City of Umbar
The City-state of Umbar (called Pishoy, Psai, or Paísios in local languages, all meaning "The Fate") is the largest settlement of eastern Mayudar's Corsair Coast, and is located at the mouth of the River Thiaro that cuts through the Shifting Sands.
Umbar is incredibly pious and is devoted to the worship of the Copper Dragon, Vraisos the Bright. There is no separation between church and state; the city is governed by a matriarchal theocracy, with its ruler allegedly being a direct descendant of its patron Avatar Vraisos.
By the year 5160 AW, the city has been in turmoil for a number of years as a result of the church's deposing of the city's leader (known as the Radiant), Navron Pairotë, after the scandal that ensued within the strictly matriarchal society once he began to openly refer to himself as a man.
In the wake of this, multiple politcal factions arose amongst the city's clergy and nobility. Leading the city during the crisis was the council's appointed Speaker, Lady Wosa Khúsoë.
Demographics
The city is in large part populated by Rómenna humans, elves (the majority being high elves), and half-elves. Of all present species, half-elves have a plurality as at least 40% of the city's total population, more than double the number of the species with the second largest percentage, humans, who make up about 20% of the population. The demographics of the city's nobility are much more lopsided; all but one of the noble houses (House Hobétotho) are comprised primarily of half-elves.
Halflings, dwarves (mostly hill dwarves) , and tieflings make up sizable minority groups, while gnomes, goliaths, and half-orcs reside in some isolated neighborhoods.
While the city is notably xenophobic, there is little racial strife or animosity amongst different species within the city, as evidenced by the sizable portion of half-elves that live in the city and have parents of different species. The notable exception to the racial harmony is with tieflings, as a recent incident at the Red Lotus involving the performer Zulah caused a large social disturbance and minor property damage that greatly increased fear and prejudice towards other tieflings.
Government
See Polis of Umbar
Districts
Central Umbar
- Houses many of the estates of Umbar's nobility
- The Grand Cathedral serves as base of operations for the Church of Light
- Ozen's Watch serves as the Radiant's personal residence
Outer Umbar
- The largest and most populous district of the city
- Connects the inner city and the seaport to Umbar's greater road network
- Home to the Marketplace of Umbar (or the "Bazaar")
Seaport of Umbar
- Operated and maintained by the Mariners' Guild
- Connects Umbar to the Varilean Bay and Eastern Ocean
- Epicenter of trade for the entirety of the Corsair Coast
Varilean Bay
- Built upon its shores are Hobétotho Estate and its observatory
- Kalashiren Vraisos and the Ephesian Beacon are built upon the northern and southern shores, respectively
- Roads leading to Harlond and Forlond, although traveling by ship is typically preferred
Greater Umbar
- The river valley of the River Thiaro houses many villages and small townships
- Home to many trading outposts, so incoming merchants can ensure compliance with the city's rules and regulations prior to setting up shop
- Serves as a shelter or oasis for those traversing the unforgiving Shifting Sands
Guilds and Factions
Competing political factions in the Succession Crisis
- The New Dawn, led by Pythia Dolorosa
- The Councilors, led by Lady Wosa Khúsoë
- The Reformists, led by Lady Sekhmet Mílaukë
- The Rising Fire (or the "Populists", loosely held together by Ikaros Arainai
Trade Guilds
Trade guilds elect one of their members as their Guildmaster. The Guildmaster then represents the guild's interests in the Council of Syndicates.
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