Hnng'yar

There are few cities-- indeed, few places in the world of Kirris that have quite the importance of the Free City of Hnng'yar. It is a metropolis matched in the Twin Worlds only by Whiteriver on Amaun.

Demographics

Hnng'yar is the melting pot of Kirris, and as such has a very diverse population. A slim majority is made up of gnolls, followed by tabaxi, tamblin, ursil, lizardfolk, and minotaurs. It is not entirely uncommon for individuals of other lands to live here, such as giff, luxodons, or tortles.
There is also a very sizable population of kenku living there. They are, however, considered neither citizens, nor even sentient beings. Efforts made, even by people as influential as Ratagar of Rall have done little to change the perception that they are nothing more than pests.

Government

Hnng'yar is the home of the Senate of the nation of the same name. As the name of this body implies, the senators are elected by popular vote. As Hnng'yar is technically a city-state, all senators are elected from the city's population, although votes from surrounding communities are counted.
As a center of government for the region, general law and order are not ignored. The city guard is an organized force of civilian professionals. These people are the most well-trained guardsmen in the Twin Worlds and even include wizards in their ranks. Abuses of authority from them are not tolerated.

Defences

As an important center of trade, it stands to reason that Hnng'yar would be well defended. Two stone walls protect the populace in case of attack from the north. The harbor is built into the cliffs surrounding the bay, and a massive gate can be raised to prevent entry.
Almost all of the Hnng'yari military can be found stationed in the city, itself. Most of them in the walls or harbor. Their ranks are supplemented with both mages and priests. The city guard also serve as a very effective fighting force, adding to the already impressive Hnng'yari military.

Industry & Trade

Hnng'yar originally grew as a port and trade city. This is still the lifeblood of the great metropolis today, and much of the city's influence and income comes from this, even now. Any sailor that sails the seas of Kirris has landed here many times in their lives.
A city of this size is a hub for all sorts to trades and services, as well. With many things such as enchanters, alchemists, smiths, tailors, and the like available. It can be said that if you can't find something in Hnng'yar, it simply can't be found. Such completed works are often found traded to other places, even places in Amaun.

History

It is believed by many that Hnng'yar is the oldest city on the continent of Hr'ask'r. This is, however very hard to prove and many scholars believe that honor belongs to Labyrinthia, instead. Whatever the truth of the matter, the city's early history is fairly well-documented.
The history of Hnng'yar begins with the First Rising. When the mind flayers invaded the surface world, the gnolls that had begun to settle in the area ironically found shelter underground. They took shelter in the caves in the cliffs on the southernmost point of Hr'ask'r. There they fought off the invaders, and they held them off for long enough.
When the beasts retreated, the gnolls noticed that the sheltered bay where they retreated was the perfect place for a port. Over the millennia, its population exploded until it became one of the most important places on Kirris. The great wealth attracted many unsavory characters whose influence would remain for most of the city's history.
Now well-protected and populous, the city held off the Second Rising, but it was besieged for that entire period. Still, it survived in far better shape than the nations around it. This was what made it the perfect challenge for the warlike ursil. This conflict was quickly won, but had far greater impact than any would have thought.
The violence led to the distruction of a small, seemingly insignificant mining town named Rall. There was only one survivor, a cub named Ratagar. This cub made it to Hnng'yar and scraped together just enough to survive. When he grew up, a corrupt guardsman attempted to frame him for murder. He fled the city and was not seen for some time.
Ratagar returned a few years later much changed. Gone was the scared young man that fled, and in his place returned an archmage of considerable power. He appeared before the Senate and challenged the Magus Laureate in the traditions of the role. In the duel that followed, he was handily victorious.
Ever since, Ratagar of Rall has served Hnng'yar as a guide and, on occasion, protector. For example, during the Third Rising, the attack on Hnng'yar was driven off with surprising ease. The city thereafter became a haven to the people displaced by the invasion until it was finally broken.
Today, Hnng'yar stands as a bastion of civilization envied in all the Twin Worlds. This is in no small part due to the influence of Ratagar of Rall.

Architecture

The city has two general building styles: one for the Upper City and one for the Lower City. Both methods show a skill surprising to those only familiar with the uncivilized gnolls of Amaun. The Upper City, being closer to the surrounding jungle, makes heavy use of wood construction. The Lower City is made primarily if the stone of the cliffside, often carved directly into them.
Despite the construction materials used, the general design remains the same. The style heavily favors the pointed arch. In particular, the roofs of the buildings are heavily slanted with a slight outward curve to obtain the desired shape, with individual strips of wood deliberately warped to achieve this shape.

Geography

The city of Hnng'yar is constructed around a narrow bay surrounded by tall cliffs. At the mouth of the bay is a massive stone gate that can be raised with enchanted chains. The harbor is found in the most sheltered part of the bay, and is surrounded by the stone buildings of the Lower City.
These structures work their way up the cliffs to the north until it they reach the Upper City. This is a sprawling place of wooden buildings that almost seem to go on forever. The walls protecting the city are here, and divide the Upper City into its districts.
The division of wealth is not seen through the division of the Upper City and the Lower City. There are upper-class and lower-class residences in both areas. Generally the neighborhoods in the Lower City get wealthier the higher they get, and those of the Upper City get wealthier the further south they get.
There are two buildings of note in Hnng'yar. The first is the Senate Building. From the outside, it looks like little more than a massive door in the cliff, but on the inside are many opulent chambers that serve the needs of the senators, including the great domed Senate Chamber. The other is the exquisite mansion of the Senate's Magus Laureate. This rests in the Upper City right over the Senate Building and currently serves as the residence of Ratagar of Rall.

Type

Metropolis

Population

173,491

Inhabitant Demonym

Hnng'yari

Location under

Hr'ask'r

Owning Organization

Republic of Hnng'yar