Shakif

Shakif is one of the oldest and largest cities in Northern Nefrale. Located about an hour away from the much smaller Kporo, home of Faraday Academy of Magic, and the home of Nefrale's northernmost transport station, it is a hub for students, traders, and tourists, all taking the many trains out from the center station. Shakif is also home to one of Nefrale's largest art museums, as well as the National School of Architecture. It is said to be one of the best cities in all of Nideon to live in and visit.
With the Northern Desert to the north and the Kane Mountains to the south, Shakif is also known for its spectacular views. Due to its proximity to the Northern Desert, Shakif is also an important trading post for the Huxoth people, as well as a place for those seeking to visit their lands to meet with and hire guides. 
Shakif is drier than its coastal neighbors to the west, with hotter summers and colder winters. Furthermore, the winter is its wettest season, meaning frequent snows. Because it sits in the basin between the desert and the mountains, however, both the desert and the mountain flora can be found there, including some plant species that are found exclusively in the Kane Mountains. Botonists from all over Nideon visit Shakif in order to study the flora there, as well as the soil in which it grows. These botonists also study how to keep these plants alive through the growth of the city. 
As one of the largest cities in Nefrale, Shakif is also one of the most diverse. Humans, sprites, and elves all live amongst one another, though few Mermish are seen in this eastern city. A wide variety of ethnicities also live there, including the largest population of Huxoth outside of the Northern Desert. Though Shugbo is the most common language in the city, Huxoth, Vitnu, and even Roex are often heard in its streets. These different groups are often found divided by the city's districts.
The Central District is Shakif's business and arts district. This includes the building where the city legislature meets. The western district is mostly home to humans, though this is where the few Mermish live. It is also where the city's Mun temple is found. It is home to some of the most expensive homes in the city. The poorer, north-western area is also home to mostly humans. It is home to one of the major universities, which houses the School of Botany. The northern district is where the Huxoth can be found, among others, and is home to the city's largest hospital. The eastern district is also wealthy, though is it is a mix of humans and sprites, giving the area its unique architectural style. This is also where the National School of Architecture is located. The southern district is home to humans as well as elves, and gives way to farmland as it goes south. A military training base is also located there.

Alternative Name(s)

The Hub of the North

Type

City

Population

4,000,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Shakifan

Owning Organization

Nefrale