Ssasserass

On the edge of the shimmering waters of the ocean and the marshy jungle of northern Hr'ask'r, the great pyramids of Ssasserass are an impressive sight. Unfortunately, the sheer brutality of the yuan-ti that live here means the majesty of this city is best observed from a distance.

Demographics

Although the city is owned and ruled by the yuan-ti, they make up a dramatic minority in the population. Because Ssasserass is the capital of the empire, many especially upper-class yuan-ti make their homes here. This, of course makes it even more dangerous to visitors.
A majority of this population is made up of slaves, which are prevalent in all levels of society. As with the rest of the empire, a vast majority of these are human. Due to the presence of the upper class, more slaves of other races are present here, leading to a greater diversity than in other places in the empire.

Government

As the seat of the Yuan-ti Empire, all of the ruling class resides here. The god-king, Old Father Snake rules here. His whim is law, and any who dare to disobey in even the slightest manner are subject to the cruelest of punishments. He is rarely seen by the general population, however, owing to a caution bordering on paranoia.
The most visible official are the primarchs of the three castes. The primarch rules their caste and competes with the others for power and the favor of Old Father Snake. As with most yuan-ti, the three primarchs are entirely self-serving, making them poor public officials.
Aside from the rather rigid caste structure, yuan-ti society has very few laws. Consequently, it has very little in the way of enforcement. The yuan-ti simply do whatever they can get away with, and if their superiors disapprove then they are killed and eaten.

Defences

Ssasserass is built on vast wetlands of the Ssvan River Delta. This means that it cannot be approached on land. Approaches from both the sea and river are well defended by the entirety of the yuan-ti navy. They do not leave this area, limiting the advancement of those assigned there, but leaving them more than eager to prove themselves.
The city, itself, is very difficult to navigate. The bridges that connect the different sections of the city can be destroyed, effectively trapping any attacking force. The yuan-ti are then more than willing to use magic to destroy wide swathes of their own city, heedless of the collateral damage.
The upper classes of the yuan-ti castes are extremely formidable in their own right. These individuals got to their positions through sheer deadliness and often surround themselves with large numbers of dangerous and devoted slaves. Old Father Snake, himself is also known to be a considerable threat in combat.

Industry & Trade

The empire of the yuan-ti doesn't engage in trade with other nations, so this creates a need for self-sufficiency. All goods found in Ssasserass are then produced in the empire or stolen in attacks against other peoples of Hr'ask'r.
The role of the yuan-ti capital in this system can almost be described as parasitic. All trade routes in the empire flow into Ssasserass and the decadent culture there sees a high demand of goods, and yet the city produces absolutely nothing of value.

History

When the yuan-ti first arrived in the Twin Worlds, they wasted no time in putting the local populace to work in building them a city. They chose the location as an easy location to receive goods and they believed the waters surrounding them would help protect them from attack.
As soon as their capital city was built, Old Father Snake and those closest to him moved in and never left. Their people, however pushed deeper and deeper into the marshy jungle to create an empire for their god-king.
Since the relatively short time since the city's founding, none have attacked in force. Even the constant war the snake-folk have been fighting with the ursil nation of Dolrar has remained distant due both to the distance involved and the security of the city.
The enemies of the yuan-ti have been known to have infiltrated the city before, however. The most notable to have done this have been The Arcane Trinity. They came to foil a plot by the demon lord Graz'zt to take control of Old Father Snake. Their visit led to both the banishment of Graz'zt and the temporary death of Old Father Snake.

Architecture

The most plainly visible structures that can be seen in Ssasserass are the pyramids. These structures are massive, smooth-sided buildings made by slaves from imported stone. They often serve as palaces for the most influential of the yuan-ti and make heavy use of ramps for the Scripture Caste and the many serpents kept as pets.
These opulent stone structures are interspersed by many small woven-grass hovels. These are the cramped and minimalist homes of slaves. A great many families are often squeezed into a space most societies would consider too small even for one.

Geography

The city is constructed entirely on the Ssvan River Delta, a wetland with its namesake river to the south and the ocean to the north. As with any community, this location has played a massive role in its design.
The city streets are frequently interspersed by canals. City sections are connected by bridges, but boats piloted by slaves are the preferred method of travel. Traditionally, the further into the city one goes, the more prosperous and influential the citizens.
There are two specific locations worth noting in the city. The first is the Palace of a Thousand Serpents. This is a vast pyramid that is carved to resemble a collection of petrified snakes. This is the palace of Old Father Snake, who never leaves this exquisite abode. It is said to be a community all on its own.
The second notable location is the Grand Market. This open-air market is the most prosperous in the entire empire, with all the most opulent goods proudly for sale. It is always a hub of activity, and however crowded it becomes, those gathered have learned long ago to stand aside for the primarchs.

Founding Date

Early 3rd Age

Type

City

Population

approx. 50,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Ssasserassi

Location under

Hr'ask'r

Owner/Ruler

Old Father Snake

Owning Organization

Yuan-ti Empire

Characters in Location

• Old Father Snake