Arkhos

Arkhos is the capital of The New Arkhosian Empire, and was the capital of the Old Empire during the First Age. It lies in the mountainous north of the continent of Arkhosia, and as such has an excellent defensive position.

Government

As the capital, Arkhos is ruled directly by the Emperor or Empress of the New Arkhosian Empire, rather than by a regional governor. However, when the ruler is absent from the city, the Arkhosi Court governs the city in their place.

Defences

The mountains surrounding the city form a natural defense, as there are only two possible ways into the city. These paths, the North Pass and the South Pass, are guarded heavily by Arkhosian patrols, and where they reach the city walls are defended by large gatehouses. A second wall surrounds the High Quarter, the highest and most central part of the city, protecting the noble manors and the Emperor's palace.

Industry & Trade

Many of the city's inhabitants are employed in the mines and quarries surrounding the city, which are often owned by members of the city's nobility. The primary raw materials mined and quarried in Arkhos are iron, coal, silver, granite and marble. However, lately the iron trade has been undercut by cheap Sadheri iron imported from Bokesh.
Whether the iron is Arkhosi or Bokesi, the forges work just as hard. Forges in Arkhos supply much of the arms and armour for the Arkhosi military, as well as making ample commission from custom pieces for members of the nobility and adventurers passing through the city.
While trade in Arkhos is nowhere near the levels of Port Carrow or Karh, the city enjoys active trade along the river Khossos, with merchant ships taking goods from Arkhos north, to the Sea of Stones (and beyond), or south to the surrounding towns. The river also brings raw materials from the mines and quarries to the city for processing.

Infrastructure

A small dockyard has been built on the banks of the river Khossos, on the lowest terrace of the city. Boats coming from mines and quarries to the south dock here to unload raw materials, and small merchant vessels use the river to travel to and from the city, bringing many exotic items into the city and exporting its manufactured goods throughout the known world.

Tourism

The lost continent of Ysillia is but a short journey across the Sea of Stones from Arkhos, and so many treasure hunters looking to find their fortunes in that forgotten land first stop in the city to rest and purchase the supplies they need for their perilous journey.

Architecture

Most buildings are built with granite, which is readily available from quarries in the mountains. They are often partially dug underground, and many buildings are linked together by underground passageways for ease of travel and transfer of goods.
Buildings in the High Quarter, mostly the manors of the nobility and high-end shops and other establishments, are usually constructed of finer materials, such as marble and exotic woods from elsewhere in the Empire.

Geography

Arkhos is constructed mostly on the lower slopes of Mount Valsata, with the city's buildings arranged in a terraced fashion on the mountainside.
The river Khossos runs through the city, and is used by merchant ships to provide passage to the north, where they will often meet larger vessels bound for other continents, or themselves sail along the coast to Kyce or Teosia.

Natural Resources

The city is surrounded by mountainous terrain, and in these mountains are several mines and quarries. The city is largely self-sufficient, with the hardy people of the city keeping animals on the mountainsides and some even managing to grow crops there. The evergreen woods on the mountainside also provide a small amount of timber for the construction of buildings and ships.
To the north lies the Sea of Stones, home to many species of crab and other shellfish. These are fished by Arkhosi and provide much of the diet of the cityfolk.

Founding Date

Around 500 years before the First Age

Type

Capital

Inhabitant Demonym

Arkhosi

Included Locations

• University of Arkhos

Owner/Ruler

Rilakh Kharisia

Owning Organization

New Arkhosian Empire

Characters in Location

• Me'altar