Calamand

The oldest city of the Dawn Sea, Calmand's days of unrivalled superiority have long been over. Still, it has its share of prosperity if a visitor can get past its dangerous corners and labyrinthine politics.

Demographics

Calamand's population has similar ratios as its rival city, Mir'assen. The primary difference is that the majority are merfolk, instead of sea elves. Large populations of sea elves do exist there along with tritons, and small populations of genasi, locathah, and kuo-toa.

Government

Calamand's government is best described as a plutocracy. A council of the wealthiest citizens, known as merchant princes no matter their vocation, make decisions that impact the city. Unfortunately, the Council of Merchants has a long history of both corruption and infighting. It is also rumored that various criminal organizations hold a great deal of influence, as well.

Defences

Calamand's suspension in the open ocean makes the building of defensive structures nearly impossible. The tight corners and confusing layout of the city streets makes invasion very costly. The Underside of the city is could be considered more vulnerable, but the citizenry would make capturing it more difficult.
The city has no official military, but each of the merchant princes have a small army of men-at-arms. United, they are capable of fielding a significant fighting force. Their fractious nature makes this unlikely, however.

Industry & Trade

Calamand's primary source of income is trade. Most of that trade has been usurped by the far more centrally located Mir'assen. They do have their own place in the economy of the Dawn Sea, however. This is primarily because the authorities ask far fewer questions than those in Mir'assen.

History

Calamand was once little more than a few merfolk huddling in a few stone shelters for safety. They were surrounded by the deadly creatures in the depths, constantly trying to survive.
All of that changed when they gained the power of magic. They worked for years to keep themselves safe, eventually deciding on a plan. They would raise a large section of the seafloor out of the depths and away from the beasts of the deep.
It took many years, but eventually the fledgling city rose. Its population quickly exploded, and it saw millennia of prosperity. It was believed that their dominance would last for all eternity.
This era of superiority would end very suddenly, however, as the founding of Mir'assen brought Calamand low. It was a holy city brought into being in a more conveniently central location. It very quickly surpassed its older rival, and the two cities have had a strained diplomatic relationship ever since.

Architecture

The city's buildings are made of a sandstone-like rock, and vary widely in size. A great many many are massive towers, surrounded my numerous small structures at their feet. Most of these smaller buildings are residences, and trade shops. Larger ones often serve as inns, manors, or tenements.

Geography

Calamand is built on a massive stone slab suspended at the edge of the depths. The buildings and towers stretch both up towards the surface and down towards the depths. The dark side, known locally is known as the "Underside" is generally a lower class area, while the "Overside" is middle or upper class.

Type

Large city

Population

approx. 75,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Calamandi

Location under

Dawn Sea