Demeris

Sandstone paved streets are crowded with people shopping, going to or from work. A few of the citizens part for an adventuring party that has just arrived on one of the many ships that have docked since dawn. They are a familiar sight, but are the people of Demeris still give them berth as they travel towards The Maple a tavern that caters to their kind.
Guards in breastplates and blue cloaks traverse the wall tops that encompass the city proper. Their muskets and longswords brooking no argument from most.The great Spire of the Rosan church rises above all, a silver and platinum tower that reflects the bright sun light. Manor houses lie still with only a few servants moving about on daily chores, islands of stillness in a city that never stops moving.
The docks are teaming with sailors and laborers maneuvering ships, cargo and people off and on the wooden planks. A cage filled with hyenas cackle and growl at the dockhands pushing them up a ramp onto a vessel departing for a foreign zoo. Women in colorful dresses talk in hushed tones behind silk fans as a few sailors call out to them.
A few urchins sneak out of an alley and take bread from a distracted baker's cart. They bump into a half-orc captain with a peacock feather in his hat. He grins showing off a silver tooth before moving past them and overpaying for a loaf of rye bread from the same unawares baker. The Half-orc waves to a gnome who is cleaning a clock behind the glass storefront of his shop. The bespectacled gnome nods and smiles while wiping the sweat from his forehead and looking over his inventory of clocks and wind up toys.
The smell of spices wafts through the air as a dwarvish butcher pushes a cart loaded with racks of smoked kebabs, links of various sausage and whole roasted chickens. Also on his cart is a small metal flask with a fire bearded dwarf on it smelling strongly of vinegar and peppers. Following this merchant is a chubby halfling woman serving drinks from a keg laden pony. The duo only pauses briefly for customers before continuing to move through the crowd.
A fishmonger scowls at the duo as he loses a few customers from his stand of freshly caught shrimp, mackerel and sea bass. His scowl is wiped away as he serves the next in his long line of customers. A few stalls down is an elderly hobgoblin selling figs, dates, oranges, cherries and apples.

Demographics

49% Human, 16% Dwarf, 13% Half-Orc/Hobgoblin, 8% Halfling, 4% Gnome, 3% Half-Elf, 2% Goliath, 2% Goblin 1% Elf, 2% Miscellaneous Other Races (Tieflings, Aasimar, Glypdonians, Bugbears, Aarocockra etc)

Government

The city is governed by a city council formed by The Mayor, The Bishop of Rosa, 3 Guild Leaders and the Captain of the Guard.

Defences

A large stone wall encompasses the central part of the city, on the parapets are cannons that can fire upon the sea and on the land. Before the harbor there is an island with a large stone tower called the Tower of Smoke, it is simultaneously a light house and a fortress bristling with cannons and other weapons of war. A large force of armed guards patrol the outskirts of the city and a few mages are paid handsomely for their services in watching over the city. Fort Cochran is the central command barracks and training area for the city guards.

Industry & Trade

Demeris is the largest trade city in Sorib and perhaps the world. Spices, perfumes, textiles, wine, fish, wood and iron are huge exports to other countries.Sailors, Warehouse hands dock hands are the most common jobs, with fishing and shipwrights following close behind. There are several entrepreneurs in Demeris due to its vast population and the need/want for a grand multitude of things. Demeris also has a large number of prostitutes, some believe it is due to the amount of sailors, but it might have something to do with the large number of adventurers and upper class as well.

Infrastructure

Demeris has a labyrinthine sewer system, upkept cobbled stone roads, a large shipyard that services most of the Soribian navy, the town guard is in charge of lighting the lamps that are on most major streets.

Assets

Museum of Soribian Antiquities, Fort Cochran, Tsadok Estate, The Maple, The Tower of Smoke

Guilds and Factions

Union for Laborers, Artisans Guild, The Maple, The Captains Table, The Holy Order of Rosa, The Beryl Allegiance, Demeris Gentlemen's Association, are all public guilds and factions throughout the city. The Dead Eyes is a distasteful gang element that has invaded the city along with a rival gang known as the King Cobras. A few secret organizations are said to be in the city including the Black Birds and the Crystal Forum.

History

Some of the underlying stone structures have been estimated to be over 10,000 years old. It is listed as a port in several historical texts across many cultures near and far.This may be one of the earliest settlements, most likely established by the Yakedran Empire but some speculate it goes back even farther. When the elves were driven out by the rebellious humans it was a momentous occasion and the beginning of the end for the reign of elves and fey. During the Great Fey war over a thousand years ago the city was left unscathed due to humans having little to no part in that conflict.The city has always been prosperous and well defended even during the month of darkness. It was one of the few bastions that stood against the denizens of shadow.

Architecture

A mixing pot of cultures comes through in the cities varied and even contemporary architecture. The rooftops are a myriad of colored and uncolored clay and slate tiles mixed with some wooden slat roofs and a few are even thatch. Most structures are made with wood with a few having a base of stone and some larger or older building being made completely of stone. In the past few years blue has become the city color, with blue roofs and window shutters.A few decorate with the red, white and gold of the Rosan church. Fort Cochran stands as a grey stone among a colorful garden.The most unique structure would be the central spire of the Rosan Church which rises towards the sun.

Geography

Demeris sits just north of a river mouth and is relatively flat aside from some outcroppings of rocks and a low incline towards the east.

Natural Resources

Olive Oil, Wine, Grain, Spices, Fish and Iron are abundant in Demeris due to its fertile land, and proximity to the Cyclone Sea, Camel Run and the Irontooth Mountains.

Type

Metropolis

Population

1,000,000+

Location under

Sorib