Alexaria, City of Crossroads
The City of Alexaria: The Crossroads of Empires
Alexaria stands as a beacon of culture, knowledge, and trade in a world where great empires vie for dominance. Though it owes fealty to Korinthos, its true allegiance lies with commerce, philosophy, and the free exchange of ideas. It is a city of contrasts: a place of profound wealth and innovation, yet also one of deep inequality and strife. At its heart lies The Grand Plaza, a sprawling open square where citizens from every walk of life gather beneath towering statues of past Exarchs of Alexaria and foreign dignitaries. Merchants, politicians, and scholars alike converge here, making it the lifeblood of Alexaria.
The city itself is divided into four major districts, each reflecting a different facet of its identity:
Stone’s End – The Forgotten Quarter
Nicknamed for the great stone wall that marks its boundary, Stone’s End is where the city's poor and destitute eke out a living amidst the crumbling ruins of a once-thriving industrial district. Here, ramshackle dwellings cling precariously to abandoned warehouses and dilapidated temples, creating a labyrinthine maze of alleys where crime festers and despair lingers.
The Cradle Market – An open-air black market where vendors sell stolen goods, contraband, and scavenged items. It’s chaotic and dangerous, but it’s where the desperate come for supplies or to make illicit deals.
Dead Man’s Row – A decrepit alley notorious for being the dumping ground for victims of crime, accidents, or unsavory guild business. People in Stone's End know to avoid it after dark.
The Broken Dagger Tavern – The most infamous tavern in Stone's End, known for its rough clientele and constant bar fights. It serves as neutral ground for shady dealings.
The Drowning Wharf - An abandoned dock where many of the poorest residents live in makeshift homes. The dock has partially collapsed into the river, giving it the nickname “Drowning Wharf.”
The Tower of St. Catherine - Once part of a grand cathedral destroyed long ago, the bell tower stands as a crumbling monument at the center of the slum. It’s become a shelter from the rain but is rumored to be haunted.
The Lantern's Light Orphanage - A run-down, overcrowded orphanage. The building is old and falling apart, but it’s the only refuge for many of the children in Stone's End. It’s managed by a strict but well-meaning woman named Matron Elara.
The Echelon – The Noble District
A district of opulence and power, The Echelon is home to Alexaria’s aristocracy, foreign emissaries, and high-ranking officials. Grand estates and pleasure gardens line its pristine avenues, while elite guards patrol to ensure that the troubles of the lesser districts do not spill over.
The Hall of the Exarchs – The seat of Alexaria’s government, where Leya Fayed, the Exarch of Alexaria rules with calculated diplomacy, overseeing the city’s delicate balance between loyalty and autonomy.
The Ivory Spire – A towering observatory and magical research center where scholars and astrologers study the heavens, unlocking secrets of time and space. Here, The Ordo Aeternum does its work researching time under the supervision of The Ægis of Eternity.
The Court of the Azure Lily – A lavish estate where foreign dignitaries are entertained with elaborate feasts, dances, and political intrigue.
The Sable Amphitheater - A grand performance hall where the elite gather to witness plays, operas, and oratory competitions.
The House of the Five Rings - A prestigious dueling academy where noble scions hone their swordsmanship and political maneuvering.
The Artisan’s Tier – The Market & Guild District
The heart of Alexaria’s economic might, The Artisan’s Tier is a cacophony of traders, guild halls, and towering marketplaces. It is a place of endless motion, where silks from Aegea, spices from Kursh, and relics from Thakuria exchange hands in a perpetual dance of commerce.
The Market Tower – A multi-leveled trading hub where merchants from all over the world barter for goods, services, and influence.
The Floating Bazaar – A series of interconnected wooden platforms on the river’s edge, offering exotic wares, street performances, and rare curiosities.
The Gilded Anvil – A renowned smithing guild that forges weapons, armor, and intricate jewelry sought after by nobility and warriors alike.
The Cerulean Exchange – A banking house where merchants secure loans, store wealth, and broker high-stakes trade deals.
The Alabaster Menagerie – An exotic pet and beast market offering rare creatures from across the world, prized by nobles and adventurers alike.
The Veridian Ward – The Residential District A district of mixed prosperity, The Veridian Ward houses Alexaria’s middle class, including scholars, minor merchants, and craftsmen. While it does not boast the wealth of The Echelon, it remains a lively and diverse community where cultures and traditions blend seamlessly.
The Bibliotheca Rerum – The second-largest library on the continent, housing tomes of philosophy, history, and arcane knowledge from across the known world. Within the Bibliotheca Rerum, Resident Scholars, work tirelessly within the Gyre Archives to research and better understand the world and its turnings. Among these scholars are the hidden order of The Custodes Veritatis who operate beyond the scope and control of the Exarch.
The Atrium Sophia – A grand forum where scholars, politicians, and free thinkers engage in heated debates and discourse.
The Garden of Echoes – A serene park filled with statues and reflecting pools, where poets and musicians gather to share their art.
The Whispering Lanterns – A district of tea houses and quiet gardens where philosophers and weary travelers seek respite.
The House of Harmonies – A renowned music school where bards, composers, and performers refine their craft.
A City at the Crossroads
With its unparalleled diversity and economic prowess, Alexaria remains both a jewel and a prize, eyed by ambitious rulers and cunning merchants alike. Under the guidance of Exarch Leya Fayed, the city flourishes as a hub of progress, yet tensions simmer beneath its gleaming surface. Whether it will endure as a beacon of enlightenment or fall to the machinations of greater powers remains to be seen.
As of recent times, Alexaria faces perhaps another Titanborn incursion at the hands of Ulphilas, High Chief of the United Titanborn Tribes. Whether or not such an attack will actually occur remains to be seen. However, Alexaria hopes that its strong walls and outstanding contracts with mercenary companies such as The Silver Talons, and alliances with nearby allies, such as Exarch Valens Aulus, the Red Lion, will help it weather such fraut times. Furthermore, The Aegeans have been attacking the city as of recent times, seeking to bypass the city and enter Korinthos proper. As of yet the defenses have held, but attacks have been arriving in greater frequency.
Purpose / Function
Alexaria serves as a major marketing hub and a capital of knowledge and philosophy. Alexaria also serves as the northernmost bastion of Korinthos against possible invasions and incursions. It has devised a series of outposts and checkpoints that form a wall of sorts and prevent any enemies from passing beyond the borders of Korinthos without being spotted.
Defenses
The Argent Phalanx – Shield of the Exarch
The Argent Phalanx is an elite corps of warriors sworn to protect the Exarch of Alexaria, ensuring her rule remains unchallenged within the Argent Spire and beyond. These guardsmen are handpicked from the most skilled warriors, tacticians, and spellbreakers across the known world, forging a brotherhood bound by loyalty rather than blood. The Phalanx is not just a defensive force; they are a symbol of the Exarch’s unwavering authority, feared and respected by nobles and commoners alike.
Appearance & Distinctive Traits
Armor & Aesthetic
The Argent Phalanx wears ornate, silvered lamellar armor crafted to blend mobility with impenetrability. Their helmets, forged in the shape of a stoic, expressionless face, bear a blackened visor that conceals their identity, making them appear more like sentinels of fate than mere soldiers. Over their shoulders, they wear deep blue cloaks embroidered with silver thread, signifying their unwavering loyalty to the Exarch.
The Twin Shields & the Oathblade
The Phalanx is famed for wielding a pair of interlocking tower shields known as the Aegis Twins, crafted with anti-magic sigils that disrupt spells upon impact. When deployed in formation, these shields link together seamlessly, creating an impenetrable phalanx wall that can advance or hold against overwhelming odds. Each guardsman also carries a short, curved sword known as the Oathblade, an enchanted weapon that binds its wielder’s soul to the Exarch’s service—should they ever betray their oath, the blade will shatter in their hands.
Duties & Responsibilities
Guardians of the Argent Spire – They patrol the palace grounds, ensuring that no assassin, spy, or usurper sets foot where they do not belong.
Silent Sentinels – When the Exarch walks among the people, Phalanx agents move unseen, watching from the shadows or disguised among the populace.
Tacticians & Enforcers – In times of crisis, they act as commanders of the city’s forces, taking control of defenses and leading elite operations when threats arise.
Executioners of Betrayal – If a noble, guildmaster, or general betrays Alexaria, the Phalanx is dispatched to carry out judgment—without warning, without mercy.
Captain of the Phalanx: Damaris the Unbroken
At the head of the Argent Phalanx stands Captain Damaris the Unbroken, a towering Minotaur veteran of a hundred battles. Once a gladiator enslaved in Kursh, Damaris won her freedom through sheer force of will, rising through the ranks of Alexaria’s elite forces before being personally chosen by Exarch Leya Fayed to lead the Phalanx.
Unique Traits & Quirk
Battle-Hardened & Fearless – Damaris wears a distinct, silver-forged bull-helm crowned with curved obsidian horns, a relic of her gladiatorial past. She fights with a massive glaive, cleaving through enemy ranks like a force of nature. Her mere presence on the battlefield instills fear in foes and courage in allies.
The Silent Bell – Damaris is known for ringing a small silver bell before carrying out executions or issuing final warnings. The chilling sound serves as a prelude to inevitable death, a superstition that even the city's criminals whisper about in fear. With Damaris the Unbroken at their head, the Argent Phalanx stands as an unyielding wall against chaos, ensuring that the Exarch’s rule endures—no matter the cost.
The Argent Phalanx is an elite corps of warriors sworn to protect the Exarch of Alexaria, ensuring her rule remains unchallenged within the Argent Spire and beyond. These guardsmen are handpicked from the most skilled warriors, tacticians, and spellbreakers across the known world, forging a brotherhood bound by loyalty rather than blood. The Phalanx is not just a defensive force; they are a symbol of the Exarch’s unwavering authority, feared and respected by nobles and commoners alike.
Appearance & Distinctive Traits
Armor & Aesthetic
The Argent Phalanx wears ornate, silvered lamellar armor crafted to blend mobility with impenetrability. Their helmets, forged in the shape of a stoic, expressionless face, bear a blackened visor that conceals their identity, making them appear more like sentinels of fate than mere soldiers. Over their shoulders, they wear deep blue cloaks embroidered with silver thread, signifying their unwavering loyalty to the Exarch.
The Twin Shields & the Oathblade
The Phalanx is famed for wielding a pair of interlocking tower shields known as the Aegis Twins, crafted with anti-magic sigils that disrupt spells upon impact. When deployed in formation, these shields link together seamlessly, creating an impenetrable phalanx wall that can advance or hold against overwhelming odds. Each guardsman also carries a short, curved sword known as the Oathblade, an enchanted weapon that binds its wielder’s soul to the Exarch’s service—should they ever betray their oath, the blade will shatter in their hands.
Duties & Responsibilities
Guardians of the Argent Spire – They patrol the palace grounds, ensuring that no assassin, spy, or usurper sets foot where they do not belong.
Silent Sentinels – When the Exarch walks among the people, Phalanx agents move unseen, watching from the shadows or disguised among the populace.
Tacticians & Enforcers – In times of crisis, they act as commanders of the city’s forces, taking control of defenses and leading elite operations when threats arise.
Executioners of Betrayal – If a noble, guildmaster, or general betrays Alexaria, the Phalanx is dispatched to carry out judgment—without warning, without mercy.
Captain of the Phalanx: Damaris the Unbroken
At the head of the Argent Phalanx stands Captain Damaris the Unbroken, a towering Minotaur veteran of a hundred battles. Once a gladiator enslaved in Kursh, Damaris won her freedom through sheer force of will, rising through the ranks of Alexaria’s elite forces before being personally chosen by Exarch Leya Fayed to lead the Phalanx.
Unique Traits & Quirk
Battle-Hardened & Fearless – Damaris wears a distinct, silver-forged bull-helm crowned with curved obsidian horns, a relic of her gladiatorial past. She fights with a massive glaive, cleaving through enemy ranks like a force of nature. Her mere presence on the battlefield instills fear in foes and courage in allies.
The Silent Bell – Damaris is known for ringing a small silver bell before carrying out executions or issuing final warnings. The chilling sound serves as a prelude to inevitable death, a superstition that even the city's criminals whisper about in fear. With Damaris the Unbroken at their head, the Argent Phalanx stands as an unyielding wall against chaos, ensuring that the Exarch’s rule endures—no matter the cost.
History
Situated at the head of the Lesser Styx, Alexaria once served the purpose as outpost for Ravessus, a city meant to make sure that the Basileus of Korinthos, the Sultans of Masshad, the Khans of The Kurshai, and The Aegeans remained loyal to the Emperor of the realms. When Ravessus fell, the current Exarch of Alexaria opted to join Korinthos, rather than any of the other surrounding empires, and became Korinthos's northern defense and connection to the Northern kingdoms.
Exarch Leya Fayed
Art by Melissa Kelly
Type
Acropolis / Citadel
Ruling/Owning Rank
Towering over The Echelon, the Argent Spire is a symbol of Alexaria’s authority, diplomacy, and ambition. Constructed from gleaming white marble and inlaid with veins of silver, the palace catches the light of the sun and moon alike, giving it an ethereal glow at all hours. Tall, arched windows, carved reliefs of past rulers, and banners bearing the sigil of the Exarch’s Office adorn its walls. At its heart, a spiraling central tower rises high above the city, a beacon of power and vigilance visible from every district.
Surrounding the Argent Spire are the Radiant Grounds, an expansive complex of gardens, courtyards, and administrative buildings. Within these grounds, several notable structures serve essential roles in governing Alexaria:
The Hall of Concordance – A grand chamber where foreign emissaries, noble houses, and guild leaders gather for diplomacy and trade negotiations. The hall’s great domed ceiling is painted with a celestial map, symbolizing Alexaria’s position at the crossroads of the known world.
The Sentinel’s Keep – The heavily fortified barracks and headquarters of the Exarch’s Praetorians, the elite guards sworn to protect the Exarch and enforce her decrees. Beneath the Keep, an underground vault stores intelligence, trade agreements, and sensitive records too valuable to be lost.
The Oratory of Ioun – A temple dedicated to Ioun, built within the palace grounds as a place of contemplation and guidance. Scholars, clerics, and advisors come here to seek wisdom before major decisions.
The Moonlit Court – A lush, open-air garden with reflecting pools, sculpted hedges, and rare flora from every corner of the world. Here, the Exarch holds evening councils, entertains esteemed guests, and conducts quiet diplomacy beneath the silver glow of hanging lanterns.
The Argent Spire is not just a place of governance—it is the heart of Alexaria’s identity. From within its walls, Exarch Leya Fayed shapes the fate of the city, ever watchful of those who seek to claim Alexaria for their own.
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