Arkill
In the age of the new Republic certain freedoms are enjoyed which would have been impossible under the Queen's rule, alchemy, science and the fields of mysticism flourish. However, part of this laisse-fair attitude towards governing on the part of the People's Parliament has led to some cities deviating from Gellian ways. Particularly in peripheral regions.
Far to the north, away from the Parliaments rule, is the old city Arkill. What used to be a pre-revolution military outpost to watch over the Sea of Dreams has in recent years flourished into a bustling metropolis. Many seek the sea's water for its mystical properties. Beneath giant crumbling aqueducts from an age past grand bazaars have sprung up for tourists and citizens to imbibe the magical waters. The prestigious Luzerin Society watches over the town from their ancient scrying halls and Arkill Cathedral is a centre for worship of the Oracle.
Industry & Trade
Although not a lot is produced in Arkill and, realistically, it ought to be too far north to be relevant, the city has become a hub for commerce and tourism.
Everwater
It is hard to get your hands on real, proper, Everwater. The stuff is not only dangerous but you would have to travel to the Sea of Dreams to get it. The Luziren Society purifies all the water which enters the city so you cannot scrounge any from the old waterways. Still, the Everwater trade remains a huge source of income in Arkill.
People come from all over the 4 nations to buy some. Merchants obsess over the purity and concentration of their goods - truly there is something for everyone in everwater. Lounges fill the Crying Market district, lunges built for passerby's to step in and indulge in their vices, indulge in the water.
What is everwater? It's the murky, infested waters of the Sea of Dreams, boiled down to a muddy slime. Despite its disgusting nature it is an incredibly potent hallucinogenic drug. It is thought that it brings you closer to the spirit of God when you consume it.
A vial of Everwater.
Drugs
Other drugs are also very common here. Pink Orchid and Slumbering Sage in particular. They are used in the lounges and on the streets. Part of the allure of the city is the availability of such drugs.
Jewelry
There is beauty and culture in Arkill as well, not just indulgence. The town makes wonderful jewelry from crustaceans and fish from the Sea of Dreams. Urchin necklaces, mollusk earrings, fishbone bracelets. All decorated with Ironil brass. They've become known, these pelagic pieces of craftsmanship throughout all the northern regions.
Infrastructure
Arkill prides itself on its infrastructure, the whole city is partly elevated on top of huge aqueducts some 150 feet into the air. This fact has been both a challenge and a blessing for the town.
The Waterways
The old aqueducts were repurposed early in Arkill's life. Rubble was cleared from their path to flood them with water once more from the Sea of Dreams. This means that the upper levels of the city operate similar to some coastal towns, with riverboats and barges being common transport. New, smaller waterways are also being built between the bigger bridges to aid transport. Houses are either built on adjacent ruined structures or on top of the sluices using stilts or stone foundations. The whole area looks a bit messy and rickety but it is a great achievement in infrastructural development and the waterways are great for aquaculture.
Abseiling
Part of what makes building on the aqueducts possible is Arkill's abseiling technology. Using harnesses, pulleys and pitons they lower workers off the edge of the aqueducts to do repairs or construction on the underside and lower levels of the infrastructure.
Districts
Due to the ruined structures all throughout this area Arkhill has a unique geography which laid the foundations for three separate districts of the city.
Upper Waterway
Atop the huge, crumbling aqueducts is the Upper Waterway - home to the Luziren Academy, Arkill Parish Church, and all manner of aquaculture. The old aqueducts serve as roads in this elevated district for both pedestrians and riverboats to traverse. Getting up here from the dim city below is the trickiest part but once up here the view is gorgeous. Past Arken Wall is the beautiful Sea of Dreams with its lush banks.
Crying Market
The bulk of Arkill is the Markets. This district resides in the long shadows of the aqueducts. As literally as metaphorically. Huge lounges and markets have sprung up at the base of the waterways all surrounding the drug economy - which can be summarized as the selling of a hallucinogenic substance known as Everwater. Stalls and street vendors set up collections of their finest Essence. Huge lounges spring up to house the inebriated. Shops tailor to those wo peruse - selling dry rations, pink orchid, coffee, and beautifully embroidered Gellian handicraft to satisfy the hungering minds.
Arken Wall
To the north is the Arken Wall. Wall is used lightly, in actuality it is the ruin strewn hill-face which leads up to the eventual Sea of Dreams and the base of the aqueducts. More residential neighborhoods have sprung up in this region and it is where the majority of the populace live, even if they work in Essence Market. The town guard is also based here, particularly at the top of Arken Wall where the barracks are. They are isolated and spend all their time watching over the Sea of Dreams, guarding Arken Wall and the aqueduct entrances from any creatures who might spring up here.
The Fields
Despite being primarily interested in other exports Arkill does still have to sustain itself and like most cities have large fields surrounding it. Although not nearly as impressive in proportion as more agriculturally focused settlements like Grasmere they are still necessary.
Guilds and Factions
The Luziren Society
The de-facto leaders and owners of Arkill, the Luziren Society watches over the town from their scrying halls. It consists of few yet incredibly powerful mages and is led by the revered Statius Arken.
The Arkill Clergy
Serving as the center of worship for the Sea of Dreams basin is the Arkill Clergy and cathedral. They worship the Oracle, one of the 14 saints of the Golden Tapestry. The presence of the Mad King is strong this far north but the Cathedral is a place where dreaming is safe.
The Everwatch
Past old Arken Wall on the banks of the Sea of Dreams is the Everwatch. An order of knights which predates even the city itself. It holds the border between land and ocean, not letting anybody or thing pass between the two. What they are protecting is unknown.
The People's Union
In the depth of the Essence Markets even the Luziren Society has a hard time seeing. To deal with crime and mischief the concerned citizens of the Markets formed the People's Union. An untrained militia comprised mostly of farmers and masons, the union seeks to protect the forgotten areas of Arkill as best as it can.
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