Donagan

Donagan is a relatively small capital city, compared to others in the world, but it boasts a long history of cooperation between humans and dwarves. As the former home of the monarch of Blackstrand and the current seat of the Blackstrand Senate, the city has maintained an important role in Liadon's politics for several millennia.
The most striking feature of Donagan is its geography and architecture. The city is located under a massive dome-shaped outcropping of rock, at the base of a mountain. This allows some of the population to live somewhat "underground", while others who prefer sunlight are never more than a short walk away open air. Even on the sunniest day, the far corners of the rock dome get only hazy, filtered light from the rest of the city. To combat this, there are dozens of blue arcane lights spread around the dome district. Important government buildings are carved into the rock at the back of this dome, as are many dwarven noble houses. As the city has grown over the centuries, it has expanded out from the rock dome, down the river and toward the lake - realistically the only way it can expand.

Demographics

The population of the city is about 50% human, with another 25% of dwarves. The rest of the citizens are spread among other races, though halflings, gnomes, and elves make up the vast majority of the remaining population. Further away from the city center (that is to say, under the rock dome) are found small enclaves of various other peoples, mostly living as farmers or simple laborers.
The city's temples include the main temple of Rao, since Donagan was the hometown of the man who would become the god. The other smaller temples are dedicated to Helm, Moradin, Pelor, and the Raven Queen.

Government

The city's relatively small population makes it possible for its citizens to have direct democratic elections for mayor and city council positions. In the past, these positions were appointed by the monarch and usually came from among the nobility. With the onset of this direct democracy, the people began electing their neighbors and coworkers who had shown promise in organizing and caring for the needs of the common men. The nobility are still coping with this change, and many wonder how they can regain some of the influence they used to exert on the city's politics.

Infrastructure

The city boasts immaculate concrete roads, with several large boulevards serving as the main arteries of trade and diplomatic caravans. Even in the outer parts of the city where the farms are located, the roads are cobbled and well maintained. Where these roads cross the river, there are simple but sturdy bridges that need little maintenance and can handle large carts and animals frequently.
Part of the city's industry is the operation of several mines, the entrances of which are camouflaged with the other buildings of the dome district. Another part of life in the dome district is the perpetual glow of dozens of arcane lights that provide illumination whether the sun is out in the open air portion of the city or not. This light blue glow can be odd for people to experience at first, but long-time residents hardly notice the difference between that and the sunlight when they pass into other parts of the city.

History

The city was originally founded by a group of humans and dwarves in the aftermath of the war of liberation from the elves. Having fought side by side in the war, this group ventured out to find a new place to settle. After several weeks wandering Liadon, they came upon a location at the base of a mountain that suited all the members of the group. With a massive defensive wall of rock surrounding half the city and a waterfall-fed river leading to the inland Lake Dundragon, the location was prime for settling. Through the centuries, there has been a delicate balance maintained between the majority human population and their longer-lived dwarven neighbors. Several prominent noble families can trace their lineage back through both human and dwarf lines, and there have always been rumors that King Maxwell Blackstrand - who would go on to become the deity Rao - was half-dwarven himself.

Architecture

The city is a mixture of different architecture, with under the dome and outside it taking on different appearances. Several centuries ago, as understanding of physics and architecture improved, the city built a series of massive, twenty-foot diameter columns to support the rock dome, fearing it might someday collapse and kill thousands. Part of the design of these columns was habitations and shops at the base, to help distribute weight and gravitational force away from the columns' centers. These structures, as well as many older parts of the city resemble the Pueblo cliff dwellings, mixed with some dark stone, slate roof Georgian or Tudor buildings.
Outside the dome district, the architecture is more what one would expect from a traditional human city. Rowhouses and Victorian corner homes feature prominently among other styles, and as one moves further away from the mountain, the architecture changes to Pennsylvania Dutch and farmhouse styles.

Founding Date

O.5 (E.1527)

Alternative Name(s)

City of Rao

Type

City

Population

15,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Donaganders

Location under

Liadon

Owning Organization

Blackstrand Senate