the behest of whoever owns them.
Infrastructure
Valencia flourishes on the fringe of the Balar due to a massive natural spring that flows through the city, creating a network of rivers that unite on the eastern side of the city into the Valencian River. Proper sewers, streets, and waterways allow Valencia to maintain a healthy large population in an otherwise desolate location.
Assets
The city of Valencia is the largest recorded concentration of wealth in all of Kal'Araani history. Between the families of the Valencian Patricians, the massive trade that's housed within the city walls, and city's independence, gold flows through Valencia as much as water does. While its coffers do not run as deep as the whole of the Imperial Commonwealth of Emyr, it is the richest city in current existence.
Guilds and Factions
Due to the city's layout via its boroughs, certain factions hold power over different neighborhoods. There are 6 main boroughs in Valencia, and although they are each overseen by a local official, they are de facto governed by the most influential people in their district.
Grand Patrician's District:
Essentially an extension of the Azurian Palace, the Grand Patrician's district contains winding gardens, high-end estates, and represents the pinnacle of wealth in Valencia. It is overseen by Grand Patrician Darian Silverhand.
Goods Market District:
Where most consumed goods are bought and sold, and where the majority of imports from the city arrive. Food vendors, textiles, livestock and more are all found within the Goods Market. Royalty in Valencia sometimes views this as the "lower" of the boroughs, with many of the commoners in the city frequenting it. It is overseen by Patrician Myra Stoneblood.
Trade Square District:
The heart of production and skilled trade in Valencia, the streets of the Trade Square are littered with smiths, apothecaries, enchanters, trainers, and more. Should it require expertise to make or acquire, the Trade Square is where it can be found. It is overseen by Patrician Orvus Stoneblood.
Trade College District
The Valencian College of Trade is a prestigious institution only rivaled by the University at Kingsgate for its level of trade education. The entire surround borough is a plethora of scribes, libraries, offices, and shops tailored specifically to the scholarly class and to the students of the college. It is overseen by Kenneth Valence III.
Guilds District:
Valencia is home to a plethora of organizations, many of which operated pseudo-independently of the city proper. Most notable of these is the Hunter's Run, which is headquartered in the borough. Most guilds in the city are of a trade or service nature, but some religious temples reside within the walls as well. This district is overseen by Malthor Paldorin.
Kakari District:
While Kakari are present throughout the city, their headquarters is housed within the walls of their own district. Training camps, Izarium smiths, and competitive grounds are all present to help train and perfect new Kakari. The district is overseen by Barthos Kane.
History
Shortly after The Descent as the Valencian River sprung up from the depths, Kenneth Valence I, a miner from Kalem, headed south with a convoy of explorers to map the newly scorched Balar. Upon arriving in the Oasi Shelf, Valence and his compatriots found the newly birthed Valencian River carving its first banks eastward. Settling on the now fertile land, and outside the reach of the Imperial Commonwealth of Emyr, Valence and his fellow families of travelers started the first Valencian Patrician Houses, pseudo-nobility based on the skilled trades of each household.
As the city grew larger, the people of Valencia grew increasingly demanding of direct representation. Governmental roles were introduced, but in reality the Valencian Patricians still maintained their oligarchical control of the city proper, as seen today.
Architecture
Sweeping sandstone and blue rooftops are the wholly unique signature of Valencian architecture.
Alternative Name(s)
The Gold City, The Free City
Type
Large city
Inhabitant Demonym
Valencian
Location under
Included Locations
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
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