Damarask
Located on the southeast shore of the Sea of Tempests, Damarask is a remote free city known for the highly diverse mix of demi-humans and humanoids that make up its population.
Built on and around a natural harbor, Damarask is split into 6 distinctly different districts, each following its own code of laws but tied together through common protective and lucrative interests. The differences in these districts mark Damarask as distinctly eclectic in architecture, color, and custom and have contributed to its nickname, "The Patchwork City" or "The Patch."
The districts are The Aerie, the Tender, the Armsedge, Sideways Warren, the Brasspot, and Parade Heights.
Structure
Damarask is run by a council of one duly elected official from each of the six districts. A seventh member (known as the Shadow Vote) is elected in secret from one of the districts and acts as a tie-breaking vote if needed. Elections are held every 3 years for general council members, while a new Shadow Vote is chosen every 6 months from a different district on a rotating basis.
Culture
Damarask is fiercely diverse and philosophically eclectic. Each of its wards has its own code viewed as vital to its success within the city proper. The rules and laws of each ward vary, and this sometimes causes confilct within the city, but most citizens adhere to the principle of respecting the customs of the ward you're in. Where you choose to do business is almost, if not more important, than who you choose to do business with.
Damarask also has a long, complicated tradition of indentured servitude. This practice, overseen by regulators in the Brasspot district, conscripts individuals from a wide array of sources: orphans, homeless, and minor criminals make up the vast majority of their ranks. They are processed and ranked through a system that determines their contract value, their term of service, and the duties that they are required to provide. Naturally, this system has fallen prone to a number of abuses over the years, giving rise to an small but vocal abolitionist movement within the city's walls. Throughout the years a number of prominent Damaraskan citizens have served terms of indenture, including: Ty Kumulk, Ophelia Kara'zeraii, and Myriell Brimsbane.
Demography and Population
50,000 mixed humanoid races in the city and surrounding lands. 20% Human, 20% Aaracokra, 20% Gnome, 10% Tiefling, 10% Half-Elf, 5% Goliath, 5% Elf, 10% various demi-human and humanoid races.
Territories
While the city proper is situated on a bay in the south eastern shore of the Sea of Tempests, Damarask claims jurisdiction over a larger portion of the region outside the city walls where many ranches and farms provide food for the inhabitants. These farms enjoy the protection of three provincial forts that mark the outer edges of Damarask's protected lands. These forts are: Fort Godwit, Fort Kite, and Fort Kestrel.
Military
All districts in Damarask have a contingent of guardsmen capable of defending the city. In addition, the Armsedge district employs a large number of full time soldiers to maintain the territorial forts. Hiring mercenaries and adventurers is also quite common in the Armsedge.
As a port city Damarask also has a small navy, though travel in the Sea of Tempests is quite dangerous. The sailors it does employ are quite capable and knowledgeable of the treacherous waters that are found near the city's harbor and the coastal trade routes north to Dallunderfjell, the Matrix Arcanum, and Sanctyra.
Technological Level
Gnomish influence can be seen throughout Damarask, though its lack of a true constant power source renders its mechanical devices less impressive than those found in Dallunderfjell.
Religion
Like many aspects of Damarask, religious practices are quite eclectic and varied. The large gnomish popluation has brought priests and temples devoted to Garl Glittergold. The Olde Pantheon of Malatoria has a few scattered temples. In regards to the Reformed Pantheon, the patron Divines of Geminon and Hellia hold sway over large portions of the population.
The use of indentured servitude within certain districts of Damarask has also given rise to worship of Hurzok and divinely inspired abolitionist movements.
Foreign Relations
Due to its proximity to the gnomish stronghold of Dallunderfjell, Damarask has quite a large gnomish population. This has led to strong trade relations with their kin to the north. In addition, Damarask conducts business with the Matrix Arcanum more than any of the other free cities, and representatives from the MA can often be found looking for specialized goods and services in the city. Trade caravans from Lasthome and the Steppe Towns make their way to the edge of Damarask's borders throughout the year and Damarask keeps a fairly open diplomatic relationship with the human kingdom of Oryus.
Laws
The eclectic mix of cultures and species that have called Damarask home throughout its history have created a unique code within the city. Each of its six districts has its own specific laws and court system tailored to the needs and values of its inhabitants. Threats to the City Proper and the most egregious crimes (ie, murder) are seen as cross jurisdictional and are taken up by the Goldfeathers, a city guard/watch comprised largely of soldiers from the Aerie and Armsedge. Smaller infractions are handled internally by each district. This leads to some very grey areas in the law and a number of activities that are illegal in one district and accepted in others.
Persons found guilty of minor crimes might have fines levied against them or face short term periods of indenture. Those found guilty of major crimes or breaking the terms of their indenture are punished more severely; often sent to the Wishbone, a prison located on an island in Cormorant's Bay.
Trade & Transport
Generally speaking, Damarask's districts work collectively towards the greater good of the city. This does not mean that economic competition between the districts doesn't exist. One way that districts attempt to maintain loyalty and control over citizens within is through the use of District Medallions. Each district has a number of special badges (medallions) that entitle holders to special deals, discounts, and advantages to anyone who displays them. Medallions usually have a limited lifespan (many are only good from 3 days to 1 month) and can be used for large discounts at general stores, free lodging at Inns, and many other uses depending on the district and the merchants within.
Although indentured servitude is common practice in Damarask, it is seen as distasteful to trade or sell indentures outside of the city walls. This doesn't prevent more unscrupulous individuals from bringing in captives or selling them on the black market.
Infrastructure
Damarask was built upon ruins of the Ymmari Empire, and still bears some of the tell-tale markings in the walls and more fortified sections of each district. Over the years, the denizens of each particular ward have molded it and built it up to accommodate their needs. The Aerie is built along the high cliff edges and contains a number of high sea caves and tall towers to provide vantage to its Aaracockra citizens. Parade Heights provide lavish garden grounds and high end, modern buildings. The Armsedge has made use of many of the ancient walls and ruins, building around them or reappropriating them to best advantage. The Tender is built to accommodate trade and industry, with wide roads and easily accessible buildings. In opposition to this are the twisting and confusing streets and buildings of the Sideways Warren, the port side district of Damarask that houses gambling halls, brothels, and other illicit activities. Of all the districts however, the Brasspot easily stands out as the most unusual. Its curved roads, rounded buildings, domes, and minarets stand in stark contrast to the rest of the city.
Type
Geopolitical, Free City
Alternative Names
The Patchwork City
Demonym
Damaraskans
Controlled Territories
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