Paho’t-mab
This city is located near the headwaters of the Zoar River, some miles from where it cascades down a waterfall to the Jungle of Malagro far below. It is also the nearest Huun city to the plateau known to the people of Akados as the Sacred Table. This is the only Huun city that has ever come under attack by the foreign armies calling themselves crusaders, although several of their lesser fortresses and outposts have been destroyed. Paho’t-mab is built around a palace smaller but more elaborate than that of the king of kings in Sin’shar, as well as a temple to Nergal in a stereotypical style. These and a few government buildings help convince outsiders that Paho’t-mab is the capital of the imperium so that they don’t venture into the desert to search for something more. The ground below the city is rock that is honeycombed with caves developed centuries ago into underground shelters to house most of the populace in case of attack. One cave beneath the false palace contains a Room of Travel connected to the real palace of the king of kings so that, in the worst situation, people could evacuate to Sin’shar. This has never been necessary, and only a handful of the most trusted people even know the room exists.
People living in Paho’t-mab generally understand that they are decoys; it is either a great honor or a punishment to be sent there to live. On one hand, the city is still at risk even though it has been a few hundred years since any warfare has occurred in the region. On the other hand, residents of Paho’t-mab have the opportunity to go down to the jungle and possibly even to the sea. Exposure to other people and places is good background for becoming a diplomat — a person chosen to represent the Huun in another nation, whether that is as a negotiator or as a stealthy observer.
While the king of kings is occasionally in residence at Paho’t-mab, governing the city is left to High Administrator Perrizz Qos. Military units stationed in the city are part of the Northern Command under General Second Class Hulek Shar-Ishkun and decisions regarding trade issues fall to Master Tradesman Raba Shebitku. A significant percentage of the population spends most of its time farming small terraces around the city and one of the duties of the high administrator is to be sure the city has enough food and water stored at all times to sustain the entire populace through a year-long siege.
Settlement
Paho’t-mab, City of
Type
City
Owning Organization
Comments