Lia
A city of ice and fire, sweltering heat from multiple crystals to provide enough protection, and gold frost along the walls. Many people go in and out of the multiple gates, and it crisscrosses as if it wasn’t meant to house this many people even if it’s the capital. Stone buildings are in poor condition except the upper state region and the castle. The noblemen estates overshadow even the castle, and have a gated area just for themselves with luxurious gardens and many servants. The farmland surrounding the city is notably smaller than it once was, but with magic seems to keep starvation from taking hold. The immediate ice around the sea is broken to allow fishing. Roads go out across the country, making it easy to infiltrate despite the large amount of patrols, mostly baring noble seals rather than that of the king. The less human species live in the slums, partitioned off by policy rather than strict law.
Demographics
The elite upper class lords dwell in the upper and most central part of the city. Any non-human races are pushed out to the slums. Mid-class humans live between. The exterior farmland is worked by any species.
Government
For centuries, Lia was unofficially run by the Starlings, a secret organization of lords and ladies who exercise their power to get what they desire. The king was little more than a puppet who served their whims. However, after the Starling Coup was defeated with the aid of the Champions, Eliza Schuyler and King George Washin, have restablished the principality of the crown. As Eliza Schuyler was leading a rebellion against the Starlings with the King, they've transitioned easily to a monarchy that actually aids its people rather than exploiting them. Each Noble house had to swear fealty anew, and obey their king rather than plot against him.
Defences
The city is defended by a variety of thick stone walls and heavy patrolling guards. Additionally, it has the Delwar rivers and the Lafayette Sea on its side, making invasion more difficult as technically it's on an island. The gates were designed to withstand heavy siege and can be individually sectioned off and scuttled if necessary to give up areas of the city and protect others like a gridlock system.
Industry & Trade
Agriculture, fishing, and providing a secure home in these trying times. Most residents, especially the non-human, are serfs on the outlying farms or fishing.
Infrastructure
The city has several gates and rapidly built homes and roads to accommodate the rising population due to refugees. It's cramped, but it has just about the usual fanfare for a metropolis from inns to shops to cemeteries and barracks. Most notably are the docks along the Lafayette Sea that provide its major source of trade until the waters froze. Post-Coup, the estates of Starlings who were ousted for their treason, have either been turned over to suitable kin or turned into public service houses such as orphanages, clinics and schools.
Assets
Lower District
Furry Bunk: A homeless shelter for the non-humans in the slums, run by an orc man named Darvo. It struggles to house the large number of homeless non-humans, and takes donations.
Sam Adame: A pleasant inn in the slums district run by a pair of tabaxi. The food and drink are renowned in the slums, and even some upper-class citizens make the journey for its cuisine.
Upper District
Apothecary: An apothecary run in the upper district market by a human named Hercules Mulligan.
Castle Columbus: At the very center of the city is Castle Columbus which was built by the first king, Columbus Washin. It is elegant, impressive, and speaks of a power now lost. It doesn’t seem hardly as extravagant as the Noble House. It is encircled by beautiful and spacious gardens. There’s a grand banquet hall, a set of official offices, servant quarters and a barracks. There is also a dungeon. The throne room speaks of a time of power and dominance, but now the large rafters feel strangely empty and the gold a bit dull.
Nobles' House: A large grandiose building that overshadows the castle further down the road. It has starlings engraved almost everywhere, and people note it’s a new addition. There is a large meeting room for business work and several private rooms for smaller discussions and a wing expressly for out-of-city noblemen to stay in.
Lord Enrick Schulyer's Estate: The most impressive estate in perhaps all the country, Enrick’s Estate was formerly just his guest estate when he visited the capital. After the Collapse began, he moved to Lia with his daughter, their home city lost to the chaos. It’s lavished with gold, finery, servants and full of dark secretive chambers.
Lord Amera's Estate: Similar to most estates, Lord Amera's has a large garden and a proud guard to protect it. The gold and silver finery is especially particular, as Lord Amera is a fan of the arts.Guilds and Factions
The Starlings, a secret organization of noblemen who runs the entirety of Soro. There is no official leader, however Lord Enrick Schuyler is recognized as the most prominent figure.
Architecture
A slightly Victorian style with a heavy reliance of stone.
Geography
Encircled by water, Lia has the Delawar rivers to the North, South and West, and the Lafayette Sea to the east. The surrounding lands are sparse woods and open fields, excellent for farming. It used to be a more tropical region, however after the Collapse it became one of the warmer, yet still cold, regions.
Natural Resources
Nearby is the Orli Forest, which provides the majority of the wood for the region. The Lafayette Sea provides excellent trade routes and fishing, should Angulos let them pass.
Alternative Name(s)
Capital of Soro, The City Of Many Gates, The Noble City,
Type
Capital
Population
200,000
Inhabitant Demonym
Lians
Characters in Location
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