Shwadar
The capital city of the desert lands of Infinis, Shwadar is a vibrant metropolis of 300000 people. This only refers to the permanent residents. Nearly as many world travelers enter its bay as those across the whole of Elions ports combined. It is the seat of power on Infinis, and houses the opulent palace of the Grand Hassir himself, "Hassikhan House" (sometimes referred to as the "Tower of All Things and Nothing"). Here, the Hassir is attended by his court, and protected by his private guard, the Valuum. It is notable for housing several organizations, including the Colleges of Magic, and the enigmatic Custodians (keepers of all knowledge in the world), who serve "society" from their lofty and intimidating Tower of Light. Tightly packed into the bay area know as the Throat, space is at a premisum as the city is encircled on 1 side by steep hills of the west coast and the Sea of Gold desert to the east. As a result it's streets tend to be more densely packed with people and buildings than most cities of its size. As a result no spare space in Swadar goes unused. When the city planners can no longer build horizontally, they show much ingenuity in building up, vertically.
Demographics
A true melting pot, including assorted ex-patriots from the Shadowspear Empire
Government
Monarchy under the rule of the Grand Hassir of Shwadar, his excellency Serasnian Arabata IV. The Grand Hassir is assisted and advised by his royal court, which includes his Vizier, a man named Vandergraff, and a court magician, the warlock known only as The Consummata. Some say that although the city has a figurehead monarch, it is actually ruled from the "underground" by the various influential (and massively rich) crime lords known as The Club Masters. Though wielding enough power to assume some form of political control, The Custodians of the The Tower of Light have no such aspirations. It is said that they do pull more strings behind the scenes than they would care to publicly admit, at least when it comes to advising the Grand Hassir himself.
Defences
The city army, comprised of roughly 10,000 soldiers referred to as the "White Cloaks." The city guard is independently managed, and consists of approximately 5,000 officers known as the "Hounds." Assisting the Hounds is a volunteer citizen city watch, which fluctuates in size from 2,000 to 8,000 on a regular basis.
Industry & Trade
Magic, in all its varied forms. Knowledge, and the trade thereof.
Guilds and Factions
The Thieves' Guild of Zanzakkar, The Custodians, The Thornblack Assassins' Guild, Along with these come the warring crime bosses (or "capos") competing for dominance of the city itself. One particularly odious crime faction within the underworld is "The Bloody Garrote," consisting of both thieves and assassins, and headed by the half-orc known as Garvistan. It should be noted, however, that rumors have cropped up that Garvistan has gone missing.
History
Shwadar, "City of the Glittering Crown," was constructed nearly one thousand years proir to the Splintering. Originally founded by exiled mages from Hariel Majour setting out to create an oasis for magic and knowledge, along with the fantastical and the forbidden. The nation is a autocracy, ruled by a line of Grand Hassirs sharing a common bloodline. The current ruler, His Excellency, The Grand Hassir of Varuum Serasnian Arabata IV, is advised by his Vizier, Valon Vandegraff. It is rumored that Vandegraff is secretly a member of the assassin's court, "The Club Masters of Shwadar". It is a trusted rumor that Serasnian is losing his wits and that his nineteen-year-old daughter Naiya is secretly ruling the Regality in his stead. This rumor is not as widely believed, but happens to be true. Two years ago, Serasnian was visited by a priest with "a message" for the Grand Hassir. What the priest showed his lord drove the man mad. The priest was executed before he could reveal what transpired between them. Since then, the madness of the king has steadily grown. The court necromancer, called The Consummata, was called in to interpret the dead priest's motives and to "consume his dying thoughts." She came back with what she called inconseclusive gibberish, but secretly she is working with Vandergraff at the hub of a great conspiracy to break the royal blood line and cede power to him. Naiya's own protector and Vizier, Master Clickwild, realizes she is not safe in the city, but knows the headstrong girl will not leave without greater cause. He pushes her to call a council for both the surface reasons, but also as an excuse to move Naiya to a "safe" locale.
Architecture
Smaller in surface area than comparable cities, Shwadar solved this problem by building upwards (instead of outwards). As such, buildings are of far stronger materials than those found in other cities, with even the most impoverished sections featuring monuments of stone and steel.
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