Adorra

In the centre of the Andric Empire on a large hill a city stretches as far as one can see. A maze of narrow edged alleys and canals makes it impossible to navigate the city for outsiders without a local guide. Now and then the alleys open up and make place for small markets. In between the humble buildings, structures like the Abbadon Arena or the Imperial Academy stand tall, singled out from the many small tenements. The odour in the streets are quite diverse from the god-awful smell of the gutter, to the exotic smell of countless spices and food over to the flowery scent of perfume. On top of the largest hill looming over the city sits the Phoenix Palace, home to the Emperor.
The capital city Adorra is a place full of opportunity. A common phrase states that even a gutter rat could become an influential figure in the society of Adorra. The paths one can take are various: become a wealthy merchant, a politician loved by the people or a Gladiator and revel in the glory of victory. There are other paths to carve your name into the history of the city, darker paths. A merciless presence is lurking in the shadows. Post Mortem the infamous guild of assassins call Adorra their home. Nothing escapes their observant gaze, for they have people in every institution of the city. The secret service of the empire - Custodes Sacrea Sancti - tries to get a hold of them, but for every agent they capture, one of their agents disappears.
The Emperor hasn't shown himself to the public for many years now and declares his new edicts only through the Senate. There is no information about the condition of his majesty or why he chooses to ignore the plea of his people. Rumours about the health of the Emperor have been spread, others fear he is already dead and the senate keeps this a secret to create order in the population. Still the question grows louder every day. Where is their beloved Emperor?

Demographics

In the Senate there are only humans with the purest andric bloodlines to be found like the Lordregents of Ruhn  and Neu-Alextra . The rest of the human population is evenly scattered around all social-classes. The halflings are all quite wealthy and can be found in the upper classes of society, but have not been granted access to nobility. Most of them work in trading and own several inns or other businesses in Adorra. The Dwarven Ambassador and his entourage are well cared for and dine with the noble humans. Some of them chose to work with the craftsmen of Adorra to study new techniques they can bring home.
The half-elven population thought much would change for them after the abolishment of slavery. The uneducated masses of them borrowed money to unfair conditions from money lenders. They can repay their debts by working for their money lender, who often sells the contract to the highest bidder. Most of them are sold off to the entertainment industry as whores, exotic dancers, fighters in the pit, catamites and other degrading work. Those who weren't indentured in a contract barely get a job and if they get a job they are paid way less than everyone else. Former slave hunters have gotten the fancier name of Indenture Collectors.

Government

Adorra is run by the Senate and the Emperor. The Senate discusses and votes for a proposal that they want to make for the Emperor, who then either agrees to the proposal, denies or alters it. Every andric citizen can make a proposal of whom they want to join the Senate, their majesty ultimately decides who joins their senate. A member of the senate joins the Senate for the time the current Emperor reigns. Their majesty can however dissolve the Senate at any time and choose new members.
Every decision like taxation, funding of the Imperial army and so on has to be signed by the Emperor himself. The Emperor doesn't necessarily need to hear a proposal of the Senate to decide something, but it helps to keep an eye on the subjects of the empire. Many Members of the Senate hold an office in the city like being a judge, captain of city guard, treasurer and other offices, which also keeps them occupied.
Most members of the senate are power hungry schemers, who will do everything to bring their rivals down. All of them fight for lieges approval and try to discredit each other. They rarely do anything good for the city if it doesn't benefit themselves.

Defences

5 veteran legions are stationed in and around Adorra to protect the city from any outside harm. The city is encircled by a massive wall and every district is separated from each other by another large wall. The Palace on top of the hill is protected by two additional walls. Before invaders can think about an attack from the north they have to take 3 castles. If an invader dares to attack the city they have not only the Imperial Legions and the city guard to deal with. They also have to fight the latest tech of Ruhn, golems, gargoyles, magic missile turrets ect. Adorra is impenetrable and won't fall to an outside force.

Industry & Trade

Adorra highly depends on the import of its other cities to stay afloat. Foodstuff, construction materials, luxurious goods are all imported in the city and sold for high profit in the market area. Their greatest product is their entertainment industry and the trade with indentured workers.

Infrastructure

Adorra has a lot of farmland in the south and the east where loads of grain is produced. Most farms have windmills to thresh their corn, but others closer to the river use the Watermills. The river is also used as a trading route and has a large port for ships to dock. Two massive bridges have been built that allow the passing of ships under it.
While the inner city has a closed sewer system, with an opening to get rid of debris, the slums in the outer regions have an open sewer system. While there are many bath houses in the city the amusement centre inhabits the largest one which can fit 60 000 people at once.
North of the city large quantities of cattle are held and it is there where the steeds of the Temple Knights of Stromus Solare are bred. The Sunfire Stables have an exceptional reputation for the horses they bred.
All over the city small to medium sized buildings containing Magical Mass Communication Terminals, used to receive and send messages.

Districts

The Slums have grown all-around the city, outside of the wall and have created a large labyrinth of alleys. Only the large well-maintained Phoenix-Kaiser Roads lead straight to the city gates. In the slums many run-down dwellings shape the face of the districts. Many back-alleys and cellars are used for fighting pits and gangs of different ethnicities roam the streets. The dwellings are often apartment blocks where many people share one room to eat, sleep and drink. Many diseases spread around here. These apartment blocks contain businesses on the lower floors. The Slums are often used by people who want to hide from something.
Right inside the walls on the south-eastern side is the amusement district located. The centre of attention is the Abbadon Arena large enough to contain 80 000 people at once. About 500 metres around the arena a sheer endless number of questionable establishments have set up shop there. Brothels, bath houses, Taverns, Auction houses for new gladiators and all try to be as close as possible to the Arena. Overshadowing all other buildings is the largest bath house, the Vestalis House, it can contain 60 000 people. The amusement district has the best inns, taverns and restaurants. People who need a place to rest in the evening, or who just want to spend time drinking, eating and laughing together are well advised to look here for such accommodations.
North-West is the Scholar district containing the Imperial Academy which can hold 30 000 students at once. Many smaller and less prestigious universities have been founded here too. One has to move through a maze of dormitories, to reach the Imperial Academy. Less expensive taverns and pit fights can be attended here. The univeristies have their own teams of amateure fighters, which fight each other in organised tournaments. The Scholar District also contains the largest library known to mankind; it is called Memoriam Hominum.
While there are many small markets in Adorra the south-western part of the town has become the trading district containing a countless number of market stalls, workshops and auction houses. The greatest auction house with an endless stream of goods, resources, contracts sold would be Midas Fortuna. This is the economic powerhouse of the Andric empire. Here is the foundation that generates the sheer endless wealth of the empire.
In the north-east close to the Phoenix Palace are all the mansions of the old and venerable nobility; The roads are less of a maze here and quite more structured. The most famous villa is the house of the High Commander Tacticus. Known for his loyalty towards the Emperor of the Andric Empire and how he was killed by an assassin of Post Mortem. Right next to his house is the Royal Military School located connected to the garrison of the Imperial Army. The Royal Military School educates and trains the elite commandos and officers of the Imperial Army.
The grand Phoenix Palace is a district in itself. Right after the main gate is the headquarters of the Imperial Army, where the most loyal soldiers of the empire stay vigilant. After passing another gate one reaches the main courtyard with a phoenix statue guarding the enormous gate of the palace. In the west after passing a few colourful gardens you reach the Graveyard of Kings, which is protected by an ancient spirit. The Palace contains five large dining rooms, several kitchens and multiple quarters dedicated for esteemed guests. Additionally the emperor has 3 floors for his own pleasure and an extra floor where the senate resides. The palace has several bathing areas and a large garden with fountains and statues for festivities. The servants do have several quarters based on their deployment in the palast. Their quarters aren't as luxurious as the one of the noble guests, but compared to the lower class they are quite comfortable.

Guilds and Factions

There are many players and factions in the city who try to gain and maintain power. The main conflict is currently between the Custodes Sacrea Sancti and Post Mortem, who have been fighting an undercover war since forever. Recent assassinations and sabotages have heated the conflict up again. Attacks on state officials happen in broad daylight and criminals are executed without prosecution. Daily raids on buildings happen more frequently to find the terrorists. Suspects are getting dragged out of their homes. Sometimes these conditions feel like a war in the streets.
People say the underworld gang Lux Fortuna controls every fight in the arenas and every card or dice that is played. Prince Starlight, the leader of this gang, personally manages all of the operations in Adorra. He owns large proportions of the Vestalis Bathhouse and the Abbadon Arena. The specially trained agents called the Jesters lure unsuspecting people into the establishments of Lux Fortuna. In these establishments they help these unfortunate victims to make their coin purse a bit lighter. They have made deals with Post Mortem in exchange that they leave their businesses alone and grant them access to every building they own.
While the Custodes Sacrea Sancti have an immense network of spies and idealistic supporters, they often underestimate how corrupt Adorra truly is. While most upstanding citizens support them, the people who strive for power often turn to Post Mortem if they want someone out of the way - more or less discreetly. They won't follow orders of the senate since they are directly under the command of the emperor, who grants them the freedom to operate in the city how they see fit and they see red. For them everyone who even thinks about Post Mortem is a traitor to the empire.
Since the city guard doesn't go into the slums besides securing the main road, it has become a breeding ground for new recruits of Post Mortem and a hard to reach resort in the city. Many inhabitants are terrified of the guild, but they also don't trust the city guard or any other government institution. The Senate has done little for the lives of the people in slums, another mistake Post Mortem uses to gain influence.
The main motivation of the city guard is to keep up the status quo in the city. In the midst of political power plays and intrigues they try to maintain order and please every side as much as possible. Unlike the Custodes Sacrea Sancti they might not know all the truths and evils of the city, but they know what is important to keep the city running without major incidents.
Post Mortem has weaved a net that runs deep inside the society of Adorra. They have replaced, bribed, blackmailed and abducted dignitaries, politicians, judges and other offices so no one will interfere with their operations. They have spread fear and terror in the hearts of the citiziens, and many of them owe the guild a favor. Everyone who tries to actively do something against them winds up dead sooner or later. But the spies of the Custodes Sacrea Sancti have reported that the guild is currently in some sort of power struggle and some inner factions are working against each other.
The Imperial Army isn't concerned with the inner workings of the city, they have been sent to protect the city from outside threats. They sometimes help with raids on various safehouses outside the city if they get the order.
The Senate is aware of what's going on in the city, but in their minds these are the squabbles of peasants and as long as the city is running smoothly and they stay in charge it doesn't matter to them. They focus on the grand schemes between cities and empires, to blind to see what is happening in front of them. Most of these senile airheads are in the pockets of all the major players. Their relationship to the plebs is one-sided; The plebs hate them and the senate does not view their concerns as important as long as they can embark on a new prestige project. Not all of them are downright bad, some actively try to bring change to the city but this often results in expensive and stressful undertakings, which get denied by the rest of the senate.
Another menace is rising in the slums and slowly taking over the middle class, because of problems the aristocracy has ignored for too long. An ex-priest of Stromus Solare has taken action to cleanse the city from its corruption and sinful demeanour. By addressing the problems and giving them a scapegoat and using the general discord in Post Mortem, the Priest gained a lot of territory.
Of course the crime syndicate Nox  has several warehouses stationed in the city and owns many auction houses and sometimes in the after hours they hold unofficial auctions where they sell illegal and rare artefacts. They also function as information brokers to everyone who pays for their services. They refrain from any gambling business in the city to keep peace with Lux Fortuna and they do not sell any information of Post Mortem if they would have any in exchange that they don't take contracts that work against syndicate.

Tourism

It would take months for a traveller to explore all the establishments and activities Adorra has to offer. A visitor should try to get a seat for one of the massive fights or tasteful plays in the massive Abbadon Arena. It is recommended to visit one of the Bathhouses, especially the Vestalis House, which has a broad variety of activities to offer. They have different mineral baths, saunas, massages and in the gardens some sport and relaxation zones.
Another spectacle would be watching the amateur pitfighter of the universities, trying to test their strength and make a name for themselves in a match. Someone might see the early days of a new champion for the Arena.
Gourmets will love Adorra for the diverse culinary specialties from all over the world. Besides the exquisite restaurants, the street food one can buy at a market stall on the different plazas is from out of this world.
More educated folk can consider the different architectural influences that have been mixed and changed over the ages or they visit museums to get educated about the history of the Andric Empire. If this isn’t enough there is the great library Memoriam Hominum, where thousands of public books, documents and scriptures are waiting to be read and understood.
Even if the people have no money, they still can enjoy the beautiful view of the Phoenix Palace or visit one of the public parks and have a nice picnic there. Adorra offers something for everyone.
Don't forget to stop by at the auction houses and watch the auctioneers in action bidding high prices for beautiful art, jewellery and other goods. Afterwards visit the numerous antique dealers and buy some souvenirs.

Architecture

Over the millennia the architecture trends have changed a lot, but the people seemed to have found a liking to white buildings and red shingles at the rooftop. Most buildings use a form of the classical order with large columns as defining structures combined with different kinds of vault building, especially barrel vaults are very characteristic for the buildings. While the buzzing narrow roads of the city often block the view, they all open up to different crowded plazas which lift the feeling of constriction a bit. In the centre of almost every plaza is a fountain or monument and within it are placed images of heroes of the empire. These figures represent the great generals, warriors, politicians ect. whose names were carved into the marble.
The residential buildings differ from public buildings and use a quadratic layout instead of the circular layout. Many villas of the wealthy citizens contain an seperated courtyard where some have smaller open air baths or gardens, sometimes both.
Lower and middle Class citizens tend to live in tenements, which differ in quality and desirability. The tenements for the middle class contain much larger rooms, with better air flow and overall better security. Some of these housing complexes come with baths for residents. Between some buildings exist various bridges to reach the other buildings more easily. The structures are often nicely decorated, with ornaments and flowers giving it a comfortable and welcoming feeling. The cobblestone streets feel nice and pleasant to walk upon and the main streets are broad enough for at least two carriages even though full speed isn't recommended.
In the slums however the tenements are often built so that a lot of people can fit in one complex. The usage of cheaper material makes the complexes often dangerous to live in and damages rarely get fixed. The housing complexes in the slums are often overcrowded and have bad air flow, which allows countless diseases to be spread. The bridges between the tenements are either damaged or unofficial wooden construction. Unlike the main roads most alleyways are in a bad condition and aren't guarded by the city guard. The roads are often slippery from debris that has been poured out in the streets and potholes make it nearly impossible to move for wagons.

The road network is always crowded because of all the carts and other vehicles travelling down them. At times the traffic on this road could take hours without being able to get through and sometimes a day passes before the carts move again. This is when smart merchants start to sell their goods on the road which is actually prohibited by law. Once you have entered the city you have to enter the main road system where carts are allowed to drive. Merchants without a permit aren't allowed to traverse the roads without a guide.

Population

752307